Disclaimer: Still in Chapter 1

Spoilers: Non really, set between "Dead Man Talking" and "Missing"

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 11

Gibbs rode home with Kate. When they reached her apartment complex, he started having doubts. They had been silent for the duration of the ride and he briefly wondered if she was second-guessing as well. Not that he doubted Kate in any way, or how much he wanted her. He doubted himself and if he was ready to be in another relationship. All of the ones he'd been in had ended with death, divorce, and disaster. He wasn't someone that she should get involved with. He was too jaded by life. She must have sensed his unease because she covered his hand wither hers and squeezed. The small smile she gave him said that she knew where his thoughts had turned and that she understood, but that she didn't care.

In their working relationship, he was the teacher and she the student, but in their personal life, they'd only begun to scratch the surface of what they knew about one another. Sure, he knew how she like her coffee, or how she hated it when Tony picked at her food, but never minded him doing the same. But those were trivial when it came to building a relationship.

"Gibbs." Her soft voice prompted him to exit the care and begin to follow her into her building.

Kate could feel his reluctance and knew he was a second guessing himself and what he had to offer her. He didn't seem to realize that all she wanted was him, as he was, and nothing else. She didn't want special recognition, or favoritism. She didn't want to change him. They made it into her apartment, mostly because she didn't allow him to stop or back away. She kept a firm grip on his hand and her eyes locked on his, showing him how sure she was of where they were heading, and of him. When they were in her living room, he couldn't stay silent any longer.

"Kate, I'm not sure…" She silenced him with a kiss.

"I know. I don't expect anything from you tonight. I just want your company." He thought it over and nodded. He could handle that. He wasn't ready to ruin what they had so far, by rushing in where he wasn't ready to go. It would be so easy to just sleep with her and get it over with, but that would leave them both disappointed and feeling cheap.

They say together on Kate's couch. She's made them dinner and while they hadn't said much, they were comfortable with each other, especially after he'd been to her apartment the first time. She layed her head on his shoulder and her wrapped an around her, pulling her closer, until her head was on his chest, over his heart. It was later in the evening when he realized that she hadn't moved in a while. He looked down to see that she was sleeping peacefully against him. He gently pushed her back until she was lying down on the couch and went down the hall to her bedroom. He pulled back the covers on her bed and turned around to see her standing in the doorway.

"You moved and I was suddenly cold." She said without prompting, a slight pout in her voice. He took in the way her hair had started to stick up and the sleepiness in her eyes. She was more beautiful then, than he had ever seen her. He didn't apologize for moving her, but gave her a cheeky smile instead, and nodded to the bed.

Kate kicked off her socks and stripped down to her bra and panties before grabbing her usual USC jersey pajamas and wandering into the bathroom. She came out with brushed teeth, no makeup, and a soft smile playing on her lips. She gestured to the bed this time, telling him to join her. He shrugged off his shirt and took off his pants, leaving him in his undershirt and boxers.

They crawled into bed and once Kate was lying on his chest again, listening to his heartbeat, they both fell into restful sleep.