Chapter 11 – Fight or Fright

Caitlin Todd- Sorry. Catherine Smith jogged at a steady pace along the cement path.

It was early, though not as early as she was used to. In fact she felt refresh; like she had slept in.

Kate sighed and pushed her fringe back. Her hair was long; waist length and slightly curly from being kept in a braid/plat and bun most of the time. Her honey blonde streaks shone in the sun, contrasting against the rest of her so-brown-almost-black hair.

She hated dying her hair, but she had to. Catherine Smith had dark hair. Catherine Smith got highlights and streaks. Catherine Smith won't exist in two days time…

Kate stopped outside a big white house to stretch and try to take her mind of her troubles when she heard yelling.

"STOP LYING! STOP PRETENDING YOU CARE ABOUT ME!" Came a loud voice, "That's not true Zee. Your eyes, they're on fire! They won't shut up! You met someone in Tel Aviv and you prefer them over me! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BREAK ME HEART!"

A woman's voice joined the yelling, "YOUR HEART!? YOUR HEART!? I CAN NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT YOU! I LOVE YOU THROUGH TO THE BONE AND ALL YOU GIVE ME IS PAIN!"

Kate starred incredulously at the house. She watched for a few seconds when a figure threw the door open and slammed it behind her.

Ziva walked outside cursing.

"I told you." Ziva looked up to find Kate leaning against a support column of the porch. Ziva cursed rapidly in Hebrew as she pocketed her phone.

"Are you alright?" Asked a beautiful feminine voice.

"I am fine." Said Ziva, not looking up.

"Are you sure? I don't mean to pry, but that sounded like a pretty bad fight."

"It was." Ziva sighed, she looked up and gasped.

Kate, the real Kate stood on the path dressed in sweats and a sports bra. Ziva had expected this to be simple, yes but really, having Kate turn up at the front door did not even occur to her.

Ziva walked down the front drive and held her hand out to Kate, "Ziana Darvey."

Kate took her hand and shook it, "Catherine Smith."

"It's nice to meet you Catherine."

"Kate."

"Sorry. Kate."

Ziva rubbed her eyes and ran a hand through her wet hair before tying it back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Asked Kate tentatively.

Ziva thought then nodded. "Ever since he came back from that boat he's been distant with me."

They had started to jog at a steady pace.

"Boat?" asked Kate,

"A ship. He's an NCIS Special Agent and he was afloat for over four months. He got back two weeks ago and well… Things have been tough."

"NCIS?" Asked Kate shocked,

"Naval Criminal Investigative Service." Ziva explained though she knew what Kate actually meant.

"Impressive. What's his name?"

Ziva smiled, "Anthony DiNozzo." Kate froze, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Kate started to jog again, "How long have you been seeing him?"

"Including the four months he was away; Seven months and ten days."

"What happened?"

"I asked, no I accused him of sleeping with his old partner. I am such a kalba!"

"Well if he slept with her then isn't he the one in the wrong for cheating."

"He didn't cheat. His old partner died four years ago. Oh, oh no."

"What?"

Ziva cringed, how could she have forgotten?

But wait. This was perfect! This would really make 'Catherine' feel guilty.

"Today is the fourth anniversary since her death. How could I be so stupid?"

"Why should you be expected to remember, did you know her?" Asked Kate knowing the answer,

"No. No I didn't. I met Tony just after she died. Four years ago. I have a friend, she introduced us. From the way he speaks about her…" Ziva sighed, she wasn't sure why she was pouring her heart out, especially on a mission, but she was. She felt she could trust Kate, the real Kate. After all, if she could keep her existence secret she could keep Ziva's vulnerabilities secret.

"He loves her but I have no idea how. It could be how a brother loves his sister, or a man loves his friend, or it could be… It could be he loves her like boyfriend loves his girlfriend, a fiancé loves his fiancée, a husband loves his wife… Damn you Caitlin Todd."

Ziva felt Kate's awkwardness and knew her strategy (however improvised it was) was working.

They ran in silence until Ziva's phantom Kate (who now looked like the real Kate, not the Kate in the NCIS photos) spoke again.

"Like a brother likes a sister! Ziva you are a dumb, dumb girl. It's obvious he loves me like a girlfriend, a fiancée, and a wife. Damning me to hell won't change that."

Ziva ignored her.

As the time passed Ziva and Kate chatted politely; Ziva knowing when Kate lied and how to make her lies undetectable.

Kate felt her stomach rumble. "What time is it?"

"7:30." Replied Ziva, deliberately not using Zulu time.

Baby girl it's a big, big world and there's many fish in the sea
I'm trying not to roam but I'm flesh and bone
so you better keep your eye on me

I'm not trying to flirt
I'm not trying to hurt
don't even wanna be free
But when I see them walk and I hear them talk,
well that's the end of me.

They got bumps and curves just for hors d'oevres
and I haven't even mentioned the lips!
They got wild eyes that make me lie
and legs right up to the hips!

They're from outer space they're the Fairer race
and we all know who's in control

But when I look at their lips and the swing of their hips
well a man can lose his soul

Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop it I like it (I like it)
stop, stop, stop, stop, stop it feels good!
You're so wrong I'm getting excited
please don't stop although I know you should.

Take Adam and Eve now-

"Is that your phone?" Asked Kate,

"Yes… Shalom, Tony." Ziva spoke into her phone,

"Zi- wait; how'd you know it was me?"

"Personalised ring tone."

"Oh."

"Tony, I'm sorry, I forgot what day it was."

Tony sighed, "I know Zee. Sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that."

"It is fine Tony. And I do love you."

"I love you too."

"You trust me don't you? You do not actually think I'd cheat on you, do you?"

"No Ziva, God, I'm sorry I said that."

"I know. I love you, Tony. Shalom."

"Shalom. אני אוהב אותך." Said Tony, before hanging up,

"Saying 'I love you' already?" Asked Kate smiling softly,

Ziva chuckled, "I thought so, which is why I didn't say it first."

"So Tony said it first then."

"Yes."

"Do you think he means it?"

Ziva thought before saying, "I believe he does."

There was a small silence while they jogged until they eventually slowed to a walk.

"So what is it you do for a living Kate?" Asked Ziva, conversationally,

"I'm currently unemployed. You?"

"I'm a-" But Ziva got cut off as Kate was pulled into an alley, a gun pressed to her temple.

A man in a mask looked up at Ziva, eyes glaring.

"Don't scream, pretty lady, or I'll shoot your friend right through the head."

"What do you want?" Whispered Ziva, carefully keeping her anger and violent reaction in control,

The man just leered as he eyed Ziva up and down, the hand not holding his gun curling around Kate's bosom.

Suspence! lol

ok, the song is Stop, I like it, by Rick Guard, and 'אני אוהב אותך' is Hebrew, it means 'i love you'. i would've put it phonetically, but i couldn't find a translator that did it.

Let me know what you think about imaginary Kate. REVIEW!

3 Clai