Pleasure, Pacification and Persistence

Kate was locking her car just as Jethro pulled up next to her. She knew there was no way she would have beaten him back unless he'd taken a detour.

"Go somewhere on the way?" she asked lightly.

"How did you know?"

"I'm a well trained, highly perceptive federal agent, Gibbs." she teased.

"And learning from the best," he quipped. "I got you something."

"Oh?" Kate's tone changed to one of surprise. "You shouldn't have."

"I know, I spoil you." He pulled a small brown envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her, leaning against the side of his car to watch her open it. She turned it upside down and found a shiny silver key resting in the palm of her hand. She stared at it blankly for a moment before fixing him with a confused look.

"It's for my front door." He smiled.

"But you don't lock your front door." He laughed at the bewildered look she was still giving him.

"I know, but I thought I would start, I mean if my family are going to be living there I want to be sure they're safe."

"Oh," she smiled. "You're asking me to move in with you?"

"Ya think?" His eyes danced with amusement.

"I'd like that," she slid the key onto the ring with her others. "When can I move in?"

"Whenever you like, I'll see if the team can help move your things over this weekend. You won't be able to do anything strenuous of course, no carting boxes around." She rolled her eyes as they began to walk.

"Can I pack at least?" Kate asked. He smiled sweetly.

"Of course, I'll come over tonight to help you."

"Supervise, you mean," she retorted in slight annoyance.

He just laughed and pushed for the elevator, taking her hand.

"You ready?" he asked. She sighed and leaned into his side.

"As I'll ever be."

They stepped out into the bullpen to find themselves being watched intently by Tony and McGee. McGee noted with surprise the intertwined fingers but kept his thoughts to himself. He rose slowly having promised to tell Abby the minute either of them came back.

"You headed down to the lab, McGee?"

"Err, yes boss."

"Work related?" Gibbs asked, eyebrows raised.

"Not exactly," He said guiltily.

"Good, then you can phone Abby and tell her to come up here," he turned to Tony. "And you can do the same for Ducky."

The two men exchanged glances before picking up their phones and making the calls.

Gibbs led Kate over to his desk where she perched on the edge facing the rest of the team; he stood next her, his hand on her shoulder. They were soon joined by Ducky and a squealing Abby.

"Kate! Where did you go? We were worried." She hugged her tightly then stepped back to stand by McGee.

"Caitlin my dear, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Ducky." She smiled reassuringly.

"So, Jethro, are you going to enlighten us as to why we've all been gathered together?" Ducky turned to him questioningly.

"We have an announcement to make," he smiled, squeezing Kate's shoulder gently. Four pairs of eyes flicked to Kate and then back to him. His eyes met hers briefly seeking permission to continue, she gave him a trusting smile. "Kate and I are together."

There was a moment of silence before they all started speaking at once.

"You guys! Why didn't you tell me? This is great!" Abby ran forward to hug them both again.

"Yes! Pay up, Probie." Tony demanded. "How long for?" he turned to Kate.

"About six months."

"Didn't think you'd break rule twelve, Kate." McGee grumbled, pulling out his wallet.

"You bet him fifty dollars that I wouldn't break rule twelve?" Kate asked McGee incredulously.

"Well when he said you would I figured he was just being arrogant and I knew you'd never go out with him in a million years. I thought it was a pretty safe bet, I never considered that you and Gibbs would get together."

"No more secrets, Gibbs," Abby said firmly.

"Was that all you wanted to share with us?" Ducky smiled expectantly.

"No," Gibbs saw Kate's joyful smile and returned it. "We're going to have a baby."

"Congratulations!" McGee was the first to respond.

"Gibblets!" Abby had reached an even higher level of excitement and was almost jumping up and down.

"Just one for now, Abby," Kate laughed. "As far as we know anyway."

"Congratulations." Ducky stepped forward and kissed Kate's cheek. "You're exactly what he needs and I'm sure this will bring you both great happiness." He said quietly.

"Thank you."

"Jethro, I'm very happy for you." He shook his hand warmly. "You've got it just right this time."

"Thanks, Duck." The approval from his old friend meant a lot to him.

Tony was still sitting at his desk, a grin plastered across his face. "So, Kate, which joke do you want to hear first? The one about the protection detail or the one about the debriefing? Just kidding, Boss," he said quickly seeing the glare he was getting. "Congratulations!" He left his desk and hugged Kate, as he straightened up he felt Gibbs' hand make contact with the back of his head.

"Probably should have seen that one coming," he winced.

An hour later the bullpen had quietened considerably. The team were doing paperwork and Kate, who had finished all of hers, was on the phone. Gibbs was listening, interestedly thankful it was her not him that had to make the call.

"I don't know, Mom." She looked about ready to shoot someone. "We haven't talked about that."

"Why do you just assume that I want to get married?" She paused to listen then looked at him quickly. "I really don't know, it hasn't worked out so well for him before. Yes he is."

Gibbs could imagine the way the conversation was going, the mothers were never happy to learn that he'd been divorced three times. And Kate's family was Catholic.

"No, three." He smiled to himself as she held the phone away from her ear slightly. "I do realise that, Mom." She glanced at her watch impatiently. "Yes I am, this weekend probably. Of course I love him." The frown she had been wearing since she'd picked up the phone lessened. "Yes, he is, why? No you can not talk to him! No Mom!"

He chuckled and came round to the front of her desk holding out his hand for the phone, she shook her head violently and mouthed 'no' at him.

"Look, Mom I have to go, I'll talk to you later," her face softened and she smiled. "Thanks Mom, I love you too. Bye." She put down the phone and looked up at him. "She sends her congratulations."

"Why didn't you want me to talk to her?"

"I have no problem with you talking to her; I just don't want her talking to you at the moment."

"Ok." He nodded and went back to his desk. "You two are free to go once you've finished."

Five minutes later Tony closed his last case file with a sigh and stood to leave, just as the phone on Gibbs' desk began to ring.

"Hold it," he picked it up and Tony stopped in his tracks. "Gibbs," he grinned and waved a dismissive hand at Tony who visibly relaxed and headed for the exit. "Mrs Todd, what can I do for you?" His tone was one of great amusement and he had to try very hard not laugh as he caught sight of Kate's furious expression.

A/N: Thank you once again for all your lovely reviews. A slightly longer chapter this week, next week's hasn't been written yet though so this may have to tide you over for a few extra days. However I'll do my best to be on time and of course reviews always help!