A/N: Hey guys. Thanks to all those who reveiwed Coming Home. This is not a squeal to it. It's a totally different story. This is dedicated to Jojo, Katie, Faz and Probie McFlower Power (You know who you are. :P) & the rest of the Randomists. Without their help with spelling and my writers block my stories wouldn't be the same. (By the way.. this is Alex out of the trio.). Anywho r&r. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS...blah blah blah.

Chapter 1: Problem and Solution

"Ugh." Kate said as she slammed the phone down and dropped her head into her arms. Tony looked over from his desk and smiled.

"Boyfriend troubles, Kate?"

"No." She said

"What is it?"

"None of your business."

"Oh come on, Katie?"

"Don't…call…me…Katie." She gritted as she threw a stapler at him. He caught it and looked at her in disbelief. Kate always threatened to shoot him or kick his ass but never had she thrown something this heavy at him. He edged his way to her desk, placed the stapler in its place and swung her chair round to face him. Her eyes were red and splotchy from the crying.

'What do you want, DiNozzo?" she said harshly

Tony crouched down to her level.

"Tell me what's going on."

"Like I said, it's none of your business. Now leave me alone."

She made a notion to swing the chair away from him but he held it firmly in place.

"Tony, please, I don't want to talk about it."

"Well at least can I know what it's about?"

"My parents."

"Are they sick?"

"No." she stifled a sob.

"Kate, please tell me what's wrong."

She looked up at him. His eyes were full of compassion and sincerity. Eyes never lie. Her mother had told her but being a criminal profiler had taught her other wise. Any way this was Tony. The man who chased anything in a skirt but he looked so worried. She took a breath.

"My parents are holding this party. A family party. It's going to be huge."

"Yeah, so? I go to family parties all the time. Except mine a really really big Italian ones. Talking, eating, dancing and more eating."

Kate smiled. She could imagine a big Italian one.

"That's not the point. My mother took the liberty of telling everyone that I'm brining a date. Who the hell am I going to bring?"

"Find some random. You're gorgeous. No one would turn you down."

"It's in two weeks, Tony. I have to get to know the guy. I'm not like you, Tony. I can't just meet someone."

Tony looked at her. She looked so upset and distraught. He sat on the edge of her desk and stared into space, thinking. He came up with an idea.

"I've got a family party coming up this weekend. If you be my date, I'll be yours."

"You've got to be kidding me." Kate started to laugh. A big belly laugh that she almost fell off her chair. She looked back at Tony. His face looked hurt. She felt bad. Obviously he wanted her to be happy. She picked up one of his hands but dropped it immediately. It felt like a shot of electricity had hit her. A pit at the bottom of her stomach started to bubble. He had felt it too. He looked away and sulked back to his desk.

"Forget about it."

He sat down and turned to his computer to think; Me, Antonio DiNozzo, in love with Kate? She is beautiful…wait…since when were women beautiful. They're hot but she's beautiful.

She had similar thoughts; Kate, snap out of it. This is Tony we are talking about. He chases anything thing in a skirt. The man that gets drunk and is proud of it. He thinks he can get away with anything when he flashes his smile. The smile that makes you go weak at the knees.

The day passed slowly. No cases had been called in so they were left with paperwork. Kate looked over at Tony's desk. They hadn't spoken in 3 hours. A personal best. She enjoyed the peace but it wasn't the same. It felt weird. Gibbs had been in the Director's office for most of the day. She wondered what was going on between them but knew better than to ask. She looked over at Tony's desk for the umpteenth time. Her gaze met his but he quickly snapped his back to the screen. He couldn't look at her. It was hard. He was deep in mediation when Kate interrupted him.

"Tony, I'm really sorry about before."

"Don't worry about it, Kate. I understand."

He picked up his bag and walked towards the elevator.

"Tony, can you hold it for me?"

"Yeah sure."

He got into the elevator and held the doors open as Kate slipped in.

"Tony?"

"Yes, Kate." He sighed

"I'd love to come to your family party."

He turned to look at her. A grin slowly slipping across his face.

"Really?"

"Yeah I was just a bit shocked before. I didn't know how to act."

"It's OK. I can be quite stunning sometimes." He said as he ran his hand through his hair and flashed her, his grin. She elbowed him playfully.

"So, what time are you going to pick me up?"

"Well the party is in Ohio and we have to drive. It takes 4 hours if there's no traffic but if there is, it'll take 5. We have to be there by 4 and we need time to get ready," he stuck his tongue out as he counted on his fingers, "we should leave at 9." He finally deduced.

Kate stifled a laugh.

"Ok. What type of party is it?"

"Formal by night, casual by day. It's a three day event. By the way, I forgot to tell you, I told Gibbs we wouldn't be in on Monday."

"Tony!! That's a big detail to forget."

"Well, I was thinking about other things."

They walked out of the building and to their respective cars. Kate to her Mercedes Compressor C200. Tony to his 1967 Mustang hatchback. Both secretly glad that the other was coming.