Christmas at the NCIS Offices – Chapter 3

So far Tony had kissed about half the girls…sorry, women in the office. And so far none of them had responded positively. He had either gotten kicked in the groin or the women had turned their heads so Tony only got them with a peck on the cheek. Abby had taken pity on him and didn't kick him or turn her head while McGee muttered something about how mistletoe was evil and should not be legal in the hands of perverted, outgrown frat-boys.

Of course, the one person Tony was hoping to find had completely vanished from the building. He should have known Abby would warn Kate about the mistletoe. He had searched everywhere for her, even the director's office and MTAC. He left the mistletoe outside on both those occasions though.

Obviously, she could just be taking her lunch break without Abby but really what was the chance of Kate taking an extra long lunch break without Abby? Actually it had happened before. But then again that time Ari had kidnapped her. That wouldn't happen again. Would it? However, before Tony could get himself too worked up and put even more of a damper on Christmas, he spotted Kate at her desk.

"Katie! Where have you been?" He noticed that she backed away slightly as he came towards her desk, mistletoe in hand.

"Hiding. Away from you and your stupid mistletoe," she shook her head and went back to work.

"Hey! Don't go calling mistletoe stupid until you've tried-"

"I have. The boys chased me around the house with it for ten years at Christmas lunches. I'm well aware that mistletoe should be kept out of the hands of immature guys at all costs."

"Hey! That's what I said!" McGee piped in. He was obviously still a bit miffed that Abby hadn't resisted Tony at all.

"Aw Probie, you're just jealous. Just because you haven't got a girl to kiss under the mistletoe it doesn't mean you get to deprive others of having a bit of fun!"

Kate smiled. She was could tell that Tony was right. McGee was jealous. Not because he didn't have a woman but because Tony was kissing the girl McGee liked.

"Relax McGee. It's only mistletoe. The kiss never means anything. It's just tradition." Kate sat back and decided to take a break from all the dull paperwork. Tony now had an unreadable expression on his face.

"If it didn't mean anything other than tradition, why did you run from those boys?" he asked with a smirk.

"They were my cousins DiNozzo. Traditional or not, people don't usually kiss their direct family members under the mistletoe." Kate smiled, knowing she had won that argument.

"But you're not my direct family member Kate," Tony smiled suggestively and tried to discreetly move the mistletoe above their heads.

"No you're not," Kate got up out of her chair and walked far enough away from him to avoid the mistletoe. "You're Tony DiNozzo and that's almost as bad. I'm getting coffee."

"Have you been outside today Kate?! You'll freeze to death!" McGee looked cold just thinking about it.

"It's a good thing I'm getting coffee then isn't it, McGee?" Kate pulled on her coat and got into the elevator.

"Does she really hate me that much?" Tony said only half joking.

"Hate's a pretty strong word Tony. I'd say it's more of a mild dislike." McGee smirked as he repeated Tony's words from a few months before.

"You think you're so smart don't you?" Tony scowled.

"Well I did go to MIT…"

"Shut up McGeek." Tony said as he whacked the Probie over the back of his head.

"Ow!"

There five minutes left until they had to go home. Tony had tried for four hours to get Kate under the mistletoe with him. She had skilfully avoided him every time. Tony was getting severely annoyed. He had tried every tactic he had thought of even the ones he ripped off movies. Kate was fooled by none of them. Apparently ten years of avoiding mistletoe had really paid off.

Wait…there was still one place he hadn't tried. Tony's head perked up as Kate announced she was going home.

"Yeah, I'm off too. See you next week. Merry Christmas!" Tony said as his hat flashed the same message.

Kate tried to get into the elevator first so she wouldn't have to endure Tony for another thirty seconds but he squeezed in the doors at the last minute. They rode in silence for a couple of seconds before Tony pressed the stop button.

"Tony wha-" Kate was cut off by Tony's lips on hers. Now Kate had been avoiding having to kiss Tony all day but even she had to admit, he was damn good, so good that suddenly she felt herself kissing back. She almost moaned in disappointment when he pulled away.

"Don't try and tell me that meant nothing Kate because that was not just tradition." Kate smiled as she realised Tony was slightly breathless. She put her arms around his neck and kissed him again. This time it had nothing to do with mistletoe.

All Kate knew at that moment was that she would have melted if Tony wasn't holding her up.

Well, that and the fact that she now knew Christmas at NCIS was never ever boring.

THE END

Aw….finished. I had loads of fun writing this so let me know what you think.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!