Chapter Text
ASAC Curtis, Agents Margie, Ron and Jeff are all in the breakroom discussing the annual Gala when Whistler walks in.
"Agent Whistler, you going to the gala" questions Ron.
Kate with a look of confusion, turns to Ron with her cup of coffee as he offers to refill it.
Ron replies, "every year the FBI hosts a Gala to celebrate its success and its top agents in the field. Don't tell me you never heard of it".
"Thanks" replies Kate as Ron refills her cup, "no, I haven't". She blinks nervously.
Margie cuts in, "It also honors our fallen agents we've lost and their families too". She turns to Jeff for elaboration as he's been in the FBI the longest, then looks at her watch as her break time is over. She says her goodbyes and leaves back to her desk.
"Agent Whistler, it's tradition, ingrained in the history of the FBI" Jeff says proudly. He finishes his cup of coffee, walks to the sink to wash it, then continues, "I've gone for 32 years, wouldn't miss it for anything". The rasp in his voice is evident from the years of smoking and drinking.
Ron teases, "unless its your wedding day again".
The team chuckles and Jeff joins in because he knows it's true, "damn you Ron" he says.
Kate feels awkward like she just walked into an all boys club, so changes the subject back to the gala. She turns to Curtis to inquire more about it.
ASAC Curtis responds "it's next Friday night. The ceremony starts at 7:30pm, here at headquarters". He sips his coffee and tells Kate she needs to make an appearance.
"I will... make myself available" Kate responds and sips her coffee too.
Jeff and Ron both say their goodbyes and get back to work, leaving ASAC Curtis and Kate in the breakroom.
ASAC Curtis stands up, "Maybe that NCIS Agent you work closely with would want to go with you", attempting to read Whistler's reaction at his comment.
Kate smiles, "I don't think Gala's are her thing". Kate could feel the redness within her boiling to the surface, trying to hide how she feels about the agent in front of her own boss.
Curtis smiles at Kate, "just make sure you're present". He turns to leave the breakroom.
Kate wonders if ASAC Curtis knows about her and Lucy. Why would he mention Lucy? She shakes the thought of it off and returns to her desk to drink the rest of her coffee.
An hour later Lucy is at her desk and sees Kate approaching it with a sack of food in her hands. Lucy looks at her watch. The time has gone by fast as it is a little past lunch time.
"Brought you lunch Agent Tara" says Kate and places the bag on her desk.
"Thank you, Agent Whistler" smiles Lucy, loving how proudly Kate walks into the bullpen to bring her lunch. She loves how their relationship is no longer an unspoken secret with her team.
"My pleasure" smirks Kate.
"Are you joining me for lunch" asks Lucy. She grins from ear to ear at Kate.
"Yes but I have a few things I need to take care of with Tennant first. I'll meet you at the picnic table by the oak tree" says Kate.
"I can wait for you right here and we can walk there together" replies Lucy.
"Good idea" responds Kate. She points to Tennant's office and walks towards it to catch up with Tennant.
Ernie overhears their conversation, "so... lunch" motioning to Lucy's bag at her desk. He smiles.
"Yes, she brought me my favorite" replies Lucy and tosses Ernie an orange she had brought in earlier for a snack.
"Thank you, Luce" smiles Ernie. He continues, "how are things going between" and he nods in Kate's direction.
Lucy glances at Tennant and Kate in Tennant's office, then leans in close to Ernie. She squeals, "It's great". She stomps her feet and shakes her arms in mid air.
Ernie smiles, happy his bestfriend is at her happiest, "good, enjoy your lunch" as he walks back to his lair.
"Enjoy your orange" she calls out to him then glances into Tennant's office as Kate comes out of it.
"Ready" asks Lucy as she holds up her lunch.
Kate nods, "don't think I didn't see your happy dance". She stands beside Lucy, grazing her hip with Lucy's body. Kate leans in with a gentle kiss on Lucy's temple and begins to wrap her left arm around the shorter agent's hip.
Lucy chuckles in surprise. She's so in love and by the look on Kate's face so is Kate.
At the same time Tennant comes out of her office, startling Kate but she doesn't move, too happy to be near Lucy, and calls out to her, "2:30pm, boardwalk".
