A/N- This was written for Sacha in the NFA White Elephant FanFiction Exchange. I realize I wrote her SeSa fic too. LOL. Anyway, I had this written (almost 6,000 words of it) and then my laptop crashed and I lost it all. I also lost biology work. I tried to re-write as best as I could, so I really hope this isn't as bad as I think it is.

Notes: Pre-Twilight, but no set time frame. Basically, Kate has been at NCIS longer than two years. Twilight didn't happen. Thankfully. Kinda more OOC than I wanted.

Disclaimer: I own a serious hate for Rory's "English" accent in the episode of Gilmore Girls I just watched, but nothing NCIS related. Except DVDs. Which don't count.

If there was ever a time to be a good liar, this was it. Tony avoided Abby's scrutinising glare, choosing instead to concentrate on the suddenly very interesting lab floor. He had never been able to lie. To anyone. When he was younger, he'd laugh a give himself away. Now, as an adult, he found it impossible to maintain eye contact, alerting even the most clueless of his dishonesty.

Abby stopped moving and crossed her arms. She fought to keep the smile from creeping onto her lips as she realized she had been right.

"You know, you're a terrible liar," she said, her voice smug.

Tony shrugged. "Maybe it's a double bluff. To throw you completely off track."

"Sure." Abby rolled her eyes. "So, you and Kate, huh? Jeez, finally!"

Tony looked up. I can't believe I gave it away, he thought. Kate's going to kill me.

"So, how'd it happen?" Abby asked excitedly, and Tony knew it was no use trying to hold the truth back anymore.

Six Months earlier

The day had dragged on, feeling as if it would never end, and the whole team were relieved as the day finally ended. Gibbs barely looked up as his three agents rushed towards the elevator, knowing it had been a hard week on them all and it was no use even trying to stop them.

As they walked out of the building, Tony and Kate walked left as McGee walked right, each muttering goodbyes as they rushed towards their cars. Falling behind slightly, Tony quickened his pace to catch up with Kate.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked. Truthfully, he was worried at how hard she'd taken their previous case.

"Hm," Kate mumbled in reply. Saying yes would be an outright lie, and she knew Tony would pick up on that. But she wasn't sure where saying no would take her.

"That sounds sincere."

"Don't." Kate stopped and turned to face him. Tony paused and watched her. "You know exactly how okay I am. How okay we all are. Because nobody can be okay after this case."

Sighing, Tony dropped his gaze to the floor and shuffled his feet. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it. Just..." She trailed off, looking around. "I just want to get home."

Tony nodded. "See you Monday," he said as she started towards her car. "Alcohol helps," he called after her.

"I know," Kate called back, letting a small grin form on her face.

Three hours and two bottles of wine later, Kate felt no better. She could see the victim's face every time she closed her eyes, and could hear the murderer's demented confession no matter now loud she played the music. Throwing the cover from her legs, she crossed the room and grabbed the phone, dialling the first number that came to mind.

"Hello?" Kate paused, suddenly realizing who she'd called. She shut her eyes tightly.

"Hello?" Tony said again, sounding slightly irritated.

"Sorry, I.... I don't know why I called." Kate replied, her voice quiet and her eyes still shut.

"Is everything okay?" The irritation had now been replaced with concern, something that Kate couldn't help but smile at. "Kate?" She cursed silently, realizing she hadn't spoken for a few seconds.

"Sure."

"I'll be right there."

"No-" Kate tried to protest, but Tony had already hung up. Putting the phone back on the holder, she surveyed the room, knowing she'd never be able to clear up in time before he arrived. She settled for hiding the empty wine bottles in the kitchen and shuffling the couch cushions around. The knock at the door came as a surprise, and she ran a brush quickly through her hair before rushing to open it.

"You didn't have to come," she said as Tony walked in past her. She shut the door and turned to face him.

"I don't want you drinking yourself into oblivion and ending up hurting yourself."

"I would have stopped," she argued weakly. Taking a deep breath, she motioned towards the couch. "You want a drink?"

Tony shook his head and sat down. "I'm fine."

Kate took a seat next to him, but refused to look in his direction. She read the titles of the books on her shelves, followed by the DVDs on the rack below. She then picked up and old magazine from the coffee table and began flicking through, her eyes skimming over the words but not taking any of them in. She could feel his eyes on the side of her face the whole time, but she continued to act like nothing was wrong.

"Talk to me," Tony said softly.

"I don't know what to say," she replied, keeping her voice low in an attempt to hold back the tears that were stinging the backs of her eyes. She knew how it went. How it always went. She drank too much, and was then unable to keep her emotions in check. The best thought out plans always ended in heartache.

"Everyone always says talking helps, but I'm sure that's not true," she said finally, taking a deep breath. "I don't want to pour my heart out to you, or to anyone, about this. It was just a case, I should be able to handle it by now. Be able to push it aside and distance myself, but I can't. I can't distance myself when it's all I can think about. I just want to forget." She paused, looking up and meeting his eyes. When she spoke again, her voice was quieter, almost inaudible. "I just want to forget."

Leaning forwards, Tony placed a kiss to her forehead. He moved back slightly, still so close to her face that she could feel his breath warm on her cheek. She knew the alcohol rushing through her body was affecting her ability to make a sensible decision, and that she should move before she did something she'd later regret, but she also knew she needed to forget.

The second chapter will be up tomorrow or Thursday. Please leave a review if you have time.