Ch 12
Tony sorting out his thoughts in the car ride and raid from Tony's POV.
He liked Kate, no Ziva, no Kate, and Argh! Endless thoughts ran through his head as he tried to sort out his feelings. This whole situation was too confusing. Sure he liked Kate, a lot, but that was six years ago. A lot had changed sense then. His relationship with Joan had made him a better man. He had felt love, and liked it. He had become more intone with himself, and his feelings. He had become softer in a way.
He wandered if this new softer version of him was what he needed to win Kate over. He was more then just a skirt chaser now, and he could prove it to her. She would just have to give him a chance.
Just one chance was all he needed. He could use his DiNozzo charm would sweep her off her feet for sure. Sure she hadn't been interested before, but who was he to say she hadn't changed. A lot can happen when you are tied up in a supply closet for six years and the only person you come into contact with is your creepy brother-in-law.
Then there was the girl, the daughter, the niece, whatever you wanted to call her. On one hand, Kate was an amazing woman who had taken in this child and raised her as her own; on the other hand she had kept it a secret and lied to all of them. Lied wasn't a good word choice though; she hadn't ever told them she didn't have a child, so she had never really lied.
Besides, he admired her, and he liked it when women had paternal instincts. Not that he went around hitting on single mothers or anything, but he considered it a real turn on. But then again, everything about Kate he considered a real turn on. Not in a sexist skirt chasing way, but in a Kate-was-the most-beautiful- inside-and-out-person-he-had-ever met kind of way.
She sure was beautiful though. Her amber hair framed her face just right. Her eyes lit up and sparkled every time she was happy. Her singsong voice that gave him chills every time he heard it. The way her smile could light up a room. The curve of her neck and chin as it softly transition into her shoulder. The way her petite frame held curves in all the right places. Her delicate hands that held so much power but where also so gentle. Tony could go on but he didn't feel the need to. He had made his point.
Thinking about her only made him want to see her more, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could wait.
It didn't matter though, because they where pulling up to the warehouse as he finished his last thoughts. This is it. This was the moment he had been subconsciously waiting six years for. He took in a deep breath and the cool air startled his lungs. He felt refreshed, like this was a new beginning, and in a way, it was.
He thought back to one of his favorite songs. As cliché as it was, this new beginning with no boundaries made him think about it.
No Boundaries
Kris Allen
He wanted so badly to see her again and he couldn't wait any longer. He pulled out his weapon and started to clear the warehouse.
Seconds, hours, so many days
you know what you want but how long can you wait?
Everything was moving in slow motion. Come on, come on, he thought, move faster.
Every moment lasts forever
When you feel you lost your way
What if they where too late? What if something had already happened to her? What if this was a pointless attempt that would cost them their lives?
And what if my chances were already gone?
Started believing that I could be wrong
He couldn't think like that, he had to stay positive. She would be all right, as long as they where there.
But you give me one good reason
to fight and never walk away
He wouldn't let go of her, no matter what
So here I am still holding on
Every step closer he came to her he could feel the electricity growing. He had butterflies in his stomach and he liked it.
With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
He had to get to her, soon. He couldn't take the anticipation any longer.
You make it through the pain, weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
He could see that the team was growing tired, but they couldn't give up. They had to keep going for Kate.
Just when you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you almost gave up on your dreams
He wanted a chance with her, to start over with new boundaries.
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries!
There are no boundaries!
They entered an open area and saw out of the corner of his eye marked supplies.
I fought to the limit to stand on the edge
What if today is as good it gets?
He ran silently toward the door, everything was in slow motion again.
Don't know where the futures headed
But nothing's gonna bring me down
This was it. He was ready. He wanted to set her free.
I've jumped every bridge and I've run every line
He looked over at Juliet. Her eyes where sparkling just like Kate's. He smiled to himself briefly then was brought back to reality.
I've risked being saved but I always knew why
I always knew why!
He took a deep breath and kicked down the door in one fluid motion.
So hear I am still holding on!
He gasped when he saw Kate tied to a chair in the middle of a dark room. A single light bulb hung above her swinging back and forth.
With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
He looked at her face. She looked relieved to see them, but she had a gag cloth in her mouth that distorted her facial features so it was hard to tell.
You make it through the pain, weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
She still looked beautiful though. Sure she had changed but it was subtle changes. Her hair hung down her back, almost to her mid stomach, still shining chestnut brown.
Just when you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you almost gave up on your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
Her sun kissed skin glowed even in the light of the single light bulb. She was still beautiful.
You can go higher, you can go deeper
There are no boundaries above and beneath you
Break every rule 'cause there's nothing between you and your dreams
Gibbs reached forward and untied her hands as McGee pulled the gag cloth out of her mouth.
With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
She stood and rushed out of the room, without bothering to say a word to any of them. She stepped out into the light and looked at Juliet.
Yeah! There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries!
She rushed toward her with open arms and embraced her. Tears fell from both of them, happy tears, and they rocked back and forth.
With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
Tony smiled to himself. They really loved each other. Even from seeing this interaction he could see that clearly.
You make it through the pain, weather the hurricanes
There are no boundaries!
He was more then ready to start his new life, with no boundaries.
There are no boundaries!
There are no boundaries
Finally, after many long moments, Kate released Juliet. She looked her straight in the face (they where eye to eye) and smiled. "Where is the three year old girl I left behind?" Asked a still chocked up Kate. Juliet let out a small laugh and said, "I missed you Katie." "I missed you too Jules." Said Kate.
"I heard you made a deal with a terrorist agent Todd." Said Gibbs with a playful smirk. "Happy news gets around fast I see." Kate replied sarcastically. "Pull that crap again; I won't give you a chance to get kidnapped." Kate smiled and embraced Gibbs. "Thanks Gibbs," she said, "For everything."
Kate stepped away and turned to Ziva. "Thank you too." Ziva just nodded in response and Kate turned to McGee. "Probie, you look good. Have you lost some weight?" Kate asked playfully as she gave him a friendly hug. "It's good to have you back Kate." Said McGee with a warm smile.
Kate turned to Tony and smirked. "What?" asked Tony defensively. "Wow Tony, you really haven't changed a bit." said Kate with a smile. You have no idea, he thought to himself. He opened his arms to her and she embraced him into a warm hug. Having her body so close to his felt different, but he liked it. He could feel the electricity between their bodies. "I missed you Kate," said Tony. "I missed you too Tony." said Kate softly.
Kate stepped away and turned to face the group. Standing in the middle of this well-lit warehouse, the team stood in a circle around her. She smiled and let out a sigh as she let her body relax. "I'm glad that's over with." She said relieved.
Then suddenly, her body tensed and she let in a sharp breath. Her eyes where locked on Gibbs. As the rest of the team looked over, the sound of a loading gun rand out though the room and they all tensed as well. Gibbs felt a gun barrel being pressed up against the back of his head and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as a warm breath hit his neck. "I wouldn't be so sure about that my dear Kate." Said a heavily Hispanic accented voice from behind Gibbs.