Melting Point

Post episode one shot flashback for the episode "Eye for an Eye." Copious Tate fluffiness ensues, of course. Warning, spoilers for the episode! Please review!

A.N: Things in italics are flashbacks.

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. It is upsetting, but I'm getting help for the addiction.

Melting Point

Kate sighed contently as she snuggled into Tony's warm embrace. He breathed slowly and snored softly, she could feel his warm breath tickle her neck. Kate started out the window as they flew over Mexico on the way back home. The case hadn't gone as planned, but there was no use crying over spilled milk. At least one good thing had come out of the whole ordeal; her and Tony's newfound relationship. Kate smiled as she thought back to what had initiated the whole thing. Her mind flashed back to a couple of days before and the change in feelings she had had.

The two of them sat in the car, staked out across the street from their suspect's place of residence. Kate watched the house closely through her binoculars. The images were becoming blurred as time went by. Kate glanced away from her surveillance duties for a moment and stared at Tony. He looked at peace as he slept. In the meantime, Kate was freezing to death and herself growing weary. She decided that it was time they traded duties, at least for a while.

"Wake up!" Kate called.

"I am awake," Tony replied lightly.

"Would you turn the heat up please? I'm freezing," Kate beseeched.

"Can't, the smoke from the tailpipe will give away our position," Tony said wisely.

"Great. I can't feel my legs here," Kate commented.

"We could do what the Eskimos do to keep warm," Tony suggested.

"What's that?" Kate inquired.

"They press their bodies together," Tony began. "Of course, the effect is greatly improved if you're naked…"

"There's not enough liquor on this planet to make that happen, Tony," Kate said incredulously.

"I wasn't suggesting the naked part, but if you want to freeze," Tony said softly. "Freeze."

At that point he had sat up from where his seat was reclined and had placed a warm hand on Kate's shoulder. At that moment she could feel herself begin to heat up. Kate smiled slightly and Tony returned the gesture. They sat in that position for only a split second. Tony quickly pulled away and Kate felt chilled again. She found herself wishing that she had taken him up on his offer. Instead of prolonging the awkward silence, Kate took it all in a stride and commented.

"I need a vacation," Kate deadpanned.

"Where would you go?" Tony asked.

"Ooh, someplace warm. Someplace where there's no cell phone reception," Kate listed.

"The tropics," Tony finished for her.

"Yes, the tropics would be nice," Kate agreed. "The light just went out!"

Tony looked over at the house they were supposed to be watching. The light had indeed gone out. It wasn't too worrisome unless their suspect left the house.

"Well, he's probably gone to bed, it's midnight," Tony commented.

"Oh God, do you think we're going to have to stay here all night?" Kate queried.

"Why don't you call Gibbs and find out?" Tony replied.

"Why don't you call Gibbs and find out?" Kate shot back sarcastically and emphatically.

"Because I know the answer," Tony laughed.

"I need a vacation!" Kate called out exasperatedly.

They were having fun. Kate Todd and Tony DiNozzo were actually capable of providing good company. It was like mixing oil and water, and yet they made the perfect solution. Kate smiled and returned to her surveillance duty. At that moment, however, they were snapped out of their companionable silence by the echo of a gunshot in the night. They both quickly, albeit reluctantly, rushed to their suspect's door and broke into the apartment. That was the end of their nighttime venture into companionship.

Kate looked back on it and wished that they had actually had the whole night to themselves in the car. It would have given them the opportunity to realize some of their thoughts and feelings earlier. At least they had been given one night in a hotel in Paraguay. However, it would have been a lot more romantic if they didn't have to worry about gunshots ricocheting off of their windowsill or giant cockroaches finding their way into their wardrobes.

Kate felt Tony shift a little bit under her body and felt him brush the hair away from her neck before lightly nipping at the delicate flesh there. Tony's action elicited a gasp of surprised gratification from Kate. He moved on to kissing her neck and reveled in the sensation of her rapid pulse against his lips. Kate smiled and turned her head so that their lips could meet. It was amazing how quickly and easily they had fallen into this already familiar rhythm. They were both grateful that Gibbs had made them stay out all night, despite the night being broken up by a suicidal transsexual.

Kate and Tony's lips locked in a passionate union. They could taste the mingled fear and desire on each other's lips. Tony nibbled at Kate's lower lip before tracing his tongue along the same place. Kate gladly obliged and allowed Tony to explore the recesses of her mouth with exquisite thoroughness. They kissed fervently, hungrily until they were both dangerously breathless. They pulled apart just enough to be able to breathe. It wasn't the first kiss of its kind and it was definitely not the last, either. Kate smiled against Tony's lips and planted one more kiss on them before putting more space between herself and her lover.

