Funny what the Heart Feels.

A/N: Okies this Chapter will be the last I think for this story, a nice little fluffy ending, but you may have to read the dark start in order to get to the fluff, no TATE love in this, I know I said I'd try some but, just didn't really have enough confidence to try my hand at it at the moment, hopefully my confidence will grow with the more fics I write.

Anyway, don't' own anything, wish I did, then Sasha would still be with us and we'd be watching Tony and Kate grow ever closer until they finally got together.

This chapter is dedicated to Sweet Lil loz and NCIS wolf, thank you for your comments, they have really helped me write this story and really helped me finish it, so big thanks to both of you and thanks to all who spared their time to read and review, hope you enjoy the last chapter.

Tony was snapped back to consciousness by the sudden impact of the very cold, very wet water, he shook his head, trying to clear the cold liquid from his eyes, then a second later he cried out in pain as all his open wounds begun to burn and sting, he heard a laugh of amusement from behind him, his mouth fell shut and the cry fell silent, he was through screaming in pain for his pleasure, if he could help it, he wouldn't scream for the rest of what was going to be a hell of a long night.

"Salt water" the older man stated with a grin as he walked around to stand in front of Tony again.

Tony fought to maintain the calm expression, every open cut was throbbing due to the sudden exposure to salt and cold water.

"it seemed you passed out during the last session" Gibbs stated with a wicked grin as he took his seat again "pain getting to much for you?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Nar, just getting board..."Tony hissed back "thought I might take a nap"

That comment didn't go down well, as the fist that housed the brass knuckles, that were reasonable for at least three broken ribs, two split lips, a split eyebrow, broken noise, a number of cuts along his cheek bone and forehead, not to mention the large gash on the back of his head and to top it all, a hell of a lot of bruises all over his body, collided with his right cheek again.

He locked his jaw as he felt and in a way heard the skin rip apart, again blood filled his mouth, and once again he spat it out, this was getting old, he'd been hit so many times by that metal item that he was starting to get used to it, it wasn't so much painful now, more annoying than anything, he was fairly sure that it could be said for the whole of his body, he defiantly couldn't feel his arse anymore, sitting in a really uncomfortable wooden chair for hour upon hours tends to render your backside numb.

He'd also found a way of dealing with the blade inflicted pain, he was once told by an old friend, back when he was a homicide cop, that the best way to forget about the pain was to build a house in your mind, from the foundation up, that was great...But, Tony didn't know squat about building houses, his house was done after a few seconds, so instead, he started writing a story, he was on the third chapter by the time he passed out, it was a story of a young happy couple, that were married and lived a blessed life, Kate of course was the lead female in this fictional bit of work he was concocting and he of course took the lead male.

He was brought out of his dream world by a sudden burning sensation that attacked every nerve ending within his body, right up to his brain.

He fell forwards on the chair, steam drifted off his body as he gasped for breath, he lifted his head slightly to see the crazy old man holding two exposed wires from a house hold lamp, electricity was a new one, he'd had blunt force, blades, bones broken but not electricity yet.

"I know what you're thinking and yeah...it is shocking" Gibbs grinned evilly at the younger, beaten and broken man.

With one last wicked laugh Gibbs touched the wires to Tonys chest, the water that had been thrown over him acting as a better conductor for the high voltage torture device, and even though he tried not to, he really tried not to, Tony Screamed.

Tonys screams of pain had a use, they masked the arrival of the Dodge charger as it pulled up on the gravel outside the warehouse, the four agents quickly exited the vehicle, all pulling their weapons free and advancing on the massive building, they paused outside the nearest door.

"Ziva and I will go in through the far door" the director whispered softly.

