Tony smiled when he opened his apartment door to let Sasha in. They had been dating for about a month now, and had learnt many things about each other in that time. One thing that had made Tony more interested in Sasha, if that was even possible, was that she was scary smart, and she didn't tease him for being smart either. She was supportive of his desire to learn, and had been helping him with the courses he had enrolled in before getting sick. In the weeks since Tony had been back at work, Sasha had helped him study for two exams, and he had passed both- although he had ended up having to postpone them since they were done while he was recovering in hospital.

"Good evening, Tony," said Sasha once she and Tony had kissed. "How are you?"

"I'm good, Sash. Thanks for coming over, by the way," said Tony apprehensively.

"Relax. I love helping out. You worry too much sometimes."

Tony smiled. "I feel like I'm taking advantage of you when I ask you to help out so much."

"Well, don't. If I wasn't interested in helping you study, I wouldn't agree to do so. What are you working on?"

Tony smiled a little. He turned around and showed Sasha his latest project- a thesis regarding the criminal mind. "I'm supposed to turn this paper in tomorrow, but I can't seem to finish it off."

"Why not ask for an extension?"

"I already have an extension. That's why it's due tomorrow."

"Okay. First, calm down. We'll get it done in time. Second, let me read what you've written so far, and see what we can do. Why don't you go and get some coffee for yourself while I'm reading?" suggested Sasha.

Tony nodded, already feeling a little better with Sasha there. She was a private care nurse, but she was also qualified to teach young children, and could teach first aid courses too. She had done a short course on professional writing, which was why she was Tony's first call when it came to his assignments- she knew just the right places to changes words to make the work seem more professional, but also still sound like Tony had written it.

"Thank you," said Tony once he sat down with Sasha again. "You are a life-saver."

"I'm your girlfriend. Besides, I don't mind helping you out with this. It gives me a break from my work, and from seeing sick people on a daily basis."

"That's how we met."

"Yes. But you aren't sick anymore- which is a good thing, of course- and these other people just don't seem to give me goose bumps like you do."

Tony grinned. "Thank you… I think…"

"You're most welcome. Now… I think this is great. You only need a conclusion."

"You're sure?"

"Very. Write in a conclusion and submit it tonight. Then we can have some time together before you have to go to work in the morning."

Tony sighed sadly as he got up the next morning. Sasha was still asleep, and he wanted nothing more than to lay back down with her. But Gibbs had requested everyone's presence that morning at eight am sharp. Apparently, they had gotten a new team member, and the person would be starting that day.

Great, though Tony, I don't want another team member. Kate should still be there. I miss her so much.

"Tony? Are you okay?" asked Sasha sleepily. "Why are you sobbing?"

Tony shook his head. He hadn't realised that he was sobbing, but he knew that he had been. Sasha was supportive of him, no matter what, but she wouldn't have made anything up.

"Are you thinking about Kate?"

"I can't help it, Sash. She's dead, and I really feel like I could have helped her."

"By getting yourself killed? We've been through this, Tony," said Sasha, although she wasn't annoyed or anything. "You couldn't have stopped it. He was going to kill Kate, no matter what you or Gibbs did. That is not your fault."

"I know that. I miss her so much."

"You're supposed to. She was a good friend, almost like a sister to you. She meant something, and you won't ever forget that."

"I guess…"

"And you got the guy that killed her, Tony. He's dead. He paid the ultimate price for killing Kate."

Tony smiled. "He did. Thanks Sasha."

Sasha kissed Tony and hugged him for a moment. Then she let him go, saying, "go get breakfast started. I'll join you in a moment."

Tony grinned. "Well, if you insist on making me cook…"

"No smiley face breakfasts allowed, Tony," warned Sasha as she stepped into the bathroom. "You aren't a child."

"Who said?"

"Me. You're an adult that's fully capable of producing lovely, appropriate meals. Now, go!"

Tony heard Sasha giggling behind the closed door, and it brought a bigger smile to his face. He had only ever made her a 'smiley face breakfast', as she called it, once. But it had been enough to make her almost fall out of her dining chair with laughter. He had actually thought about doing it again, simply as a thank you to her for helping him the previous night with his homework, but then he had had another idea- one that didn't involve cooking. He was planning on taking her out for breakfast to a little café down the street. It was new, had only just opened a week earlier, but Tony had already tried their food, and it was delicious. So, he decided to take a seat on the bed, facing the bathroom door, to wait for Sasha. He couldn't wipe the grin from his face as he sat there, contemplating how he was going to explain that he didn't need to cook that morning.

"This place is amazing," gushed Sasha as Tony led her into the little café at seven am.

Tony hadn't ended up doing much explaining to Sasha. When she re-entered the bedroom, he simply told her that breakfast was going to be special that morning, and she couldn't ask him any questions about it. He quickly got himself ready, then took Sasha's hand and led her out of his apartment building. They had walked, hand in hand, down the street until Tony stopped outside a small shopfront and smiled. Sasha had immediately known that Tony was up to something, but she had kindly not ruined the surprise and allowed him to lead her inside to a cosy booth near the window.

"I've been here once before," Tony admitted. "A few nights ago, actually. I was running late at work, so I hadn't had a chance to eat dinner. This place was like an oasis in the desert. They were getting ready to close, but the cook kindly made me something to eat and put it into a take-out container for me to take home. I was so grateful, and after I ate the food, I knew that I had to come back here some time. I wasn't sure when I would get the chance to do that, so I started telling everyone I know in my building to come here. This morning was a chance that I hadn't seen coming. I'm glad you like it, Sash," said Tony. "Sorry, I'm rambling."

"It's okay," giggled Sasha. "You're cute when you ramble, you know? I think it's adorable."

"Hi, Tony," said a young man. "What can I get you?"

"You remember me?" Tony asked.

"Of course. You may have only been here once, but everyone that comes in- alright, maybe not everyone, but most people- tell us that you recommended us. Thank you for that."

"Anytime." Tony smiled. "This is Sasha. She's my girlfriend."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Tommy."

"It's lovely to meet you too, Tommy," said Sasha.

"What can I get the two of you?"

"I'll have the breakfast bagel and a small black coffee, please."

"Can I please have a small latte with lots of sugar, and the breakfast bagel as well?" asked Tony. "Thank you."

The young waiter left, then returned a few minutes later with the coffees. He placed them on the table with a smile, mentioned that their food would be out shortly, and left.

"Aren't you going to be late for work, Tony?" Sasha asked after checking her watch.

"No. I'll get my car after we finish eating. Do you want me to drop you off?"

"My car is outside your building. In fact," she said cheekily, "I'm pretty sure I've blocked you in…"

Tony shook his head in exasperation and gave a fake sigh. "Well, I guess you could always drop me off at work…"

"No. Sorry, Tony, not today. I have to be in Roanoke at nine."

Tony nodded. "You told me that last night. Don't worry, I'll get to work by eight. If not, I'll call Gibbs and tell him I'm stuck in traffic or something. It's only a fifteen minute drive anyway."

"He won't believe you."

"Probably not. But it doesn't matter. If he yells, big deal. I'll get over it. A head slap really doesn't hurt me anymore."

Sasha smiled. "I'm amazed at how hard a head you have, you know."

"Me too, Sash, me too."