Fallout.
"You're home, Tony," Kate told him, as she opened the door, and helped Tony inside. She guided him to his bedroom, and tucked him in. "Do you want anything?"
Tony shook his head, and closed his eyes, resting his head lightly on the wall. Kate walks into the kitchen and makes herself a cup of coffee, heading to the sofa, she collapsed onto it. Not even feeling herself fall asleep, she was surprised, when Tony was waking her up.
"Kate, you okay?" He asked, smiling down at her. She looked up at him surprised.
"Tony, what are you doing out of bed? You need to be in bed!"
"I was thirsty, Kate. You can't really expect me to not get a drink in my own apartment."
"Sorry, Tony. If you needed anything you should have called me."
"I did, Kate. When you didn't answer, I got out of bed and found you here. Asleep. It was interesting actually." Tony smiled at her.
"Why?" Kate asked, a little defensive.
"I've never seen you so peaceful, and you had a smile on your face. What were you dreaming about."
"Nothing, Tony."
"Oh, come on. It must have been good, otherwise you wouldn't have been smiling."
"TONY! Forget it. Get back to bed. Do you need anything?"
"Not anymore Kate."
"Good. Then BACK TO BED! Kate forced, lightly pushing Tony towards the bedroom.
"Boss, I've received a call from Quantico. An AWOL Naval lieutenant."
"McGee, why would we look into an AWOL Naval lieutenant?"
"He was the base's accountant."
"Any money missing?"
"Not at this time. But, there are suspicions."
"Of what, McGee?"
"There could be a lot of money missing."
"Grab your gear."
Gibbs and McGee entered the apartment, an MP following them. Slipping his hands into a pair of gloves, Gibbs started to sift through the mail. McGee headed into the kitchen, and opened the fridge.
"Nothing in here, Boss." McGee called.
"Nothing?"
"No. Not even a bottle of milk. Seems that the lieutenant wasn't coming back."
"Corporal, when was the lieutenant last seen?"
"Lieutenant Davies was last seen two days ago, sir. He had yesterday off, and failed to report in today, sir."
"McGee, you done in there?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes, boss."
"Get the computer to Abby. I want to know everything about the lieutenant."
"On it, Boss," McGee called, as he picked up the laptop.
"Corporal, where is, Davies' CO?"
"On duty sir. She's at the office."
"Let's go McGee!"
"I'm Special Agent Gibbs. This is Special Agent McGee. We want to talk to you about Lieutenant Davies."
"What would you like to know Special Agent Gibbs?" A blonde woman replied. Her green eyes stared up at the two agents, from her seated position, at her desk. Lt. Nicole Ford, stenciled into her name badge.
"What was he like? Did he have any enemies?"
"He was a good worker. I never had any trouble with him. As far as I know, he didn't have any enemies. He was well liked by everyone. He was a little private though. At times, he refused to socialize with his co-workers."
"Did that ever get to be a problem?" Gibbs asked.
"Not really. He would miss one or two engagements, but would always be there for a string of the upcoming ones."
"Was he reclusive while working? Not really. I mean everyone gets on with their work, but he seemed friendly and helpful enough. He was very good at his job, Agent Gibbs."
"Do you mind if we talk to his colleagues?" Gibbs asked.
"Be my guest," she replied.
Gibbs and McGee headed in different directions interviewing numerous staff members.
"You're name is?" Gibbs asked.
"Lieutenant Lance Martin, sir."
"How well did you know Lieutenant Davies?"
"Not well. We had a couple of beers after work, with everyone else, but we didn't socialize much together."
"Did he seem a little on edge? Any odd behaviour before he left?"
"Not that I can remember, but everyone keeps themselves to themselves."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. If you remember anything, feel free to contact me."
"McGee, let's go!" Gibbs barked.
"Kate, I need help getting up," Tony called.
"Tony, you don't need help getting up."
"Kate, I kinda do."
Kate sighed and made her way to Tony's room. She looked at him. He was smiling up at her.
"How did you get out of bed earlier?"
"I rolled," he replied. "But that was without a full bladder. It's kind of restricting, Kate."
Sighing, and smiling, she grabbed his outstretched arm, and helped him out of bed. Slowly, and awkwardly, they made it to the bathroom.
"I take it you don't need any more help?"
"No, I pretty much know what do now. Thanks Kate." Tony replied, closing the door behind him. The seat made a bang, and she heard him turn on the tap.
Kate stood outside the closed door, just incase he needed help. Thinking that he really shouldn't be out of bed, Tony opened the door, and hobbled out next to her.
"I don't want to go back to bed, Kate. Mind helping me to the couch. I want to watch some TV."
"You have a TV in your room," Kate responded.
"Yeah, but my back is starting to ache and my legs are seizing up. I would be more comfortable on the couch."
"Fine," she conceded and gently lowered him onto the couch. He grabbed the remote, and switched the TV on. Channel after channel passed, Tony flicking through them, not settling on a particular channel. Bored, he switched off the TV and lay back on the sofa.
"Fancy a movie?" Kate asked.
"Not really," he replied.
"How about one of your favorites? A Fish Called Wanda?"
"Kate!" Tony barked. "Not in the mood for a movie."
"Okay. Want to talk about it."
"About what?"
"Don't be silly, Tony." She moved from her spot on the chair, next to Tony. "You nearly died in Ari's cell."
"Yeah, but I didn't, so..." He trailed off.
"Tony, you almost died."
"You saved me. That's that." Tony sighed angrily, and struggled to stand up. Kate bolted up next to him.
"Tony, you have to rest. Let me help you."
"I'm fine," he spat.
"Tony..."
"I'M FINE!" He yelled. Kate stood still, slightly at a loss for words. She could feel something boil up inside her. Fighting back tears, she let him hobble back to his room, like a wounded animal.
Walking over to the kitchen, she checked the fridge, finding nothing of interest. Sighing she milled about, deliberately giving Tony his space. After twenty minutes, she couldn't stand it anymore. She strode up to his door, and without knocking, she entered.
"You ungrateful bastard! I saved you, and now you couldn't care? We both endured hell in that cell, Tony. Not just you! I suffered for weeks, waiting for you to get better. To even wake up. The doctors gave up trying to get me to go home. They damn well knew. They knew, that nothing was going to take me from your side. I shot fifteen terrorists, all the while, helping you walk out of that labyrinth. I risked my life for you, Tony. I was so scared that you wouldn't make it out of that hell-hole. I was scared of losing you." Kate panted. She could feel her face becoming wet. Wiping away her tears, she turned from him.
"If you really don't care, neither do I. I'll be here, if you need anything, but other than that..."
She walked out of the room, not a glance back. Storming out of the apartment, she walked to her car, and drove off, tears streaming down her face. Speeding to the store, she wiped the tears from her face, and shopped for some groceries. Stopping off at her apartment, she packed a bag, and filled it with books and her laptop. She drove back to Tony's, opened the door, and walked into the kitchen.
A note had been stuck to the fridge. It was one word.
Sorry.