AN: Sorry this one took a little longer. I was a busy celebrating the Steelers' Super Bowl victory! Anyway, thanks to my loyal reviewers! I was totally blocked and ready to take the week off but all your reviews made me want to keep going. Its 4 a.m. so I hope it makes sense. Please review!

Chapter 9

Kate woke with the sun shining in her eyes and a warm body wrapped around her. She smiled, glad it hadn't all been a dream. She wished she could stay like this forever and keep the real world at bay. At least she could savor this moment, this feeling. Nothing existed outside of Tony's arms. She thought that as long as she could wake up like this every morning for eternity, her life would be completely perfect. After all the stress-filled days protecting Gibbs, the darkness of the coma, and the fight with her dad, she definitely needed this. Hell, she deserved it. This one moment of total peace made everything worth it.

He'd spent the last hour watching her sleep. He hadn't met to fall asleep in the first place. He'd wanted to cherish the feel of her in his arms and enjoy watching her sleep with the knowledge that she was finally his. But he'd felt so content, so perfect holding her in bed that he hadn't been able to fight it. He'd just slowly fallen into the best sleep he'd ever had. It was like every other night of his life he'd known something was missing. Now that she was in his arms he could completely relax at night because he knew that when he woke up reality would be even better than his dreams.

He'd watched her slowly blink awake against the sun streaming through the window. She was facing away from him and hadn't noticed him watching. He wanted so badly to kiss her good morning but he didn't want to give himself away yet. He wanted to see her reaction when she realized she was in his arms. When she almost immediately smiled, so did he. But she hadn't turn to look at him yet. He watched her looking out the window totally lost in thought as she absently stroked the arm that was wrapped around her.

Just when he couldn't resist the urge to kiss her any longer, she finally shifted in his arms. She turned to take in the image she used to dream about, a sleeping Tony in bed next to her. Instead, she was shocked to see him wide awake with a huge grin on his face. She didn't have a chance to react before his lips softly touched hers. She forgot whatever remark she was going to make and lost her self in his kiss. It really was the perfect way to start the day, and to continue the day, and to end the day. She really wanted this to be the never-ending kiss that lasted until it was time to say goodnight.

Tony pulled away before he really decided never to leave this bed, not that he wasn't already considering it. "Good morning beautiful." He smiled as he tucked a strand of her behind her ear. "How'd you sleep?"

"Great, but waking up was even better. You were still here and it was just like my dreams." She captured his lips again to show him exactly how things had gone in her dreams. This kiss wasn't a soft and slow good morning, it was deep and full of raw emotion. It was a prelude of things to come, of what they both were dying for. Tony took control and rolled them both until Kate was laying down. He slowed the pace, wanting to savor every moment. It was slow and deep, total pleasure and total torture. They'd waited so long that he almost couldn't wait but at the same time he wanted to take his time and do this right. He wanted everything to be perfect.

They were totally caught up in the kisses. Tony moved to the hollow of Kate's neck, instantly zeroing in on that perfect spot that made Kate shiver with pleasure. He slowly captured her lips again. Then a lone rational thought that he'd no longer known he was capable of entered his head. He stilled and Kate whimpered, trying to capture his lips again. She didn't know why he stopped when it had felt so right, so perfect, and she was frustrated.

They were both breathing heavily, almost in unison. Kate was worried something was wrong but when she stared up at Tony's eyes all she saw was concern. "Wait. Are you okay, after the bullet and everything? I don't want to hurt you." He was so worried that he'd almost foolishly lost his head and done something that could hurt her. It warmed her heart and gave her one more reason to love him.

"I'm fine. I'm better than fine, I'm great. Don't worry. You're not going to hurt me." She smiled up at him with complete and total trust and love shining in her eyes.

"But you're supposed to be resting. The doctor said you had to take it easy. I don't want to push you." Despite her reassuring words, he was still worried. He couldn't help it. He'd come so close to losing her and had spent the past two days worrying and praying and swearing that he'd protect her from everything bad in the world once she woke up. He was terrified of hurting her or losing her. He had to make sure.

"I feel great. I spent the night safe in your arms. I'm totally rested. I know you're going to worry no matter what, but you don't have to. I'm OK now, really. I'm not going anywhere. You'll never get rid of me."

They both smiled and he placed a gentle kiss to her lips. This time it was soft and sweet. There was no urgency behind it. They didn't need to rush, they had the rest of their lives. They slowly broke apart. Tony played with a lock of her hair. He'd always loved her hair and he'd longed to touch it. Now it was like he couldn't stop. It just seemed natural. He quickly kissed her forehead since he couldn't seem to keep his lips off of her either.

"We'll finish this later, when we're all alone in our own bed at our own place. I want to make it perfect because you deserve the fairytale. I know I'm not Prince Charming but I'll do my best, Princess."

She smiled and was amazed by how perfect her life had become in the past 24 hours. No matter what Tony said, he was definitely her Prince. She opened her mouth to tell him how amazing he was, but she was interrupted by a loud knock at the door.

"Get your hands off of each other and meet me by the front door in half an hour." Gibbs voice was slightly muffled by the door. They heard his footsteps echo down the hall and started laughing.

"He really does know everything." Tony shook his head, annoyed that Gibbs had once again known more than he should. He'd never understand how Gibbs did that and it was really starting to bug him, especially when it came to his personal life. But it was funny. Who'd have thought that Jethro Gibbs, author of Rule 12, would be okay with two of his agents fooling around in the ultimate government safe house? He definitely liked this new side of Gibbs.

"Yep. It's freaky, but it's Gibbs. Get used to it. Now, I call the shower first." She jumped from the bed before the sentence was out of her mouth, which roused Tony into action. He hadn't been expecting it so he was a second behind Kate. They raced to the adjacent bathroom. He was almost even with her. Another second and he'd be past her, but the door was closing fast. She squealed as she felt Tony brush against the back of her arm as he made his move to pass her. She flung herself through the door and slammed it shut just as he landed against it with a thud.

She was laughing hysterically from the winning side of the door. Then she heard Tony from the other side. "Laugh all you want. I still win…unless you're planning on showering without soap and walking back out here naked." She froze, and then groaned in frustration. How could she be so stupid? She opened the bathroom door just enough to stick her head out.

She put on her biggest, most innocent smile. "Tony, could you please hand me my things." She tried to look sweet and undeniable but it wasn't working. He stood there holding one of her bags in his hand and smirking like he owned the world. He just shook his head in a definite no. The damsel act wasn't working, time for another tactic. "Fine, I'll just stay in here for the next half hour. Maybe you can go find your own room. I'm sure there's plenty more in a place this big."

She could see him considering his options. He knew she really would stay in there the whole time. If he went somewhere else she'd come out and get her things and they could both be ready in time. But he couldn't let her win again. He could take her stuff with him, but the retribution wouldn't be pretty. Finally, he figured out the best way to save face. He wouldn't win, but he wouldn't lose either. He crossed the room with her bag in hand.

"You're lucky I love you or I'd just take this stuff with me to a new room." He handed her the bag. "Enjoy you're shower. I'm going to go across the hall and get ready so Gibbs doesn't kill us for being late." With a quick kiss, he hurried to get his things before he was too tempted to join her. Then they'd really be late. He heard the door close behind him and the water start. He gathered up his things and left to get ready.