Deception, Dissenting and Deduction

Kate was early to work, the traffic had been light, so she decided to go and see if Abby was in before heading up to the bullpen. She arrived at the lab to find Abby sitting at her desk pointing at something on the screen, with Ducky stood behind her peering over her shoulder.

"It could be I suppose," he straightened up, pushing one hand into the pocket of his immaculate white lab coat. "I won't know until this afternoon. This reminds me of a case nearly twenty years ago, a body was found..."

"Hey, Ducky, Abby." Kate interrupted before he could get into full flow.

"Good morning, Kate." He didn't seem to mind being cut off during one of his stories - it was such a regular occurrence that he had become quite used to it.

"Hi, Kate. Good weekend?" Abby's pigtail swung merrily as she spun round in her chair.

"Yeah, not bad. You?" She hopped onto the empty table in the middle of the lab and sat swinging her legs gently.

"It was awesome, yesterday we went to this bowling competition and Sister Rosita was totally on fire, we won by miles!" She finished her story breathlessly.

"Good for you," Kate couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "Ducky?"

"It was very pleasant, thank you." He smiled as if reminiscing.

Kate and Abby exchanged knowing smiles.

"And how is Jessica, Ducky?" Kate asked.

"She's very well, I met her two granddaughters on Saturday, such happy little girls."

"I love this Kate," Abby said gesturing at the fitted cream jacket and skirt Kate was wearing, "Is it new?"

"Thanks, Je..." She stopped herself just in time. "I got it at the weekend."

"Well, I expect Mr Palmer will be waiting for me by now. Call me if you find anything else Abby." Ducky turned to leave.

"I should be going too." Kate got to her feet and suddenly the room seemed to sway. "Oh."

She gripped the table tightly as she struggled to focus.

"Kate?" She heard Abby's alarmed voice.

"Sit down, Kate," Ducky said firmly holding her arm and guiding her to the chair Abby had quickly vacated. She sat and soon her vision returned to normal and she felt a lot less shaky.

"Thank you," she smiled up at them. "I'm just really tired, I feel fine again now."

"Are you sure?" Abby asked concernedly. "You've gone very pale."

"You could be anaemic, I suppose. That would explain the tiredness and lack of colour," Ducky mused.

"I'll bear that in mind and see how I go, Ducky. I should really be heading upstairs. Thanks again." She got up slowly and left the lab, not looking back.

By the time she got to her desk even Tony had arrived. Gibbs looked up at her as she came in.

"You're late." His gaze followed her as she set her purse down on the tidy desk and slid into her seat.

"Sorry, it won't happen again." She said in a clipped tone, she had no intention of letting on why she was late.

"No, it won't." He agreed, just as his phone began to ring. "Hey, Duck." He looked at her for a moment then turned his attention back to the phone conversation. "No, she didn't. Thanks for letting me know."

He finished talking and made to get up only for the phone to start ringing again immediately.

"On our way." Gibbs put it down and unlocked his desk drawer. "Petty officer stationed at Norfolk, found dead. Looks like a suicide. Dinozzo, get the truck." He threw him the keys before holstering his gun.

"On it, boss."

"McGee, with me." The young agent flicked his computer screen off and rushed to follow him through the office.

Kate grabbed her backpack and got to her feet, waiting for her instructions.

"Kate, you're staying here. You look like hell." Gibbs swept past and pressed for the elevator.

"No really, Gibbs, I feel fine." She followed him and stood slightly behind McGee.

He glared at her. "This isn't a debate, Agent Todd, you're staying put until I say otherwise."

She glared back furiously. "I'm fine. I think I know what I can manage better than you do."

The elevator arrived and McGee stepped in, relieved. Gibbs followed him, not breaking eye contact. Kate didn't dare join them; she knew she had overstepped the mark.

"I'll talk to you later." His voice was dangerously low. They continued to exchange glares until the doors slid shut. Kate turned on her heel and marched back to her desk replacing her gun in the drawer. She took a sip of water and tried to calm down.

By the time they returned, Kate was feeling a little apprehensive. She didn't have to wait long before he appeared in front of her desk.

"Come on." She stood quickly and followed Gibbs. Tony didn't even try to hide his interested stare as he watched them leave. "Get back to work Dinozzo." Gibbs yelled without turning around, just as Tony opened his mouth to ask McGee what was going on.

He pushed open the door of an empty interrogation room and she walked in, chin raised defiantly, looking a lot more confident than she felt.

"Sit down, Kate." She pulled out a chair and sat down folding her arms. A defensive action he didn't fail to notice as he sat on the edge of the table, facing her. "You were way out of line this morning."

"I know."

"While we're at work, I'm in charge. You follow my orders without question and without exception. Is that clear?"

"Yes." She knew he was completely justified in his criticism but she couldn't keep the resentful note out of her voice.

"Good." He put out a hand to help her up, she took it grudgingly. Pulling her into his arms, he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. She moved back slightly and he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Why didn't you tell me about this morning?" His piercing blue eyes held her gaze steadily.

"Because I knew you'd make a fuss." She said quietly.

"Are you really ok?"

She nodded.

"Because there's no shame in taking some time off if you're not well," he continued.

She smiled at him, trying not to laugh. "Thank you, o wise one. I'll remind you of that next time you're ill."

"Ah, but you're forgetting Kate, I don't get sick." He smiled and, placing one hand on her back, guided her out of the door. "I'm going down to see what Abs has found. You should really be getting back."

He took the back stairs and she returned to her desk.

"So," Tony started, his voice full of mischief. "I heard you were a naughty girl this morning." He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head.

"Don't start with me, Dinozzo." She snapped.

"Oh, a little irritable, are we?" He watched her gleefully; he seemed to be getting under her skin a lot faster than usual.

"Grow up, Tony!" She replied haughtily.

He turned to McGee and hissed loudly, "PMS."

Kate had just opened her mouth to reply when she closed it abruptly. Snatching up her coat and purse she all but ran from the office without so much as a backward glance.

"Kate?" Tony called after her, puzzled.