Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: "Reveille"

A/N: Here is the second chapter I had originally promised all of you. It seems that I started it and it never got posted. I know! Please don't throw rotten tomatoes at me. I really, really hate tomatoes. ICK!

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 19

Kate well slept well that night with Gibbs beside her. Despite her thoughts about her family, Gibbs presence soothed her worries and made it easy for her to rest. He had a fitful sleep on the other hand, even with her spooned beside him. He woke on and off during the early morning hours. His thoughts and dreams had turned to his own parents. His mother had passed away many years before and he hadn't spoken with his dad since the deaths of Shannon and Kelly. He didn't have any siblings to ease the burden of grief within him, as she did, but despite that he could see Kate becoming his family. At close to four he had settled into dreams of Kate, something that was easy to do with her warmth pressing into him.

Kate got up earlier than normal, feeling refreshed. She left a note for Gibbs and went for a run to start the day off right, even though she hated to leave Jethro, and the warmth of their bed. She knew he'd been restless. The twisted sheets gave evidence of that, but he'd managed not to wake her. She couldn't help the smile that graced her lips as she ran for miles feeling nothing but her feet hitting the pavement and the wind in her face. It was so wonderful to let everything but the love in her heart, fall away in the face of her runner's high. She felt like she could run forever and never tire. Her watch beeped reminding her of the time and she turned for home.

When she got home, she found a note stuck to her bathroom mirror. Jethro had to run an errand before work and would see her there. She loved the fact that he felt he needed to leave her a message, just as she had done when she'd gone for her run. Kate showered and dressed quickly. She was still early for work, so she stopped at her local coffee shop to get a cup and maybe breakfast. The line was long, but she didn't mind, and the news was playing on the screen above the counter. She was feeling amazing after talking with both George and Gibbs about what had happened between her and her sister. It was like a weight had been lifted off her heart. Her run had been wonderful and she was still coasting on the endorphin high she had received. Now if only Gibbs had been there to get coffee with here, everything would have been perfect. The guy in front of her turning around to speak to her, broke her from her thoughts, and she felt the soft smile that been gracing her lips, slip a little bit.

"What do you think of what Sharon is doing?" He asked, gesturing to the TV.

"Assassinating Hamas leaders or pulling settlements out of Gaza?" She answered without thinking. He looked a little taken aback.

"Either. I'm just trying to start a conversation. I'm John. AG department." She briefly thought he meant the Attorney General, but dropped it. He was too nice to be a lawyer and she knew quite a few of the faces in the law offices and his was new.

"Kate, NCIS."

"Hi. Really?"

"Yes, why?" Her mind immediately turned to the thought that he was one of the men who thought women didn't belong in law enforcement.

"I've never seen you. I'm at NCIS twice a month."

"You are?" She was puzzled for a moment before it dawned on her that he must be talking about a different agency.

"Yeah. I specialize in actuarial analysis. Hail and storm damage."

"What NCIS do you think I'm with?" It was almost amusing that he thought she would have anything to do with agriculture. She was a city girl through and through. Most definitely not her cup of tea. She mentally chastised herself for being a snob.

"National Crop Insurance Service."

"Yeah, that's us. She's a real whiz on how corn losses affect pork belly futures." Kate nearly jumped out of her skin when Gibbs appeared at her elbow, but she had to smile at him and his sarcastic tone. He just smirked and waved a cup of coffee from his coffee shop at her.

"Jethro." He smiled at her exasperated tone, and cut through the line to grab a table. "He thinks he's being funny. I'm with the other NCIS."

"Other NCIS?"

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service." She answered, tapping the badge on her hip. He looked down, eyes widening in surprise.

"You're a cop?"

"Federal Agent, but yes. Excuse me. Have a nice day." She moved away from the line to join Gibbs at the table. "What was that about?"

"Rule number seven, always be specific when you lie." Gibbs answered as she sat down across from him.

"Is this some odd way of getting me to learn your rules? Because I'm not sure I like all these unwritten, unspoken rules. It's too easy to screw up that way." He just shrugged his smirk still in place. "Ok, why are you bringing me coffee from your caffeine dealer two blocks away? And don't use rule seven."

"Do you want it or not?"

"I do. But I also want you to answer my question."

"I always bring you coffee from my coffee shop Why break tradition now?" She smiled and felt heat bloom in her chest. She had missed him in the few short hours they had been apart. This time she silently chastised herself for being overly sappy.

"And interrupting my conversation?"

"Jealous." He looked a little sheepish, but she liked the sudden display of possessiveness over her.

"I can live with that, but you don't have to be jealous. No one could measure up to you." He gave her once of his rare full smiles.

"Come home with me tonight, Kate." It wasn't a question, but a gentle command, one she didn't mind following.

"Sure."

"Good. It's time to get to work."