AN: I didn't plan on writing anything else before 1x13 aired, but after talking with some other Kacy shippers, I started thinking about ways the couple could end up finally having the talk Lucy keeps shutting down. This is just my headcanon playing around with ways to get my favorite NCIS special agent back together with my favorite DIA officer. The song that inspires this fic is "i wanna be your girlfriend" by girl in red. You should definitely check it out if you haven't.
Kate clenched her jaw in frustration when she saw the text message from Tennant asking her to meet her in her office. She knew it was her job. She knew it was unreasonable to be frustrated with Tennant over a basic request, but going to her office meant passing by Lucy's desk and she wasn't sure if she had the bandwidth for the tension that day. The two had not spoken much in the week since Lucy found out about Cara. Kate knew Lucy needed time, but also wasn't in the mood to deal with Lucy's passive aggressive comments, side glares, and attitude. A part of her knew she deserved some of the animosity. Lucy was hurting and she was reason. Another part was irked that her ex-girlfriend…if she could even call their relationship that…was making it difficult to carry out her duties at work. That part also nagged at her that there was a reason why getting involved with someone from work was a bad idea. Relationships were difficult enough when feelings got hurt, but relationships at work were complicated. Kate Whistler did not do complicated. She shoved her phone into her pocket and headed for Tennant's office, doing her best not to treat it as the inconvenience to her personal life that it really was. She sighed in relief when she walked into the bullpen and Lucy was not at her desk. Tennant was sitting in her office perusing some files and Kate gave a light tap before entering and closing the door.
"You wanted to see me?" Tennant smiled brightly at her, which made Kate eye her cautiously. Sure, the women had moved past their differences in approaches to work and were gaining professional trust, but she knew Tennant was up to something.
"Yes, perfect timing, I have a case that will need your expertise."
"What's the case?"
"I'm going to brief everyone in the war room," said Tennant as she gathered some files and headed toward the door. She motioned for Kate to follow her and Kate frowned in confusion at the vagueness of the request, but obliged. They went upstairs to the war room and Kate sighed when she saw Lucy. The brunette special agent was standing on the other side of the room beside Kai and Jesse and immediately rolled her eyes when she saw Kate. Neither of them said a word. Instead, they waited for Tennant to explain the case.
"This is Naval Officer Nicole Greer. She is stationed on the base and lives here with her little sister…"
"Sammie, I know this officer. Is Greer okay," asked Kate and Lucy smirked.
"Of course you do, another ex of yours," challenged Lucy, but she immediately regretted the remark as the awkward tension returned. Jesse and Kai cringed and averted their eyes to try to steer clear of the minefield Lucy just placed them in. Tennant sighed.
"Whether we mean for them to or not, personal and professional lives sometimes blend together. We are still all expected to do our jobs and remember our code of conduct in the workplace. Does everyone in this room understand that," asked Tennant as she gave Lucy a look. Kate crossed her arms.
"I have no problem being professional," said Kate as she gave Lucy a look as well. Lucy sighed and nodded.
"I apologize. That was unnecessary, how do you know Greer and her sister," asked Lucy.
"Army Brats tend to seek each other out. Her father was in the Army. He was killed in action when they were younger and their mother passed a few years ago. Nicole moved to the island with Sammie and was struggling to get settled, so I helped find them a place she could afford that also was close to Sammie's school. Army Brats stick together. I let her know she could reach out if she needed anything else, but she never did. I thought that meant everything was fine," explained Kate.
"Greer isn't the one that may be in trouble. Samantha, Sammie for short, hasn't been home or attending school all week. Greer is worried about her and reached out for help," explained Tennant.
"So what are we talking about here? Abduction, runaway, foul play," questioned Jesse.
"That's what we need to find out. Greer said Samantha's closet still had her clothes in it and nothing seemed to be missing. There was no forced entry or sign of a struggle, but that doesn't mean we can rule out foul play. We need to act fast with this one. The more time that passes, the less likely we are to find Samantha if she is in danger. Jesse, Kai, I want you to start at the high school. See if anyone there may know something. Lucy, Kate, head over to Nicole's and see if you can find out anything else that may help." Kate frowned in confusion.
"I don't go out in the field. Do you people really not know my job by now," asked Kate.
