They were silent until they reached the car, Tony fingering the keys awkwardly. Hey, Kate? he asked softly. Would you drive? My head is killing me.

She took the keyring from him and grinned. Sure, but I'm only making one stop. My ribs hurt so bad I'm ready to die.

Gee, guess I'll just have to suffer another night with you then, huh? Well, Ducky did want someone to wake me up during the night. They slowly climbed in the car and he leaned over to give her a kiss.

Just as long as I stay off my ribs. She pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home.

During the quiet drive she thought about the afternoon. Not about the case, but about the moment when the building erupted in flames. Of course there was fear in that instant, but it was only the fear of getting the group of agents immediately around her to safety. She realized that she never once worried about Tony during the explosion and it took her a few minutes reflection to realize why. She knew he was okay. Somehow she felt or believed he was safe. She remembered this morning in the shower, it seemed like days ago, she'd had that fear that she'd lose him. Now as she poked and prodded that tender spot she found that though she'd gained another physical wound, perhaps she'd healed the very last of her emotional ones. Even if this relationship wasn't meant to last, and she prayed that it would, Tony had given her the gift of abiding love. Knowing that he'd always be there to catch her if she fell gave her strength to let go.

Tony leaned his head back and closed his eyes. It was a relief to just ride for a while. His thoughts drifted toward Kate and the explosion earlier, the feeling of a tightness around his heart until he knew she was out safe. Now the need to just hold her was overwhelming. With everything they shared he discovered that she gave him something no one else did; the simple right to be human, with all the flaws that go with it. He was used to his father, his teachers, his coaches, even his girlfriends expecting him to be the perfect man. It was exhausting, not to mention impossible. Kate simply smiled and stepped to his side to be his partner, not his critic. With her, to need help wasn't to fail, to make a mistake wasn't to risk dismissal. Even if this relationship wasn't meant to last, and he prayed that it would, Kate had given him the gift of unconditional love. Knowing she'd always have his back if he needed help gave him the courage to let go.

Kate parked his car next to hers in the back parking lot of her building. She looked over at the seemingly asleep man next to her and gently stroked his cheek. When his eyes opened she said quietly, We're home.

Home. Sounds good. Do we have to move?

And here I was hoping I'd get you to carry me, Kate teased.

Let's see, you or the food. Sorry, Todd. You walk, I'm carrying the food. He grinned at her and dragged himself out of the car, groaning.

Typical guy, always thinking about his stomach. Kate climbed out slowly, gasping as her ribs ground together. Tony was at her side in an instant, despite the pain in his head.

Geez, Kate! Why didn't you tell Ducky how bad this really was? His voice was thick with concern.

Because I didn't want to be in a hospital, I wanted to be home with you. Now let's get inside and lock the door before Ducky and Gibbs try to come take me away!

Tony gave her a warm smile. Yes ma'am!

They had just closed the door behind them when Tony's cell phone started to ring.

Glancing at the caller ID as he opened it, exhaustion gave way to giddiness. NCIS Outpatient Ward, Trauma Unit.

Where is she? Gibbs snapped.

Well, hello to you too, Boss. Tony grinned over at Kate who had stretched out on the sofa.

Damn it, DiNozzo! Her cell phone isn't on and I want to talk to her now! Gibbs was clearly angry, but the undercurrent of concern was evident.

Tony extended the device in Kate's direction. Sighing, she plucked it from his hand and spoke preemptively.

I'm laying down, I'm resting and I'm not going to the hospital to do the same thing there in an uncomfortable bed where they wake you up every few hours to poke at you. If you want, Ducky can come check on me tomorrow after 10 a.m., otherwise I'll see you on Monday. Goodnight Gibbs, get some sleep yourself. Without waiting for a response, she flipped the phone closed.

You do realize, no one's ever hung up on Gibbs before and lived to tell about it. Tony was struggling not to laugh.

Kate smiled. What's he going to do, fire me for wanting to sleep in my own bed? An evil grin crossed her face as she continued. Fine, after this case, I could use the rest.

At that he gave into the laughter he'd been holding back and stumbled his way into the kitchen, turning on the flashlight he'd left there the previous evening. He put away the food and then fixed sandwiches for them, carrying the modest supper into the living room. He set the plates on the coffee table and lit two candles, turned off the flashlight and helped Kate to sit up so she could eat. There wasn't much conversation during the meal, but the need to be close to each other kept them touching as much as possible.

They cleaned up their dinner plates and then headed down the hall, arms around each other. Lighting candles in the bathroom, Kate glimpsed her filthy and disheveled state in the mirror. A shower, even a cold one, would be preferable to sleeping in grime. Tony leaned around the doorframe to check on her as she was undressing.

Whatcha doing?

I refuse to put my filthy body in our bed. The possessive just slipped out; she didn't know when she stopped thinking of it as her bed. I have dirt and grass stains from top to bottom and I can't stand myself another minute.

