Hey everyone! I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas, I have good news and bad news for you. Good news is this chapter is over 7000 words. The bad news is that there is no TIVA in this chapter. only TATE
I AM A TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN TIVA FAN!!!
TIVA TIVA TIVA!!
(i will post a TIVA fic later today!)
OK! please TATE HATERS PLEASE continues reading (it's only this chap really) but it's a very important chapter for the meaning of the story and the BIG FINALE so PLEASE read it! (though i will try to right a summary of this to put at the start of the next chapter.)
Chapter 21 –Damned Diary
Kate was deep in thought as she drove home that day, Abby and Ziva were pregnant. Tony was going to become a father… and it wasn't with her. She sighed. Ziva and Abby agreed to go to the doctor's together; just to double check. She turned a corner and drove into the parking structure of her (new) apartment; she parked and walked to the elevator.
Once in her apartment she walked to her room and found her diary, she sat down and toed of her shoes and socks, then put her gun and badge on her bed side table. She looked down at the diary. Her thumb traced the pealing gold lettering, 2004 Diary; she flicked the book open to May 24th;
Today was the best day! Right now I sit in Tony's condo, in his bed, in his arms, in his shirt. It's so amazing we've finally admitted these feelings, it's so comfortable. Tony's really great in bed too (yes Tony I know you're reading this over my shoulder) I'm so happy!
Kate knew that day. That was first day she and Tony slept together. She had gone to his place on Friday night, she needed company after the whole fiasco with Ari she'd knocked on his door and he answered looking extremely sexy…
Flash back – Friday May 24th, 2004
"Kate?" Asked Tony, his shirt was open showing his strong chest, his bottom half covered by a pair of boxers.
Kate bit her lip, her face flushing, "Tony I was wondering if you needed some company…" Even to her it sounded crap, Tony snorted, "Fine. I need company. Can I come in?"
"Sure." He stepped aside and Kate walked in. She stood awkwardly in his living room, not sure how to act or what to do.
"So." Said Tony, sitting down on the couch,
"So." Repeated Kate and she sat next to him.
They were silent and still for a minute before they both (as though from a magnetic force) turned to the other and started to kiss desperately. Tony hands flew to her sides, one running up and down her hip, the other made its way down to her butt. Kate's hands were wandering too; one on the back off his neck, the other running up and down his bare masculine chest.
Tony groaned into the kiss and Kate pulled back a bit, "What are we doing?" She whispered before kissing him again,
"I'm not sure." Said Tony as his hands started to pull at the hem of Kate's shirt, she raised her arms obediently and he pulled it off her. Kate slipped her hands up to Tony's shoulders, forcing his shirt to fall off.
Tony climbed up on top of Kate and kissed down her jaw line then neck to rest just above her bosom. Kate gasped and her hips thrust forwards making Tony groan, he looked up at her, hunger in his eyes, "Kate if we don't stop now I won't be able to till I've had you."
Kate looked up at him and lent forward whispering, "Then have me."
Tony wasted no time, he scooped her up and carried her to his room were he lay her on the bed. He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them off leaving Kate in her underwear and high heeled shoes.
He took in the sight before slowly climbing over her, dropping kisses as he went. As soon as he was close enough Kate grabbed him in a kiss once more, fumbling with his boxers.
An hour later Kate fell against Tony; her whole body shaking. They lay there breathing hard for a minute.
"Kate?"
"Yea, Tony?"
"We just had sex."
"I know Tony, I was there."
"Does this mean we're dating? Or what does this mean?"
Kate thought. What did this mean? She opened her mouth and said, "Tony I don't want to be another girl on the list. If we do this, it's a proper, long term thing."
"I can do that." Said Tony
"Long term doesn't mean a fortnight, Tony."
"Kate, if it's with you, no amount of time will be long enough."
Kate turned and looked into Tony's eyes, and she was surprised at what she saw. Love. He loved her.
"Tony." She whispered,
"I'm serious Kate, I know its fast but I love you, more then anything, and I really want to be with you, give this serious relationship a go."
"I love you too." Whispered Kate,
Tony grinned his huge grin and kissed her, she pulled back, "Tony, I feel we're jumping into this… Can we… Can we have a trial period where we're not together, and if at the end of it you're sure you wanna start a relationship, we'll do it."
"Anything for you, Puppy."
"Puppy?" Asked Kate, her eyebrows raised.
"Just my new pet name for you."
She kissed him, "Why don't we enjoy the weekend… while we can."
Tony went to kiss her, but was interrupted by his stomach rumbling.
"After dinner," Said Kate getting up, "Bacon and eggs?"
"You know me so well." Grinned Tony, they walked together hand in hand, neither bothering to put clothes on; they'd just get ripped off again later.
Kate started cooking as Tony watched.
"What are you doing?" Asked Kate when she saw Tony staring at her,
"Checking you out."
"And?"
"And what?" Asked Tony, still staring at her naked form, as she cooked,
"Do you like what you see?"
"Oh yes," Said Tony, walking up to her and wrapping his arms around her waist, dropping a kiss on her neck, "Me like. Me like very much."
Kate laughed, "You have a one track mind Anthony DiNozzo."
