Later that night Kate arrived at her apartment on autopilot; she tried really hard to control her distractions, her daydreams. Her life passed like a movie in her minds eye; she thought of all the good memories she had with her brother and sadness washed over her as she reminded herself there wouldn't be anymore. Her memories of past work experiences flooded through her mind next, followed by romances; soon she thought of the most unexpected event in the past week, more so than the death of her brother. She couldn't stop thinking of the man that had always been there for her, no matter what situation he was in; now all she could think of is running from him, taking both of their hearts with her in the process.

Searching for a medium other than liquor to relax her muscles she wandered over to the stereo and pushed play. A smooth piano melody flowed from the speakers, immediately reminding her of Tony, the one person who cared more about her than himself, and cared for her more than anyone in the whole world. Shaking the thoughts from her head she sat down on her couch, leaning back into the comfort it readily offered. Just as her mind was finally clearing for the night there was a knock at the door. Glancing through the curtains she breathed a sigh of relief, finding her coworker there fidgeting with the zipper on his jacket. She took a minute to watch him standing there and felt her heart flutter as her eyes memorized every feature.

"Hi," Kate said, opening the door with a smile.

He froze momentarily, and then his charming grin spread across his face, "Hi."

"Come in…" she said opening the door wider so he could enter.

"Thanks…thought you might want to talk about going in to interrogate the 'big boss' tomorrow," he said, his green eyes meeting hers and holding her gaze; it was if he was searching for an answer he needed.

"Come on, Tony, you know that's not why you came here," Kate said, lowering her voice.

He stepped closer to her, "you're right…it's not." Moving slowly, he kissed her softly. Kate's first response was to pull away, but slowly she melted into his embrace returning his kiss with just as much emotion as he put in. Suddenly her brain was screaming at her, telling her to pull away, to tell him all the conflicts dueling in her being. Gently she pushed his shoulders back; taking his hand she led him to the couch.

"Tony…" she started, meeting his eyes, "I need to say something."

"I'm here…anything you need," he said, placing his other hand over the one he was holding.

"I need space…" Kate began, averting her eyes, "I can't be involved with someone I work with when we're dealing with such a personal case for me." Suddenly the closeness of him was too overpowering; she wanted to say what she had planned to. Kate rose from the couch, dropping his hands and began pacing the living room.

"Is it just me you don't want to be with..?" doing his best to steady his voice, "or is it everyone?"

"God…Tony…don't make it like that," she said, her voice cracking, "you know I love you like a brother."

"What makes you think that's enough for me now?" Tony asked, fighting to keep his cool, "after what happened between us…I thought it was going to be different."

"It is, it really is, just…" Kate continued, tears now threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Just what?" he asked standing, forcing her to face him, taking her hands in his.

"Just…can't we say that made us closer? It was a special moment…but…" Kate said, watching him kiss both her palms.

"I know it made us closer, but that's not it. God Kate, you weren't the only one there that night," he said, his eyes burning into her soul, "I love you." Kate choked back the new tears forming in her eyes; she couldn't look at him now that he'd said that. He'd said 'I love you', he was giving her his heart and she was stomping on it before it was even in her hands.

"You what?" she whispered.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear. She fell into him at that moment, tears flowing freely; she pulled away from him gaining control of her emotions.

"I don't know what to say…" Kate said, whipping tears away.

"Say you love me too…I know you do…" he said, hope evident in his tone; he searched her eyes for answers while he dried her tears. She began shaking her head 'no', knowing she shouldn't and couldn't do this right now.

"I…I can't…" she said.

"What exactly are you trying to tell me?" he asked pinning her chin in his right hand, so she couldn't look away. "Say it out loud, I deserve to know what's weighing on your mind."

"Please leave…" Kate whispered, pushing his hand away and walking to her bedroom. Tony stood there for a moment, trying to figure out what had just happened. Had they just broken up before they were even really together? He couldn't let that happen; he knew she was scared, and he knew he had to wait for her. Wait for her to figure out what he already knew. Knowing she wasn't going to come out and talk to him, he left, slamming the door behind him.

Kate flinched slightly at the sound of the door closing. She didn't want to hurt him like that, but she couldn't handle getting involved with someone she worked with again, only to have something happen to him. Holding back yet another yawn, she fell back on her bed, not bothering to get undressed and turned off the light.