A/N: Thanks for being patient...I apologize for the wait...issues...read below if ya'll care lol... Now on to the story.
When Kate returned to work the next morning, Gibbs kept sending Kate curious, concerned glances. She just shrugged them off, or pretended she didn't notice. Gibbs sighed. He'd never get through. She seemed to be open with Tony...or at least more open than with him. Around lunch, Gibbs pulled Tony aside.
"Tony...what's up with Kate?"
Tony swallowed. "Boss. It's not my place to say. She'll tell you when she's ready."
Gibbs looked at him. "Tony..."
"Boss! I promised I wouldn't say a word. She doesn't want anyone to know. I'm surprised she even opened up to me. Give it time."
Gibbs sighed. "Fine DiNozzo. Fine." Gibbs stalked off, and Tony turned around. Kate was looking at him from her desk across the bullpen. He shook his head, and relief passed across her face. He approached her. "Come on, let's go get lunch. We need to eat."
Kate stood. "Alright." she spoke in a quiet voice.
When they returned from lunch, Kate returned to working furiously, avoiding any and all contact with anyone but Tony. Finally, Gibbs pulled her aside. "Kate." he spoke in a low, hushed tone. "What is going on with you?" His eyes spoke of concern.
"I...um...I'm just going through some personal things right now, and I'd prefer to not talk about them."
"Kate, you can't keep this a secret any longer. You just can't. It's affecting the workplace." He took a step forward, toward her. She backed up. He continued approaching her, reaching out tograb her shoulder. She continued backing up, running into a wall.
"No...just stay away from me...no...stop it...NO!" Kate yelled as she pushed past him and fled toward the bathroom. Gibbs stood, shocked and confused at her behavior. The commotion had caught the attention of Tony, as well as many other agents. He watched at Kate ran. He stood up.
"There's nothing to see here folks. Back to work." He said in an aggrivated tone. The agents dispersed. He approached Gibbs. If looks could kill, Gibbs would be a dead man. "I TOLD you to give it time Gibbs. I know you are the boss, but this time, you should have listened to ME!" Tony pushed past him as well, approaching the ladies' room. He knocked. "Kate?" he called. When he recieved no answer, he went in. He could hear her sniffling inside one of the stalls. "Kate?" he tried again.
"No...just go away." she cried.
"Come on Kate, if you don't either let me in, or come out, I'll just have to crawl under the door." he heard a sad giggle, before the stall door unlocked and a teary-eyed Kate emerged.
"Oh Katie." For once she let the hated nickname slip. He slowly held his arms out to her, and she pressed herself against his chest as ragged sobs raged her body. "Ssh...it's all gonna be okay." he held her close and stroked her hair until the sobs subsided.
He guided her over to the counter and lifted her up onto it. He wiped away her tears. "Oh Tony...I didn't mean to go crazy like that. i just...I had a flashback, and I got scared. Gibbs will fire me for sure now. I've made a mess of everything."
"No Kate...you did nothing wrong. Gibbs is concerned, sure. But he shouldn't have approached the situation like that. And I think he gets that now." Tony grinned a bit. "Don't worry. Although I do think you should tell him, you don't have to just yet. You'll tell him when you are good and ready." Kate hugged him.
"Thank you Tony. I...I think he has a right to know, since it's affecting my work. But...do you think you can come with me?" She looked him in the eye.
He squeezed her hand. "Of course I will." Tony rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. He pulled her down off the counter and wrapped his arm around her waist. "You ready?"
"Yeah." She smiled sadly. "Yeah I am."
They exited the bathroom and headed toward one of the interrogation rooms. They met Gibbs in the hallway. Tony met his eyes.
"Gibbs, follow us. We need to talk."
Gibbs' eyes became puzzled and he followed, wondering what exactly it was that he was about to find out.
A/N: Thanks again for being so patient with me. A lot of things have happened the past couple weeks. One of my best friends betrayed me...again...just after she had regained my trust. I don't think I'll ever be able to trust her again. She totally screwed with my head and made a mess of our friendship, as well as relationships between her and a lot of her friends. She really screwed up my life, and I ended up losing people I cared about as well. I almost had a relapse...you know what I mean...but I didn't, thank God. My true friends hae really been there for me through all of this, and I don't know what I'd do without them...thanks you guys! I luv ya:)
And thanks to all my readers for supporting me, and this story. It means a lot:) I luv you guys too:)
I hope to have the next chapter up soon:) -Love, Ally-
