The elevator chimed, and the doors opened. Gibbs walked out, coffee in hand, and into autopsy. He saw Ducky, and Jimmy bent over a body. Jimmy looked up and clearly recognized Gibbs. Bending over, Jimmy whispered something to Ducky.
"Duck, I need to talk to you."
"Can't it wait, Jethro?"
"No."
"Very well. Mr Palmer, why don't you go and have a break."
"Sure, Dr. Mallard." Jimmy stepped away from the body pulling off his helmet, and apron. He washed his hands, flashed Gibbs a slightly feared look, before heading out.
"Ducky, romance between agents, never ends well."
"I take it you speak from experience, Jethro."
"It leads to bad decision making, and puts the team in danger. One reckless action can have numerous consequences."
"Jethro, I assume you are referring to Caitlyn and Tony?"
"Duck, I told her I would fire her, if she starting dating a co-worker."
"Jethro, Caitlyn's relationship with Major Carey was different."
"How was it different Duck?"
"Caitlyn and Tony went through hell, and only they will truly understand it. Not to mention, Kate has been in life-threatening situations with Tony before. Gibbs, you saw the carnage in that labyrinth. Fifteen terrorists, shot dead. Each were one or two shot kills. That bastard was shot twice in the head, and twice in the heart. Gibbs, she was fighting over him, possessed. Caitlyn and Tony can't be split up Gibbs. No matter how hard you try, you can't stop love. This isn't mere infatuation on either part."
"She would have done the same for anyone else, Duck." Gibbs countered.
"You are right, Gibbs. She would have done the same for anyone else. But, I got the report of her examination at the hospital. Abrasions on her forearms and hands, cracked ribs, a broken lip and a black eye. Apart from the bullet wound, she wasn't in much better shape than Tony. Jethro, leave them be. As I said before, no matter how hard you try, you can't stop love."
McGee hammered away at his keyboard, a confused look on his face. Gibbs walked into the pen, and McGee looked up.
"Boss, I've got something."
"What is it, McGee?"
"Lieutenant Davies made a withdrawal of twenty-five thousand dollars from his account, three weeks before he disappeared."
"How does a lieutenant manage to save twenty-five thousand dollars?"
"I think he may have made a transfer from he accounts he was monitoring."
"So do I. Grab your gear, I want another chat with the CO."
"How much do one of these Naval accountants make in a year?" Gibbs asked. Lieutenant Ford, looked up at him.
"Not much. Maybe fifteen thousand dollars a year. Why do you ask?"
"I find it hard to understand how Lieutenant Davies managed to squirrel away twenty-five thousand dollars. He took out that from his bank account, three weeks before disappearing. How is that possible Lieutenant Ford?"
"It's not. He could have inherited the money? I can assure you, Agent Gibbs, there is no money missing from the base's account."
"Are you sure? Because, I am starting to think that there is some money stolen, and there is a cover up."
"Agent Gibbs, I would prefer it, if you didn't insinuate unsubstantiated rumors. There is no money missing from the base accounts." Gibbs looked at her sternly. Her expression was resolute. Not believing her, Gibbs turned to McGee.
"Get a court order to look at the base accounts. I want copies of everything. Have Abby help you look everything over." He turned to Lieutenant Ford. "We'll be back."
"Tony?" Kate called. "Tony?"
She walked through the apartment. Not finding him, she started to worry. His car keys, cell, gun and badge were all in the draw beside his bed. Opening the draw. she pulled out his key and slipped it into the back of her pants. She grabbed her keys and slowly walked through the building. Still not finding him, she began to fret. Knowing that the rest of the team, were probably on an active case, she knew she was on her own. She ran out of the building and got into her car. She slowly searched for him.
Something caught her eye. It was a small park. Parking on the roadside, she got out, and began to walk towards the park. She scanned the view and saw a man sitting on a bench, alone. She cautiously walked up to him. It was Tony. He was wearing his robe, pajama pants, and a loose top.
"Tony?" Kate asked. He didn't look up. She sat next to him, and grabbed his left hand holding it in both of hers. They merely sat there, for what felt like an eternity. People passed them, leaving them both be.
"I'm…" Tony started, but Kate cut him off, pulling pulling his head to her. They rocked from side to side, tears pouring down their faces, crying silently. He held onto her for dear life, as she held him protectively.
Eventually, they both stood up, and made their way back to Kate's car. She helped him into the passenger seat, and she drove them back to his place. She helped him onto the couch, before making them both coffee.
"How did you get to the park?"
"As soon as you left, I felt bad. I wrote the note on the fridge, and walked to the park. It took me a while. It's normally a ten minute walk. Took me thirty." He chuckled hollowly.
"You shouldn't have done it, Tony. I realize you're going through some pretty tough stuff right now, but so am I. I was worried, when I got back from the store."
"I just needed the fresh air to think. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Tony, if you want to be left alone, I'll go home. I don't mind."
"Kate, you don't have to. I think I'll go insane if you leave."
"I'll stay." Kate promised, pausing slightly. "On one condition."
"What?" Tony asked.
"You pick the movie." They both chuckled.