"This sucks." Tony muttered carrying one of the boxes marked master bedroom into the house past Kate calling back at her. "I so wish your arm was better."

"You're not the only one." the lawn furniture was cheap but at least it gave her somewhere to put her coffee and clipboard so she could mark things off as they were unloaded, she'd been out of the sling for two days, her arm was still tender, and Gibbs had threatened Tony with an ass kicking if he found out she picked anything up.

Gibbs had to check in with the commander and she had no idea how long that was going to take, she sighed blowing her bangs out of her face as she marked off another box. He'd told her there was a chance he'd be gone all day.

He felt bad leaving her with Tony all day, she'd left the front light on for him. After meeting with the base commander Gibbs had been put straight to work, but he'd warned Kate that was a possibility because only the base commander knew who he really was. He'd grabbed take out and a small bag of groceries on the way to the house, carrying it one handed so he wouldn't have to juggle when he got to the door. He was exhausted, he knew Kate would be as well, help or no help she had spent her day unpacking and then setting up the house, messed up shoulder or not, he knew her well enough to know that.

Twisting the knob he smiled as he stepped in, he could smell coffee and hear the light tapping of a keyboard, he knew she was writing about the people she met, it didn't matter that they were just bait, they both kept information on the people they met. She'd managed a pony tail and a tank top, her hair wet he was pretty sure she'd showered and changed after DiNozzo left. He could see she had a bit of bruising still but she looked comfortable and he watched her move without too much pain. She'd kicked her slippers off under the table and was sitting cross legged on the bench seat. Coffee cup on a coaster she sat in the dining room nook, pencil tucked behind her ear Kate continued typing away on the brand new lap top, reaching out left handed for her cup she stopped when he cleared his throat. "Damn it." she mumbled bringing her left hand to her lap.

Gibbs smirked "How's it feel?" he asked coming into the small dining area.

"Fine." she nodded, stiff and the occasional twinge but she wasn't telling him that, she would tell Ducky.

He sat the take out on the table "For someone who does so well undercover you lie badly." he chuckled.

"Bite me." she sang out grabbing her coffee and taking a drink, she was admitting nothing. "Go shower and change, I'll take care of the food." she started to slide off the bench.

"Naw, I got this. You did all the hard work, I just stood around and yelled at people all day, told them my wife could shoot better then them." he said unloading the single bag of groceries. Kate smirked, Secret Service and NCIS trained, extra training by her sniper of a boss, yea she could shoot way better then his new recruits. Saving what she was working on she turned off the lap top, closing it she tucked it back in it's case which was next to her on the bench. "How much of this did you do after everyone left?"

"I just unpacked little boxes, Tony loaned us movies, photos are Abby's she did a great job, I didn't move any furniture." she promised digging through the bag for her typical order and chop sticks. His head bobbed as he listened knowing she was telling the truth, milk, her coffee creamer, salad and her ranch dressing in the fridge "Ducky said I'm allowed to move and use my arm, I just have to be careful and do my exercises." Setting his soup and his container of fried rice across from herself she gave him a napkin and chop sticks as well "The neighbors invited us to a pool party next Saturday." Gibbs muttered something she didn't understand but continued to put food away, cheese puffs in the pantry, fruit in the sink to be washed, meat in the freezer. "What?"

"I said I don't swim." Gibbs gruffed.

"Didn't figure you would, thought you'd be at the barbecue with the other cavemen." she smiled sweetly at him when he turned around with his eyebrow raised. "Go take your shower before your food gets cold."

"Be right back." he promised.

True to his word ten minutes and he was out of the shower, hair damp he was in red pajama pants a and a black tee shirt. "So aside from yelling at your men, how was your day, what did you do?" she asked.

"Um…" not even Shannon asked that, she'd asked if he had a good day but never what did he do. She was actually waiting for an answer.

"Not allowed to say?" Kate asked when he hesitated.

"Never been asked before." he finally admitted.

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." she assured him.

He shook his head and began explaining how the differences in how the snipers were trained compared to the other recruits and that he was involved in training both, he couldn't believe she was actually interested but when she questioned things he knew she was paying attention and really wanted to know. He continued speaking while she put the food away, he continued until he'd explained it all and then waited.

"Stand around and yell my ass." she chuckled, he shrugged. "We should get to bed considering what time you need to be up in the morning." she stretched grimacing when her shoulder caught.

"Do you need to take anything?"

"No." she covered a yawn "I promise if it hurts in the morning I'll ice it." for once she lied to him smoothly.

He nodded following her to the bedroom. She was too tired for the girlie nerves of 'sharing a bed with Gibbs' she knew the second her head hit the pillow she'd be out. Flipping the covers back she slipped into bed sliding to the opposite side leaving him the side by the door. "Too tired to walk around?" he teased.

"Yes." she smirked dropping into her pillow.

Setting the alarm he pulled the covers up "Night Kate."

