[From Kill Ari 2]
"I really did like you Kate….a lot." McGee told her, his voice thick. Claire smiled wryly, her own eyes tearing up.
"We all did." She muttered. The three teammates stared down at the fallen agent with heartbroken expressions. This was the last time they would see her. After a moment Tony reached over to cover her face back up. He walked over to Claire and McGee, wrapping his arms around their shoulders and guided them out gently. As they walked to the parking lot McGee broke off, letting the other two walk ahead to their own spots.
"Can I stay with you tonight? I know Devon cares but I can't really take his sympathy right now." Claire admitted as she stood by her car. Tony watched her expression. He couldn't remember the last time she looked like this. Claire looked up at him pleadingly as the rain poured down on her already wet form, her arms wrapped around her middle. She was so broken, so vulnerable. It nearly broke his heart to see her so distressed. There was no way he was going to deny her comfort.
"Sure thing." Tony nodded his head towards his car and she eagerly followed him. The ride over to the house was silent. Tony kept glancing over at her worriedly, but she paid no attention. She just stared out the window at nothing. They parked at his apartment complex and he quickly walked over to open her door for her. The trip remained silent as she followed him into the apartment.
"There's some of your spare clothes in the bottom drawer of my dresser. Don't want to catch a cold for the funeral tomorrow." Tony gently told her.
"Thanks Tony." She smiled up at him gratefully and made her way into his bedroom, shutting the door behind her. Tony made his way into the kitchen to start up some coffee, just as something to warm them both up. He leaned against the counter, his arms crossed against his chest and let his mind wander.
** "Wow Tony, the night before my funeral and you're brining a girl home." Kate quipped from across from him. Tony rolled his eyes at her implying tone.
"That is not what's happening and you know it." He told her sternly. Kate chuckled.
"But you wouldn't mind if it happened, right?" she pushed, a knowing smirk on her face. Tony scrunched up his face at her.
"What?" he asked her dumbly. Kate scoffed.
"Oh come on Tony! Everyone knows that you have a major crush on her! I can only imagine what you were like in college, probably even more hormonal than you are now. How she doesn't see it is beyond me." Kate shook her head in disbelief.
"Kate now is not really the time for this ok? There is nothing to pursue so just drop it please." Tony told her, avoiding the path that this conversation was going. This was not the time to be thinking about this. Besides all he was concerned about right now is making sure Claire didn't break down on him. **
Before Kate could protest the sound of the door opening brought Tony back to the present situation. Claire walked into the kitchen clad in a large t-shirt, and leggings with her damp hair in a messy bun on top of her head. Tony straightened up and handed her a cup of the fresh brew. She smiled thankfully up at him before taking a sip. Tony patted her shoulder and made his way into the room so he could change into dryer clothes. Claire took her cup and sat down on the couch, curling her legs up underneath her.
** "Comfortable?" Kate asked from beside her on the couch. Claire glanced at her warily, unsure of the underlying tone in her voice.
"Oh don't give me that look. You and I both know that you are beyond content being here with Tony." She scolded.
"Kate this is not the time." Claire scolded, a small blush coming to her cheeks. Kate smirked at her impishly.
"Mmmhmmm, Tony the gentleman to the rescue. I'm sure he's more than willing to cuddle up to you in comfort. That boy cares for you, more than you know. You two just need to own up to it." Kate told her. Claire chuckled into her coffee. Maybe eventually, but now they were both to emotionally compromised for it to mean anything. **
Tony stepped out of the room and made her way over to sit next to Claire, taking the place of where Kate had been. Setting his coffee on the side table, he reached over to take her now empty cup and set it on the table too. He switched on the TV and lounged back against the armrest holding his arm out invitingly. Claire slid over and leaned her head against his shoulder, resting her hand on his firm chest muscles and fisted his shirt instinctively. Tony draped an arm around her shoulders and the two sat in silence, watching the old black and white movie that was on until they fell asleep. The next morning would bring its own perils but for now they were content to bask in each other's company.