A/N: Yeah, I actually decided to be nice and update for you guys! I know, I know. amazing, right? Now, I don't ACTUALLY have the next chapter written out, but I have the story in my mind! What will get me to write more is if you review!

--Emily--

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own it (yet)

Post Note: 12/18/07: I am curious as to how people managed to read this. The grammatical errors are abominable, and some of the dialogue is not much better. I think I still like the plot, as the ol' secret pregnancy thing is a major favorite of mine, but still. It's certainly taking me a good while to wade through and fix only the very basics. Forget trying to go in depth.


"Ally? Rita? I'm home," Kate called as she opened the front door to her modest one story house. Barking echoed through the house as Lilly ran up, soon joined by her young daughter.

"How was she today?" Kate asked Rita, the older woman who looked after Ally while Kate was working.

"Good as always."

Kate smiled. "Do you think you could stay later tomorrow?"

Rita raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"I'm going out with an old friend."

Rita grinned. "Would this be a male friend?"

Kate shook her head; the woman was incorrigible when it came to her love life. She was forever telling Kate to just 'settle down, find yourself a man!'

Kate never quite had the heart to tell Rita that she had, in fact, found a man. Of course, she'd also lost that man, but what did that really matter now?

"Yes, and he is just a friend."

Rita shrugged. "Sure I can watch her. But will he be meeting her?"

Kate frowned. "No… I really don't want him knowing about her." She glanced down at her daughter. Taking note of the look of curiousity that was now evident on Rita's face, she quickly added, "you know how men are. They always turn the other way and hide when the see a kid around..."

Rita raised an eyebrow, and Kate wished for a moment that she had gone with the old blind woman when it came to picking someone who'd watch her daughter. She sighed. "Ally, why don't you go wait for me in the family room. We can watch a movie."

The girl's eyes lit up. "Cinderella?" she asked hopefully. Kate laughed.

"All right. Now, go on. Mommy will be there in a second."

Ally squealed and ran towards the room the housed the TV. Rita stared at Kate.

"He's her father, isn't he?" Her voice was soft.

Yes, definitely should have gone with the half-blind old bat. At least she wouldn't ask questions like this, or figure out such obvious things. However, there was now no denying the truth to Rita; she knew her far too well.

"He doesn't need to know. We're doing fine on our own. Really," Kate told her.

"He should. But that is none of my business. I can stay late tomorrow, but I do wish that you would tell him."

Kate nodded.

"Thanks for the advice, but I know what I am doing."

Rita shrugged. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye Rita."


The next night couldn't come fast enough for either Kate or Tony. McGee noticed how distant Tony was and questioned him about it.

"Tony, what's up with you? You seem really distracted."

Tony shrugged, his eyes glued to Kate's form. McGee followed his gaze and sighed.

"Kate. How surprising," he said. Again Tony didn't respond. McGee shook his head. "Aren't you two going out tonight?"

Tony smiled. "Yup. Are you going to need the rental car?"

"Yes."

Tony raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "What the hell for?"

"I have to have it, in case something happens and we need to get to the lab."

Tony looked at him, slightly annoyed. "Yeah, all right, whatever you say." He turned his attention back to Kate, who smiled at him. He walked towards her. "Hey Kate?"

"Yes?"

"Could you pick me up from the hotel? McGee has to keep the car, in case something happens."

Kate was silent for a moment. "Okay."

Looking at her, Tony couldn't help but try to press his luck. He was treading on ice, he knew. Kate had been touchy and secretive since he'd arrived. It wasn't too much of a surprise, what with the way she'd left in the middle of the night and all. Tony couldn't help but wonder what had happened. It couldn't have been something that he'd done; it was a month after...well, after that night. Yet, even now, it was clear that she was uncomfortable with him. For a brief moment, he considered canceling that night. However, as he studied her, he couldn't bring himself to do so. Rather, he suggested, "Maybe we could uh, have drinks at your place or something…"

"NO!" Kate said, a little to quickly. Tony looked at her, startled.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to suggest…"

"Its not that. I just-it's just personal things. I'll pick you up tonight. Be ready."

God he had missed her. More than he would ever admit to anyone, of course. When Kate left, Tony took it all in stride in front of his colleagues. He refused to let anyone see that it had cut him deep. No one knew that they had slept together, and if they did know, they would have just assumed it meant nothing to both of them.

He didn't know what it meant to her, but to him it meant a whole lot more then he let on. He wasn't sure if he had ever felt how he felt that night. There was just something about Kate Todd that was enchanting to him. He had hid those feelings for the past three years, but seeing her again it was all coming back. He glanced at his watch. Only three hours until the date.