"Night Gibbs." he grinned closing his eyes, he liked the lisp on his name.

"Shooter!"

She jumped in front of him, her body crumpled as it took the bullet hit. She landed at his feet, bleeding "Kate!" Rolling her to her back he ripped her windbreaker open, no vest! He tried everything he could, she wouldn't stop bleeding "No! Kate hold on, don't leave me! Kate!"

"Kate!"

"Gibbs…" she shot straight up in bed, it took her a moment to realize he wasn't awake, he was having a nightmare.

"No, no, no…" he sobbed.

Scooting next to him she placed her hand on his chest giving a light shake, his heart was pounding "Gibbs wake up. Gibbs it's alright. Gibbs it's Kate." she shook him again.

"Kate!" He bolted straight up nearly colliding with her, face wet and blue eyes wild he searched her face, chest heaving he tried to catch his breath. She didn't speak she just moved her hand from his chest to his face using her thumb to brush the tears away from his eyes, his hand shaking he touched her face. "You're here…" he croaked, his other hand touched her shirt where her bruised ribs, where she'd taken the first hit, for him, he blinked trying to focus, she'd been bleeding. He pulled her close burying his face in her neck, kissing the top of his head she sighed, she wasn't the only one having issues about getting shot.

"I'm okay Gibbs." she spoke softly brushing her fingers through his damp hair, he wasn't fully awake, he couldn't be. She rubbed his back rocking them, his shirt damp from sweat, his breathing was almost back to normal.

"Katie?"

"Right here Gibbs, I'm not going anywhere." She knew he was still half asleep or even that he thought he was still dreaming. "Let's lay back down." Getting him to lay back was easy but having to move with him wasn't, he wasn't letting her go, he held her tightly in his arms. She patted his chest before sliding her arm around his waist, pulling the blankets back over them, she curled herself into him resting her cheek on his chest.

She woke a few times to her name being said, realizing he was simply talking in his sleep she rubbed his back and assured him she was there.

Something soft was touching him, focusing Gibbs saw a mess of auburn hair. Kate! Kate was sleeping in his arms, their legs intertwined, her arm resting at his waist with her hand up the back his shirt and her head tucked to his chest.

Kate automatically shifted with him and began rubbing his back, she had found her hand under his shirt calmed him faster then rubbing his back over the shirt, she didn't wait for him to say her name as he had been off and on all night. "I'm right here Gibbs." she murmured. Remembering his nightmare he shifted looking down at the top of her head, had he screamed her name like he did every other time? He hadn't woken himself up screaming.

"Kate…"

"I'm okay," she sighed her voice still full of sleep "the vest took the hit, it's alright Gibbs." More then alright, he closed his eyes, moving his hand to her bruised hip he gently pulled her closer he was going to savor every moment he had in her arms, she shifted with him again, Gibbs smirked drifting back to sleep as her finger tips traced patterns across his lower back and spine.

The next time Gibbs woke up was because he smelled coffee, Kate had gotten an automatic coffee pot, he tried not to smirk as her arm came out of his shirt to smack the alarm now going off behind him. He rolled so she could reach, Kate ended up laying across his chest, smacking the alarm she also turned his bedside lamp on squinting down at him. He cleared his throat "Interesting night."

She smirked patting his chest "Breakfast in 15 Marine." she rolled free climbing out her side of the bed. Gibbs shook his head with a chuckle watching her leave the room before he climbed out of bed himself.

Showered and dressed Gibbs could smell the bacon as he stepped into the hall, his plate was waiting on the counter next to a large mug of coffee, scrambled eggs with bacon and toast. "Where's yours?" all Kate had was a cup of coffee in her hands.

"I'll eat when I get back from my run." she promised. While he ate she changed into her running attire, yoga pants and her jog bra/tank top, her gym clothes from work. His stomach flipped, she was beautiful, that hadn't changed in the last two years, she'd just gotten more sure of herself and her abilities. Which to Gibbs made her more beautiful. "I thought I'd do a little more shopping today, aside from coffee, is there anything specific you want?" He shook his head continuing to eat, he watched her flinch slightly as she reached above her head, she could feel him watching her "I'm fine." she said bringing down a large thermos.

"I'll call Ducky." he warned. "Don't roll your eyes." Kate tried not to smirk because she had done just that.

"I promise not to push it." she said opening the thermos and rinsing it out.

"Better not." he mumbled.

Filling and closing the thermos she sat it next to Gibbs. "You worry too much."

"You don't worry enough." he countered with a scowl.

"I worry plenty Marine, I just don't show it." she quipped taking his empty plate before he could make a move to take it to the sink. He had to give her that, she always had a cool exterior, though Tony could push her buttons.

They left the house at the same time, her for her run him for work, at the front door Gibbs leaned down brushing his lips lightly against hers whispering "Stay safe."

"It's just a couple laps around the block, plus we have our babysitters." she promised, when that didn't look like it convinced him she added. "Rule 9." giving him a wink she jogged in the opposite direction he was headed.

