Disclaimer: Don't own the characters or the show…and I can't even take credit for the costume idea as a friend suggested I dress up as it for a Halloween party last week.

I've started re-watching NCIS recently (and re-reading some of my favourite Tate fanfics on this site) and massively missing Kate and her dynamic with Tony. This little story idea popped up – it's a bit silly but hopefully you enjoy it.

The costume had seemed like a good idea at the time. But as she stepped into Abby's place to be greeted by a sea of yodas, ghouls and way too many sexy firemen and animal costumes, she began to regret her choice.

'Kate!'

Abby came bounding towards Kate, her typical pigtails replaced by loose, wavy hair and a floor length black gown.

'Let me guess,' Kate said as they pulled away from a hug, 'Morticia Adams?'

'You got it!' Abby clapped her hands in glee and took a step back to look at Kate's costume. 'Um…'

Kate held up her rose, hoping her dress wasn't going to fall down with the sudden movement. Definitely not the right costume choice. 'I'm a bachelorette.'

'Oh cool! I see that now. So who are you planning on giving the rose away to?'

Kate couldn't help but smile at Abby's wink. 'No one. The only place it's going is back home with me to join the rest of the bouquet in a vase.'

'I don't know about that.' Abby took Kate's hand and guided her to a part of the room where they had a clear view of everyone. 'That cowboy over there is pretty cute.'

Kate accepted the drink Abby offered her and shook her head. 'Not my type.' She looked around and her eyes settled on an athletic body. 'Now that gladiator over there, I'd be more likely to give my rose to him.'

'That's Tony.'

Kate's eyebrows shot up and she craned her neck to try to see more of him. 'No it's not!'

'It isn't. But it was worth it for your reaction,' Abby said with a giggle. She nudged Kate as the front door next to them started to open. 'Let's see – maybe whoever this is will be worthy of the rose.'

The new arrival was wearing a suit. Not bad, Kate thought. She had a bit of a thing for men in suits. Her eyes travelled up to meet a pair of familiar blue eyes just as Abby gave a giggle next to her.

'I'm going to leave you guys to sort this out,' Abby declared.

'Sort out what?' Tony said in confusion but Abby was already on her way.

Kate looked down at what Tony was holding in his hand.

'Dammit, Tony!' she exclaimed just as he came out with, 'What the hell, Kate?'

They stood before each other, suit to evening dress, red rose to red rose, bachelor to bachelorette.

'I had this planned for weeks!' Kate complained.

'Well, you should have told me,' Tony retorted.

'It's not too late – you can get rid of the rose and say you've come dressed up as…I don't know, someone from a movie who's wearing a suit.'

'Why don't you get rid of the rose and pretend to be someone else?'

'Because I got here first!'

'As someone who actually watches the show, I think I should get to keep my outfit. Besides, I bet you couldn't even name who the bachelorette this season was.'

'And I bet you couldn't name all the guys who were competing for her this season!'

'The guys are irrelevant. I'm only interested in the girls.'

'Of course you are.'

Kate drained the remainder of her drink in frustration and Tony took a step closer to her. 'Face it, Kate, we're stuck with these outfits.'

He paused as he scanned her dress. Form fitting. Nicely low cut. And that lace that turned sheer just before it hit the knees to show off some leg! Definitely a step above a standard little black dress.

His eyes must have loitered for just a moment longer than he realised because the next thing he knew, he was being whacked by Kate's rose. 'Cut it out, Tony!'

'Hey, is it my fault that dress is flattering? It's nice.'

Kate paused for a moment, taken aback at the compliment. She hated to admit it, but as she'd been getting ready that evening, there was a part of her that was hoping Tony would notice the dress.

'Well, thanks. I guess.'

'So, how are you going to decide who gets the rose?'

'I'm not.'

'What do mean you're not?'

'I mean I'm going to hold on to this rose and take it home with me.'

'You've got that all wrong, Kate,' Tony said seriously, shaking his head. 'You're meant to get rid of the rose and take someone home with you instead.'

Kate raised her eyebrows sceptically. 'Well, that's clearly your plan for the night.'

'Hopefully,' Tony said with a shrug. 'But this rose isn't for just anyone.'

'So you actually have standards?'

'Ouch, Katie,' Tony said, clutching his chest in mock drama before pouring the both of them a drink. 'I'll have you know that I have strict conditions for the giving of this rose.'

'Uh huh.'

'You see, if you actually watched the show – like I keep telling you to – you would know all of this.'

'So enlighten me,' Kate said. 'Tell me what these strict conditions are.'

'Okay,' Tony said, settling in to the game. 'So for starters, it needs to be someone who you have a connection with. Now, you figure this out by placing them in extreme situations and giving them lots of alcohol.'

'The beginning of all successful relationships.'

