Ties That Bind by Margaret and LJ

[LJ]

Ties That Bind
Margaret and LJ

Kate suddenly has to deal with the ramifications of an event she would rather have forgotten.

Rated: 13/14+ (Mention of an "adult theme")

Warning: This fic deals with date rape. Nothing explicit, but if you are sensitive to that sort of thing - be warned.


Thanks to Gibbsgirl and m.a.c. for their plot bunny which they kindly entrusted to us.

Highest praise is due my editor and so much more, Margaret. Not only did she find all of my mistakes, but she was the one who took the original idea and ran with it in the first place! She also kept (and continues to keep) me on track with our timeline. I never could have done this without her.

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Prologue - The Phone Call

“That still leaves us with the fact that you don’t have a date tonight…and I do,” Tony gloated.

“And I’m supposed to care, why?” Kate countered.

Tony faltered. “Because…”

“Because the testosterone is raging and you just have to tell someone about your mighty conquest? Because your every thought is about the opposite sex, so everyone else’s should be, too?”<br>
Tony considered this for a moment. “Yeah, sounds about right,” he replied with a grin.

Kate rolled her eyes. “Tony, you have a lot to learn about women.”<br>
“Wanna teach me?” he teased.

Tony saw Kate shake her head in disbelief. Eighteen months ago, she would have nailed his butt to the wall with a sexual harassment suit. She seemed to have grown more comfortable with (or at least more used to) his personality, though, and often gave him a taste of his own medicine. Occasionally, Tony thought, she enjoyed shoving the spoon down his throat a little too much. He could see that she was framing just such a sarcastic zinger when her phone rang.

He barely noticed that it was her desk phone, not her cell, as she picked up the receiver and smoothly answered, “Agent Todd.”<br>
A smile still played across Tony’s face as he sat at his desk. She would be off the phone soon and their conversation would pick right up where it had left off. Their banter always did. Only seconds into the call, though, and he was beginning to suspect that something was not normal. He could actually see the blood draining from Kate’s face, so quickly that even her lips went white, as she listened to the caller. Aside from a few initial murmurs of assent, she wasn’t speaking at all. Suddenly, she reached out a hand to her desk to steady herself and lowered herself slowly into her chair. Fully alert now, he watched her slowly pick up a pen and scribble something onto a scrap of paper. This kind of response to a phone call was never a good sign.

“Okay. Yes. I’ll be right there. Thank you.” The last was barely a whisper, as she not so much hung up as dropped the handset into the cradle. Sluggishly, as if in a dream, she picked up the piece of paper and ran a hand through her hair almost mechanically.

Tony watched in fascination, reluctant to speak in case it would add to her misery. He assumed it was a death in the family. He’d only seen that kind of reaction twice; once when a chaplain had paid a visit to his friend’s house and once when his grandfather had called his mother. After two or three awkward minutes of silence, however, his essential Tony-ness felt compelled to speak.

“You okay, Kate?”<br>
She looked at him blankly, as if wondering why other people were in this suddenly private world of hers. “I…I have to go.” She stood surprisingly quickly given her previous listlessness, gathered her coat and the piece of paper, and dashed out of the room. Or, at least, she tried to. A very solid former Marine got in the way.

“Going somewhere, Kate?” Gibbs asked offhandedly, in a tone that clearly said: Not anymore.

“I…need the afternoon off, Gibbs,” she answered quietly.

“Why?” he asked.

“I just do.” Kate’s steely tone caught Tony completely off guard. He had only heard her use it on suspects. (And, on the not-so-rare-occasion that he pushed her too far, himself.) It wasn’t the sort of tone people used with Gibbs, especially Kate.

“And if I say no?”

Kate swallowed hard. “Then I’ll have to go anyway.”<br>
Tony, hazarding a quick glimpse upward, noticed that Gibbs looked only mildly surprised. Tony assumed that the look on Kate’s face had affected Gibbs as much as it had him. Even so, Gibbs was still Gibbs.

“Agent Todd, you’re not going anywhere without an explanation,” he growled in a voice that brooked no argument.

“I can’t give you one,” Kate admitted softly.

“Then I can’t let you go,” Gibbs retorted.

