Ch4

Tony wiped sauce off from his lips and then his hands. He then turned to Jack.

"Kate was right Jack. Those ribs were SO good!"

Kate punched him in the arm and he grabbed it.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"That's for not believing me. I told you about the secret sauce."

"Sorry your highness. Next time I'll just take your word for it."

Kate playfully shoved him and that didn't go unnoticed to Ellen and Jack who smiled at each other. Ellen got up.

"Kate dear would you please help me clean the table?"

Kate walked into the kitchen with some plates and was about to walk out when Ellen stopped her.

"Sit down sweetheart. I would like to have a private conversation with you."

They sat down at the table and Ellen took Kates hand.

"Not tomorrow, but Friday is the wake, and Saturday is….the funeral. "

Kate squeezed her hand.

"I cant picture my sister….laying there….Mom I don't know if I can do this."

"Its not going to be easy on any of us Caitlin . No parent should have to bury a child. I cant picture seeing my daughter…." She gulped as she burst into tears. Kate got up and hugged her as she too began to cry.

Meanwhile Jack was having his own little talk with Tony who was having a beer.

"Tony I cant thank you enough for being there for Kate. It means a lot to me and her mother. Its going to be hard on all of us."

Tony put down his beer.

"I understand Jack. I would do anything for Kate. I'm here for her for as long as she needs me and I'm not going anywhere."

Jack smiled and Tony looked at him curiously as he picked up his beer again.

"What? What did I say?"

"Well…I was going to discuss this with Kate later, but I guess I can bring it up now. Judging from what you just said, it sounds like you have a thing for my daughter. Do you?"

Tony almost spit out his beer.

Back in the kitchen Kate and Ellen wiped their eyes and Ellen changed the subject.

"So tell me about you and Tony. Is there anything going on between you two?"

"Mom don't go there. We are just friends and work partners. Nothing more."

"I don't know Caitlin. I've seen the way he looks at you. The way you look at him. If something did happen your father and I would be very happy for you two. He seems to really care about you a lot, and I could tell he would be really good to you."

Kate got up and sighed.

"Mom don't start. For the last time Tony and I are friends. Nothing more!" She stormed out.

About a half hour later, the table was cleared and Tony and Kate found themselves sitting at the table alone since Ellen and Jack decided to go for a walk. Kate cleared her throat and looked into her drink.

"My mom asked me if something was going on between us."

"Um your dad asked me the same thing. I told him I would be here for you for as long as you need me, but we are just really good friends and work partners. Nothing more."

"Yeah I told my mom the same thing. Friends and nothing more."

Tony took his shirt off as Kate got up and she couldn't help but stare for a second and she lost her balance. She began to fall and Tony caught her as she fell onto his lap. They stared at each other before Tony spoke.

"Uh are you ok Katie?" She quickly got up.

"I'm fine Tony. Thanks for catching me."

"I'll always catch you Kate. Remember that."

I'll always catch you Kate. Remember that.

Kate was still thinking about what Tony said as she got ready for bed that night. She also couldn't help but think about the way she felt when she fell into his arms with no shirt on. Damn it where were these feelings coming from? This was Tony Dinozzo. The man started paper ball fights for God sakes. He glued McGees hands to his keyboard. Yet the Tony she was seeing the past couple of days was so different. He seemed so much more mature and he was really taking care of her. She liked it. She would never admit though. These were feelings she was going to keep to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. She put her hair brush down and opened her door where she found Tony standing on the other side holding a DVD in one hand and a bag of popcorn in the other.

Tony tried to keep his eyes normal as Kate opened the door. Damn she looked so sexy and beautiful in a thin strapped nightgown. He ignored those feelings as he held up the popcorn and DVD.

"Good evening Ms. Caitlin. Your parents have gone to bed so I thought maybe we could pop in a DVD downstairs and make some popcorn?" Kate smiled.

"Sounds good to me. Hopefully it will get my mind off Rachel. What are we watching and please don't tell me something with blood and guts. That's the last thing I need."

"Ah you know me all to well. I decided to bring one of your favorite movies."

He held up the DVD and she smiled when she saw Dirty Dancing. She loved that movie.

"Are you sure Tony? You always told me you would rather get 10 head slaps in a row from Gibbs than watch what you would call a chick flick. "

"Yes that's true I did say that, but you are unhappy right now and I want to make you happy. So what do you say?"

She smiled when he said that and her heart skipped a beat. When this was all over she decided after all she was going to tell him how she felt. If Rachel dying taught her anything it was that life was too short.

"I say lets go. Anything to see Patrick Swayzes naked butt!" Tony rolled his eyes but he smiled as Kate walked out of the room and followed him downstairs.

After the popcorn was made, Kate put the DVD in and sat down next to Tony on the couch. They smiled at each other as the movie started. Kate couldn't help it and she put her head on Tonys shoulder. He put his arm around her and her head found its way to his chest. About half way through the movie Kate fell asleep and her head slid down to Tonys lap. He looked down; smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. She was his Katie girl. He gently got up so he wouldn't disturb her, and then found a blanket and covered her. He then moved some hair out of her face, kissed her forehead and whispered:

"I love you Caitlin Todd. Always have always will." He then went upstairs to bed.

About an hour later thunder woke Kate up. She looked around and saw she fell asleep on the couch. She shivered as lightning lit up the dark room and thunder boomed. She always hated thunder storms even as a little girl. She got up and ran up the stairs to her bed room but stopped at Tonys closed door. He has been comforting her all this time. She could use some again. She didn't really want to be alone tonight, so she slowly opened up the door and walked into the room. She shut the door behind her and walked over to the bed where Tony was sleeping. She gently shook him and he stirred and opened his eyes.

"Kate? What is it whats wrong?"

" I'm sorry for waking you Tony, and I know this is going to sound strange coming from me

, but I absolutely hate thunder storms and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind keeping me company tonight."

Tony moved over and she climbed into bed next to him. A big clap of thunder startled her and she began to shiver again. Tony noticed and he pulled her to him. He ran his fingers through her hair as she lay in his arms.

"You never have to ask Katie. Any time you need me you know I'm right here. Try to relax. I'm here. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You just close your eyes and go to sleep. Its just a thunder storm. Everything is going to be ok Katie girl. I promise."

After a few minutes of loud thunder and big flashes of lightning, Kate finally began to relax in Tonys arms. She looked up at him and he kissed her forehead. She closed her eyes and fell asleep as Tony lay there watching her; protecting his Katie.