I Told You, Chapter 3.
"Hey, Kate do you fancy grabbing some lunch, or did you make plans with Abby?" Tony posed, as Kate exited the elevator.
"Uh, sure. Abby's with Tim anyway, and Gibbs is holed up in MTAC. Anywhere in mind?" Kate asked.
"Not really. Just figured the moment might take us somewhere." Tony grinned at her. Kate giggled.
"I'll just get my purse."
Kate and Tony entered the elevator, banter flying between them. Exiting the cool building, the sighed heavily as the warm sunlight hit their bodies.
"Do you want something in particular Tony?"
"There's a cafe close by Kate." Tony replied. Tony offered her his arm, and giggling she took it, and he lead her the short walk to the cafe. Sitting inside, they ordered, joking and laughing until, their orders were served.
"I'll be right back, Tony. I'd start without me."
"Okay, Kate." He flashed her a grin, and she stuck her tongue out at him cheekily, not even thinking.
She headed to the bathroom. Entering one of the unoccupied stalls, she heard the door and swing close. Ignoring it, she as taken by surprise when, her stall door smashed open, and a fist connect sharply with her temple. Feeling herself being caught, she passed out.
A few minutes passed, and Tony had started his meal. He was halfway through, when he checked his watch. Kate had been in the bathroom for a good fifteen minutes.
"It doesn't take that long to have a pee does it?" Tony whispered to himself. He got up, and headed to the ladies bathroom. Gingerly, he opened the door a fraction.
"Kate?" He called. No answer. "Kate?"
Tony carefully stepped inside the bathroom, and noticed the shards of wood on the floor. Rushing over to the stall, he noticed Kate's bag, but no Kate. Cursing, Tony didn't see Ari behind him. He didn't see the chloroformed cloth, until it was over his mouth. He struggled valiantly, eventually succumbing, and passing out. Ari let him fall to the ground, before pulling him from the bathroom.
"Where's Tony and Kate?" Gibbs barked at McGee.
"I think they went out to lunch."
"That was ninety minutes ago, McGee."
"Boss, I've been here forty-five minutes. They weren't here when I got back, and haven't been seen."
"Ari!" Gibbs raged. "Ari's got them McGee. Get a trace on their cell phones, I want to know exactly where they are."
"On it boss!"
Grunting, he awoke. His arms were above his head, and his feet didn't quite touch the ground. His entire body was racked with pain. He looked down at his body, and there were numerous bruises and cuts. He was shirtless. He looked from side to side, and saw Kate. She was unconscious.
"Kate!" Tony called. "Kate!"
Kate awoke with a start. She was tied to, but her feet touched the floor. Her lips was bruised and cut.
"Where are we?"
"Not a clue, Kate. I'm guessing Ari got to us. I went to look for you in the bathroom, you weren't there and got knocked out."
The cell door opens and Ari calmly walks in.
"Ah, Tony. Caitlyn. You've awoken. Welcome."
"What do you want, you bastard?" Kate spat.
"Caitlyn, please. Do we have to so unpleasant?"
"Well, you've got us tied up, and I'm banged up, not to mention Kate's busted lip."
"Ah, yes. That was a little unfortunate. One of my associates was a little over zealous in his attempt to subdue you, Caitlyn."
"What do you want?" Kate spat again.
"My first target is Gibbs. The rest of his team are bonuses. You see, my mission is to prove myself."
"Prove yourself? How?" Tony asked.
"Killing Gibbs, Tony. If I have to I will kill you two, Agent McGee and Abby Scuito. I would rather not, but if the circumstances force my hand…" Ari trailed off, a malicious smile on his face. "Feel free to make yourself comfortable. I take it you got my packages?"
Tony and Kate glared at him, and Ari chuckled.
"Tony, did you like my picture of Caitlyn. I must say, I am not a prolific photographer, but I do rather like it. How about you Caitlyn? How was my photograph of Tony?"
Kate sat at him. It fell short of the target. He tutted and shook his head. Winking and smiling at them he left the cell, slamming the door shut behind him.