Kate simply nodded and watched as the other two women made their way silently, but quickly towards the far door, once they were out of sight, she turned and gave a sharp nod to McGee, who returned the gesture, Carefully she pushed the door slightly, praying that it wouldn't squeak or make a noise to signal their arrival, the door slid inwards silently, Kate gave a small sigh of gratitude as she silently slid inside, followed closely by McGee, the two agents took cover behind a large stack of timber, they looked across to see Ziva and the director entre on the other side, the director gave a soft nod towards Kate which she repeated in response.

She looked around and noticed the two ladders on either side of the two doors, she followed the ladders up until they reached the small metal walkways that ran over them and the length of the building, she pointed at Ziva and then at the ladder, Ziva instantly knew what she meant and gave a small nod before turning to the ladder, and starting to climb silently.

Kate turned to McGee and pointed to the ladder behind them, he too nodded and started to climb, the beautiful brunette turned her attention back to the director, they both gave a small nod and started to move, slowly towards the source of the pain filled screams.

Kate came to a stop behind a half built boat, she crouched down and peered through the gaps between the half made hull of the ship, she could see Tony, and he looked awful, her heart splinted at the sight of what her boyfriend had endured for her, for them, for a moment he didn't move and she feared he was dead, tears started to fill her eyes as she silently cured herself for being to late, but then he coughed, blood spilled from his mouth and down his front as he did but he coughed, and then her started to follow the Silver haired man with his eyes, Kate sighed and thanked God silently for not taking the only man she would loved unconditionally for the rest of time, she turned to look at the director, who looked above them to see Ziva and McGee in place over head, their weapons trained on their former boss, she gave a quick nod, and rose from her position gun aimed at Gibb's back, Kate did the same but chose to aim at his head, like hell she was going to let the bastard live for what he did to Tony.

"NCIS, DONT MOVE!" Kate shouted.

She knew she didn't need to call out the agency, but he was nothing more than the normal sick minded dirt bags that they hunted now.

Gibb's dropped the wires and pulled a gun from his waist, aiming it instantly at Tonys head.

"Drop 'em or DiNozzo dies" Gibbs stated turning to look at Kate.

"Jethro, you're out numbered and out gunned, this doesn't have a good ending for you" the director called from her position.

"I knew you missed field work Jen" the old man laughed as he pulled the hammer of his weapon back with his thumb "drop 'em, NOW!" he repeated louder.

Kate looked at Tony, she was considering doing whatever he wanted if it meant getting Tony back alive, Tony locked his one good eye with her and jerked his head back quickly, Kate understood what it meant and smiled, He was so much stronger than anyone gave him credit for, she smiled and nodded softly at him.

Tony started to count to three mouthing the number at his girlfriend so they were in sink together, Kate nodded her head with every number that he mouthed, then on Three, Tony pushed back as hard as he could tipping the chair over as Kate pulled the trigger, firing her entire magazine into the older man, the rest of the team following suit, Gibb's body jerked and shook with each bullet it took, he staggered back his trigger finger giving a involuntary twitch which caused him to fire down at Tony before collapsing back dead.

Kate ran from her position dropping to her knees next to Tony, she didn't care about Gibbs, she left him to the director.

"Tony, baby...are you hit?" Kate asked quickly, panic evident in her voice.

Tony rolled his head to face her, revealing a bullet hole no more than 5cm away from where his head was, she sighed and dropped her head, capturing his lips in a kiss, she felt him winch, she pulled away quickly looking down at him sorrow in her eyes.

"don't stop" Tony murmured tiredly.

"it's hurting you" Kate stated softly as she carefully cupped his cheek in her palm.

"Kate, I nearly died for you, I think I can handle a little pain in my lips" Tony chuckled weakly.

He instantly mentally slapped himself for the statement as he saw the look of hurt and guilt in her eyes.

"Hey," he whispered softly getting her to make eye contact with him again "I'd do it all again, for everyday of my life, if it meant I get to be with you at the end of the day" he whispered with a small broken smile.

Kate smiled softly before dipping her head to kiss him again.

McGee appeared by his side, with a knife, he cut Tony free from the chair and then helped Kate get him on his feet.

