This is just a little ficlet I came up with on the way to my Philosophy class while listening to 'What If' sung by Kate Winslet.
"You'll have to let me go." Tony jerked out of his thoughts only to fall out of the kitchen table chair he sat in.
"Who said that?" Tony asked as he pulled himself back into the seat. A brunette sitting on the other side of the table wearing white waved at him. "Kate?"
"I thought I told you to move on," she said. "You can't marry her if you're still holding so tightly to me."
"But you're all I can think about sometimes," Tony replied.
"Tony, I've been dead for five years," Kate stated gently. "She deserves better than that. She doesn't need you think of me when you're together."
"I don't want to forget you."
"I'm not telling you to erase all the memories of me. I'm telling you to focus on her. It's alright to remember me, but don't do it to the point you end up pushing her away." Dinozzo stared at the dead woman a moment then picked up the ring that sat on the table.
"I keep asking myself what would have happened if you stayed alive," Tony said in a low tone. "Would we been able to realize what actually existed? Or would we keep dating and marry the person we thought was right for us even though we didn't completely love them?"
"I don't know, Tony," Kate replied. "I thought you were immature when I was alive and you were still that way after I died." Tony let out a huff and gave her a slight look. "But you have other qualities that I did like. You knew how to treat people. You're able to find humor even when the chips are down. You were loyal and you still are. You were right there for Tim when he needed someone to talk to and you even managed to get to know Jimmy."
"Yeah, that's me. I'm the cool guy all the geeks can be friends with." Kate let out a small laugh.
"Tony, I love you. Probably not in the way you want, but I truly do care or I wouldn't have bothered to come talk to you."
"I thought you were only here because I'm imagining you are. Kinda like when I had you in that Catholic school girl outfit." A sly smile formed on his face and the woman gave him a look.
"So you really want to chalk this up to me just being an extension of your often crude subconscious."
"No. I just wish you were really here. I wish you hadn't died." He held up the ring. "I almost wish this was for you." Kate got out of the chair and walked over to Tony. He could see her white outfit was actually a simple wedding dress. She'd never get her own wedding and here was getting ready to possibly propose. She cupped his face with her hands and looked into his eyes.
"I almost wish it was too, Tony," she whispered then kissed his forehead. "If you don't ask her though, the next time I come, be ready for me to kick your ass."
"Watch your language, Kate. Remember you're still that school girl."
"Be quiet, poo boy." He gave her a surprised look.
"How'd you know that? I only told McGee and Ziva." She just smiled and took a step back.
"You're not the only one I still talk to, Tony," she responded.
"When are you going to be back?" Tony asked.
"I'm always here, Tony." She tapped her chest. "The heart never forgets." Kate slowly vanished and Tony put a hand over his heart as he closed his eyes.
"Thanks, Kate," he whispered with a smile.