12

Jethro POV

I lay back covered by the sheet from the waist down as I watch Kat frantically gather her stuff up and head for the bathroom. Even as she makes her hasty exit, she looks simply stunning.

"Kat, honey." I knock on the bathroom door.

"Yeah Jet?!"

"I'll get out of your hair. Can we talk about this later? After the girls are in bed?"

"Sure Jet, don't forget dinner."

"No problem." I say and smile smugly. Tonight's dinner will be the best yet.

Throwing my jeans and sweater on I head out the door. First stop supermarket.

My cell phone ringing interrupts my train of thought as I pull out of Kat's driveway and speed off down the street.

"Yeah Gibbs,"

"Hello Jethro." I smile. Knowing why Ducky called makes me smile. "Is everything ok? It's unlike you to miss the whole afternoon for a coffee run."

"Everything's ok Duck. There -"

"The girls are ok? Kat?"

"Everyone is fine Duck. We can talk about this tomorrow."

"Ok Jethro, but did you have to ask Anthony not to shoot NCIS in the head?"

I let out a hearty laugh. "Sometimes it's necessary."

Kat POV

A quick shower, redress and I'm out the door in record time. Parking the car just as the bell goes. Normally, I'd go in and wait by the gate but today we are in a hurry.

Especially me. My minds racing a million miles a minute. My stomach is in knots, knots of excitement. Knots of fear.

"Mommy," Lucy says getting into the car. "Do I really have to go to the dentist?"

"Yeah Mom" Zoe joins in whinging away.

"Yes ladies. And you will behave and cooperate this time." Remembering last time that Zoe tried to bite Dr. Scott. "By the way it's dad's chef pasta for dinner. He is at home cooking away."

Hearing joyous laughter and excitement breaks my heart a little. They love it when their father comes over during the week.

At the dentist in the waiting room, I don't hear peep out of them. Both of them cooperate for once and don't cause a scene. Much to my relief.

"Katherine, how lovely to see you again." Dr Scott - the dentist greets me. Smiling a huge mega watt smile. "Who is first today?"

"You too Nick. Lucy is first today. It's her turn." Grumbling all the way into the chair.

"This is a very happy dentist today - but very poor. Excellent work girls. No cavities. We will see you at the next check up." He winks at me. Is he trying to flirt with me? The girls run off into the waiting room.

"Ah Katherine, got a minute?" I nod as we head back in. "Can I take you to dinner sometime?"

"Ah sure. I guess. I don't have my schedule on me. But I can call you and let you know when I'm free."

"Sure, here's my home and cell numbers. And call me Nick." He says handing me a business card.

Oh my ?! What possessed me to say yes?! Remember Jethro? The father of your children?

Jethro POV

Dinner was a lively event with the washing up taken care of fairly quickly and homework and showers. The girls were upstairs. Doing some project. English paper I think. I start brewing the coffee.

"Kat?" She jumps. She seems like she has been off in her own little world.

"Yeah?"

"Talk" we head out to the patio in case the girls hear us.

"About today Jethro? What were we thinking? And you want a baby?" I can tell she's certainly been preoccupied by it.

"Well I'm not really sure about this afternoon. Granted it has been a while but I believe they call it sex."

"It was great sex. Mind blowing even. But I'm talking baby here?"

"I've been thinking about it for a while."

"Look, this complicated. Give me time."

"Kat, not to pressure you. But if you say no, then that's it for me. Lucy and Zoe will be my only children. I wasn't lying when I said I only want another child if you're the mother."

"What about Stephanie?"

"Stephanie?"

"Your girlfriend! Ringing any bells?"

"She doesn't want kids, and Kat not really any of your business. I don't ask you about your dentist friend." That was cold. "I'm sorry Kat, I didn't mean it like that. "I don't want children with her. I want them with you."

"How did you know about Nick?" I can tell she's getting angry.

"I overheard the girls say he called you back into the office after they left."

"So you assumed? You know what they say about assuming? It makes an ass outta you and me."

Katherine POV

The shrill of the telephone disturbs the tense silence between Jethro and myself.

"Hi Katherine,"

"Hi Dad, just hold on a sec." Putting my hand over the receiver. "Say good night to the girls. Its their bedtime and show yourself out please." He kisses me hardly on the lips.

"This isn't over Kat!" Jethro threatens sweetly with that grin that makes me go weak at the knees.