"Ambulance is on route" McGee stated comfortingly.

"thanks Tim" Kate smiled as she helped Tony walk towards the door they entered.

"How is he?" Ziva asked walking over to them.

"you Ziva?" Tony asked fixing his good eye on the woman before them.

"yes, it's a pleasure to finally meet you Agent DiNozzo" she woman replied with a small nod.

"Ziva, if you EVER, prevent me from speaking to my girlfriend again, I'll fire you faster than you can answer a phone" Tony stated firmly, but still weakly.

"Understood Agent DiNozzo" Ziva nodded softly.

"And Ziva, it's Tony" the wounded man stated with a friendly smile "I'm looking forwards to working with you" he added before he and Kate started heading for the door again.

"as am I, Tony" Ziva smiled as she watched the couple walk off.

"so are you going to be my nurse?" Tony asked as he limped along side Kate.

"I'll visit everyday" Kate smiled knowing exactly where the mind of her boyfriend was.

"wait, visit?" Tony stated confused.

"you, hospital" Kate stated softly.

"NO!" Tony said suddenly, fear filling his voice as he stopped moving and looked wide eyed at her.

Kate turned to face him, holding him up as she did, she saw fear in his eyes and noticed he was shacking, that could be due to everything he injured tonight but she wasn't sure.

"Tony it's ok, he can't hurt you anymore, he's dead" Kate said softly as she cupped his cheek in her palm again.

"it's not that Kate, it's...it's..." Tony started as he looked around to make sure no one else could hear them "it's McGee, he's so damn boring, he's no fun at all, he just sits there and reads or ...or writes, I was going mad just listening to the damn pages turning" Tony stated, the fear in his eyes falling away and being replaced with a smile which soon spread to his cracked, split and bloody lips.

Kate couldn't help but roll her eyes and smile at the comment, at least he was still Tony, not mental damage done by their dead Boss, but then again, she doubted if you could mess Tony up mentally, he was pretty messed up as it was, with his mind being stuck in the phrat boy gutter.

"how about, I get assigned as the agent protecting you?" she smiled as they started walking again, the red and blue lights flashing from under the door.

"can you really handle being around me 24/7?" Tony asked with a grin as the door was pushed open and two paramedics ran through with a gurney.

"oh, I think I can handle it" Kate smiled as she helped lay Tony down.

......................................................................................................................................................................................................

3 months later...

Kate walked round and into the empty bull pen, she advanced on Tonys desk where she smiled as she placed his coffee on the clearing next to his computer monitor, her smile growing as she thought about her time with him, and how happy he had made her and she him, she thought of what they'd been through in the last three months and how it had made them stronger not only as partners but also a couple, her smile widening as she remembered there first official date, it was at the hospital canteen, Tony had somehow convinced the staff there to get a white table cloth and two candles, the food was the poor tasting hospital food and wine really didn't go with the pain meds Tony was on so they had juice boxes instead, but the effort Tony had gone through to try and make it romantic pulled at her heart strings, making her fall even more in love with him, about a month into their relationship Tony had asked her move in with him, Kate of course agreed and was in the process of moving in, she still had the lease on her apartment until the end of the year, which meant they could take their time in moving in, she'd go to her place and pack a load of her clothes, drive to Tonys, unload them, fill his wardrobe which would make Tony go out and buy another wardrobe, then collect more of her clothes and fill that.

She bit her bottom lip as she stared down at the desk, almost picturing the face of the man how trusted her with everything, even the keys to his mustang, which she would drive every now and then, whenever she wanted a chance from her own car, she'd left Tony in bed this morning, allowing him to sleep as although Gibbs was dead, and Tonys wounds were nothing more than scars and memories now, he still had nightmares, often waking each night in a cold sweat.