"That I do."
"You're a monster, Tony."
"Yea but I'm your monster."
"Yes… you're my monster, and I love you."
"I love you too."
End flash back
Kate looked at her diary and turned the page, May 25th.
Today was wonderful, Tony and I made love in the morning, then had a shower, he washed my hair and gave me a massage; it was a romance I never expected of Tony. We went shopping and he bought me some clothes, I really didn't want today to end; just thinking about work on Monday is killing me…
She turned the next page; May 26th.
Tony's been really sweet; he calls me Puppy now, sometimes sweetness or Katie. I call him Monster (Mon for short) and it suits him perfectly. This weekend's been really great, I love being with Tony, we've agreed that while we have our trial period we can kiss once a week, (more if something serious happens)…
Flash back – Sunday May 26th, 2004.
Tony and Kate lay on Tony's bed in a loving embrace, Tony tracing a line softly up and down Kate's back.
"Puppy?" He asked,
"Yea, Mon?"
"I uhh, I got you something, just a keepsake." He sat up and opened his bedside table, "I got yesterday, while you went off by yourself." He picked up a small velvet bag and passed it to her.
Kate sat up and opened the bag, turned it upside down in her hand. A ring fell out.
"Tony…" She whispered. The ring was beautiful. A gold band with a heart shaped ruby set in the middle. "It's gorgeous."
"Look at the engraving." Said Tony, Kate looked, in the ring (in elegant script) wrote My Sweet Puppy, with love, always yours, Monster.
"Tony, thank you, I love it." Kate threw her arms around him in a hug and kissed his cheek,
"It's a promise ring, because your mine and I'm yours." Said Tony; kissing her softly before taking the ring, and sliding it on the middle finger of her left hand.
"Well I actually have something for you too." Said Kate; she reached for her hand bag and took out a small black case and gave it to Tony,
Tony opened the case and saw the exact sunglasses he'd been admiring in special order.
"Kate these would have cost a fortune!"
"And my ring didn't?" Asked Kate,
"God, Puppy…" He stared at the glasses and noticed a small silver plaque in the corner of the case, Puppy and Monster forever…
End flash back
Kate remembered the next morning, she woke alone; a brand new outfit set on the chair next to Tony's bed a small note on the pile of clothes saying, 'Kate, I miss you already, I'm counting down the days, I love you always, Mon'
That day had been eventful…
Flash back – Monday May 27th, 2004.
Kate and Tony were walking down a street looking for Sandy Watson, the blind daughter of a Navy Captain, who's wife, (and until recently) daughter were being held hostage.
"When I'm a mother, I'm never letting my kids out of my sight." Said Kate,
"Yea, how do you plan on doing that?" Asked Tony,
"GPS locator strapped to the ankle, audio and video surveillance built into their clothes."
"No, I mean the part about becoming a mother." Teased Tony, grabbing and squeezing Kate's hand to show he was joking,
"Ha ha, funny." Said Kate in monotone, but squeezing his hand back, showing she understood. She looked around, "The area looks clear to me."
"Me too, let's go get that kid."
They walked down the path and passed a phone, a little girl sat crying next to it. Kate bent down and softly said, "Sandy? My name's Kate."
"And I'm Tony," Said Tony, "We're NCIS agents. That stands for Nav-"
"I know what it stands for," Interrupted Sandy, "They spoke at my school."
"Well then you know that we're here to help you," Said Kate putting a comforting hand on Sandy's arm, "Your daddy sent us."
"We know what happened to you and your mum, but you're safe now, ok?"
"I heard him." Sniffed Sandy,
"Heard who, honey?" Asked Kate,
"He didn't know it, but I heard him… He told my mum… He- He- He's gonna make my dad suffer…"
# # #
That night Kate sat on Tony's desk; them both watching as Captain Watson and his wife and daughter were reunited.
"Kinda makes you think." Said Kate smiling,
"'Bout what?" Asked Tony,
"Having kids someday." She looked down at him, still smiling. Tony looked at the three,
"Yeah… I don't think I could handle that." He stood and pressed his lips softly to Kate's ear and whispered, "Not yet, anyway Puppy. But someday…"
End flash back
Kate put down the diary and lay down on her bed. She had some fond memories of Tony and there time together.
Going 'under cover' to get files from a paternity clinic…
"You writtin' my name right?" As Tony filled out the form at the clinic,
"What?! I just wanna know if it's mine," Said Tony, he turned to the woman behind the desk, "She kinda sleeps around a lot if you know what I mean."
"If I did," Said Kate, "It's 'cause he ain't any good in bed."
"At least I didn't sleep with my cousin."
"You slept with my sister!"
"I thought she was you!"
"She weighs 300lbs!"
"She was wearing your earrings!" Kate put her hand in front of Tony face as the woman behind the desk yelled,
"That's enough!" She calmed her voice, "If you two can't be civil, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Kate pushed Tony away holding her huge bright pink bag to her and chewing her gum, she lent on the desk and said in a soft voice, "Look, is there any way I can wait away from him, please, I'm begging you."
"There's an empty exam room behind you, two doors on the right."
