Title: Only time will tell.
Author: T'PeeJ
Pairing: Kate/?
Spoilers: Bete Noir
Summary: After all that happened day, Kate finally gets home and she gets a visitor.

Kate turned on the boom box and put the CD in. As she hit play, there was a knock on the door.

Softly in the background Yo Yo Ma played the cello in it sweet sad tones.

Kate opened the door to find Ducky standing there. "Ducky," said Kate. "Is everything all right with Gibbs?"

"Yes, Caitlin, Jethro is fine," said the Doctor as he removed his hat. Kate moved so the man could come into the apt. "I am here to check on you."

"I'm fine," said Kate. "I was just going do some warm-ups to dance a little."

"Bullshit," said Ducky as he took his coat off. "You are not fine. Jethro must have given you lessons on the bullshit today." Ducky sounded more tired then ever. "I don't understand either one of you, two. So stop with the acting and just let it all out."

Kate took a step back from the Doctor. She had never seen him act this way before. "Ducky, I don't know what you mean," said Kate. She watched the older man walk a cross the room to a chair and he sat down in it heavily.

"You know the saying is right," said Ducky. "That youth is wasted on the young, but you two take the bloody cake." Ducky dropped his hat onto his lap, looking up at Kate. "Caitlin, you and Jethro almost got killed today. If you had stabbed that man, you would be dead now. Jethro didn't wear a damn vest again. He is going to die if he keeps this shit up. I don't really want to bury any more friends."

Kate moved closer to Ducky and got down on her knees in front of the man. Taking Ducky's hand, "Its part of the job, Ducky,' said Kate. "You know that better then any of us."

Ducky leaned forward and kissed Kate on the forehead. "I know my dear, but I am old and tired of losing the things I value the most," said Ducky. "So please grant an older man a little piece of mind. Well you please be more careful in the future? I don't want to lose you yet!"

Kate smiled at the man and leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. "Yes, I will Ducky," said Kate.

"Thank you," said Ducky. "I've all ready chewed Jethro out about this. If he asks, you got the same thing." Ducky smiled at the young woman. Oh to be that young again. Though he did put the hit on Viv, for some reason he never did on Caitlin. All right, he had seen the way, Jethro looked at her. He wasn't in the mood to get hurt by that man.