1A/N: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews, and a special thanks to jenaipasdufromagefor your concern for my family after the hurricane, yeah everyone I know is okay and doing fine, thanks. Here is the second part of the flashback (chapter.)

Chapter 12: Hospital, Feelings, and Truth Part Two

When the nurse called the room at 5:30 AM Kate couldn't go back to sleep so she got up carefully, so as not to wake Tony, and walked over to the window to look out. She stood there for a few minutes thinking about things, most importantly her and Tony, and whether or not she should let it go any further than just being friends. Then she thought about Ari being back, and she realized she probably shouldn't be standing in front of the window. She pulled the curtains across it and went back over to her bed to lay down. Her head was hurting but she ignored it as she looked over at Tony, sleeping quite peacefully, even though he was in much more pain than she was in.

Luckily Kate had gone back to her own bed, because at 7:00 AM Gibbs and McGee stopped by to fill them in on what was happening.

"Gibbs can I please come to the office to help you out. I feel like I'm not doing anything." Kate asked, sitting up in her hospital bed.

"No, not until the Doctor releases you" he answered her.

"Boss, when can I come back to work?" Tony questioned, half-seriously, half-sarcastically.

"DiNozzo, you are going to be on vacation for awhile, especially after what happened the first day you came back after the Y Pestis." Gibbs told him sternly.

"Aww Boss, you guys will miss me too much. I bet I come back early again." Tony smiled at everyone.

"Don't count on it DiNozzo" Gibbs replied, "And you" he said looking at Kate, "The Doctor will call me when he releases you, and I expect you to let a police officer escort you home and he is to be posted outside your apartment at all times. You are not to go anywhere without contacting me first. Got it"

"Gibbs, comeon that's-" she began

"Agent Todd, everyone that is close to me is under attack by Ari, and everyone is following my orders. Got it" he told her harshly.

"Fine" she replied, obviously defeated.

"Okay then, if I have any questions for you I will have McGee contact you. Until then you are to remain in this room at all times. And stay away from the window." Gibbs told them.

"Boss didn't you give us this speech yesterday" Tony asked.

"I'm just reminding you, because I know you two and both of you are stubborn and sometimes have trouble listening and doing what you're told" Gibbs told him.

"Yeah well you aren't the one in lock down with Kate, Boss. I don't know how much more I can take of her. Could you talk to the Doctor and see if he can release her soon." Tony commented, receiving one of the famous Gibb's looks.

"Shut up Tony. I'm the one who has to put up with you incessantly nagging me, and constantly annoying me with your different movie scenarios." Kate said

They continued to bicker as McGee and Gibbs left the room, going virtually unknown to Kate and Tony because they were too absorbed in arguing.

Later that afternoon the Doctor came in to check on Tony and Kate.

"Well Agent DiNozzo your shoulder is looking good. It seems you will heal up quite nicely. You might even heal a little sooner than expected."

"Yeah, it's cause I'm Italian and we have good genes." Tony smiled at Kate and winked, causing her to roll her eyes.

"As for you Agent Todd, your head isn't as swollen as it was. How's the pain?" the Dr. asked

"It's okay"

"You aren't lying to me, are you?"

"No, why would I?"

"I don't know, but I know that was a pretty big gash and I'm almost positive it should be hurting quite a bit, especially since you haven't taken anything for the pain since last night."

"It's not that bad, really" Kate tried to persuade the Doctor.

"Let's take a look" the Doctor said as he touched the area around her staples. This caused her to yelp and jerk away from him.

"What the hell did you do that for?" she asked, pissed off

"You're obviously in more pain than you said and you need to take some more medicine."

"When was the last time Tony took some?" she asked

"He needs to take some more also. The last time he took some was last night."

"Well then if he takes some, then so will I"

"What do you say Agent DiNozzo?" the Doctor asked

"Fine, but only because Kate needs to take some" he answered

"The hell I do. I'm just taking some because you need it" she told Tony

"Kate it's obvious you're in pain" Tony added

"Well if he would have touched you where your stitches are you would have reacted in the same way."