"Thank you." She turned to walk to the door and couldn't resist throwing her gum at Tony and he shuffled in his over large clothes. She walked to the door and opened it, walking through.
"I'm sorry," She heard him say, "She slept with my brother… And my best friend… At the same time…"
# # #
"We made a good couple Kate." Said Tony, in Abby's lab,
"For the Jerry Springer show." They walked towards the door,
"Dig your threads." Called Abby, smiling at Kate's pink explosion of an outfit.
Kate and Tony stood alone in the elevator, Tony flicked the switch and pressed Kate between himself and the elevator wall,
"We make a great couple." He whispered,
"We make a great couple." Repeated Kate before kissing him, when they stopped Kate just whispered, "'She was wearing your earrings'?"
Another great memory came from a week later; when Lieutenant Commander Micki Shields' car exploded (just over a month after their weekend together) and they were to handle the protection of her and her family.
"Kate," Said Gibbs, "Check with Commander Shields, track down the rest of her family."
"On it."
"DiNozzo, secure her home, I want a full surveillance perimeter. McGee, coordinate all feeds with MTAC."
"Alright boss." Said McGee, as Gibbs walked away.
"Huho, sounds like we're going to need the Infer Red Scope on this one, McGee." Grinned Tony,
"The one that can see through walls at night?" Asked McGee, eyebrows raised,
"It's better then Pay TV," Said Tony excitedly, "And the best part… it's free."
"And that's the reason why, Tony." Said Kate,
"Why what, Kate?"
"You'll never get my home address." And she walked away.
And later that day when they were at the Shields house, fulfilling their protection detail.
"I'll take the front door." Said Kate,
"Then I demand to take the rear." Tony grinned; stepping in front of Kate,
"Tony."
"Yes Kate dear."
"There's only on bathroom downstairs."
"And your point is?"
"The seat stays down."
"Unless it's up."
And the next morning while Kate was showering;
"Sexy as I wanna be, got these fellas chasing me," Sang Kate as she danced in the shower, "Let's go with this freak show. Outrageous; when I move my body. Outrageous; when I'm at a party. Outr…"
"Outra-jus." Said Tony, his voice muffled by the toothbrush in his mouth,
Kate stopped singing and grabbed the shower curtain (being careful to cover herself), "Tony! …Out of here, now!"
"What? I'm just brushing my teeth... Oh hey, don't use up all the hot water; cause you've been in there forever."
"Tony, how long have you been in here?" Demanded Kate,
Tony smiled, "Long enough to know you can't sing… and you haven't shaved your legs in a week…" He eyed her silhouette up and down,
Kate threw her sponge and it hit Tony in the face. He laughed as she closed the curtain and continued her shower, "Outrageous, grr." He growled seductively,
Two minutes late he finished his teeth and he heard the shower stop, "You know, we could save water and-"
"We are not showering together. Pass me a towel please."
Tony was about to grab a towel but instead grabbed a spare bathmat and passed it to Kate.
Kate groaned but wrapped herself in it anyway, before stepping out. Tony came up behind and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips to her ear, "Sexy as you wanna be," He whispered, "Got this fella chasing you; let's go with this freak show. Outrageous; when you move your body…"
She remembered sitting in the car on the way back to NCIS, once they had finished their job. Gibbs had given Tony's sunglasses, (the ones Kate gave him) to the Shields boy, and he was upset.
"Polarised lenses, impact protected, racked back curvature. They were special order, boss."
"I don't ever special order." Said Gibbs,
"Isn't that funny," Said McGee, "Neither do I."
"There's nothing funny about this, McGee, and what part of this conversation is about you anyway?"
"Only the part about special ordering."
"I always special order," Said Kate, putting on her own sunglasses, (she was upset that Tony's gift had been so carelessly thrown away by Gibbs, but she had to act teasingly), "Bright day out today."
Gibbs' phone rang, it was Abby. She had some new evidence. Gibbs quickly turned the car around, heading back to the Shields' house.
"Anything we should know boss?"
"The second bomb wasn't Al Quaeda; somebody else wants the commander dead."
They had rushed to the house, ran up to the door and rang the door bell. They could hear voices inside, they rung the bell again just as a shot rang out, Gibbs opened the door, weapon raised.
They all walked in to see Greta, one of the neighbours, lying dead in a pool of blood, Micki with a gun in hand. Kate had checked the body for a pulse; there was none.
Kate slipped away up to Will's room; she knocked on the door and entered. Will sat at his computer, playing a computer game, Tony's sunglasses on his head, Kate cleared her throat and he looked up.
"Will?"
"I thought you left." Muttered Will,
"We came back."
"Duh…"
"Sunglasses." Said Kate, holding out her hand,
"What?"
"I need the sunglasses, Special Agent Gibbs had no right to give them to you, I know they mean a lot to Special Agent DiNozzo, his late fiancée gave them to him for his birthday last month."
"Late fiancée?"
"She died three weeks ago; now, sunglasses." Will sighed and gave Kate the sunglasses, "Thank you." Kate reached into her pocket and pulled out a card, she scribbled her details off and wrote McGee's home number down then passed it to Will,
"No offence, but you're a little old for me lady."
