This story takes places sometime after Meat Puzzle and before my story Past Enemy. This story popped into my head while I was working on Past Enemy and I think will be one of many stories that will involve Steve Addler relationship with Kate and friendship with Tony.

I might post the other stories as seperate one shots, or post as another chapter to this one. But it will be a series of one-shots.


Christmas

Steve was in the process of making Christmas Eve dinner. He knew Kate would be coming over for dinner and he really hoped that Tony will too. There sure had been interesting times since he found out that his girlfriend is a coworker of his best friend and fraternity brother. He swore to Tony that he will keep their friendship out of his relationship with Kate and for the most part he really tries to, but neither one of them are making it easy.

Steve was pulled out of his thoughts by the doorbell. He rushed to the door

"Tony, Tony." He called as he opened the door.

"Nope, not Tony. Sorry to disappoint you" Kate teased.

Steve didn't hear her as he picked up his cell phone to call Tony, it went straight to voicemail.

"Tony, I know you are ignoring my calls. Just quit it and call me back ASAP."

As Steve hung up the phone he knew he wouldn't be hearing from Tony until after Christmas, possibly even after New Years.

"Why are you so worried? Tony went skiing." Kate pointed out.

"Tony's not skiing."

"Sure he did, it was all he talked about for the last week." Kate argued.

"Did he actually say the words, 'I am going skiing' or did he just talk so much about the trip that everyone just assumed he went skiing."

Kate realized Steve was right. She and everyone just thought he was going skiing because of how much enthusiasm that was in his voice as he talked about the trip.

"I don't believe it. I broke Gibbs Rule # 8. Never assume anything always double check."

"If that is the case; then I think everyone breaks that rule when it comes to Tony." Steve said to try to make her feel better.

"Let me guess he fooled you too."

"Only once. He was 18, a freshman. He talked for weeks about a cruise to the Bahamas that he was taking over Christmas break. Oh man, I was so jealous. I would have loved a cruise like that. I was the last person to leave the frat house for break. I was going home to see my parents. 10 minutes into my trip, I realized I forgot my mother's Christmas present and went back for it. There was Tony sitting on the couch. He said that something came up and the cruise got canceled, but I knew he was lying. That was when I realized that Tony had no intention of going on that stupid cruise and that he was really going to spend Christmas alone. Needless to say I forced Tony to come home with me."

"Wow that is some story. But don't worry I won't say anything to him. Nobody deserves to be alone on Christmas. So if he is not skiing, where is he?" Kate asked.

Steve thought about it for a minute and realized he knew where Tony is. "He is working."

"No. you're wrong. We have Christmas off." Kate disagreed.

"You may have it off, but I guarantee that he is there."

Kate knew she couldn't just call Tony at the office. He won't listen to her, why should he. But, there is one person Tony will always listen to; Gibbs. So she decided to call Gibbs and have him try to talk to Tony. He shouldn't be working all alone on Christmas Eve while everyone else is off celebrating the holiday. She took out her cell phone to call Gibbs

"Gibbs."

"Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too, Kate."

"Have you heard from Tony today?"

"No, he is skiing."

"My sources say that he didn't go skiing and is actually at the office."

"Your point."

"Gibbs, it is Christmas Eve and he is sitting all alone in the office when he doesn't need to be."

"Fine, I will go and retrieve him."

Kate hung up the phone and her heart ached for her partner. Why did he think that he had to lie to everyone about skiing and then be all alone on Christmas.

"Don't be sad." Steve said as he gave her a hug. "Tony wouldn't want you to be sad."

"Gibbs is going to get him." Kate replied wiping her tears.


Gibbs walked into the bullpen. He didn't see Tony.

"Kate was wrong. Tony isn't here. This was just a waste of time." He growled and headed to the elevator. As he was waiting for the elevator, he looked toward his Senior Field Agent's desk one last time and saw Tony approaching it with a candy bar in his hand. As Gibbs walked towards the desk, Tony looked up with an expression that looked like a kid who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

"Hi Boss, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same question. Aren't you supposed to be skiing?"

Tony thought for a second as to who could have told Gibbs that he is working instead of skiing. Then it came to him.

"Let me guess. Steve told Kate and she called you. You should go home and enjoy your holiday. I am fine, just going over cold cases."

"You really think I am going to enjoy my holiday knowing you are here alone." Gibbs growled.

Tony didn't say anything; he just pretended to be going through the cold case that is open on his desk.

"Come on, you are coming home with me tonight and staying there so I know exactly where you are come Christmas morning."

"Boss, you shouldn't ruin your holiday on account of me."

"DiNozzo, let's go." Gibbs said in a voice that left no room for debate.

"Yes Boss." Tony answered.

"Oh and from here on out you will be spending every holiday with me. When we are scheduled to work the holidays, we will. When we are not, you will be with me." Gibbs told him.


AN: I am not sure I am right about which Gibbs rule it was.

Please Please Review they make me so happy.