AN-Hey! How was that last chappy? Sorry no 'KIBBS' but i needed to let the team in on the secret! Another 'TEAM' chappy, mainly Ziva watching out for her new friends and her old ones...

14)Confronting Truths

The team, including Palmer and Ducky, all sat at a bar, waiting intently.

Gibbs then pulled Kate in by the hand, a gesture only Ziva and Tony saw. "Kate!" "Caitlin!" her name was echoed once or twice, followed with hugs, sorrys and explanations.

Tony though talked to Kate the most. Kate listened to everyone, their jabbering, like it was another day at the office. Ziva sat by herself, with Tim coming over to make sure she was ok. Kate and DiNozzo were now arguing about ties and how expensive they were didn't matter.

As Kate went to get another drink, Ziva pulled her aside. Kate didn't seem deterred, instead she hugged Ziva. "Thank you for accepting all this Ziva. This is hardest for you." She looked truthful.

Ziva stood back. "Stop, please. This team, this great, tight-knit team, thought they lost you so long ago. And now you are acting it's like just yesterday that you didn't drop 'dead'? No. Tim took it hard. Abby took it harder. Ducky thought he did an autopsy on you! Gibbs thought it was his fault. And Tony... he took it the hardest. You were like his sister, and then you disappear out of thin air. He took so long to recover. Now, what he is doing today, is celebrating. He is celebrating the fact that you are back for good. Please don't abandon them again, please?"

Kate had tears in her eyes as she looked over at the smiling group. "You... You have a fair point there. " she licked her lips. "Thank you Ziva. You... You say whatever ok? Whatever you want to say to me, say it. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. If you hadn't told me this, I probably would have not realised all the masks people are wearing... Not literally!" she added, seeing Ziva's confused face. "Just... thanks."

Kate walked off to get a drink as Ziva went to socialise for the first time that day.

After Kate privately talked to each person, she winked at Ziva as Gibbs once again guided her out of the bar by her hand...

GIBBS' PLACE LATER THAT NIGHT.

Gibbs and Kate decided to break that 'we are just adults' vow that Gibbs made. Kate was excited when he casually mentioned it in the car, not knowing what the answer would be...

AN- Sorry for the lame ending, I just wanted to end the we're just adults thingy lol R&R peeps