"Special Agent Todd," Corrected Kate, "And it's not my number, its McGee's." She left.
Kate sighed and picked up her old diary again, flipping to a random page.
August 5th
Today was slightly chaotic; a marine wife shot this man who tried to rape her, she called 911 and he went to hospital. It was complicated and hectic…
Flash back – Saturday August 5th, 2004.
Kate looked at the body they'd found. His throat was cut and his eyes ripped out, his computers covered the majority of a wall.
"Kate, could you come here for a second, I need your help with something." Said Tony,
Kate walked to him and looked to where he was pointing. A vent on the roof had a little red light shining through; a video camera.
Kate sighed and climbed onto Tony's shoulders; she steaded herself against the wall and flicked her switch blade. "I had to wear a skirt today."
"Did you say something?" Asked Tony, deliberately looking up so he could see up her skirt,
"Oh, you realise what would happen if I dropped this knife, Tony."
"Yep, I'm still deciding wether it's worth it or not."
Kate got the camera out and passed it to Tony who put it on top of one of the computer monitors. Kate jumped down with the help of Tony. She grabbed the camera and said;
"Now why would somebody hide a Cam-Corder in a vent?"
Tony laughed, "You're kidding right?" Kate just looked at him, "Oh. You know when this is over we really need to talk, Kate. You scare me."
Kate turned on the camera and opened the side; she pressed play to see the badly shot footage. Moans sounded, it was a home sex video.
"Eww." Whispered Kate,
"Ohh." Said Tony; Kate looked at him, "Ew."
End flash back
There were some moments their love had to be poured into jokes and pranks, like the forty dollar bet Tony had with McGee…
Briii, briii, briiiiii!
"No. For the 23rd time." Said Tony, pressing 'ignore' on his cell phone as Michelle called again.
Briii, briii, briiiiii!
Briii, briii, briiiiii!
"You gonna answer that?" Asked Kate, setting her things on her desk.
"I'm in hell, Kate."
"Well do they have money there? 'Cause you owe me," She checked a post it note on her desk, "Forty-six dollars and eighty-three cents for lunch this week."
"I will gladly pay you, today, if you answer this call for me." He said walking to Kate, his cell in his hand.
"Yea? Who is it?"
"Crazy ex girlfriend, haven't seen her since college."
"Stalker?"
"More like a stalk-him."
"What do you want me to say to her?"
"I don't know! Tell her you're my wife or something." Kate just looked at him, "She's been calling me non-stop for two days!" Begged Tony, "Please, I'm begging you, Kate please."
"You pay me back today?"
"Sure."
Kate sighed and took the ringing phone, "Hello?"
"Hello? Who are you?" Asked a female voice,
"Me? Oh, uh, I am Tony's wife."
"Wife?"
"Uh yes, we got married a few years ago."
"You have kids?"
Kate took the phone from her ear and whispered, "Do we have kids?" Tony stuck up three fingers, "No," he took one down, Kate nodded and went back to the phone, "Two."
"Are you sure they're his?"
"Yes. And we're very happy, so please, don't call back again." She hung up and forced a shiver, "Ergh, I feel like getting a shower." She gave Tony the phone and held her hand out for the money,
"Pay the lady Probie."
Kate frowned as McGee walked to her and gave her to twenty's. "He bet me forty dollars he could get you to say you're his wife today."
"Tony, I'm going to kill you." She took her money and sat down, glaring at Tony,
That day had many moments of love, infact after they finished talking (and in Kate's case, flirting) with their victims brother, they sat in the car, driving back to NCIS.
"You like him don't you Katie?" Asked Tony, as they got into the car (Kate driving)
"Tony I don't really think that's any of your business." Kate started the car and drove away,
"Course it is, I deserve to know when I have a chance Puppy."
"God sometimes you really know how to put me off you." Tony pouted, "But it won't stop me loving you Mon." She turned left,
"Where are we going?" Asked Tony, this wasn't the way to NCIS,
"My place."
"Why?" Kate looked at him and he saw a lust burn in them. "Oh."
They made their way quickly to Kate's condo and as soon s they walked in and the door was closed they flew at each other.
"We don't have much time, Gibbs expects us back." Muttered Kate against his lips as she pulled at his clothes,
"I know."
"I love you."
"I love you too." He picked her up and carried her to her room, where he placed her on the bed. "Say it again."
Knowing exactly what he meant Kate whispered, "I am Tony's wife." He kissed her, and she said it again, "I am Tony's wife."
There clothes were thrown from them and the whole time Kate said, "I am Tony's wife. Tony is my husband. Kate DiNozzo. Mrs DiNozzo. Mrs Caitlin DiNozzo. I am Tony's wife. I am Mrs Caitlin DiNozzo."
"Mrs Caitlin DiNozzo." Repeated Tony as they made love,
"Mrs Caitlin DiNozzo. I am Tony's wife. Kate DiNozzo. Tony is my husband. We are happily married. Mr and Mrs Anthony DiNozzo. I am Tony's wife. Tony is my husband. I am Mrs Caitlin Dinozzo."
Half an hour later, with yells of, 'Kate!' and 'Mrs Caitlin DiNozzo!' they both found their release.
