The elevator had only just started to move when Gibbs flicked the silver lever and the elevator was jerked to a stop, plunging them into darkness for a second before the emergency lights came on. Gibbs stepped towards Kate as she stood against the back wall, her hands resting on the railings behind her to keep her balance as the elevator stopped. Gibbs raised his hand slowly towards her face, his gaze locked on her cut. He gently flicked her hair out the way so he could see the cut and swelling around it properly. Kate never flinched, knowing he would never hurt her deliberately. His pointer finger ran along the top of the cut, never actually touching the cut or stitches, just the swelling above it.

"Does it hurt?" Running his finger along the underside of the cut, catching the hairs of her eyebrows as he did.

"Not really, probably will tomorrow though." Feeling his finger gently rest on the starting stitch on the edge of the cut.

Gibbs ran his finger along the cut, careful not to apply too much pressure. When he had brushed from one side to the other, he brought his hand down and cupped her cheek. Kate tried not to melt into his touch but failed, her head leaning towards the warmth and security she only had when she was with him.

"Gibbs, what's wrong? This isn't just about the cut, you've been in a mood all day." Returning the gesture as she hooked her hand around the back of his neck and let her fingers stroke through the short hair there.

"Nothing, just me not being able to keep myself in check I guess. Today's different, we're different, it's all new again. Going from everything to nothing, it's just going to take some time to get used to." Stepping closer as he used the hand on her cheek to hold her before wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in her neck.

Kate was caught a little off balance but returned the hug, her arms coming up and under his as her palms lay flat across his shoulder blades. She felt his body sag into hers, his weight transferring from him to her. She gripped him tighter as he let himself show his emotions, a very un-Gibbs thing for him to, especially somewhere that wasn't his own home.

"Gibbs, this, us, yes it's going to take time. We can do it, we just have to get used to working and playing together. Nothing has changed, not really, not if we don't let it." Turning her head so she could place a kiss on his cheek.

Gibbs was just about to say something when his phone started to vibrate in his pocket. Kate started to giggle, knowing fine well who would be on the other end before Gibbs even pulled the phone out his pocket. Gibbs had a fair idea as well going by the growl he let out before pulling away from Kate and retrieving his phone.

"Gibbs," he barked into the small handset.

Kate stifled a laugh as she watched him talking to Tony on the phone.

"Yes DiNozzo, everything's fine. I was just getting a report from Kate on what happened. Yes, we're coming up." Shutting the phone as Kate heard the distant 'Yes, boss' from Tony as Gibbs shut it.

After putting the phone back in his pocket he stepped back up to Kate and kissed her. Just a gentle touch, a mere brush of his lips to hers. Kate licked her lips as Gibbs stepped back and flicked the switch, the elevator started moving down a floor and stopped before he closed the doors and sent it back up. Kate stepped out beside Gibbs, their matching strides keeping them level with each other. As they rounded the corner McGee quickly ducked his head and slumped even lower in his chair than he was before. Gibbs took no notice as he took his seat behind his desk, Kate did though. Instead of sitting at her desk she walked up to McGee and stepped up beside him.

"See Tim, good as new." Resting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing slightly.

McGee looked up briefly, his eyes darting between Kate's face and across at Gibbs. Gibbs was now reading over a file on his desk before he pushed his chair back and stood up.

"DiNozzo, with me. Let's get this dirtbag locked up." Coming around his desk and stopping next to the filing cabinet.

"McGee," stopping and turning to look at the man he could just make out hiding behind his computer screen. "Go check with Abby, see what's she got. And on the way back up, ditch the feeling sorry for yourself, accidents happen, Kate knows that, and so do you." Watching as McGee peeked out so he could see his eyes as well as the top of his head.

"Yes, boss." McGee managed to choke out as he stood up and looked at Gibbs.

Gibbs stroked off towards interrogation, Tony hot on his heels.

Kate stepped away from McGee, walked back to her desk and sat down. She was sat waiting for her computer to boot up when she saw McGee stop in front of her desk.

"I'm really sorry, Kate. I'll be more careful next time." Before he bolted for the lift.

