Disclaimer: I don't own anything associated with NCIS. I just like messing with the characters.

Summary: Kate's been gone eight long years, but today, she came back. It's not just a courtesy visit; she has a surprise for a certain team member. Can he step up and be the man she needs him to be? AU; basically ignores 'Twilight'. Kibbs, bit of established Tiva thrown in for good measure. Rating is T for now, will be raised to M soon.

Author's Note: Reviews appreciated, blah, blah, blah.

All That Matters

Chapter I

The NCIS building hadn't changed in eight years. The only difference between tonight and the night she'd left was that, this time, it wasn't raining.

She slipped two photographs from her purse and looked at them, even though the images were already burned onto her eyelids. With a wry smile, she put the photos away and turned back to the matter at hand. Eight years is a long time to avoid someone. She hoped - prayed - they didn't all hate her now.

-x-x-

She was alone in the elevator. Alone with her thoughts and her memories. She braced herself against the wall, trying so hard not to think about the past.

The bullpen was quiet. A sense of purpose came over her and she strolled towards the corner that housed the MCRT.

It was occupied by a single agent; a pretty, middle-eastern woman who sat at the desk that had once been her own. Gibbs, DiNozzo and McGee were all absent.

The agent at her desk lifted her head, her soulful brown eyes wide with recognition. She pushed her chair back and stood up slowly, her pregnant belly impeding her movements. She extended a hand in greeting.

'Caitlin?' she said, her lightly accented voice loud in the silence of the bullpen.

'Just Kate. And yeah… I am.'

'Ziva David,' she introduced herself. 'It is a pleasure to meet you.'

'You too,' Kate smiled. 'Where is everyone?'

'They are at a crime scene,' Ziva explained. 'They should be back soon though, if you would like to wait?'

All that working herself up to it, assuring herself it would be okay, he would be here and she could tell him everything, and he wasn't even here. She knew she would have to wait.

'I'll wait,' Kate said. 'If you don't mind.'

'Not at all. Here.' Ziva gathered the paperwork from her desk and gestured to it. 'You can sit at my desk. It did used to be yours, after all. I can sit at Tony's.'

'Won't Tony mind?' Kate raised an eyebrow. The Tony she knew would definitely have minded. Ziva was either brave, or crazy. Or maybe Tony had changed.

'I doubt it,' Ziva assured her. 'Sit. You look tired. Would you like some coffee?'

'Oh, no, you don't have to get me anything. It's bad enough I'm kicking you out of your own desk. You should do your work. I'll worry about coffee.' Kate shook her head.

She sat down at Ziva's desk, sinking into the familiar chair. She studied the desk, noting the lack of personal possessions. The only thing remotely personal was a framed photo; Ziva and Tony stood together, Ziva in a white gown and Tony, handsome as ever, in a tux. It was clearly a wedding picture.

'Ziva, is this a wedding photo?' Kate asked, surprise evident in her voice. She hadn't figured Tony for the marrying kind - especially with a co-worker. How had Gibbs been okay with that?

'Which photo? Oh, yes. Tony and I were married last spring,' Ziva replied.

'And Gibbs was okay with that?' Kate asked.

'As long as we do not let it affect our work. I think he is glad Tony has finally settled down.'

Kate smiled. 'Congratulations.'

'Why do you sound so surprised?' Ziva raised an eyebrow.

'Tony just never seemed the type, you know? When I knew him, I mean. He was all about the sex, never the commitment,' Kate explained.

'That is what I first thought of him, too.'

'I guess he finally found the right girl, though.'

'He is most definitely committed to this relationship,' Ziva agreed. 'He has been even better since we found out I am pregnant.'

'Well now he's going to have a child I suppose he realised he'd better stop acting like one,' Kate smiled.

'He is not that much better,' Ziva chuckled.

The two women eventually fell into an easy silence, Ziva's head bent as she worked intently. Kate watched her, trying to channel some of her peacefulness, to calm her racing mind.

'Ziva, what are you doing at DiNozzo's desk?' Gibbs' voice broke the silence.

Ziva glanced up. 'Kate is sitting at mine,' she replied.

'Kate?' Gibbs repeated.

'Right here, Gibbs.' Kate stood up as Gibbs spun round, his blue eyes meeting hers, full of shock, and sadness, and longing.

'Kate,' he breathed.

He smiled, a heartbreaking smile, disbelieving and yet relieved; of genuine, breathless happiness.

She took a hesitant step towards him and he held out his arms. She almost fell into them, the reality of the situation sinking into her. Here she was again, wrapped so tightly in his arms. She breathed in his sent, recommitting it to memory; the hint of sawdust and black coffee mixed with something so simply Gibbs.

Then the images in the photos drifted across her closed eyelids and she broke away.

'We really need to talk,' she said.

'Can it wait, Katie?' he asked. 'A couple hours, at least? We've got a case.'

'A couple more hours,' Kate agreed. She fished the pictures out of her purse and held them out to Gibbs. He took them, his eyes settling on one in particular - a picture of a little girl, maybe seven years old. She had Kate's dark hair, Kate's mouth. And the most startling blue eyes. A pair of blue eyes he definitely recognized.

'We definitely need to talk,' he said, handing the photos back. 'Come and see Abby. She's missed you.'

Kate nodded solemnly and trailed after Gibbs to the elevator.

Gibbs hit the button for Abby's lab. He met each of her glances with stony silence.

'Gibbs?' she tried, tentatively.

'We'll talk later, Katie,' he said. 'I promise.'

A/N: What do you think? Reviews, purrleeeeeeeeeassseee? Free cookies for you if you review! Honest!

Updatewise: I've got the first three chapters written and chapter four is on the go at the moment so those will all be up soon; but no updates at all until I have... ooh, 3 reviews? At least. So if you liked it, please give me a review! In fact, even if you just have constructive criticism, review it. Then I can make it better. :) Don't expect really regular updates; I'm quite busy with homework and things as well as writing, like I'm going to Bristol on Saturday and I have a chemistry test to revise for next week and I have to organise all my maths notes in case my folder gets taken in :/ Oh so much is happening. :( Anyways... Reviews = fast updates. So click the button please :)