June 2009
The guy who had assaulted Kaitlin Todd had not been found yet. She was still staying at the Gibbs house. Gibbs and Jenny had lived with her and had helped her through her nightmares during the last month.
When Gibbs entered the kitchen the next morning he was shocked to see Kate dressed for work and wearing her holster, her gun and her badge. "Kate?" she turned around. "I am going back to work Gibbs. I just need to get back. I cannot sit her all day." He looked at her intently and knew that her mind was set. They looked at the hall when they heard something and a moment later Jenny entered the kitchen. "Jenny Kate has decided to go back to work." Jenny just nodded but looked a little worried. "Kate, are you sure?"
Kate looked down and then straight at them. "I am still afraid but I just need to get back." Jenny and Gibbs nodded. "Kate we know that you are scared but you will be alright. You will never be alone. I promise you that." "Thank you Gibbs. Do McGee, DiNozzo and the others know the truth?" the two of them shook their heads no. "Thank you."
Half an hour later the three of them entered NCIS. DiNozzo, McGee, Abby and Dr. Palmer were in the bullpen. "Kate!" Abby and the rest of the team walked towards her. Gibbs knew immediately that this could not be good. "Good morning. Abby got anything knew yet?" Abby looked at him. "Gibbs why cannot I say good morning to Kate?" he looked at Kate who used her eyes to tell him the answer. "Abby we have a case. Got something?" "No."
Gibbs looked at Jenny. "If you guys need me I will be in my office." She then gave Gibbs a look that said `take care of Kate´. He just nodded and turned and saw that Kate had sat down at her desk. He walked a little toward her desk to make sure no one harassed her. "Abby, keep looking. McGee you help her." When the two left DiNozzo walked to Kate. "Where were you the past month Kate?"
She looked up and then at Gibbs. "I was on vacation if you do not mind." "No. I was just wondering." She looked at him and he returned to his desk. The rest of the morning went by pretty normal with Gibbs making sure Kate was not bothered.
At noon Gibbs and Kate walked to Jenny´s office to have lunch together. "Kate how was the morning?" "Except for Tony asking questions. It was alright. I sometimes still look behind me unconsciously." Gibbs and Jenny looked at each other. "That will get better Kate. You will get back to normal again." She nodded silently and both Gibbs and Jenny knew that was still a long road ahead of Kate.