He smirked, though watching her jog away he was trying to figure out where she had her knife, her phone was clipped at her waist, the house key on a cord around her wrist.

Dinner smelled good, he didn't even know what it was but it smelled good, and she'd made coffee too. "Hi." she smiled peaking out of the kitchen.

"Hi," he grinned "dinner smells great."

"Just a little beef stew." she shrugged, he watched no pain in her eyes just laughter. "How was your day?" he knew the tone, she used it when talking to suspects, she already knew the answer to the question.

"Fine." he nodded waiting for it.

"Did you play nice with the other Marines?" And there it was.

He hesitated "Heard?"

"All over the commissary." he could hear the amusement in her voice, at least she found it funny "So apparently this new Gunny is a bad ass, not only can he out shoot his fellow instructors but he's quite talented at unarmed combat as well."

"Um…" he'd forgotten how fast word got around on base, he followed her into the kitchen.

She stretched grabbing two saucers from the cupboard before continuing to gather things for dinner "Scuttlebutt has it a couple of the single Marines may have referred to his wife as a hot piece of ass." not the first time Kate had heard the term but most definitely the first time she'd ever heard it said about herself, she blushed. And if her back wasn't to Gibbs she wouldn't have been able to even say it. "And evidently one went so far as to say after a night with him she would drop the old man, little did he know the Gunny was behind him." That had been when Gibbs lost it, barking that the woman they were talking about was his wife. "I do hope he set them straight." she turned finally facing him.

"Damn right." he grumbled.

"Well that's good I happen to know she likes mature men and not boys." Kate smirked leaning against the counter. When he found them later during unarmed combat training he volunteered to help out, breaking the man's arm during their training session. No one had said another word about Kate for the rest of the day. "Dinner will be on the table by the time you get out here."

He stripped and scrubbed, Kate had taken to being a Marine wife easy, not like the others, even Shannon had had trouble. His hair still damp he joined her in the kitchen, "So pool party?" he asked taking both saucers with bread bowls on them from her and carrying them to the table.

"If you don't want to go I can say my shoulder hurts too bad, say I pushed to hard." she offered setting both coffee cups on the table.

He shrugged part of their job as bait was to get to know everyone "How about a movie after, that way if it's boring the day won't be a complete loss?"

"That'd be nice." she nodded as they traded coffee for food.

They discussed the rest of the day, what food was on sale, what she had bought and what meals she'd had planned for the rest of the week. He was glad she was keeping herself busy, but didn't like that she had no one to talk to. "I got the dishes, you go take a bath." he remembered she liked baths.

Letting him have the dishes she kissed his cheek before disappearing down the hall, it wasn't until she was in the room that she'd even realized what she'd done. She'd pulled an 'Abby', she touched her lips looking back at the closed door. "Too comfortable Kate." she chided herself, hoping Gibbs wouldn't bring it up.

Gibbs grinned looking down the hall, a kiss on the cheek, he'd have to volunteer for KP more often.

Dishes complete Gibbs wandered the living room, he'd been too tired the first day to do anything more then glance at the things that had been sent with them. Kate had put most of the photos on the entertainment center with the TV. Abby had managed to slip in quite a few real photos with the ones she'd doctored or had them pose for. He smiled at the ones of a young Tim, he was a good kid, Abby had forced McGee into handing them over for her to copy. One had Kate and Ziva together another Kate, Ziva and Tim and one with just Tim and Ziva those had been the ones they had posed for.

Her desk held two others. Her, Tony and Ducky in one photo, he chuckled knowing Ducky had been easy to pull in for the photo. The other was him and Kate, it was the last NCIS party he was forced to attend, Kate had made it bearable and Abby had gotten the photo when they weren't paying attention but looking at one another and laughing. Smiling he brushed his thumb across her dimple, he loved her dimple.

"Abby did a good job." Kate said quietly, he was holding her favorite photo, she couldn't remember what they were laughing about but was sure it was something Tony had said or done. Her USC shirt and shorty shorts, her go to pajamas.

"Hey." he gave a quick half smirk then cleared his throat putting the photo down. "About last night…"

"You had a nightmare." she crossed the room to him "It happens."

"Not to me." he frowned, though normally it was because he drank until he passed out.

"You may be Superman Gibbs but you're still a man, it happens to everyone." she promised touching his shoulder. "We've been through a lot these past months it's bound to sneak up when our defenses are down." she slid her hand to his bicep.

"I don't see you having nightmares." he mumbled, Kate knew it was his men stronger then women thing he had in his mind.

"Because I'm with you." she admitted, Gibbs tilted his head "I don't take the painkillers because they make me sleepy and I have nightmares, Ari and autopsy, Mikal, being kidnapped, shot… I have them all, except last night." her eyes locked with his as touched his chest and softly said "Because you were with me." His chest swelled, she needed him as much as he needed her.