AN: sorry it's taken me forever to update. I was totally blocked but I'm back now…it's amazing how procrastinating over writing an assignment does wonders for clearing that up, lol. I know this is short but it was necessary for the set up. i promise the next chapter will be a lot longer : )
As always, please review. It'll help prolong my procrastination : D
Chapter 7
"What's so important it couldn't wait until we finished the list?" Tony glared at Gibbs accusingly, like he was the bad guy in all this. Gibbs grabbed Tony and hauled him into the kitchen, which was farther away from the bedroom. Tony struggled against his hold but Gibbs refused to let go.
"Look, DiNozzo," Gibbs hissed, making sure to keep his voice low. He really didn't want Kate overhearing them. "You need to quit fighting me on everything. If you really care about Kate and want to keep her safe then you need to let us do our jobs and you need to do yours. Don't forget, you're on Kate's list too. We all are, which means that Kate is safer away from us. We'll move her to a safe house tonight."
"Fine, but I'm going with her."
"No, DiNozzo, you're not listening to me! There's a good chance that this guy is going after the guys closest to Kate right now, which puts you near the top of the list. He might have this place under surveillance. If you leave first, alone and without Kate while I stay here he might decide to follow you, which means he won't be able to try and follow Kate. It's just an added precaution. Besides, we need you helping us to nail this guy. You can't do us any good if you're locked away in a safe house."
"But it'll do Kate good. Do you really want to leave her all alone at a safe house? I can protect her. I can help her. I will die before I let him get near her. You have to let me stay with her." Tony pleaded with Gibbs to understand. Letting Kate out of his sight had been almost impossible even though he knew she was safe in the next room. There was no way he could let her leave the apartment without him.
"But she won't be alone. She'll be protected by specially trained agents the whole time." Gibbs said gently. He already understood why Tony felt he needed to stay glued to Kate. He'd expected as much before he'd come over but he'd known his decision was for the best. What he hadn't counted on was the depth of their connection. Now that he'd witnessed it firsthand, he was starting to wonder just how Tony leaving would affect Kate. He felt like a bastard for forcing the issue, but he knew in his gut that it had to be done.
"It's not going to happen, Boss." Tony stared Gibbs down, completely calm and in control. He kept his voice even, letting Gibbs know there was no room for negotiation. "You can fire me if you want to or I can quit right now, but I will never leave Kate. No matter what."
Gibbs matched Tony's icy glare. For once, Gibbs had no idea how to proceed. He needed to separate Tony and Kate, and then Kate from NCIS and everyone there that might be a target. But Tony wasn't about to budge. He said the only thing he could think of. "If you quit, you won't have any idea where we take Kate. And you won't be able to catch Greg and make him pay. You don't have a choice. You either leave her at the safe house and help with the case, or you quit and I'll have you physically removed."