16

Katherine POV

Dinner has been fantastic. We bumped into Ducky, Abby and Tim in the bar beforehand. Not much was said as we were quickly ushered away by the waiter to the back corner booth. As we were leaving we saw Abby pout because we didn't invite them to join us.

"Not this time Abs. But the BBQ next weekend?" Jethro soothed as he were ushered away.

Sitting in the corner booth which is tucked away. We can survey the entire dining room. Which I think he secretly likes, so he can make sure Abby, Ducky and Tim aren't up to no good. Normally we'd spread ourselves out but we seem to gravitate toward each other.

Immediately after we are seated a side of garlic bread and bruschetta topped with tomato, onion, basil and garlic lightly drizzled in balsamic oil. They look heavenly.

"I hope it's ok, I preordered everything tonight." Jethro says as he reaches for the wine.

" That's fine. But water please." I answer. "If we are going to do this properly I should stick together water. Feel free to have a glass."

"No, I think I'm good. I need a clear head. Just thought you might want some to relax."

"I could use a clear head too." I joke to ease the tension.

Ducky POV

I must say it is very unlike Jethro to invite us for a BBQ. What is even stranger is that Tim doesn't at all seem curious as to Jethro's date for this evening. Oh I know, it's not a date. Him and Katherine are just friends.

"He didn't ask us to join them" Abby pouted. "I blame Tony. He can never be here on time!"

"Tim, you don't seem surprised to see Jethro here with Katherine.

"Katherine's lovely Ducky. I met her last night. We spent a good hour or so together. She doesn't say much though." Tim answers flippantly.

"Really? Um why?" Oh Abigail you almost sound like a jealous lover. I must admit I'm mildly curious too.

"I was running and I saw this woman banging on the Starbucks window. Begging for help. The cashier had closed 15 minutes prior and he was blatantly ignoring her. I went to offer help. She was jumpy and weary of me. After I introduced myself to her. She calmed down enough to use my cell. She called Gibbs. He came strutting straight through my apartment without so much as a hello. All she said was 'I'm fine, but he has my bag and cellphone. Pagers at home. I'm not in duty this weekend.' He kissed her on the lips and she thanked me and they left. But not before the boss told me I had to come to that BBQ at his house next weekend. I gave Katherine my card and told her to call me."

"They kissed?!" Abby exclaimed. "They keep doing that! I don't know exes who are friends like that. It's not normal. Men and women can't be just friends. Sex is always involved."

"Now Abby, I spent some time with Jethro and he mentioned that he and Katherine go back to childhood times. The families are friends and they've never been exes."

"It's true, " Tim corroborated "I asked her which ex wife she was and she laughed at me for a really long time, looked at me then laughed some more. Told me he's never been married.

Tony POV

Entering Luigi's it's not hard to spot Ducky, Abs and McGeek. They're at a table on the edge of the dance floor facing the booths on the other side.

My eyes scan the room for anything out of the ordinary. Habit from my Baltimore days under cover in the mafia's money laundering ring. Luigi's always reminds me of a restaurant back there. My eyes stop in their tracks. Whoa! Who's the fox with the boss? He is clearly putting the moves on this woman. Looking very DiNozzo of him. Hands in her lap, whispering in her ear.

I take my seat at the table without tearing my eyes away from the booth. She laughs at whatever he whispered in her ear. Looks him in the eyes and smiles widely.

"Who is she?" I ask still mesmerised by the sight. She is beautiful.

"Katherine." Ducky answers.

"Fitzgerald?!" I exclaim. Almost choking on the beer Abs poured for me when I sat down.

"Sounds like everyone knows a piece of the puzzle." Abby menaces. "Share!" Geez Abs lay off the beer, it's making you grouchy.

"I've never actually met her or seen her in the flesh till now. Found her stuff in my buildings dumpster this morning when I took out the trash. Went to return it to her apartment only to find Gibbs and he was not all rainbows and teddy bears. He asked me if a friend of mine lived in the building when I confirmed he then threatened him. Told my friend and he laughed it off. I even told him Gibbs doesn't joke. So again, who is she?"

"Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald. A childhood friend." Ducky answers absently chewing on pizza.

"Just friends." Abby scoffs "where do I sign up a friend like that." She whispers and McGeek is blushing bright red. "That's not friendly behaviour."

Finally the waitress comes over and distracts me from watching my boss monumentally screw up his friendship with this woman to seduce her.