A/N: T'has been a while, I know. Work and work outs get in my way sometimes. But here it is…finally, Chapter 9, Part 1. Enjoy J

Disclaimer - Not mine…I'm just playing with my favourite characters that's all

Chapter 9 - Christmas Eve (Part 1)

It was Christmas Eve and everyone was getting anxious to know what they've gotten for from their colleagues . It was agreed, or rather they were ordered not give out the gifts until the evening.

They were all busy finishing their reports off from a recent case. A woman murdered her husband, a marine, because he was cheating on her. She had poisoned his drink, he died after being poisoned over a number of weeks. When the team found her out she killed herself, of course they investigated her death encase it was the dead husbands lover getting revenge, she had an airtight alibi and numerous people corroborated her whereabouts. She was glad that "The Bitch" was dead but now she'd have to bring up her unborn child alone. Gibbs felt so sorry for her but he knew she'd be okay.

It was late in the morning now and the usual banter was heard by many. Tony, mostly the cause of it, was as usual flicking paperclips at McGee who was typing furiously at his computer. Ziva retaliated in McGee's defence by throwing a ball of paper at Tony's head, on target too. Paula excused herself to get coffee in for everyone, Tony seized his chance to hit her with a paperclip, direct hit on her ass, he was proud of that and smiled like a fool. His smile dropped when a pen hit his new clean shirt and left a blue ink stain on the sleeve.

"Ziva!" he yelled across the bullpen, "What the hell! This shirt cost me fifty bucks!" he scrubbed at the stain only making it worse.

"It was not me."

"Was too!"

"Prove it."

"Knock it off you two." Gibbs barked an they returned to their work.

Gibbs glanced at Kate, she hadn't said a word all morning and seemed distracted by something. He decided he needed to talk to her in private. He got up and called over his shoulder for her to follow him. She followed him to the elevator, once safely inside he flipped the emergency stop switch. He slowly turned 'round to face her "What's wrong Katie?" he asked her.

"Nothing." was her reply. That was a lie, he knew. She had seemed a little disconcerted these passed few days. He was even more concerned when he had asked Abby if she had said anything to her and when she replied with a "no" it worried him a little more.

When he didn't say anything she spoke, "I'm fine Gibbs, really." she tried to reassure him, mostly herself "the last case got to me that's all. But I'm okay." still nothing, he just stared at her obviously not buying her lie. Who was she kidding, Gibbs knew when you were lying even without looking into your eyes. When his intense stare became unbearable she decided it's best if she told him, "Okay, okay." she held up her hands, "Charlie came by my apartment the other night."

"What for?" he frowned and crossed his arms across his chest.

"To apologise and to get the rest of his stuff. He wanted to get back together but I told him "no way"."

"What'd he say to that? Or should I say what'd he do?"

"He wasn't pleased, practically begged on his knees then when I still refused he accused me of cheating."

"Did he hurt you?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

"No, I threatened to shoot him if he tried anything funny."

"That's my girl." he grinned and walked towards her and pulled her into a hug. He was getting soft in his old age. She made a sort of hissing noise when he hugged her. Instantly he pulled back and studied her "You okay?"

"Yeah, you hug a bit too tightly." she gave a small but weak smile. He hadn't hugged her that tight. Had he? Surely not. He touched her arm and was about to say something, she flinched under his touch.

"What's wrong with your arm?" his tone lace with worry now.

"I bumped into something at one of the crime scenes. Ducky checked it, said it'll just bruise. Nothing to worry about." he didn't buy that lie either. He was starting to get angry, not a Kate but that she had been hurt and he hadn't known until now. He'd do anything to keep her safe regardless of the seemingly mean less injury she now had, he felt he had to protect her from everything, all the time. He looked her over, something was definitely wrong with her, his gut told him so. He gently grabbed her wrist and pulled up her sleeve, she looked embarrassed and she was. "Did Charlie do this?" he asked the question he already knew the answer to. She nodded, tears streaking her mascara down her face. Gibbs sighed and pulled her close to his chest, "It's okay Katie. It's not your fault."

"I felt so weak. I couldn't fight back." she cried into his jacket.

"I'll protect you Katie. I'll protect you from assholes like him." he rubbed her back as she continued to cry. When her sobs subdued into sniffles she looked up at Gibbs, he looked back and gave her a small smile.

"Thank you Gibbs."

"For what?"

"For being here for me. I can always count on you to be there for me. To watch my six."

He was touched by that, "You're welcome. Plus you have a great six to look at." he joked.

She buried her face in his chest, giggling at his, what would be seen as a perverse comment from Tony, joke. He kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around he waist. Breathing in he could smell the scent of her apple shampoo. He loved the scent of her shampoo, perfume and anything nice smelling that she wore. She too loved the way he smelt too; coffee and sawdust.

After a few more minutes they decided it was time to leave the elevator, other people needed it to get about their work and stuff. Before they left the elevator Gibbs handed Kate a tissue to wipe her eyes and face, "Thanks." she smiled, "Do I look okay?"

"You always look your best, no matter what." she gave him an odd look.

"What?"

"Nothing." she shook her head. "Gibbs?"

"Mm?" he flipped the switch and the metal box sprung back to life.

"What're you gonna do about Charlie?" she knew he wouldn't let anyone get away with hurting one of his agents, especially not Kate.

"He'll pay, Katie. He'll pay." that was all he said to her as they left the elevator. She didn't even want to know what he was thinking. Whist she went to make herself presentable again he went down to the lab to see Abby.