Author's Note: I don't own anything! Don Bellisario and his team of writers are really, really creative people.
I decided to expand on the "Keeping Up With Kate" Series and just make it a full blown Trilogy. I tried to make this story easy to follow, but it might not make complete sense if you haven't read Keeping Up With Kate, or Keeping Up with Kate Part Two. The idea for this story struck me as a bit farfetched, but ultimately hilarious. How exactly does one couple end up with eight children? Every large family has their reasons, and their own circumstances, and this is my take on how it could happen to Gibbs and Kate! This story is set about six months after Keeping Up With Kate Part Two ends! Please enjoy, and as always reviews are welcome!!!
Kate Todd sighed heavily as she breezed past Cynthia's desk. That same churning feeling always hit her stomach right before she entered Director Shepard's office.
"You wanted to see me Director?" Kate asked as she gently closed the door behind you.
"Thanks for not slamming the door." Jenny said with a chuckle.
"He does it at home too." Kate replied quickly. Her husband was rather fond of slamming doors when he was angry.
"Good to know." Jenny said as she motioned for Kate to sit.
Kate sat and smoothed her skirt, she tried to calm her nerves by staring past the Director and looking at the photos on her walls.
"Kate...I have a favor to ask of you. Normally I wouldn't do something this unorthodox, but my options are limited." Jenny said as she heaved a sigh.
"Ma'am?" Kate asked as she looked at the Director in confusion.
"I have a conference I am scheduled to go to in a month. It's an international securities conference in Prague, and it isn't something I can really pass up." Jenny said as she sighed heavily.
Kate sat there still wondering if Jenny had a point, and if she did hopefully she'd make her point quickly.
"I know it's a lot to ask, but would you and Jethro mind watching Christina? I already asked Ducky but he'll be out of town too. There's nobody else I trust...and Maggie and Matthew adore Christina." Jenny explained.
"It would be ten days...she goes to daycare during the day, but at night and those weekend days I'd need somebody." Jenny added quickly.
Kate blushed slightly. When the two women had met Jenny had considered Kate more of a rival than a friend, but that had all changed since the night Chris Pacci had died.
"I would of course provide adequate compensation...it's only fair." Jenny said as she studied Kate's face for any sign of a reaction. Money was the last thing on Kate's mind but it was sweet of Jenny to offer.
"I must talk to Jethro first". Kate replied. A six-month old, fourteen-month old and a three-year old were going to be a lot to handle. Kate didn't think he'd say no, but it was still something she needed to run past him.
"That is completely understandable." Jenny said as she peered at Kate over her glasses.
"I'll be able to let you know tomorrow morning for sure." Kate said as she stood up to exit the office.
"Kate?" Jenny said just as Kate was about to open the door.
"Yes Director?" Kate asked politely.
"Thanks, for even considering this...I really appreciate it." Jenny said as she looked back at the open file on her desk.
Kate smiled and headed back to the bullpen. Although she doubted that she'd ever be close with Jenny Sheppard it was nice to at least be on friendly terms with her.
"Go ahead. It will be fun, I'd like to have a baby in the house again." Jethro said pointedly as he turned down the covers on the bed later that evening.
"We have two." Kate reminded him as she pointed down the hallway.
"We can hardly consider them babies anymore." Gibbs said knowingly.
Kate sighed as she crawled under the covers, Jethro was right. Maggie and Matthew were growing up right before their eyes. Time was passing quickly, and having a younger baby back in the house would be nice even if it were temporary.
"Jenny will be happy." Kate said as she nuzzled Jethro's neck.
"She's doing well. Handling it better than I thought she would." Jethro admitted. Jenny was a strong woman but he had been unsure of how she'd handle the pressures of single motherhood.
So far, at least in Jethro's estimation she was doing well.
"I love you." Kate mumbled as she closed her eyes.
"I love you too." Jethro replied softly as he fell asleep.
