Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.
Spoilers: Hung Out to Dry. Dialogue in bold was taken straight from the episode.
Hung Out To Dry
"Sorry. No ID, no entry."
Kate sighed, hands on her hips. What is this; a bar or a crime scene? "Let me get this straight. You're okay with me walking around with a Sig and Special Agent badge, but you won't let me into a crime scene because I don't have my ID yet."
The MP shrugged. "I don't make the rules, ma'am."
"No, but you enforce them." A familiar male voice said from behind her. "And, if someone with no ID has someone with an ID to vouch for them to let them through, that changes everything, right? Special Agent Todd's with us."
The MP lifted the crime scene tape. "Very good, sir."
"It's about time you got here." Tony commented, ducking under the tape. "Your desk's been ready for a week."
"My lease ran out on my apartment and I needed to find somewhere else." Kate rolled her eyes. "Takes time, DiNozzo."
"Alright, I'll let you off." Tony led her past the ME's van and Gibbs came into sight. "Look who I found! MPs weren't gonna let her through."
"I got my Sig and badge, but HQ didn't issue my photo ID …" Kate trailed off mid-explanation, seeing the Marine stuck in the roof of the SUV. "Oh God … is this for real?"
"Unfortunately, my dear, it is." Ducky answered from the top of a ladder.
Gibbs handed her a pair of gloves. "Put 'em on."
"Ah, your first crime scene with us, Caitlin!" Ducky said cheerfully.
"What about Air Force One?" Kate asked, donning the gloves quickly. Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene.
"Doesn't count." Ducky told her. "You were in the Secret Service. Hey, Tony, take a team photo for posterity."
Kate gave Tony a warning look, but it wasn't needed.
"Forget posterity." Gibbs disagreed. "The sun's gonna be up soon." He pulled a box from his kit and handed it to her. "Welcome to NCIS."
Kate pulled one of the boots out. "How'd you know my size?"
Gibbs didn't answer, placing an NCIS ball-cap on her head. "Put 'em on. You can't work a field in high heels."
"Depends on the kind of work you're doing." Tony smirked.
Kate sighed. "Your mind, DiNozzo, runs the gamut from X to triple-X."
"Yeah?" Tony shrugged.
"Photos, Tony!" Gibbs ordered, leading Kate over to the truck. "Remember what I said about hitting him?"
"Oh yeah." Kate chuckled. "You were a Marine, right?"
Gibbs nodded, retrieving a crime scene kit for her while she changed her shoes.
"Thought so." Kate nodded. "Can I assume you don't like being called 'sir' either?"
"Damn straight." Gibbs handed her the kit. "Gibbs or Boss, got it?"
"Loud and clear, Boss." Kate left her shoes in the van. "What do you want me to do?"
"Sketch the crime scene; take measurements." Gibbs told her.
"What am I measuring exactly?" Kate asked.
"The distance between the body and anything that could be evidence." Gibbs answered bluntly as they approached the SUV again.
A camera flashed in their faces and Kate rolled her eyes. "Thanks, DiNozzo."
Tony just grinned at her. "You know, you could be the NCIS Poster Girl in that outfit."
As Gibbs and Tony disappeared, leaving Kate with Abby and a lab-coat, she took the opportunity to ask Abby a question.
"Is DiNozzo as bad as he acts?"
"You mean is he really a womanising jerk?" Abby asked. "No. I mean, yeah, he dates a lot, but that's because he's afraid of commitment and he really is an amazing friend. You couldn't ask for anyone better as your partner. Just give him time to get used to you."
"Used to me?" Kate repeated.
"I don't mean that there's anything wrong with you." Abby assured her. "It's just …" She hesitated. "From what I've picked up here and there, Tony's used to people not sticking around for long, so he won't show them what he's really like until he knows they're there to stay."
Kate nodded; that made sense.
"He's a really good guy, Kate." Abby told her sincerely. "All soft and goofy on the outside, yeah, but he's 100% rock on the inside. He's the kind of guy who'd take a bullet for you."
Kate smiled weakly. "I hope he never has to."
AN: Mostly taken from the episode, I know, but there's not much extra I can add until Kate starts talking to Tony properly which won't be until … well, that'd be telling. Just one thing: 87 visitors and 2 reviews. I do take anonymous reviews; you don't even need to sign in. Please don't make me beg!
