So I am thinking it could be good if someone could help me out. I need someone who knows more about NCIS and probably also about Washington. Also could be good to bounce ideas. I know where I am going with this but some scenes and small things might change. If anyone feels up to it just send me a mess/mail.
Gibbs didn't eat much. He just kept playing with the food on his plate. Why did he agree to come here? He was grateful that McGee and Dinozzo did most of the talking. Though in reality, it was Abby who happily chatted away with Kate. His declaration of his feelings to Kate had not gone as planned. Although it had not turned out to be a complete waste either. He was sure Kate had some sort of feelings towards him but for some reason she was holding back. What could possibly be so bad that she could not tell him? If she had a man in her life wouldn't she just have told him? Perhaps she did have a man but it was not serious? Or perhaps just that, it was serious and she was not sure about her own feelings? He should not be thinking about this. It did him no good. He sighed as he got up.
"You're going Boss?" Dinozzo piped up.
"I'll be back." He said as he left. He just needed to get away for a minute.
Dinozzo turned back to Kate. "So spill it Kate? What is going on?" There was no way he had missed the tension between his boss and coworker. They had not looked at each other to much. Not to mention that they had hardly spoken one word to each other all evening.
Kate looked at him. "What?" She didn't want to do this right now.
"You and the bossman. What is going on between you?"
"Nothing is going on. Just something we don't agree on. It is nothing to worry about." She did worry. The whole day she had wondered if Gibbs was going to show for their little dinner. She had been both pleased and disappointed when he had.
"Come on Kate, the tension between you is thick as a knife." Abby cut her hand through the air.
McGee didn't say anything but he did agree with the others. There was something going on.
"He is just a bit mad that I made him think I died on the rooftop." She was hoping they would believe that.
The three of them looked at each other as Kate took a bite to eat. They could buy that but they had a feeling there was more to it. Before they could ask the sound of a mobile phone ringing cut them off.
"It's mine." Kate said she flipped it open. "Todd."
They watched as her face seemed to drain of color. Whatever it was it was bad.
"Excuse me." Kate got up and walked quickly over to stand in front of the restrooms for some privacy. "Yeah, I'm here. What happened?"
At that moment Gibbs walked out and saw Kate on her phone. She did not notice him which was unusual for her. "Oh god."
When he heard what she said it made him stop in his tracks. He was almost right behind her.
"Yeah, I remember him."
He tried seeing her face without giving away he was behind her. Something was wrong.
"Yeah, no I am ok. I'll be right over." She flipped the phone shut and closed her eyes briefly. Composing herself she turned and nearly knocked Gibbs over. "Gibbs!"
When he did see her face he saw she was more pale than usual. "What's wrong?"
There was gentleness in his voice. She shook her head and looked down.
One of his hands moved to turn her face up to his. "Kate, let me help you."
"I.. I need a ride." Not sure it was a good idea but she would rather let him drive her then any of the others. Also she did not have her car as she had been driven to the diner by Dinozzo.
He nodded. He watched her struggle with her emotions before turning towards their table. He followed closely behind. As she approached the others stood up.
"I have to go. A guy, I really did not know him that well, but we have mutual friends. Anyway, he has been killed." She still could not believe what she had been told.
Abby gasped and went to hug her. "You need anything?"
"No, Gibbs is giving me a ride. I'll be ok. I just need to see some people." She flashed a quick smile before heading towards the front.
Gibbs saw the looks the two men were giving him. "I'll take care of her." And with that he also left.
The three sat back down. Previous good mood had vanished.
"Damn, that's tough." Dinozzo took a sip of water.
McGee and Abby just nodded not knowing what to say.
"Kate, my car is this way."
Kate halted as Gibbs took one of her arms and led her in opposite direction. It did not take too long before they were by his car, Gibbs opened the car door for her as she got in. She watched him go round and seat himself next to her. By memory she quickly told him the direction to which he simply nodded. For a few minutes they rode in silence.
Gibbs found the silence a bit unnerving. "Did you know him at all?"
"Talked to him a few times and he seemed like a good guy. I should be there for those that did know him."
He was not sure what to say. So this man had not been a friend but still someone Kate had socialized with. He could see she was taking this in stride. "I'm sure they would appreciate that." He glanced over and saw her looking out the window.
They fell in silence yet again. This time it lasted shorter as Gibbs could tell they had arrived. He parked on the street across a big older building where he saw a group of people in front of. They were hugging each other. Some were crying. Other just looked shocked. He looked over at Kate and saw her watching the same scene.
"Thanks for the ride. See you at work tomorrow."
How could she possible think about wok now? "Don't you need a ride home?"
"No." That came out a little too hard and she noticed him watching her carefully. "Go home, Gibbs." She got out of the car and headed across the street.
He watched as she approached some of the people on the other side. Right away one woman hugged Kate tightly and seemed to never want to let her go. He wondered why Kate had been so adamant on not wanting a ride home. Maybe this had something to do with whatever she was not telling him. He was torn between waiting and going home. If he waited he might really piss her off but a part of him didn't care. He watched her climb the steps to the building holding the other woman's hand. Soon she was out of his sight. He turned on the engine to go home.
………...
Kate walked down the small steps and looked across the street. Gibbs' car was gone and she felt a little relieved at that. She wrapped the jacket closer around her as she started to walk away. Within seconds she heard her name being called out.
"Kate."
She turned. "David."
