Rosefern: Hey, I just wanted to say that I love your pin name! That's really cool how you picked Kate's alias. Very dedicated fan. Lol.
No! Don't do it! That's got bad idea written all over it! Kate's mind screamed at Jenna, the star of her book, who was about to walk into a trap that was set up by the bad guy, Jake. He wanted to use Jenna as bait to get to the male star, Tim.
Kate suddenly frowned, and set the book in her lap. Was she just arguing with the character of a book? What was wrong with her? She should be working Ari over to get to her. She glanced over at Air, who was deep into his book. She really needed to get back home. She longed to joke with Abby. She missed home so much, that she actually missed Tony's stupid jokes, and him talking about his latest fling. She would give anything to just be with her niece, Brynne, and Abby.
She glanced down at her butterfly tat on her left hip. She loved it, it reminded her of Brynne whenever missing her got to tough. Kate had never gone for more than 2 days with out talking to Brynne. But, here she was, halfway over her fifth day with Ari. Surely, if Gibbs had noticed the difference, or anybody noticed, she would have already been found
Right?
Kate shook the doubting thoughts out of her head. She had to stay positive. She needed to focus on saving herself, she can't become like Jenna, and dependent on Gibbs and Tony to come and rescue her. Kate's eyes suddenly widened. Wait. Jenna. Jake. Tim. It all makes sense! She's just a trap for Gibbs! Just bait, used for luring Gibbs into some complicated trap.
No, that couldn't be it. He would have made it more obvious that she was switched. And he wouldn't be trying to make her fall for him. That would just complicate matters. But why did she feel like there was no escape from this one? That there was no hope whatsoever that Tony and Gibbs are going to break down that door, and shoot a bullet straight into Ari's head.
Nope – it was all down hill from here.
"Caitlin?"
Kate noticed that she had stopped shuddering when he spoke her name. She felt her heart actually lurch forward. Inwardly, she was shocked, and horrified at her reactions to this man. This was the man who held her hostage. This was the man who shot Gerald in the shoulder. This was the man who held Ducky hostage. This was the man who kidnapped her – not once but twice. This was the man who tried to use her friendship with Tony against her. This was the man who faked her death, so he could play some sick game of house with her.
This was the man who she was now falling in love with.
"Yes?" Kate said, trying to keep the hatred out of her voice. Not only hatred for Ari, but hatred for herself.
"What is wrong?" he asked. "You seem to be… distracted from your book."
Kate shrugged. "It's nothing. I just miss my family and friends."
"Ah… I knew that would come along shortly. I'm sorry, but this is the way it has to be if we are to be together. You would never spend more than a few seconds with me alone, never mind date me. Not to mention Gibbs breathing down our necks."
Kate glanced down at her book, just in time to see a tear drop down onto the page. She sniffed, folded the page corner and stood up. "I'm going to bed – I'm really tired." She said, without looking at him.
"I shall wake you when dinner is ready!" Ari called after her, as she shut the door.
Once the door was shut, Kate flung her book on the dresser that held her new clothes in it, and tossed herself onto her bed, burying her face into her pillow.
She tried to be strong. She really did. She never once cried during the whole 5 days that she was here. But now… She was balling her eyes out into a pillow. She hadn't cried this hard since… Tony almost died. She let out a small laugh to herself. What a dumb ass. He was even joking around when he was coughing up blood. His blood. Kate was never one to be squeamish, in fact when she was in elementary school, she was the girl who would be poking the dead birds, and other animals. But seeing one of her best friends cough up their own blood… well that was just to gross for Kate Todd to handle.
So now, here she was, crying her heart out into a pillow.
Gibbs pushed his way through the Washington Airport, Tony and McGee right behind him. Finally, he made it to the parking lot, and Gibbs quickly found their car. Once they were all in, he didn't even wait for McGee to shut his door – he just pressed down on the gas pedal, and screeched his way out of the lot.
Gibbs sped through more than one red light, not caring if he did just miss an accident. He shifted gears, weaving through the slow-moving cars, one-by-one, honking at even slower cars. Tony's face was stone cold, while Gibbs' was a mixture of hatred, and death.
Kate didn't hear the door open slightly behind her. She did feel the warm, comforting hand on her back, making circles. She flipped over onto her back, and saw that she was face to face with Ari. He leaned down at kissed her gently, wiping off all the tears on her cheeks.