SUMMARY: "What doesn't kill you, right?" During An Eye For An Eye.
THE
ALMOST-VACATION
"I
need a vacation. Somewhere tropical...with no cellphone reception."
"So, Kate."
"What do you want, Tony?"
"Do I have to want something?"
"Shouldn't you be working on the case?"
"I am, as a matter of fact."
"Enlighten me, Tony. How is standing here productive in any way?"
"Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say productive. . ."
"Get to the point, Tony."
"You know how you said you wanted a vacation somewhere tropical with no cellphone reception?"
"That didn't sound very to-the-point to me, Tony."
"C'mon, Kate, play along."
Exasperated. "Fine."
"Let's try this again. Hey, Kate, do you remember saying you wanted a tropical vacation?"
"Hey, Tony, do you remember saying that I should strip and cuddle with you?"
"Ka-ate!"
"What!"
"You aren't very good at playing along, are you?"
Through gritted teeth. "Yes, Tony, I remember saying that. Why?"
"Because I think I have just what you're looking for."
"What, you got a break in the case?"
"Kind of. . ."
"Gibbs hates you again and, by comparison, likes me a lot better and might be willing to sign off on some vacation time once the case is over?"
"Gibbs never hated me!"
"Fine, barely tolerated you. Whatever."
"I'll have you know-"
"Tony. You have about three seconds."
"Before what?"
"Before I put a bullet between your eyes for not just telling me whatever this is. One."
"Okay, so since Gibbs likes me better than you and all-"
"Two. . ."
"We'regoingtoParaguaytonailPurcell."
"The whole team?"
"Yeah, the whole team. Minus everyone but us."
"Gibbs is sending me to Paraguay with you?"
"Actually, he let me pick between you and McGee."
Dryly. "Wow. I feel so special."
Grinning. "I knew you would."
"Wait, how does this relate to me wanting a vacation?"
"Well, it's tropical. I think. Never seen it on a map. And there's not cellphone reception."
"Yeah, but I'm going with you. So it's not really a vacation."
"C'mon, Kate. Would you pick McGee over me?"
"Huh. That's a tough one."
"What!"
"Hmmm. . ."
"Oh, you know you'd pick me, Kate."
"And what if I did?"
"You like me better than McGee, haha!"
Defensive. "I never said that."
"Whatever you say, Kate."
"Shut up."
"Only if you do."
"Okay."
"Fine!"
"That's settled, then."
"Right."
"Tony?"
"Yeah?"
"Stop talking."
Muttering. "Fine."
" . . ."
" . . ."
" . . ."
" . . ."
"So. No cellphone reception, huh?"
"Yup."
"Well. . . it can't be that bad."
"Nope."
Pause.
"There's a catch, isn't there?"
"Um. Sort of."
Moan. "Lemme guess. We're taking a-"
"-satellite phone."
"Oh, boy."
"Yup."
Pause.
"What doesn't kill you, right?"
"Huh?"
"'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.' It's a famous quote. Are you seriously telling me you've never heard that?"
"Of course I have."
Laughing. "Liar."
Sarcastic. "You got me, Kate."
More laughing.
"Shut up, Kate."
Still chuckling. "So, Tony, when's our flight?"
"I knew you'd warm up to me."
Pause.
"Shut up, Tony."
THE END