Ch3
Kate woke up when she felt Tony stir. She sat up and saw him staring straight ahead.
"Tony? Are you ok?" He looked over at her, smiled, and took her hand.
"I'm fine Katie. I should be asking YOU that. What about you? Are YOU ok?" She gave him a sad smile.
"I'm as good as can be expected. I'm just glad I have you to help me go through this."
He was about to say something when the flight attendant interrupted.
"Ladies and gentlemen we are beginning our final descent into Indiana. We will be coming around one last time for any more trash you might have. Make sure your seat belts are securely fastened, and seats and tray tables are in their up right positions. Welcome to Indiana."
Kates heart pounded in her chest. She wished it was under better circumstances that she was seeing her family. Her sister died. A tear trickled down her cheek and Tony noticed.
"Hey. Kate. Come here." She leaned over and he put his arms around her; his chin on top of her head as she silently cried. He rocked her back and forth.
"Ssshhhh…Katie….I know….I know how much pain you are in. I'm so sorry. If I could take it away I would. "
He kissed the top of her head as she sat up and wiped her eyes. She looked down at his shirt and saw it was soaked. She couldn't help but laugh.
"Sorry Tony. It looks like I soaked your shirt."
Should he do what he was thinking? Before he knew it his hand was on her cheek and he silently said thank you as she didn't pull away.
"Remember don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness, and I don't care about my shirt. I care about you. I'm with you every step of the way. If you need to let it all out and soak me, fine. If you need to get angry and you want to hit me, fine. The point is I'm here for you. I promise and I'm not going ANYWHERE."
He must have still been affected by that dream because before he knew it his thumb found its way across her lips and he cupped her chin. She couldn't help but shiver but quickly pulled away. He cleared his throat and stared straight ahead. Way to go Dinozzo. She is your partner. Nothing more. Nothing will ever happen between you two so just let it go. Treat her like your partner/friend and nothing more.
The plane landed and they walked off to get their luggage. As they waited Kate glanced at Tony and he looked at her and they looked away. Kate couldn't help but admit to herself that she liked what happened before. Even though they teased each other, she always did have a crush on him. Underneath that immature behavior that he showed sometimes she knew how he really was: the sweetest most caring person she knew who would do anything for anybody.
Their luggage came around and Tony grabbed it all. She tried to carry her own bag but he wouldn't hear of it. They walked towards the exit where Kate saw her Mom and Dad. She ran into their arms as all three sobbed as Tony sadly looked on. After a minute Kate pulled away as her father left her arm around her. She wiped her eyes and looked at Tony.
"Mom and Dad this is my partner from work Special Agent Tony Dinozzo. Tony these are my parents Ellen and Jack."
Tony shook Jacks hand.
"Mr. and Mrs. Todd I cant tell you how sorry I am about Rachel. I really am."
Ellen hugged him.
"Please call us Ellen and Jack and thank you Tony. Thank you so much for being there for our daughter." She pulled away and Tony gave her a small smile. They all walked out of the airport where Jack pulled the car around. He and Tony threw the bags into the trunk and they all got in and drove off.
On the drive back to Kates parents house, Jack and Ellen got to know Tony. They wanted to know more about him and it kept their mind off Rachel for the time being. Tony was happy to answer any questions they had. When they asked him about NCIS he turned to Kate and smiled and she couldn't help but blush.
"I've been with NCIS for close to five years now, and I have to say Kate is the best partner I ever had. I couldn't have asked for anyone better."
Jack looked in his rearview mirror just in time to see the two smile at each other and he smiled to himself. There was something there he knew it. He made a mental note to ask his daughter about it.
He pulled into the driveway and they all got out of the car. Tony helped Jack take the bags into the house and Ellen held Kate back for a minute.
"Its good to see you again sweetheart. We missed you. I just wished…." Kate nodded.
"I know Mom. I know. I missed you guys too. I'm sorry that I never visited more. That's going to change I promise."
Ellen put her arm around her daughter and they walked into the house where the two were meant by Tony who whistled.
"Ellen if you don't mind me saying, your house is GORGEOUS. "
"Thank you Tony. We do love it."
She was interrupted by barking as a golden retriever ran over to Kate and put her front paws on her shoulders. Kate smiled as she rubbed the dog behind her ears.
"Tony this is Maggie. Hey girl. I missed you too!"
After a minute of petting the dog Ellen spoke.
"Come on. Tony I'll show you where you'll be staying. Kate of course your room is always where its been."
Kate shook her head.
"Mom we can go check into a motel. I mean what about the boys?"
She was referring to her 3 brothers Michael, Mark, and Sean. Ellen shook her head sadly.
"They aren't coming. You know that with Michael in the marines its hard for him. He's heart broken but he cant make it. Mark has the flu and it wont be safe for him to travel, and Sean…well you know how close he and your sister were. He's too heartbroken to come. I stand by his choice and Rachel would understand. Come on lets get you two settled."
They walked upstairs and Ellen showed Tony the guest room.
"You two get settled and then we are going to have lunch out by the pool ok? Tony I hope you like barbequed spare ribs, corn on the cob, and potato salad."
Tonys stomach grumbled at the mention of spare ribs and Kate giggled.
"Mom don't worry Tony likes anything. Tony wait until you taste my Dads ribs. They are so good with the Todd family secret sauce."
Tony turned towards Ellen.
"They sound great. I can taste them now!"
Ellen smiled and walked down the stairs and Kate turned towards Tony.
"Do you need anything? Towels are in the hall closet, we have extra pillows and blankets and stuff if you need. Just make yourself at home Tony ok?"
"I'm good Kate thanks. I'm going to unpack and get changed. Its beautiful out I hope your parents don't mind me lounging around in my pool t-shirt and shorts!"
She laughed.
"I think you'll be fine. I'm going to do the same. I'm right down the hall if you need me."
She left Tony and walked into her room and glanced around. The memories came flooding back to her. She looked at her bed and remembered how many nights she and Rachel shared that same bed on stormy nights. She looked at the floor and remembered how they would sit Indian style on the floor and braid each others hair as they listened to music. She saw a picture on her dresser, picked it up and smiled. They were kids at the carnival and they ate so much cotton candy that after they went on a ride both of their stomachs couldn't handle it. Oh Rachel. How she missed her sister.
She unpacked and changed into denim shorts and a white thin strapped tank top. She put on her white flip flops and put her hair into a pony tail. She walked out of her room and stopped by a closed door. Rachels room. She put her hand on the door knob and slowly turned the handle. The door opened and her room looked exactly the same from when Rachel left for college all those years ago. One specific memory came back to Kate:
Fourteen year old Kate was in tears as she knocked on her older sisters door. Rachel opened it and with concern looked at Kate.
"Kate why are you crying? Come in. Talk to me."
Kate walked in and closed the door behind her.
"Are you busy Rachey? I can come back"
"No way. You are my baby sister. I always have time for you. Now tell me whats going on? Come on come sit down on the bed."
Kate sat down and Rachel sat down beside her and put her arm around her.
"Tonight I was supposed to go the dance with Jake Spencer. He decided at the last minute to dump me for another girl."
Kate burst into fresh tears and Rachel hugged her.
"Oh Kate. Its going to be ok. That Jake Spencer is such a jerk. Its his loss. Kate listen to me. You are only fourteen. Boys are going to come and go, but I promise you that one day you are going to find that special somebody who you are going to spend the rest of your life with. Believe me you'll know when it happens. I cant explain it but you'll know and he will be very lucky to have you."
Kate felt the tears slide down her cheeks as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She looked behind her at Tony and no words were said as she turned around and cried as he wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Ok I hope I'm not rushing Tony and Kate yet!