Usual Disclaimer applies – I don't own NCIS, or anything like it I'm just borrowing them for a little while. I am not making any money out of this, it's written purely for entertainment purposes and retention of a certain person's sanity.

Once again, thank you all for the kind reviews. I bow (singers shouldn't curtsey apparently) to your superb taste in fanfic, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Chapter 4

Tony stood, transfixed by the woman he thought, before tonight, he knew backwards. How wrong can a man be?

"Kate, I don't know how to start. It's true, we do bicker, and fight, and score points off each other. And it's true I don't do that with anyone else here. Hell, I'd never dare try it with Abby! And maybe I make Proby's life hell sometimes, but thats what being a Proby is all about - y'know? But you? Well, I guess it's a defence mechanism with you."

"Defence?"

"Defence because I'm scared, Kate."

"What, I scare you? Way to go on the compliment front Tony!" Kate looked bemused.

"Not like that!" Tony stepped forward and took Kate's hands in his own, "Scared of getting too close to you, of letting you into my life, and then loosing the chance of something real with you before ever having the chance. I imagine that sounds really stupid" he finished, letting her hands drop and turning away. Jeez, what was she going to think of him now?

Kate reached for him and caught his arm.

"Tony - stop. What are you talking about?"

"Kate, I know you would never take me seriously if I asked you out. Properly out, not just on the coffee run, or for take out during a case. Besides..." he paused.

"Besides?"

"You're never short of a date. C'mon Kate, how many times have you had to cancel a night out when the work has demanded it?"

"More times than I care to admit, true, but it's not true I'm never short of an offer for dinner or a movie, Tony."

"You never seem to be. Dwayne? Ian? Mike? Tim - though I have to admit for one very bizarre moment I thought you were dating McGee!" Tony grinned, trying to lighten the moment.

Kate giggled, an incongruous sound from her, "McGee? For one; not my type, for two? I couldn't do that to Abby!"

"Like I say, you have your crowd of admirers Kate, so I figured, why go when I'm only going to get burned?"

"And you didn't think to just ask me?"

"Yeah, like we have that kind of conversation!"

"Hmmmm, true again." Kate glanced down, then back up to meet his eyes, "Tony, come and sit down," and with that she took his hand.

Tony let her lead him to the wide windowsill where they sat side by side. Kate kept hold of his hand, tracing the lines with her fingers.

"You have a long life line - did you know that?" she said, running her finger across his palm.

"Yeah, but a short thinking one. Is there a thinking line?" Tony glanced at her.

"I don't think so, but nice try" Kate hesitated "Tony, why say these things to me now?"

"Now? Well, you asked and besides, it seems a night for truth"

Behind them, a roll of distant thunder sounded as the rain continued to lash against the window.

"Seems so. Will you listen to that rain?"

Tony watched Kate watching the weather. She turned to find him looking at her. He took a deep breath. If the truth was going to be spoken let it be now.

"Kate, I've had more women than I care to think about, but I realise they mean, they meant nothing to me. Since I walked onto that plane, since we first met, every woman I've ever met? I've measured them against you. Yes, I've flirted, danced, drunk, kissed and even slept with a few since we met, but no one has ever lived up to you." He paused to draw breath, nervous and scared. He'd never been so honest with anyone in his life about how he felt before - and he knew if he stopped now, he'd, they'd never be here again.

TO BE CONTINUED…