Notes and disclaimer in Prologue

~o~

Epilogue

Tony and Kate walked into the bullpen together on Monday morning, early for a change, since they both knew their reports weren't going to write themselves.

"Kate!" McGee exclaimed when he caught sight of her. "What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you, too, Tim," Kate said sarcastically.

"Sorry," he said. "It's just, I thought you were headed back to California on Friday."

"I was," Kate said, glancing at Tony where he stood, stowing his gear behind his desk. He winked at her, drawing a smile. "Someone convinced me to stay."

Tim watched the byplay between the two of them. Between that and the team dinner Friday night, when they'd been sitting together quite cozily, he got the feeling they'd more than mended fences.

"I just need to finish my report, then I'm gonna head out," she went on. "My flight's scheduled for this afternoon."

"Better cancel it," Gibbs said as he swept into the bullpen.

"What?" Kate asked. She glanced at Tony and Tim, who both looked as clueless as she was.

"Cancel what?" Ziva asked from behind them. She'd just arrived, and had no idea what she'd missed.

"Kate's flight," Tony said. He watched as Gibbs sat down behind his desk and starting typing on his computer, clearly not planning on elaborating on his earlier statement.

"Did something happen with the case?" Ziva asked.

"Nope," Gibbs said.

"Then what's going on, if I may ask?" Kate asked, stepping closer to Gibbs' desk.

"You may," came a voice from behind them.

Kate spun around and saw Director Vance standing just outside the bullpen.

"What's going on, Director?" Tim asked.

"I'm reassigning Special Agent Halliday," he said without preamble.

"You're what?" Kate nearly shrieked.

"I'm reassigning you," Vance said, moving into the bullpen. His eyes flicked to Gibbs, then back to her. "It has been suggested that I'm not taking full advantage of your unique skillset."

Kate whipped around to look at Gibbs, but he was still involved in whatever he was doing on his computer. She turned back around to face the Director.

"Where am I being reassigned to?" she asked, though she wasn't sure she really wanted to know. Just her luck, it'd be Ice Station Zebra or something.

"Here," Vance said.

"Here?" Kate asked, taking a step towards the man. "As in Washington DC, here?"

"Yes," Vance said, letting slip a slight smile. "You'll be reporting directly to me as a Special Assistant to the Director. When you're not working on projects for me, you'll make yourself available to the MCRT to assist them with investigations."

Kate stood silently, shocked to the core. She couldn't believe it. In just the space of five minutes, her life had changed irrevocably. Again. She gave a small, wry smile. She should be used to it by now.

"How soon do you need me?"

Vance smiled back. "I'll give you a week to pack up in San Diego. Then I need you back here. We're starting a round of threat assessments that I'd like your input on."

"A week?" Kate asked. She thought about San Diego and her team. She needed to make sure they were taken care of. "Sir, if I may suggest—"

Vance held up a hand. "I've already decided to promote Richter to Special Agent in Charge. He'll take over your team effective immediately."

Kate smiled. "Thanks. Have you told him yet?"

"No, I thought I'd leave that to you. Anything else?" Vance asked. When Kate shook her head, he nodded. "Good. I'll see you in a week."

And with that, he turned and left the bullpen. Kate stood unmoving.

"Are you all right, Kate?" Ziva asked as she stepped forward.

Kate shook her head to clear it and smiled at the other woman. "Yeah, I think so. Believe it or not, I'm getting used to my world being turned upside down on short notice."

"I don't get it," Tony said, moving around his desk to join the two women.

"Not surprising, Tony," Tim said as he joined the group as well.

"Funny, McGoo," Tony said. Turning to the rest of the group, he asked, "Why now? I mean, you've been back for three years. What's changed?"

"Perhaps he had help," Ziva suggested.

As a group, they all turned and looked at Gibbs, who was still typing away on his computer.

"You wouldn't have had anything to do with this, would you, Boss?" Tony asked, moving closer to Gibbs' desk.

"Have anything to do with what, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, not looking up.

"With Kate getting transferred," Tony said. The rest of the team gathered around Tony in front of Gibbs' desk, each one curious about what he'd say next.

"That's a little unfair to Kate, don't you think?" Gibbs asked. "She's earned this promotion. She's an asset to NCIS. One that the Director has decided to take full advantage of."

The choice of words caught Tony's attention. "You set this up." It wasn't a question.

Gibbs' face twitched, the barest hint of a smile forming. Tony caught it, glancing at Kate and his other two teammates to see if they'd seen it as well. Ziva smiled knowingly, while Tim just looked shocked. Kate's expression carried worry, and he knew just why.

"Uh, Boss," he said, trepidation climbing up his spine.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs said, finally looking up.

"What about…what about Rule #12?" he asked, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice. At this point, the question probably gave it all away, but he'd rather not have his personal life broadcast throughout the building. Especially if Gibbs was about to lower the boom.

Instead, Gibbs rose and smiled. He scooped up a file from his desk and grabbed his coffee cup. "Rule #51, DiNozzo," he said before he swept from the room, leaving the members of his team staring at his wake.

"Rule #51?" Kate asked, turning to Tony.

Tony smiled, relief and triumph showing in equal measure.

"'Sometimes, you're wrong'," Ziva and Tim quoted in unison.

Kate's smile mirrored Tony's. They looked at each other, unable to keep the joy off their faces.

"I guess I got my wish," Tony said unrepentantly.

Kate chuckled. "Lucky you."

Just then, the phone on Tim's desk rang. He practically ran to pick it up, bracing the receiver against his shoulder as he hurriedly scribbled something down. When he'd hung up, he reached behind him and grabbed for his bag.

"Hampton Roads has a dead Petty Officer," he said to the group.

Tony and Ziva moved to their desks and pulled out their gear as Tim shrugged into his trench coat. Kate watched them get ready to go, torn between wanting to go with them and wanting to get back to San Diego to close up her apartment and her office.

Tim and Ziva sped past her, both giving her a huge smile on the way out.

"See you in a week, Kate," Tim offered as he went by.

"If you need help finding a place to live, please call me," Ziva said, laying a hand on Kate's arm as she moved past.

"Thanks," Kate said, returning the smile.

"We'll wait for you in the car, Tony," Tim said.

Then, they were both gone. Kate turned to find Tony standing there, in his trench coat with his backpack slung over his shoulder, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

"Don't worry about finding a place to stay," he said. "You can stay with me until you decide what you want to do."

Kate softened a bit. "Thanks. I guess it's a good thing I rented a fully furnished apartment. It'll make moving across country a lot easier."

Tony glanced at the elevator, seeing his two teammates disappear inside the car. "Listen, I gotta get going, but…"

"Go," Kate said, laying a hand on his arm. "I'll call you when I get to San Diego."

"You gonna be okay getting to the airport?" he asked.

Kate nodded. "I'll get Abby or Ducky to drive me."

Tony clearly didn't want to go. Finally, he glanced around, to be certain they weren't being watched. Then he leaned down and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Tony," Kate said. "I'll see you in a week."

Tony beamed. Then, hoisting his backpack higher on his shoulder, he headed for the elevator.

Kate sighed, looking around at the now empty bullpen. Just a few minutes ago, she was a visitor. Now, it was her home again. She barely caught herself before she let out a squeal of joy. Instead, she headed off for the elevators. There were two more people to share the good news with.

~Finis