Authors Notes - Well we're nearly at the end of the story now, only one more chapter to go after this one. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed, I've had alot of fun writing this, mostly because of my readers/reviewers. Thank you!

A few profanities in this chapter, so you know the drill by now if you need a safe chapter. Other then that ...

Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-One

Meanwhile Tony was laying on a gurney in emergency, whining that he wanted to go home when the Doctor told him he needed to stay the night for observation.. 'Why?' he asked like a spoiled child.

'You have severe bruising to you chest,' the doctor was telling him. 'Around your heart and it's just a precautionary measure.

'But I want go home,' he grumbled. 'I'm not going to die,'

'Why is it so important for you to be out of here Mr. DiNozzo?'

'Because, I hate hospitals,' he grumbled.

'Well nobody likes them that much I can assure you.' the doctor told him

'It's because his girlfriend is leaving tonight and he wants to see her before she goes,' Cait piped up. She knew why he wanted to get out of here so badly and knew tonight would probably be the last time he ever saw Aurora.

'Oh I see,' the man smiled gently. 'Well in that case and considering you won't be alone this evening. I suppose we can discharge you. Besides we need the bed really.'

'Really?' Tony looked like a child at Christmas.

'Yes really. You can sign yourself out.'

'Yes,' he smiled, sliding off the bed. 'Thanks Cait,' he sent her a smile.

'Hey what are partners and friends for?' Cait asked with a smile.

'Hmm you are the absolute best,' he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. 'Absolutely.'

Cait was slightly stunned. 'Thanks,' she laughed.

'No I mean it partner you are the best. Thanks,' his hazel eyes were sad as if he knew this would be the final goodbye

'Come on, lets get you back,' she said. She wanted to say more but wasn't sure what. Nothing would take away her partners pain.

'That sounds like a great idea to me. ' Tony said as he started to dress

'Ahh we're taking you home,' Abby told him.

'No, back to the office. Aurora might still be there and,' he shrugged.

'She won't be there Tony,' Kate said softly touching his elbow gently. 'Come on you need to go home.'

'No,' Tony shook his head.

'Look Tony,' Kate shook her head. 'Let me call Gibbs. If Aurora is still there I'll take you back to the office, if she's gone will you go home'

'Okay,' Tony said, knowing arguing was useless and he did up his shirt.

Fiveminutes later, she got off the phone. 'She's still at NCIS, so we'll take you back there,' she said.

'Great lets go then,' he was almost out the door before either woman could move.

'Must be true love,' Abby said as they went after him

'Only problem is that he's going to have his heart broken and he knows it but she's like a drug to him Abby.'

'Maybe he's one for her too,' Abby said. 'Who knows what will happen down the road?'

'Oh come on Abby,' Kate shook her head. 'She's a top of the totem pole high security clearance hush hush agent and Tony, well NCIS is a long way down from that.'

'True love knows no boundaries,' Abby said. 'If they're meant to be, it will happen,' 'It didn't work the first time Abby,' Cait sighed. 'Doubt it will happen again this time either

'If it's meant to be, it will,' Abby said. 'I believe that,' she told Cait just as they heard Tony telling them to hurry up and if the shell they carried on their back slowed them up.

'I just don't want to see him get hurt,' Cait sighed.

'Me either,' Abby said before they hurried to the car to take him back.

They arrived back at NCIS HQ exactly twenty minutes later

Aurora was waiting downstairs in the car-park waiting for Tony toarrive back.She pushed away from the wall she had been leaning againstwhen the car pulled up and he climbed out. 'Everything clear at the hospital?' she asked him. Gibbs had told her that he had checked himself out early

'Yeah, I busted out of there.' he smiled. 'Everything working and is the right place,' Cait and Abby moved away, Cait heading toward the elevator and Abby paused to watch from a distance.

'Abby,' Cait hissed at the younger woman.

'I'm coming,' she said, moving into the elevator.

The elevator doors closed, leaving the pair alone. 'So,' Tony said. He knew she would be heading home now. Leaving DC. Leaving him.