"You protect intel. You also are resourceful and can decipher information quicker than us at times. Plus, I need all hands on deck. We have several cases right now that are important. Are you really not going to help find Sammie because it is outside the confines of your duties," challenged Tennant and Kate sighed.
"Fine, I will go talk to Nicole, but Lucy doesn't have to go. She can go with the boys if that works better. I know Nicole and should be able to get a good read of the situation." Lucy crossed her arms as she walked over to them.
"No, if Tennant assigned me to go with you, then that's what I will do. Let's go," said Lucy before heading out of the room. Kate gave Tennant a look and noticed how the woman averted her eyes. She set them up intentionally, but Kate didn't have time to question it. She wanted to help find Sammie, even if that meant enduring the awkward tension with Lucy.
They spent the entire trip to Nicole's house in silence after bickering in the parking lot about who would drive. Lucy wanted to drive her car, but Kate assured her it wasn't necessary. After going back and forth for a minute, they finally agreed to take Kate's car since she was familiar with the area where Nicole lived. Kate was relieved when she parked in the driveway and could get out of the car. The tension between the two of them was stifling. Lucy stepped onto the porch of the residence and knocked before announcing herself.
"Officer Greer, NCIS, we came to talk," called Lucy and Kate rolled her eyes as she stepped onto the porch to stand beside her.
"She isn't a suspect. She called it in," reminded Kate.
"Everyone is a suspect until we find this girl and don't tell me how to do my job."
"I'm not telling you how to…" Kate abruptly stopped when Nicole opened the door and stepped aside to invite them in.
"Kate? You work for NCIS now? Please, come in, have you found anything," asked Nicole. They entered the house and Kate sat down in the living room with Nicole while Lucy looked around the room.
"I'm still with DIA, just helping out NCIS for the case. I'm so sorry this is happening. When is the last time you saw Sammie?"
"Monday morning, we got into an argument."
"About what," asked Lucy.
"Her grades have been slipping. She's been distant and closed off. I think she resents me for moving us here, but what else was I supposed to do? Leave her in San Francisco on her own at sixteen?" Kate reached out for Nicole's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Lucy noticed the way Nicole squeezed Kate's hand in return.
"You did the right thing by your sister, but you know how teenagers can be, especially when they're moved around as much as we were growing up. We are going to find Sammie."
"Thanks, Kate. I should've called you sooner. I just…"
"I get it. You have nothing to be sorry about. Can you show us her room? There may be something in there that can give us a clue about what's going on."
"Of course, right this way," said Nicole as she led the way. Lucy looked around at the pictures on the walls in the hallway upstairs and in Sammie's room when they entered.
"How would you describe your relationship with your sister," asked Lucy as she looked around and Nicole shook her head as she thought about it.
"Complicated at the moment."
"Did you two fight Monday morning?"
"We argued."
"Did it get physical?"
"Excuse me," asked Nicole as she frowned and Lucy shrugged.
"I'm just trying to get a read for what happened. You two got into an argument, that's the last time you saw her, how intense was the argument?"
"I would never put my hands on my sister, even when we were kids, that didn't fly in our house. I asked her about her grades, she yelled, I yelled back, she left for school. I would never hurt my baby sister, ever," said Nicole as tears filled her eyes. Lucy slowly nodded.
"Sorry, I have to ask, though. Just doing…"
"Your job, right, a job I called you in to do. I should go grab my phone in case she calls. Kate, I'll be downstairs if you need me," said Nicole as she gave Kate's arm a squeeze. Kate smiled sympathetically at her.
"Of course," said Kate. She waited for Nicole to exit the room before glaring at Lucy.
"What the hell was that?"
"Just because you two are gal pals doesn't mean I have to stop doing my job. I would question anyone about what happened because I'm a professional."
"For the record, even though it is most certainly none of your business anymore, Nicole and I never happened. We are colleagues and respect each other, something you obviously know very little about."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you are allowed to be hurt, but not allowed to disrespect me or my job because you are hurt. We are here to find a girl that is missing, anything that doesn't focus on that is not my problem at the moment, Special Agent Tara."
"Agreed, DIA Officer Whistler, so let me do my job and you do yours," suggested Lucy as she began searching through a drawer. Kate shook her head in frustration, but decided to leave it there. She surveyed the room and noticed a cork board beside Sammie's bed. It was full of pictures, cutouts of flowers and phrases, and push pins. Kate took a picture of a section of the board that had a picture of Sammie with another teenage girl, a logo that looked familiar, and a magazine cutout of a lily flower. Lucy glanced over at her when she began typing on her phone.