Tony looked at Kate lovingly. When he had come into the bullpen on the morning of which the case had been reported he had never expected what would come out of the whole situation. He knew that this was toeing dangerously close to the rule twelve line, but he loved Kate too much to care. It was funny how all of their 'brother and sister' feelings could become obsolete so quickly. Tony pulled Kate closer and kissed the top of her head. He rubbed her arms and tried to make up for how cold she had been in the car the other day.

Kate slowly began to drift off to sleep. She could feel Tony's warm, sure grip on her. His one arm was around her waist and the other was stroking her bare shoulder. She knew that once they reached home she would have to wrap herself up in layers upon layers of winter clothing once again. It would be back to freezing her six off in the cold northern weather. In the meantime, however, she had a few more hours in which to stay warm in Tony's embrace. At that point she was too content to care what Gibbs had to say. He would never have to say anything, actually. The two of them planned to keep it out of the office. They were too good to get caught. They were two mature adults and were capable of keeping their personal and professional lives separate.

A few hours later Kate felt herself being gently shaken awake. Tony was whispering for her to get up.

"Come on, sweetheart, wake up. You have to buckle your seatbelt for landing," Tony said softly.

Kate groaned and sat up. She stretched and then moved to do up her seatbelt. After a few moment of tired fumbling she gave up. Tony reached over and deftly clipped the two parts together for her. He held her hand as they touched down and were slightly jolted out of their seats. Tony got their bags down from the overhead compartment and Kate immediately reached for all over her winter clothes. After they were both sufficiently bundled up, they disembarked the plane, hand in hand. The runway was dark and silent, with the exception of the buzz from other plane engines.

The gelid night air hit them both like a speeding train. Kate shrugged the coat more tightly around herself and Tony pulled her closer to him. They could barely see past the clouds their breath was making in the darkness. Once they got inside the airport, Kate and Tony walked through the building and down the lengthy corridor across to the parking garage. They got into Tony's car and headed for NCIS HQ. It was late, almost 11:00pm, but Gibbs would still be at work and would be expecting a detailed report of their activities in Paraguay. The least they could do was debrief before heading home. That, and Kate had to pick up her car. The reports could be done after the weekend. God knows that they all needed a break.

After a thorough interrogation by Gibbs, Tony and Kate got into their respective cars but both headed for Kate's apartment. Once they got inside they both threw their belongings in a heap on the floor and collapsed on the couch. In a fainéant attempt at chivalry, Tony stood up and picked Kate up delicately off of the couch. He carried her down the hallway and deposited her on the bed. She smiled up at him as he melted down beside her. He left a trail of butterfly kissed from the palm of her hand up to her shoulder. When he reached her neck, Tony stopped and pulled away, smiling evilly. Kate whimpered lightly with longing.

Tony gladly obliged. He leaned in and kissed her like he had never kissed anyone prior. This love, this emotion was their cabal. The desire that was exchanged between them flowed mellifluously off of their tongues and touched each other's heart and soul. Their lips were locked in a passionate kiss for a long moment before they pulled apart. Kate snuggled into Tony's protective embrace and sighed contently. He kissed the top of her head as he held her against him. He knew that special agent Kate Todd didn't need his protection, but he was glad that she allowed him to fill the slot that no one else ever had and probably ever would again. There would be no need for anyone else. He would always be there with her.

Kate closed her eyes and almost immediately began to drift off into a deep, peaceful slumber again. However, she had a few last, flitting thoughts as she was beckoned into the pleasant darkness. Everyone has a melting point. Kate realized the moment that Tony had first lain his hand on her shoulder in the car that her melting point was Tony's body temperature. All she needed was his heat to sustain her. His body against hers was all she wanted at that moment. Kate laid her head down onto Tony's shoulder. She laid her hand on his chest and felt his strong, steady heartbeat.

Kate and Tony both drifted off to sleep tangled in each other's arms. It was the first night of its kind but it was definitely not going to be the last. They both smiled slightly in their sleep, as if aware of their situation in the unconscious. They had a full weekend ahead of them before they would be recalled to their duties. Both of them would struggle to remember what had happened in Paraguay aside from their blossoming relationship. Their dreams were filled with warmth and passion as they connected with unrivalled beauty.

Tony awoke in the middle of the night. He smiled down at Kate. She was his sleeping angel. He had to smile in spite of himself. He thought about the past few days. The only thing that came to mind was wow.

Kate Todd, the usually frigid ice queen had a melting point. All it took to break her spell was a vacation.

Wow.

Who knew?