So much for Kate's attempt at being subtle. Kate turns her head quickly and nods, then returns her gaze back to Lucy. Lucy gives her a questioning look.
"I'll tell you over lunch" replies Kate.
They walk towards the elevator doors on their way to the large oak tree to the picnic tables outside of Headquarters. Once they get there Kate explains the case she is working on with Tennant.
"So why is MacKenzie protecting him" asks Lucy
"That's what we are trying to find out too" replies Kate. "Eat, you must be starving" as she hears Lucy's stomach grumbling, and feels her own beginning to rumble.
Lucy covers her stomach, mildly embarrassed, "I am, I am" and she takes out the food Kate brought her. It's enough to feed them both, now realizing this was Kate's plan all along.
"So, tell me more about your dancing skills" giggles Lucy referring to the conversation beforehand.
"I love to dance. My mom taught me when I was younger because of all the galas we had to attend... which brings me to the subject". Kate grins mischievously.
"Galas" questions Lucy.
Kate replies "yeah" she takes a deep breath, fidgeting with her hands, "There is this party, well, it's a banquet. The FBI hosts one every year and I was...wondering...if you will be my date for it and come with me".
"Is this why you brought me lunch today, bribing me with my favorite meal so I would be your date" asks Lucy playfully.
"Is it working" smirks Kate.
"Bribing a federal agent is a crime, punishable by law" teases Lucy.
"Guilty as charged" says Kate. She shows her wrists to Lucy implying to handcuff her.
Lucy blushes from a memory and Kate returns her blush, both recalling the night they first used handcuffs on each other. Lucy attempts to push Kate's hands away while looking around to see if anyone around them heard their conversation, but Kate holds Lucy's hands, steady.
They lock eyes and Lucy holds her breathe unintentionally as she is caught off guard with Kate's PDA.
Kate pulls Lucy's hands to her mouth and kisses them, then rubs her thumbs over Lucy's hands. She looks tenderly at Lucy, watching Lucy release her breath.
Lucy gives into Kate's smile, "I would love to be your date" beams Lucy with delight.
"Thank you, Lucy" replies Kate and affectionately kisses Lucy's hands again.
Lucy retracts her hands to cover her excitement, "what are you wearing"?
"Something cute" says Kate playfully.
Lucy gives her a serious look, "My parents went to many of these too, in Texas. All the big rich people would walk around, throw their money at things that matter to them, but the most important thing to them was their image, their fancy dresses and attire. I..I..want to compliment you"
Kate realizes Lucy's seriousness and replies, "I've got a black dress I always wear to events like these, with pearl earrings and heels".
Lucy inquires, "black"?
Kate is a little defensive, "what's wrong with the color black"?
Lucy replies playfully, "nothing, nothing... I see you more in a red dress with diamond earrings and slender heels". Lucy smiles, seeing the gears turning in Kate's mind, but before she could give her a compliment Kate inquires about her attire.
Lucy responds, "I am going to wear a dress. I also have a black one I wore a while back, but I'm wearing my dark leather boots with it and pearl earrings to match yours. What do you think"?
Kate replies, "I think you'll be the cutest NCIS Agent there"
Lucy laughs, "I'll be the only NCIS Agent there"
Kate laughs with her, "which makes you all the more special. I'll introduce you to my colleagues and other members of my team".
Lucy smiles at the thought of meeting more of Kate's team members. She doesn't care if Kate introduces her to them as her girlfriend as she's learned that maybe keeping their relationship private isn't such a bad idea for professional reasons, but the most important thing Lucy wants in a relationship is for Kate to share her life with her, and by introducing Lucy to Kate's colleagues, it shows Kate is listening to Lucy.
Kate sees the excitement on Lucy's face and matches it with her own happiness. She isn't sure how her tram would react to being in a relationship with another woman much less an NCIS team member but she will cross thst bridge when she gets there. For now, Kate wants Lucy to know she doesn't want to hide who she is when she is with Lucy. She promised Lucy she would do it right this time and she means it.
Lucy and Kate's phone buzzes. It's Tennant. They are needed in the War Room. They pack up their lunch and throw away their trash, then walk to the War Room where the rest of the NCIS Team waits for them.
......................