Kate just shook her head slightly, he would get over it in a few days. When her computer finally started up she set about writing her report on the crime scene and the follow-up arrest. She was so focused she didn't notice how much time had passed until a coffee cup appeared just in front of her. She looked up a little shocked and winced as her neck protested at the movement. She rotated her head, neck and shoulders a few times before picking the cup up. As soon as she took a sip she knew who had bought it. She looked across at Tony, the top of his head visible as he dug around in his desk drawers for something. Turning to her left she saw Gibbs watching her, his coffee cup held tightly in his left hand. She moved back a little in her chair so the computer monitor blocked her body from Tony's view if he looked over. Putting the cup back down she brought her hands up and level with her chest and quickly signed 'thank you'. Gibbs smirked when he saw her sign thank you. She was definitely spending too much time with Abby. He would have to ask Abby how much she had taught her, maybe he could help her learn as well. Tony finally surfaced from the bottom drawer of his desk looking perplexed.

"Kate, have you got a pen? All mine have gone." Looking around under the files on his desk.

Kate took a pen out her top drawer, throwing it like a dart across the bullpen to Tony. Tony caught it and called out his thanks as he settled in to write his own reports. When Kate finished her coffee she picked up her pen and set about finishing her own report. It didn't take her long before she had it done, making sure it was up to Gibbs standard before she signed her name across it. She stood up and walked to drop it on Gibbs's desk, only realising how late it was by the fact it was now dark outside the huge building windows. As she put the report on Gibbs desk she looked across to see McGee was checking his over and signing it as well. She moved aside as McGee came over and placed his reports on top of Kate's. Then they all turned and looked at Tony. Tony was still writing away, stopping every minute or two to chew the top of the pen and scrunch his face up, as if trying to remember a particular detail, or how to spell a word. Tony looked up when he detected everyone watching him, his concentration interrupted by all the eyes focused on him.

"What? I'm nearly done." Shaking his head as he went back to writing, or scribbling as Kate called Tony's handwriting.

"You two can go, no point in all of us staying waiting for one report," Gibbs said, startling both Kate and McGee who swung back around to look at their boss. "Go, before I change my mind and dig out some cold cases." Trying not to smile as he watched McGee dart to his desk while Kate stayed still.

Gibbs inclined his head towards the elevator as looked at Kate again. Kate smiled and returned to her desk to pack up for the night. She heard the 'night Kate' from McGee as he passed on his way out and did reply. When she was ready she went to pick her phone up just as it buzzed. She wasn't expecting any messages. Flipping it open she had to bite her bottom her lip to stop from smiling as she saw the sender's name. It was a message from Gibbs.

"Will I see you tonight?"

"Yes, but I need to go home first. Might be better if I smell like me tomorrow." She responded quickly before shutting her phone.

Putting her phone in her bag she moved around the desk and stopped in front of Tony's desk.

"Night, Tony." The smirk on her face nearly reaching her eyes.

Tony just gave her a dirty look before returning to the report, he was nearly done, and there were no spelling mistakes so far. When Kate reached the elevator she turned back to see Tony still writing furiously, his brow furrowed in concentration. When the doors opened she glanced back to see the top of Gibbs's head, his silver-grey hair reflecting the light making it look pearly white. Stepping in she pushed the button for the lobby as she made a mental list of what she needed when she got home.

Tony looked over his report, the words skimming past his eyes and he tried to make sure it was correct before handing it in. He had a date, finally, and he wanted to keep it. Especially since he would be cutting it fine already if he got to leave in the next five minutes. He hoped that with Gibbs now having someone to go home too, he would want to leave soon as well. Looking at his watch he saw it was nearly eight thirty, nearly an hour after Kate had left, and just over an hour until his own date. He had arranged a late date, knowing if they had a case it would be a late finish, if they finished at all. When he was sure it was done right he stood up and headed over to Gibbs, holding the report out instead of putting it on the pile with the others. Gibbs took it, flicked over the three pages of the second report and the two of the first one. He looked at Tony, his watch, back at the reports then dropped them on the pile.

"Go." Was all he said as Tony nearly ran to his desk, flicked his lamp off, grabbed his bag and jacket and all but ran to the elevator.

