Tony and Kate walked into the hospital at 6:30 the next morning. He was wearing a suit and she felt shabby next to him in her sweats. They registered in Outpatient Admitting and were directed to the waiting area.

"I meant to tell you, if you see Larry today and you get a chance, tell him I'm sorry about Jeremy."

"If I get a chance, yeah, I will." Tony thought back three weeks to the end of that case. Kate had taken the suicide of the young man hard, even though she'd known it was a very real possibility.

"Thanks." Too many people died on that case, too many that hadn't needed to. She hoped that in some way the help they received from Larry would help him today as his trial began.

They waited a little while longer before being called back to an outpatient room. There Kate changed into another unflattering hospital gown. Then the nurse went over her vital statistics, what seemed like a dozen consent forms -- she listed Tony as her contact -- post-op procedures and care and probably something else important, but Kate was too overwhelmed to keep up. She merely nodded along, signed the consent forms, which she skimmed over, and then lay back on the pillow. After a brief respite, Dr. Haines came in.

"Good morning, Kate. I take it this gentleman must be Tony?" She extended her hand.

Tony took it and introduced himself. "Tony DiNozzo, I work with Agent Todd."

"Oh. I was under the impression that you were involved with her, not just a coworker."

"Oh, no, we are, I mean..." Tony blushed slightly as he set the misconception right. "We are involved, I love Kate very much. We're also coworkers. I wasn't sure if you were aware of our working relationship as well as our personal one."

"I see. No, of course, I'm not really sure what Kate does these days anyway. Aside from getting injured." The doctor smiled and moved to her patient's beside. "Are you ready for this, Kate?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." Kate gave her doctor a weak smile.

"Any questions about the procedure?"

"Not really. Tony said he asked you and he explained to me what you said. I think I'm all set." Her voice trembled slightly.

Tony broke in, "Doctor, is this something that could have been prevented? Is it somebody's fault?"

"Oh, no. This is just something that happens. The rate is something like one in four thousand or roughly that. But there isn't anything that a woman can do to cause it, or not cause it. Or her partner. Thankfully, we no longer have the death rates from this that we used to. And with the advent of the microtools that we use it is possible to save the tube and ovary, depending on the placement of the pregnancy." Dr. Haines looked from one to the other, waiting for more questions.

Kate picked up on something the doctor said. "What happens if you can't save the tube and ovary?" She wasn't altogether successful at keeping the worry out of her voice.

"Well, obviously we'll have to remove them, but that should in no way affect your fertility. Your other ovary will just pick up the slack. You'll be fine." Dr. Haines rested her hand on Kate's shoulder comfortingly. "Why don't we get in there and take a look first. It has to be pretty bad for us to have to take the tube. Okay?"

Kate nodded in response and reached for Tony's hand. He caught the cold fingers in his warm grasp and slid his thumb over the chilled digits to heat and soothe her.

"Tony, you can stay with her until they come to get her for surgery. The anesthesiologist still needs to talk to her as well. Then you'll need to wait in the waiting room rather than in here."

"Actually, I have to be in court. I don't want to leave, but I have no choice. Can I leave you my cell phone number in case you need to contact me?" His voice was calm, but his distress at abandoning his lover was apparent in his eyes.

"Did Kate give us that information on the paperwork?"

"Yes, I did," she responded.

"Then, you're all set. I hope everything goes well in court for you." Dr. Haines excused herself and Tony moved over to sit on the edge of the bed with Kate. He ran his fingers through her hair and held her close.

"You were right," she said softly. "About it not being my fault. It just didn't feel like that yesterday, you know?"

"Yeah. But it's gonna be fine, Honey. The doctor sounded very positive about everything." His voice was low and soothing.

"When do you have to leave?" His arms felt so comforting, she wished he would say never, though she knew better.

"I know Gibbs said he'd try to fix it so I wouldn't be up first, but with my luck that's exactly when they'll want me." He sighed in resignation.

"Go ahead and go, then. Sooner you're done, sooner you're back here. Okay?"

"Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can. I love you." He gave her a thorough, breath-taking kiss.

"I love you, too!" she called as he left.

Kate didn't have long to fidget before the anesthesiologist found her. He was a tall man with a relaxed manner and he seated himself in the chair near her bed. He ran down a list of questions concerning her history with anesthesia and allergies to medications. After satisfying his questionnaire, he said would be sending a nurse in to set up an IV for her and then he would be back shortly to give her something to relax her. Kate simply nodded and followed along.

The next hour proceeded apace. The IV was administered, the medication was, as well. Kate found herself floating lightly above the surface of her bed watching the activity around her with a detached interest. After a little while she was moved to the operating room and she was momentarily fascinated by the fact that they were pushing her on a gurney she didn't feel like she was laying on. Then she gave up thinking about it and tried to enjoy the ride.

When she arrived in the OR, she made it a point to find her doctor. There were so many people, all wearing masks, she wanted to be sure she was in the right place. She didn't want to come out of surgery minus a gall bladder or something. Spotting Dr. Haines, she called out to her and was relieved when the woman walked to Kate's side.

"Everything okay?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled.

Kate nodded. "Just wanted to make sure you were here."

"I'm here. We're going to get you on the table and then we're going to put you under, okay, Kate?"

"Okay. I'm a little nervous." Kate kept her voice from shaking, but bit her lip to do so.

"I'd be amazed if you weren't!" her doctor replied. "But if it helps, we're all here to take care of you." Dr. Haines moved away as the orderlies maneuvered Kate onto the narrow table. The anesthesiologist told Kate in gentle tones, that it was time to sleep.

"Count backward from 100," said the voice from somewhere behind her.

"100, 99, 98, 97..."