AUTHORS NOTES: This story was written by 3 people, Girls; of course. LOL. It's about Tony's younger sister. TATE to the MAX. LOL. Chapter 2 will be uploaded soon.
Disclaimer. We don't own anything but Tanya...sad isn't it...but hey life goes on...
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
"Mr DiNozzo, we are sorry to inform you, that your sister has been seriously injured." He slammed down the phone. He didn't want to hear anymore. He sat there. Tears streaming down his face. He wasn't afraid to cry now. The team would understand. He sat there silently, not talking, just crying.
Kate was curious as to why Tony wasn't teasing or throwing paperclips to annoy her. She looked up to see the tears. She was scared. Tony never cried; in public that was. Kate got up off her chair and edged her way to her best friend's desk. Instinctively she grabbed his hand. This startled Tony from his thoughts. She looked so sincere. He wrapped his arms around her waste and cried into her chest. She hated seeing him like this. She loved Tony but had never told him. This seemed like the right time but she didn't want him to think that what ever was going on was not as important.
"Tony, what was the phone call about?" she muzzled into his hair
"He bashed her…bad…she's in hospital." He whispered into her chest.
"DiNozzo! What in God's name do you think you are doing?" Yelled Gibbs,on his way back from MTAC. He suddenly realised that DiNozzo was crying. Gibbs entered the bullpen and looked at Kate. She too had tears in her eyes.
"Kate?" he said sternly expecting a good answer.
"DiNozzo's sister was assaulted again. This time she's in hospital." She said quietly.
" Well, what are we waiting for? McGee!" McGee had just walked into the bullpen.
"Yes Boss," He saw Tony and Kate, " Uhh Boss, what's going on?" he asked
"None of your business. Now book us 6 tickets to LA, ASAP. I want the earliest flights available with any airline. Do you understand me?"
"Yes Boss"
" Kate, take Tony to get some clothing and grab some for youself as well. Pack for a week."
"Yes Gibbs." She replied
"McGee, while your buying tickets, call Abby and tell her to pack. I'm going to see Ducky."
"Ahhh Boss?"
"What McGee?"
"I've booked the flights for 6pm. We have a stop over in Dallas. Is that OK?"
"What do you think, McGee?" he said as he walked out of the bull pen and made his way to the morgue.
Kate drove to her apartment first. Tony had fallen asleep. His eyes still red and puffy for the crying. She had met Tony's sister about three years ago when she had started at NCIS. Tanya had come down on her holidays. Back then she was 14 and stubborn as all hell. She was a comedian too. The siblings fought like cat and dog but they never stayed mad at each other. Kate then thought about Tanya lying in a hospital bed. She left Tony sleeping, grabbed any clothing she could find and ran back to the car. She arrived at her car to see Tony awake. He was rocking back and forth looking around warily. As she got into the car, Tony seemed to calm down. Thank God her car was auto. They drove to Tony's apartment in silence. The only communication was their entwined hands.
His apartment was, to her surprise, extremely tidy. Everything seemed in place.
"Tony, I'm going to get your stuff. Ok?" Kate said slowly.
"Yep. Go ahead." He sighed and planked himself on the couch. She walked into his bedroom and once again was surprised. His room was spotless. She had pictured Tony as messy, but this was defiantly her idea of cleanliness. She found his duffel and put in some clothing. She brought his favourite sweats and top thinking it would get her some brownie points. She walked back into the living room to find Tony gone. She started to panic. Where had he gone? She turned to see him at the fire place staring at a picture. It was a picture of him and Tanya at Disneyland, 3 years before. They looked so happy. Tony felt Kate's breathe on his back.
"That was a good day," Tony started, "She was happy. That was when I found out he was hurting her. She wouldn't let me help her. She said that it was under control. She lied. I saw the pain and fright in her eyes. You know…she cried herself to sleep that night. I my arms." His voice cracked as he collapsed to the floor with his head in his hands. Automatically she knelt on the floor next to him and pulled him into a close embrace. His pain became hers. Tears rolled down her cheeks. After a while he raised his eyes to her level.
"Kate, I don't think I can do…" his voice died out and was replaced by a fresh set of tears.
"Hey, I'm going to be there as long as you need. I promise." Kate replied
"Thank-you." whispered Tony as he placed his head back on her chest and lay there, silent tears falling. Kate's phone began to vibrate. She answered.
"Agent Todd! Where the hell are you? The plane leaves in 2 hours and your still not here." And the phone cut out. She looked at the time. They had been there for 3 hours. Tony walked out slowly picking up his bag. Kate felt so bad. As they walked to the car, she gave him a friendly 'are you ok' nudge with her hip. He returned it with a weak smile and placed his hand around her waist. She lent into his body and placed a hand around his waist. They walked silently to the car.
"Kate! DiNozzo! Where have you been?" yelled Gibbs across the terminal, startling the other travellers.
"Sorry Boss. We had a little…traffic problem." Tony replied
"Hmph"
They placed their bags in check in and followed Gibbs to the last terminal. There stood the whole team; his family, but his favourite member stood right next to him.
"DiNozzo, are you there?" Kate said, waving her hand across his face.
"Wha…Oh yeah, I'm here." Tony replied
Gibbs distributed the boarding passes. Tony looked at his. Seat 7A. He glanced at Kate's and suddenly felt a whole lot better. Seat 7B. They were going to sit next to each other.
"Looks like I'm sitting next to you, Tony." Said Kate
"Yes, Yes it does." Said Tony, secretly glad that she was sitting next to him.
They boarded the plane and sat down. As the plane took off the air hostess was instructing what to do in an emergency. Tony sat there, dreaming that it was Kate giving him the instructions.
"DiNozzo, what is it…day dream day?" Kate said sarcastically
" Did you say something Katie?" asked Tony
Kate noticed he seemed to be in a daze. Wonder what's going through his head?
The plane ride was long. Too long for Kate's liking but she promised Tony she'd be there. Tony had been asleep for nearly 4 hours. He was so cute siiting there with his ruffled up hair and dreaming expression. She wanted to reach out and touch him as did her to her. To Kate's surprise Tony turned and placed his head on her shoulder. As soon as they touched, his eyes flew open.
"Sorry" he muttered as he readjusted himself
"No problems" Kate replied secretly jumping for joy.
"Damn these seats. They're so uncomfortable" Tony cursed as he continued to squirm. Kate stifled a laugh.
"It's not funny …Katie," Tony teased. Kate hit him on the arm. "Ouch. That hurt." Tony whined.
"Don't call me Katie." She hissed, trying not to wake the other passengers, " And shush."
" You're supposed to be nice to me."
"I'm only nice when something's happened to Tanya." She joked
Tony's face hardened. She had hit a nerve.
"Tony, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," Kate whispered as tears brimmed her eyes, "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
His eyes met hers. They, too, were brimmed with tears. He understood that it was a slip of the tongue. She started to cry. Tony felt bad even though she had made the statement. He raised the arm rest and placed an arm around her shoulder. She lent into him.
"I'm sorry." She choked
"Shhh. It's ok. Your tired and cranky. Try and sleep."
They slept like that for the rest of the flight; Tony holding Kate and her snoring into the crook of his neck. Gibbs had come to check on his agents. Abby was sleeping on McGee's shoulder and he on her head. Then he came to Tony and Kate's seat. He was worried that this situation would bring any member of his team to break Rule 12.
