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Kate was absolutely dreading this week. Lucy was on the mainland for a Tara sibling gathering in California and she missed her like hell, nothing at work seemed to be going right and the anniversary of Noah’s death was today. Luckily she had the day off. In all truth, she needed Lucy but she also didn’t want to take away her time with her siblings. The tiny NCIS agent may have a bad relationship with her parents but luckily she, her sister and one of her brothers were still fairly close. Lucy told Kate she could reschedule but the blonde told her to go as she had been looking forward to the trip quite a bit and that she’d be alright.
Lucy noticed during her morning video call with Kate that her girlfriend wasn’t alright. The blonde had dark circles under her eyes, lacked her usual goofiness and energy. But every time she’d ask her girlfriend if she was alright, the blonde would wave it off and say that she’s fine, that Lucy didn’t need to worry about her instead of having a good time with her siblings.
After hanging up the phone, Kate sighed and let the tears fall freely. She was trying so hard to not let it show so Lucy wouldn’t worry about her, but it was getting harder and harder. She wanted nothing more than to just be held by Lucy as she cried until she had no tears left. Instead, she wished her girlfriend a great day and let herself cry for 10 minutes before she put on her leggings, running shoes and Noah’s old West Point t-shirt to go on an early morning run. Kate didn’t know for how long she had been running or how far she went. The area only looked vaguely familiar and she didn’t feel like looking at her phone just yet. All she knew was that she was still feeling her emotional hurt so she kept running until her legs needed a break. But it didn’t help, she just kept on feeling and by the time she decided to take a break, it had started to rain. The blonde sat down, soaked to the bone, on a beach and stared out at the ocean as she let the tears fall at the memories of her brother that were going through her brain.
“Kate?” the blonde was brought out of her thoughts. It took her a moment to gather her senses. “Kate? Are you okay?” the person asked. She looked up at the person in front of her and was met with the friendly face of Kai.
“Kai.” she said, surprised. “Hey. Yeah, I’m okay.” the blonde wiped the tears away.
“May I sit?” Kai gestured to the space next to her.
“Of course.” Kate said, not wanting to be impolite.
“No offense but, you don’t look okay.” Kai said after a moment, taking in her soaked state and noticing the West Point t-shirt. That’s when he figured it out. The blonde let out a sad laugh. “Wanna talk about it?”
“Not really.” the FBI agent admitted sadly as she looked out at the ocean again.
“Okay.” Kai said and he also turned his head to look out at the ocean again. They sat in silence until Kate started to shiver as the wind picked up significantly. “Come on, I’ll drive you home.” Kai stood up and held out his hand. The blonde accepted the offer and he helped her up.
“Oh, that’s fine. I can just run back.” Kate tried but was met with a skeptical look.
“Kate, that’s almost an hour.” he said seriously. “You’re soaked. It’ll just get you sick and I’m pretty sure Lucy will kill both of us if she found out that I let you do that.”
“I- I didn’t realize I had gone that far out of my way.” the blonde admitted, more to herself than to the NCIS agent.
“I get that.” Kai told her, no judgment present in his voice. Only an understanding look on his face. “Come on, let’s get you home.” he said as he led her to his car.
The ride over to Kate’s apartment building was spent in a comfortable silence. “Thank you.” the blonde said as Kai parked his car at a visitor spot.
“No problem.” he said sincerely. “Do you have to work today?” he asked before she opened the door.
“Uh, no. Curtis gave us the day off.” Kate told him and opened the door.
“That’s good.” Kai said, thinking of his next words would be overstepping or not. He decided to take the risk. “Hey, Kate.” he said as she was about to close the door.
“Yeah?” she asked.
“I know today is rough but think of all the good times you had with him.” Kai said. He was met with silence.
“H- How did you know?” Kate asked after a minute, sadness overtaking her voice as she tried to hold back her tears with all her might.
“I had a feeling when I saw you sitting on the beach, crying, soaked to the bone and zoned out. Then I saw the West Point t-shirt and connected the dots.” he explained softly. “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping but I just want you to know that I get it and that you’re not alone.”
