I fight a groan as the case we've been working on has lead Kate and I to a dead-end again. The air conditioner is broken, and it is insanely hot inside, because the windows don't open. We are trying to find out who's the supplier of pain meds that a Petty Officer overdosed on, but every turn we take and every person we call seems to lead us to a road-block. Gibbs took McGee to do some fieldwork, questioning people where the Petty Officer worked, leaving Kate and I to swelter. He called back an hour ago, telling us he had a "Gut feeling" that something was wrong with Staff Sergeant Evan Waterfield, the petty officer's superior. Kate and I have been scavenging anything we can get our hands on for information on him.
"Anything new Kate?" I ask, while opening a new file on the Marine.
"Maybe. I'm doing more research on his wife. She told Staff Sargent Waterfield's superior that he was taking pain medicine for injuries he sustained in Iraq. Also, whenever he was off-duty he saw a therapist." She says, as she pulls out a package of tissues from her drawer and starts using one to dab at her collarbone and forehead. She hasn't looked good all morning, but right now she looks a little green. She's sweating more then I am and her skin tone is very pale and is now taking on a greenish hue.
"Kate, are you-" I start, when Gibbs and McGee get off the elevator
"Dinozzo! Kate! You better have something for me or you better be leaving to check out a lead!" Gibbs booms.
"Hey boss! Kate just found out, based on a statement his wife made, that the marine took pain meds and seeing a therapist meaning he could be the dealer."
Kate's phone rings, and she picks it up.
"Agent Todd?" states into the receiver. Then, she gives a slight gasp and says in a pained voice "Special agent Dinozzo will finish this call!" She throws the phone at me, claps her hand over her mouth and races towards the bathrooms.
"This is very special agent Dinozzo?" I say into the receiver, my eye on the bathroom Kate just ran to. I hear the woman out and then hang up, as it is just an info-call.
I focus on the bathroom, waiting to see if Kate will leave. My concentration on the bathroom is only broken by the sound of Gibbs smashing his phone into his desk in frustration.
"McGee, grab your gear you and I will go to meet the therapist. Dinozzo, find out what happened to Kate. Then, you two should go meet the Wife. And email me the therapists' address." He orders, and both he and McGee leave.
I email the address as fast as I can then I head down the hallway and into the woman's bathroom. I walk to the back stall and push it open, revealing Kate gasping for breath, vomit edging her mouth and in the toilet, hair askew.
"Need some help Kate?" I say, genuinely worried. "Did you drink last night?"
"No. I'm probably just overheated. I need some water and a couple of napkins. Do you mind?" she says, looking up at me and pity crushes me.
"Sure Kit-Kat. Let me see what I can do."
A slight smile tugs at her face at my use of her nickname, one I promised only to use in private.
I turn and run to the vending machine, feeding it two dollars and getting her a water bottle. Then, I grab some napkins from Probie's stash and head back to the bathroom, and give both to her.
"Are you sure you're okay Kate? Maybe you should take the day off." I suggest.
"No." she stifles a yawn "I need to work."
"Alright but if you throw up again promise me you'll see Ducky for some medicine?"
She rolls her eyes "I promise."
"Good. Now Gibbs wants us to meet the wife of the Staff Sergeant, Kit-Kat. I'll meet you at the elevator. Five minutes." I say, as I leave.