"I love you my Monster."
"I love you Puppy."
# # #
That night Kate was to go on a date with the vic's brother so Gibbs and McGee could search his house.
"I'm meeting him at airport in twenty minutes, Gibbs."
"Need you to distract him for at least two hours so we can search his house."
"Shouldn't be a problem," Said Kate grabbed a holster and her SIG, "He already invited me to dinner." She strapped the holster to her upper thigh then fixed her dress. She stepped out and stood in front of Tony's desk.
"So… How do I look?" She asked smiling,
Tony looked up, "Heh."
"What do you mean, 'eh'?"
"I mean, 'eh', you look fine." Kate sighed and Tony looked up again, "What's wrong with fine?"
"I'm going for 'hot' here, Tony."
"Well, in that case, do you mind?" And before she could answer Tony jumped up and walked around his desk to Kate, where he pulled her dress up her hips, let the straps fall down her shoulders, teased her hair and blew in her face. He flicked her hair and bent down blowing sharply again.
He grinned and straightened up, admiring his work, "Yea, now that; that is hot!"
"You two, done playing dress up?" Asked Gibbs,
"Done." Said Kate and Tony at the same time, they went to grab their stuff (Kate putting on earrings and lip stick).
"Alright, get movin', I want a com check in fifteen minutes." Gibbs walked to the elevator,
"On it." Said Kate,
"Hey Kate, looked better the other way." Added Gibbs,
Kate turned and looked at Tony, he just grinned at her. She grabbed a mirror and started to fix her hair.
Kate also had some not so fond memories of Tony. Like when he blackmailed her with her Wet T-Shirt contest picture…
"…When we need clarification, we'll ask for it Probie. Thank you" Said an annoyed Tony as Abby, McGee, and Kate discussed a girl that turned him down.
"Oh I'm asking," Said Kate, "How old Abby?"
"Well she was old enough to turn Tony down. Said she only goes out with guys in their twenties."
"Oh, poor baby." Mocked Kate,
"She wasn't my type anyway." Grumbled Tony,
"Well, that's a good thing, because I think it's time that the 'Sex Machine' hung his spurs up."
Tony stood up and starred at Kate, "How do you know about that?"
"Your collage nickname? Let's just say that dating your frat brother had its advantages."
"Grab your gear." Called Gibbs as he walked into the bullpen, "We're going to Georgetown. Petty Officer was assaulted in her home last night. You're driving," He threw the keys to Tony, "Sex Machine." Tony glared at Kate as she laughed then turned to his computer and quickly typed, sending her an email.
"Kate, I'd check your email before we go. It's kinda important." He grabbed his gear as Kate typed, opening her email.
A picture from the one time Kate went on Spring Break in '94 came up. Her Wet T-Shirt comp photo.
"Where did you get this?" She whispered,
"Wet T-Shirt Wall of Fame, Spring Break '94. Saw it when I was in Panama City last month." Tony whispered back,
"Oh my God."
"I was going to keep it to myself," Said Tony, "But then you decided to tell everyone my pledge name."
"You wouldn't dare!" Hissed Kate,
"Oh?!"
Kate closed the email and went after Tony, "Tony! Tony, come on! We can work this out."
But Kate and Tony also shared times of heartbreak, fear, and pain. The biggest Kate could think off was when he contracted the plague. By that time Kate had been contacted by the Secret Service, had met with Ari and had been convinced he was on their side.
But having him on their side didn't make him any less creepy to her. He still looked at her in an odd way, his eyes reading into her soul. He still called her Caitlin in that accented voice and he still laughed at her… A lot. Thankfully though, he was generally to busy with Al Quaeda and the FBI to be in her company.
Tony and Kate lay in a negative pressure isolation glass room lit with UV light. Dr. Brad Pitt and Tony were talking excitedly, having just recognised each other.
"Oh God." Said Kate to Nurse Emma, "They're going to start bonging beers next."
"I don't think so."
"Oh you don't know Tony. He epitomises sophomoric."
"His blood test came back positive."
Kate felt her breath catch in her throat and her heart start to crack, "Positive?" She whispered,
"You're okay. He's the only one infected."
"So you didn't feel like an old man on spring break?" Asked Brad, his voice carrying.
"Are you kidding? Co-eds love a mature man who can bong a beer in under six seconds." They laughed,
"Well that leaves me out."
"So tell me Doc," Said Tony, "What have I got?"
Brad took a breath. "Pneumonic plague."
"Plague?" Brad nodded, "Plague."
"Yea, Tony, Plague! Because only you would go off and get a disease from the Dark Ages!" She called suddenly angry as she stormed towards Tony, forcing tears back.
"I didn't put Plague in the letter."
"You opened it!"
"Yea, so I opened it. What are you so upset about? It's not like you're lying-" His voice stopped and he looked up at Kate into her eyes,
"Yeah. That's right Travolta. I'm infected too." She lied,
"Oh Kate, I'm sorry." Whispered Tony staring at her,
"You're going to be sorrier."
"No, don't tell me Gibbs got it."
"Oh no, no. Just us. But I am going to make your life hell!"
"How? Can't be worse then plague. Maybe it can. Maybe she can."