"What is it," asked Lucy, but Kate shook her head.
"Probably nothing, just a note I want to keep in mind."
"Always so forthcoming, Whistler." Kate took in a deep breath to resist the urge to give a sharp retort in response.
"It could be nothing, which is why I didn't want to mention it, but you see this corner of the board with the extra push pin?"
"Yeah, I know that logo too. It's for girl in red."
"Notice that the push pin isn't holding that particular piece in place. The other four are, so there may have been something pinned on top of it. Again, just my brain bouncing in different directions."
"Well, then let it keep bouncing. What's your gut telling you?"
"I don't follow my gut. I follow the intel."
"Okay, then what's the intel telling you?" Kate thought for a moment as she pulled the push pin in question from the board to stare at it.
"Sammie was wearing a shirt with that logo the last time I saw her. I've only been around her twice. The first was when Nicole first arrived on base and the second was when I helped her and Sammie move in here. She loves girl in red."
"Who wouldn't?"
"Boards like this usually represent desires, goals, even accomplishments. I just checked and girl in red is performing tonight on the island. That's definitely something Sammie wouldn't want to miss," explained Kate.
"And if she did just run away, it would make sense for her to show up at the concert and refuse to miss out." Kate showed her the push pin.
"Especially if she already had a ticket that she pinned to her board for safe keeping."
"It's a bit of a stretch. We can't count out an abduction or foul play based on it." Kate looked down and nodded.
"I know, that's why I said it was probably nothing." Lucy gave her a small smile.
"But, it may be our only lead right now and if she is a runaway, you could be right. I'll call Tennant and check in with the others to see what they found. If you are right though, we need to be at that show in a few hours," added Lucy as she pulled out her phone. Kate smiled and sighed in relief. She wasn't sure if she was grasping at straws, but really hoped her instincts about Sammie were right.
After filling in Nicole on the plan and speaking with the others, everyone agreed it was their best hunch. Jesse and Kai didn't learn much from the school, except that Samantha had skipped multiple days and didn't seem to have many friends. Tennant let Kate and Lucy take lead while she, Jesse, and Kai worked on another case that came across her desk. That night, Kate and Lucy drove to a small venue in Honolulu to see if they could find Samantha. Lucy noticed how tense Kate was as she drove and tightened her grip on the steering wheel.
"You okay," asked Lucy.
"Fine, I just really hope she is at this concert. I don't know what to tell Nicole if she isn't. What if I led us on a wild goose chase and we ended up wasting time?"
"Hey, look at me," said Lucy. Kate sighed, but glanced over at her.
"You're doing great. No matter what happens, no one doubts that you want to find Sammie and help Nicole. I can tell you really care about her."
"It's not about Nicole. I mean yes, I care about her because I relate to her and Sammie. I moved a lot when I was younger because my dad was in the military. Even though Noah and I knew we would follow in his footsteps in some shape or form, it still wasn't the best childhood. I care so much because I see a lot of myself in Sammie. I resented my parents for making me leave the moment I could possibly have friendships. It sucked."
"That does sound like it would suck."
"It's also the reason I don't get close to people very easily. In my experience, opening up only hurts when things end."
"But things don't always have to end. People stay, Kate, but not if you push them away or aren't honest with them."
"I didn't think Cara would be an issue." The words popped the bubble of tension between them as they finally confronted the issue between them.
"She was your girlfriend. How was that not going to be an issue?"
"I thought it was clear that we broke up."
"Did you ever tell her that?"
"Pretty sure packing my bags and moving was a sign." Lucy couldn't hide the giggle that escaped her lips and Kate smiled over at her.
"Relationships are complicated and I'm definitely not the best at them, but I would never try to play you or anyone. I just misread things. Plus, you and I didn't exactly start off as a clearly defined relationship. Everything felt up in the air about our status and my personal life, in general. I should have told you, but I was afraid to broach the topic until we were actually on the same page about what we were in the first place."
"You should have told me about Cara. But, if I am being fair about things, you are right. We never really pinned down what we were or if we were even exclusive. I just assumed you knew that."
"And I assumed we would figure it out along the way. I never expected Cara to show up. Truth is, I don't do well with confrontations."
