I am terrible at some situations and details (as you may have noticed or will in the future) but hopefully it will be ok. Not totally happy with this chapter.

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He had been holding her good hand as he had watched the doctor gently treat her other hand and injured arm. Once in a while he had seen Kate twitch slightly. He had told her she could squeeze his hand as hard as she wanted and whenever she needed. An X-ray had been done for her head. Although both he and the doctor thought it might be better to stay the night Kate had strongly opposed it. Gibbs figured if she had been in real trouble the doctor would have said so. They did mention that they had a doctor of their own that could look after her. That probably helped. Calls had been made so no one would show up at the hospital as Kate preferred it that way. After a few hours they had been told she could go home with ointment for her burns and a promise to return should her head give her any problems. The X-ray had shown that everything was fine though.

As they drove to Kate's apartment she couldn't help but to think just how supportive Gibbs had been. Holding her hand and stayed with her not leaving her alone. Making sure she was comfortable while being poked at. She had told him to go back to work but he had refused. He hadn't even reprimanded her for going alone to Jake Donovan's house. That would come soon enough she was sure of it. Probably any minute now as they neared her apartment. She deserved it. What was she thinking? To be honest, she wasn't really sure.

The car came to a halt and he turned the engine off. He turned to face her. "What the hell were you thinking?"

And there it was. "I know, I know. I shouldn't have gone alone."

"Damn right you shouldn't have. Kate, you know better than that!" He flashed back to when he had found her next to the fireplace and images of her burnt arm kept popping up. It could so easily have gone much worse.

She tried to answer in a calm voice. "Gibbs, I know. Look, I can't explain it."

"Just because you are a vampire does not mean you are immortal." He saw her flinch at that and knew right away it had been the wrong thing to say.

She opened the car door and got out.

"Kate!" He followed suit and was soon next to her on the other side of the car.

"You can't throw that in my face. Anything else is fine but not that." Deep down she suspected he might have been right. She had been around long enough and been through so much perhaps she thought she could outlive anything.

"What if something else had happened? What if…" He didn't get a chance to finish as Kate started to speak.

"But it didn't."

"No, but it could have." He was close to her now and the next words were said in a very low voice. "I don't think I could have lived with that again."

She had not expected to hear something like that. She swallowed hard and she truly did not know what to say.

He couldn't control himself any longer. He closed the gap between them and soon his lips brushed hers.

As she felt his lips on her own she could barely breathe. It was soft and gentle. Her mind couldn't wrap itself around the fact that he still was interested in her this way. Still after everything he knew but here she was responding to a kiss he had initiated.

When he felt her respond his arms sneaked around her waist careful not to get to close to her injured arm and his tongue darted out to greet hers. There was a soft moan and he wasn't sure if it came from him or her. He felt her healthy hand on the back of his neck urging him closer as if that had been possible.

Too soon they both withdrew when oxygen was needed.

He gave her a small crooked smile which she returned a little but looked away. "Hey!" One of his hands guided her face back to look at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong."

"Something is. Come on, tell me." She had responded to the kiss and seemed to enjoy it as much as he had. He couldn't understand what would be troubling her now. Soon, it hit him. Could it be? "I still want to break rule twelve with you."

She searched his face and saw nothing but love. "Still, after everything?"

So that had been it. "Oh yes. I told you I am not turning my back on you." He cupped her face with his hands and leaned in to give her a small kiss and then to whisper in her ear. "Please don't doubt that."

Kate smiled and whispered back into his ear. "I don't. Not anymore."

As they embraced Gibbs couldn't help but to grin. They had come a long way in just a few days. "And remember Kate, tomorrow I do not want to see you at work."

She pushed him away and teased. "After that kiss and you don't want to see me tomorrow. Gibbs, I'm hurt."

He laughed and threw an arm over her shoulders as they started to walk towards her apartment. She seemed to fit perfect next to him. "I wish you'd stay home for the rest of the week."

Her good arm went around his waist. "No. It's just my arm and hand. I'll be fine. I have a tendency to heal faster than you humans."

Another laugh escaped his lips. He couldn't argue with her there.

They walked the rest of the way in silence. As they reached the door Leo appeared through it.