Gibbs chuckled, Tony was definitely in a hurry for his date. Speaking of dates, he had a date of sorts. He filled all the reports on his desk together and put them away, before shutting down his own computers and switching off his desk lamp. He knew in the time it had taken Tony to finish his report Kate would probably be at his place by now. He hoped she was, all he wanted to do was pull her close and bury his face in her neck, breathing in the smell that was uniquely Kate. The elevator took what felt like forever to arrive and even longer to arrive at the lobby if that was possible. He managed to exit the elevator, and building, considering how late it was without being stopped. His normal, sensible driving, took a back seat as the roads were nearly deserted so he was able to exercise his need for speed. When he pulled up outside his house he looked up and saw Kate's car on his driveway, the lights on in his lounge. She was definitely there. Parking behind her car he got and walked up to the front door. When he opened it he was hit with an unusual smell. It didn't smell like his house, the smell of wood and bourbon that normal punctuated the air was replaced with smells of lavender, jasmine, and the smell of cooking but he couldn't work out what.

Heading to the kitchen he stopped in the doorway and saw her, moving around his kitchen like she owned it. There was food cooking on the stove, two pans simmering away. He inhaled deeply, the mixture of food and Kate invading his already tired senses.

"Hey,' he finally said as Kate turned and looked at him.

"Hey, yourself. Hope you don't mind me cooking, or making a mess." Gesturing to the mess covered work surfaces.

"Easily cleans." He pointed out as he stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist from behind.

Kate leaned back, her back resting squarely against Gibbs's chest. She continued to stir whatever she was cooking but brought her left arm up so she could rest it along with his, their fingers interlocking. The scene was so domestic, so intimate, Gibbs felt his throat restrict. For two people who only a matter of days ago had been no more than colleagues, they had quickly found a grove. She fitted into his home perfectly, like she belonged there like she had been there for months, years even when it had only been days.

"It's ready,' he heard her say as she squeezed his fingers before letting go.

He stepped away and watched in fascination as she moved around the kitchen serving up the meal and pouring the wine. He was going to offer his help but by the time he caught his breath as the beauty of it all she was at at the table looking at him. He sat down and looked between his plate and Kate.

"Thanks, you don't have to cook. I could have done it." Picking up his fork and starting to eat.

"I wanted to, helps me relax and unwind." Smiling across at him as she took a drink of her wine.

Gibbs was silent for a few minutes, his mouth to occupied with the food. Then he spoke and Kate started to laugh.

"This is really good, you'll have to cook more often."

"Yeah, sure. When I'm not scraping bodies from the ground, or dodging fleeing suspect and avoiding bullets."

She had meant the last part as a joke, but it had fallen flat instantly. She saw the way Gibbs set his jaw, his knuckles going white around his cutlery.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said. I just," Stopping as she wasn't sure what to say.

"It's okay, just a little too soon to make fun of nearly dying." His voice now deep and warning like.

Kate just nodded and returned to her food, the tension that now hung in the air clinging to them both like a noose.

"Maybe I should just go." Putting her cutlery done and going to stand up.

"Kate, finishing eating first." Pushing his now empty plate to the side.

"I'm done, not a big eater anyway." Standing up and reaching to the plate to move it. "I'll clear up before I go, least I can do after making such a mess."

"Kate, stop!" He ordered, his voice sharp and crisp.

Kate stopped instantly, the agent in her not being able to ignore a direct order.

"I'll do this, you go load the fire up. I'll come lite it when I'm done. Then we talk, or whatever, you are not going anyway tonight." Hoping he didn't sound as authoritatively to her as it had sounded to his own ears. "Or any other night I hope." Whispering the last and hoping she hadn't heard him.

Kate looked at him, her brown eyes burning into his. Finally, she nodded, satisfied he meant what he said. Gibbs cleared away the dirty dishes to the sink, knowing he wasn't going to wash them until at least later that night, maybe even morning. When he entered the lounge he saw Kate sat in front of the fire, the grate open as she stuffed in a couple of bits of kindling to help get the fire started. Kneeling up she searched across the top of the mantle with her eyes, looking for something to light the fire with. She was about to stand up when a lighter appeared in front of her face, Gibbs standing just to her right.

"I said I'd do it." Kneeling beside her and flicking open the lighter.