"I don't think so Kate"

"Yes you would"

"No"

"Yes"

"No"

The Doctor rolled his eyes as he walked out of the room to get the medicine.

"And why not?" Kate asked, sitting on the edge of her bed with her arms crossed, looking at Tony, who way laying in bed.

"Because I'm Italian" he replied with a smile, "We know how to handle pain"

The Doctor walked in right as Tony said that and he couldn't help but laugh at the two agents.

"Shut up DiNozzo. That is the stupidest reason I have ever heard" Kate told him, rolling her eyes at him.

"Here you go Agent Todd. That will only last about six hours, so don't hesitate to ask for more at that time." the Doctor told her

"I'm sure this will be enough" she replied with a smile

"Agent DiNozzo, here you go. The same goes for you."

"I'll be fine" Tony responded, as he tried to sit up. But as he did he put too much pressure on his right shoulder and he fell back in pain.

"Tony are you okay?" Kate asked as she rushed to his side.

"Yeah fine" he answered, but the look on his face told her differently.

"Agent Todd why don't you help me get Agent DiNozzo sitting up so he can take this medicine"

"Sure"

"I'm fine" Tony argued with them.

"Agent DiNozzo, just because you are Italian doesn't mean you aren't human and pain resistant." the Doctor told him.

Kate laughed at the comment before smiling and saying,

"Told you so Tony"

"You think this is funny" Tony asked, as he sat up with Kate and the Doctor's help.

"A little bit" she answered with a smile before turning to the Doctor, "He'll be okay though, right?"

"Yeah the medicine should kick in in a few minutes"

Kate nodded and then looked at Tony who was giving her his 'mind your own business' look. He then looked at the Doctor and asked,

"So is she cleared to go home?"

"Well her head looks better, but she's obviously still in pain"

"I'm fine"

"Do you live by yourself?" the Doctor asked

"Yeah, why?"

"Because you still need someone to wake you during the night to make sure you are okay and still conscious."

"I'll be fine"

"I'd prefer you to stay here one more night, just to be safe"

"But Dr.-"

"Kate just listen to him, please" Tony said, looking at her, "It won't kill you to stay one more night with me, will it?" he asked, with those bright green eyes and charming smile.

"I don't know DiNozzo, it's possible" she smiled

"That hurt Kate" he replied

"Fine, I'll stay"

"Yay, another slumber party. Hey Doc could we get some movies, a DVD player, and maybe some popcorn?" Tony asked, sounding like a child.

Kate rolled her eyes and watched as the Doctor grinned and turned to leave the room.

"He thinks I'm kidding Kate, but I'm not" Tony said sadly

"Shut up DiNozzo" she said with a smile as she walked back over to her bed. Just as she sat down the Doctor stopped and turned to look at the two agents before saying,

"You know, you two have the weirdest relationship I think I've ever seen. Love and hate, huh?" he said before exiting the room.

Tony and Kate looked at each other before laughing and Tony replied,

"Well I guess he's right. It is kinda weird"

"But it works"

"That it does"

Tony and Kate never got the movies or popcorn that Tony had requested, but the pain medicine made both of them quite sleepy and they fell asleep in their own beds arguing with each other about something stupid.

The next morning they were awaken again by Gibbs. This time he was reporting to them that Abby had been shot at when she was in her lab, but luckily McGee had been there to protect her.

"As of now, whenever you leave this hospital you are to report to NCIS headquarters. It will be safer there, working around other agents." Gibbs said looking at Kate

"Boss, does that go for me too?" Tony asked, knowing he would probably be released sometime that week.

"No. I will have either McGee, Kate, or another Agent with you at your apartment at all times until you are fit to return to desk duty."

"Aww Boss, comeon I can return to desk duty when I get released."

"Tony, you have to actually be able to type and write in order to be on desk duty" Kate commented

"Was I talking to you Kate" Tony asked her sarcastically.

