We Gather Together

Written by Jeanniefan78/April

Author's Note: This is my third NCIS fanfiction story; Sequel to "May I Have This Dance?". I want to remind everyone that my stories will be slightly AU because Kate is still alive. So, I hope you will all enjoy this story as well as my other stories. :)

It is Monday of Thanksgiving week, 2005. It would be a short week for the agency, provided things went well, and everyone was looking forward to the long weekend coming up.

"I am so ready for this weekend," Tracy Cobblestone, Kate's fellow teammate, says.

"Oh, me too," Kate agrees.

"What are you and Gibbs gonna do for the holiday?" Tracy asks.

"We're actually driving to his sister's in Virginia, Thanksgiving morning. Then, on Friday and Saturday, even though the stores will be crowded with holiday shoppers, we're gonna try and get all the last minute stuff we need for the wedding, and, then, we'll probably go ahead and get some of my things moved over to his house."

"Oh, okay."

"What about you?"

"My husband and I are catching a plane, Wednesday afternoon, to Missouri. His family lives there. Then, we'll probably go to my family's for Christmas."

"Oh, wow. I hope you guys enjoy it."

"Thanks."

"Your welcome." Kate's phone rings. "Agent Todd…Oh, yes…"

"So, what about you, Kevin? What are your plans?" Tracy asks.

"My wife and I are going to her parent's house."

"Alright. Thanks, Sherri." Kate hangs up her phone.

"What did she say?" Shandra asks, walking in to the work area.

"Petty Officer Swanson has officially been cleared and her ex-husband has been arrested for the crime. And, that dingbat lawyer is in for it, too. Apparently, the ex-husband hired him to be sure her fate was sealed."

"Good grief," Tracy says. "Just when you think you've seen everything…"

"Yeah," Shandra agrees.

"Excuse me," Director Shepard says, poking her head in the doorway. "I hate to interrupt, but, I need to speak to you all downstairs with Gibbs's team. And, don't worry. It's nothing bad."

As Shandra follows Director Shepard, Kate, Tracy, and Kevin all follow along behind them.

"Tony, what did you do?," Kate teases as she comes down the stairs.

"I didn't do anything."

Kate chuckles.

"No one did anything wrong," Director Shepard says. "Commander Chase from Quantico called. To show their appreciation for the hard work we all put in on the undercover assignment you all were on last week, and, basically, for the help we've given them all year, they've invited us all, along with Ducky, Abby, and Jimmy, to their annual Thanksgiving Banquet tomorrow evening. I know it's short notice and none of you will be required to go, but, I thought I'd mention it and see what you all thought because I think it's a very nice gesture."

"I just need to check with my husband, but, I don't see any problem," Tracy says.

"Oh, and, you three that are married may bring your spouses."

"I'll check with my wife, but, I don't see any problem either," Kevin says.

"Are there any of you who won't be able to go?" Director Shepard asks.

Everyone shakes their head and says, no.

"Good. I'll let Commander Chase know. Oh, would one of you check with Ducky, Abby, and Jimmy for me?"

"I will," McGee volunteers and starts to walk toward his desk.

"Oh, before you do…"

McGee stops and turns back around.

"Commander Chase was wondering if he could talk you all into doing an encore of a few of the acts you performed when the Commandant was honored, while you were undercover last week. He said there has been a lot of talk about how good the show was and that some of their people that were involved agreed to do an encore of some of the stuff they did and they're hoping you all would agree to do some of your stuff again."

"I'm game," Tony says.

"Anyone not?" Director Shepard asks.

Everyone shakes their head and says, no.

"Good. Now, Agent McGee, if you'll phone Ducky, Abby, and Jimmy for me and then, let me know what they say, I'd appreciate it."

"You got it." McGee goes straight to his phone.

"Okay, that's all. And, thanks for a job well done, all of you." Director Shepard heads back upstairs.

As Shandra, Tracy, and Kevin head back upstairs, Kate turns her attention to Gibbs.

"I need to go shut my computer down, get my things, and then, I'll be ready to go."

"Okay," Gibbs says, smiling slightly.