DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
OPENING THE PAST
CH 4
They sat enjoying each other's company and sharing kisses that grew in length and intensity neither aware of anything around them.
That is until they heard Jack clear his throat. "Do I need to get the hose for you two?" he smirked.
Pulling away, albeit begrudgingly Gibbs smiled at Karin who had grown a few shades redder than the flush she'd worn from their kissing. His smile became a glare when he looked at his father, but seeing the smirk he couldn't hold it.
"Did you need something?" he asked the older man.
"Just wanted to see if you two wanted some dinner is all," Jack shrugged.
Karin stood not sure entirely what else to do and fixed her hair that had gotten a little mussed from Jethro's fingers combing through it. "Dinner sounds good," she told Jack.
"Then get a move on," he directed before leaving for the kitchen.
Karin tried not to look at Jethro, but when she did she fell into a fit of giggles.
Jethro chuckled himself and took her arm as they walked to join Jack.
Over dinner they shared some of their history with Jack, including dinner with Mildred.
"Would've loved to have been there for that," the senior Gibbs laughed.
"I bet you would have," Gibbs remarked.
"Jethro won her over, at least for the most part. She's still waiting to see where things end up," Karin beamed at Gibbs.
"And where would that be?" Jack asked curiously.
Both of them answered with shrugs. "Time will tell," Gibbs answered patting Karin's hand.
"Hope you both agree when you get there," he smiled at both of them. He was certainly glad to see his son find someone that cared for him and whom he cared for. Based on her knowing his son's past and continuing to stay by him said a lot in her favor.
"So you have any plans for the rest of your stay here?" he asked the couple.
"Thought I'd show her around a bit," Jethro informed him.
"Yes," Karin said showing more excitement than Jack thought his town worthy of. I can't wait to see all the details that define this town and gives it its character."
Jack raised his eyebrows at his son who gave him a half smile and explained, "Karin writes for travel magazines, mostly about small towns."
"You trying to put Stillwater on the map?" he jested.
"Depends on what I find," she shrugged one shoulder.
"On that note, I think I'll clean the dishes," Gibbs stood stacking the plates and silverware.
"I think you can't find a nicer place than Stillwater," Jack instructed Karin. Gibbs gave her a shrug signaling she opened the can of worms.
"From the little I've seen, I can't disagree with you," she stated diplomatically.
Jack stared at her, for once not sure if there were any words left to say. Gibbs laughed, "I think that's a first."
"What?" Karin asked confused.
"No one's been able to stop Dad that fast in a debate. He's almost as talkative as Ducky, and I've told you about his stories," he smiled appreciatively at her.
Jack swatted his hand at his son, "I'll debate if I think there's more to be said. Maybe I was just more convincing in fewer words."
Jethro patted his dad's shoulder, "I'm sure that's it."
"Enough already. Why don't you get started showing off Stillwater with an after dinner walk?" he suggested. "I'll get the dishes tonight."
"That sounds lovely," Karin tried to make peace between them though neither appeared to be taking things too seriously.
Jethro showed he some of the specialty shops that had closed for the evening.
"Places close early around here," she noted.
"Yeah. Night time is still family time. If you're looking for something to entertain yourself away from home your only choices are the movie theater and a couple of restaurants."
Karin was surprised that this town still adhered to such notions as 'family time'. "How about Sundays?" she asked.
Gibbs frowned and shook his head, "Nope not much going on then either. Dad will open the store for a few hours, but he's the exception."
"Hmm…" she though of how she could spin a story to attract people to a quiet getaway that took you back to a time most of the world had left behind for the more busy, commercial existence they knew and lived every day. She smiled, "I think I have an angle to sell the magazines."
"Oh, there's more," Jethro told her. "Tomorrow I'll show you," he promised. "For tonight let's go back and visit with Jack."
She tilted her head quizzically, "Why do you sometimes refer to your dad by his name?"
"Long story," he could tell she wanted to hear it. "Put simply," he began.
"I wouldn't expect you to tell it any other way," she smirked.