“I-“ the blonde gulped, trying to keep the tears at bay, not wanting to cry again. “It’s okay. And thank you.” she said sincerely.
“No problem.” he gave her an understanding look. Before he could say anything else, his phone went off. “Sorry, we have a new case. I gotta go.” Kai apologized.
“Go.” Kate gave a soft smile. “And thank you, again.”
“You’re welcome.” Kai smiled back and then drove off.
It was only when she was waiting on the elevator that she noticed how cold she was. The elevator finally arrived and she willed the evil contraption to bring her to her apartment faster so she could take a warm shower and put on comfy clothes. Once inside her apartment she did just that and before long, she was lying on the couch in sweatpants and Noah’s khaki green Army sweatshirt as she dozed off.
***
Kai wasn’t needed for long at the new crime scene. His mind went back to how broken Kate had looked on the beach. Knowing the feeling from some of his own close friends in the Marines, he felt his heart break for her. After he had parked his car, he pulled out his phone and called Lucy. She picked up after three rings.
“Hey, Kai. Everything okay? Did something happen to Kate at work?” Lucy asked in a panicked voice, knowing that he knew she was on the mainland and that he would only call her when necessary.
“Hey, Luce.” he greeted her. “No need to panic, everything’s fine and nothing happened to Kate at work.” Kai told her and he could hear the tiny agent let out a relieved breath. “But, uh, I did run into her this morning and she didn’t look okay. I was wondering if you could tell me what she likes to eat and do when she’s sad so I can drop off something after work.”
“Damn it.” Lucy said under her breath, walking into another room for some privacy from her siblings. “I knew I should’ve rescheduled this trip but she told me to go.” she rambled.
“Luce, hey. Luce. It’s okay. Kate wanted you to have a good time with your siblings.” Kai tried to calm her down.
“I know. But I also want to be there for her.” she sighed sadly.
“I know.” Kai told her.
“How did she look?” Lucy asked after a minute.
“I saw her zoned out at the beach in the rain, emotionally and physically exhausted as she sat there soaked to the bone in her brother’s t-shirt as she looked out at the ocean.” he told Lucy. “She wanted to run back when I offered her a ride home but I dropped her off at her place.”
“Thank you.” Lucy said, voice full of emotion. Kai could hear the sound of closet doors and drawers being closed. “I’m taking the next flight back to Oahu.” Lucy said full of determination. “Can you keep an eye on her until I’m back?”
“Of course.” Kai told her. “Just send me a list of things she likes when she’s sad and let me know when you land.”
“I will. I should land in the early evening but I’ll let you know when I land. And thank you, again, Kai. You’re a great friend.” the tiny agent said before hanging up. Not long after he received a text with a few items. After work, he called his dad to order some food and in the meantime he went to the store to get the items.
***
Kate was confused when she heard someone knocking on her door. She wasn’t expecting any guests. The blonde paused the movie she was watching and stood up from her couch. As she walked past the mirror on her way to the door, she sighed as she saw how puffy her eyes were and that she had red spots on her face from crying. The headache didn’t help her feel better either. She looked through the peephole and was relieved it was Kai and not one of her grumpy neighbors.
“Kai, hey.” she greeted him as she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to check in on you.” he said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, no.” the blonde said, touched by him coming to check on her. “Come in.” she stepped aside so he could walk past her.
“Thanks.” Kai said as he took off his shoes and followed her further into the big apartment. “Have you eaten yet?” he asked.
“I haven’t.” she admitted.
“Good.” the NCIS agent smiled as he held up one of the bags in his hands. “I brought food.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” Kate said.
“I know. I wanted to.” he told her sincerely as he set the bag on the kitchen island and revealed three boxes with loco moco. “My parents made the best loco moco whenever I was feeling sad. I thought maybe it would comfort you too.” Kai shared, smiling softly at the happy memories of his mom and dad.
“Thank you.” the blonde said gratefully, her eyes tearing up a little at the kindness and understanding. “It smells delicious.”
“Just wait until you taste it.” Kai said excitedly. Kate handed him a knife and fork and a bottle of beer before they headed out to the balcony to eat.
“Oh my God, this is amazing.” Kate said through her first mouthful of loco moco.
