Chapter 1

Gibbs was getting frustrated. He could hear meowing, he was sure of it, but he couldn't find the source of it. All he knew for sure was that it was coming from around his truck.

"And I'm already late for work," he groused, getting down on his knees and peering under his truck with his flashlight. He looked up under the axles and that was when he spotted it; bright yellow eyes staring back at him.

"Meow," the kitten squeaked, before shivering.

It was cold. Spring was supposed to be arriving, but that wasn't for another few weeks, according to the calendar so it was still pretty chilly outside. Grunting, Gibbs wiggled under the truck and grabbed the kitten by the scruff of the neck, ignoring the hissing and growling. Good thing he was wearing gloves.

"What the hell?" he muttered, looking at the kitten in the growing daylight after squirming out from under the truck. The kitten had the biggest ears he'd ever seen on a cat and was the scruffiest, skinniest looking thing he'd seen in a long time. It had fur, sort of, dirty brown fur, and feet that looked like they were three sizes too big for such a little body.

"Wait a minute... six toes on both front feet? Since when?" The kitten did indeed have six toes on both its front feet, and claws to match, Gibbs quickly realized when the kitten managed to catch the skin past his gloves. The little fellow was making it very plain he did not like the human's examination of him.

"No collar and no tattoo in the ear, definitely male though," Gibbs muttered, checking out the very-visible testicles under the kitten's tail. He got hissed at for his efforts.

The little guy badly needed a bath, a meal, and a warm place and Gibbs was not the person to provide it. Dabi, on the other hand... Jed might like him.

Jed was a young cat with a condition known as radial agenisis; the bones in his forearms never developed; and Dabi had once admitted to thinking he needed a buddy. This little guy looked like he had plenty of spunk and would fit the bill perfectly.

Tucking the kitten under his coat to keep him warm, Gibbs took out his phone and hit a speed-dial button.

"It's me. I'm going to be late; I have to take a kitten to Dabi and it needs a bath," he said to the person who answered the call. "Go ahead; I'll meet you there. Just send me the address."

He ended the call and glanced at the now-purring kitten. "You better not have fleas, furball," he muttered, getting into his truck.

NCIS Headquarters:

"Boss is going to be late," said Tony DiNozzo, grabbing his gear as he, Tim McGee, and Ellie Bishop headed for the elevator."Said he'd meet us at the scene. Something about taking a kitten to Dabi and it needing a bath."

"A kitten?" Ellie repeated curiously.

"That's what he said," said Tony.

"I can already hear the cursing," said Tim. "Cats and water, not a good mix. Last time my sister tried to give her cat a bath, I wound up with six stitches in my arm."

"Why you?" Ellie asked.

"Because I was the dumb fool who tried to catch the damn thing," Tim replied.

At the Kranz Bakery the kitten was immediately taken into the apartment above the bakery and given a bath. Jed watched from the toilet seat, eyes curious about the newcomer.

A short while later, Gibbs received a text message from Dabi.

He's not brown he's white. There was half an inch of mud and dirt in the tub by the time I finished.

Bet that's one pissed off kitty, Gibbs replied.

I don't know. He hasn't stopped eating since Nana offered him tuna. Second can already.

And Jed?

Drying him off now. Little guy hissed at him once but that was it.

You going to keep him?

Might as well. Nana suggested calling him Ruah, which is the Hebrew version of 'spirit' or 'ghost.' He's odd-looking, especially with his six toes and huge ears, but he's cute.

Don't let DiNozzo see him; he looks like Bat Boy.

Dad!