A/N: So I finally finished my last paper of the semester and this idea just popped into my head. ...I really need to get out more. It's not my usual fare because it's all about Kate, but it's short and tragic. What would you do if you knew your fate ahead of time?

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or its characters. I'm not making money off this story... as would be patently obvious if anyone saw where I live.

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How many people woke up in the morning knowing that they were going to die? Kate had never been a big believer in destiny, but this was something she couldn't deny. Today, she would die. She would die and the holes left behind wouldn't only be in her body. The holes would be in every member of her team when they realized that she was gone, that she wasn't coming back. Every step she took drew her closer to her inevitable fate. She hadn't told anyone. What could she say? Oh, by the way, Gibbs, Ari is going to shoot me in the head today. Be prepared because you're going to be right there when it happens. Kate sighed. Knowing what was coming did not make it easier to bear. Nothing she could do would change her fate.

There is something you can do. The voice in her mind asserted.

No. There's nothing, she said silently.

You don't have to die. There is one way to avoid Ari's bullet. One way only.

What is that?

Let Gibbs die. If you don't save him, Ari will let you go. Ari wants revenge.

The voice faded away. What kind of a choice was that? Save herself or save Gibbs? She knew what Gibbs would say if he knew. She also knew what he would do were their situations reversed. Kate didn't want to die. She loved life. She loved every aspect of it, but how could she live knowing she'd let Gibbs die instead?

Things were moving too quickly. They were up on the roof. Kate looked around, watching for the return of the man who would kill her... or kill Gibbs. Then, suddenly she saw him, saw him aiming his rifle and time slowed to crawl.

Kate looked back and forth. Save yourself or save Gibbs. There's no other option.

Back and forth between Ari and Gibbs. Back and forth. Then, Kate smiled. The words poured into her head and she knew what she would do. Greater love hath no man than this...

Time sped up. Kate jumped in front of Gibbs right as Ari fired. She caught the bullet on her vest. Tony made some comment. She could see in his eyes that he thought it was over. They were safe. Gibbs was safe. She knew what was coming. The most she could do was play the part.

"Protection detail's over Kate."

"You did good."

"For once, Dinozzo's right."

Here it came. She knew it and wished that she'd had more time. No one ever had enough time. She wanted to cry. She wanted to tell them all good-bye. Instead, she just smiled and said, "Wow, I thought I'd die before I ever heard–"

A shot rang out and Kate Todd died.