"Sorry about that Dad, L-J was just leaving."

"He is still there?" Hmmm, that sounded surprised.

"Yeah it's his night to cook dinner and be stay at home Dad." A little white lie won't hurt.

"He still does that now he's a hot shot agent?" Clearly, my fathers opinions of L-J hasn't changed.

"Yes Dad. How are you anyhow?"

"Good Katherine and I got the photos in the mail today. Thank you very much. I can't believe how much my grand babies are grown."

"Growing everyday."

"I'm sorry about the way you were treated on the weekend. I certainly gave them all a good talking to after you left." I'm sure you did, but they'll never change.

"It's ok Dad, just another drama I don't need."

"Katherine, anything bothering you?"

"No dad. Just tired."

"You've been tried a lot lately. You were sleeping earlier when I called. Must a been out cold. I left you a message on your machine and a hour later when I called Jethro was there."

"Dad, after I landed back in D.C on Saturday night / Sunday morning I was mugged. I took a hit to the head."

"Are you ok? Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'll come and take care of you."

"Dad I'm fine. This is why! I don't need you come out. I'm back to work tomorrow."

"As long as your ok."

"I'm fine! Look I gotta go, it's Lucy and Zoe's bedtime. I'll call you later this week. Bye Dad."

"Bye hon!"

Jethro POV

I monumentally screwed things up with Kat. I can't head home. I have too much energy. Off to work I go.

After arriving and passing through security I head up to the third floor and into our bullpen. Turning on the overhead lamp in my desk and fire up my p.c as I head to break room to brew some of my special blend coffee. 10 minutes later I return to my desk and begin working. Suddenly I stop and head slap myself. I skipped out on work, lied about my whereabouts and spent the afternoon in bed with a beautiful woman. If any of my agents did that, I'd can their ass.

"Jethro? What are you doing here?" Duck asks startling me out of my reverie.

"Oh duck," genuinely surprised. "What are you doing here so late?"

"Finishing up a forensic profile for agent Balboa. Is everything ok? I thought you took the day off."

"I did Duck, I just left Kat's. Actually Kat kicked me out."

"Want to get a drink? I'll drive."

"Got work to do Duck."

"Well good night Jethro."

Ducky POV

Clearly whatever Katherine and Jethro argued about is having a detrimental effect on him. The next morning I found him asleep on the slab in the morgue, using a roll of paper towel as a pillow.

"Offers always there."

Jethro's POV

"Duck, I royally screwed up. If DiNozzo did what I did today I'd fire his ass." I tell him as a take a swig of bourbon.

"I'm confused." He looks at me with a thoughtful look on his face and sips his scotch.

"Something happened with Kat." I take a breath and realise that I'm an idiot. "I went there to talk to her about something and one thing led to another. The short of the long duck, we spent the day in bed."

"The problem is?" Ducky asks and I see him genuinely smile fully. "Jethro I have known you for a long time, up until yesterday I'd say we know each other fairly well. You're going to have to explain it to me again. What's the problem?"

"Kat and I. We don't do that"

"Never?"

"This was the first, well second. The first time was when the twins were conceived. Not that we made it to a bed." I laugh nervously.

"But the kissing? The affection? Surely you - "

"We are always affectionate. But the kissing. That's new."

"It sounds to me like you're falling in love. You have all the symptoms."

"Gah, Duck this is not good. You're missing the big picture here. I have a girlfriend. Stephanie!"

"Yet, you spent the day in bed with a woman you desire. Sexually. A woman who isn't her."

"Oh, I'm in trouble."

"I imagine so my friend." Ducky chuckles as he downs his scotch.

" I guess I owe Kat an explanation."

" And Stephanie?"

" I think it's safe to say that's over Ducky."

Katherine POV

Cleaning the house frantically, between shifts and dealing with Jethro's bizarre behaviour. In preparation for my Dad's visit. Thank goodness I have began holidays while my Dads here.

I seriously don't understand what has gotten into Jethro. Something clearly has happened between him and Stephanie. Not that I'm not used to Jethro's mood swings by now. I've seen enough to last a lifetime. Even wore the brunt of a few.

"Hello? Anyone home?" I jump at the sound of Jethro's voice. "Kat?"

"Kitchen" I really wish he didn't have my spare key right about now.

