Gibbs and Abby kept watch on the monitor. The lights in the lab had been dimmed, so that Kate could sleep; after a short time it seemed that Tony, too, had drifted off. After nearly an hour, Gibbs was no longer concentrating on any of the paperwork in front of him and Abby could contain her questions no longer.

What's eating you, Gibbs?

The blue eyes never moved from the monitor.

Hey! Look at me. He turned to face her and she continued. You want to try that answer again? This is me you're talking to, not Tony. So what's the deal?

Gibbs saw the concern in his young friend's face and rubbed his own with his hands. It's nothing; just Kate and Tony. He gestured at the screen. The agents depicted on it were now entangled in a manner that bespoke of physical intimacy. I'm not sure that's a good idea.

What's your real problem with it? Is it that you think it will be a distraction? Or that Tony has her and you don't. She felt the ice from his eyes as if it were a physical thing. Make up your mind, Gibbs. You can't have it both ways. She can't be here for you when you want her but not available for anyone else. You've said she's a good agent, and you know you trust Tony with your life. Do you think that they'll suddenly become incompetent because they're lovers? People don't choose who they fall in love with, you know that.

Gibbs turned away and sighed. Why did they have to act on it? he whispered.

I suspect when you've danced on the brink of death, what else is there but life and love?

At first, lying next to her, Tony floated in and out of sleep. As Kate's sleep deepened she wriggled closer to him, seeking comfort. He'd give everything he had to be back at her place, away from the eerie feeling of watchful eyes. He hated that she felt this was necessary, but he respected her too much to overrule her decision. He eased himself into a sitting position next to her, wanting nothing more than to take the fear away yet knowing she had to live through it one more time. He gently stroked her hair and sighed.

The woman on the futon seemed too still, the sedatives dulling her body. Only the rapid flicker of her eyelids and the short, panting breaths betrayed her distress. The man beside her watched with a breaking heart as a solitary tear slid down her cheek, and could restrain himself no longer. Needing to tell her she was not alone, he bent close and whispered gently in her ear. Look around, Kate. Make sure you see it all. To his surprise, her breathing began to slow. He kept a careful watch on her; if there was any chance that he'd helped, he'd be ready to try again.

Quiet settled over the room, and after some minutes Tony dared to hope that maybe the worst had passed. He looked at his watch, trying to decide whether to lay back down with her or head up to the bullpen when Kate's sudden scream shattered the silence. Her body thrashed violently and her arms flailed skyward. He watched as she battled the demon stalking her sleep and hoped, prayed that this would be the last time it would feed on her memories and use them to torment her.

Finally her arms went limp, and he gathered the shaking, sobbing woman into his arms. At that moment his whole world was her, and he cradled her close, his lips to her ear, and began to talk her out of the dream. The swish of the doors and the arrival of Gibbs, Abby and Ducky went completely unnoticed.

Okay, Honey, you did it. You survived the whole nasty thing. And you're not dead because I caught you, remember? You came crashing into my arms and knocked some sense into both of us. So wake up Kate, I got something I want to tell you.

After what seemed an eternity, everyone in the room was gratified to finally hear a very sleepy, Wha' Tony? mumbled by Kate. Then all eyes turned to Tony.

He had been so focused on Kate, he had not spared the others a thought; he'd barely registered their presence. Blushing, Tony bent lower, wishing they would give him some space to keep these words between the two of them private, and whispered, Kate Todd, I think I'm falling in love with you.

Kate smiled, eyes still closed, and said, Good. I'd hate t' be th' only one fallin'. She slid back down on the futon, fumbling for the pillow. When he didn't move to join her she pried one eye open and demanded sleepily, Wha' re you waitin' for? Get y'r ass down here!

Tony turned crimson as the other three left the lab. Ducky's voice could be heard on the way out the door. Never try to argue with someone who's been sedated...