Here's the second part of chapter 6. I don't really like chapt 7, so I'll have to rewrite it. While keeping the stuff that ties everything in together. Ugh! Also, I'm torn in tow different directions as to how Kate would really react to this situation. So I'm writing an alternative fic. Same base plot: sexual assault, but it'll be much darker. Look for it in the next month. (hopefully) 'S.R. A.18' Coming soon to a webpage near you. :D

AN:OMG that was cheesy. On to the story.

WAIT! Sidebar. :D As to the question "Would Gibbs let Tony have first crack at helping Kate?" I think that for all the fronting that Gibbs does, behind his facade is a man who cares deeply for his partners/friends. If he thought that Tony could help more at that moment, I think he'd let it go.

AND more damn reviews please. The more I get, the faster/better I write. Yup. It's been scientifically proven. (Not really. At least, not as far as i know. hmm.)

AHEM! *cough*sorry*cough* "ON TO THE STORY!"

"I see you've found my CD's," Kate commented. Tony smiled as Sammy Davis Jr.s voice floated into the room. "Yeah. You have about 30 soundtracks. You collect 'em?"

Kate swallowed her spaghetti. "Since I was 14." Tony nodded and they finished their meal in silence.

"You wash, I'll dry?" Kate asked. "Alright," Tony waited until he'd washed a few dishes before saying, "Are you ready to talk about it?" Kate ignored him and continued drying dishes. "Kate-" "The CD's over." she muttered. "It's on repeat. If you were raped-"

"I wasn't raped-" she murmured. "Kate-" Tony started.

She looked him in the eye. "I wasn't raped." she repeated.

"Then why'd you write that poem? It's pretty dark stuff."

"It just came to me. Happy now?"

"No. There's still something wrong with you."

Kate started to walk away, but Tony grabbed her shoulder and turned her around..

Or tried to. Halfway around, Kate cried out in pain and her knees buckled. Tony caught her against him worriedly stared down at her. "What's wrong? What'd I do?" Kate looked up at him with tears in her eyes and slowly pulled the neck of her shirt over to reveal the bruises. "Kate," Tony whispered, "those are handprints. What the hell happened?"

"I was almost assaulted." "Almost?" Tony frowned.

Kate toook a steadying breath. " I went to a bar with Abby the other night. I jog in the mornings, so I left early. In the parking lot, this sleazy guy started hitting on me. I told him I wasn't interested. Then he shoved me up against my car, ripped my shirt, and unzipped my pants. I kneed him in the groin and drove home."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't." Kate started to cry and looked away again. Tony wiped a tear from her cheek.

"Hey, you can tell me anything. Don't cry."

Kate pulled away and started pacing. "I'm just so..pissed off! I shouldn't have a problem dealing with this."

"It's your bete noir. It's every woman's nightmare." Tony soothed.

"Being raped is the nightmare. Not being shoved up against a car! I should be relieved, not scared out of my mind."

"Kate, I hate to ask you this, but do you remember anything odd about him?"

Kate wiped a tear from her eye and shook her head.

"No. Average build, a little taller than me. I couldn't really see him. It was too dark."

"Was there anything in what he said-"

Kate whirled around, her eyes wild with fear. "He knew my name."

"What?!"

"He called me 'Caitlyn'."

"Maybe he just heard Abby talking to you." Tony suggested.

"But what if he didn't?..Oh God. What if he comes after me? Please don't leave, Tony. Please..." Kate trailed off, sobbing. Tony pulled her into his embrace and soothingly rubbed her back. "Shh. I'm not going anywhere."

***********************

They stood that way for a while; his arms wrapped tightly around her while she cried into his chest. When her sobs finally subsided into sniffles, Tony moved back far enough to see her face, but still have his arms around her.

"You okay now?" he softly murmured. Kate nodded.

"Then I think it's time I got you in the sack."

Kate's eyebrows shot up. "So this was all about sex?!" She angrily broke free of his arms and turned away. "I should've known. You are a sexist pervert-"

"No! No. I meant, you need to go to bed. It's 2300 and we have work tomorrow." Tony lifted his eyebrows in emphasis and Kate ran a hand through her hair, slowly exhaling. "God, I'm sorry, Tony."

"It's fine. You're drained and need to sleep. I get that and I plan on sleeping in the living room. You have a big couch."

"Are you sure? I-"

"I'll be fine." he reassured. Kate started toward her bedroom and Tony followed.

"Um, Tony. What're you doing?"

"Tucking you in." he grinned. "Is that what you're wearing to bed?"

Kate looked down at her jersey and shorts. "Well, yeah. What'd you expect?"

"A bra and thong." Tony deadpanned.

"T-"

"Kidding. Get in bed," he urged.

Kate pulled the scrunchie out of her har and crawled under the covers. Tony situated the blankets over her, taking special care to literally tuck her in. He grinned and as he stared down into her eyes, he felt himself leaning over and drawing towards her lips. *No. This is wrong.* Tony conscience ripped him out of the moment and he kissed Kate's forehead instead.

"'Night, Kate." he murmured as he turned to leave.

" 'Night." she whispered. "Tony-"

He turned around.

"The blankets are in the hall closet."

"Thanks."

Kate smiled softly as he left the room and she burrowed down in the covers before drifting off to sleep.

****************

Kate's couch wasn't big, Tony decided. It was damn huge. Especially after he'd removed the back cushions. Tony sighed as he stripped down to his boxers and pulled his blanket over him. He'd almost kissed her. And she would've kissed back. He'd seen it in her eyes. But it was only the stress. Kate herself had told him that they were like siblings; that a relationship between them would never work. So he'd settle for being her protector. *A platonic knight in shining armor.*