"We never saw things the same way. He would never admit to being wrong."
"Now I know where you get it from," she teased.
He nodded, "Until recently I'd agree with you. Maybe even my father has grown to see he may have made mistakes. It's the past now," he shrugged.
They had reached Jack's house again and entered seeing him settled into his chair in the living room. He looked over his glasses he was wearing while reading a book. He closed it using a finger to hold the page. "You're back. You going to sit awhile or going to bed?" he looked at his clock on the mantel which showed it was 8:30.
"We got time to sit with you," Jethro told him, but checked with Karin who might be tired from all that had taken place that day.
She knew he was waiting for an answer. Part of her wondered what their sleeping arrangements were going to be. She'd love to be held all night, but she wasn't sure where Jethro had taken her things. Another part wanted to hear Jack's side of the strained relationship with his son.
"I'm not tired yet," she told him.
Gibbs steered her back to the sofa. "Would you like a night cap?" he asked offering her some time alone with his dad.
Accepting both his offers she answered, "I'd love one. Whatever you're having would be fine."
He raised an eyebrow, but smiled. He gave her a peck on her cheek whispering in her ear, "I'll be back soon." He squeezed her shoulder and she patted his hand.
"So did you find anything worth writing about?" Jack asked inserting a bookmark before closing his book and setting it on the table next to him.
"I've got a few ideas," Karin told him. "This town hasn't changed a lot, has it?" she inquired.
"Well the people have changed, but most like the way things have been. I know I've changed," he revealed.
"In what ways?" he had piqued her curiosity.
"In my younger days I worked the mines. Sometimes from before sunrise to after sunset. Missed a lot of Leroy's younger days, but not all. It wasn't until his mother's death and a mining accident almost caused my own, that I was willing to give it u and buy the store, so I could be around more for him," Jack reflected.
"You both probably needed each other," she empathized.
"I thought so, but my son was a hard nut to crack. He kept so much of his pain inside. I figured he blamed me for what happened to his mother. It was an accident, but he only knew she and I were having troubles," he grimaced.
"Troubles?" Karin realized she was prying and apologized. "I'm sorry. I guess that's not any of my business."
Jack put her at ease. "It's alright. No need to apologize. Marie and I had issues. Most may have been in her mind. She could never voice what was wrong. Only that she was unhappy." Jack shrugged and looked up at his son coming back into the room.
Gibbs handed a glass of bourbon to Karin who held it in both hands until he sat down next to her on the right and put his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled into his side, holding the glass in her left hand. She looked at Jack, "So why do you call Jethro, Leroy?"
"That's the name I gave him," he answered matter-of-factly. "Most of the town still calls him that."
So Karin looked up into Gibbs' face, "Why do you go by Jethro then?"
"Guess it goes back to being a stubborn kid and not wanting what my father gave me," he offered. "My mom would call me Jethro whenever my dad wasn't around."
She thought that said a lot about his feelings for his mother. Sometimes the answers were very simple. Much like Stillwater itself she surmised.
They chatted for a while. When her glass became empty Jethro took it and put it next to his on the coffee table. She felt her eyes closing and didn't try to fight the sleep that overcame her. Nestled close to him she enveloped herself in his warmth and his scent.
She couldn't remember going to bed, but she awoke with the sun warming the room and no sign of Jethro. She found her clothes and took them to the bathroom. She showered and made her way to the kitchen where she smelled coffee brewing. There Jethro was sitting at the table reading the paper and drinking coffee.
"You always up so early?" she asked.
"Habit," he replied. "You always sleep in so late?" he glanced over at the clock.
Karin followed his eyes and was surprised to see it was nearly 9:00. "No, I'm normally up by 7:00, at the latest. Did you slip something in my drink?" she teased.
Jethro smirked, "Would I need to?"
Put on the spot she wasn't sure how to answer, but went with her most honest one, "No. I don't think you would.
He raised an eyebrow and smiled, "I'll certainly keep that in mind."
Karin sighed and poured herself a cup of coffee, before joining him at the table. She blew on the hot liquid and took a sip. "So what's on the agenda for today?"
