Spoilers: Twilight. Duh.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS. Nobody would be dead. Seriously.

Author's Note: Twilight has made me so angry. I want to shoot something.

5/30/05

Kate Todd's funeral was on Monday. Six days after her death.

Everyone was crying- except for Gibbs, that is, who was still consumed by hatred for Ari Haswari and himself, for not protecting her as she protected him.

Abby was leaning on McGee's shoulder, sobbing into his jacket as they lowered the casket into the freshly dug hole, leaving Kate to rest forever in a dark oblivion.

Tony, too, watched impassively, but tears were rolling down his cheeks and his vision was blurry. Palmer was even there, sniffling alongside Ducky, who was whispering his own good-bye.

They'd already made their statements, but the team really couldn't find a way to say good-bye properly. What were they supposed to say about her? She was a good agent, a great person...but that really didn't cover everything. No words did.

No one had really said what their private side said about Kate. They couldn't, with everyone listening. They'd all come back, with flowers, an unspoken agreement. Her headstone would always be bright, happy, to remind them that she wouldn't want them to sulk. They just couldn't help it.

The first shovelful of dirt was thrown back over her casket. The silent watchers, dressed in black from head to toe, watched as she was completely covered. She'd never see daylight again.

They half-expected the rain to come, like it did in the movies. But no, it was a sunny day. The sun Kate would never see again.

Dammit, Ari was going to pay.

5/31/05

"Go home, Tony," Gibbs said as Tony's head threatened to fall onto his desk. "Get some sleep."

"I'm fine, boss," Tony managed over a yawn.

McGee even eyed him skeptically. "Uh, Tony? I think Gibbs is right."

"Thanks, Probie," he said sarcastically.

Gibbs glared at him pointedly.

"Fine." He shoved all the papers in his briefcase, and absent-mindedly looked over at Kate's desk. Still empty. Nobody had touched it. They weren't getting a replacement any time soon, if Gibbs had anything to say about it.

He waved at them as he exited the bullpen, realizing how tired he really was. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, due to Kate's funeral. He felt like he had the day after Kate's death.

He realized no one had gone today to put flowers on her gravestone. Somebody was going to, he was sure, but since he was first off work and had some time himself before they came, he got a nice bouquet for her and drove to the cemetery.

It was deserted, except for a couple of people visiting the dearly departed. Her gravestone was alone, apart from everyone else's, and simply said her name and dates of life and death.

He put the flowers down.

"Kate- I know I've never really been serious around you, but after you died...I couldn't..." He stopped. "What I'm trying to say is, nobody laughs anymore. Nothing's happy anymore. Gibbs is on a revenge streak, and he withdrew his resignation because he realized that he needed to wrap up a few loose ends- but I think before long he'll go back to solitude...Abby hasn't stopped crying, McGee's been off-track lately. He stops and stares straight ahead for a while...I can't do that. Your desk is straight in front of me. Ducky has yet to say your name. Palmer's stayed at home for a while now, we just saw him yesterday, when you- during your- the funeral, you know. And me? I've been...I've been better. This killed me more than the plague. Why'd you have to die, Kate? After you got shot the first time-"

He broke off.

"Why wasn't it me? Why wasn't I shot in the head?" he sobbed, his voice raised.

"Very well, Special Agent DiNozzo. You shall be shot in the head," a familiar voice said.

Tony looked up, and through his tears, he saw Ari Haswari. Before he could raise his gun, a shot echoed through the solemn cemetery, and a body fell to the ground.

Author's Note: I know you all care so much. Review.