Kate settled back on the rug and watched as Gibbs leaned into the grate, she heard the scrape of the lighter striking as he lit the kindling. She got comfortable and watched as the flames slowly took hold, Gibbs sitting beside her but not touching. The flames were mesmerising, the way the licked up the logs and the shadows they cast on the walls and ceiling. Kate turned and looked at Gibbs, the flames burning even brighter in the reflection of his blue eyes. There was so much of him in his eyes. She could read so much in the deep pools of blue she felt like she was drowning, or they were locked up, guarded, hiding his torrent of emotions behind a wall of steel. Kate lay down on her side facing the fire. She used her arms as a pillow and watched both the fire and Gibbs. When Gibbs didn't move she reached out and took hold of his hand, tugging him towards her. He resisted at first turning to move away, or so Kate thought. He was pushing her away, stopping himself from falling deeper. It wasn't until he turned back to her with cushions from the couch did she figure out his intentions. He must have caught the look of disappointment on Kate's as he turned back to her smiled before dropping the cushions near Kate's head and moving to lie behind her. After a lot of shuffling from them both he finally settled.

"I'm too old for this crap, Kate." Wrapping his arm over Kate's waist and pulling her closer to him.

"Which bit? Me or the floor." The words leaving her mouth before she could censor them.

"Both I guess, but mostly the floor." Wriggling until he had lay flush against him.

Kate was ridges in his arms, her mind and body on two different levels. She was as confused as hell by the man behind her, which in some ways was nothing new. He confused her, challenged her, damn right drove her nuts most days, yet she knew she loved him. She wasn't sure she was ready to say it out loud, but it was there. After a few minutes of lying watching the fire, she started to relax into the embrace, then decided to get this problem sorted once and for all. She turned in Gibbs's arms to face him, his arms still holding her to him.

"Gibbs, you want this right? Want us?" Knowing he didn't do the whole talking thing very well.

Gibbs didn't answer straight away, his eyes to busy search deep in Kate's soul through her beautiful brown eyes. When he was sure he had found what he was looking for his tongue darted out and he licked his lips.

"Yes, more than I probably should." His answer as honest as he could make it with about being sarcastic or humorous. "But it's not gonna be easy Kate, I'm a bastard remember." Watching as Kate soaked up every word he said like a sponge.

"I know that, but I want you to be my bastard. I've seen enough of you to know what I'm getting." Smiling as she reached up to stroke his face.

"Kate, my ex-wives would beg to differ. They thought the same at some point, or at least I think they did. They all thought they knew me, didn't work out though is it." His head leaning towards the fingers on his cheek.

"But did they know the real Gibbs? Did they know the full story?" Her eyes glancing at the fire as she avoided his deep penetrating gaze.

She had started now, she might as well continue. If he knew that she knew then it might make things easier.

"What full story?" Asking her even though he knew the answer.

"That they weren't actually wifes one, two and three but wives two, three and four?" Finally looking back, if only briefly at his face, before she looked away again.

She knew he had a feeling she knew. She had probably always known. He had to know how long.

"When did you find out?" Knowing that it didn't make any difference anyway.

"Air force one. Did you think I didn't get check you out as well." Laughing slightly as she moved back to sit up.

He stopped her, held her to him as he turned her face so he could look at her. None of the others knew none of them had gotten close enough to him to find out. The idea was ludicrous considering he had married them all. He had no words, no idea of what to say. He had never expected this conversation, he had never had this conversation. Even Jenny didn't know about his girls and she was his boss now. He wondered if Kate had to.d anyone, shared the information she had found out.

"I haven't told anyone, I was the only one to read the file." Knowing where his train of thought was taking him.

She was good, very good in fact, maybe just a little too good for him.

"Kate." Was all he managed to say before she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him.

He responded of course, slowly at first letting her take the lead. Then he let go, let her feel what she did to him, showed her how important she was to him. Between his kisses and his hands wandering all over her body, they were both soon naked, the passion between them keeping them warm. When they were both lying covered in sweat and sated in each other's arms, Kate smiled as she kissed him. They weren't perfect, there would be more days like the one they had just had, both it was worth it. To have what they had, lying naked in front of an open fire on a rug together was worth the effort.