New chapter! Hope you'll enjoy it :-) I do NOT own NCIS.

The bright rays of the morning sun warmed her face up, awakening her from her long sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, confused about the place she was. She looked around. It took her a few seconds before she recalled what happened the last evening and remembered that she was with Tony. Kate concluded that she must have fallen asleep. But the day before was Monday, Kate realized that she was too late to work. Within seconds she rose from the bed. The brunette was just about to leave the room when she ran against Tony, who was about to walk in his bedroom.
"Oh, Sleeping Beauty decided to wake up! I was just about to give her a kiss so that she would awake from her long sleep", he greeted her with a teasing grin on his face.
"Ha ha, Tony, very funny. But not as funny as the fact that we're late too work! It's Tuesday in case you forgot!"
Tony calmly nodded, "Don't worry, I got a call from Gibbs earlier, he said we shouldn't come to work today."
"Why so?"
The agent shrugged, "I don't know. I guess he's mad that we're at a dead end with the case?"
"Okay, but the way I know Gibbs he doesn't give up."
"He probably has a plan. Whatever, it doesn't bother me."
Kate gave him a sighing look, "Really? Because I remember that you're the one being crazy over this case the entire time, saying that we will solve it and..."
"We will. But I trust Gibbs and if he has a plan and feels like we should take a day away from the case it's fine by me", Tony interrupted her.
"I guess you're right."
"Of course I am. So, are you hungry?"
"Starving", she corrected him.
"And what would you like to eat?"
"Let me think... a huge cake with cream and roses on it, a huge chocolate fountain, lobster sounds good too, umm... also I'd like a burger, Pasta and... a light salad."
Tony laughed, "Dream on."
"Alright. I don't care, I'll take a shower at my place and then I'll come back here and in the meantime, you make me tasty breakfast."
"I think I can handle something."
"Good", with that, Kate disappeared through the front door.
Tony looked after her before he went in the kitchen and started to prepare the breakfast. He decided to make pancakes because they were easy and quickly made.

At her own place, Kate quickly went into the shower. When she was done, she quickly made her hair and makeup and brushed her teeth before she changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater. As soon as she was done she took her car and drove back to Tony's apartment.

While the pancakes where in the pan, Tony made the table ready and turned the radio on to have some music in the background. Earlier he wasn't lying. It didn't bother him that Gibbs told them to take their day off, because that gave Tony and Kate time to spend together. And who knew when Tony would leave this place? He for sure did not know, and he knew he would spend as much time with Kate as possible.
Just when he was done making the pancakes and putting the plates on the table, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in", Tony called before he heard the door open and close.
"I hope you made something good", the sound of a lovely voice came in Tony's ears, making him turn around.
A smile appeared when he saw Kate coming closer, "I hope you like it", he said, stepping away from the table to show her the pancakes he made.
She nodded, "As long as you made them good."
"As promised", Tony replied before he pulled one of the chairs back, symbolizing her to sit down.
"Wow, Tony, I didn't know you could be such a gentleman", Kate exaggerated complimented him.
He grinned before sitting down across from Kate, "I always told you that I'm good with women."
"Sure, that's why you're still unmarried, right?"
"Ha ha."
"Didn't I already told you that you got target fixation when it comes to women?"
"I can't believe you still remember that..."
Kate grinned, "Well, how else could I be your worst nightmare?"
Tony didn't reply to that, because she in fact was his worst nightmare, literally. After all, Tony suffered from those nightmares about her death ever since she was killed.
"Is everything okay?"
Tony nodded and put a smile on, "Of course. As long as you like the pancakes, everything's fine."
"Then don't worry, cause they're really good."
"I'm Italian, of course I can cook."
"You're pathetic."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"If it makes you feel good, go ahead."
Tony grinned, "I don't think that I'll continue making you food with that attitude!"
Kate put her index finger to her lips, symbolizing him that she wouldn't tease him anymore.
"You see, doesn't this feel way better?"
"No", she shook her head.
When they were done with eating, the two brought the now empty plates back in the kitchen, where they immediately cleaned them. Until now Tony hadn't realized that they worked perfectly fine together even in everyday life. It came so naturally to both of them to just be together, decide who has to do what, to eat together, clean together. All these things were important and it worked for them.
When they were done and the entire place was clean again, Tony turned the radio out while Kate washed her hands in the kitchen. Kate turned the water off and went to join Tony in the living room when she suddenly stumbled over something. Tony turned around in the right moment, catching her in his arms.
"Better watch where you're going", Tony smiled, still having his hands around her.
"Good idea", she nodded.
For a moment, the time somehow stopped. The two looked into each others eyes.
Slowly, Tony's face came closer to hers, and hers came closer to his. They closed their eyes just before their lips met. It wasn't like it was the first time Tony kissed someone. But this time he kissed the person he wanted to kiss for a long time, for ages! He pulled her closer, feeling her hands wandering up, laying down around his neck. He had been waiting for this moment for so long. For years he thought that this would never happen. He already lost all his hope. And then he got here, got a second chance. He used that chance. And it was definitely worth it.
After a few seconds they moved apart, but their bodies were still touching, their faces only a few inches away from each other.
A small smile appeared on Tony's face, "Kate I..." He had been waiting for this moment to come for so long, he couldn't possibly back away now, "I love you."
Kate looked down, slowly backing away from him, turning away to not see his face.
Tony not only felt the time standing still but also his heart breaking. Did it mean what he thought it meant? "I just... wanted to tell you that for so long. It's okay if you..."
"It's not that", she quietly interrupted him.
Tony felt relief. He stepped closer to her, gently turning her to him, again, only a few inches away from her face, "What else would it be?"
"Did you forget?"
"Forget what?"
"It."
"Could you be a little bit more specific about what it is?"
Kate sighed, "The damn rule twelve, idiot."
Tony finally understood, "Well... actually, the rule says that we're not allowed to sleep together, not that we're not allowed to be together."
She gave him a serious look, "Tony."
"I know. But I meant it, Kate. I love you. And I want to be with you. I respect Gibbs and his rules and I know that he just doesn't want coworkers to come together and break up again to work together, but... this probably sounds cheesy, but I want to be together. I've never been in love with someone as much as I am with you and I like that. And I'm not letting anyone, not even Gibbs, stopping me from being with you."
Kate was speechless. No one has ever said such a sweet thing to her. Without looking away, she took one of his hands, "I love you too, Tony."
A big smile came on Tony's face, followed by the same expression on Kate's face. "Listen, I'll talk to Gibbs, okay? And if he's still against it, fine. But this is the best day of my life and I won't let Gibbs tell me to not be happy."
She nodded, "Okay", before she kissed him.
"I could definitely get used to that", Tony said, making Kate giggle.
Tony knew that talking to Gibbs would not be easy since he already had that talk once about E.J. But maybe this time Gibbs would approve. It was definitely worth it and Tony wouldn't give up easily.

I hope you liked it! Next chapter will come soon :-)