'Then, you have to figure out why they are on this journey. If it's only for fame or to cause drama, you cut them loose after a few episodes. But not until you've kissed them.'

'Of course. So you pick an attractive person with no ulterior motive and then you both become national celebrities for fifteen minutes.'

'Twenty, if you're lucky.'

'Don't flatter yourself.'

'And to think I complimented you on your dress!' Tony said, pretending to be offended. 'Do you want to learn about the sacred giving of the rose or not?'

'Please continue,' Kate said, trying unsuccessfully to fight the smile twitching at the corner of her lips. As much as he drove her crazy at times, she also couldn't deny that Tony had a way of being able to make almost any situation fun.

'Right, so like I said: my plan for this party is to give everyone lots of alcohol, put them in at least one extreme situation and then question them to find out why they're here.'

'I think you'll find most people are here because they were invited by Abby,' Kate said. 'And what sort of extreme situation do you think you'll be able to put people in at a Halloween party?'

'I was thinking a wet t-shirt competition.'

'Tony, whenare you going to let that go?'

'Maybe seeing it in real life will be my first step towards recovery.'

Kate rolled her eyes and Tony used that opportunity to refill her glass.

'Tony!' Kate exclaimed, realisation dawning on her. 'Are you trying to get me drunk?'

Tony paused for a moment trying to figure out the best way to respond to this situation. '…No?'

'Let's make this clear,' she said, stepping towards him. 'I am not going to be plied with alcohol. I will not be entering any wet t-shirt competition. And I am not going to take any part in this silly rose…thing.'

'Fine!' Tony exclaimed as she turned around and started heading off. 'But don't blame me when you wake up alone tomorrow.'

Okay, he thought, as he watched her retreating figure. So that didn't go exactly as planned.

To be honest, he hadn't really had much of a plan for tonight except to check out Kate's outfit and maybe try to flirt with her a little. And then, in typical Kate fashion, she'd surprised him by turning up in the same costume and what was meant to be fun banter had turned into a bit of an argument.

He took a sip of his drink and looked around the room. Sure, there were attractive people here. There were also some straight out weird people, he thought, looking at someone who had dressed as a carrot. But Kate – who just happened to be one of the most frustrating people he knew – was the only one he really wanted to talk to. To spend time with.

As much as he tried to fight it, there was something about her that pulled him in. That made him want to just be around her and get a reaction from her – whether it was a smile, an eye roll, a laugh or even a hit with the rose.

He sighed and stared into his glass. The night was still young; maybe she would come around.

Half an hour later, Kate found herself leaning against a wall and wearily gazing around her. She'd talked to Abby and McGee who, apart from Tony, were the only people she knew at the party but she'd got the impression that they were after some alone time.

Meanwhile, she'd noticed that Tony had spent the whole time working the room. While Kate tended to find small talk a bit awkward and tiring at times, it was clear Tony had no problem with it. She'd seen him bounce from person to person, easily working his way in to any conversation.

Right on cue, he sidled next to her and tapped her arm with his rose. 'You look like you're having a blast.'

'Any takers on your wet t-shirt competition yet?'

'Nah,' Tony said, taking a sip of his drink. 'They all chickened out when I told them they'd be competing against you.'

Kate rolled her eyes but couldn't help the butterflies appearing in her stomach. Was Tony flirting with her?

'Besides, with some of those outfits you can see so much already that you don't need a wet t-shirt competition. '

And there he was again. Typical DiNozzo.

What was she doing, hiding in this corner of the room when for all she knew, there could be someone here who she was actually compatible with? Tony clearly wasn't going to make a move on her – it was silly for her to even think it – and she decided then and there that she was not going to waste her night hoping for something that couldn't happen and then being disappointed when it didn't.

Brazened by her third, Kate looked up at Tony. 'Well, good luck with that. I'm going to find someone to give my rose to.'

'Wait – what?' Tony said, stepping towards her in surprise. 'I thought you were totally against that.'

Kate shrugged. 'That was before I had a proper look around at the people here.'

'Oh come on,' Tony scoffed. 'You're telling me you think Harry Potter over there might be your perfect match? Or maybe that fireman who hasn't left the snacks table?'

'Wouldn't you like to know.'

Tony paused, catching the determined look on Kate's face. She actually looked like she meant to go through with this.

'Well, in that case,' he said slowly, 'I guess it's on. Good luck finding someone to give that rose to, Kate.'

'I think you'll need that more than me,' she snapped, before walking off in the direction of a gladiator.

Tony opened his mouth to come back with a smart reply but she was already too far away to hear him.

Right, that was it, he thought as he watched Kate introduce herself to that damn gladiator. He'd have to find someone to give his rose to before she did.

Let me know if I should continue (and if there are still Tate fans out there!).

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