"Kate's right Tony. Until your arm is out of a sling and you can type and write without being in pain, then you can return to desk duty." Gibbs stated

"Well just to let you know that will be sooner than you expect." Tony said matter of factly

"Okay, anyways, Kate, the Doctor told me he was going to release you after lunch today. So I will be here at 1:00 to pick you up" Gibbs told her as he turned to leave the room.

Tony turned to look at Kate after Gibbs had left and said,

"Aww Katie, the party's been fun, it's not gonna be the same without you."

Kate slanted her eyes at him trying to decipher if he was being sincere or not, but before she could respond he spoke up again,

"Maybe now I will actually be able to get some rest."

Her eyes widened as he said this and right before she about to reply Tony got a huge grin on his face.

"Gotchya"

"Tony that's not funny"

"It was for me. You should've seen your face." he laughed a little.

"Haha" she said as she walked over to his bed and bent over so that their faces were only inches apart. She glared at him with that 'I could kill you' look, and Tony gulped before she said,

"Don't call me Katie ever again Anthony"

"Okay then, don't get your panties in a bunch" he smiled jokingly

"TONY" she yelled at him

"Okay sorry" he said, this time with actual sincerity in his voice.

He sat there and looked at her as she sat down on her own bed without looking up at him.

"Kate, are you okay?" he asked

"Yeah fine. I guess I'm just going to miss this a little, you know" she answered, looking up at him.

"Yeah, me too" he responded with a smile, "But you're gonna come visit me until I get out, right?" he asked

"Geeze Tony, you make it sound like you're in prison" she smiled, "But yeah, you know, if I have time."

"Aww, well, I hope you can squeeze me into your schedule, being such a busy person and all" he replied, playing along with their little game.

"I'll do my best" she smiled

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Tony spoke up,

"Can I ask you a question"

"You can ask but I'm not gonna promise to answer" she smiled

"Why do you get mad when I call you Katie?"

"I just don't like the name"

"But what' so different from Kate to Katie?"

Kate was silent looking intently at Tony trying to decide whether or not to tell him because knowing him he would just laugh at her. But as she looked into his eyes she could see he really did care and he truly wanted to know because he cared. She took a deep breath before saying,

"You're going to think it's stupid"

"Kate I think lots of things you do and think are stupid, but I don't think any less of you. I still care about you" he told her

"Wow thanks Tony. Knowing you think what I say and do is stupid. That really makes me want to tell you" Kate said sarcastically.

"Kate I love to hear what you think. Just because I don't agree with everything doesn't mean I don't care."

"Yeah well that's not the way it sounded."

"Kate please, I don't think you are stupid. I think you're one of the smartest women I've ever known, besides Abby of course." Tony told her with a smile.

Kate smiled and paused before answering Tony's earlier questions,

"It's a child's name"

"Duh, and every child turns into an adult."

"No. Tony. I mean it's a name for a little girl, not a grown woman."

"What?"

"Most parents have nicknames for their kids when they're growing up, you know? Especially for little girls."

"Yeah so?"

"Tony, my dad and my brothers used to call me Katie all the time when I was a little girl. But when you grow up and get out in the real world you don't' want people to see you as a child, you want them to see you as a grown person."

"But-"

"In my profession, our profession, you know there are still stereotypes that women can't do the job as well as men. And it makes matters worse when you still go by a name that makes you sound like a little girl. Katie makes me sound weak or immature, like I need to be protected. Whereas, Kate is a strong name, it says I know what I want, I'm a responsible adult." she stated as she sat on her bed before slowly looking up at Tony. But what surprised her was the look on his face, it was a look of concern, instead of a face that said 'you are crazy'.

"Do your dad and brothers still call you Katie?"

She nodded before replying,

"My dad still sees me as his little girl and my brothers see me as their baby sister."

"And your mom?"

Kate laughed a little before saying,

"She thinks I should be married and at home taking care of the kids. She doesn't think a woman should be doing a job that is dangerous, like working for NCIS, and she really had a problem when I was a Secret Service Agent. She thinks that's one of the reasons I'm not married."

"Oh comeon give yourself more credit than that. The reason you're not married has to do with your personality not your job."

