Chapter Two.
The ride to the hospital seemed to last forever, although they were ignoring all speed limits. Tony had no idea how bad Kate was hurt. He wanted to ask Gibbs again but the truth is Gibbs didn't know. All they said on the phone was that they've found an NCIS agent who was attacked the night before. No further information on her condition, just that she was still alive.
The closer they got to the hospital, the closer to Kate, the more nervous they both were.
When they finally reached the room and wanted to enter, the doctor called Gibbs to discuss her condition and what would happen further. So that meant bTony was alone and the first to enter. His heart skipped a beat when he slowly opened the door.
She was still sleeping. She had stitches just above her eyebrow. Some cuts and bruises on her arms, neck and face. She was beaten pretty badly and it was clear she gave up a fight to protect herself.
Tony slowly approached her bed, sat down on the chair next to the bed, grabbed her hand and rubbed it nice and easy with his thumb.
She tossed and turned a little before she opened her eyes.
"Hey, how are you feeling? Can I get you anything, maybe some water?" A confused look appeared on her normally beautiful face. " Tony? Where am I?"
"You're in the hospital, you were attacked last night. You don't remember?"
"Attacked? By who? I I… my head." A terrible headache hit her while she was trying to sit up straight and Tony helped her back down. "Here drink some water. It's good for you"
He handed a cup with water, but Kate had some trouble keeping it steady. So Tony quickly took the cup back and said "maybe later huh. Try to get some rest first."
Kate closed her eyes tried to get some sleep but after a while she kept reliving her brutal attack over again and again.
When she finally woke up two hours later, she noticed Gibbs sitting where Tony was.
"How are you Kate?" "As good as I can be, I guess, in these circumstances." She was looking around, trying to find Tony
"I had to sent him to the office. He's checking out a lead. He said he'd stop by again later, in the mean time I'm going to have to ask you a few questions. I know this must be hard on you so I want you take all the time you need okay but the sooner we can id him .." Kate nodded.
Back at NCIS headquarters Tony was talking to Abby and Ducky .
"Ah Tony, tell me how is young Kate doing?" Ducky asked very concerned.
"She's euh I don't know, I guess she's doing okay considering what she's been through."
"I should have known this would happen. How could I be so stupid."
"What are you talking about Abby. You couldn't have prevented this."
"I could, you see four weeks ago Kate told me she had the impression someone was following her or watching her. I told her to tell Gibbs, but she said she would handle it. And I thought she did, because the day before yesterday I asked her about it and she said everything was okay, so I didn't push the matter any further. Stupid, stupid"
"oh dear. I had a case like that years ago. The girl ended op dead."
"Ducky. it's okay Abby, this really isn't your fault. She told you everything was alright so there was no way you could have known. Did she tell you who the stalker was?"
"I think she thought it was her ex boyfriend Dwayne."
Tony typed Dwayne's name in the databank and as soon as it gave his whereabouts he left in a hurry. "Tony? Tony, Wait." Abby called after him but Ducky shook his head. "Remember Abby, men in love are capable doing lot's of good, but they're also the most dangerous. Believe me, I know"
Tony stormed into Dwayne's office, took him by his shirt and pushed him against the wall.
"What the hell, who are you?" "Tony Dinozzo, that's with two z', NCIS."
"NCIS? What's this about."
"Funny man, What's this about, you tell me, you're the one stalking Kate."
"What? She told you this. That's a lie" Tony turned Dwayne around so they would each other and punched him in his stomach.
"Okay okay. In the beginning I was. I admit it, but we've talked it through. After that I swear I left her alone, really. Please let me go."
"Where were you last night?" still not letting him go. "I was in a meeting, I swear, you can check my agenda or ask my secretary. Please."
"I believe you but if I found out you've been lying to me, I swear to god, I'll kill you."
"It's the truth, is euhm Kate alright?"
"Not really"
Tony left, got into his car and started to cry.