Kate nodded. “Fair enough. See you tomorrow.”<br>
“Agent Todd!” he barked after her. She continued to the elevator, never turning around. Gibbs’ eyes stormed as he returned to his desk. “What are you gawking at, DiNozzo?”<br>
“Nothing, boss,” Tony returned automatically, wisely focusing on his work. A few moments later, however, he hazarded a question. “What was that about?”<br>
“I don’t know, DiNozzo!” Gibbs all but yelled. Tony didn’t hear him add, almost in a whisper, “I don’t know.”<br>

[nikkinor]

Good, like seeing Kate stand up for herself infront of Gibbs, like back from the begining of S1, can't wait for more.

[LJ]

Ch. 1 – Meetings and Memories


His chocolate brown eyes were hypnotizing. Blond hair, strangely matched with his eyes, framed his face with charming curls. She had always known he was hot, but up close he became irresistible. How could she say no to the cutest and most popular guy in school?

“So,” he prompted, “will you go?”<br>
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly.

“Great,” he grinned. “Pick you up at eight?”<br>
“Okay,” she agreed, still trying to breathe.


Tears pooled in Kate’s eyes as she drove. Memories attacked her mind, breaking out of the remote corners where she had chained them. That night, in particular, kept surfacing. She had just turned sixteen when Dominic Fleming asked her out. She had thought it would be the best night of her life.


“L’Endroit? That’s the ritziest restaurant in town!” Caitlin exclaimed.

“Only the best for you, babe,” he smirked.

She gazed at the menu in awe, unwilling to admit she couldn’t read any of it. She was shocked by the prices, too. Finally, she meekly ordered the cheapest meal and hoped it would be something she liked. He kept smiling at her, his eyes twinkling. She blushed, flattered, but wished in a way he would quit staring. She was growing steadily more aware and uncomfortable of how her body filled out her dress.

“Watch this,” he winked, motioning to a waiter. “We’d like a bottle of your best wine.”<br>
The waiter gave a brief nod and moved off. Caitlin stared at Dominic. His grin widened as he misinterpreted her gape.

“My dad owns Thumbelina’s,” he explained, invoking the name of the large grocery chain in hopes of impressing her.

“But…you’re only 17,” she whispered, the question apparent in her voice.

“Oh, that.” He waved a hand dismissively. “They know me here. I’ve only had to use this once.” He produced a driver’s license with his picture but, apparently, someone else’s information.

“Oh,” she smiled nervously, a very tiny alarm bell sounding in her mind. She was a little impressed, though. Using false ID to buy alcohol was daring, rebellious. She kind of liked the bad boy Dominic was turning out to be.

The wine came and Dominic popped the cork expertly. She almost objected to his pouring her a glass but kept silent, not wanting to look prudish. Watching carefully as he downed his glass, she managed to imitate his attitude and took a small sip. The stuff was nasty, but she choked it down anyway. Before she knew it, she had downed a whole glass.


Kate pulled into the parking lot of a large professional building. She took a moment to check herself in the mirror, hastily wiping her eyes and brushing her hair into a more presentable shape. Taking a deep, steadying breath, she slowly opened the car door and walked toward the building.


Caitlin grew increasingly uneasy as Dominic became more inebriated. She had imbibed only the one glass of the wine, but he had downed most of the bottle. His previously charming grin as beginning to look more like a leer and she found his eyes drifting from her face to her…other assets. Realizing that this date was not going to get any better, she decided to end it.

“Dominic,” she began hesitantly. To her surprise, he beat her to it.

“Hey, babe, let’s get out of here,” he suggested, his words ever so slightly slurred.

“Okay,” she agreed, relieved.

The air was chilly as they emerged from the restaurant and Dominic put his arm around her. She appreciated the gesture, but something wasn’t right. Suddenly, his mouth was on hers. The alcohol on his breath gagged her as she struggled to free herself from his grip.

“What are you doing?” she gasped as she wrenched away.

“Come on, doll,” he slurred lecherously. “You know you want to.”<br>
“No! Take me home, please,” she begged.

“Home? But we’re having such a great time.”<br>
“Take me home right now, Dominic Fleming.” She meant to sound decisive and firm but she was struggling not to cry and her voice quavered as she spoke.

He glared at her for a moment, then grinned. “Okay,” he nodded, “whatever you say.”<br>
She definitely didn’t like his grin at this point, but she had no other way home. Slipping into the passenger seat, she tried to sit as far away from him as possible. She was so preoccupied with keeping an eye on his wandering hands that she didn’t notice where they were until it was too late.