'So,' Aurora said. 'I have to go shortly, need to get Barry back to HQ,' she said needlessly. He'd know that but she wasn't sure what else to say.

Tony nodded. 'Did he spill?'

'Mostly,' she said. 'He wasn't going to at first but he did eventually,'

'Hmm how much blood is on the floor?' he asked her

'Not a drop, he just started singing like a canary,' she told him.

'Even better,' Tony nodded.

'Makes life easier,' she said softly. 'You were right about Barry having a thing for me,'

'That, I knew,' Tony said. 'I could pick up on that since day one,'

She nodded. She never had and she felt incompetent. She had worked so closely with Barry but never picked up on it.

'Hey its a guy thing ,' he told her. 'Don't feel bad for not seeing it at the time.'

'I should have, we were partners but,' she shrugged.

'No you shouldn't have seen it Aurora, don't be so hard on yourself.'

'Someone has to be,' she sent him a smile.

'No not at all,' he told her

She sent him a smile. 'I can't say long, I need to get Barry back,' she told him. 'They're sending the plane for us,'

'Okay,' he gave her a hug and a deep kiss. 'Stay safe,' he told her

'I will,' she nodded. 'You too,' she looked up at him.

'I will, I promise,' he told her

'I'm sorry for everything,' she said. 'Putting you in danger and everything I..' he silenced her with a deep kiss, one that made her want to push him against the wall, not turn and leave.

'Don't be,' he told her softly. 'You never have to apologise to me Aurora. Never.'

Aurora nodded. 'I..' she shook her head slightly. What could she say? I'll miss you? I love you? All would just make it harder to take that final step.

'You don't have to say anything either, I understand,'

She looked into his eyes and they just looked at each other, for how long neither was sure. Seconds, minutes, hours. But their eyes spoke a million and one words to the other. She, declaring her feelings and apologising because she couldn't stay and take their relationship to where they both wanted, he telling her everything he felt and his wishes she could stay, all without a single word spoken.

'I've got to go,' she kissed him gently.

He nodded, kissing her back before he hit the button to the elevator.

They headed upstairs together so Aurora could collect Barry.

She spotted Cait and walked over to her. 'It was good meeting and working with you,' she held out her hand to her.

Cait took her hand and shook it. 'Same here,' she glanced past the other woman. 'How is he?'

'Okay, I hope,' she said. 'Look after him,' she said.

'Hey of course, he's like my big brother, even if sometimes he acts like my kid brother,' Cait shook her head.

She nodded with a smile before she wandered over to Gibbs. 'It was good working with you again,' she sent him a smile and held out a hand to him. 'We don't work too badly together, when we're not trying to kill each other,'

'Guess not,' Gibbs was trying to be gruff.

'Are you always like this?' Aurora smiled at him.

'Only when he hasn't had enough coffee,' Tony pipped up.

'And there is never enough coffee,' Cait added ignoring Gibbs' hard look

'See what I have to put up with' Gibbs sighed

'You can come over and join Omega,' she beamed at him.

'Nah I'd miss it around here but thanks all the same.'

Aurora nodded before she moved into the interview room and returned several minutes later with Barry who was cuffed, both hands and ankles and he snarled when he saw Tony standing there, DiNozzo standing his ground, just gave the older man a death stare

'Fuck you DiNozzo, should have fucken killed you when I had the chance,' Barry snarled, pulling at his restraints.

'But you didn't did you and now you'll never that opportunity again,' Tony said, watching him carefully, ready for any possible attack.

'Screw you bastard, you were never good enough for Aurora,' Barry growled.

'Enough,' Auroras growl commanded silence. 'Move,' she pushed him toward the elevator

Tony headed downstairs with her, two other agents pushing Barry toward the car. Aurora paused, turning to face him. 'Bye Tony,' she said softly and looking at him, she couldn't resist a final kiss.

Tony kissed her back, his hand going to the back of her head to stop her from pulling away but finally he released her. He looked into her eyes, trying to memorise every inch of her face. 'Go,' he said finally. He knew he was shaking slightly. She had to go now or else he would beg her not to leave. 'Just go,' he whispered.

