8

Katherine POV

I'm relieved that my cell rang when it did. Damn telemarketers calling on a Sunday morning.

"L-J" I call out. "Hon, I hate to eat and run. But that was the hospital. A patient of mine is has come into the emergency department. I need to stop by there and assess the situation. Drop the kids off tonight. After dinner?" I lie. I need to get out of here. With Ducky and Abby here it feels too domestic.

"You sure Kat? You could come back afterwards."

"Nah, got a few errands to run and some paperwork to do. Besides it's your weekend."

Ok, I'll get your keys."

Quickly, I dart into the kitchen and say goodbye to Ducky and Abby. I also thank them both profusely for their help last night.

"Bye ladies, be good for Dad. See you after dinner tonight."

Everyone follows me out. Ducky gently kisses my check saying it was a pleasure to have met me. Abby too, only she isn't as gentle as Ducky. I kiss each of the girls heads and head out. Jethro has put my bags in the SUV and is waiting by it.

"Cya in a few hours." He mumbles and kisses my lips gently. I have to remind myself just to go with it and not get carried away.

"Cya L-J" I breathe completely breathless. Then I suddenly flush remembering the audience on the front stoop.

Jethro POV

I watch her drive away and I shake my head. "Have you gone mad?" My self conscious asks. Last time we started with the kissing the twins appeared. I love the twins. I slowly realise that after all this time. I am falling in love with the mother of my children.

"Daddy, why'd you kiss mommy?" I hear Lucy ask.

"Coz she's not feeling well baby." I reply absently as I think about that kiss. Kat responded. Upstairs when I kissed her she was too stunned to respond. But this time she responded.

"Ok ladies. Homework time!" I announce. Ducky and Abby, leave one by one and head off to their respective homes for, what I assume is to do whatever they do on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Ducky POV

Well for a Sunday afternoon, it is a quiet one. My mother is seeing Aunt Agatha off then off to respite for a few days. Abby will be by soon. A prior arrangement we made this morning. She has questions and I'm not surprised. I am not so sure I can answer them all however I shall endeavour to do my best.

"Abby." I answer as she arrives at the door. "How was the drive to Mallard Manor?"

"Splendid, as always." She hands me her coat and we settle in for a spot of tea. "So let's get down to brass taxes. Who were they? I mean I gather the girls are his daughters. But how did we not know Gibbs has kids?"

"Abby, rule 44."

"Hide the women and children." She whispered back. Anyone who is a member of this team knows these rules inside and out. Upside down and back the front.

"I believe he truly worries that they may be a target one day."

"Is Katherine his wife?"

"Ah, no. He told me they were friends."

"Gibbs has friends? Where did they meet?"

"Stillwater, Pennsylvania. I believe they have been friends since childhood."

"Wow! But Gibbs, he isn't attitude-y with her like he is with us, is he?"

"Not from what I saw. He seems very tender and caring. They're definitely affectionate."

"I'll say. I don't know many people who are just friends who kiss each other like that. Men and women can never just be friends. There is always sex involved."

"Abigail, I must say. We really shouldn't be talking about Gibbs like this. Clearly he is a private person. If Katherine wasn't mugged, I dare say you would have been blissfully unaware of their existence. "

"So you knew about them Ducky?" She asked. She almost looked hurt for a moment.

"Ah not exactly. Meaning I always suspected something. But children. No I was shocked too. I thought a mistress perhaps, but no. Not a children. He is always sneaking off on coffee runs at all odd times and half the time never returns with coffee. His call out response time on the weekends are always longer than weekdays by far. The w-"

"Whispered phone calls in the corner yes. The reluctance to give media interviews. It's all adding up. So how did you end up there?"

"Jethro let me stay the night. Aunt Agatha was in town. He seemed reluctant at first, believe me though, it was quite a shock to see Jethro Gibbs answer the door with twin girls attached to each leg."

"He seems like a great dad, is he?"

"Yes and they adore him too."

"You can tell. So does he still love their mother?"