"I guess I'd like to see how you work. Show me how you get your information for your articles."
"Okay. I can do that. It's mostly walking or driving around and talking with people. You up for that?" she asked.
"I probably will listen more than talk, but the rest I can handle," he grinned. "Let me know when you're ready."
"As soon as I finish this," she lifted her cup, "I'll be ready."
"Then I will be too."
They passed by Jack on their way out, saying good morning and informing him of their day's plans. "We'll be back for dinner," Jethro told him.
"Have a nice time," he bid them.
Jethro watched, impressed with Karin's ability to talk to complete strangers, though he'd introduced her to most of them.
She had picked up a story or two about 'Leroy' and wasn't really surprised to find he'd been a bit of a troublemaker in his youth. She took notes and found that her article might not be her lengthiest one, but it would attract a few visitors which was all Stillwater would have room for itself.
Just outside the city limits was a state park that offered lots of wildlife and flora with walking and biking paths, as well as camping. Jethro told her how he used to spend weekends on his own 'roughing it'. It wasn't until later that night when she spoke with Jackson that she realized just how 'rough' he had meant.
"My boy would head out there with meager supplies: a tarp, a knife, and some rope. He only ate what he could forage or kill and pretty much slept under the stars," Jack reflected a bit of pride lacing his memories.
"Sounds like he was a Marine before he was a Marine," Karin smiled at Jethro who almost rolled his eyes at her comment.
"They were a perfect fit," Jack added.
That night when they went upstairs Jethro walked Karin to the room she had awoken in, but stopped at the door to kiss her. "Are you going to join me?" she smiled coyly.
He leaned in and kissed her opening the door behind her and flicking on her light. He took a deep breath and stared intently into her eyes. "Not tonight," he leaned his forehead on hers.
She pouted, "Are you sure?"
He kissed her pouting lips and half smiled, "I'll see you in the morning. We have a long drive back tomorrow."
"Good night, Jethro," she laid her palm on his cheek and gave him a kiss of her own, before closing the door not taking her eyes off of his.
In the morning they were both up early and drinking coffee in the kitchen. "Sweet dreams?" she asked.
"I don't dream," he shrugged. "But if I did, I'm sure they would've been. You?"
She blushed. "Yeah," was all she would say.
They packed their bags after they finished up in the kitchen. While Jethro put them in the trunk Karin said her goodbyes to Jack. Giving him a hug she thanked him for everything.
"Take care of him, even though he doesn't think he needs it," he told her quietly. She laughed lightly agreeing to do what he asked.
She pulled back as Jethro approached to give his father a hug good bye.
"Bye Dad. Thanks for everything."
"Bye Leroy. Look after her," he advised his son.
"Yep," he replied. "Will do."
One last clap on the shoulder and Jethro led Karin to the car holding her door open until she was inside. After they were on the road their conversation turned to what they could expect from the team and her family. Surely they would have done a bit of speculating as to why he'd taken her to his hometown.
"I can handle my team," he told her. "They've always wondered about my personal life. It's always been a mystery to them," he snickered.
"I don't think anyone will wonder too much, except how serious things may be getting," she wondered how she could explain it. "Guess I'd still say we're taking things one day at a time."
"Guess things, as far as everyone's concerned, are the same then," Gibbs summed it up.
"That's about the size of it," she agreed.
Gibbs drove her home and carried her bags up to her apartment. "Care to stay. We can order some food in."
"Sounds good," he accepted her invitation wrapping his arms around her as she phoned in the order. He waited for her to hang up before kissing her neck. "We have thirty minutes," he said suggestively.
"Got any ideas on how to spend the time?" she sighed closing her eyes and enjoying the attention he was giving her.
"Oh a few," he nearly growled and took her hand to lead her to her bedroom. She laughed and let him lead the way.
(* Please note that portions of this chapter reflect events from my What Made Gibbs, Gibbs story and are not intended to be based on anything revealed in the series. Also my description of Stillwater is fictional and not based on facts.)