Tony stepped over and helped her remove her clothes. He didn't want her to put any pressure on her ribs, and he enjoyed the feel of her in his hands. Her eyes drifted closed and she sighed with pleasure. When the last of her garments were removed, she opened one eye and reminded him he could probably wash up as well.

Is that an invitation? Because if it is, I accept. And I'll even do all the scrub work; all you have to do is relax. He grinned happily at her as he stripped off his clothes, started the shower and helped her in. Truthfully, he was concerned about her ribs, so the fact that he was helping her eased his mind some. He began to carefully wash her, making sure to take extra care around her injuries.

Mmm, Tony... I love the feel of your hands on me. Kate's eyes were closed and she was enjoying the soothing sensation of her lover's touch.

Kate, I'm trying to be a very good boy here and see to it that we both get clean enough for bed. Do not start purring at me in that sexy voice. Kate's soft skin and enticing curves were tough enough to ignore in silence.

Can't help it. I like the way you make me feel. She was tired and breathing still hurt some, but she found herself needing him more than sleep, more than air.

Oh, Kate, he groaned as he slipped her past him, allowing the cool water to sluice down her body while he scrubbed the dirt from his own. She reached out her hands to assist, but he grinned and leaned forward to kiss her.

I don't think I dare let you help, Honey. We just might never make it out of here. He finished washing and moved under the water spray, Kate brushing her body against his provocatively. He gave a small growl, uttering,

She gently leaned her head back and laughed. I'm only teasing if you can't have it. Trust me, anything you see, you can have. As many times as you can manage it!

That's it! Out! He twisted the knob on the shower and had her standing on the bathmat in seconds. You are a vixen, you know that? He grabbed up a towel and began to dry her off, taking extra care with her leg wound. I told myself to be good tonight, to let you rest; when I saw how much your ribs were hurting you, I was determined you'd get a good, healing night's sleep. He'd worked his way up her body and was now looking her straight in the eye. Never mind that the only thing I wanted to do was to bring you home and make love to you until dawn.

As he spoke she found herself clutching the well-formed biceps, and not just for support. Her eyes were wide and her mouth dry. As her tongue darted out to lick her lips she saw his eyes follow it, as if mesmerized. In a low voice she responded to the words that had already caused a tightening deep in her belly.

I'm worried about your head, I don't want to make it worse. But I do want you; I want to wrap myself around you, feel your heartbeat next to mine. I want to be tangled up with you, be part of you. She looked in his eyes, dark in the flickering candlelight, and whispered, I love you Tony, please let me show you how much...

He didn't care about the water droplets clinging to his body or the rivulets trailing from their wet hair. In that instant all he cared about was the woman in front of him as he dipped his head down to capture her lips. Pulling her dry body against his damp one, he danced her backward to their bed, rolling his hips to hers, teasing her with his arousal. He loved the little sighing whimpers she made against his mouth. Gently, he eased her onto the bed and slid in next to her, taking time to stroke her breasts and belly, grinning in delight.

she sighed, slightly shaky. Please, please... She lifted her hips slightly in silent supplication.

Please what, Kate? Tony gently pressed his long frame against her side and whispered in her ear. It was his turn to do the teasing. With his fingers he drew lazy circles around her abdomen. Her hands were frantic on his, pulling them to the places that craved more than mere touch. But he was in no mood to rush, and his long lingering strokes sent her passion careening out of control. She grabbed his hips in a futile attempt to drag him across her, and clawed at his chest and arm when he refused to surrender to her body's demands.

Although he found this wildness in her exquisitely arousing, he proceeded to lavish attention on those areas he'd neglected: her strong jaw line, the curve of her neck, her delicate collar bone, the swell of her breast. His tongue traveled joyfully along sweet flesh, Kate's pleading moans stoking the flames of his desire. Deciding they'd both endured enough tantalizing torment, he gently rolled their bodies together, keeping pressure off her injured side. Calming her desperation with gentle strokes of his hands, he whispered, Trust me, honey. Let me love you slowly.

Gradually she subsided to sighs and whispers, fingers skimming over his soft skin. He answered her with whispers and caresses of his own as she matched his rhythm. Their kisses became teasing, sharpening their hunger. Sighs became pants and gasps, arms and legs entwined, the need to possess each other overpowering. Driven by something she didn't understand, Kate nipped at his shoulder, marking him as hers. The growl he let out as she left her brand on him heated her blood to near boiling. Nibbling on the satiny skin, she moaned as his hands touched and teased every part of her. Caresses seemed to carry sparks, sending tingling sensations racing along their skin. There was a subtle shift in the tempo as they became desperate to satisfy each other. As the pulsating wave of exhilaration washed over them, Tony cradled Kate's injured body protectively. Sighs and whispered words of love spilled from lips still grazing flushed skin. Slowly they calmed, still entwined, and drifted off to sleep.