OK, let's wrap up this story so I can get back into writing fluffy one shots and not keep getting sidetracked. Thanks for sticking with me through this story and thanks so much for all the wonderful reviews! Hope you like this last chapter. Peace out.
The first thing Kate did when she got to work the next day was visit Abby. She'd got a message from her that morning telling her to hurry to work because Abby had news.
She isn't the only one.
As much as Kate wanted to tell her best friend about what she easily considered the best night of her life, she promised herself she wouldn't… or at least not yet. Keeping their new relationship a secret may have been pretty risky, but if Gibbs found out they could quickly find themselves unemployed. The plan they'd discussed earlier that morning was to keep it secret for now and tell their co-workers later down the track so that they had proof for Gibbs that they could in fact 'keep it out of the office'.
Kate walked into Abby's lab to be greeted with the usual blast of loud music.
"Abby!" she called, but couldn't find her friend. She decided to try the back office.
"Ab- " Kate stopped mid-sentence when she found Abby and McGee locking lips in the dark room. She smirked to herself and then coughed a loud fake cough.
"K-Kate!" McGee stuttered and turned a bright shade of magenta.
"Uh, hey guys. You might want to re-consider where you do that in the future. I could have been Gibbs for all you would have noticed," Kate said with her hands on her hips.
"Don't tell Gibbs!" McGee blurted.
Abby, who was yet to say anything, gave McGee's hand a squeeze.
"Kate won't tell him, will you Kate?" she beamed at her friend.
"Of course not, as long as Probie helps me and Tony out," Kate smiled innocently at him and Abby looked confused. "Don't worry Abbs, McGee knows what I'm talking about."
"OK, deal. I promise. Consider it deleted. I'm just going to go back to work now…" McGee hurriedly left the room, only to come back again and kiss Abby's forehead. When he left the lab completely, Kate hugged Abby tightly.
"Congratulations!" she beamed and Abby started excitedly babbling away about how it all happened.
It wasn't as if Kate didn't care, because she did. It was just that with Abby jabbering away about McGee, Kate couldn't help but start daydreaming about Tony.
"I don't know, I've just never felt like this before. Tim's just so different… Kate? Earth to Kate!"
"Sorry Abbs, I was listening I swear!"
"Oh no you weren't. I know that look. Who's the guy?" she winked and Kate blushed involuntarily.
"What guy? There is no guy," she lied.
"Kate Todd do not lie to me."
"Abby! Why do you have to know what I'm thinking all the time? I'm supposed to be the profiler here."
"Spill it."
Kate sighed. "His name's Tony," she said in a low voice.
"Geez Kate, make our conversations even more confusing why don't you! Tony the boyfriend, Tony the agent and Tony the dog! What is it with you and that name?"
Kate chuckled softly. "I don't know. They all bring me trouble," she grinned. Tony the boyfriend. She liked the sound of that.
"I gotta get back to work Abby. Talk more later OK?" Kate said, retreating from the lab.
Meanwhile, back in the bullpen… (AN: I couldn't think of a better scene change OK!)
"Morning Tony."
"Morning Probie, I mean… Tim."
"I've destroyed the footage Tony."
Tony sighed a sigh of relief. Then shot McGee a questioning look.
"I have a deal with Kate," he clarified dejectedly.
"Oh, thanks Tim."
McGee was confused, but smiled and nodded at Tony.
"DiNozzo. McGee," Gibbs greeted as he entered the bullpen with a coffee in hand.
"Morning Boss."
The elevator doors opened and Kate stepped out and made her way to her desk. The day was slow, with nothing but paperwork to be done. Around midday, Abby entered the bullpen.
"Here's my report Boss-man," she said as she handed him a file and perched on his desk. "Can I steal Kate away for lunch?"
"If she's finished her paperwork."
"I have, Gibbs, but um, Abby?"
"Oh let me guess. You're going to lunch with Tony," Abby sung and winked at Kate. Tony's head shot up from his computer screen, as did McGee's and Gibbs'.
"Uh…"
"You told her? I thought we said we weren't going to tell anyone!" Tony blurted.
"Tony, I told her about my new boyfriend, who coincidentally happens to be called Tony…"
"Oh. Yeah, of course…" Tony coughed and pretended to go back to work. Kate rolled her eyes. They were busted. Hey if they were gonna get busted, Kate was bringing down McGee too. He was the one that started all this.
"Well Abby, wouldn't you rather take McGee to lunch?" she said sweetly, looking at McGee.
Tim stood up. "Boss, I have footage of Kate and Tony making out in interrogation!" he blurted.
"McGee!" Abby looked horrified. "Don't stoop to Tony's level by using blackmail!"
"Hey! What do you mean stoop to my level Career-Girl Barbie?" Tony shot back.
"Don't yell at Abby DiNozzo. I mean it," McGee warned.
"This coming from the guy who's afraid of marshmallows!"
"Kate! I thought I told you not to tell anyone I told you that!"
"Yeah, or you'd spread a rumour about me and Tony. Consider that more than a rumour Abbs."
"Wait, Abby you told Kate!"
"HOLD IT!" Gibbs yelled above their arguing. There was silence in the bullpen. "When did this place become a bad soap opera? Kate. DiNozzo. Keep it out of the office. McGee. Hurt Abby and I'll shoot you. What you do with Barbies and marshmallows is to be done outside of this office. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Yes, Sir."
"Yes, Gibbs."
"Crystal my silver-haired fox!"
Gibbs looked at each member of his team, and then sighed.
"I need coffee."