"So girl, what are you doing tonight?" Abby asked as Candice took a seat in her lab. The new agent shrugged. She'd come down looking for companionship, seeing as there was no one upstairs except Tony. Gibbs had given her strict orders to keep him up to date with research, but Tony had decided to cover that playing field.

"I don't know, probably sitting at home, watching sappy romance flicks," she laughed. Abby smiled.

"What about horror movies? Ever sit in the dark and watch those?" she asked. Candice shook her head.

"I'm a sap for romance movies. I know it seems cliché, but it's true." Abby laughed.

"Well, mind if I tag along?" she asked. "I need some company." Candice nodded.

"Sure thing, I could use some company myself."

Tony watched them leave. All he could think about was how long it was taking to solve this case. McGee was down at autopsy with Ducky, and Gibbs had left with Ziva over an hour ago. He'd told Candice and Abby to go home and get some sleep. Tony was deciding to take up the offer as well. It seemed like a good idea. He jumped to his feet as the elevator doors opened.

"Hey girls! Wait for me!" he hollered as he grabbed his jacket and fled their way.

"What do you want, Anthony?" Candice asked bitterly.

"I was thinking, maybe I could treat you ladies to dinner? How does that sound?" he suggested. He was hoping for some alone time with Candice, but if they had to bring Abby, than he'd find another way. The two girls exchanged confused glances, but nodded in agreement.

"Sure," they replied in unison. "Lets go."

Tony felt empty as he pulled into the parking lot of Candice's apartment. It looked well kept. Before he could say anything, the girls jumped out of the vehicle and waved goodbye. The night had not gone as well as he'd hoped. Dinner was good, and for one full hour he didn't hear a single dirty comment directed his way. Maybe she just put on a show in front of everyone, or… She'd just had too much to drink tonight. That was probably it. She was talking mostly about her high school days. He heard things he didn't even know when they were partners on the force. And she told him everything. She was a brilliant girl. Too bad some mistakes just couldn't be forgiven.

When he got home, he threw his jacket on the couch and relaxed in front of the TV. He had no idea what to do with himself. It was going to be a long night. This whole case had him on the fritz. Paranoia ruled his every waking moment. Constantly being reminded of how Kate was killed really hurt him. Then to have an old flame on the job as well… It had him so caught up in a daze that nothing seemed to make sense anymore. He worked his way to the fridge and grabbed a beer. Once he opened it, he replaced himself in front of the TV to drown himself in a world of imagination.

Something about Candice and Tony bothered Abby. Sure they obviously had issues with one another, but there was something she didn't quite get. The two girls had positioned themselves on the floor in front of the TV to watch some movies. They were drinking coolers from Candice's fridge and eating junk food. This made Abby feel good. She hadn't relaxed like this in a long time. Her buddy had disappeared for a bathroom break about a half hour ago. Worry swept over Abby, but before she could holler for her friend, Candice came waddling out of the spare bedroom. In her hand, she held a small object; when she sat down on her pillow, Abby saw it: A white gold band with a large sapphire surrounded by two diamonds.

"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed. "Where'd you get it?" The discretion in Candice's eyes told her that she'd regret the question. The long haired brunette closed her eyes and lay back on the floor.

"It's an engagement ring," she replied quietly. Her voice was shaky. "After five years, I still have it. How pathetic am I? Any woman in her right mind would sell it for what its worth. But me… I just hang on to it… Hang on to the past. Pray for change…" her voice trailed off.

"Do you mind if I ask who you were supposed to marry?" Abby asked, intrigued but this new found information.

"What does it matter?" Candi sighed. "It's in the past." Realizing that they'd had enough to drink, Abby hid the rest of the alcohol behind the TV.

"Sometimes it helps to talk about it." Candice sat up and slid the ring on her ring finger.

"Well, we met at the academy, became partners, then two years later, he leaves me high and dry at the alter," she confessed. Abby stared at her, speechless.

"Tony?" she exclaimed. "You were gonna marry Tony?" Candice lifted her eyes from the ring to meet her friends'.

"Yah, we were in love. Actually in love. Until our wedding day. That's when he decided to skip town and leave me all alone at the alter," she explained. Abby had to resist from laughing. She knew there was something more to their relationship. But leaving her at the alter? Tony could be a jerk-off, but that sounded nothing like him.

"Wow," was all she could manage to say. "So… that's why things are awkward," she observed. Candice smiled.

"Sure is. But…" her voice trailed off to a whisper. "It's the past. He's a jerk, there isn't much I can do about that. Still…" Abby thought for a moment, then asked the inevitable.

"Do you still have feelings for him?" she braced herself for a snappy comeback or a snarl. Instead, Candi shook her head.

"That was a long time ago. I've been in a couple of serious relationships since then. He's history. I can't live my life hoping he'll change his ways and come crawling back." A chuckle escaped her throat as she played with the ring on her finger. "Though I did pray to see him again, so I could give him what he deserves." Abby smiled. She could see sadness in her friend's eyes. There was also a hint of relief. Maybe getting this off her chest helped. She would imagine so.

"Well, why are we sitting around here moping? Let's watch Friday the 13th. I haven't seen that since I was a kid!" Candice exclaimed.

"I'm in!" Abby agreed.

Tired from the night before, Tony rested his head on his desk and waited for the rest of the team to show. Though he'd gone straight home after his dinner with the girls, he didn't sleep much at all. All he thought about was Kate and Candice. Losing Kate had been a huge tragedy. Everyone on the team was affected in different ways. The dreams he had were still haunted by her and the image of her dead, frozen body on Ducky's operating tray. Every night she appeared in his dreams, he assumed to bring a message, or just drive him crazy. He knew it was time to get over her. They would catch Ari soon, and all of his followers would fall. No more agents would be lost.

Then there was Candice. It wasn't his dreams that were haunted by her, but his memories. How foolish could he have been to leave her? Cold feet? That wasn't a convincing excuse. All there years, she probably thought it was another woman. It wasn't; he just couldn't bear the thought of someday being a father, and a committed husband. He'd never cheated on her. Nor did he have any desire to. She was perfect. Beauty, wisdom and a quick eye. She took no bullshit from anyone and was a damn good cop. When he left her, he made a life altering mistake that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He knew in his heart that she hadn't forgiven him, but was it as painful for her to be working together? Probably not, after all, he'd left. If anyone ever found out… he was doomed. No one would let him live it down.

A loud bang from the elevator roused him from his thoughts. Old thing was probably on the fritz again. He observed as the solid steel doors opened. Off stepped Agent Gibbs and Ms David. Both were pretty banged up and looked awfully tired.

"Boss!" he exclaimed as he jumped to his feet. "Where've you been? And what happened?" Gibbs smirked, which Tony found odd, considering the state of things.

"The bastard's dead," Gibbs spat as he wiped a trickle of blood from his lower left lip. Tony's eyes shot wide.

"What?" he asked. "What happened?" Ziva and Jethro exchanged glances.

"We were too late and tracking his location. But his colleagues are in custody. They're to being extradited back to where they came from. But part of the prosecution will take place here because of the murder of a federal agent," Gibbs explained with a deep breath. Tony found this all fascinating; he was just disappointed he didn't get to shoot the SOB.

"Where's everyone else?" Ziva asked as she walked quietly through the office.

"Not here yet," Tony replied, before leaning toward the boss. He lowered his voice. "What are we gonna do about her now?" he asked. Gibbs looked at him.

"Send her home."