They fought and Kate eventually went back to the other side of the room and lay on the bed.
"Why are you doing this Kate?" Asked Brad,
"Damned if I know. But I'm doing it. You're not going to tell Tony."
"Well, I've already informed Dr. Mallard you're not infected."
"Ducky will understand. Gibbs will be the problem."
"No, the problem is that Tony, can infect you."
"What with all the UV lights, and air scrubbers, or are they just here for patient morale?"
"I cannot permit you to stay. This strain has been genetically altered to resist antibiotics. You realise what that means?"
"That the UV in Tony's arm is useless... So why do it?"
"Well, it can't hurt. And it gives him…"
"Hope." Finished Kate,
Forty-five minutes later Kate and Emma stood quietly talking.
"Is he always like this?" Asked Emma, referring to Tony's humour.
"Unfortunately. Tony's humour has always been sexist, juvenile, raunchy."
"Funny?"
"Oh, sometimes, he can be funny…"
"You love him don't you?" Asked Emma quietly,
Kate turned and looked at her, "Yes." She whispered tears swelling in her eyes. She walked to Tony's side and held his arm.
Minutes later Ducky arrived and spoke with Doctor Pitt, Kate staying with Tony, all the while.
"I'm sorry I teased you with all those movie, Kate." He wheezed,
"Teased? You've tortured me. For two years all I've heard is John Wayne and Clint Eastwood and James Bond."
"James Bond, is a character, played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Rodger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan. …Why are you wearing a mask?"
"'Cause I have a cold."
"Why aren't you sick?" He barely managed to whisper,
"Because I'm stronger then you, Tony."
"Are not." Said Tony, weakly,
"Am too."
Tony started to cough and gag, Emma holding him up. Brad walked in.
"Kate, you should leave. Now!"
Kate walked back into the negative pressure room between outside and inside pulled off her mask and started to cry.
"Oh God." She walked to Ducky and cried in his shoulder, as he hugged her.
"You were brave to stay with him, Kate."
"He's dying Ducky." She sobbed,
"Oh to hell he is." Said Gibbs as he walked in then pressed the button to go into see Tony,
That night Kate walked in to Tony having gotten permission to sleep there. She looked down at him for a second before walking over and lying on the bed closest to Tony's.
"This reminds me of the end of 'Alien'."
Kate laughed and rolled over so she faced Tony, "I love you, Mon."
"I love you too, Puppy. …Come here."
Kate got up and walked to Tony, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed next to him. He took her hand in his and held it tight.
"I've been given orders to not give you my cold."
"I guess a kiss is out of the question then." Kate smiled and pressed her lips softly against Tony's.
That next week had been the best and worst of Kate's life. After Tony's near death experience they decided to officially get together (but keep it secret).
It was the best, because she got to go home tom him and be in his company most of her time, and it was the worst because she knew it would end.
She had been briefed and so had Ari, he was in the country and his cover was being after Gibbs' life. Kate had been spoken to every morning when Tony thought she was on her run, and every lunch break that whole week, on the Monday she met someone she never thought she would; her clone.
"Agent Todd, this is Bethany, she was cloned from a strand of your hair." Introduced Agent Larson; the man in charge of the entire operation.
"Cloned?"
"Yes."
"You've cloned me?"
"That is correct?"
"How?"
"It's a complicated science, and not really in my area. All that matters is we've done it."
"Does the media know about this?"
"No, and they never will. If the general public got wind that we'd successfully cloned a human being there'd be havoc."
"Hello Kate, I'm Bethany." Said Kate's clone,
"Oh, er, hi, Bethany."
"Don't worry, I won't be going out in public until we switch, exactly three minutes before I die in your place."
"You've been briefed?" Asked Kate,
"Yes. And I have all your memories up until I was cloned, so I know how to act, and I feel what you feel."
"So you…"
"Are in love with Monster? Yes."
"This is too weird."
"That it is Kate."
"God I need a drink."
"It's 6:30 in the morning!" Said Bethany in exactly the same voice and tone Kate uses when Tony's being juvenile or explicit.
The thing that disgusted Kate the most was when she walked in on Ari and Kate making out (very graphically) in a conference room.
"Ewww! Bethany! Ari!"
"Hello Caitlin."
"Don't you Caitlin me! Bethany is like my twin/daughter/sister! Do you know how weird it is to walk in on yourself making out with a terrorist?!"
"We're on the same side, Caitlin."
"Doesn't stop me from hating you, bastard. Bethany, how could you… with him!"
"I'm my own person now Kate, I just let him talk to me and well, we hit it off…"
"Ergh! I may need to vomit."
"Don't tell Larson, will you? I'd hate to get fired." Bethany joked,
"Ari you are aware that Beth's gonna die, right?"
"Of course, I am read in Caitlin. All I'm doing is what you are, having the sweet loving moments with that someone special, while I still can."
And on Kate's second last day as Special Agent Caitlin DiNozzo, she had some scares. A snake, a bomb, Ari news, and a late night encounter in the third floor men's room.
A Snake and a Bomb
"Looks like a professional hit. Probably took the hands to confirm the kill." Said Tony as he and Kate processed a crime scene,
"McGee told me what you said." Said Kate,
"Did he now? Oh, come on. I was joking around. I didn't think he'd really believe me."
