Title: The Perfect Gift

Author: Jeana

Spoilers: none

Pairing: Tate, what else?

Summary: Tony and Kate search for the perfect gift for each other. It's really mindless fluff, but I am A.D.D., so when the plot bunny came hopping by, I couldn't resist seeing where it would lead. I posted this just to get it out of my system, so it won't make too much difference to me if no one likes it. As always though, please review! Flames might be tolerated, if I am in a good mood.

Disclaimer: Navy NCIS is the property of Belisaurius, Paramount, DPB, CBS, and all that jazz...The characters just run around in my head all day long, so I put them to work. I just realized that since DPB stands for Donald P. Belisaurius, I am actually crediting him twice. ;)

I would like to thank my awesome beta, nikkinor, for making sure that I stayed true to the characters. Nikki, you rock! And I'd also like to thank Hannah, my editor, psychiatrist, masseuse, best friend and, most importantly, sister in Christ. For those that were promised a longer action fic, it's coming. I had to get this out first in time for the holidays. My new one will be out probably in early January.

Chapter 1

Normally, I wouldn't be in a mall on a Wednesday night after work, but I was Christmas shopping. Christmas shopping for Kate. Abby had already held her annual team Christmas party, but I wanted to get Kate something else. The chocolate snowman was nice and all, but it was just luck that she ended up getting my present at the gift exchange. I walked through the mall, looking at all the stores. Electronics Boutique; nah. J. R.'s Western Wear; no. Victoria's Secret; definite no.

I sighed; this was harder than I thought it would be. I mean, what do you get for someone you like? I mean really, really like? And it's not just that I think she's pretty, although she is gorgeous, but she's incredible. She's the kind of girl that has it together, and she always seems to be one step ahead of you. I love the way that she's always got a snarky comeback at the ready when we banter back and forth. She's also not afraid to stand up to Gibbs, which takes a lot of guts. I know she's always got my back, and I trust her with my life. And she's got great legs. I grinned as I continued walking.

What's something she would like? I don't want to get her something that she would never use, and I also don't want to give her something that might give her ideas, like lingerie. Ha! That'll be the day! I can see it now: I buy Kate a thong, Abby stops wearing black, Gibbs gives up coffee, and Ducky is speechless.

I saw a shop that sold bath stuff and decided to check it out. I browsed through the shop, looking at the different things. Then I saw it! Although Kate strikes me as somewhat of a no-nonsense person, this is the perfect gift for me to get her. I picked it up, along with a bottle of bath salts, and paid for it. I left the mall with bag in hand and a grin on my face.

When I got home, I found a tv dinner in the freezer, which I warmed up and ate. Then I placed Kate's gifts on the table and went to the hall closet to find some decent wrapping paper. When I opened the door, I was assaulted by two boxes, an umbrella, and several coats. Getting up off the floor, I pushed the junk aside and found an ancient Christmas paper roll in the back. Cramming all the junk back into the closet, I barely managed to shut the door.

Searching through the kitchen drawers, I found some scissors and tape. I returned to the table and began the task of wrapping Kate's presents. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I had wrapped something myself; if it hadn't been so expensive to get it all gift-wrapped, I would have. After three unsuccessful tries, I managed to get it wrapped and decent-looking. I looked at my handiwork and was very proud of myself. Crud! I had forgotten a bow! I went back to the closet and, standing to the side when I opened it, managed to avoid getting smacked in the head again. I found a bag of bows on the top shelf and selected a green one to go with the holly leaves of the paper. After repacking all the boxes and coats back into the closet, I stuck the bow on the top of the gift. Feeling very pleased with myself, I set the gift on the counter, deciding to take it to work on Friday. After a hot shower, I went to bed.