"Coffee?" He asks I don't look up at him as I continue mopping the kitchen floor.

"Jethro? My father is coming to visit. I'm trying to get this house cleaned before he gets here and school lets out."

"Kat?" He asks hauling me around to face him. " I bought you a coffee from our favourite shop. Now can we talk please?"

"Ok."

Jethro POV

"Ok, clearly I blindsided you last week. When I asked you for another baby. Have you given it much thought?"

"Not really, dads coming into town. Can we get dinner one night this week and talk about it?"

"Tonight?" I ask. Very anxious.

"Can't - dads watching the girls. I have plans."

"You have a date?"

"Yes ... No ... Maybe. I don't know what it is. It's with Nick. The girls dentist. He asked me a while ago, before all this. He is a nice guy."

"He better treat you good Kat!" I say as I approach her, kiss her hard on the lips and turn to leave. "Or his arse is mine!"

Michael POV

Excited as punch to see my baby girl and my beautiful grand daughters. Jackson has joined me. But he is staying at Jethro's. Kat's there waiting for us.

"Hi Katherine," I say hugging my youngest child tightly. "I've missed you"

"Missed you too Dad." I release her and take a good look at her. She looks good. Happy and healthy. Everything a father can ask.

"Hey sweet pea." Jackson says hugging Kat tightly too. "You look good. Clearly life agrees with you."

"Thanks Jack, do you want a ride to L-J's? Or he navy yard?"

"Neither, I'm helping babysit the girls and L-J will get me after work."

"Cool," she plays it cool but I can tell she feels awkward. "Let's get the twins from school."

Jackson POV.

Not sure what's going on with L-J and Kat, but clearly something is. My son has never cared if she dated other people before. Yet, he has insisted that I help Mick babysit the girls so Kat can have a date.

Mick and Kat have gone to get the girls, I opted to wait in the car. While I wait I decide to call my son and let him know that I have arrived safely.

"Yeah Gibbs," he answers in his usual gruff tone.

"L-J it's me."

"Oh hi Dad, sorry it's been a nightmare here today."

"Well I've arrived safely. But you and I need to have a father-son talk tonight. I sense that you all aren't as happy as it seems."

"Far from it, I'll pick up some beers on the way to get you from Kat's."

Michael POV

"Wow, Katherine you look amazing." I say seeing her come down stairs in a simple black dress, low heels and her hair loose.

"Thanks Dad." She smiles and my heart melts.

"So who is he? What's he do?"

"His name is Nick. He is the girls dentist. We have known each other 6 years. Relax Dad, it's not a date. Just dinner. We're friends."

"Whoa! Mum you look hot." Zoe says coming into the living room.

"Thanks Zoe, now listen to Pa and Grumps. Bedtime at 9."

"You got it hot mama." Lucy adds sneaking in behind Kat.

"You look lovely Kat. Hot date?" Jack asks walking into the kitchen.

"It's not a date." She answers frustrated.

Jackson POV

Ok, it's clearly a date. Black dress, heels, looking flawless. I wonder who this man is who has Katherine Fitzgerald all flustered.

"I'll get it." I call out as someone knocks on the door.

"Hi, I'm Nick. I'm here to pick up Kat."

"Come in. I'm Jackson and this is Michael." I indicate to Mick as he joins me to see who it is. "

"Nice to meet you. Hi Luce, hi Zoe." He waves to the girls.

"Hi dr. Nick." They say in unison flashing big megawatt smiles at him.

Nick POV

"Wow! You look beautiful Kat" I say as I kiss her cheek as she enters. "Ready to go?"

"Sure one minute. Please call me Katherine though. " She smiles sweetly as she moves away to talk to the twins. Her perfume lingers in the air "Good night all."

"Jethro?!" I say as he enters the apartment without knocking and Kat snaps her head up.

"Hi Nick. Kat, just picking up Dad." He greets with a smile.

"Oh, ok. Don't forget parent teacher conference tomorrow." She smiles

"How could I forget? You look beautiful Kat. Have a great time." He smiles a full blown smile at her and kisses her cheek gently.

"See ya Jethro!" I say swiftly ending the awkward conversation with her ex. And whisk her away.

How can they be over if they're still so friendly with one another? I'm certainly not that friendly with any of my exes. Jethro's a nice enough guy but there's something about him that doesn't sit me.