A reply to Green-Dragon-of-the-East's Valen-tate challenge as part of the TATE-A-THON.

-0-

-0-

-0-

"So Katie, got a hot date tomorrow?" asks Tony. "No, and I don't want to here about yours," replies Kate not looking up from her computer.

"Actually I was going to suggest that since we're both dateless tomorrow, why don't we do something together?" suggests Tony causing Kate to look up. "No Tony," she replies watching him walk over and lean against her desk.

"You didn't even hear what I was going to say," whined Tony, Kate rolls her eyes and smirks.

"Katie Kate Kate, do your really want to spend Valentines Day home alone eating take-out watching romantic comedies on TV?" he asks, she glares at him for reminding her of her own distinct lack of a social life.

"Fine, what where you thinking?" she asks deciding to hear him out,

"instead of all that lovey dovey romantic crap valentines day is famous for, I thought we could celebrate the St Valentines Day massacre with," he pauses for dramatic effect, "PAINT BALL!" he cheers. Kate looks at him skeptically.

"You got the idea from those college kids in that red cell group didn't you?" she asks him. Tony nods in confirmation smiling like a kid with a new toy.

"So, Katie, will you be my valentine tomorrow?" he asks jokingly.

"Any chance to shoot you Tony," she jokes smiling broadly.

-0-

Valentines day.

Tony and Kate are strapping on their gear and filling their paintball guns with the multi-colored balls.

"So, one-on-one?" suggests Kate, "Actually, there is a 10 year old's party on soon, I reckon we could take em'" says Tony, "how many 10 year olds?" asks Kate nervously.

"Twenty, but how bad can it be, we're federal agents and their kids," boasts Tony, "Famous last words," mutters Kate.

-0-

Tony and Kate sink down painfully onto Tonys couch groaning and holding ice packs to various parts of their bodies.

"Ok those… things are not children, they are highly trained midget soldiers," groans Tony, "How bad can it be, we're federal agents," says Kate sarcastically mimicking Tonys earlier statement.

"We got massacred," jokes Tony, Kate laughs, "It's fitting since we were there to remember the massacre," replies Kate examining the round bruises along her legs. She raises an eyebrow when she notices him checking out her legs.

"Just inspecting injuries," he says backing down slightly, "you show me yours I'll show you mine," she jokes.

-0-

The following day.

"How was your Valentines Day guys?" asks McGee looking up and noticing the two bruised agents.

"Painful but fun, Tony took me to paintball," replies Kate sitting down,

"You two spent Valentines day together? And didn't kill each other?" asks a curious McGee.

"Well we did shoot each other a couple of times but against those mini super soldiers we had to work together," answers Tony.

"Mini super soldiers?" asks a baffled McGee,

"There was a 10 year olds party on at the same time," answers Kate.

"You two got beaten by 10 year olds," laughs McGee,

"Hey! There was twenty of them!" cries Tony indignantly, "and they were far too organized for mere children."

"Tony's right, they worked in teams constantly covering each other's backs, I've seen SEAL teams less trained then those kids," mutters Kate rubbing a bruise.

"You get that hickey on your neck from a paintball gun Kate?" asks Gibbs walking into the squad room.

-0-

-0-

-0-

This story was inspired by the NCIS episode 'Red Cell' as part of the Tate-A-Thons Valen-tate event.

I don't own NCIS but paint ball is really fun, if slightly painful.

Please subscribe to the Tate-a-thon community.

Have a good one