Chapter 6

She sat unmoving in Tony's embrace for half an hour while Tony tried comforting her and Gibbs looked on helplessly. Finally, Gibbs knew he couldn't wait any longer. Greg could be out there killing guys right now. He needed that list of possible victims. "Kate…" He trailed off when Tony shot him an angry glare that clearly told him to shut the hell up. He swallowed, not wanting to put Kate through more but knowing that this was too important to forget about. He had to put his personal feelings aside and just do his damn job. He cleared his throat. "I really need that list. It's our best shot at catching this guy, and it's the only way we'll be able to protect anyone."

Tony continued to glare at him, but Kate never looked up. He tried again, using the commanding, 'you better do what I tell you, now!' tone that was usually reserved for DiNozzo. "Kate." Gibbs was relieved when she finally looked up. He softened his voice, now that he had her attention. "I need you to take this pen and this paper and go into the bedroom and make me a list, okay?"

She slowly nodded, realizing how important it was even though Tony looked ready to kill Gibbs for even asking. "Okay." She whispered, reluctantly sliding from Tony's grasp to pick up the pen and paper. She started towards the bedroom, but suddenly hesitated. She hadn't been alone in what seemed like forever, even though it hadn't even been a day yet, and she didn't like how that felt. What if Greg was hiding in the bedroom? What if he'd come in through the window?

Her face paled and her breathing accelerated as scenarios raced through her head. Tony was instantly behind her, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on hers. "You okay?" He whispered as she sunk back against him.

She could only nod as she took a few deep breaths. She'd been really close to hyperventilating, but all it took was a touch from Tony to chase all the "what if's" from her mind. She'd be okay, she told herself. She could do this. "I'm fine." She whispered back even though they both knew it wasn't true. "I just got a little freaked out for a minute. I'm okay now."

She turned to face him and he was relieved to see that whatever had happened had jolted her back to reality. She was acting like Kate again, not a shell of a human being. She met his eyes and offered a tiny, sheepish smile. He kissed her forehead, then rested his forehead on hers and looked deeply into her eyes, searching for an answer. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"Not really." She answered truthfully. "But that's not what's important. What's important is catching Greg before he hurts someone just because they know me." She saw the understanding flash in his eyes so she continued. "I have to do this."

"Okay, but you're wrong about one thing. You are the most important person in all of this. I want you to be okay. Everything else comes secondary. Don't ever think differently, got it?" The smile that spread across his face was infectious. For a moment, the pain and fear disappeared from Kate's face, replaced by a look of pure happiness that she only got from being with Tony. He would have loved to find a way to make that look permanent, like it always was in his dreams, but right now he was just glad he could give her a moment's reprieve.

Gibbs watched the scene unfolding before him in total silence. It seemed like they'd both forgotten he was even here, but he didn't mind. He'd been a little scared that he'd pushed her too much, but it seemed like she was back to the normal now. Tony had amazingly gotten her to smile, which Gibbs would have thought was impossible under the circumstances. Tony made her happy, and she really needed that right now. It made him feel even worse about what he was going to do, but he told himself that it would be worth it in the end. The faster he caught that son of a bitch, the sooner Tony and Kate could really be together.

Kate rested her head on Tony's chest again and Gibbs, who'd at least waited for their happy moment to pass, cleared his throat. "Kate, I really need that list." Kate nodded, quickly sharing a glance with Tony before turning around and starting towards the bedroom again. But Tony moved with her, never breaking contact, and Gibbs realized this was going to be harder than he thought. "Freeze, DiNozzo. I need to have a word with you."

Both agents froze and Tony glanced over his shoulder. "It can wait until the list is done." Tony replied coolly, sounding a lot like Gibbs.

"No, it can't." Gibbs replied in the same tone, clearly ready for a showdown. "Kate doesn't need you to help with the letter. I need you helping me out here, if you want to catch this guy."

Tony glared at Gibbs, looking like he wanted to strangle him. Kate turned to face him. "I'll be fine." His gaze immediately softened as he turned to look at her. She nodded up at him. "Really. You can help Gibbs. I just want to catch this guy, and I know you'll be right out here if I need you." She forced a smile, trying to put on a brave face even though she really didn't want him to leave her alone, even if it was only in the other room.

"Are you sure? Because I don't have to leave you. I don't want to, and I'm sure it can wait a little while or Gibbs wouldn't have waited until now to bring it up." He was rambling on, so Kate gently placed her palm to his lips.

"It's okay. I'll call if I need anything. Now get to work." She winked at him, still keeping up her show of bravado. He hesitantly nodded, seeing through her masquerade but not having much of a choice. She lowered her hand and forced herself to turn and slowly walk away, knowing she was walking right out of the safety of his arms.

He lightly rested his hands on her hips, unwilling to lose contact before he absolutely had to. They slowly slid back as she got further and further away, and he had to fight the urge to pull her back. Meanwhile, she was fighting the urge to turn back to the comfort of his arms. Her panic level rose as his hands continued to slip off. Her steps briefly faltered when only the barest brush of his fingertips linked them together. She held her breath and forced herself to take that last step to sever the contact. The break was a tangible thing, and she felt it in every nerve cell in her body. But she had to keep going. All Tony could do was watch her walk away.