Trapped In Heaven

4

Two months later

Kate took a deep breath as she made her way into the NCIS bullpen. She'd been in Minnesota for two months, her hair was slightly longer now. She'd even changed up how she dressed for work. Today she was wearing a light blue blouse tucked into her black jeans.

Jesse was working at his desk and Kate could see Jane in her office. Kai was in the break room.

Kate staggered as someone walked into her from behind. She turned and saw Lucy looking up from her phone.

"Sorry." Lucy murmured. She blinked at Kate before moving around her and heading for her desk, her phone gripped tightly in her hand.

Frowning, Kate followed behind Lucy. "Luce?" She called out softly.

Lucy had plopped down onto her chair and placed her phone on the desk in front of her, her eyes now trained on her computer screen. She looked up when Kate said her nickname.

"Can we talk?" Kate asked softly, looking down at the younger woman.

"Now you want to talk?" Lucy whispered. "Two months you were gone. Two months of silence. You could have been dead and I wouldn't have known." She dropped her eyes. She didn't seem like herself. She was more withdrawn than usual.

Kate swallowed thickly and looked down. "I needed to clear my head... my first day in the field I almost died because of a stupid mistake... On top of that, I was struggling with figuring out my feelings for you and Kai... I just, I needed to figure it all out." She said quietly.

Lucy didn't lift her head at Kate's words. "I got hurt in the field, after you left. I was distracted, thinking about you.... I dreamt about you when I was in the hospital." Her voice was barely audible.

"Luce..." Kate breathed out, stepping closer to the shorter woman. "I should've reached out, but I just... I couldn't... not until I felt ready..." She whispered softly, fighting the urge to reach for Lucy's hand.

Lucy still didn't lift her head. She squeezed her eyes closed.

Taking a deep breath, Kate sat on the edge of Lucy's desk and gently took her hand. "Luce... I took the time away to not only heal but to think about what I want." She said softly.

Lucy let out a shaky breath. "You've come back because you've made a decision." She murmured.

The blonde stared down at Lucy's hand and was quiet for a moment. "Not exactly... I um... I have an idea... but I don't know if you or Kai would be up for it." She admitted quietly.

Lucy gulped and finally lifted her eyes to look at Kate.

Kate instantly locked eyes with Lucy. "Three dates each... no kissing, no sex, just three dates... After the third date we can kiss... but I need to try this without sex." She said softly.

Lucy blinked, taking in Kate's words.

The blonde waited patiently, wanting Lucy to think about what she had just said.

"You should speak to Kai." Lucy said delicately, dropping her eyes again.

Kate frowned and cleared her throat. "I wanted to speak to you first." She said softly.

"Why?" Lucy whispered.

"Because I was with you first, because you deserve answers..." Kate whispered, releasing Lucy's hand. "Because I wanted to know what your thoughts were before I talked it over with Kai."

Lucy's body suddenly felt cold from the loss of contact with Kate. She shuddered. "Don't leave me." She murmured.

Kate swallowed thickly and shifted on the desk before taking Lucy's hand again. "Luce... I don't want to leave you... I... I love you... but I need to do this... I need to figure things out... I need to know where we stand... I need to know where Kai and I stand..."