Don't Let Me Fall

By: Ally-Rae

Summary: When tragedy befalls Kate, will anyone be there to save her. Rated for language and subject matter. Tate.

Disclaimer: NCIS doesn't belong to me.

A/N: This story deals with the subjects of rape, self-harm and depression. If you are uncomfortable with any of these subjects, please do not read this story.


She remembered the night. The dark, the cool breeze that rustled the leaves on the trees. She walked through the park, on her way home from the coffee shop. She thought she was safe. But then she felt the hands. Those strong, callused hands that held her down. His breath that smelled like chewing tobacco and alcohol. She couldn't see his face, but she felt the stubble on his chin as he rubbed it against her neck. But she remebered those eyes, those piercing brown eyes that bore into her like a rusty nail. He smelled like smoke, like a bar. She tried to fight. She tried to scream, but he muffled her cries. She felt the grass against her arms, as they lay pinned at her sides. He held her there, as he unzipped his pants and hiked up her skirt. She cried, hot tears pouring down her face as she begged him not to. But he was relentless. He left her there, as he stumbled away in a drunken stupor. She lay there for only a moment, before running. She ran home, as fast as she could. All she wanted was a shower. But in her mind she knew that she had to report the crime. She got her car, and drove to a hospital, even though she didn't want to. She wiped her tears and entered the emergency room. She felt so dirty. The receptionist at the desk looked concerned as she asked for her name.

"Caitlin Todd."

The report had been written up, the tests and the samples had been taken, and she was finally free to go home. She entered through her front door, and immediately locked it behind her. She removed her clothes and jumped into the hot, steaming shower. She scrubbed furiously, trying to rid herself of her feeling of dirtyness. She scrubbed so hard, turning her skin a bright red, before collapsing to the shower floor in uncontrolable sobs.

When the shower urned cold, Kate picked herself up off the floor and made her way to her bedroom. She slid into some warm pajamas and climbed into bed. She wrapped her arms around her pillow and drifted off into an uncomfortable and nightmare-filled sleep.


The next morning, she got up out of bed and began getting ready for work. She still felt so dirty, but didn't want to cause any suspicion, so she decided to go to work anyway. She drove to work, tears filling her eyes as she drove past the park, and the hospital. When she reached her destination, she took a moment to compose herself and wipe the tears from her eyes. She then painted on her best smile, and headed into the office.

"Good morning Kate." Tony said cheerfully as she entered the bullpen.

"Morning Tony." she mumbled as she sat down at her desk and began working on the pile of paperwork that was sitting there. Tony looked confused for a moment before continuing with his work.

When Gibbs entered he bullpen, he greeted Tony with a gruff "DiNozzo." He then walked to Kate's desk. "Good Morning Kate." He laid a hand on her shoulder. Kate immediately flinched and pulled away from his touch. Gibbs was concerned, but he didn't voice that he was. Throughout the day, whenever Tony or Gibbs tried to talk to her, she would mumble a quick reply and duck back into her paperwork. If they tried to touch her, she flinched and pulled away quickly. They would then share a look of concern.

It was a slow day, with no new cases until late in the afternoon. A Petty Officer, found dead in a park in Norfolk, raped and murdered. When Gibbs told the team, Kate immediately stood and ran for the bathroom, tears filling her eyes and her stomach turning. She threw up. When she returned from the bathroom, she requested the rest of the day off. Gibbs granted her request and she left.

"Boss?" Tony turned to Gibbs. "Do you think she's OK?" Tony was concerned.

"I'm not sure Tony...I'm just not sure." Gibbs stood, lost in thought for a moment before grabbing his badge, keys and gun. "Let's go DiNozzo."

"Yes boss." Tony did the same, stopping only for a moment to stare at Kate's empty desk.