Author's Note: Hi everyone! Thanks for reading, this is my first story so I hope you like it. Warning, this is rated M for some content later on in the story. It isn't very graphic, but I did it just to be safe. Also, the story gets off to a sort of slow start so bear with me. It gets better though. I promise! :)

Chapter 1

It was early Thursday morning and Kate was just returning from her morning run. She unlocked the door to her apartment and swung the door open. Kate flung her sweatshirt on the nearby chair and placed her keys on her granite countertop. Her breathing had finally gone back to normal, but she was hot and sweaty in her knee length running pants and under armor sweatshirt. She grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and chugged it down. Glancing over at the clock on the microwave, Kate noticed that it was 7:43 AM.

"Crap." She said in between gulps.

Kate was supposed to be at NCIS by 8:30 at the latest, and of course she had already been late three times that week. Once again she brought the water bottle to her mouth only to realize it was empty. She threw the bottle in her recycling bin and headed for her bedroom. Her gun was in her bedside table drawer. Kate opened it to check to make sure it was still there. Quickly she closed the drawer. Heading toward her closet she suddenly heard a thump. Kate froze. She glanced toward the drawer again, not daring to breathe. Standing there in her closet, she waited for another sound. A crash, or a bang, or a thump. But nothing. It's probably just someone upstairs. Kate thought. Or the wind.

Since she began working at NCIS, Kate had become more observant. Every sound or creak had her convinced that there was someone trying to break into her apartment.

The sweat collecting on her forehead drew her attention back to her much needed shower. Grabbing a black short sleeved V-neck top and grey work pants, Kate headed for the bathroom.

The cool water felt great against her warm skin. There was no time to wash her hair, so Kate tied it back for the duration of her shower. Her shower was so relaxing; she was dreading having to leave the soothing flow of water and go to work. Working at NCIS had its advantages, but it also had its…DiNozzos. Kate couldn't wait to hear the juvenile comments she would suffer through today.

Reluctantly turning off the water, Kate reached for her towel. Wrapping it around her, she continued to do the rest of her usual morning activities. She made her hair look presentable and fumbled through her make up. Looking in the mirror at the final result, Kate sighed.

"Well, I guess that is as good as it's gonna get."

She threw her makeup bag into her cabinet and closed the door. Immediately, Kate glanced at her watch and she regretted it. 8:12. Damn it! Kate dashed to the kitchen to grab her phone and keys. Halfway out the door, Kate realized her weapon was still in the draw next to her bed.

The door slammed against the wall while she dashed back into her bedroom. The drawer slid open, but instead of revealing her gun, it revealed an empty. Kate was shocked to find the drawer empty. Before she could even react, a hand holding some white cloth came straight toward her. Her keys jingled as they hit the floor. Struggling to break free of the intruders grasp, Kate could smell the sweet scent of…chloroform. The cloth was blocking her nose and mouth hindering her breathing. She was still fighting, but her resisting had become weak and useless. Slowly, Kate drifted out of consciousness.