Kate picked up Hailey from the crib, and rocked her gently in her arms.
'Sshh, Hails, please. I've got an early start tomorrow, please just go to sleep,' she said, almost desperate for her daughter to stop crying.
'Are you hungry? Tell me what you want,' Kate said loudly, and then stopped, realizing she had just yelled at an innocent baby.
'I'm sorry, sweetie. Mommy's just tired, it was a long day. Another dead sailor, as usual, and I just need to sleep.'
Kate sighed. She was so tired, and Hailey had been up crying every ten minutes for the last four hours. Usually she was a good baby, but tonight she wouldn't stop.
She jumped as the phone rang, and Hailey's screams got louder. Kate sighed and walked over, and picked up the phone.
'Kate?'
'Tony? Its,' she paused, and turned to look at the clock, 'four o'clock in the morning. Why are you calling me?'
'Why are you still up?'
'I asked you first.' She knew she was being childish but she was tired, and she wasn't in the mood for any of DiNozzo's crap.
He was silent on the other end of the phone.
'Tony?'
'I just wanted to see if you were okay,' he said softly. 'Why didn't you tell us, tell me, about Hailey?'
'Tony, it was nothing personal. I just, didn't want to drag everyone into my personal life.'
'Tony?'
'Yeah. I understand. But Kate, you know I'm here for you, if you ever need it.'
Kate was silent. Tony never talked about feelings, he was more the love em' and leave em' type, and for him to be calling, offering comfort, offering help, well Kate was amazed.
'Thanks Tony,' she said quietly, jiggling Hailey in one arm. Hailey chose that exact moment to let out a loud scream, and Kate almost dropped the phone.
'Do you want some help?' Tony asked, chuckling a little.
'I'm fine, Tony, I know how to take care of my own daughter.'
'Hey, I'm not saying you don't, but you sound tired, and I can help.'
Kate wanted Tony to come over. Hell, she wanted Tony. She finally admitted it to herself. She'd found herself more and more attracted to DiNozzo as they spent more time together; they worked together, they saw each other every single day.
But there was Gibbs' Rule Number 12: Never Date A Co-Worker, and besides, its not as if Tony had ever shown an interest in her, except in the teasing way.
Kate sighed. Tony was being so sincere, and she was acting downright rude.
'Tony, its fine. It's the middle of the night; I'm just going to put her down and…' Kate trailed off, as Hailey continued her screaming, getting even louder.
'I'm coming over,' she heard on the other end of the telephone, and then the dial tone clicked in her ear.
Kate felt tears come to her eyes, and she slumped down on the couch. She was exhausted, completely and totally exhausted. In their line of work, she had always been tired. But Hailey kept her up every night, screaming or hungry.
Kate felt as if her whole body was tired. She didn't usually get like this, and she didn't like to either. It brought back the whole memory of Hailey's father, and that made her feel sick to her stomach.
She didn't know how long she sat on the couch, and she didn't hear DiNozzo knocking on her door. She jumped when she felt someone touch her arm, and leapt off the lounge.
'Whoa, whoa, its just me,' Tony said, backing up, holding his hands up.
Kate swallowed, and looked up at her partner. Tony came forward and gently took Hailey from her arms.
'Go back to bed Kate. I'll take care of her.'
Kate was too tired to even respond, she simply nodded and walked back to her bedroom. She trusted Tony with the most important person in her life.
As she crawled into bed, she decided that she would tell him what had happened to her; what she went through with Hailey.
Tomorrow.
DiNozzo sat down on the lounge with Hailey in his arms. He stared thoughtfully after Kate.
He knew something had happened to her. Something bad.
Kate had only been working at NCIS for a couple of months, but there were times during cases when she had to excuse herself.
Abby knew, Tony could tell; the way they talked together. But every time he tried to get Abby to talk; she'd shut up.
Hailey squealed in his arms, and he rocked her gently. Softly, he sung her a lullaby he remembered his cousin singing to her daughter.
Hush now baby, don't you cry
Hailey stirred in his arms, but she was obviously tired.
Rest your wings my butterfly
Peace will come to you in time
And I will sing this lullaby
Hailey was asleep by the time Tony had finished. He crept slowly into Kate's room, and lay Hailey down in her crib.
'Sleep, Hailey,' he whispered softly.
He walked over to Kate and looked down at her sleeping. Tony pulled the blankets up over her, and walked back out of the room.
He grabbed some blankets and a pillow from the closet in the hall; pulled off his shoes and lay down on the lounge.