“This isn’t the way to my house,” she said, her tone coming out somewhere between admonishing and curious.

“It isn’t?” he teased, gloating. “Oops.”<br>
He pulled the car onto a deserted stretch of country road and she realized with dread that this was The Place they all talked about at school. She had actually been looking forward to coming here, someday and with someone special, but tonight was not the night and Dominic was definitely not the boy.

“Don’t be scared,” he reassured her. “I come here all the time.”<br>
“No,” she pleaded as he began undoing his clothes. “I don’t want to do this.”<br>
“Trust me, you’ll love it,” he smirked, reaching toward her.

“No!” She pulled at the door handle, but it was locked. By the time she had unlocked it and tugged again, he had her by the arm. “Let me go!”<br>
“I’d say I like a girl with spirit,” he grunted, “but it’s way too cliché.”

“Please, no!” she cried, sobbing now. But he was bigger than her, and stronger, and the alcohol in her system was slowing her down.

The fight was too much for her.

[LJ]

Kate approached the receptionist tentatively, unsure of what to say.

“I’m here to see Mr. Tomkins,” she said quietly, not elaborating.

“You’re Miss Todd?” the receptionist confirmed. At Kate’s nod, she ushered her down a hallway to an office with an impressive oak door. Engraved on a familiar brass plate next to the door was the name: Randy Tompkins, J.D., Family Law. Kate took a deep breath and entered the office.

“Ah, Kate,” came a smooth voice from behind the large oak desk. “It’s wonderful to see you again. Please, have a seat.” The attorney indicated the soft-looking armchairs in front of his desk. Kate took one, gratefully, and waited for him to continue.


It was a month after The Incident that she knew. She wrestled with herself, wondering if she should tell Dominic. She had a pretty good idea of what he would say and she could never do it. She had been raised Catholic and gone to Catholic school for ten years. She would have to hide it, then, not only from Dominic but from everyone. Her family could never know.

She began wearing baggier clothes, claiming that they were more comfortable. When they asked why she was eating more and tiring easily, she said it was a growth spurt. Doctors’ appointments masqueraded as visits to friends’ houses. After four months, she had become quite an accomplished liar.

She started wondering what she would do with the child after she was born. The doctor had told her it was a girl and against her better judgment, Caitlin had started playing with names. She liked Grace, and perhaps Elizabeth after her grandmother. Grace Elizabeth, then. She knew she could never keep Grace; after all, that’s why she was hiding her in the first place. Adoption was the only option.

She found Randy Tomkins through her doctor. Familiar with the plight of young girls like herself, the doctor told her that Mr. Tompkins was a kind and sympathetic man who would help her find the best arrangements for her daughter. Caitlin had worried about the fee (she could only go to the doctor because of a pro-life charity that paid her bills) but the doctor had reassured her that Mr. Tompkins often took pro bono cases like hers.


“Any questions?” Mr. Tompkins finished, watching Kate’s face carefully.

“Um, yeah,” Kate started hesitantly, still shocked by the news. “Why do I get her? Since her…since the O’Neills are dead, shouldn’t the state get custody?”

“In most cases, yes,” the lawyer confirmed. “But if you remember, we drew up special papers for you and Grace. Legally speaking, you became her guardian as of her adoptive parents’ death. Of course, you can always put her back up for adoption.”<br>
“No, no.” Kate shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. The only reason I couldn’t take her the first time was because I was sixteen and not in a position to raise a child. And my parents, of course…” She trailed off.

Mr. Tompkins nodded understandingly. “Yes. Well, then, if you’re ready, just sign here and she’s all yours.”<br>
Kate stared at the line on the paper, pen poised to sign just as she had fourteen years ago.


“Kate, I’d like you to meet the O’Neills,” Mr. Tompkins said in his warm voice as he led her into his office. “They’ll be adopting Grace.”<br>
Caitlin shyly shook the proffered hand of the large redheaded man. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. O’Neill.”<br>
“Ed,” he boomed, smiling broadly. “And the pleasure’s all mine.”<br>
“Mary,” his rather smaller and quieter wife introduced herself. “Do forgive him. He often forgets he’s indoors.”<br>
Caitlin smiled at the woman’s wink She liked them already, and she had become immensely distrustful since The Incident. She sat down, next to Mr. Tompkins and across from the O’Neills, in one of the comfortable armchairs that dotted the office.

