Disclaimer: Okay, so I don't own NCIS, or anything like it (sadly). I didn't invent the characters just enjoy the manipulation! Frankly if I can't have control over my own life, why should anyone else? I am not making any money out of this, it's written purely for entertainment purposes and retention of a certain person's sanity. But if you like, let me know?

This is the first instalment of my response to an almost challenge from Know Your Dog, who was having a really bad day and happened to say of Tony: "When is someone going to write a story where nice stuff happens to the poor boy... or is he going to go through life getting beaten, run over, blown up, kidnapped and infected with nasty viruses?"

Being the star friend that I am, of course I offered to write something and, with the proviso that Tony was "happy and in one piece", this is what I came up with.

Rainy Night In Virginia

One by one the automatic lights dimmed and went off. The natural light had long faded and it was quiet, save for the hum of the computers and the incessant patter of autumn rain on the windows.

A solitary figure sat in the open plan office, his head and desk illuminated by the spotlight of a Government-issue desk lamp. Occasionally the man in the 40-watt light would sigh, stretch his arms above his head and bend back over the keyboard.

So engrossed was he that the soft "ping" of the elevator doors opening failed to rouse him from his work. So focused on his screen, he didn't hear the footsteps on the carpet, or see the shadow approaching his desk. The figure closed in on him and halted in front of his desk.

"Hey Tony"

Tony DiNozzo started. His hands leapt from the keyboard sending his pen flying from its precarious balance atop the keys. "Wha..? Kate!"

And it was. His colleague stood in front of him, looking bemused. And, despite himself, Tony had to admit, looking hot.

Kate reached out her hand - proffering a cup of coffee. Tony raised an eyebrow. "And this would be a precursor to?"

"Ouch! When did you start using words like 'precursor'?"

"And when did you start bringing me coffee?"

"Can't I bring a friend a coffee when he's pulling a late night shift?" Kate shifted to lean across the desk, still holding out the cup.

"Er, friend?" Tony was confused, but took the coffee.

Kate continued to stare at him with that strange look in her eye.

Tony found himself uncomfortable at such close examination. Which was, y'know, weird. Because normally any woman paying him this kind of attention received the full force of his not inconsequential charm. However, this wasn't just any woman.

This was Kate.

Uptight, emotionally reined in, sarcastic, straight laced, Catholic Schooled, former Secret Service Caitlin Todd. Only not tonight it seemed.

Kate eased herself round his desk till her hip was practically brushing his shoulder. "So what keeps you here so late?"

"Finishing up casework. Paperwork really."

"Really?" she replied, rolling her "r", "Need some help?"

Okay, this was definitely - what was that word Abby used a lot? - Hinky. "Kate, much as this is an unexpected pleasure - what is this?"

"I beg your pardon? What do you mean? I came by because I thought you might appreciate my help!"

"Ah-ha. You come by on a Friday night - dressed like that - to help me finish my paperwork up. Which, I hasten to add, if I don't complete, Gibbs will kill me."

"You don't approve of my outfit?" Kate stood up, took a step back and slowly turned round full circle.

Tony gave up trying not to notice - Kate's skin-tight black leather trousers, three-inch spike boots, and, well, what else could he describe it as? A mere suggestion of a top; black, strappy, all chiffon and sparkle, which, now she had spun round, he could see was backless; held on by two ribbons round her back. Her outfit blatantly advertised the curves that Tony had hitherto only strongly suspected hid beneath her workaday clothes. Kate watched him watching her.

"So DiNozzo - you approve?" Kate stood, hand on hip, barefacedly daring a reaction from him.

TO BE CONTINUED...