"Mom."

Gibbs reluctantly let Kate go as he watched mother and son hug. There was a small tug at his heart as his mind drifted to Kelly. He couldn't help but wonder what she would have been like today. He missed her. God, he missed her so much.

"So, mom, I heard you've been playing with fire."

Gibbs couldn't help but to smile at that.

Kate slapped her son's arm. "Oh ha ha."

Leo laughed as he walked back inside.

"I'll see you tomorrow Kate." It was a reflex but he soon covered it up nicely. "I'll come by if you don't mind."

She turned to face him. "No, I don't mind. You don't want to join us?"

Oh, he wanted to but to be safe he better not. "I've got some things I need to take care of."

She wasn't sure she was buying it but she wouldn't argue. "I should get some rest anyway."

He gave her a quick nod and then a small kiss on her cheek. "Bye Kate."

"Bye Gibbs." He seemed reluctant to go but soon he was on his way.

She closed the door and walked to the living room she found Leo reading a newspaper and without looking up he started to speak. "Has something happened between you and Gibbs?"

Her son. He knew her so well. "Well…….."

……………….

"So, Kate is going be fine?"

"Yes, Abby. As I said yesterday and this morning, she will be fine." Gibbs shook his head and smiled at her. He couldn't fault Abby for being worried. He had barely been in the office for more than three hours and had been bombarded with the 'how is Kate?' question from his team members over and over again. Perhaps he should have told her to come in herself and let her deal with it.

"If she wasn't you'd tell me right?" She received that well known look back. "Yeah, you would." She turned to walk back to the lab. "I'll just call Kate."

Before he could tell her not to she was gone. He sighed as he leaned back into the chair. He had resisted the urge to call her himself. Today was going to be a long day.

…………………..

Today was a beautiful day. It wasn't often she had her two children under the same roof. She watched as the bickered and laughed as they always did. She may not have seen her daughter for a long time but she looked the same except her short brown hair was now rather long. It looked nice. She had not expected her to show up so soon but Kate was glad she had.

"Mom has a new boyfriend." Leo's voiced out loud.

Kate sighed.

"Oh yeah?" Marcy eyed her mother carefully.

"He's not my boyfriend." Kate protested.

"Not yet but I am sure he will be soon enough." Leo teased his mother.

"Do tell?" Marcy poked at Leo.

"Just someone I work with and there is an interest there." Kate interrupted before Leo could say anything.

"Is he a vampire?" Marcy asked no one in particular.

"No." Leo answered. At seeing his sister's face he continued. "But the beautiful thing is he knows about mom and he does not care. He cares about her just the same."

"Really?"

There was a tone in Marcy's voice that sounded like she did not believe that. Kate couldn't hold it against her daughter for wanting to protect her. "Believe me Marcy; I thought when the truth came out that would be it. However, Gibbs really doesn't mind what I am."

So the guy's name was Gibbs? What kind of name is that? "His name is Gibbs?"

Kate laughed a little. "Well, it's actually Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

"That's… different. So when do I get to meet him?"

"Marcy, take it easy. You'll meet him I am sure. However, you and Leo are going on your trip so when you get back."

Marcy eyed her mother. She decided to let the subject go but she would meet this man and she would do it as soon as possible.

……………

"Duck, you got a minute?"

Ducky kept his eyes on the papers before him. "Yes, what can I do for you Jethro?"

Gibbs quickly determined they were alone before he spoke in a low voice close to Ducky's ear. "I know about Kate's secret."

Ducky tilted his head slightly and then nodded. "I could tell something was different. How do you feel about that?"

Gibbs stood up. "I wish you would have told me."

Ducky turned the paper over. "Was not my secret to tell."

"I know."

"The question still remains, how do you feel about that?"

"I have no problems with it."

Ducky looked up at his friend at that moment. "I knew you wouldn't. I did tell Kate to speak to you about this but the poor girl was terrified."

Gibbs thought back at just how much Kate had tried keeping it from him. How much she had been afraid of his reaction. "I know. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you."

Ducky was at a loss. "Thank me for what?"

"For not turning away from her when she told you. For taking care of her ever since you found out."

"It doesn't not change who she is Jethro. She still is the Caitlin we know and care about."