Over the next few days Kate gets multiple knocks at her office door.
Today, it's Larry from across the hall.
"Agent Whistler, hope I'm not disturbing you" obviously intimidated by the tall blonde woman. He continues, "I, I'm wondering if you uh, "he fidgets with his hands, "if you'd be my date for the gala" he asks.
Kate smiles but inside she is cringing. Larry is a sweet guy, very odd too, but she already has a lifetime date and her name is Lucy Tara. She let's him down gently, "Larry, thank you for asking but I...I already have a date"
Larry jumps to conclusions, "Oh is it Todd from Tech? I knew he would beat me to it. You know," now whispering to Kate, "he doesn't brush his teeth right" he continues without letting Kate get a word in yet, "he also doesn't wash his hair every day, has a fake mustache, and really bad B.O"
Kate replies, "it isn't him Larry, but thank you for the heads up".
Larry sounds surprised as though he might have some hope, "oh, okay well give my regards to the lucky lad". As he turns to walk off he hears Kate say she looks forward to seeing Larry at the gala.
...............
It's the next day and Jeremy from field operations knocks on her door. She typically doesn't get these kind of visits from field operations much less Jeremy himself. He is known to push boundaries with a few FBI Agents.
Kate greets Jeremy and asks, "how can I help you Jeremy"
"Just came by to say hello" he responds.
"Oh, hi" Kate musters as she isn't in the mood for small talk.
"How is your day" he asks
"Fine" replies Kate and reciprocated his question through a gritted smile.
"It's wonderful. Took care of some case files and assisted ASAC Michaelson on a case just outside of Diamond Head. There's a really gorgeous beach out there I never noticed" responds Jeremy.
"Mhm, that's nice" replies Kate as she focuses her attention on the case files in front of her desk, hoping he gets the messege and she doesn't have to address the elephant in the room.
"I hear you like to surf, so I was thinking maybe after we go to the Gala together we can go surfing too" Jeremy tries to be slick.
Kate stops writing, her annoyance with hisbpresence now evident more than ever, "I don't think so Jeremy. I have a date to the gala and it isn't you. If there is nothing more I can help you with I need to get back to work and so do you".
Jeremy responds, "you know Agent Whistler, I like you. You know how to put a man in his place. Are you sure you don't want to go with me to the gala"?
Kate replies sternly "I already have a date Jeremy and have work to do. See yourself out of my office...now".
Jeremy leaves, crushing on Agent Whistler even more so before he walked into her office.
Kate sighs from annoyance but looks at her watch. It's lunch time, so she leaves her office to meet up with Lucy.
"We found out MacKenzie is actually funding the operation and she killed Maxwell because he was going to betray her to make more profit" responds Kate.
Lucy replies, "so MacKenzie was trying to protect herself and her assets this whole time"
Kate nods and takes a bite of her salad and Lucy takes a bit of her sandwich, then Kate changes subjects.
"Tell me more about your obsession with baking" smiles Kate.
"It started with my grandmother. She loves to bake and she was really good at it too. When I was little she would bring me into the kitchen and sit me on the counter tops to help her mix ingredients together". Lucy talks with her hands, motioning step by step how she would follow her grandmother in the kitchen baking everything from chocolate brownies to Italian creme cakes. She continues, sharing her favorite moment with her grandmother in the kitchen, "I spilled it on her and all she could do was laugh.we both fell because it was so slippery and all over the kitchen floor but we didn't care. We made more batches" laughs Lucy as she recalls the story. "I always feel so close to her when I bake" she smiles.
Kate nods and before she can share her thoughts with Lucy, a dark figure approaches their table. Right away Kate recognizes her as Roxie in Forensics.
"Hi Kate" she says
Kate reciprocates her greeting.
"I don't mean to interrupt..."
Lucy quickly murmurs under her breathe, "then don't"
Kate shoots her a disaproving look.
Roxie continues, "but can I borrow you for a quick second" she asks.
Kate looks to Lucy then back at Roxie, "can this wait til I'm back in the office"?
"it will only take a second" responds Roxie.
Kate has an idea of what the question could be but she hopes and prays it isn't about the Gala. She can't deal with anymore agents asking her to be their dates, especially now in front of Lucy. Lucy would not hesitate to rip into Roxie, or her for that matter.
