SHOUT OUTS/ANSWERS

DS2010: Yeah, me too.

Long Live BRUCAS: No he wouldn't, but that's his insecurities showing up.

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

Belongs to Donald P. Bellisario.

FIGHT

Tony stared at Kate, unable to believe what he had just heard.

"Did you seriously just offer our place to a total stranger?" he demanded. What is she thinking? We have no idea if she's a terrorist or an axe murderer or something, he thought to himself.

"She has nowhere else to go!" she defended. I can't believe he's being so unreasonable. This isn't like him, she silently fumed. This woman needed their help and he was being incredibly paranoid and selfish.

"No he's right. I shouldn't be intruding. I mean, you guys don't even know me," the woman stated. I can't expect them to take me in. I'm a stranger and for all we know, I'm a terrorist who's planning an attack, she thought to herself. The man had every right to be suspicious of her. In fact, she would've been surprised if he hadn't been suspicious of her. At this, Tony sighed. Damn it. I sound like a jackass, he thought to himself.

"No, no, it's fine. I was just…caught off guard," he assured her. "She's right. You need a place to stay and we do have a guestroom," he continued.

APOLOGY

Hours later, Tony helped Kate into the hotel room that they had rented for the night.

"Here. You just rest and I'll go draw you a bath," he told her.

"Thanks," she said, smiling at him.

"No problem," he responded, returning the smile.

"I'm so sorry. I let her fool me. I wasn't thinking," Kate apologized. "I'm such an idiot. I should've been more suspicious. I worked for the Secret Service protecting the President for crying out loud," she continued. Can't believe I screwed up like that, she thought to herself.

"Hey, you have a good heart," Tony replied as he pulled her close. "And it's one of the things I love the most about you," he continued as he kissed her and she smiled at him. She's amazing. And I don't want her to change, he thought to himself.

"I love you."

"I love you." They smiled at each other and kissed again. Then, Tony went to draw the bath for her.