Aurora nodded, knowing if she didn't go now, she never would and with a final sigh, she moved out of his embrace and headed to where the car was waiting for her.

She could feel his eyes on her as she walked over to the car and climbed inside. It took all her willpower not to look back. 'Let's go,' she said to one of the Omega agents in the drivers seat.

The car pulled out of the car park and as they passed Tony, who was still standing there and watching, she couldn't resist a final look. Tears instantly welled when she saw he had tears welling too. She was pleased her sunglasses hid them. She gave him a wave, wanting to run into his arms.

The car pulled onto the road and then out toward the highway, leaving Tony alone.

He turned around and was surprised to find Cait, Gibbs and Abby standing near the lift.

'I'm fine,' he mumbled, moving toward them and the lift.

'We're all here for you Tony,' Abby said, going and giving him a hug. They were a team. Family.

'I know Abs,' he said. 'And I really appreciate it,' And he did. He knew they were all here for him but he wasn't sure he could take their understanding right now.

Gibbs understood that. 'Come on, lets get back to work,' he said gruffly, although Tony knew he really was anything but. 'There's paperwork to fill out,'

Tony nodded, sending him Boss a look of thanks. Working might stop him from speeding to the airport. 'Lets get to it,' Tony said as they moved into the elevator.

Once upstairs, Abby headed toward her lab and Cait moved to her desk.

Gibbs paused for a moment, touching Tony's arm. 'Maybe she's not so bad,' Gibbs said.

'No she isn't,' Tony smiled slightly.

Gibbs nodded, giving the younger man a pat on the shoulder before he moved to his desk, Tony following closely behind

Aurora was sitting in a private room of the airport while they waited to board the plane. She had been flicking through a magazine but tossed it aside. She had had the same page open for ten minutes and hadn't read a word. She moved to the window which overlooked the airport fields and stared into the darkening sky and sighed.

She was knew she was doing the right thing. She had to do this, for so many different reasons. Her job, her responsibilities, his work, she couldn't put him in danger. She was doing the right thing.

But why did it feel so wrong?

'You should go back,' Barry's voice cut into her thoughts.

She looked up at him. He was still cuffed and seated in a chair across the room at a table. 'I beg your pardon?' she looked at him.

'Our job is shit Aurora,' he said. 'Okay, yes we're an elite group and we do a job that is needed but we lose a lot. It can be a lonely life,'

She looked at him. She didn't get lonely in general, she had always been a bit of a loner but she missed one person, felt lonely without that one person. And their latest encounter would only make it worse.

'You two love each other and,' Barry shrugged. 'You shouldn't let Omega ruin your life,' he said. 'End of the day, its just a job, no matter how much the hierarchy try and convince us that it's who we are,'

'I suppose I've always thought that,' she turned and leaned against the

wall. 'That it's who I' am,'

'I guess in a way, it is,' Barry said. 'We have a passion or a personality type to go into this kind of work but we shouldn't let it govern our entire life. Especially if we're missing out on something we want so badly,' He had screwed up his life badly and he didn't want Aurora to go down the same way.

They had been partners and friends on some level. End of the day, they were strangers who worked together. FBI and Omega were like that, no matter how the television portrayed their jobs. It was all bullshit. Real agents weren't friends, they were colleagues.

The door opened and they both looked up, Aurora automatically going for her gun before she saw it was John, one of the Omega agents. 'The plane is ready,' he said.

Aurora nodded. 'Thanks,' she said. 'Lets go Barry,' she moved toward him and he stood, moving to the door.

'Just think about it Aurora,' Barry told her. 'If you really want something, you have to after them, regardless of the risks involved,'

Aurora looked at him and simply nodded as they walked down the corridor and toward the private gate, the plane waiting for them. John and Greg were there, both Omega agents and they moved Barry toward the plane.

Entering the gangway to the plane, Aurora paused. She looked back into the deserted area of the airport. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath before she followed her colleagues onto the plane.