“So, what do you want to know about us?” Ed O’Neill began.

Caitlin began with some basic questions. Catholic? Yes. Home? Mid-size and in a great neighborhood. Job? He was a geologist and she a substitute teacher. Then she asked the question that had been weighing on her mind since Mr. Tompkins had first told her he had found an interested couple.

“Why do you want Grace?”<br>
They didn’t answer immediately. After a few moments thought, Ed spoke quietly. “We’ve always wanted children. When we found out that we couldn’t have any, we were devastated. We heard your story, though, and it was an answered prayer. We knew that God had finally given us a child.”<br>
Caitlin watched them for a long moment. Finally, slowly, she nodded. Mr. Tompkins smiled kindly and handed her the first of many papers to sign.


Kate finished her signature with a shaky flourish, slightly numb with the implications of it. She had a daughter. How on earth was she going to do this?

Mr. Tompkins interrupted her thought process with a quiet inquiry. “Would you like to meet her?”<br>
Kate looked up, startled. “She’s here? Now?”<br>
Mr. Tompkins nodded, studying Kate’s face carefully. He didn’t want to push her too far too fast, but she was strong. He wouldn’t do it if he weren’t sure she could take it.

Kate swallowed hard, then nodded determinedly. “Okay.”<br>
Mr. Tompkins smiled encouragingly as he paged his assistant on the intercom. “Could you bring Grace in, please?”<br>
“Right away, Mr. Tompkins,” came the tinny, distorted voice.

Kate heard the door open behind her and took a deep breath. Turning slowly, the first thing she saw were her own eyes staring back at her.

[nikkinor]

No, you can't just leave it right there, I love this story, it's very well written and has such a good plot line, you have to post some more soom.

[ArcticMoonshadow]

I read this over on fanfiction.net first and was sad that it stopped at the first chapter- then I hopped over here and whaddya know, two more for me! Yay! Pleeeeeease keep going- it's going well! Uh, not for Kate, but the story...yeah, you know what I mean.

[Gatorgrad]

This is so awesome. I really like the way you incorporated the flashbacks. More soon!!

[LJ]

Ch. 3 – Grace Elizabeth


A torrent of conflicting emotions flooded Kate’s mind. Joy, worry, relief, fear, love, dread. The eyes which she had at first thought were her own, she now realized were lighter and far more innocent. Grace’s hair was brown, like Kate’s, but with a definite blonder tint. It also curled slightly, framing her face in a sickeningly familiar way. Kate swallowed hard; Grace looked very little like Dominic, in fact, but the little features were enough to catch her breath.

It was a long time ago, she reminded herself. I’m not the same person, and she’s not her father.

After what seemed hours but was in reality only a few seconds, Kate remembered herself and smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way. Her mouth suddenly felt too big for her face and she was having trouble operating it.

“Grace, this is your birth mother, Caitlin Todd,” Mr. Tompkins said quietly. “Kate, Grace.”<br>
“Grace,” Kate greeted hoarsely. How often she had turned the name over in her mind, wondering about the person behind it. Now she was finally meeting her and she had no clue what to say.

“Hi,” the girl replied. Her tone was guarded but, to Kate’s surprise, not shy. Repressing the urge to smile at this resemblance to her own personality, Kate cast about for something to say. This girl had just lost the only people she knew as parents; what could anybody say?

Grace decided for her. “So…I’m gonna live with you?”<br>
Kate nodded. “Yes. If that’s all right with you.”<br>
“Sure,” the girl shrugged. “How long do I have?”<br>
“Since it’s already May,” Mr. Tompkins jumped in, “we want to let you finish out the school year. We still have a bit of paperwork to sort out, too, before you can move in with Ms. Todd. I’ll need to officially examine the suitability of the home and…” He realized his audience was only pretending to listen out of politeness. “Well, I’ve arranged to have your Uncle Jack continue staying with you for the next few weeks. Is that all right with both of you?”<br>
Kate nodded, slightly relieved that she wouldn’t have the responsibility of a fourteen-year-old on her hands immediately. Grace shrugged again, apparently trying to exude the typical teenage indifference. Kate’s heart went out to her; this girl had lost her entire family (as she knew it) less than a week ago, her life was now being upended by two strange people, and yet she was attempting to maintain her composure.

