14 (A/N: huge thanks to Dreamer4life16 for your ongoing encouragement. Loving the reviews. Keep them coming :) )

Jethro POV

Driving like a madman to get to McGee's before Kat tells McGee how we know each other. It seems the secret of Kat and the girls is rapidly becoming known. Probably cutting off half of D.C and pissing the other half off.

Not that I don't want McGee to know but if DiNozzo thinks McGee knows some thing he doesn't then he will stop at nothing to find out. One of these days his nosiness is going to get him in serious trouble.

I could kill Nick. I'm actually pretty pissed off at him. What kind of a creep takes a woman on a date, then dumps her without her bag and cellphone? Really?

Timothy POV

Ok I'm nervous. This woman is the bosses ex. She's in my apartment, sipping her tea waiting for him to arrive. There's going to be yelling.

See, Gibbs is a very private person. What he does with outside work is secret. My fathers a military man and I know all about 'need to know, and you don't'. This may as we be Gibbs' motto. There's so many rumours floating around because no one knows the truth.

"So Katherine, may I ask a question?" I stammer out. I'm sure she can tell how nervous I am. It's beginning to get nauseating.

"You just did." She smiles warmly. "Relax Tim, Gibbs won't be his usual bear self. Go ahead, ask away." She is reassuring patting my forearm gently.

"Which number wife are you?" All of a sudden there is loud laughter, very loud. It's the hilarity kind. Kind of makes me feel like I want to dissolve into a puddle and die.

Katherine POV

Oh my! Hilarious stuff! What a crack up? I try to breathe and calm myself down. But all I have to do is catch a glimpse of Tims worried face and I sober instantly.

"L-J , I mean Gibbs. He is as far from married as you can get. Never been married to my knowledge and I've known him practically my whole life."

Hearing the front entrance buzzer, I know L-J's here. Probably ticked off half of the city.

"Hon? Are you ok?" He asks approaching me directly. Ignoring Tim entirely. "I'm fine, but he has my bag and cellphone. Pagers at home. I'm not in duty this weekend."

"As long as you're ok." He kisses me gently on the lips. Barely a whisper. Reaching down for my hand and lacing his fingers through mine. We stare eye to eye for a minute and the unspoken conversation is spoken. "Tim, to say thank you. Kat and I are hosting a BBQ next weekend at my house. Just a few close friends. Ducky and Abby will be there. You're coming!"

"Jet, manners!" I scold. Sometimes he is worse than the girls. "You don't have to but would you like to come? As L-J said Ducky and Abby will be there and both of our Father's. Don't have to decide now. Just tell L-J through the week."

"Sure, is there anything I can bring?" He seems hesitant but willing.

"Just yourself Tim. We'll get moving. See ya Saturday 1pm work willing. If not it'll be dinner."

Suddenly reaching for the desk nearby he hands me a business card with the familiar NCIS logo on it. "Just give me a call Katherine." He smiles and we show ourselves out.

Jethro POV

The car rides been mostly silent. After she told me all about her date with that jerk Nick. Makes me want to make him pay. But Kat's right. He'd make my life hell. But of all the people to bump into and seek help. It had to be McGee. Laughing out loud at the situation and it sounds so strange. Strange, but true.

Something could have happened to her. She could have been killed or raped?

"L-J?" She asks softly. I barely heard her. She's almost asleep. She must be so tired after the stress of this evening

"Yeah hon?"

"Yes." It takes me a minute to work out what's she is talking about.

Slowly I let the biggest Cheshire grin take over my entire face.