Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the show.

A/N: Here ya go, chapter 12 up and running, thanks so much for your reviews and I promise to make it up to you for not updating for so long! xxoo

Chapter 12

Tony sat in his car outside Kate's old apartment, so empty and desolate, much like the way he felt right now. He felt this connection to Grace, and yet he hadn't even really met her. He regretted not talking to her that day when he and Rachel visited the hospital. Regrets, they really sucked, didn't they?

But right now he knew that there were more important things going on now than dwelling over 'what ifs', nothing could change what happened to Kate.

Tony glanced across at Ziva, she pulled her Sig Sauer out of her side holster and attached a fresh clip to the base of it. She then replaced the gun back in her holster and opened the door a crack. She glanced across at Tony who had not moved or spoken in a while, "You alright?" she asked with a touch of genuine concern in her voice.

Tony snapped out of it, turning to face Ziva. Her black hair was tied back in a quick low ponytail, a loose lock dangling over her face. She was very beautiful; Tony knew that, he wasn't blind. Just every time he looked at Ziva he thought of Kate, from a distance they had a resemblance, but otherwise they were very different. Ziva shifted in her seat, feeling almost uncomfortable as Tony watched her.

"Hey, did you hear me?" she asked, frowning at him. She hadn't known Tony for long but it was plain to see that he was acting strangely.

Tony ran his hands through his hair, "Yeah I heard. I'm fine." He snapped at Ziva. She was taken aback and turned away from Tony, getting out of the car and glancing at the road.

Tony winced; he didn't mean to snap at Ziva, it wasn't her fault. He got out of the car himself and followed Ziva; she had crossed the road and was standing outside of the doors to Kate's old apartment. "Ziva…" he began, walking up to Ziva to apologise. She looked at Tony, frowning slightly.

"Yes?" she asked. Tony opened his mouth to say sorry for snapping at her, but he didn't want to sound rude or unconvincing. Ziva stood there for a moment then turned away from him, opening the door to the building and going in.

Ziva was talking to a man near the stairwell when Tony got to Ziva. The man looked up at Tony when he walked up to them, smiling slightly. Ziva turned to Tony as the man waled off, "You coming or what?"

Tony frowned and nodded, "Of course, this is my business you know."

Ziva began up the stairs, following the man's directions. "Yeah? Could have fooled me."

Tony stopped, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ziva kept walking up the stairs, talking to Tony over her shoulder, "Nothing, forget it." She kept up the stairs without Tony until he finally started again. They reached the landing and looked for room 108, Kate's old apartment. Tony knew they really should have a warrant, but Ziva didn't seem to have a problem with it, so he kept on. Ziva stopped in front of the door; it stood slightly ajar, a stream of light coming out of the door. Tony overtook Ziva, pushing the door open slowly and entering. Ziva placed her hand over her pistol warily and followed him.

He stood in the doorway of the empty apartment. It was mostly dark except for one corner of the room, the curtains pulled open. Light streamed in, lighting up one room where Tony and Ziva stood. The apartment had been cleared of furniture and personal possessions. Kate's family had handled all that a few weeks ago. He took a deep breath as he looked across to a door on his right, up the dark hallway. It was Kate's room.

There was a faint glow coming out from under the door as Tony walked up the hallway with Ziva behind him. He stopped outside the door, placing a hand on the doorknob. Memories flashed through his mind of the last time he was here. Oh God I miss her, he thought.

Ziva stepped silently up to him, placing her hand gently over his. He jumped slightly, not expecting that. He turned towards Ziva; she was looking up at him in concern. He pulled his hand out from underneath hers, Ziva stepped past Tony and opened the door herself.

Ziva stood in the doorway looking towards a space under the window. The room was vacant except for a few empty boxes piled up in the corner.

Tony walked up next to her, following Ziva's line of vision. "Grace?"

The little girl sat in the corner, her dark curly hair covering most of her face, her white gown streaked with dirt and grime. Her face was streaked with tears as she clutched something in her little hands. Her bare feet were tucked up close to her body and her arms were wrapped around her knees.

Tony bobbed down to Grace's height and shifted closer to Grace. She pulled her knees closer to her chest and tried to hide her face in the piece of clothing she was clutching tightly. "It's okay Grace, we're here to help you."

Grace lifted her head and looked at Tony, her dark eyes shone with tears and face was damp from crying. She turned her head to look at Ziva, who was standing behind Tony near the door to the bedroom. Ziva smiled at Grace, who smiled back. She then turned to look at Tony once more.

"It's okay Grace," he said again, "My name's Tony DiNozzo and this is Ziva David."