“Okay,” Mr. Tompkins smiled. “You ladies should have more time to get to know each other in these coming weeks, but time has unfortunately passed us much faster than, I’m sure, we imagined. Grace needs to get back to her uncle for dinner. And bed; it’s a school night, young lady.”<br>
Grace nodded tiredly and turned to leave.

“Grace,” Kate called before she could stop herself. “It was nice to meet you.” She offered her hand and Grace took it, almost hesitantly, a small smile growing slowly over her face.

And then Grace walked out the door with a piece of Kate’s heart.

“Kate,” Mr. Tompkins began quietly, after Grace had left. “My wife asked me to extend an invitation for dinner tonight. I believe the menu is stew and dumplings.”<br>
Kate smiled gratefully, suddenly exhausted. “Thanks, but I think I just need to be alone tonight.”<br>
The kind lawyer wore a sympathetic look as he patted her on the arm. “Of course. If you need anything, you have my number.”<br>
“Thanks,” she repeated, walking slowly out the door.

She got in her car and just sat for a few moments, thinking. Questions ran through her mind, pausing briefly for consideration before scurrying off again. They were questions of all types, ranging from serious problems to trivial issues. The one question that came up repeatedly, in a few different variations, was a serious question about a big problem. What am I going to tell Gibbs?

[adrianne1121]

Wow! I love this story! I really like your writing style, you really know how to draw the reader in! I can't wait for the next installment. I want to tell you to hurry...but take your time and make it good. Everyone will be happier in the long run I suppose...can't wait.

[Gatorgrad]

Wow I can't wait to see how you handle her telling Gibbs and Tony...ought to be really interesting. You guys are doing a great job with this.

[LJ]

Ch. 4 – Telling Gibbs

“Gibbs,” Kate began confidently, “I have a daughter.”<br>
Her reflection gazed coldly back at her, saying nothing. She sighed. The drive to work had never been shorter and she considered going around the block until she had composed a decent explanation. Reason won out, though, as she realized that putting it off would only delay the inevitable.

“Gibbs,” she tried again as she walked into the building, “When I was a teenager – no.” She stopped herself, vowing she would not tell anyone the circumstances of Grace’s conception. It was far too personal.

“Agent Todd?” the security guard asked, bringing her thoughts back to the present. He looked mildly surprised that she was in so early; she normally didn’t turn up for another hour or two. She smiled quickly at him and stepped through the metal detector, collecting her weapon on the other side.

It’s not too late, she thought. I can still go back. I don’t have to tell him anything. Another, more practical, voice retorted, Yeah, right. Gibbs not notice anything? Maybe when Satan passes out snow-cones. She sighed again. This was not going to be pleasant.

As she walked into the bullpen, trying desperately to look calm and confident, she noticed Gibbs’ mouth open. It was difficult to tell whether it was merely surprise at seeing her in so early or the beginning of a rant about yesterday’s behavior, but she guessed the latter. Gibbs was hardly a jaw-dropper.

Before he could say anything, she cut him off. “Gibbs, I need to talk to you.”<br>
His expression didn’t even change as he shaped his already open mouth around different words. “I’d say you do.”<br>
“Look, I’m sorry about yesterday, okay? It was…an emergency,” Kate explained lamely. He raised an eyebrow, his way of saying that was not nearly enough. “I had to go see a lawyer,” she continued carefully. His eyebrow inched further upwards. “About…my daughter.” There, it was out.

Both eyebrows reacted this time. Kate didn’t think she’d ever seen Gibbs so surprised. He recovered with unbelievable speed, though, so fast she wondered if she’d even seen the look at all.

“Daughter,” he repeated slowly, his eyes narrowing. “Why didn’t I know about her before?”<br>
His tone was dangerously casual. Kate swallowed hard; the conversation had definitely taken a turn for the worse.

“Um,” she started, all of her practiced explanations suddenly erased. “I…she…hasn’t exactly been living with me.” There was the eyebrow again, although this time it had a far more accusatory tone. “She hasn’t even really been in my life. At all. Since she was born.” In her nervousness, Kate’s sentences came out in bursts.

“Father?” Kate hadn’t thought it was possible to convey so much meaning with one word. He somehow managed to express disappointment, faint anger, and even two different questions, all in just two syllables.

