Kate and Tony looked at each other, then went to gather their belongings. When Kate gasped as she bent to pick up her handbag, Tony glanced at Gibbs, then walked over to her desk and picked up Kate's things for her. Saying their to their boss, they headed for the elevator.

Thanks, Tony. I'm afraid my side really does hurt.

He smiled down at her. Any time. Just ask.

They stepped out of the elevator and exited the building, the outside air wrapping them up like a heavy blanket. Needing the support and wanting his arm around her, she stepped close to Tony, despite the heat. When his arm slipped around her shoulders without a word from either of them, she sighed and leaned into him.

Once they were settled in his car and headed toward her apartment, she leaned her head back and tried to relax. To her embarrassment, tears slipped down her cheeks from underneath her closed eyelids. Feigning eyestrain, she raised her hands to hide the tears. But the warmth of his thumb on her damp cheek told her she needn't bother.

Do you want to talk about it? Her slight headshake disappointed him some, but he continued, Okay, well, if there's anything I can do, just let me know. His hurt over her hesitancy to confide in him was eased as she nestled her cheek in his hand.

Kate spent the ride home thinking. She hated the deceit that they'd done on Larry Martin. Never mind that he and Emily Pederson were criminals, lying just didn't feel right to her. She was just going to have to take a little time to get it out of her system. And speaking of taking a little time, she and Tony needed to have a little conversation. Before they had a little surprise, if they didn't already. She was more than a little worried about how that was going to go over. She wasn't even sure how she felt about it. And over it all was the unrelenting pain. No wonder she had tears leaking from her eyes. Too many emotions and not enough of her to cope with them all right now. A good night's sleep sounded good. A week off in the Bahamas sounded a lot better. She looked up and blinked as the car stopped in front of her apartment building.

Hey, Kate, we're here. Let me give you a hand. Tony came around and carefully helped her to her feet. His warm, supportive strength saw her safely to her couch, and once she was comfortably settled, he kissed her thoroughly and then went to see about dinner.

Where's that flashlight? he called from the kitchen.

I left it in the bathroom, but there's candles all over the place, she answered.

She lightly dozed to the comforting clatter of kitchen activity. Then she heard the strike of matches, and candlelight flickered around the apartment. At last, Tony brought two plates, went back and returned with two wine glasses.

I hope you don't mind, I thought it seemed... nicer this way. He'd wanted to say romantic, but hesitated at the last minute. It was puzzling how he could feel so confident with her one minute and then so shy the next.

Kate looked at the meal Tony had prepared, an exquisite salad creation using a combination of fruits and vegetables from both of their groceries. She looked back up at him and voiced her approval, silently marveling at the talents of the man. They ate quietly for a few minutes, the dish every bit as tasty as it looked. Finally, Kate broached the silence.

About in the car, she gestured with one shoulder, it was just the day catching up to me. I hate having to lie like that, even for a good reason. Between that and the pain it sort of got to me.

Tony nodded slowly. It made a certain amount of sense, but he suspected there was something more. He wouldn't push, though. She'd tell him when she was ready.

Do you think we'll find what we're supposed to find at Pederson's properties? he asked, changing the subject.

I honestly don't know. I hope so. If she really is making crystal meth instead of just distributing it, I'd like to shut her down.

Even if she is just a dealer, putting her out of business is good. Tony commented and picked up the empty plates. There's still some wine left, if you'd like. He paused as he waited for her answer.

Thinking that wine might make the upcoming conversation easier, she nodded.

I'll bring the bottle back out for us.

Glasses filled, Tony settled next to Kate. She sipped her wine and took a breath. You know, when you get an x-ray, they ask you some interesting questions.

The statement caught him completely off guard. Yeah? Like what?

Well, if you're a woman they ask if there's any chance you could be pregnant. Kate held her breath and waited.

Pregnant. The word rolled around Tony's brain a couple times. Oh, boy. He certainly hadn't been doing anything to prevent that. And guessing from the fact that Kate brought it up, neither had she. Pregnant. As overwhelming as the thought was, part of his anatomy leapt at the thought of possibly having proven its virility. Which made his thinking all the more confusing. This could be very scary; he wasn't sure if he was ready for that kind of responsibility. But, Kate... pregnant with his baby? That could be, well, wow, hm... he felt a small smile slide over his face. Pregnant.

Kate had been watching his face, terrified of the lengthy silence. At last there was a slight smile on his lips; she had no idea what he was thinking; was it good? The wait was killing her. Um, Tony?

He refocused his eyes on her, feeling a little giddy from considering the possibilities. Yeah, Kate?

His voice had the husky tone that sent shivers down her spine, the one that had her asking this question in the first place. About... you, me... um, possibly being pregnant. Her halting voice dropped to a whisper.

He tipped her chin up so he could see her face. How soon will you know?

Flushing bright red, she reached for her purse and fished out her PDA. Tony grinned as she poked at the screen, bit her lip and finally put the device away. I should have a pretty fair idea in a week or so, she said.

Then we'll cross that bridge in a week or so. Kate, look at me, Tony said softly. Whatever happens, I'm right here by your side. Where I want to be. Before she could utter a word, he covered her mouth with his -- showing his feelings more clearly than words could state.

Kate leaned back under the pleasurable assault of Tony's loving kisses. She happily returned his enthusiasm, his tender touches. She felt the hazy veil of desire descend, covering her skin with tingling sensation that made her aware of even the lightest of his touches. She could feel the very masculinity of him stealing her breath away, the pure male scent of him filling her instead. The need for him was a physical thing, growing, driving her, conscious thought no longer in control. She began fumbling with the buttons on his shirt, wanting only to feel more of him against more of her.

Kate, Honey, what are you doing? Tony asked, amused, against her eager mouth.

If you have to ask, I must not be doing it right. She was becoming increasingly frustrated with the uncooperative fasteners. Damn this! she whimpered.

Carefully he sat them back up, mindful of her ribs. Looking into her eyes, he was shocked to see naked desire burning there.

Tony, please... she begged.

What about your ribs? Getting pregnant? He didn't know if he could hold out against her if she kept this up.

What about me? I need you, I want you! Don't you want me?

I want you more than you know, Kate. I'm just trying to do the right thing for you tonight. You need to let your ribs heal, Honey. He stood and helped her up. Let's make an early night of it so you can get some rest. Besides, he whispered, if you are pregnant, you'll need the rest for that, too.

They made their way through the dimly lit apartment, blowing out some candles, carrying others with them. Kate was undressing for bed when Tony slipped up from behind her, having finished in the bathroom and extinguished the candles there.

Let me help. She felt his breath on her neck like silk as his fingers undid her bra and slipped it off. He then wrapped his strong arms around her, careful to stay away from her injury, and pulled her tight against him. When he released the embrace she gave him a kiss and reached for her USC jersey. Silently he plucked it from her fingers and shook his head, dropping it on the floor. Keeping his eyes on her, he added the boxers he was wearing to the pile of clothes and slipped into bed.

Kate was shy and nervous. She tried telling herself it was ridiculous to feel that way, but still she wrestled with the feelings. Tony was the first man she'd ever spent a whole night with; others had left well before dawn. Now he wanted them to spend the night naked in each other's arms, for no other reason than just to hold each other like that. Slowly she smiled at this wonderful man she'd been lucky enough to find. Slipping off her panties and dropping them to the floor, she joined her lover in bed, enjoying the wonderfully tactile delights of matching her body to his.