5

When Tony entered the Bullpen he was kind of happy. Everyone who had been watching them the last two days would've known why he was smiling like a little kid.

Over the last two weeks (starting the day Kate was almost shot and ending the day Tony figured it would be fun to tease his two female co-workers with being lesbian) everything had changed. Althought Kate never showed that she had hated Ziva it was obvious that they weren't best friends. But after that kiss (no one knows about and they still haven't talked about) their relationship moved on from avoiding each other as good as possible to sharing glanzes and putting up against Tony together. To put it simply: They were beginning to act normal.

Anthony walked over to his desk only to see Kate and Ziva already sitting at their respective desks. Best thing was Gibbs not being around. This made his smile grow even further because there he saw his chance of teasing them two without being slapped or shouted at by his boss.

He placed his bag behind his desk next to his chair. He hung his jacket over the back of the chair and pulled his gun out of its holster and put in in the drawer. Then he went over to stand in front of Kate's desk tapping his fingers on the back of her computer monitor. After about one minute of trying to ignore him Kate finally looked up and smiled lightly at Tony.

"What do you want Tony?"

"Just wanted to check how you're doing!" Tony rounded Kate's desk and sat on the corner next to her. She finally unlocked her eyes from the screen in front of her. She looked over to Tony and leaned back in her chair crossing her legs.

"Since when do you care about how I am?" Kate asked with a smile.

"I don't" Tony smirked, "Only wanted to know if Ziva kept you up all night." His smirk was growing as Kate searched her mind for a whitty response.

"You don't have to answer that question. Is it relevant for your investigation?" Ziva shared a look with Kate and then focused on Tony like she was interrogating a suspect. As Tony lowered his gaze playing the suspect who was caught lying something caught his attention.

"Well, ... alright" Kate thought that this was way too easy and by the look she got from Ziva she was sure the other woman was thinking the same.

But Tony didn't notice the two women anymore. He was hypnoticed by the blue folder lying on Kate's desk. It was the same folder Kate kept there the last two weeks and he would be dying to know what's in there. Every day she had opened it a few times, looked over it only about three seconds and then she closed it again. After doing this she was like she wasn't from this world. She was in thoughts and even got more comments about her behaviour from Gibbs than Tony – and that was strange.

Slowly he stood up and reached out for the document and before Kate could realize what he was doing Tony stood in the middle of the Bullpen and grinned at her.

"That's none of your business!" Kate shouted but whatever she would do now Tony would not give the folder back. She even never stood up. She just waited 'til he would've finished reading.

"Don't even try to look in there –"

"Thank you, Ziva!"

"- without me!"

"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I'm sorry, but I wonder what's in there for the last two weeks."

Kate leaned back in her chair again knowing that she wouldn't be fast enough to get her nightmare out off their hands. She prepared herself for Tony's comment when she saw the sympathy in Ziva's eyes. How much Kate wanted it to help her - t didn't.

"You know when Gibbs finds out ...

"... you're dead!"

"It seems we are destined to die together"

Kate and Ari were lying in Kate's bed not wanting to sleep. Ari was sitting up against the headrest. Kate's back was resting against his' chest, her head on his' shoulder. The hand he was pressing against her throat should have made her afraid. But somehow it relaxed her. It showed her that he really was there and that he was not only her imagination.

It was weeks since he showed up at her apartment and yet they had only spent one week together. Kate had had very stressful days at work and Ari had to be out of town for Mossad. Despite everything Kate was happy. She may not have the kind of boyfriend she could spend every moment with and who took her to the park for picknicks. But she had a boyfriend who was gentle and nice and she knew she could trust even he was away most of the week (or month).

"What's wrong, my love?" Kate hadn't noticed she was miles away but she noticed that she hadn't listened to what Ari said, at the same time.

"Just thinking." she smiled "What were you saying?" Kate turned her head a little and breathed a kiss on his chest. Ari tightened his grip around her body and layed his chin on the top of her head before he spoke.

"I'm not sure how long I can stay this time. Maybe a week, maybe a few days." He sounded sad and Kate knew he felt sad, too.

"Then I think we should make the best of it" Again she was kissing him on the chest. She took the hand that wasn't at her throat and interlaced their fingers.

"I don't know how long I will be away this time!" He did not sound any better as he said that.

"I don't care. As long as you come back!"

With his left hand he played with the nacklace he bought her the first time he had to go away. She never took it off, not even in the shower. It brought her comments at work and speculations about her new lover but she ignored them.

"Do you ever think we're making a big mistake?"

"If you had asked me if I think it is wrong I definitely said ´yes´. But, Caitlyn, do not ever think being with you is a mistake. I know we are risking a lot. But something you do with your heart is never a mistake."

"I would not have answered the same. But it would've meant the same." Kate smiled at Ari and then she made herself comfortable. Soon they were fallen sleep in each others arms.

When Kate woke up in the middle of the night she was alone. First she checked the nightstand to see if he's really gone. Everytime he had to leave when she was sleeping or not at home he left behind a card and a little present. So this time she found the piece of paper and a beautiful bracelet. Kate took on the arm jewelry and opened the card.

My love Caitlyn,

I really am sorry to leave you, again.

I know I said I would be here at least a few days. I thought wrong and so I have to go tonight.

I hope you like the bracelet. Take it as my promise to come back.

I swear I will not leave you alone longer than it is necessary.

Hearing noises from the livingroom she placed the card on the nightstand and got up. Normally she would be afraid of hearing things in her apartment in the middle of the night. But right now she was hoping to see Ari. As she opened the bedroom door she saw him in the hallway taking his things, heading for the door.

"Hi. I've read your card. But you really need to stop buying me jewellery." Ari turned around and smiled at his girlfriend. He placed his bag on the floor and made a few steps forward. As did Kate.

"Why are you not in bed?"

"I would be a terrible girlfriend if I would hear you go and didn't say goodbye." Kate gave him a long loving kiss and then she watched him walk away. As the tears began to form in her eyes she prayed that he would not be away that long.

*falling in love with a vampire* *falling in love with a vampire*