“Boyfriend,” she answered one of the questions. “And no,” she answered the other. “He didn’t even know. She was adopted. Her adoptive parents were killed last week, so I get custody.” There was something about the way Gibbs said nothing that made people want to fill the silence. Kate had often seen him use it on suspects and now she found the tactic at work on her.

“Adopted? You didn’t want your own child?” Kate was shocked at the outburst. The only time she had ever seen Gibbs react like that was when Captain Watson had tried to explain why he’d put his family at risk. Like then, she found herself wondering what more there was to Gibbs’ story.

Her more immediate concern, however, was Gibbs’ accusing remark. Indignant, she replied with more information than she had planned to give. “Gibbs, I was sixteen years old! I couldn’t take care of a child!”<br>
“Maybe you should have thought of that before,” he charged with quiet intensity. Her eyes widened in hurt. She hadn’t been prepared for blame. When she was sixteen and hiding Grace from her parents, yes, but not from Gibbs at age thirty. Even aware that he didn’t know about Dominic, she couldn’t help feeling betrayed by his condemning glare.

[LJ]

She couldn’t speak. The growing sense of unease, telling her that maybe she shouldn’t say anything to Gibbs, had exploded into full-fledged dread and left her immobile. She wanted nothing more than to flee his penetrating stare, go somewhere private and have good cry, but her feet would not obey. Her eyes stung with tears and her throat hurt from the effort of holding them back.

Her vision blurred by tears, she didn’t see Gibbs’ expression slowly soften. His next comment had less of a bite to it, which constituted an apology in Gibbs-speak. “You didn’t choose to go that far.”<br>
She shook her head mutely in confirmation, not trusting her voice. He looked at her for a long moment before reaching over to McGee’s desk and handing her a Kleenex. She took it, appreciating that the act was as sympathetic a gesture as she was ever going to get from Gibbs. She hated being so emotional, especially in front of Gibbs, but there wasn’t a whole lot she could do about it now. After dabbing her eyes and blowing her nose, she threw the tissue away and turned back to Gibbs.

“So,” she began, forcing her voice to stay strong. “Are you going to tell me I should have been more careful? Taken self-defense classes? Carried mace?”<br>
He gave her a look somewhere between reproach and, oddly, sadness. Perhaps he was troubled that she thought he was so callous. Maybe he was just irritated that she was being so disrespectful. She didn’t really care. She had been hurt and no matter how nice he was now, her defenses were up.

“I would appreciate it,” she bit out, her bitterness strengthening with every word, “if you didn’t tell anyone.” She couldn’t explain why she was being so nasty to Gibbs, except perhaps that his comment, however ignorant, had touched a part of her she thought she had buried. All the fear and hurt and rage she had felt toward Dominic was resurfacing and it had no place to go but out.

Unfortunately, Gibbs didn’t take well to being disrespected. “Agent Todd, you are out of line,” he growled, eyes blazing. “Get that attitude in check or you will be looking for another job.”<br>
Something about the familiar gruffness in his voice called her back to reality. Before she could say anything, though, the ding! of the elevator caused both their heads to turn. A moment later Tony came around the corner, whistling cheerfully and oblivious to the tension in the room.

“Morning, boss,” he greeted, still apparently blind to the looks on their faces. “You’re in early, Kate.”<br>
“So are you, DiNozzo,” Gibbs retorted sharply, sweeping past with a muttered comment about coffee.

Tony looked puzzled. “What’d I do?” he asked Kate, once Gibbs was out of earshot.

“You were born, Tony,” Kate returned halfheartedly. Tony noticed her lack of enthusiasm and turned to look at her, finally realizing that she was not well.

“Kate,” he started, concern edging into his voice. “Are you okay? What happened yesterday, anyway?”<br>
“I’m fine, Tony,” Kate dismissed him, before remembering that this was Tony; if she couldn’t trust him, who could she trust? “Yesterday…I met someone. Someone I hadn’t seen in…a long time.”<br>
“Old boyfriend?” Tony joked. She stiffened slightly, determined not to make the same mistake she had with Gibbs. They didn’t know. It’s not their fault.

“No,” she answered simply. “My…daughter.”<br>
Tony reacted much the same as Gibbs, only more obviously. His eyebrows scurried toward his hairline and his eyes widened in unrestrained surprise. “Daughter? Really?”<br>
She nodded, waiting for his inevitable comment. She wasn’t disappointed.