Tony was filling out the paperwork that needed to be done. It was nearly 8pm and he knew he should probably head home. But he didn't want to walk into his apartment and find her not there, although he knew she would have been on the plane for at least an hour, maybe more.

Well DiNozzo he told himself You can't stay away from home forever. Kate and Gibbs wouldn't appreciate it if you tried to move in with them even for a short while. She's gone, get over it and move on

'Go home Tony,' Gibbs said suddenly. 'It's late and really you should still be in hospital,'

'I'm okay boss,' he didn't meet Gibbs intense blue gaze. 'I'm almost finished.'

'Five minutes more, then home,' Gibbs said. He knew the younger man didn't want to go home but he'd have to face it eventually and the longer he waited, the harder it would become.

'Right boss,' Tony gave Gibbs a smile he didn't really feel

She's gone, get over it and move on he repeated like a mantra as he finished up the paperwork. But fuck, it didn't make any of it easier to handle and how could you move on when you didn't want to?

'Tony,' Kate switched off her computer ready to go home. 'You want to grab something to eat? I mean I know it's late but it's been a rough day all round and..' she shrugged 'Well you know.'

'Thanks Cait,' he smiled.He appreciated the offerbut he wanted to be on his own. 'I appreciate it but I feel kinda tired, maybe another night,' he said, hoping she understood.

'Yeah sure,' she patted him on the arm. 'Sounds good.'

'Thanks,' he sent her a tired smile, shutting down his computer.

'Home both of you' Gibbs told them. 'And you Tony fed and showered and get to bed. You need it.'

'Will do Boss,' Tony said. What else did he have at home?

'Good. Now leave. That is not a request that is an order.'

'I'm gone,' DiNozzo grabbed his duffel bag and headed toward the elevator, hitting down before he was gone, leaving Gibbs and Cait alone.

'Is he going to be okay?' Kate was worried. 'Should I go and check up on him Gibbs?'

'I think.. no I know he'll be okay,' Gibbs stared at the elevator door for a moment. 'And I think he wants to be alone right now,'

'Yeah you're right Gibbs I mean this is Tony we're talking about. He'll bounce back.'

'Eventually,' Gibbs sighed. He knew how the younger agent had felt, had seen it in his eyes and knew Aurora had felt the same.

'Yes I know you're right but you know that I can't help but feel angry at her in a way. She didn't have to come back and turn his life upside down, she must have known how he felt about her.'

'I don't think she had real idea Cait. I think she thought she'd be a distant memory to him now,' Gibbs said. 'She loved him and wanted to see him, prepared to turn her own life upside down but not realising she'd do the same for him,'

'You know the Tony I've seen these last few days, he doesn't seem like the guy I've come to know, you know the one who can be,' she shrugged. 'I don't need to tell you Gibbs you know what I'm getting at.'

'No, I think we've all been surprised,' Gibbs said. 'So used to the smart arse womanizer and now we've seen such a different side,'

Caitnodded. 'Yes exactly.'

Gibbs sighed. 'You should go home Cait, it's been a long couple of days,'

'I'm already out the door,' she told him. 'You should get home as well. You've been neglecting that boat of yours lately,'

Gibbs smiled. Yeah, I'll finish up and head home too,' he nodded. 'See you tomorrow,'

'See you tomorrow,' Kate told him as she headed to her own home

Gibbs sighed. He knew it was time to head home himself and he shut down the computer before he headed home himself.

Review Responses -

shirik - LOL, hope you enjoyed this chapter, there is one more chapter to go after this, hope you enjoy. Thanks for reviewing.

AndyCake - Thanks, yes, I love it when Tony is all cute, but I think he's cute all the time. Thanks for reading.

warrior of the shadow - Thanks for reading and reviewing, hope you enjoyed the chapter.

jtbwriter - Thanks for reviewing. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, hope you enjoyed this one too.

rozzy07 - I'm glad that you like Aurora, I really tried to create a character who would interact with all the real NCIS characters in a believable way. Thanks for reviewing.

Well I think that's about all for now. Thanks for reading and revieiwng everyone