"Really? And why's that?"
"Anyone looking at you can tell your breasts are real."
"You told him I had breast implants?!" Asked Kate, incredulous,
"...No." Said Tony, laughing,
"You know what, Tony?! I can't even believe I worried about you. You are nothing but a gi-" Her sentence was cut off by Tony;
"Snake."
"Yeah, exactly."
"No, big-big-big-big snake. Down there."
Kate looked down and gasped, her breathing became deep, "Tell me it's not poisonous." Said Kate, scared,
"I think it is." Whispered Tony,
Kate whimpered, "Ehh! Ewww!"
"Okay."
"What is it doing?" She asked squeezing her eyes shut,
"It's wrapping around your leg." Tony stated simply,
"Do something, Tony!"
"Okay! I'll try and grab it. Just don't make any sudden moves, all right?"
Kate was still whimpering when she suddenly asked, "What if you miss it?"
Tony bent down to grab the snake, "They do this stuff on the Discovery Channel all the time. How hard can it be?"
"Oh, screw it! I'm going to shoot it." Kate took out her SIG and pointed at the snake ...and her foot.
"Hey! Put that gun away. You're going to blow your foot off. Let me do this."
"God, my life in your hands… I knew it was going to end this way."
"Quiet!" Hissed Tony, "You're making me nervous. Now, about there. Ah. Gotcha!" He held the snake in his hands and Kate said,
"Okay, I'll give you this much. You do have your moments."
"So are we friends again?"
"Oh, cool corn snake." Said McGee, as he walked over, "Can I hold him?"
"No, it's poisonous, McGee!" Exclaimed Kate,
"Actually they're not, Kate."
"Yes they are, McGee." Said Tony, trying (and failing) to tell McGee with his eyes he had played the hero,
"What about that one you caught at Shenandoah State Park? You had it around your neck for like an hour."
"That near-fatal illness may have clouded my memory." Kate (instead of kissing him like she had wanted to) kicked him to the ground,
"You're such a loser." She grumbled, "All right, back to work. McGee, check the trunk." She passed him keys, "Nobody touches dead bodies until Ducky says all clear."
McGee went to the trunk and put in the key he started to turn it when a groaning Tony opened his eyes and yelled, "Freeze, McGee! Don't move!" He stood up, "Car's wired to explode. Looks like the detonator's tied to the trunk."
"What?" Asked McGee,
"How far did you turn the key?" Questioned Kate,
"Uh… not sure. Almost all the way, I think." Said McGee panic in his voice,
"Okay, don't let it snap back, all right?" Said Tony, he took hold of the key and
"Yeah."
"Let go."
"Okay." McGee let go and walked to Kate,
"Okay, both of you run!" Said Tony,
Kate stated to argue, "Tony, we're not leaving you standing-"
"I'm a lot faster than you are! I'll be right behind you. This is not a debate. Okay? This thing might be primed already..." Kate sighed she wouldn't win; she and McGee ran up the hill to the road where Gibbs and the other's were,
"It's the car!" Yelled McGee,
"It's wired to-" Kate's yell was cut off by a explosion that sent them all to the ground debris and a flaming tire flying up and landing around them. Once the main blast was over she looked over her shoulder and yelled, "TONY!"
They heard light grunting and Tony climbed up the edge of the hill, "Boss, you remember when I said I never felt better? ...I lied." And he collapsed,
Kate knew one of Ari's Al Quaeda buddies had set up the crime scene but she was confused, Ari was the boss, guy, why did he tell them to put a bomb on the car, and why didn't he warn Kate?
Ari News
Kate stood in the ladies room calling Ari, "You tried to kill Gibbs?!" She whisper-yelled into the phone,
Ari chuckled, "Caitlin, Caitlin, I was merely keeping up appearance, making sure my cover is not blown. Larson told me too, that bomb would not be enough to break Gibbs' leg. Do not worry."
"God Ari why don't you tell me these things? First the car now this God! At least I'll get release though, when I call Mossad and your control officer comes to see if you've been a good boy."
"I don't tell you so you can keep your own cover, you are not supposed to know much about me and why I am here, only what the FBI tells you and you learn on your own. And Ziva? Ziva will take my side in anything, she will fight for me, and we will be right, I would not have killed you." Explained Ari in his accented voice,
"Why should she take your side? I thought Mossad officer's never trusted anyone."
"Ziva is different. She is expert at knowing when someone lies to her-"
"But you're expert at lying without detection." Interrupted Kate,
"As I was saying, she's expert at knowing when someone is lying to her, and she is family. If there is one thing she trusts, it is her family. Except, for perhaps, our father, but then who would trust the Deputy Director of Mossad?"
"You're brother and sister?!"
"Half."
"Ergh! Fine! I'll see you tomorrow I suppose. Bye."
"Shalom." They both hung up.
A Late Night Encounter
Kate woke in the middle of the night, her back aching from sleeping on the floor, she stood up and ran a hand through her hair.
"Kate?"
Tony was awake and sitting in his chair.
