AN: Thanks for the reviews, you guys rock! This chapter is major TATEness, so I hope you enjoy. As always, please review! It's what I live for, lol! And I'm going to be gone a week for spring break. I'll try to find time to update, cough reviews cough, but if I don't you can expect a major update for all of my fics when I get back.

Chapter 11

They had to wait until nighttime to put their plan into action so they had the entire day to themselves, after their visit with Abby and McGee of course. They'd headed upstairs as soon as they'd finalized their plans. Abby had freaked out when they'd walked into the room. She'd let out a girly scream, the kind that guys would never understand, and wrapped Kate in a huge hug. They cried and jumped up and down while the Tony and McGee looked on and shared an understanding guy look that said shrug "women."

When Abby finally released Kate she'd grabbed Tony and whispered in his ear, "It took you long enough." He'd had to chuckle as he nodded and whispered back, "too long." Meanwhile, Kate and McGee shared a briefer hug. "It's great to have you back, Kate." McGee said with a smile after they broke apart.

Abby, with an arm wrapped around Tony, chose that moment to walk up behind them and jumped into the conversation. "Yep! Without you, who would keep Tony in line?" Tony rolled his eyes as the rest of the group laughed. He disentangled himself from Abby's hold and moved behind Kate, immediately slipping his arms around her waist and hugging her tight. It was a perfect fit, with his head resting softly on top of hers.

Kate wrapped her arms around Tony's and leaned into his embrace, smiling even brighter than before. She loved this, standing here surrounded by her friends and wrapped securely in the arms of the man she loved. She'd dreamed of moments like this but had never in a million years believed it would be possible. Even the briefest touch from Tony, even the shortest, most innocent look, made her heart flutter with love and excitement. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face, and she never wanted to.

She snapped out of her reverie and noticed Abby grinning at her. Kate blushed, knowing that she'd been busted. She glanced at McGee and saw him trying to hide his smile. If even he could see where her mind had wondered off to then she must be really transparent, but she didn't really care. She was completely and totally head-over-hills, shout it from the rooftops in love with Anthony DiNozzo, and nothing else mattered. Still smiling, she turned her attention back to the discussion at hand. Tony was filling them in on his master plan.

As he explained, she once again lost herself in the feel of his warmth around her and the soothing sound of his voice. Abby noted the dreamy, content look on Kate's face and knew she had to get her alone. She wanted every detail of the inter-office romance they'd all been waiting for. Tony finished his explanation and Abby jumped at her chance.

"This had better work Tony. You're going to have to be really convincing 'cause you know Gibbs sees everything coming a mile away. He's like a freakin' mind reader! I think you and McGee should go downstairs and figure out exactly what you're going to say." She gave McGee a little push towards the door and he shot her a confused look, but Tony understood completely.

"Fine, I get when I'm not wanted." Tony feigned sulking.

"Good," Abby replied with a smirk. "Then get out of here and leave me and Kate to our girl talk." She wiggled her eyebrows at Kate, receiving a small burst of laughter from Kate who quickly covered her mouth.

"Aww, can't I take her with me?" Tony pleaded with a pout. When Abby shook her head, he let out a disappointed sigh. "Fine! Steal the woman I love, what do I care? I suppose I'm just supposed to pine away downstairs until you two are done, right?"

Abby nodded her head in approval. "Sounds good to me. That work for you, Kate?"

"Yep, I kind of like the idea of a guy pining away for me, especially when that guy is Tony." She gave his arms a squeeze. McGee rolled his eyes and took this as his cue to leave. He wasn't a part of this conversation so he might as well wait for Tony downstairs. At least he'd escape the PDA, he thought as he walked out the door.

Tony placed a kiss on Kate's head and took a smile step back, relaxing his arms until his hands rested lightly on her hips. He spun her around to face him. He really didn't want to be away from her, but he knew she wanted to talk to Abby. He raised his hand to brush a strand of her from her face, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek. He got the heated look in his eyes that he always got when he looked at Kate, and for a moment she forgot to breathe.

She loved his eyes. She could lose herself in them forever, and they always told her exactly what he was feeling. The heated look he gave her would have instantly made her melt if she hadn't already been puddle, her permanent state since she'd woken up and laid eyes on Tony. She wet her lips and swallowed, her mouth suddenly watering at the delicious site before her. No one had ever affected her the way Tony did, and he was barely even touching her. She forgot everything around her, even that Abby was in the room. If anyone had asked she wasn't sure she could have told them her own name, let alone where she was. She was pretty sure the only word her lips were capable of forming right now was "Tony."