Kate excuses herself from the table and walks with Roxie away from Lucy's earshot.
"I didn't want to ask in front of your friend there because I don't recognize her as FBI, but I'm going to the gala and am trying to get a bunch of women together so we can all go as a group to avoid the creepy guys in our building, you know like Jeremy, and wanted to extend the invite to you too"
Kate let her ego get the better of her. She thinks that is such a sweet gesture, "Roxie, such a great idea. Thank you for the invite. I will be sure to share it with other female agents on my team but I already have a date to the Gala".
Roxie is evidently surprised by the news, "good for you, I understand completely" and she winks at her, not entirely buying Kate has an actual date and is really going to the gala. Kate is known in the office as a loner. She bids her goodbye and Kate returns to Lucy at the picnic table.
"Do I want to know" inquires Lucy motioning in the direction of Roxie.
"Everyone is making such a big deal about this FBI Gala. That was Roxie, works in Forensics and..."
"Did you break her heart too Whistler" asks Lucy
"Not funny" responds Kate.
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, Babe" replies Lucy, genuinely sorry for holding it above Kate's head. She reaches over the table to hold Kate's hands as she sees the chsnge in Kate's mood.
Kate lets out the sting she was holding in her chest as soon as the words left Lucy's mouth, knowing how Lucy copes with triggers and stress with humor. She breathes out and tells Lucy the purpose of Roxie's conversation.
"She seems sweet , and who knew the FBI could be so... creepy" responds Lucy.
"Trust me, working for the DIA is worse. My team isn't like that. In fact you've met ASAC Curtis. He's great and you''ll get to meet the rest of them too" replies Kate.
Lucy smiles, excited to meet the rest of her team but also thankful her team seems to be accepting of Kate as a person. Kate is well respected among them and other departments according to Curtis. In fact, he seems just as protective of Kate as Lucy is, which makes Lucy all the more happy to get to know her team.
Kate looks at her watch, "Sorry babe, I've got to go. I'm late for a meeting".
Lucy let's go of Kate's hands and they say their goodbyes, giving one another a hug before departing to their offices.
.........
Two days later ASAC Curtis knocks on Kate's office door.
"ASAC Curtis" Kate says
"Agent Whistler, how's the McClennon case coming along"
Kate replies, "Well, sir. James is in NCIS custody and their team has all the intel we could gather on his gang affiliates"
"Good, good, " replies ASAC Curtis, "how are the reports"?
"They are almost finished sir. I will have them on your desk by this afternoon" responds Kate.
"Great, thank you" replies Curtis
Sensing there is something else he wants to discuss as he doesn't rarely checks in on Kate's work, she continues the conversation by changing the subject.
"Is everything okay, sir" asks Kate.
"Everthing is fine" and Curtis returns the inquiry back to Kate.
"Never better, sir" she replies.
"Good, and uh, I hear you have a date for the gala" says Curtis..
Kate nods with a chuckle, without looking up at Curtis, "word spreads around fast".
Curtis laughs, "like wildfire around here".
Kate shakes her head, and continues writing her reports at her desk, disregarding Curtis' comment.
"It's none of my business, but your date must be someone pretty special" replies Curtis, fishing for some insight.
Kate nods and before she could think the words slip out of her mouth, "pretty...and...special". Kate turns red, her face matching her current lipstick. She avoids eye contact with ASAC Curtis and clears her throat, "I'm on it. Those reports sir, you'll have them by this afternoon". She quickly grabs a pen to act like she is working on her reports.
Curtis smiles as Kate's expression and her words confirm his suspicions. He leans in closer to Kate because he wants her to know she has his full support, "it's okay, Agent Whistler" he says softly and he takes the pen out of her hand, placing it on her desk.
Kate looks up and locks eyes at Curtis. The panic in her expression goes away. She returns his smile.
Curtis clears his throat, places his hands on his hips, returning to the ASAC Curtis Kate is more familiar of seeing, "Thank you Agent Whistler, see you this afternoon".
"Yes sir" replies Kate as he walks out the door and back to his office. She smiles, grateful for a sincere boss. She is even more excited to introduce Lucy to her team. She just hopes they are all on their best behavior.