"You know what, forget it. I don't even know why I was telling you this." Kate said angrily as she got up and walked away with her back turned to Tony.

"Kate, I was kidding. You know I'm not very good at being serious. Please, I promise, no more jokes." He apologized, but she didn't answer or turn around to look at him, "Kate in all seriousness, I wonder myself why you aren't married. I mean your beautiful, smart, loyal, brave, and sometimes funny."

Kate smiled to herself before turning around, "Really?"

"Yeah, I mean of course you are stubborn and strong-willed, but I think you just have to find the right person to match you. You know someone who isn't as serious-"

"Or as smart"

"Excuse me, let me finish. Someone who is funny and can make you laugh, someone who's also smart enough to keep up with you, and someone who may be just as stubborn as you, so that you can keep each other on your toes." Tony smiled

"So someone who isn't anything like you" she smiled

"Ouch Kate, that hurt. Here I am trying to be nice to you and you go and say something like that."

"Okay okay, I'm sorry." she said, walking back over to her bed and sitting down so that she could look at Tony.

His eyes met hers and he asked, "Why exactly does your mom think your job is the reason you aren't married?"

"She says men feel inferior to women who do a man's job, especially when it comes to carrying a gun and a badge. She thinks it scares them off. She says doing that kind of job makes a person too bossy and men don't want to be told what to do, they want to be in charge of the relationship."

Tony smiled before saying,

"Well you know, personally, I am very attracted to smart, strong-willed, stubborn, take charge women."

Kate smiled as she commented,

"You wouldn't be able to tell that with your track record."

"There you go again Kate"

"I'm sorry, really, I just couldn't resist." she laughed, as she looked at Tony, who ignored her as he continued with what he was saying,

"I like a woman isn't afraid to put me in my place and can succeed in doing so. I do however think there are some women who aren't capable of doing such work. You however, are not one of those women."

"Okay I'll give you that" Kate smiled, "So is there any particular woman you are referring to?"

"Wouldn't you like to know" he smiled in return, "Seriously though Kate, next time you see them, just tell them how you really feel. Tell them you want them to respect you more."

"Believe me Tony, I've tried. They just don't seem to listen."

"Maybe you're trying too hard. Talk to them one at a time."

"How do you know so much about this?"

"Please, Kate, this is me we're talking about. My parents shipped me off to boarding school so that they wouldn't have to deal with me. My dad still doesn't really want anything to do with me. I mean I come from a family with money, so naturally my parents disapproved when I became a cop, instead of a Doctor, or lawyer, or something. I'm pretty sure my mother died being disappointed in my life choices, as well as just being disappointed in me. And my dad still doesn't speak to me unless he has to." Tony told her, as he laid in his bed.

"I'm sorry Tony"

"It's funny" Tony chuckled, "You like to be called Kate, so that you sound mature and responsible. I like to be called Tony because it sounds a little more immature and laid back than Anthony. People used to always call me Anthony, and I hated it."

"Well I guess it definitely fits. I mean I am definitely the responsible, serious adult in this partnership, and you are definitely the childish goofball."

"Thanks" Tony said sincerely.

"It wasn't a compliment do do head."

"Oh well that was definitely a mature reaction." commented Tony with a smile.

"Shut up"

"Definitely mature"

"I'm warning you"

"Okay okay" laughed Tony

They sat in silence for awhile before they were brought their lunch. Gibbs was supposed to be there to pick up Kate at the end of the hour. As they were eating Tony began a conversation,

"So Kate, will you do me a favor when you get out of this joint?"

"Depends"

"Will you just be careful. I mean I know you'll probably be on desk duty for a day or two, but will you take it easy and do what Gibbs says. At least till Ari is dead or behind bars, although I'm pretty sure Gibbs is out to kill."

"Tony"

"Kate, comeon, I don't want anything to happen to you while Ari and whoever is helping him are sniping NCIS Agents. Please."

Kate looked at Tony who had a look of sincerity and she couldn't help but agree to it,

"Okay. I promise I'll be careful."

