"Here is your table," the hostess said, "someone will be around shortly to take your drink order."
"Thank you," Tony said sitting down right away. He looked up from his menu to see Kate getting comfortable; removing her jacket and smoothing her dress in the front. He sensed the same look that had gotten him in trouble many times today spread across his face; he quickly reminded himself that he didn't want another elbow in his ribs.
"What are you smiling at?" Kate asked, finally sitting down.
"Oh, nothing, just thinking about all the different fairy tales that must be out there that we don't know," Tony said.
Kate looked at him and rolled her eyes, "My god Tony, can't you let that go?"
"No, it's so fascinating…" Tony said, as if he was thinking aloud.
"It must appeal to your immature side…" Kate said picking up her menu scanning it for the ideal drink.
"Ha…you know I'm charming…why else would you put up with me for so long?" Tony asked grinning at her obvious frustration. He didn't know why but something about how easily he got under her skin made her that much more fun to be around.
"I put up with you because Gibbs makes me," Kate said flatly; looking up to see a faux "I'm so hurt" look plastered on his face in the dim light.
"We both know that's not true," Tony said looking straight in her eyes. Suddenly she felt her face flush; thanking the decorators for making it nearly impossible for him to notice.
"What do you think about Abby and McGee?" Tony asked; after the waitress left. They'd placed their orders and Kate found herself wondering how long they would have to wait.
"What do you mean?" she asked, wondering if this was one of his jokes or if he was going to be serious for once.
"Well, working under Gibbs, I've always though combining personal and professional affairs to be well…something you shouldn't consider," Tony said, taking a sip of his drink.
"Well…I see what you mean about Gibbs, but don't you think if you really liked the person and really cared for them it would be worth it?" Kate questioned, resting her chin in her hand. Kate finished her drink and motioned to the waitress to bring her another; she wondered what was going through his head, why he was asking about Abby and McGee. Most times his small talk consisted of action movie plots, almost all of which starred Clint Eastwood or John Wayne.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Tony asked, studying his co-worker's face; she appeared to be lost in thought and he wanted to know what she was thinking about. He felt butterflies in his stomach as the thought that she may be thinking about him crossed his mind.
"What? Oh…no…wasn't thinking about anything special," Kate said, snapping from her dreamlike state. She knew very well that she'd just lied. She was sitting there looking at her partner of two years and suddenly tonight he was different. She knew he was attractive, always getting numbers, always getting on her nerves. What changed? He was arguably her type; but she was smart enough to know that he wasn't mentally mature enough to be the guy for her.
"You liar…" he accused smiling, "You just drifted off on me again, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing important…just you seem different tonight…" she said.
"In a good way or in a way that makes you want to elbow me more?" Tony asked, unable to hide his smile.
For the first time that day she felt a genuine smile spread across her face, "a little of both actually." To her surprise she looked down at another empty glass and motioned to the waitress to bring her another. A few minutes later she arrived with the drink and their food.
"I'd like another too when you get the chance," Tony said handing the waitress his empty beer glass.
"So, what about you?" Tony asked.
"What about me?" Kate questioned.
"Would you risk pissing off your boss for a romance inside the work place? Hypothetically of course…" Tony suggested.
Kate couldn't help but laugh to herself, "No sadly, I swore off romance until I got to where I wanted to be with my life and career."
"Aren't you already there?" Tony asked, "You're a tough woman, Kate, and I really admire you for putting up with being the only woman in the office… I know I'm not the easiest guy be around."
"Tony, you seem to forget that I was with the Secret Service." she took a deep swallow of the drink and was beginning to feel the warmth flooding her veins, "And technically speaking I work with two men and a boy. I think I can handle that after growing up with 3 brothers."
The waitress brought their check and Tony grabbed the bill before Kate had a chance to react; whipped out his credit card and handed it back to the waitress.
"Wow…paying for dinner…is this a date?" Kate asked sarcastically.
"Only if you want it to be…" Tony said, signing the receipt.
"Smooth DiNozzo…real smooth," Kate said, getting up and putting her jacket around her shoulders.