“You?” he asked unthinkingly.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Tony, me.”<br>
He seemed to be slowly recovering from his shock. Sputtering only slightly, he managed, “Wow, Kate. Um, congratulations. So, what’s up with her?”<br>
Kate sighed, wondering how much to tell. She settled for the bare facts. “Her adoptive parents died last week. Custody reverts to me.”<br>
Tony nodded as if he understood, but there was still confusion in his eyes. Kate ignored it; if he didn’t ask, she wasn’t going to tell. “That’s, um, that’s cool. So, how old is she? Four, five?”<br>
Kate swallowed. She knew what he would assume, what he already assumed. Why it seemed worse when they found out she was underage she didn’t know, but it did. Nevertheless, she had to answer. She wanted to answer. “She’s fourteen,” she said, barely above a whisper.

She could see the wheels turning as he processed the number, subtracting it from what he knew of Kate’s age to come up with…Tony had the decency not to say anything as he connected the dots but when his eyes widened again, she knew that he knew.

Kate excused herself quickly and made her way to the ladies’ room. Wiping her face with a damp paper towel, she stared in the mirror and gritted her teeth. I’d better get used to it, she thought grimly. Everyone’s going to think it.

Somehow, that happy thought didn’t cheer her. She dabbed her eyes, breathing deeply to calm herself. With a depressed look at her watch, she realized that it wasn’t even her usual arrival time. It was going to be a very long day.

[Gatorgrad]

Another awesome installment. I thought the Gibbs reaction was very in keeping with his character...Tony was way too quiet on the subject or is his typical inquisition going to happen later?

[nikkinor]

I just have to say, I LOVE THIS STORY. It's very good, getting into Kate's head is something no one ever seems to get right, but this is just perfect. I can't wait for more.

[LJ]

Ch. 5 – Moving Out


“A field agent’s crime scene sketches should portray both the scale of the crime scene, as well as relative distances and positioning of evidence,” the toupeed, bespectacled little man droned. “Any questions? No? Next we will discuss collecting and cataloguing physical evidence…”

Kate’s cell phone vibrated urgently against her hip and she started slightly; the older agent’s soporific voice had put her in that half-doze state familiar to all lecture recipients. Glancing around surreptitiously to see if anyone was paying attention to her, she pulled it out discreetly and checked the caller ID. The small screen displayed a number she had become quite familiar with over the past few weeks. Whatever Mr. Tompkins was calling about this early in the morning had to be important. Looking up again briefly, she slipped out the back with only Gibbs giving her a slight frown.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Kate? It’s Randy Tompkins,” his warm voice floated over the line. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”<br>
“No,” she reassured him, “just a really boring seminar. The lecturer is a cross between Ben Stein and Donald Trump.”<br>
He chuckled. “Good. I just called to say that all the paperwork has gone through and you are cleared to take Grace home. When would you like to pick her up?”<br>
“Oh,” Kate stammered, caught off-guard. “Um, is Saturday okay?”<br>
“Saturday would be wonderful. I’ll let her know, and her uncle. Anything you need?”<br>
“Not right now, thanks. See you Saturday, I guess.”<br>
“Indeed. Goodbye, Kate.”<br>
She flipped her phone closed, breathing deeply. In the three weeks since Mr. Tompkins had first called her about Grace, she had prepared her home as best she could for a teen. She knew, though, that the reality had not quite sunk in yet. The transition from free-range bachelorette to single mom would not be hers until Grace actually moved in, if then. It was an attitude, she reflected. Would she ever be able to be a mother to this girl?

People were beginning to trickle out of the room, the seminar apparently over. Gibbs spotted her and raised an eyebrow.

“What was that about?” he asked quietly. The volume didn’t disguise the faint accusation in his voice.

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “Important call.” She wasn’t about to tell him it had been about Grace. He had been quite adamant when he told her that her new position in life would not interfere with her work.

His eyebrow quivered slightly, as if it couldn’t make up its mind about whether or not it should appear incredulous. Giving her one last squint, he apparently decided it wasn’t important right now and turned to go back to work.


By the time Saturday rolled around, Kate was more nervous than a shell-shocked cat. She rushed around the house, straightening and dusting, waiting for the appropriate time to leave. When she finally got on the road, she drove almost as erratically as Gibbs and incurred almost as many angry honks. Gathering her wits enough to slow as she approached her destination, she checked house numbers with an increasing apprehension. What had she really gotten herself into?