All right, spill! Abby demanded, once she and Kate were settled in the car with the air running full blast.
Spill what? Kate should have known this was coming. Abby was almost as observant as Gibbs.
You and Tony! What's going on? And when did it start? Abby started driving, heading toward a local restaurant that she hoped wouldn't be too busy.
Nothing's going on. Kate tried for straight denial first.
Please! Do you really think I'm that stupid? Try again.
I can't talk about it. At least not some of it. Kate knew if she told Abby how it started she might trigger another panic attack.
Okay. What can you talk about? Abby was extremely curious now. She and Kate had become friends and this hesitancy was a little unusual.
It started at the Holder crime scene.
That's pretty recent.
What else? This was like trying to get blood from a stone!
Um, we went to dinner last night. Kate smiled as she remembered dinner, then tried not to blush as she remembered where dinner had led.
That smile says dinner was pretty good; what happened after? Abby had pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant and turned to face her friend.
As hard as she tried not to, Kate's cheeks pinked up nicely. Um, we... talked.
And that blush says you did more than talk!
Abby, please! I... this is complicated between me and Tony! Kate stared at her lap.
What's complicated? He's sweet and totally hot, you're terrific and totally horny...
What? You know it's true, you told me yourself!
Yeah, but... I mean... you just can't ... Oh Christ! Kate buried her face in her hands. She should have stayed at the office and let Tony be the one to get grilled by the goth girl.
Abby just laughed. Is this just because I know the both of you? Hey, I think it's great. Forget Gibbs and his agents-shouldn't-hook-up rules. I just hope you both had some serious fun last night.
Kate shook her head and gave a small moan. Sorry Abby, no fun, just nightmares. And what's more is I think, maybe, I could be falling in... Suddenly she clapped a hand over her mouth.
Abby's eyes widened at Kate's admission. Falling in... Love? With Tony? Oh, Kate, how does he feel? She watched the agent shake her head. Don't you think you'd better find out?
We're working on it. He spent the night with me. I had a terrible nightmare about... She stopped herself, took a deep breath and continued. We'd fallen asleep on the couch and after he'd calmed me down I decided I wanted to sleep in my bed, not in my clothes on the couch. He offered to stay in the living room, but I wanted him near me. So we finished the night together in my bed.
Abby listened to her friend's story. Kate was clearly still upset about something; she had a good idea what it was now, since Ducky had told her about Kate's fall. Both agents were her friends, she wanted to help them anyway she could. Maybe she should talk to Tony. In the meantime, best to drop the whole subject.
Abby asked. Her friend nodded in response and they exited the car and pushed through the unbearable heat to find temporary sanctuary inside the cafe.
