Treasured Moments

Treasured Moments

Tony was absolutely thrilled to be out of the hospital and back in his own apartment. He still felt really awful, but the idea of living off the hospital food was quite revolting. The weather felt cool enough to wear full pajamas and a robe. He winced as he began another coughing fit, the chest and lungs still needed time to heal. When he finished coughing his head went into a spin.

Knock knock knock.

Tony answered the door, "Hello Kate." He greeted with a smile, "Come right in… So what brings you down this neck of the woods?"

"I came here to see how you were doing?" Kate said, "And come to share some chicken soup with you." That wasn't the only reason. Spending time under quarantine, watching her friend, no lover, dying before her eyes convinced her that their time was precious.

"I'll get a couple of plates." Tony tried to hide a coughing fit by doing it quietly.

"Let me take care of you." Kate said, "You still sound pretty sick."

"Gee, thanks Kate." Tony replied but sat back down.

"Why don't you put on a movie?" Kate asked from the kitchen. She had trouble finding her way around a man's kitchen.

"I don't think I have one that you'd be interested in." He looked through his video collection that consisted of B grade movies, old television shows and a few romantic comedies thrown in that he had picked up from somewhere, "How about Undercover Blues?" Tony asked, "That's a nice movie."

"Sure Tony." Kate said as she heated the soup in the microwave and waited patiently for it to beep, "What's it about?"

"This couple who have a baby and are spies." Tony said, "They get asked to do one more job and well… The rest you'll have to find out." He called from the living area.

"It sounds alright." DING! Kate took the soup out and poured it into two plates and brought them into the living room and sat down, "Here's yours Tony."

Tony didn't feel like eating, his appetite had still refused to return but Kate's motherly persistence wasn't to be argued, "Thanks Kate." There was a weak smile. The chicken soup was way better than the hospital's food, "Hmm… Orgasmic." Tony laughed.

Kate laughed to. Probably just a couple of weeks ago she would've seen that statement as annoying as ever. It was funny how things quickly changed and instead of fighting it, she rolled with it, "Thank you Tony. I think that's the best compliment my chicken soup has ever got."

Tony shrugged as he struggled to finish it all, "I think I've had enough."

Kate took the plates over to the sink and sat back down, "Are you feeling ok?" Kate noted the dark rings under his eyes.

"I just feel tired." He said sleepily.

"Just go to bed." Kate replied.

"I have company." Tony said, "It's rude to fall asleep when you have company."

They watched the movie to the point where Tony had fallen asleep against her shoulder. It was almost a shame to wake him but she had to get up and work in the morning, "Tony." She shook his shoulder.

He moaned when he woke up, "Huh?"

"I have to go home." Kate replied, "And you have to get a good night's sleep."

"Can you come around tomorrow night?" Tony asked as he stood up, "I really like your company."

Kate stared at him for a moment with eyes wide. There was nothing provocative about it and there didn't seem to be any ulterior motive behind it, "Sure… Why not?"

"I'll cook for you though… Ok?" Tony asked.

"Sure thing." Kate answered, "So I guess I can expect pizza or something." They shared a laugh with each other. It felt so natural and she loved it.

3 Nights Later

"I must say you're looking a lot better." Kate said, it was the end of the week and this time she didn't have to rush home in the evening. She could stay there as long as Tony would allow.

"I see you brought even more chicken soup." His eyes beamed. Not just at the soup but at his nurse nightingale, "You're a lifesaver." He smiled at her.

Kate was surprised that she liked watching movies with Tony. Maybe it was just the company, but they were enjoyable almost like a glimpse deeply into what he's about, "Why don't you pick out one of your favorites Tony?" Kate asked as she noticed that Tony was trying to pick out the ones he thought they would both enjoy, but he was running out of them.

"You might want to think twice about saying that." Tony chuckled. Every time he laughed it seemed to bring with it a coughing fit. But at least they were getting bearable, "You might not like it."

"Try me." Kate challenged as she waited for him to put the movie on. Tony had refused to tell her what movie he was putting on. But almost regretted when it turned out that he'd stuck in a movie called Army Of Darkness but was surprised when the name Bruce Campbell came up, "Wow I like that guy."

"You know of Bruce Campbell?" Tony asked with his eyes wide.

"My niece use to love this show called, 'Adventures of Brisco County Junior' or something like that." Kate said, "And I liked him in Lois and Clark."

All through the movie they subconsciously inched closer to each other until they were almost touching. Who would have thought that Army Of Darkness would bring them close? "Why did you stay with me in quarantine Kate?"

"I didn't want you to be alone." Kate turned to face him, "You were scared."

"But you could've gotten sick." Tony whispered, "You could have died because of who you are. I'm sorry Kate… I'm sorry for ever objectifying you. I'm sorry for every time I made you feel bad. Hell, let's just say I'm sorry for everything." He maintained eye contact but momentarily looked away before leaning in for a kiss. He thought that Kate would pull out. Kate's first instinct was to back away from Tony, but she stayed and enjoyed the moment as she kissed him back, "I love you Kate." The words came out easily which he found surprising.

"I love you to Tony." Kate replied, putting to rest any fears about her not feeling the same way. She smiled, things were going to get interesting down the office that was for sure. Hiding anything from Gibbs was downright impossible.