"Mommy, what are you doing?"

"Getting dressed."

"Why?"

"Because Mommy's going out with an old friend tonight."

"Why?"

Kate let out an aggravated sigh as she fiddled with the clasp of her necklace. She hadn't worn it since Ally was born, for Ally quickly developed the habit of yanking on it. It didn't seem to want to fit now, and the fact that Ally was going through her "why" phase was not helping matters.

Her stomach fluttered as she thought of the date she had agreed to go on. She had tried to fight her feelings for Tony since the day she fell for him. She had tried even harder when Ally was born and she left. But seeing him again brought back all of the old feelings. She wondered if she should tell him the truth, if it would be best for all of them. Maybe he would want to be with her and Ally. Maybe he would want a family. Ally would have a dad; Kate could have someone to love her.

"Snap out of it!" she chided herself. This is Tony, the skirt chaser, the player. He would never want a family. He wouldn't allow himself to be tied down. She smiled as she looked at the girl. How anyone could not want her was beyond her. She loved her child, and had easily taken to motherhood. She was applying her lipstick when the doorbell rang. It was Rita. She walked down the narrow hall to the door, smiling as she opened the door.

"Thank you so much Rita. This means a lot to me."

Rita brushed off her thanks. "You need to see people. But I thought this man is just an old friend."

"He is."

"That explains why you are more dressed up then I have ever seen you."

It was true; Kate wore an outfit that she hadn't worn in what seemed like forever. Her deep cranberry blouse and tan pants were tasteful and fancy. Her hair and make-up actually looked as though she'd spent time on it, rather than the mess she usually slapped on in the mornings.

"Well, you know it is kind of nice to get dressed up to go somewhere where you aren't working or with other parents," she said with a laugh. She looked at her watch.

"Well, I better get out of here. I'm picking up Tony. Ally! I'm going out."

The girl came running over, jumping into her mother's arms. "Mommy, I don't feel good."

Kate kissed the top of her daughter's head.

"You'll be fine sweetie. Rita will be here for you, and I'll be back soon."

"'Kay," agreed Ally. Kate gave her one last kiss before hurrying out the door.


Kate was twenty minutes late to pick up Tony.

"What took you so long?"

Kate mentally cursed herself. She used to give him such a hard time for being late. "Just some personal things at home. Nothing important," she answered.

"Boyfriend jealous?" he asked.

"I'm not seeing anyone actually." She could have sworn she saw a smile tug at his lips. They arrived at the small diner to find it relatively empty. "One of the towns best kept secrets," she explained as they were seated.

"So why did you leave Kate?" Tony asked the question Kate had been preparing for all night.

"I just needed a change. That's all," she lied.

"We miss you. Gibbs hired a new girl. No one likes her."

Kate laughed. "She some old fat lady or something?"

Tony shook his head. "No, she might even be kind of pretty if she wasn't a stuck up bitch!" He exclaimed. "I tried to joke with her like we used to and she threatened to report me for sexual harassment!"

"Tony, didn't I do that all the time?" asked Kate.

"But you wouldn't have actually done it. This woman did! It took Gibbs to get her to drop the charge!"

Kate looked at him. "No way."

He nodded. "We miss you a lot Kate."

She looked down at her lap. "I've missed you guys, too."

They were silent for a moment.

"So, do you like it here?"

She shrugged. "It's different."

"And you aren't seeing anyone?"

"No, just me." So that wasn't completely a lie. She really wasn't seeing anyone. But she wasn't living alone by any means. Before they could say anything more, the waiter came over to take their orders. They ate their dinner, talking about the old days, about the weather, about anything so long as it wasn't serious. They were almost done when Kate's cell phone rang.

"Hello?"

Tony watched as her face froze and her eyes widened.

"Oh, God. I'll be right there. Yeah, get her ready and call the hospital." She hung up and looked at Tony.

"I have to go home. Something came up. Can you get a cab to take you back?" She didn't expect what he said next.

"No."

She looked at him. "What?"

"Kate, you're keeping something from me. You're hell bent on making sure I don't find something out about your private life. At the very least, I thought you could trust me as a friend."

She studied him for a minute. "All right, come on."

He quickly paid for the food and followed her to the car. As they drove towards her home, she spoke.

"Tony, please don't ask any questions. I will explain everything when I get the chance. She sped all the way home and pulled into the driveway, jumping out of the car. As she walked up to the door, she took a deep breath, knowing she was about to expose her deepest secret to the one person she swore she would never let find out.


A/N: I hope you liked that one. The good stuff should be coming soon...very soon if you review!

--Emily--