Note: After The Meat Puzzle (2x13), Kate breaks up with Tony's fraternity brother after finding out he was just like Tony.
GEORGETOWN, KATE'S APARTMENT; SEPTEMBER 18, 2004, 17:00
Kate stood in her bathroom eyeing her face; when she had broken up with Steve Adler, he had smacked her hard across the face, leaving a large bruise. She was glad Ari wasn't around or the asshole would be dead…but then again part of her wanted Ari to kick his ass.
Realizing even make-up wouldn't make it go away; she retreated to the kitchen to get some ice. Her quest for ice was abandoned by the sight of Ari making tea in her kitchen.
"Tea Caitlin?" He turned to her and she looked down, knowing his eyes were full of concern for her, the bruise was very visible. "I will kill whoever has laid a hand on you." He was over to her in seconds, touching her face. She winced as he touched her bruise, "who did this?"
"I'm fine; he is probably unable to have children after what I did." She looked at him, "tea sounds nice."
"Ice first," he walked to her freezer and pulled out an ice pack, pulling the dishtowel from the counter, he wrapped the ice pack and placed it on her cheek lightly. "Sit down; I will bring the tea to you."
She sat down at the kitchen table and he walked over, placing a cup of tea down on the table. He pulled the next chair over and sat so he was facing her, taking the ice, he eyed her face.
"Who is he Caitlin, I will not kill him…I promise you." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "If I promise you something, I will not break it."
"Just some guy who wanted more then I was willing to give." She reached out and touched his shirt collar. He watched as she pulled his collar aside till she saw the wound on his shoulder, it healed a lot harshly then her stab wound did. "Gibbs did this to prove a point."
She pulled his collar back till it was in place; Ari removed her hand from his shirt and placed it on her lap before placing the ice back on her cheek. "I am different Caitlin, I can take a wound but you should never have a wound in any fashion." He removed the ice and touched her bruise, it was cold and evidently numb since she didn't wince. "His name Caitlin?"
"Steve Adler, he's Tony's fraternity brother, if I had known I would have never dated him." She reached for her tea and eyed him, "three dates and he thinks I'll sleep with him…never in a million years."
Ari smiled and used a single finger to push her hair back, "feeling better?"
"Yeah, thanks." She put the cup down and eyed him, "what's in Israel that kept you away for two months?"
"My sister was shot, she had to have emergency surgery and despite her stubbornness…she had to recover in a hospital. I was left to finish her mission; I did however make sure I wasn't killed so that I could return to you." He stood and grabbed his helmet from the table, "you need rest Caitlin, I shall see you soon."
He kissed her head before leaving, "goodnight Ari."
He turned from the kitchen doorway and eyed her, "goodnight my beautiful Caitlin."
WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, NCIS, BULLPEN; SEPTEMBER 20, 2004, 12:00
Kate and Tony were talking when a voice drew them away; they found Steve Adler in the entryway to the bullpen. "Steve, buddy what's up?"
"Some asshole came over to my place and drew knife on me," he pointed to his arm, it was in a sling. "He told me if I ever came near Kate again, he'd make sure I could never have children."
Kate laughed; Ari had promised to not kill him but didn't say anything about wounding him. It was the same arm he had used to slap her face.
"You think this is funny?"
"Yes actually, I have friends in high places…what did he look like?"
"He was wearing a mask, I didn't see." He looked at Kate, "you know who he is…who is he, I'll sue him."
"Like I'd tell you but I can say you're messing with fire if you try anything." She sat at her desk; he would be risking his life if he tried to find Ari. "Now, I have work to do so leave."
"Who's this DiNozzo?" Gibbs came in and Kate looked up.
"The asshole that did this?" She pointed to her cheek; the bruise was starting to fade. "Of course a friend of mine has already put his arm in a sling and threatened castration if he came near me…he won't be having kids if he doesn't leave because I'll tell my friend he was here."
Gibbs looked at Kate then at Steve, "I'd leave; Agent Todd does have friends in high places."
"Steve, we'll catch up later." Tony eyed him and the guy nodded, leaving. Kate had a smug look on her face. Tony eyed her afterward, "who the hell cut his arm and threatened him?"
"None of your business Tony, you deal with women your way and I deal with men my way."
"You're dangerous Kate."
GEORGETOWN, KATE'S APARTMENT; SEPTEMBER 20, 2004, 19:00
Kate stood in her bathroom brushing her hair; she wore sweatpants and a black shirt. She felt his hands before she saw his reflection in the mirror. Ari took the brush from her hands and brushed her hair for her.
"How are you tonight my Caitlin?" He eyed her through the mirror, she smiled at him. "You rarely smile at me, what has you happy?"
"I don't condone the wound but thanks for threatening Adler…he was pissed."
Placing her brush down, Kate felt as he lifted her shirt till the scar from the stabbing was visible. It healed and only a thin pink line was present on her skin, she found he only took a second to look at it before letting her shirt fall.
"I do not like wounds placed on you, in any form." He placed his hands on her shoulders and ran them down her arms, wrapping her in his arms. "Never shall another mark be put on you by another person," he whispered in her ear.
Kate felt cared for and treasured in his arms, as he held her tightly to him. Months ago she would have put a bullet in his head but something had changed in her…she had come to see Ari, the man, not the monster. He was a man who treasured her, never pressured her for anything; just let her be who she was.
He protected her, for the first time she didn't have to protect herself. He told her the truth, about his sister and being away, he didn't lie. He was different with her and she liked him being him, having the gentleness of a lover without actually being her lover. His voice was never loud, always soft and even.
"I have work tomorrow; I need to get to sleep." She eyed him and he let her go, she turned to face him. "Thanks again." She leaned up and kissed his cheek before looking at him. "You know the way out."
She left him in the bathroom but heard the light switch click as he turned off the light. Crawling into bed, she felt his hand rub her hair back before kissing her head. "Goodnight my Caitlin."
She heard her bedroom door close as he left, part of her heart pulled at wanting him to return and wrap her in his arms again. He'd return when she least expected it, she just had to wait.
