Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: None, but still set between "See No Evil" and "The Good Wives Club"

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 27

Kate got up late the next morning. She found a note on her pillow next to her head. It read: 'Gone to breakfast with ALL your brothers.' She chuckled to herself, but knew that Gibbs could hold his own with the men of her family. She showered and dressed, and checked her messages on her phone as she was slipping on her shoes. There was a text from Deb asking her to meet for brunch. Kate texted Gibbs, letting him know that she was taking the car and headed out to meet her sister.

Deb greeted her warmly when the maitre'd showed Kate to her table. They actually hugged for the first time in years. Once they were seated, it didn't take long for Deb to start talking.

"I'm glad you came. I've wanted to talk to you, but I've been so afraid. I hurt you so badly and there's really no way I can apologize for that."

"I've learned to let it go, Deb. We've both moved on with other people."

"I am sorry though, Katie. I knew it was wrong, but it never really sank it. Brad got so mad when James told him. He hit him, literally knocked him to the floor. And when he saw me next he yelled at me. He called me an adulteress and said that he was ashamed of me, that I could treat you so callously and that I would lie to everyone about what happened. He said that you had least had enough respect for everyone in the family, that you protected everyone but yourself. He really scared me. I thought he might hit me for a minute but he just walked away. It really sank in after that. I wasn't just hurting you but I was hurting myself as well by hurting you, and by being with a man who was so disloyal. I stopped seeing James immediately. I think he agreed because he didn't try to contact me again. I found out later that he moved to California to practice there. But even after that I couldn't bring myself to tell the family what happened. That wasn't fair to you. I should have said something, but I was so ashamed of what I had done, that I tried to forget it happened. I let everyone be mad at you, and I let Mom nag at you. I figured you told George and he was being his normal forgiving self because he never mentioned it."

"I told George a few weeks ago after I got Mom's letter telling me you were getting married. George just doesn't judge. He loved you for you just as I do. I'm glad you're ready to admit it though. I figured Brad knew what happened because he never tried to confront me about it. But Mark needs to hear it. He holds grudges the longest."

"I know. I heard Brad was taking him and George and your Gibbs to breakfast and asked him to tell Mark."

"That's good. He'll get it from all sides then, but you need to tell him as well."

"I know and I will. I need to get everything out. Mom said you told her. She was angry that I had lied to her. She said it wasn't her place to forgive me. She was just disappointed that I didn't tell her the truth."

"I forgive you Deb. I really do. It's time for both of us to let it go."

"I'm glad. Now I have one more heavy subject, Dad."

"I'm still upset with him over disowning George and how he didn't want the rest of the family around because he thought it might catch."

"It's more than that Kate, you were his favorite."

"The divorce was awful. The rest of you were out of the house. I was still in my senior year. He tore down Mom like you would not believe. He said it was her fault that George was gay and that no true son of his would be something so unnatural. He accused her of cheating and wondered if I was even his daughter. Then one day I came home and Mom had a bloody lip and a black eye. He was gone and so was his stuff."

"I had no idea."

"That was right at the end of my senior year. I was accepted to pre-law that summer. We talked a bit after that. I saw him a few times, but was already wary of him at that point. Then when things happened with James he had a huge fit about me dropping out of law school and the rift I was creating between me and you. He accused me like he did Mom, saying that I must have done something to drive such a nice man and a fine lawyer like James away. And that I must not be a child of his because his children were all lawyers. I gave up after that. As soon as he doesn't get what he wants, he loses his temper and lashes out. We never saw it growing up because we all wanted to be lawyers, even George, but once we were adults, George and I no longer fit the mold."

"I'm sorry. I wish I had known what was going on. I could have helped a least while you were at home."

"Don't worry about it. George and I went to therapy for a while. We learned that it wasn't our fault and we forgave Dad. But we don't have to tolerate his attitudes.

"Way to go sis! I like this you. I'd like to get to know you better is you'll let me."

"I'd like to get to know you better too." Kate answered.

Gibbs thought he might be in hell. At least George was solid company. Andrew had declined to join them, stating that he had a few business calls to make to ensure the gallery was running smoothly. Mark started in first, as Gibbs expected. He was the least patient of the three and George had already asked his questions the night before.

"So why does she call you Gibbs?" Mark questioned.

"Habit. We work together. Also I was in Marines. They always address you by your last name. I'm more likely to respond immediately to Gibbs than I am to Jethro."

"Jethro? Really? Wow! Did your parents not like you or something?"

"I was named after my Dad's best friend."

"Oh. Sorry."

"You and Caitlyn work together?" This came from Bradley.

"Yes."

"How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long have you been seeing each other?"

"4 months."

"How long have you worked together?"

"She left the Secret Service to work with me. A year ago."

"Are you planning on forever?"

"We take it one day at a time, but I'd like to think so."

"Have you ever cheated?"

"Never in my life."

"Are you planning on it?"

"Why? I have your sister. What else do I need?"

"James said the same thing."

"What does James have to do with anything?" Mark asked.

"Do you know?" Brad asked George and Gibbs, who both nodded. "Ok. Mark, the reason Caitlyn hasn't talked to Deborah in so long, and why she dropped out of law school was because she found James and Deborah in bed together. They had been going behind her back for several months. She was devastated."

"I had no idea. Why didn't she say anything? Every time I asked, she told me to ask Deb, who said she didn't know why Kate was so upset."

"Kate was protecting everyone, even Deb." George answered.

"It's what she does. It's what she has always done. Mom told me about what happened with Dad. It's why I've been trying to be a better brother to George, like the rest of you have been. I don't want to be like Dad." Mark and Gibbs looked confused.

"Kate was still at when home when they separated. Dad ranted and accused Mom of having an affair, that George wasn't his. He wouldn't sire a gay son. Dad hit Mom. Then the thing with James happened and he accused Kate of the same things, and she just gave up on him. George told me later that they went to therapy to help cope with it.

"I had no idea. Kate and I were never that close." Gibbs gave a questioning look. "Brad is the oldest, 3 years older than me. Deb and I are 11 months apart and Deb is 2 years older than George. George and Kate are 12 months apart, with Kate being the youngest."

"Well Gibbs, now that you know about the family, still want to be a part of it?" George asked as they stood to go their separate ways.

"Kate is worth it." Was his reply.

"That she is. See you at the rehearsal."