Usual Disclaimer – Don't own 'em, I'm just playing. Not making any money – it's just for entertainment and to feed my growing review addiction!

Again, many, many thanks for all your reviews, you are all too kind. I hope you continue to enjoy this story line. Watch out soon for an NCIS/SG-1 cross over to be published early in 2006, I shall be working on it over the Christmas break. Again, I bow to your superior taste in fanfic!

Tony sat alone on the bench under the tree in the courtyard garden. He could hear the music play, and the gentle buzz of conversation from the crowds of people inside.

And, although he couldn't see, he knew that Kate was dancing with Gibbs.

That their boss had their colleague in his arms.

That Kate was enjoying it.

And that Tony wasn't.

By nature, Anthony DiNozzo wasn't the jealous type. By his own admission he had never kept a girlfriend long enough for it to become a problem. Here today, tomorrow? Well, that would take care of itself, it certainly wasn't up to him, now was it?

"I should have just stayed at home," he told himself.

The candles floating in the fountain made the water sparkle even more, and they almost blurred as Tony ran through the events of the evening. The music paused, then started again. This time the male vocalist was singing:

"To you

My heart cries out "Perfidia"

For I find you, the love of my life

In somebody else's arms

Your eyes are echoing "Perfidia"

Forgetful of the promise of love

You're sharing another's charms

With a sad lament my dreams are faded like a broken melody

While the gods of love look down and laugh

At what romantic fools we mortals be"

Inside the building, Kate and Gibbs had just stepped off the dance floor and made their way back to the table.

"Ducky - are you okay?" Kate asked.

"Yes, I'm just taking my ease here thank you Caitlin" the M.E. replied.

"Where have Abby and Tim got to?" Kate asked, looking around, then spying them on the dance floor, "Ah, I see them now!"

"Kate - can I get you a drink?" Gibbs asked her.

"Thanks, can I just have some water? It is kinda warm in here…"

Gibbs nodded and headed off to the bar. Kate sat down next to Ducky.

"Well, my dear, you seem to be even more popular than ever this evening." He told her.

Kate looked confused. "Yes, I can see that, Ducky! I've only danced with you guys! You, Tim, Tony and Gibbs." She counted them off. "I've had no tall dark and handsome stranger beat a path to my side, now have I?" she smiled at him.

"Not a stranger, no. Certainly a tall, dark good looking young man you work with has been, how can I put this? Quite bereft at your defection to another on the dance floor." Ducky raised an eyebrow and sipped at his wine.

"Who do you mean - surely not Tony?" Kate sat back in surprise, "Oh Ducky, surely you're joking!" Kate looked around again. "Where is he? Tell me he's not sulking? Or has he found another dance partner?" she said over her shoulder as she twisted and turned, still looking for him.

"I believe he said he was going to get some fresh air," Ducky told her and nodded to the far open windows.

Kate hesitated then picked up her pashmina. "Ducky?"

"Yes?"

"I'll be back." And with that she stood up and walked across the room and out into the courtyard.

Ducky smiled to himself as Abby and Tim returned to the table.

"Dr. Mall - Ducky, you look pleased?" Tim corrected himself.

"Well, its such a lovely evening!" the M.E. replied, then turned back to the young couple and engaged them in conversation.

Kate paused as she reached the tall open windows, letting her eyes accustom to the darkness. She saw a figure with his back to the window, sitting on a bench under the solitary tree in the small garden.

Quietly she walked down the steps, wrapping her pashmina more tightly around her shoulders as the temperature had dropped.

As she did so, the figure turned, and the light fell on the face of Tony DiNozzo.

"Hey DiNozzo - too much for you in there" Kate teased him gently, unaware of the undercurrents of her question.

Tony started slightly at her voice. Determined not to let her see how he felt - annoyed, angry, ignored, slighted, and more - he pulled himself together and turned to look at her.

"And how do you know I'm not here waiting here for a rendezvous with some lucky woman?"

"Hmmmm. Good point DiNozzo. Well, if that's the case, I'd better go hadn't I? I can't be cramping your infamous style..." Kate turned to go, but Tony jumped up and blocked her exit.

"Of course, I could just be here waiting for you Kate"

"And why in heaven's name would you be doing that?"

"Well, I suppose now you've tired of Gibbs you'll be needing another disposable dance partner."

"What!"

"Ahh, c'mon Katie - " he paused while she scowled. She hated being called that, and he was fully aware of it." The whole room has been watching you and him on the floor tonight."

"Th-that's not true!" Kate replied, but Tony could see, even in the dim lights, that she was embarrassed by this line of conversation.

"I know I was just the warm up boy here, Kate, I know that now, but don't you think you're both being a bit obvious out there?" Tony hadn't backed off at all from blocking Kate, and she started to step back, trying to find a way out of this situation.

"I don't know what you mean Tony. Besides, " she continued just a little too breezily, "I've danced with you. And Ducky. And even Tim. I can't see any favours bestowed there - or anywhere!"

As she tried to step around him, back up the stairs back into the room, Tony again blocked her.

"You've danced with him more than anyone else." He told her, trying to keep the petulant child tone from his voice.

Kate sighed. "That's because he's asked more than anyone else Tony. Besides, could you say no to Gibbs?"

"Well, you do have a point I guess..."

"And he showed up when he categorically said he wasn't going to."

"Humph" Tony shrugged, "And now we know why."

"Why?"

"For you."

"Tony, that is ridiculous!"

"I don't think so Kate."

"Tony, this is stupid! What is your problem tonight!" Kate was angry now, really mad. How dare Tony pull a stunt like this? She had really been looking forward to and been enjoying this night, and now, like the younger sibling who won't leave you and your boyfriend alone when you're supposed to be "babysitting", Tony was laying this on her.

"I told you. You accept my offer of a cab ride, you look absolutely

stunning, we arrive together and then I get dumped like a bad date at the Freshman Prom 'cause Gibbs turns up. How do you think that makes me look? More to the point, how do you think that makes me feel? Huh? You up there dancing with him - with my flower in your hair?"

Kate gaped at him - speechless.

TBC