Once inside the store Tony was transformed into the joker Kate was used to seeing at the office. It was almost as if the overhead lighting had triggered the change. He'd pulled out a cart and when she went to do the same he'd teased her about the amount of food one person could possibly need. By the time they'd made it through the produce section Kate had started to wonder if the man who held her in the car with was the same one who now stood at the deli counter making fun of her lunchmeat selections. Thanking the deli worker and taking the package, Kate turned to her juvenile companion with exasperation.
Tony, are you going to put anything even remotely healthy in that basket?
His smile perked up another notch. Now where would the fun in that be? If I ate like you then I might look like you. And I like my figure just fine the way it is, thank you! The tall, unmistakably masculine agent ran his hands down his sides in an imitation of Mae West.
Kate watched his continued hijinks with disbelief. Suddenly she couldn't help herself; the laughter escaped her lips like water cascading over a dam. The more she tried to control it, the worse it became. They stopped in the canned goods aisle for Kate to catch her breath.
Tony stretched and looked all around the aisle. No, I'm pretty sure oxygen is one more aisle over, but I don't think they put it in cans anymore. Explosion risk upon opening, you see. He leaned on the handle of his cart and grinned.
Would you stop! she gasped out. Can't we just get through this?
He quirked an eyebrow at her. Why get through it' when it can be fun? You should laugh more. Or at least smile more. He ran his hand down her back in a gentle, caring gesture before continuing on down the aisle, picking the items he needed as he went, then disappearing out of sight.
Kate, however was momentarily frozen. Was that how he saw her? Was that how they all saw her? Good old stick-in-the-mud Kate.' She began to move slowly down the aisle, lost in thought.
One aisle over, Tony realized Kate hadn't caught up with him yet. As he reached the end, he peeked around to where he'd left her and saw her wandering at a snail's pace. Shaking his head, he decided to try and liven things up again. Riding his cart like a scooter, he zipped past Kate, tossing out, C'mon Pokey! Wanna be here all night?
She stared open mouthed at the man who now waited at the far end of the aisle. Shirt untucked, hair slightly mussed and a cocky grin, he looked back at her. Was he ever serious? No, that wasn't fair, she knew that he could be very serious. Maybe the question was, could she ever be that unserious? Before she could talk herself out of it, she did a very un-Kate-like thing. She gave her cart a push and hopped on, riding it just like Tony had, until she nearly crashed into him.
He smiled, watching her, hoping she would decide to step up her pace just a bit, and then suddenly she was flying toward him, a grin blossoming on her face. Her cart skidded off his and he caught her, just in case she fell. For the second time in as many nights he had Kate wrapped up in his arms. Tonight though, there was no fear in her eyes, only laughter.
The sound of a disapproving snort caused both agents to turn and face the source of the interruption. A store employee first glared at them, then looked pointedly at the carts. Finally he returned his disgusted gaze to the two before stalking off. Tony caught Kate's eye from the corner of his, and they cracked up.
We better get our groceries and get out before they throw us out! Kate was doubled over with tears in her eyes.
Ah, we're just having some fun. But you're right, let's finish up and get out of here. He grinned at her.
They continued through the store, laughing and commenting on each other's food preferences. By the time they were through the checkout, Kate's sides hurt from laughing so much. She said as much to Tony as he pushed the cart containing all their bagged groceries out of the store and towards his car.
Yeah, but it's good for you. It exercises all sorts of muscles. Plus, it makes you feel better; tell me you don't feel better. He looked at her expectantly.
You know, I do actually, apart from a slight queasiness from laughing that hard on a very full stomach. She grinned up at him and was pleased to receive one of his killer smiles in return.
They loaded the groceries into the trunk of the car, left the cart in a designated area and climbed into their seats only to find an awkward silence descend upon them once again. Kate found herself twining her fingers together in a nervous habit she thought she'd long since overcome. The darkness and close confines of the car made the situation feel very intimate and she was having trouble thinking of anything to say. Fingers still knotted in her lap, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her face a mask of frustration.
As she twisted her fingers together an unexpected heat surrounded her hands. It encircled her agitated digits and calmed their restless movements. Then she felt her left hand become gently enfolded in another, a strong hand that softly caressed hers, soothing her earlier distress. She could feel the warmth from his touch steal through her entire being; she gave a small sigh of contentment and allowed herself to relax for the remainder of the ride.
Tony parked in front of Kate's building and looked at his passenger. She still sat with her eyes closed, resting. He hated to disturb her, so he tried to be as gentle as possible. Slowly he brought her hand to his lips; just before grazing the knuckles with his lips, he changed his mind. He turned her hand over and kissed the center of her palm. He heard her soft moan and as she opened her eyes he could read both shock and desire in them. Smiling at her, he released her hand and pointed out the obvious.
We're here, Kate. Let's get your groceries in before they melt in this heat. He got out and went around to her door, but she was already exiting the car.
I swear I think it's still getting hotter, too. Don't forget to bring up your stuff... if you still want to talk. Suddenly shy, Kate grabbed a couple of grocery bags and turned away quickly.
He waited until she faced him before continuing, Do you still want to talk? She nodded, albeit hesitantly. Okay, if you're sure, he nodded in return and grabbed up another bag from the trunk. Other than the sound of juggling groceries, there was silence for the trip from the car to Kate's apartment. Once inside they worked together to get the items put away quickly, then Tony wandered into the living room, but couldn't decide where to sit.
Do you want something to drink?
Depends. What're you going to offer me? Tony walked back to the kitchen.
I was thinking soda. Or water. I have beer, but I think alcohol might not be the best idea. Kate stood in front of the now full refrigerator.