Her heart was racing and she closed her eyes as he slowly leaned down. Their lips met, hot but tender. It seemed to last forever but it wasn't long enough for Kate. He started to pull back but she followed, not wanting to lose the feel of his lips on hers. Finally they broke apart, completely breathless. Kate slowly opened her heavy lids and stared into his eyes, seeing a reflection of exactly what she was feeling. Nothing else had ever come close to the power of his kisses. Even the barest touch of his lips blew her away.

She reached out to place a hand on his chest, running her hand along the buttons of his shirt. She wanted more, and she didn't think she could last much longer without it. He was driving her crazy, and she could tell by the look in his eyes and the way he was breathing heavily that he felt the same way. Then he closed his eyes, looking almost pained, and pulled her close.

He let out a deep breath and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "You're killing me, Katie. But I can't think of a better way to go."

She snuggled deeper into his chest and smiled. "I guess that makes us even. Want to call a truce?"

His breath caught at her suggestion. Hell yes, he thought. Instead he whispered back, "You have no idea how much I want to. I want it more than I want my next breath, but we can't yet. You're still healing and I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't," she interrupted. "I trust you completely and I know you'd never do anything to hurt me. Besides, I feel great now. I have you."

That made him smile. He loved that he made her all better. All he wanted to do for the rest of his life was make sure she kept feeling that way, that nothing ever came close to hurting her or making her feel bad. "I always knew I was the perfect medicine." He joked before turning serious. "It's not just that, it's that you deserve perfection. I want everything to be perfect, almost as perfect as you."

Kate was moved by his words and she loved him even more, which she hadn't thought was possible. He truly was the most amazing man in the universe, and she thanked God for whatever she'd done to deserve him. "It will be perfect," she murmured against his chest. "Just because it's you."

They stayed wrapped in each other's arms in silence, simply savoring the moment. They'd both completely forgotten about Abby, who'd remained silent watching the beautiful display of love play out in front of her. She'd been unable to make out the words but she hadn't needed to, the feelings were there for everyone to see. Tears were shining in her eyes as she watched her two friends bask in total love and contentment. She wanted what they had, but she didn't think that level of love was possible for anyone but these two. What they had was special and completely unequaled in the world. She'd settle for even half their love, which would be more than enough to last a lifetime.

She felt like she was intruding but they were between her and the door and she hadn't wanted to interrupt them. Finally, Tony looked up and noticed her standing their. He smiled a bit sheepishly, a little embarrassed that they'd forgotten she was there. He would have felt worse but, truth be told, he'd do the same thing again in a heartbeat. He wouldn't trade that moment with Kate for anything in the world.

Reluctantly, he relaxed his hold on Kate. "I think I was supposed to be going." He smiled wider and Kate could hear the laughter in his voice.

"I don't want you to." Kate tightened her arms around him and snuggled back into his embrace. "I don't want you to ever go."

"That's good, because you're never getting rid of me." He hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head before relaxing his arms again. "But I think someone wanted to talk to you." He glanced up at Abby.

Kate groaned, finally remembering Abby, and promptly burst into a fit of giggles. She reluctantly pulled away from Tony and turned to face Abby, but she held Tony's arms around her waist. She tried to look apologetic but she couldn't stop smiling. "Sorry, Abs." She knew she sounded totally unconvincing and had that confirmed when Abby grinned.

"Suuuurre you are," Abby replied sarcastically and rolled her eyes.

"Hey, where'd McGee go?" Tony's gaze swept the room as he realized they'd totally forgotten about someone else, too.

"He left right before you guys poured on the PDA." Abby laughed. "You guys really are in your own little world."

"Yep," Kate replied with a grin. "And it's utopia." Tony and Abby both laughed.

"Well I need details on this utopia, so you need to leave." She wagged her finger at Tony. "'Cause you two obviously can't be in the same room together."

Tony leaned down to whisper in Kate's ear. "I'll miss you. My arms will be sad and empty without you, and my fingers will long to brush your soft skin. And you know that my lips will be counting down the minutes until they can do this again." Her breath caught as she lost herself in his words. Other than hearing him say I love you, it was the greatest thing she'd ever heard. She'd never guessed that Tony could be so eloquent, and she loved him all the more for it. He just kept amazing her. He reached up and tilted her chin towards him, softly kissing her. He pulled away before it could escalate and stepped back to remove the temptation. He had to leave now or he never would.

She stood motionless as he pulled away and wished he never had to let her go. She felt cold and lonely without his arms wrapped around her. She turned to watch him back out the door, holding his gaze until he disappeared into the hall. He felt empty when she disappeared from sight, already missing feeling her warmth in his arms. It was like he wasn't complete unless he was touching her or looking at her. He just hoped she didn't stay with Abby too long. He didn't think he could stand being without her if she was gone for long, like even an hour. Since there was nothing else to do without her, he went in search of McGee. Maybe working on the Gibbs situation would help occupy his mind enough that he wouldn't miss her as much. Yeah right, he thought, who was he trying to kid?