"Thank you"

Gibbs arrived promptly at 1:00 PM to pick Kate up and take her back to the office. However, right after they left the hospital, they were just about to go through an intersection when a gun was fired and the bullet hit their tired causing Gibbs to spin out of control into oncoming traffic. They ended up hitting two cars who in turn caused three others to pile up.

"Kate, you okay?" Gibbs asked after they had come to a complete stop.

"Yeah, I think so. I might have jammed my wrist, but I'm fine. You?"

"Fine" he answered, as he tried to open his door, which was jammed shut.

"What's that noise? Do you hear that?" he asked Kate, as they both stopped to listen. It was hard to decipher with people yelling outside, but it sounded like a ticking noise to both of them.

"Gibbs is that-"

"Yeah" he replied while climbing into the back seat, where he kicked the window out, before helping Kate out of the window.

"Listen up everyone" Gibbs yelled as loud as he could, "I'm a Federal Agent and there is a bomb in this car. Everyone RUN!"

It didn't take long for everyone to take off. Gibbs looked at the other cars to make sure no one was still trapped, before him and Kate took off running. They hadn't gotten ten feet away when the car blew up, sending both of them flying through the air. Kate rolled over on her back as she watched the flames engulf the other cars around it, then she looked at Gibbs who just started moving.

"Gibbs you okay?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Yeah"

The police arrived soon after and took their statements while the paramedics tended to Gibbs' head. He had a gash just above his left eye, from the car accident. They stitched it up before the police gave him and Kate a ride back to NCIS.

Once back at headquarters Ducky took a look at Kate's wrist just to be on the safe side since she wouldn't let the paramedics look at her, while Abby filled her in on everything that had happened in the last two days that she had been gone.

"Kate I've really missed you around here"

"Oh comeon Abby, it's only been two days"

"Yeah but its been quiet without you and Tony around here."

"Why, because we aren't here arguing about every little thing" Kate laughed

"Yeah, that and McGee hasn't really been sure what to do since you two have been gone, and he has had to fend for himself with Gibbs. Besides I'm pretty sure Gibbs missed you guys too." Abby smiled as she began rambling about other things.

Then Ducky wrapped Kate's wrist and told her,

"Now Caitlin, I know how stubborn you are, but you do have quite a bad sprain, and your head is not healed, so please take it easy dear."

"Don't worry Ducky. I'm sure Gibbs will have me on desk duty today and tomorrow."

"Well good , you and Tony gave us quite a scare, you deserve a break."

"Yeah well I guess I'm getting it now, because I certainly didn't get it when I was in lock down with Tony."

Ducky smiled at her comment before shooing her and Abby out of the morgue. When her and Abby were going to Abby's lab, Abby finally popped the question.

"So Kate, why did Tony jump in front of a bullet for you anyways?"

"Abby we are partners"

"It what sense of 'partners' do you mean?"

"ABBY!"

"What, Kate, it's a simple question. I mean you are both attractive and-"

"Abby please, it's Tony. That's just,...eww"

"If you say so Kate, but I, like Ducky, sense some definite sexual tension."

"Okay, you know what, I'm going to head back upstairs to see what Gibbs and McGee are up to." Kate told her as she got into the elevator to go back up. She had hoped her friend hadn't noticed when she blushed and tried not to smile, when Abby had mentioned her and Tony.

Nobody was allowed to leave the building without consulting with Gibbs first. And then, and only then if they were allowed to leave they had to take another Agent with them. That day and the next went by fairly slowly, nobody was allowed to leave, even to visit Tony, unless Gibbs was with them. So every night around 5:00 PM Abby, McGee, Kate, and Gibbs would go visit Tony for a couple of hours before heading back to NCIS to spend the night. Then the next day would start over again. The whole week, each day, was a carbon copy of the next, it seemed like Ari had disappeared again, but Gibbs wasn't taking any chances. And it was a good thing, because no one knew what would be in store for them at the end of that week.

A/N: Okay I know this is like the longest flashback, in the history of flashbacks, but it just kind of happened. But the next chapter will be the end of this particular flashback. So please review and tell me what you think! Thanks !