Little did she know as she stood there on the sidewalk Gibbs was standing behind the corner of the house. He had started to drive away when he had had second thoughts so he had parked his car further down the street and had waited for a while when he finally decided to approach the house. He spent a few minutes on the sidewalk trying to figure out what to do. He had ducked in the small alley when he had seen her coming out the front door.
"How are you holding up?" He heard Kate ask.
"I'm ok. Did Susanna call you?"
"Yes. She wasn't too clear on the phone so if you don't mind me asking, how did Sam die?"
"His throat was slit to such an extent that…"
Kate interrupted him knowing full well what he meant. "Oh god..."
"Listen, I tried calling you a few days ago but could not reach you."
Kate knew what he meant. Being 'dead' meant not answering her phone either. "I couldn't answer. Work related."
David nodded. "The reason I called is that, do you remember Ruby?"
Kate thought for a moment. "Yeah, don't know her personally that well but yes."
"She was also killed a few days ago."
That statement caught Kate off guard. "What?"
Gibbs strained to hear more. Another person killed who Kate socialized with? He did not like this one bit.
"I have been talking to my contact at Metro. They think its drug related. You know both Ruby and Sam were drug addicts."
"I thought Sam quit?"
"We all thought that."
Kate eyed him and realized David thought more of this. "You don't believe its drug related do you?"
Gibbs head went upwards. He took one step closer to the voices.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because, you know…. Of who we .."
Kate interrupted him harshly. "Let's not go there. Two good people are dead and whatever reason for that is bad enough."
"Yeah, you are right."
There was a moment of silence. For a second Gibbs thought he had missed hearing them walk away. He was glad it was night time so he was safely hidden in the shadows as people walked by. But that did not mean he couldn't be caught at any moment though. He tried to stay as close to the wall as he could. Looking down at his shoes he was really starting to think they might have left. He wondered if he should walk away when David spoke up.
"We were talking inside about missed opportunities so tell me, have you told Gibbs yet?"
Gibbs head whipped around. This guy David knew about him?
"No and I am not going to. It's better that way."
"What about, what's her name, Abby?"
Abby? Gibbs did not understand what was going on here. Why would Kate tell something to Abby and not to him? At least something that appeared to be so serious. Sure, they were friends but Kate knew she could always come to him. Didn't she?
Kate let out a small laugh. "No, as much as I think she'd get a kick out of it then no. She could never keep it from Gibbs and well, I am not totally sure that Abby wouldn't freak out on me too."
Gibbs mind was spinning. What was so important that she could not tell him?
"It's up to you." David leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Talk to you later, Kate. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, David." She watched him walk away from her but she did not move. Was it really possible that the deaths had been drug related or was it something else going on? No matter what reason it made her shiver.
Gibbs heard him walk away and wondered if he should make his presence known. There was no time as another voice was heard.
"Surprise!"
Kate turned rather startled. Standing there in front of her was one of the most important men in her life. "Leo, what are you doing here?"
Gibbs did not miss the joy in her voice as she spoke.
Leo embraced her as he laughed. "Gee, you really missed me didn't you?"
Kate laughed also. "Of course I did."
"I've missed you too. I've been away for too long."
She drew back to pat his cheek and looked lovingly at him.
At that moment Gibbs choose to watch them. His curiosity got the best of him. The man was a head taller than Kate with dark hair. He could not see his face. He watched Kate's face though as she looked at the young man and there was no denying there was love there. Was that why she didn't want to get involved with him? There was someone else. Suddenly he felt so foolish. There had been a man. Why couldn't she just have told him? He ducked back behind the corner not wanting so see anything more and wishing he could just walk away. He would be caught if he did so and therefore had no choice but to wait it out a little longer.
"I heard what happened so I knew you'd be here. I tried calling you earlier when I arrived in town but no luck." Leo spoke again.
"Oh, at home? You could have called my cell. Was out with my coworkers and had dinner."
"How is that going?"
"You mean my job. It's fine."
"Actually I meant…."
Kate put her hand up. "Leo, don't. Just don't."
"Ok, ok. You know what I think. I don't like you torturing yourself like that."
Just what was he talking about? Gibbs knew Kate liked her job so why was this 'Leo' speaking like that. Damn, he could really use some coffee.
Kate sighed as she hugged Leo once more. "I know, I know." Something in the corner of her eye caught her attention. An elbow in the same color as Gibbs' jacket was. No, he didn't? "GIBBS!"
He closed his eyes. He had been caught. Within seconds a seething Kate was in front of him. "Kate." He said calmly. He did not expect the hard slap to his face he had received in return.
She did not think she had been so angry at anybody in her life. Leo came up behind her and put and hand on her shoulder. He whispered in her ear. "He is probably concerned about you."
Gibbs looked at the young man. Well, this 'Leo' did seem to be closer in age to Kate then he was. That had been one of his fears. That he was too old for her.
Kate turned towards Leo . "Concerned about me? Concerned about me?"
Gibbs was not sure why the young man had said this but he had been right. He was concerned about Kate but he had gone about it all wrong.
Kate turned back to Gibbs and poked his chest with a finger. "How dare you?"
She was really mad. He had to make it right somehow. "Kate." He tried only to be cut off abruptly by her.
"DON'T". She withdrew her finger and started to walk away.
Gibbs was not going to follow her. He had screwed up and did not want to make it worse. He started to walk as Leo passed him quickly and shouted after her. Mom!"
Gibbs froze. Did he just say … Mom?
TBC……