Grace's eyes suddenly lit up and she smiled, turning her head to the side as if in thought. She brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes and wiped her eyes on her gown. Tony looked at the piece of clothing Grace was clutching, he recognised it, for sure. He thought back to the day a few months back when Tony drove Kate back to her apartment after her car broke down. She was wearing a thin white top and pants and the weather was freezing.

"Here, put this on, you're freezing."

Kate looked at Tony, his green eyes looking into hers. They were witting in Tony's car waiting for the rain to ease. Rain drummed against the car and the heater blasted out warm air, hitting Kate's face and blowing her dark hair back.

Kate hesitated before shaking her head, wrapping her arms around herself, "No, it's okay. I'll be fine"

Tony smiled, taking his suit jacket off, "Lean forward." He said to Kate. She hesitated then leant forward in the car seat, Tony draping his coat around Kate's shoulders. She pulled it tight around her, smiling at Tony, "Thanks."

He smiled back, "Anytime."

Kate looked out the window, the rain was easing slowly until finally it looked as if it was stopping. She looked at Tony who, without words got out of the car and headed around to Kate's side. He opened the car door, holding out his hand for Kate.

"You didn't have to do that." She said, smiling thanks anyway.

He winked at Kate, "I know."

He closed the car door and reached out to pull his jacket over Kate's head as the rain slowed until it was barely noticeable. He placed his arm around her shoulders and led her towards the glass doors of the apartment building. He led her upstairs to her apartment door; she grabbed her keys out of her bag and opened the door. Tony stood in the doorway, looking into Kate's apartment in approval. Kate turned on a lamp in the corner, taking Tony's coat off from over her shoulders and handing it back to him.

"Thanks, Tony," she said, smiling, "You want to come in for a minute?"

Tony hesitated, taken aback by Kate's offer, "Um…"

Kate smiled, "I'll be back in a second." She headed up a dark hallway towards a room on the right, pushing the door open and entering. Tony stayed in the doorway, not sure whether he should enter or if Kate would take it the wrong way. She did offer though, he thought. Kate came out of her bedroom with a red jumper in her hands, she pulled it over her white top, pulling her hair out of the way. The jumper, a rich mahogany red, looked so good on her, highlighting her now glowing cheeks and dark hair. She smiled at Tony when she realised he was watching her, still standing in the doorway.

"You don't have to stand in the doorway, you know." She said as she walked up to him. He smiled, "I know. I'd love to stay… but…"

Kate frowned slightly, "But what?"

Tony ran his hands through his hair, "I wouldn't want you to think I was staying for the wrong reason."

Kate smiled, "I wouldn't have asked you to come in if I didn't mean it, Tony."

He smiled, "Maybe next time."

Tony snapped out of his memory, looking back at Grace. The jumper she was holding onto so tight was Kate's. The mahogany red contrasted against Grace's white gown and dark hair, her little hands clutching it tightly.

Suddenly Tony heard a clatter from out in the kitchen, he turned to look at Ziva who was still behind him. She nodded at Tony, heading out the door, "I'll go."

She pulled her Sig out of it's holster and peered through the door, then, seeing that the coast was clear, heading out the check out the noise.

Tony turned back to Grace, the little girl relaxed a little, her dark eyes watching Tony's every move. Rachel had said that Grace hadn't spoken in quite a while, and Tony doubted that he'd be able to get her to talk now.

"Grace, I want to help you, get you somewhere safe. Is that alright with you?" he asked her, Grace nodded without hesitation. She smiled brightly at Tony, who smiled back, glad to finally be getting the chance to talk to Grace. Grace relaxed some more, smiling happily at Tony.

Suddenly her smile vanished and she tensed up, Tony frowned, "What's the matter?" he asked. Grace's eyes flashed with fear as she looked up above Tony's head.

"LOOK OUT!" she screamed. Tony was taken aback, she spoke!

Grace scampered back towards the other corner, away from Tony. He went to stand up, turning around to see what Grace was so afraid of.

Suddenly everything went black as pain shot through the back of his head and down his back, causing him to fall forward with a thump. Blood oozed out of the back of his head as he lay still on the floor in an awkward position. A dark shape loomed over Tony, then turned his attention to Grace.

The man smiled at Grace, his blue eyes shining with anger as he bared his teeth in a grin. He cackled, "You're coming with me kiddo."

Grace scampered back some more as the man grabbed her by the arm. Grace screamed at the top of her lungs and fought with all her might. Tony opened his eyes a crack, everything was swirling around as pain shot though his head, the back of his skull thumping with pain.

He tried to lift his head but the pain was too much. The last thing he saw was a man grabbing Grace by the arm as the little girl screamed. Tony's head fell to the floor with a thump, the pain overcoming him.

Then everything went black.

A/N: Review! xxoo