10

Caitlyn was angry as she opened the door to her apartment. She almost broke the key 'cause she tried to take it out of the keyhole and slam the door shut at the same time. Eventually she got it out in one piece and threw it on the table near the door. The door could be heard through the whole flat and the hallway outside as it chrashed in its frame with a loud noise. She kicked off her shoes, her purse landed near them on the ground.

"Are you crazy?" No response. The room stayed silent. You could not even hear someone breathing besides Kate. "Damn it, Ari. I know you're here!"

This time she heard noises from the kitchen. While she made her way down the hall she prepared her arguments. She decided if she let him take out his few things off her bedroom or if she should throw it out all by herself. She so would break up with him now and maybe also tell Gibbs she knows where Ari was, so he could kill him.

She was not only angry but frantic. He really aimed his gun at her – and he shot. She never saw it was him but the others knew it so it was no question.

But why? They really were in a relationship for one year (in fact it had been their anniversary today) and he tried to kill her? This just couldn't be real.

All of her strength faded away as soon as she saw his face. She knew she would be able to scream and shout or even throw something after him. But she could not hurt him; she was in no condition to break up with him or every other worse thought she just had in mind.

No matter what he would do to her ever she will not be able to tore him out of her life – he just had that certain effect on her.

"You know, I could be dead now! Why did you aim that stupid gun at me?" Kate shouted. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes.

"I did not shoot you, Caitlyn" Ari said in a quiet tone.

"Yeah! I know that. I saw the bullet crashing about 1 metre next to my head into the wall" she tried to fight back the tears because she wanted to seem strong. At least he should think she´ll be seriously ending their relationship. But Kate did not that good and she felt a warm trace down her left cheek. Ari lifted his hand and whiped away the salty liquid before it arrived her lips. Even she was still mad at him (and who could blame her?) she did not push his hand aside. He let his fingers touch her skin a little longer than necessary and then he finally spoke.

"I did not shoot you, my love! You know me, very well, and you know what I can do. If I´d really focused on you or anyone on your team I would not have missed. Caitlyn, you have to understand that. I never will do anything to hurt you!" His voice was calm at first but at the end he seemed desperate, begging Kate to believe him.

"But if... If I believe you then why did you fire that gun in the first place?" she already believed him. And by the tone in her voice she knew that Ari had recognized that, too. He knew his girlfriend trusted him again.

"My mission was to kill Gibbs." He looked Kate in the eyes and found them saying ´I know´ so he continued. "You remember that guy I slapped because he hit you? I've been working with him again and he told everyone about one certain NCIS-agent on my target's team. I told him by kissing you I just wanted to see if I was right about you" At these words she almost forgot she should hate him right now and she reached for his hand. He had used the same line he used in autopsy when she had failed to stab him. "But he did not believe me and then he heard you had to protect your boss. That was the perfect chance to prove I wasn't walking behind enemy lines."

Kate was unsure of what do do. She really wanted to hug him and forgive him everything. But on the other hand she thought it could not be an option. She was supposed to hate him. But she did not. She could not.

"This is ridiculous. We both could be dead. If I had moved only milimetres the bullet would've hit me in the forehead. Or Gibbs could've hurt you when he shot at you."

"I know that and I just came here to remind you of what I said the first time I came here."

Kate knew what he meant and it was now time to let her cover down before it was too late.

"I really do not want you to go. Ever!" she fell into his arms, hugging him tightly and lovely. She swallowed down the tears but was just able to whisper.

"I love you! And I think you do love me, too"

"You know I do!" he whispered even quieter than she had.

He drew back from her embrace and put up his hand, cupping her face. Then he placed a short kiss on her lips. Not giving her the chance to deepen the kiss at the moment he let go off her, instead taking her hands.

"Do you want to know what I prepared as an apology?" Ari smiled and led her to the living-room.

"You prepared an apology but nothing for our anniversary?" Kate asked fake shocked because she knew he would have thought of something.

"Actually, it would work for both but for the anniversary part I have something other in mind."

"So if you don't mind I would rather take the anniversary part first" With that he lifted her up off the floor and took her into their bedroom.

*falling in love with a vampire* *falling in love with a vampire*

When Kate awoke she first was confused to where she was. After she remembered being taken to the hospital and giving birth yesterday the confusion disappeared. But what was coming now wasn't any better than her first condition. Confusion made room for anger and sadness. Without really feeling the wet under her fingertips as she whipped them over her cheeks, she knew she had been crying in her sleep.

She hadn't dreamed of Ari in months. She'd ever missed him but she managed to go on with her life. After all he was dead and would not return to her. But Ziva leaving her and giving birth to his child just made it worse.

*falling in love with a vampire* *falling in love with a vampire*