"You? Whistler? I doubt that," teased Lucy.
"Confronting people on the job is one thing and even then, it sucks always being the one that has to say no. People grow to resent you when you are always the one making sure they don't have something they think they need. But me, just Kate, I hate confrontations, they make me uncomfortable, I never say the right things, and I tend to just let issues fizzle out without saying what needs to be said. I should have formally ended things with Cara, but I figured after not seeing each other for so long, we would both just move on. I should have told you, though, and we should have talked about what we both wanted in our relationship."
"I didn't exactly make that part easy on you. You were right about me not getting to know you at first. The truth is I have problems opening up to people too and it is far more convenient to blame everything on you than think about how we both kept each other at arm's length."
"We are still getting to know each other. The physical part is easy for us but it's also easy to make assumptions based on our pasts instead of based on each other. I'm sorry I hurt you. That was never my intention. I just didn't know how to bring everything up or open up to you."
"I'm sorry I shut you down instead of letting you explain. Truth is, it scares me how much it hurts to be without you," she confessed and Kate swallowed hard as she glanced over at her.
"It does?"
"Do you really think I would've been this pissed if I didn't care about you? I wasn't ready to hear you out at that time, but I am now. Maybe we can talk after we close the case," suggested Lucy and Kate smiled at her as she parked in the parking lot of the venue.
"I would really like that. Hopefully, we can close it tonight and everyone gets a happy ending." Lucy nodded in agreement as they got out of the car and headed toward the venue. There was a long line of people trying to get in and Kate scanned the line for Samantha while Lucy talked to the security guard at the door. Kate clenched her jaw in frustration when Lucy walked over to her.
"I don't see here. She isn't out here."
"Bouncer says this is the overflow. Most of the crowd already headed inside. The show is sold out so there will be a lot of people trying to get in. He's going to let us in though. We should split up to cover more ground, but keep your phone close and on vibrate so you can feel it if I call. It's going to be loud in there." Kate nodded in agreement as they entered the venue and made their way through swaths of bodies. The lights were still up and the show hadn't started yet. Kate began to look around and noticed a long line forming beside a back hallway of the venue.
"What's this for? Bathrooms are over there," called Kate over the crowd and a teenage girl pointed toward a sign in the hallway.
"VIP Meet and Greet," she called back. Kate nodded and smiled in thanks before scanning the line again. She sighed in relief the moment she saw a girl with black hair and a familiar red streak in it. She sent a quick text to let Lucy know she found her.
"Sammie," called Kate. The teenager frowned in confusion when she heard her name and her eyes widened when she spotted Kate. She tried to run for the exit, but it was blocked off by a group of teenagers waiting to see their favorite musician.
"Come on, Sammie, you don't have to do this. Why are you running," asked Kate as Samantha's shoulders slumped in defeat and she turned to face her.
"What are you doing here?"
"Your sister put out a missing persons. She is worried sick about you. She thought you were kidnapped or something."
"God, she's so dramatic. Did she ever stop to think that maybe I just didn't want to live with her anymore? Her house, her rules, she made that clear."
"And that's a problem," asked Kate as the girl slid down the wall to a seated position. Kate sat down beside her and listened as Samantha looked down in shame.
"I'm not who she wants me to be."
"And who is that?"
"Like her, a people person, perfect, always put together, and tidy. She's always been that way. She has this perfect life where everything fits in place. That's not me, though. Trust me, I'm doing us both a favor by leaving."
"You really think your sister's life is perfect?"
"That's how she acts."
"Well, this is what I know. You both lost your parents and the only thing she wants is to do right by you, but she isn't sure what you need. She isn't your parent. She's your sister and she's trying to make it work here just like you are."
"You don't get it."
"How about you try me? What am I missing?" Tears filled Samantha's eyes as she shook her head.
"My mom is the only one who got me and now she's gone like my dad. I hate that school and this place. I don't fit in and even when I thought I might, I ended up crashing and burning."
"Who did you crash and burn with?"
"No one."
"Lily?" Samantha's eyes widened.
"How did you know about…"
"I saw the board in your room and a picture. I know a crush when I see one. It didn't take much to figure it out when I saw the flower by her face, a lily for Lily."
"I thought she got me, you know?"
"How did you meet?"
