KATE

"You wore that dress to torture me, didn't you?"

Gibbs' hand was sliding slowly and teasingly down her back as they walked towards their room, and it was making her brain fuzzy. She was grateful it was late. It did nothing for her mental acuity, but at least their team would have gone home. Having this conversation with McGee and DiNozzo listening in, commenting... She squashed the appalling thought.

"No I didn't."

"Sure you did."

She squirmed a little as a finger traced along a rib and slid just infinitesimally under the fabric.

"Gibbs, right now I couldn't pick my own mother out of a lineup, never mind lie to the human polygraph... Oh, God..."

He growled appreciatively into her ear before lightly nibbling her shoulder.

There was no question of her managing to mislead him - she could just barely remember how to walk - but there was also no denying she was enjoying the effect of this dress. In front it was reasonably modest, though still attractive, but it left almost her entire back naked. It made her feel daring and sexy, but not nearly as sexy as his reaction did. Gibbs seemed intent on exploring every inch of skin available to him.

Apparently his arousal didn't have any effect on his sense of humour. He'd been teasing her unmercifully since his whispered promise at the dining table, and was visibly pleased and amused at how flustered he'd gotten her without even touching her. Now his hands and lips were in on the action too, she wasn't quite sure if she'd make it to the suite before her knees gave out. The wicked twinkle in his eye wasn't helping any.

She was sure she could elicit some reactions of her own, if he'd only give her a second to catch her breath, but that didn't seem to be on his agenda.

"It's fun seeing you so off balance," he murmured in her ear.

She took a deep breath to try and steady her voice, and forced her wobbling legs to walk a little faster. "Can we just get back, please?"

He chuckled again. "Never thought Caitlin Todd would be so eager to get me in bed..."

She couldn't entirely suppress her grin, which she suspected rather spoiled the glare she threw at him. He did allow her to hurry him along and they managed the last fifty feet to their room with only his hand in the small of her back and his thumb leisurely stroking her skin. The contact sent tingles right through her, but at least left her able to put one foot in front of the other.

They were barely through the door and closing it behind them when she found herself pushed gently but firmly up against it, Gibbs' mouth on hers and his hands caressing her shoulders, her back, her waist. She let herself sink into the moment, and when he drew away a little she wasn't nearly done.

His eyes were dark and liquid as he gazed at her, his raw desire almost frightening in its intensity. Without breaking eye contact, he slid the mic from his tie, then reached round her neck to remove her wired up necklace. It's just you and me now, she realised as he disposed of them, and that thought was both exhilarating and alarming.

This was inevitable, and any lines left to be crossed were negligible after all they had already shared, but still her mouth was suddenly dry. Common sense insisted that such passion was dangerous, that he was her boss, that she must be crazy to even consider what she was about to do...

I really am crazy. She bit her lip, closed her eyes, clenched her fists in the fabric of her dress, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions and bewitching sensations. Why did this have to be so... why did he have to be so...

"You OK?" he murmured.

He sounded concerned and a little confused.

Can't say I blame him...

"Nervous, Katie?"

She swallowed, opened her eyes, offered an uncertain smile. "Thrilled. Terrified." Her voice came out small and shaky.

His face softened at her honesty, and he smoothed her forehead with his fingers. "There's no rush, Kate... I don't..." He trailed off, and the gentleness in his tone and his touch was soothing and reassuring.

She leaned into his caress, allowed his eyes to take her captive, and felt the tension drain away. This might be the most foolish thing she would ever do, but she was still going to do it. She was going to jump, and trust he would catch her. Hang the consequences.

"I want to- I want... this. You. Now." Forever. "I'm just... It's a little scary."

The look he gave her made her wonder if she'd said 'forever' out loud, but he didn't look away. "I know," he whispered.

She stared at him for a moment in surprise. "Gibbs... Did- did you just admit to being scared?"

A shrug and a half smile. "Maybe."

She shook her head, amused and disarmed.

"Fortunately," he continued, one hand sweeping up her arm to fiddle with the tie at her neck, "I know some really good ways to combat fear..."

"Oh, really?"

"Really good ways..." His eyes asked permission even as he started to undo her dress.

"Well..." She reached up to pull at his tie. "Then I guess it's a good thing I'm willing to learn, Gunny."

He laughed. "That it is, Cap'n. That it is."