"You got a picture of me Kate?"
"Tony, we're stuck in a cell, and all you can think about is your vanity?"
"I wasn't thinking of my vanity." Tony replied.
"Yeah, I got a picture of you, and you, one of me. He's is trying to intimidate us." Tony fidgeted. "What are you doing Tony?"
"I think I work my hand free." Tony grunted as he worked his hand slowly out of the ropes hold. Eventually, his right hand slipped free. Making a hole large enough, he slipped his hand back inside the noose, as the door swung open.
"Tony, I have good news for you," Ari told him ominously. "Caitlyn here is going to be asked a few questions. Her treatment will depend on her answers. If she answers satisfactorily then, she won't be coerced."
"You lay a finger on her…" Tony warned.
"You'll do what, Agent DiNozzo?"
Tony freed his hand and punched Ari in the face, connected sharply with his jaw. Ari fell to the ground, as Tony freed himself. Ari pulled out a gun, and shot Tony in the gut. Ari stood up, standing over him, watching the blood pool out of Tony, as Kate sobbed.
"Tony, that really was unnecessary." Ari flashed a grin at Kate, before leaving.
Kate struggled against her restraints.
"Tony!" She paused, not receiving an answer. "Tony!" He lay there, breathing shallowly. With a cry, Kate freed herself and rushed over to Tony. She lifted his head, cradling him, crying, before inspecting the wound. "Tony! Stay with me!"
Hearing footsteps, Kate flashed a glance at the door. She carefully rested his head on the floor, and rushed to the door. Waiting to the side, she waited for it to open. Ari walked in, looking down at Tony, and then at the place, where Kate was tied up. Kate kicked the door closed, and punched Ari in the face. He recoiled, before she kicked him in the gut. Reaching forward, she pulled his gun from his belt and shot him twice in the chest.
Ari collapsed to the ground, smiling up at her. She looked down at him, fury etched into every feature. She squeezed the trigger twice, aimed at his head. His head exploded with each impact.
"I told you I would shoot you."
Satisfied, he was dead, she ripped off his shirt, and rushed over to Tony. Pulling off Ari's belt, she balled up the shirt, and placed it over Tony's wound. Using the belt to apply pressure, and keep the shirt in place, Kate held Tony close to her. She could hear voices outside the door. She searched Ari for more bullets, but failed to find any. Checking the gun, she calculated that she had ten shots left.
"Tony! You have to help me. I need you to help me get you out of here. Can you do that?" Kate asked. Tony nodded and he limply put his arm around her. She pulled him up, Tony trying his best to help. Opening the door, Kate checked the surroundings. A shot rang out, and pierced the wall next to her head. She rested against the door. Tony took his arm off her, as Kate waltzed around and fired shots in the general direction of the attackers. Glaring down the dimly lit corridor, she noted that she had hit her target.
Tony staggered towards her, and she wrapped his arm back around her shoulders. They slowly made their way through the labyrinth of corridors. Kate fired off shots, taking the guns from those she killed, when she was out of ammo.
After some time, they found what seemed to be an exit. The corridor was littered with crates. Kate heard loud noises, and placed Tony on the floor, and crouched over him protectively. She rested her elbows atop of the crate, and waited.
The first enemy rounded the corner, and Kate shot him cleanly in the head. More and more enemies came, and Kate picked them off. After what felt like an eternity, Kate had shot every last terrorist. She carefully walked up to the bodies, and swapped her gun. Searching each body, she found a cell phone. Running back to Tony, she crouched down next to him, and flipped open the phone.
"Kate," Tony whispered.
"Yeah, Tony. I'm here." Kate smiled at him.
"Leave."
"I'm not leaving Tony. Don't be stupid."
"Kate, I'm not getting out of here alive. Go!"
Kate tapped Tony on top of the head softly, before resting her forehead on his, looking deeply into his eyes.
"Tony DiNozzo. I have a cellphone and a gun. You're going to get out of here. You're not going to die! You're going to live, Tony!"
Tony choked out a chuckle.
"You can be quite persuasive Kate Todd."