"I went to a party. She goes to another school, but we started hanging out. I got her a ticket too, but she told me she has feelings for someone else."
"That sucks."
"Yeah, like you could relate, though. You're blonde and have long legs and a perfect body. I doubt you have ever been the one crushing on anyone." Kate scoffed.
"I have crushed on plenty of girls and gotten my heart broken. When I was in high school, I even had a crush on my very straight best friend."
"Talk about breaking the cardinal rule."
"Hey," giggled Kate as she playfully nudged her with her shoulder and Samantha giggled.
"I will have you know, back then there wasn't a rule book. It was hard enough coming out and we didn't have examples in pop culture or shows or music to look up to either, just our hormones and feelings. I'm sure it was hard for your sister too. Being bisexual was considered just a phase or experimenting back then."
"Yeah, that's what she said, but still. Nothing here works, so I figured I would get out of her hair and just get my own life."
"So you grabbed your backpack, left everything else behind, and thought that would be a good idea? Come on, Sammie, you are smarter than that. Where have you been all week?"
"I crashed at Lily's, but then we got into it. I have enough money to get by. I've been saying for a while and I'm going to get a plane ticket back to San Francisco. I have some friends there I can stay with."
"Or, you can talk to your sister about how you are feeling and work it out. You two have been through a lot. Do you really want to lose her too?"
"She doesn't get me."
"But she loves you and maybe that's where you start. It isn't always going to be easy, but maybe give her the benefit of the doubt. She sent an entire team looking for you because she wants you safe and back home. You don't have to do everything on your own, Sammie. Trust me, pushing people away won't make you feel any less lonely." Samantha slowly nodded.
"Fine, I will go back. Can I at least see girl in red first? It might be my only chance to see her."
"Fine. I will call your sister and let her know the plan, but after the concert, I am taking you home myself, deal?"
"Deal," said Samantha as she stood up to get back in line. Kate sighed in relief and smiled when she saw Lucy walking over to her. Lucy slid down the wall to sit beside her as they watched Samantha check her phone while she waited in line.
"I already told Nicole we found her. She was very relieved," said Lucy.
"Thanks. Um, I kind of told her she could stay for the concert and I would take her home after. You can take my car if you want to head out. I'll get an Uber later."
"And miss girl in red? No way. I wouldn't miss this for the world. You are a fan, right? You have to be a fan."
"I'm not as down with the kids as you are," teased Kate and Lucy giggled.
"I already cleared it with security and may have slipped them some money for good measure. We can stay for the show."
"Thanks, Luce."
"Since we're talking now and trying to be more open with our communication, I wanted to apologize for how I acted earlier. It was unprofessional and uncalled for. I tried to tell myself I was over you and it didn't matter what you did, but seeing you with Nicole got me really defensive for no real reason. I know we aren't together, but…"
"I want us to be together, Lucy. I want to be with you, no one else," said Kate as she turned to her. She smiled when Lucy laced their fingers together.
"I want to be with you too. I know we still have things to talk about, but want to be my date tonight?"
"Concert date night, I think that could be fun," said Kate as she kissed the top of her hand. They stood up and walked over to the line to keep an eye on Samantha. The girl smiled mischievously when she saw them holding hands.
"Who is she," asked Samantha.
"My crush."
"Her girlfriend," corrected Lucy and Kate smiled adoringly at her before nodding.
"Lucy, I would like you to formally meet Sammie. Sammie, this is Lucy, my girlfriend."
"Hi, Kate's girlfriend," teased Samantha.
"Nice to meet you, Sammie."
"Just so you know, I already texted my sister and told her where I was. She's coming to get me after the show. She wanted to come right away, but I told her this was important to me and she agreed to let me stay."
"See, already communicating with her, that's a good start," said Kate.
"Yeah, it is. Are you still going to stay? I've heard girl in red puts on a killer show."
"Oh, she totally does," assured Lucy and they both looked at her as she shrugged.
"What, I got to see her perform in Seattle. It was life-changing." Kate giggled.
"You are just full of surprises." Lucy winked at her before giving her a sweet kiss. Their day didn't end the way either of them thought it would, but somehow they managed to overcome their issues and were already having a date night as girlfriends.
AN: So, what did you think? Seeing Kate at a girl in red concert would be a lot of fun! I hope you enjoyed these two finding their way back to each other.
