We convince each other nothing has changed
Nobody else will ever write the same
The adaptation for the stage is now playing
For your protection all the names have been changed…
Kaiser Chiefs – I Can Do It without You
Chapter IX – Monday Morning
"Brady, are you ready?" Gibbs called and heard the boy finally coming down the stairs. He had been awake before the alarm clock jumped to life and decided to fix breakfast for the three of them. The gray haired man put a bowl with cereals on the table and watched the child entering the kitchen with a confused look on his face.
"How do I wear this?" He asked and held up his navy blue tie, a deep frown creasing his forehead. The school was one of those typical New England schools where the pupils always had to wear a uniform, no matter who old they were.
"Sit down a minute I´ll show you how." The silver-haired man said and once again he wondered why the school insisted on the ties even in pre-school. Jethro bent down in front of the five-year-old and winced slightly at the movement. His knee was getting better with each day, but kneeling still wasn´t the best movement he could do at the moment. Slowly Jethro explained to the boy how to tie it and only a few moments later the tie was perfectly in place. "Alright."
A minute later Kate appeared in the kitchen as well and the three ate their breakfast. The adults decided to drop the boy of at school together so he didn´t feel all alone on his first day. Due to his injured knee the gray-haired man had to start work in two days so he could come as well.
"Let´s go." Gibbs said when their dirty dishes were in the dishwasher and the trio went to their new car. Ten minutes later Caitlin stopped the car in front of the old building of Brady´s school and turned around in her seat before anyone of them got out.
"Do you remember everything?" she asked and the sandy-haired boy just nodded. He was doing great at home, Kate knew that he would be quiet at school and would barely talk to the other children in his class, but she had to make sure that he was aware of their story.
The three climbed out of the SUV and walked towards the main entrance, the five-year-old holding onto Jethro´s hand. They quickly found the secretary who led them to the headmaster. After a quick chat they said their goodbyes and the director brought Brady to his class. The blond child just waved at his `parents´ and followed the man who was clad in a black sports coat.
"Let´s go back…" Jethro said and paused a moment before he went on. "…home?"
"Yeah." The red-haired woman answered and threw him a quick glance. She knew why he hesitated to call the house him because it wasn´t and would never be their home. A place to live probably but their home was in Washington where their friends were. A few minutes later the two were back at the house and Lauren waved the redhead over before she went inside.
"Good morning Kate, did you drop Emmett off?" She asked and the red-haired woman nodded.
"The headmaster told us that he is in Mister Leonard´s class." Kate replied and the blond smiled.
"Gabe is in Mister Leonard´s class too. It´s nice to have one of his school mates right around the corner, the others are on the other side of the town." Lauren explained and the former NCIS agent nodded again. "Can I ask you for a favor? I have to see Leon´s Doc and I can´t pick up Gabe, could you take him until I´m back?"
"Sure, that is not a problem. Maybe the two become friends it would be easier for Emmett if he has someone at school. Jon and I can´t help him everywhere." The red-haired woman answered and her new neighbor looked relieved.
"Thank you so much. I´ll let the school know maybe you and Jon can come over for some coffee when I´m back then you can meet my husband James." Lauren said and Kate nodded, smiling at the blond woman. If every part of their cover and this life would be that easy this wouldn´t be too much to bear.
"Sure we come. You´re welcome Lauren, see you later." The redhead said and went over to her house where Gibbs was waiting in the living room for her. He took of his brace and watched his now redheaded companion walking towards him. "Is it getting better?"
"Sure it is. I just saw that the Marshals were so mindful to schedule a Doctor´s appointment for me by the end of the week." The gray-haired man answered and watched the woman plopping down beside him. "Are you okay, Kate?"
"Yeah, I guess I´m… I don´t know it´s just strange. I mean two weeks ago I was living alone in a small apartment in Washington, working for the NCIS and now I have red hair…" She trailed off and sighed. Gibbs just looked at her and pulled the redhead into his side. They were slowly adjusting to the whole situation but didn´t have much time yet to talk about their relationship since Brady was around the whole time. "It is just so confusing and then there are so many other things."
"I know Katie." He replied curtly and felt the younger woman shifting so she was leaning comfortably against him. He looked down at her and met her dark brown eyes, recognizing that she was watching him closely. Slowly Jethro leaned down and while doing so he was searching her face for any sign that she didn´t want this but he found none. Finally their lips met and both were able to forget about their situation for the time they shared their feelings. They would have gone farther but when the older man turned a grunt escaped his mouth because he twisted his knee.
"Better, huh?" The redhead said playfully and winked at her former supervisory agent. Though their situation was twisted to put it nicely it was a good point to restart their relationship.
"Yes, better. Definitely." Jethro replied and slumped back against the pillows. Caitlin kissed him lightly on the cheek and stood up, looking down at him expectantly.
"When it is better than we can take a closer look at our backyard." She said and the gray-haired man stood up as well, leading the way towards the glass door which led them to the porch.
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Slightly shorter than the others, but after all there are still four Chapters plus the Epilogue to go. =)