Gibbs couldn't agree more. "That she is."

"Besides you do not have to thank me. We friends and friend look out for each other."

Gibbs smiled and patted his old friend on the back. "I know but still, thanks."

Knowing he could not win this one Ducky relented. "You're welcome."

With another pat on his friend's back Gibbs then made his way towards the elevator. As he stepped inside his thoughts again drifted to Kate. He still had the urge to call her but decided he could wait. He would visit her after work. Seeing as how the day was going so slow he might even get out earlier. His mind drifted to the kiss the day before. He had wanted to do that for he didn't know how long and now when he had he only wanted more. He really wanted to make this work. Kate was different and he wanted this to last. It had not really begun yet but they were getting there. Stepping outside of the elevator he noticed a young woman talking to Tony. He didn't think much of it until he got closer to them and Tony said something which made the woman turn towards him. Neither man got a chance to say anything before she spoke.

"Are you Leroy Jethro Gibbs?"

He was a bit taken aback by her using his full name and by the look on Tony's face so was he.

"Yes." There was something familiar with her but what was it? She held out her hand and he took it.

She looked him over quickly. Not bad looking. "I'm Marcy, Kate's daughter."

Tony could not believe what he just heard. No way!

That's why she seemed familiar. There was a cough. Still holding her hand Gibbs turned slightly to see Tim composing himself. He couldn't blame Tim as he himself had been chocked by that revelation not even 24 hours earlier. He turned back towards the young woman and released her hand.

"Could I talk you to in private?"

Did Kate know her daughter was here? "Sure. Follow me."

Tony could not believe that woman was Kate's daughter. How could they not know this? Did he imagine it or did Gibbs seem to already know that? Gibbs did always know everything though so it shouldn't surprise him.

Tim could not keep quiet anymore. Once he did not see Gibbs or the woman he got up and went over to Tony. "Did she just say she was Kate's…?"

"Yep." Tony caught him off. Good to know he wasn't the only one left in the dark.

Gibbs gestured for Marcy to sit and soon did the same. "Should you even be here?"

The question caught Marcy off guard. "Excuse me?"

Gibbs halted but only briefly so the next words would not sound like he was angry at her. "The thing is; the others in there do not know the truth about your mother and having her daughter visiting, which they also do not know about, is going to raise some questions." Her face showed that she had indeed thought of that. "But seems you already thought of that didn't you?"

"Yes, I think I can pass for her daughter without anyone wondering just how old my mom was when I was born. Leo though, that could be tougher."

He had to agree with that. "Kate does not know you are here does she?"

"No."

"Why are you here?"

This is not the way it was supposed to be going. She was the one that was going to ask the questions and not him. "I wanted to meet the man who, according to my brother, is my mom's new boyfriend."

He looked away quickly and smiled slightly. He liked the sound of that.

She did not fail to notice his smirk. "Just what are you intentions?"

He had to admit he had expected something like that. Leo was very protective of Kate and with everything Kate had been going through in her past he could bet Marcy was protective of her also. "Only to love her way she deserves to be loved."

Marcy thought he sounded truthful but was he really? "You love her?"

Gibbs did not miss the tone in which she spoke. She did not believe him. He had not said it out loud but for him there was no question how he felt about Kate. "I do, yes."

She narrowed her eyes and tried to figure him out. "We will see."

There was harshness in her voice but he let it slide. As she stood up so did he. "I have no intention of hurting your mother."

"I hope not Agent Gibbs, I hope not." She nodded at him and walked away.

He sighed as he followed. As he entered the bullpen he saw her nearing the elevator. He watched as stepped inside and that was when Tony and Tim hurried over to him.

Tony was the first to speak up. "THAT was Kate's daughter?"

Gibbs said nothing as he went back to his desk. There were more questions thrown at him but as he rounded his desk he simply glared at the two men and they both quickly hid behind their own desks. Kate would have to answer their questions. He had not right to do that. He ran fingers though his hair as he tried relaxing in the chair. For some reason he felt like he was in trouble. In trouble with a young woman he had just met. He couldn't deny she was just as fierce as her mother. Well, at least Leo was on his side. Hopefully Marcy would one day be too.