Disclaimer: Still in Chapter 1

Spoilers: Bête Noir

All The Elevators In Between

Chapter 5

She was sitting at her desk when Abby appeared. She seemed jittery and nervous, as she asked where Gibbs was. Kate asked what was up and Abby spilled about her nightmare. She nodded in sympathy over the other woman's sudden fear of Autopsy and agreed to take the evidence down to Ducky.

Kate walked down to Autopsy and saw the red light blinking outside the door, for infectious autopsies. She knocked on the door to get Ducky's attention.

"Just leave it there. I can't open the door with you there." Ducky called out to her.

"I cant, you have to sign for it."

"I'll sign, I swear. But I can't open the door."

"Ok. I trust you. I'll leave it here. Do you need anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you, Caitlin."

"Sure. Let me know when it's all clear."

"I will." She nodded and turned away and walked back toward the elevator. Something strange was going on. Ducky was acting oddly. Suddenly there was a gun pressed to her head.

"Come with me, Caitlin." The voice ordered, pulling her into Autopsy. Her gun was removed from her, as well as her badge, jacket, and shoes. The terrorist made sure she wasn't carrying any other weapons. Gerald and Ducky sat meekly on the floor beneath her place on one of the tables. She bided her time. When she spotted the scalpels lying on the table, she waited until the terrorist was looking elsewhere and snatched one up. Ducky waved her off. She shook her head. The terrorist turned back around to face her, but as well trained as he was, hadn't heard her come up behind him on silent bare feet. He deflected her hand as she stabbed at his chest, pulling her close enough to feel that he was wearing body armor. She feigned another attack to his chest, but changed her direction at the last moment, stabbing him in the neck and pulling. He let her go, grabbing his throat, trying to stop the bleeding. Ducky dashed for the lights and called Gibbs. No one tried to help him after the hell he'd put them through.

Gibbs burst in seconds later to see a dead terrorist and three shook up people. He checked over Kate first, as she was covered in blood and staring at her hands.

"Kate." He called, but she didn't look up. "Kate, its over. Everything is going to be fine." He touched her shoulder.

"I killed him." She answered.

"I know Katie, but you saved yourself and Ducky, and Gerald."

"I had to stab him in the neck. He was wearing body armor. I was only going to wound him so I could get the gun away, but I couldn't so I killed him."

"Its ok Katie, you did what you had to do. You protected yourself against a threat. That's what you're supposed to do. You'll be ok." He took her over to the sink and turned on the warm water. He stood behind her; arms around her, helping her wash her hands. When her skin was clean, he led her out and down the hall, away from the sight of the dead man. He grabbed the change of clothes she kept in her desk and took her to the ladies room. Abby suddenly appeared at his shoulder.

"Go in and help Kate." He gestured to the door he was guarding. She nodded and entered cautiously.

Kate stood still, staring at herself in the mirror. Abby reached out and took her hand. Kate looked at her then.

"I want to say thank you." Abby said softly.

"Why?"

"You helped me get over my fear of Autopsy, inadvertently. But I also want to say thank you for protecting me. You went down there for me, and saved me from him. I wouldn't have been able to handle that, or him. So thank you." Her words seemed to break through to Kate and she smiled slightly at her.

"No problem Abby. I'll always protect you."

"Good. Lets get you out of those, so I can give you a proper hug." Kate nodded and happily stripped down to her underwear. She glanced at her bra and found it was spotted with blood, as well as the top edge of her panties where his blood had pooled between their bodies. She winced at the site and turned her back to Abby. She slipped out of her bra and asked for some wet paper towels. They were handed over her shoulder. She wiped off her chest and stomach. The bag at her feet contained a sports tank and some lounge pants, as well as a zip up hoodie. Luckily she packed extra panties as well, for emergencies. She pulled her panties off quickly, and wiped her lower abdomen off and slipped on the clean pair and the pants. She didn't want to pull on the tank top without making sure her face was clean. She knew Abby wouldn't care so she faced the mirror again and checked her face. There were a few spots, so she washed her face and slipped on the tank. Abby politely looked away the entire time. He socks and running shoes went on next, then the hoodie. Lastly, she scooped her hair into a messy ponytail. By the time she was done, she felt almost normal. Abby wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tightly. Kate returned her embrace and felt even better.

"What are you going to do with your clothes? The pants should be ok but I think your shirt is ruined."

"I love the pants, so I'll take them to the dry cleaners but the rest of it can be burned or tossed out. I don't care."

"You want me to take care of it?"

"No. I will, on my way home."

"Ok. Lets go get Gibbs before her gets impatient and comes in."

"Sure." They exited the bathroom to find him leaning against the opposite wall, waiting for them.

"Thanks Abs." He grumbled. She nodded, gave Kate another hug, and went to check on Ducky. "Come on. I'll take you home." She wasn't in the mood to argue, so she nodded and followed him to the elevator.