At first he wake screaming, waking Kate with him, which she didn't mind as it meant she could comfort him and hush him back to sleep, over time though he just wake up, get out of bed, which is what woke Kate, splash water over his face, take a couple of deep breaths, then climb back into bed, cuddle up to her, whisper he loved her and fall back asleep, but last night was a bad night.

Tony was tossing and turning as he mumbled in his sleep, Kate had been woken up but his erratic movements and tried to wake him, he shot up in bed, eyes snapping open as he gasped for breath, sweat dripping from his face he bolted out of bed running into the en suit where he threw up, Kate was out of bed and in the kitchen within a heartbeat, she returned to his side holding a glass of cold water for him to rinse him mouth out with, he gratefully accepted the cool liquid as Kate sat down beside him on the floor, rubbing his back gently.

When Tony had flushed the contents of his stomach away he sat back, tears filling his eyes, Kate's heart stopped at the sight of this, she'd never seen Tony cry, so this, this scared her, she quickly pulled him into a soft loving cuddle, cradling him in her arms as she rocked softly, placing soft kisses on his head and whispering words of reassurance to him, when Tony was claim enough to talk, he explained what had happened, how this nightmare was different from the others, he could handle the others where he was being tortured again, but this one, he was forced to watch as Kate was tortured and he tried to help her, he begged Gibbs to stop but he didn't he tried to run to her, to make the silver haired man, but it was like he was glued to the spot, and then, then he watched her die and that's when he woke up.

Kate felt a rather large wave of pure hate and anger wash over her as she thought of her old boss, she hated him for doing that to Tony, for hurting him in a way that she couldn't heal herself, for doing more damage to the man she loved that he could of done physically, that wave soon passed as she felt a pair of strong arms snake around her waist, she placed her own arms over his, their fingers entwining in a instant, she leaned back and cocked her head to the side as his lips pressed a lingering softly kiss to her neck making her smile and moan happily.

"I missed you this morning" Tony whispered into her ear before placing another soft kiss on her law line.

"thought you could do with the sleep" Kate sighed happily as she relaxed completely into him.

Kate turned in Tonys arms, she smiled as she slid her arms around his shoulders, their eyes gazed into one another's lovingly.

"you make me the happiest man in the world you know that?" Tony whispered sincerely with a soft smile.

Kate blushed slightly but continued to smile.

"you make the happiest woman in the world, you know that?" she replied just as sincerely.

They both chuckled softly, before their lips met in a long, loving passionate kiss.

"I love you Catlin Todd" Tony whispered as they came apart for air.

"And I, love you Antony DiNozzo" Kate whispered softly before their lips met once again.

They were being watched from the balcony outside the director's office by two smiling faces, the first of which was the Director herself, she had come to love the team as her family and could understand why they worked so well together, she smiled down at the two people she considered her closest friends.

"young love" she sighed happily as she watched Tony Scoop up Kate in his arms and his in his chair with her on his lap.

"do you think they'll go the distance?" Ducky asked smiling at the couple below.

"of course they will" the Director smiled as Kate burst into laughter at something Tony said.

"well, only time will tell" Ducky laughed as he watched Tony pout like a five year old, which cursed Kate to laugh and then kiss him.

"you don't think they will?" Jen asked with a frown.

"well let's just say, that I'm losing the inter office bet on how long they'll stay together" Ducky sighed as he pushed himself off the rail.

"who's winning?" the director asked, already knowing the answer.

"Abigail is I believe" Ducky laughed as he headed towards the stairs.

"they will Ducky, you'll see" Jen smiled as she took one last glance at the happy couple down stairs before pushing herself off the rail.

"Again, director, only time will tell" Ducky smiled as he continued down the stairs.

A/N: okies there it is, a dark but fluffy chapter, one I think would be a good as an ending, may be a sequel if you want one, called: Time will Tell, no idea what will happen in it yet, but I'm sure I can think of something, but in the mean time please review and thank you for sparing the time to read this my first real fanfic.

Thank you all :D