"Tony, why aren't you resting? You should be asleep; in fact, you should be at your place taking your second week sick leave."
"Well I'm glad I'm not, because then you and McGee would be downstairs on autopsy tables."
Kate sighed, "Go to sleep Tony."
"No."
Kate walked over to him and bent down so her face was in front of his, "Please Monster."
"Oh, Katie." Groaned Tony, "What's in it for me?"
"Uhh, anything. What ever you want."
Tony grinned cheekily, "Ok. I want you. Now. At NCIS."
"What? Ew, Tony no."
Tony rolled his eyes, "Fine, but at least let's go make-out."
"Ok."
Tony got up and they walked quickly to the 3rd floor men's room and started to make out heatedly.
"You know, I love you." Said Tony,
"I know," Said Kate, "I love you too."
About twenty minutes later Kate stopped, "Ok I think I'll get lock-jaw if we continue."
Tony laughed, "Ok...Hey you're on the pill right? 'Cause last night when I was taking off the, uh, the condom, I saw it was broken."
Kate looked at Tony. No. No she wasn't on the pill, she'd stoped because it clashed with her pain killer of choice and she'd had deathly migraines after dealing with Ari all week.
"Yea. Yea of course I'm on the pill."
Kate had a two weeks later realised she was late and did a home pregnancy test. She's not sure what she would have done if it had been positive. She would have been fired most likely, and she wouldn't be able to be with Tony, not unless she wanted a wave of guilt after them all thinking she was dead. (She still felt awful about it).
She thought back to the day she had 'died'...
They were heading to the roof, Kate saw Bethany give her the signal and slipped away, she quickly gave Bethany her SIG and her mic/earwig. They were already wearing the same clothes and vests.
"Good luck Beth, sorry you have to sacrifice yourself."
"It's fine. Good luck to you too, Kate."
"It's Catherine Smith now."
"Catherine."Said Bethany,
"Caitlin."Said Kate, they hugged then Bethany walked away, joining the fight.
Kate put in a new earwig and a tested the Secret Service mic telling Ari, and Larson the swap was complete. She walked down to the car, she had to be careful, McGee was there, but she could hear the conversation between McGee, Gibbs, Tony, and Beth, and she could see as a video surveillance was built into Beth's clothes streaming live to Kate's cell phone.
"I got one terrorist inside! I don't know if I got him, but he stopped shooting."Called McGee,
"Hold your position. We'll flush him." Said Gibbs,
"Okay."
"I'm out."He said looking at his gun
"Me, too." Said Beth, Tony gave Gibbs another clip of bullets when Beth noticed someone hiding behind a door with a gun, she dropped her weapon and yelled,
"Shooter!" She jumped out in front of Gibbs, like Kate was trained to do for the President, taking a bullet to the chest.
Gibbs and Tony shot the shooter and turned to Beth. She was lying down, slightly curled on her side, as though sleeping, or (as in this case) in pain.
"Kate?" They went over to Beth's side, rolled her on her back, and unzipped her jacket to see a bullet lodged in her vest.
"You okay?"Asked Tony,
"Oww..."Groaned Bethany, "I just got shot at point blank range, DiNozzo. What do you think?"
"You're not going to be going to Pilate's class tomorrow?" They helped her up as she groaned,
"Protection detail is over."Said Gibbs,
"You did good."Praised Tony,
Gibbs smiled, "For once, DiNozzo is right."
"Wow."Said Bethany, "I thought I'd die before I ever-"Bethany's sentence was cut off half way by a bullet forcing its way into her skull, killing her instantly.
"Rest in peace Bethany, you'll be in my prayers."Whispered Kate, "Ok Ari, pack up and go, I gotta do something real quick."She pulled out her earwig and took off her mic and shoved them in her pocket.
She had to move fast. Hopefully Tony and Gibbs would stay up on the roof for a while, she peeked around the door and saw McGee crouching behind the car,
"Boss? What was that? What's happened?" He seemed to whiten, "Kate's dead?"
He stood and walked to the other door, the one fifty feet from where Kate was.
Having the best chance she'd get, Kate ran to the car, opened the back wear she fond Tony's suit jacket, she her silver necklace from a pocket and went to put it in the inside pocket of his jacket but felt something. She pulled it out.
It was a small box. She opened it and gasped. The most beautiful engagement ring looked back at her. She felt tears swell in her eyes, he wanted to marry her. And it would never happen. She pulled out her phone and took a photo of the ring, then closed the box, and placed it and the necklace back in the correct pocket. Before placing the jacket how it was, as exiting the car, making her way to her new life as Secret Service Agent Catherine Smith.
Kate felt tears pouring down her face. He wanted to marry her, all those years ago, and now he was going to be a father with another woman. She grabbed her current diary and flicked to that day's page and wrote;
I can't believe it. Abby's pregnant! She says it's McGee's; he'll be a great dad. Ziva is also pregnant, which is great but… Obviously Tony's the father. It makes me so... I don't know. But well, I have no doubt Tony will be a wonderful father, I just, I wish I would be the one to mother his children...
I'm still in love with him...
Kate didn't sleep that night.
ONCE AGAIN I WISH ALL MY FAITHFUL READERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!