Under The Covers
Chapter One

Summary: KateTony. Very loosely based on the episode 'Under Covers'. What if Kate and Tony had been asked to take part in an undercover operation as a married couple. Will be in such close proximity make them realise how they truly feel?

Thanks to Bex for her helping in brainstorming etc!

Please review and let me know what you think! Vikki xx

"Gibbs wants us to do what?" Special Agent Caitlin Todd asked, part of her not believing a word of what Tony was saying. If two years of working at NCIS had taught her anything it was that you had to take everything that Tony DiNozzo's mouth with a pinch of salt. However, she sensed that this was one of those times when he was actually telling the truth.

He smirked his trademark smile and repeated himself.

"Gibbs wants us to take part in an undercover operation as a married couple who, y'know, just happen to be serial killers."

Kate Todd nodded slowly. "A married couple?"

Tony smirked again. "Why yes, Mrs Kate DiNozzo."

"I don't think even you're acting skills are up to that Tony." Kate retorted. "Commitment, partners for life...'till death do us part? I'm not sure if you're up to the job." She continued, sarcasm dripping from her words and her face remaining deadpan.

Tony laughed and then stopped abruptly. "You know, I could always ask Gibbs if we could swap and McGee could take my place."

Kate scrunched her face up in disapproval. "He snores."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "And how would you know this Caitlyn?"

Kate shrugged. "Abby told me." She paused and shared a look with Tony. They reached the same conclusion at the same moment. "But how would Abby know?" She said out loud, voicing both of their thoughts.

"Gibbs wants a briefing before anything else happens about this operation, okay?" Tony asked, heading to his desk.

Kate nodded but he continued speaking. "You know, so many women would be jealous of you Kate, endless hours alone in a hotel room with me." He said suggestively.

"But most of them would be sympathetic I'm sure." Kate replied. She was putting up the pretence of dreading this operation but a small part of her was looking forward to it. There was some kind of sexual tension between her and Tony that had existed for a while now but two years down the line it was close to coming to boiling point. Abby had noticed it and made inappropriate (in Kate's eyes anyway) comments about the two of them hooking up. Somehow Kate felt she knew just a little too much about Tony to consider seeing him outside of the working environment. However, there was a part of her that wanted to get to know Tony more, to get under his skin and spend quality time with him. Maybe this case would give her the chance to do this. She stopped herself mid-thought, thinking like this was wrong and she knew she had to stop now or she would regret it. Kate found it hard to deny that somewhere; somehow she felt something stronger for Tony than she should.

"Kate, Tony, I need to talk to you both." Gibbs said, appearing from nowhere with a polystyrene cup of coffee grasped in one hand. The two NCIS agents pushed their chairs out from behind their desks and followed Gibbs. On his desk the senior agent placed a stack of printed photographs from surveillance of some kind, Kate and Tony bent to look at them with interest. Kate's dark hair fell forward, the scent of coconut and something fruity entered Tony's nostrils and he liked it. He wondered if Kate noticed how beautiful she really was and the appreciative glances she received from men when they worked together or when she simply walked down the street. He knew he shouldn't be thinking of her like this. When it came to the job she was his equal and he had to respect her as a colleague but he felt more for her than that. The sexist jokes he told and the inappropriate comments he made were his way of showing this.

Kate pointed to a photograph of a man and a woman and this forced Tony to tune in again and pay attention to what was going on.

"So, let me get this straight, Tony and I are posing as a married couple to catch these two who happen to be serial killers?" Kate said. Gibbs nodded and Tony smirked.

"Looks like this is going to be a fun weekend." Kate glared at him and Gibbs hit him on the back of his head. Tony rubbed the spot where Gibbs' hand had connected and pulled a face as they headed back to their desks. "Why does that never get any less painful?" He mused out loud.

Kate smiled. "I'll have to learn the secret, and then it really will be a fun weekend." She said, heading back to her desk.