Chapter Text
We are running a standard operation to catch the suspects trying to hack into military servers, except this time Kate is with us. DIA sent her with us because this is their operation until they stole a navy officer’s id. She looks so out of place in a bullet proof vest. Whistler is running the operation though and is giving orders to the rest the team. Over the past few months, the team has really warmed up to her and she is basically an extension of the team. It means we get to see each other more throughout of the day. But because of that Kate has gotten more nervous about telling them about our relationship. We have gone out a few times and she seem to be more comfortable in public together without worrying about someone from work seeing us. I hear someone talking to me that breaks me out of daze.
“Lucy, you will take the front with me and Tennant. Jesse and Kai will take the back. The DIA has agents have the other spots covered and there aren’t any other exits.” Whistler says giving orders to everyone.
“Got it, when do we move out?”
“When DIA gives me the signal that they are in position. Should be any minute now.”
I look at her realizing I have never seen her in the field, and I worried something might happen to her. I notice she is tugging at her sleeves which she only does when she is anxious. I pull at her sleeve to move her away from the team for a second. I move us far enough away from the team that no one can hear us, and everyone is so distracted getting ready that no one notices us missing for a few minutes. “Hey, it’s going to be okay, just stay behind me and Tennant and we will be in and out in no time. I promise it will be okay. And your plan is great. We are going to get them.”
I see her deflate a bit and she seem more sure of herself. She gives me a soft smile before looking around before leaning down to place a soft kiss to my cheek. She walks back to the team without another word.
I get back to the team a few minutes later and Kate watches me the whole time until her phone buzzes. “Okay that is signal, let’s move everyone.” Whistler states with so much authority.
We all get in position before Tennant breaks down the door and we move in. One guy starts shooting missing us but breaking the window shattering the glass above us before we take cover behind a counter. I hear the other teams moving in. I find Kate’s eyes before we return fire. After a few minutes we hear the gunshots stop and the suspects screaming stop.
Tennant stands first with some DIA officers to assess the situation before arresting the suspects. I look around for Kate to see her still hiding before the counter. She looks like she is in shock. I know she didn’t have a lot of field experience, but she looks traumatized. I lean down to her level trying to get her to look at me. I start rubbing her arms and whispering soft words to break out of her trance. As the team clears everyone out, Tennant comes over and sees us. I try to make it look less intimate, but Tennant just nods at me before clearing everyone out. When we are left alone, I bring my hand up her face. She looks terrified but is finally responding to my touches and words. This mission was a really big for Kate, not only because of the sensitivity of the intel, but because there were so many eyes watching her every move. Between the gun fire and stress, she finally broke.
I help her up and see that she has some cuts along her arm from some glass that shattered above us during the fight. When I try to let her go before others can see us, she tightens her grip on my arm. I get her to the medical team that is waiting for the team. I avoid looking at anyone else and focus fully on Kate. She starts coming into herself again after a few minutes, but her grip on my arm doesn’t loosen and if anything tugs me towards her more. The rest of the team is debriefing with the DIA who have surprisingly left Kate and I alone the whole time. Tennant probably has something to do with that.
Kate tugs at my sleeve before saying “I don’t know how you do that every day.”
I start laughing “Kai taught me how to compartmentalize which helps and I was more worried about you the whole time.”
“Yeah, sorry I don’t know what happened, but at least it’s over.” She says as the paramedics finish wrapping her arm. Tennant and Jesse head towards us and I try to move away from Kate, but she just tightens her grip and gives me a small smile.
“Hey guys, I am glad you are okay Whistler. DIA cleared the scene and are taking the suspects for interrogation. They said to tell you that you free for the day and to get some rest before tomorrow.” Tennant says trying to keep from smirking seeing how close we are.
“Okay thanks Tennant. We appreciate the help.” Whistler says trying to sound more confident than I am sure she feels in the back of ambulance.
“Of course, the team is going out for drinks after we finish our paperwork you should join us. We wouldn’t have finished the mission without you. I am sure Lucy would love to fill you in on what we get her to do after a few drinks.” Jesse says with a smirk on his face.
I sigh at their smirks and say “Okay, great, we will let know. I am going to take Kate back to her office now and meet you guys at our office later.” I tug at Kate’s arm and move towards the NCIS car I drove to the scene earlier as I hear her laughing at what Jesse said.
When we make it to the car, she leans against it and says “So, they all know, don’t they?”
I start laughing and say a little bit more seriously “I guess, we haven’t been the greatest at hiding it and if anything, today just confirmed it. We don’t have to get drinks with them tonight if you want to have some distance between us. I understand today was a lot for you.”
Kate just stares at me before tugging me towards her and kisses me. I hear cheers from around us causing me to pull away to see my team shouting and Jesse taking pictures that I am sure are for Ernie.
“I don’t care who knows about us, I am sorry I made you wait, but I am ready. I would love to come to drinks with you and the team.” Kate whispers leaning her forehead on mine. I lean forward to kiss her again quickly knowing that we now have audience watching us.
“Come on, let me take you home so you can rest before drinks with the team. Trust me you are going to need it for all the questions they are going to have.” I smirk remembering how I had to limit Ernie’s questions when he found Kate and I were seeing each other.