Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Thanks to Sazzita for reviewing 1 and 6; JonnyP86 and Reader for reviewing 5 and 6; and puppypants for reviewing 6.
Though their story swirled in circles through her head, Kate still couldn't believe it. That... that the two had been beaten by a gang of older kids, that they'd been forced into the weapons carrier and...
She shuddered, horror running up and down her spine. Taking a deep breath, she whispered,
"Um, Tim?" A moment passed, before Ziva turned, gaze landing on Kate. Suddenly, Kate found herself the subject of two pairs of eyes. She struggled to think of something to say, but Tim beat her to it.
"What are you still doing here, Kate?" He sounded dejected, hurt, like a little boy who'd just been told that Santa wasn't real. "Gibbs asked you to-"
"I'm sorry, for what those kids did, to both of you. I can't imagine that happening to two children, especially the two of you at such young ages. I... I don't see how the two of you managed to... it's basically rape..." But Ziva grabbed her things and pushed past her, turning back to Tim in the doorway.
"I will see you at your place?" He nodded, watching as she left. Once she was gone, Tim turned back to Kate.
"Are you happy? Now that you know the secret? Now that you can go spread it throughout the office-"
"I wouldn't do that, Tim, you know that." Kate replied, as Tim turned and leaned on the table. "I'm not like-" She stopped, and they both fell into silence. A moment passed, before Tim turned around, and Kate launched herself into his arms. She buried her face on his shoulder, whispering, "I miss him, Tim." He wrapped his arms tight around her, tangling his fingers in her hair.
"So am I, Kate."
Neither one had admitted or shown signs that they'd been affected by Tony's death. But everyone could see it. The other teams could see that Gibbs and the remaining members of his team were walking through a fog without their partner, without the Senior Field Agent, known for making jokes and playing pranks, who could often be annoying, but in the end, always had his partners' sixes. The closest anyone had come, had been Abby, when she'd burst into tears after Gibbs, Kate and Tim returned to the bullpen; Kate still covered in blood and brain matter.
"It doesn't feel like NCIS without him." She choked out, tightening her grip on Tim's shoulders. He sniffled, squeezing her waist, as fresh tears slipped down his cheeks. "It doesn't feel like Gibbs' team without him."
"I-"
"Tim?" The pair broke apart, turning to see Ziva back in the doorway, watching them. "Gibbs is waiting for us." Both had tears in their eyes, and after a moment, Tim pulled away from Kate, nodding, as he went to the Israeli. Gently, he took Ziva's hand, as she reached up and brushed the tears away. With one last look at Kate, he left, following Ziva back upstairs. Moments passed, before Kate rushed after them, curious as to why Gibbs was waiting for Tim and Ziva. But when she reached the bullpen, she found herself alone.
Taking a deep breath, she went to her desk, taking a seat and checking her e-mail, though she couldn't quite concentrate. Her mind kept going back to what she'd heard down in Abby's lab. She shouldn't have stayed, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she'd listened quietly as Tim and Ziva had talked. "They were children, and Ari was their protector."
"You don't seriously believe that story, do you?" Kate looked up; she started, falling back in her chair at the sight of Tony, sitting at his desk, calm as could be, as if he were ready and waiting for Gibbs to walk in and tell them to gear up. "That they were beaten by a gang of kids and forced to have sex in a weapons carrier?"
"Tim wouldn't lie about something like that. Tim doesn't know how to lie, Tony." He got up, going around his desk and over to hers.
"I know Probie wouldn't lie, but I'm not talking about him. I'm talking about her. You don't seriously believe her, do you? I thought you were smarter than that, Kate." She took a deep breath, looking up as he leaned down, into the light of her desk lamp. It was then that she saw the hole in the middle of his forehead, where Ari's bullet had entered his skull. She stared at the hole, before quickly lowering her gaze.
"She knows Tim, Tony. And Tim... he was... he was born in Israel. His father was the American Ambassador... he was born in Israel, and he grew up with Ziva. They were best friends. They were born... two months and a day apart from each other. Tony, they know each other, and obviously, they have feelings for each other. Feelings that... that have been growing and simmering for the last... decade or so. And... and there is more than they're telling, but... but yes, Tony, I believe them. Both of them."
He snorted, rolling his eyes. "Well, if I were you, Kate, I'd watch my back. Because you never know when they'll turn."
"Tim wouldn't turn on us. Not us, not NCIS, not his country. He loves being an Agent."
"But he loves her more, right? You said it yourself. There are feelings brewing beneath the surface. He may be loyal to Gibbs and NCIS now, but at the drop of a hat, what would you bet that he turns and stabs everyone he loves in the back? For her."
Kate shook her head. "Not Tim. Tony, you know Tim. He wouldn't do that to us."
Slowly, Tony moved around her desk, until he had her blocked in. "Not unless she asked him to."
When she looked up next, Tony was gone.