Yeah. Soda's fine. Over ice?
Oh yeah. When it's still in the nineties outside this late at night, practically everything goes over ice. Kate said as she poured the drinks. She handed one to her partner and led the way back to the living room, flipping switches along the way so that the lighting would be sufficient but not overpowering. She sat down on one end of the sofa and looked up expectantly at Tony.
He sat down at the other end, placing his glass on a coaster on the coffee table. He looked down at his hands for a moment then back up at Kate. I don't know where to start. You're my friend and I love you and respect you as that. You're my partner and I care about you and respect you as that. Last night, seeing you falling and the thought of losing you scared me. Really scared me. I don't even know how I did it, I just knew I had to catch you. Then having you in my arms... I don't know, it affected me, somehow. How I look at you. Her eyes were on him, watching carefully, giving nothing away. He took a long drink from his glass and continued. It was as if you were fire, and where you touched me, now I burn. Now I look at you and I see images I shouldn't; images of us, and it's more than just... He looked away. This ground was way too shaky for him to admit his feelings might run far deeper than just some short term physical entertainment. He looked back to her and gave a small grin. Help me out here. Am I insane? Am I in this all alone? Or did you feel something, too?
Kate let the silence hang for a minute while she thought about his words. Finally she spoke, although she was too nervous to look him in the eye. What you said about us being friends and partners, that's how I feel, too. That means a lot to me. Last night, I was just trying to do my job. The fire escape made me nervous, but I pushed that aside to take the pictures. It never occurred to me that that might be how Lieutenant Holder died. One minute I was focusing the camera and the next I was sailing through the air. I was dead, just like Holder. I knew it. Now it was Kate's turn to pause for a drink. She looked up at Tony and he gave her a small smile and reached out a hand. She took it and received a brief squeeze of encouragement. When I found myself in your arms I was shocked, overwhelmed. As I tried to understand what happened, I realized that you saved me. I was cradled by your body, your touch was burning me, and I liked it. When I stepped away from you, it was as if I was torn away from the only safe haven in that alley. I couldn't sleep for wanting your arms around me again, to make me feel safe and protected. She took a deep breath and waited.
Is that all you want? To feel safe and protected? He reached out his arms to hold her, wanting to soothe her fears of falling and having to deal with it alone.
Kate shifted, glad to have Tony's arms around her again. When they settled she was nearly in his lap with her back to him, his arms around her waist. His chin rested on her shoulder, she could feel the roughness of his beard on her cheek.
he inquired and her response was to snuggle closer. She could feel his chuckle more than hear it.
If I'd known last night, I'd have been right here. I'm sorry you had to be alone. Tony closed his eyes and inhaled the scent that was partly floral, partly spicy and uniquely Kate. If this was all she wanted from him, he'd give it gladly, but his heart begged for her to want him just a little more.
Contented, Kate closed her eyes and let her body relax. She'd heard his words and thought about her tormented night. To be fair, fear was only half of it. The other half was imagining how she wanted to thank her very strong, handsome rescuer. And if she were to be completely honest with herself, some of those thank-yous were as far from platonic as two people could get. While her cheeks turned pink, she tried to think through what was bothering her the most. Was it just the near-death adrenaline rush? And would a wild sex' adrenaline rush fix it? Or was there something more? And just which one was it that was causing her more trouble anyway? She sighed.
Fear wasn't the only thing keeping me up last night. Kate wondered how to continue, then decided to just take the plunge. I kept thinking that I should thank you for saving my life.
You did thank me, Kate. When you were in my arms. Besides, that what friends and teammates are for.
Um, no. I meant I should show you my gratitude. Kate waited for him to grasp the meaning behind her words.
Tony smiled, It's fine. Really. You don't have to do anything.
Somewhere between amused and exasperated, Kate turned in his arms so she faced him. Tony, I'm trying to tell you something here, and you are totally missing the point!
Tony looked at her, saw the slight blush coloring her cheeks, the darkening of her eyes and her lips slightly parted. He replayed the conversation, and his eyes widened slightly as he figured out what he thought, hoped, Kate was saying. Moving slowly, just in case he was wrong, he lowered his lips to hers, gently at first. When she met his careful advance eagerly, he deepened the kiss with a groan, sliding his tongue past her open lips, tasting the sweetness of the soft drink they'd shared earlier mixed with her own sweet taste. He slid one hand up her back to tangle in her hair and gently cup her head while the other roamed its way down to find the tantalizing curve of her bottom. He felt her hands wandering up and down his back, threading through his hair, caressing his lightly bearded face and then begin the tour again. Finally, when he thought he would die from lack of air, he reluctantly pulled back, drawn in for one, no two, three more little kisses. Resting his forehead against Kate's, he tried to regain his breath.
Oh, wow! Kate's shaky whisper tickled his ears.
Oh, yeah! He agreed, even if he was just as shaky. I wouldn't mind doing that again, Special Agent Todd!
Kate grinned, pushing him backwards on the sofa and climbing atop him. I have every intention of doing that again, DiNozzo. And a few more things as well.
Tony wrapped his arms around her and chuckled. Is that so, Todd? Now this is a side of you I don't believe I've seen before; very playful. He didn't add that he also found it very sexy; he wanted to keep things from getting out of control. In a slightly more sober tone he continued, As for those other things you have in mind; let's not be in a rush. I don't want either one of us to do something we'll regret.
I suppose you're right. Kate agreed. Dropping her voice she added, but if you knew how long it's been since I've... never mind. You're right.
He slid his hands down her back and cupped her bottom firmly. Looking her in the eye, he replied, Yeah, and you're killing me!
