Kate didn't die. Ziva shot Ari before he could fire the shot, afterwards she joined the team.


"So how was your date last night?" Ziva asked Kate as she came in.

"It was great. Steve is a great guy." Kate answered smiling.

"Is that the same Steve that was Tony's frat buddy?" Tim asked

"Yes." Kate admitted.

"Can he give us any dirt on Tony when they were in college?" Ziva asked interested.

"He won't do it. I asked, but he won't tell me anything." Kate admitted disappointed. "I was so hoping to find something out to hold over Tony's head."

All 3 of them looked up when they heard the ding of the elevator. They hoped it wasn't Tony coming, but worse than Tony is Gibbs. Kate was shocked by who did walk through the door. She rushed up to greet him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"I came to see Tony, is he here?"

"Haven't seen him yet." Kate admitted leading him over to meet her coworkers. "Steve, these are my partners Ziva David and Tim McGee. Guys this is Steve Addler."

"I've heard so much on all of you, I am happy to finally meet you both." Steve said as he shook both their hands.

"So Steve, what brings you to NCIS?" Tim asked.

"Tony, I am looking for him. Do either of you know where I can find him."

"Steve is something wrong with Tony?" Kate asked.

"It might be nothing, but I need to warn him. He might be in trouble. A guy we went to OSU with is out of prison and is threatening to go after Tony."

Gibbs and Fornell walked up to the group.

"What do you know about it?" Gibbs asked?

"Who are you?" Fornell added.

"Steve Addler, a friend of Tony's. Joseph Maxwell was arrested for bank robbery after being expelled from OSU. Joseph blames Tony for his expulsion; that was my fault. I didn't mean for it get so out of hand, or it to go as far as it did." Steve tried to explain.

"Kate, take Steve to the conference room. Fornell and I will be there to question him in a little while." Gibbs barked.

Kate led him away. This was her boyfriend, but as annoying as Tony is, he is her partner and always looks out for everyone. Now he is the one in trouble and he doesn't even know it.

"McGee, I want you and Abby to find out whatever you can on Maxwell's expulsion from OSU and where DiNozzo fits into all of it."

"Gibbs, where is Tony? He should be here." Ziva brought up.

"He is fine. He is at Bethesda for a check-up. They will keep him there until I pick him up. DiNozzo is under official protection detail until Maxwell is caught." Gibbs answered thinking about how much that has happened since he came in this morning.


FLASHBACK

Gibbs sees Fornell waling up to the Navy yard as he gets into the elevator to go to the bullpen.

"What do you want Tobias?"

"DiNutso?

Gibbs immediately stopped the elevator. Fornell was glad that he was ready for the sudden stop of the elevator.

"Why? Don't tell me he is being accused of murder again. It has only been 3 months since the last time." Gibbs growled.

"No, not yet anyway. A guy Joseph Maxwell was released from prison this morning. Scuttlebutt is that he is after DiNutso."

"Why was Tony the arresting officer?"

"I seriously doubt it since DiNutso was 18 or 19 when the guy was arrested." Fornell confirmed.

"Then why?" Gibbs barked.

"I was hoping that he could tell us."

"Tony isn't coming in to the afternoon. He is at Bethesda, doctor's appointment for his lungs. I will send an agent over to keep an eye on him and I will pick him up after I find out what the hell is going on." Gibbs said before placing a call to Tony to give him the heads up.

FLASHBACK ENDS


Kate and Steve walked to the conference room in silence.

"In here Steve." Kate said when they are arrived.

"So that is Gibbs, should I be scared." Steve teased.

"Yes be afraid, be very afraid. He is an ex-marine and extremely protective of his team."

"I know Tony thinks the world of him. So much so that Tony has actually stayed in 1 place for more than 2 years."

"Steve it will be okay. It is obvious that you care about Tony. You wouldn't be here if you didn't."

"Kate, Joseph wouldn't be after Tony if it wasn't for me. And worse yet Tony doesn't even know why Maxwell is after him." Steve told her.