“I told you so.” Kai gloated, receiving a playful smack on the arm from the blonde. “Good thing I brought more so you have leftovers.” he smiled.
While they enjoyed dinner, Kate shared some memories of her brother and Kai shared some of his Marine friends. When Kate left to use the restroom, Kai received a text from Lucy saying that she’d be there soon. He quickly replied a thumbs up and put down his phone right as Kate walked back out onto the balcony and started to gather their trash to clean up. Kai stood up and helped his friend clean up.
“Is that ‘Say Anything’ you have on pause?” he asked.
“You know ‘Say Anything’?” the blonde asked in shock.
“Yeah.” Kai nodded. “It’s such a good film about-“
“the power of love.” they said simultaneously. They laughed and moved to the couch to have another drink and finish watching the movie.
“Noah loved this film.” Kate said as the movie ended, tears in her eyes.
“I can’t blame him.” Kai said, putting a comforting hand on the blonde’s shoulder. “It is a great movie.”
The FBI agent was about to respond when there was a knock on her door. She looked confused and Kai gave her a look asking her if she was expecting anyone. The blonde shook her head but stood up to see who it was. She couldn’t see anyone through the peephole so she opened the door to see if something was left in the hallway. When she opened the door, she was surprised by Lucy stepping into sight.
“Lucy?” Kate asked softly, seemingly not believing that Lucy was standing in front of her instead of being with her siblings in California.
The brunette walked into Kate’s space and hugged her tightly. “Yeah.”
With that, Kate realized she wasn’t dreaming and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend, letting the tears fall freely as she breathed in Lucy’s comforting scent. All day, she had wanted nothing more than to be held by the brunette and now she was.
“H- How are you here?” Kate asked as she pulled away a bit to look at Lucy.
“I didn’t want you to be alone today.” Lucy said sweetly.
“And I might have told her I found you soaked at the beach.” Kai said sheepishly as he walked passed them into the hallway. “I’m sorry if I overstepped with that.”
“It’s okay.” Kate said sincerely. “You didn’t. I appreciate you having been here for me today.”
“Anytime. You’re not alone, Kate.” he said. “I’m gonna get going. You two enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“Good night.” Kate said.
“Kai, wait.” Lucy said before he could walk away. To his surprise, Lucy hugged him. “Thank you for being there for her today.”
“You’re welcome.” he said, hugging her back before breaking the hug. “Good night.”
“Night.” Lucy said as she watched Kai walk away. Once the elevator door closed, she turned around and walked back into the apartment. Kate had already put her suitcase in the bedroom. She took off her shoes, checked to see if the door was locked and walked over to Kate who was already sitting on the couch with a drink for her. The brunette sat down in the corner and opened her arms so she could hold Kate tight as they lay there.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.” Lucy said as she gently stroked her fingers over Kate’s scalp. She felt some of the blonde’s tension leave her body from the touch.
“Don’t be. I’m sorry you felt like you had to come back.” Kate replied softly.
“Don’t be. There’s no place I’d rather be, Kate.” Lucy kissed the top of Kate’s head. The blonde looked up at her through teary eyes.
“Really? I’m not much fun today.” Kate said.
“Really. You’re only human, Kate. It’s a big day with a lot of emotions. Nobody blames you for being sad for missing your brother.” Lucy assures her with another kiss on the top of her head.
“Today’s been better than the previous years but I just miss him so much. It still hurts just as much as when I got the news.” Kate sobbed.
“I know, baby.” Lucy said as she held Kate close again. Her t-shirt was wet from the tears but she couldn’t care less. “The pain will never go away but it will get easier. Just remember that you’re not alone anymore. You have a whole family here that loves you and has your back.” she said softly as she hugged the blonde tightly, rubbing comforting circles on her back.
“I love you.” Kate said tiredly after 10 minutes of crying in Lucy’s arms.
“I love you too.” Lucy said before capturing Kate’s lips in a soft, loving kiss. “How about we go to bed?”
The blonde nodded and they stood up, turned everything off and headed to the bedroom. They quickly got ready for bed and before long, Kate was being held close by her girlfriend again as she dozed off into a peaceful slumber.