A/N: For Sasha1600, who knows why.
A/N2: This story is fiction and in no way a commentary on real law.
Gibbs smiled when Katie's number flashed up on his phone. He didn't hear from her often these days. Grad school in Montréal kept her busy, especially now that she was into her PhD program. He answered the call and put the phone to his ear, settling back against the counter to chat. "Gibbs," he said automatically.
"I think I understand why you and Mama and Daddy believe in spanking," Katie said without preamble.
"You do?" Gibbs asked, not bothering to hide his amusement. That certainly wasn't what he expected to hear from his vegetarian, peace-loving goddaughter. Her twin, the young officer, sure. After all, Leigh had his temper, and like him, didn't suffer fools gladly. Katie, was quiet like her father and tolerant like her mother. "And what brought this on?"
"My students," she muttered through gritted teeth. "I've never seen a more apathetic, spoiled group of people in my life. I swear if I see one more plagiarized paper, I'll scream, and the worst part is, most of the ones who do it, don't see anything wrong with it. Please, I wouldn't have gotten away with that in middle school. I knew better than to try. Heck, I'd have probably had to answer to you, Mama, and Daddy all three if I had ever dared be that stupid."
Gibbs smiled. If he had ever doubted it, Katie was confirming with every word that Abby and Tim had raised a good kid. And he couldn't fault her observations either. "You would have," he agreed.
"I know," she told him. "What I don't understand, is how some of these kids got into college without knowing that? What kind of parents don't teach their children that it's not okay to cheat?"
Gibbs smothered a chuckle at her characterization of her undergraduate students she taught, some of whom were undoubtedly as old as or older than she was, as kids. "A lot," he muttered. "Just be glad your parents did."
"I am," she told him, "trust me, more and more every day. Today's brat-of-the day insinuated that somehow the failing grade he received for the plagiarized paper he turned in more than a week late was my fault. It's ridiculous. I swear Uncle Gibbs some of these kids just need a good spanking."
Gibbs chuckled. "You know I don't disagree. You know how I dealt with mine. Do I need to send you a paddle?"
Katie laughed. "Don't tempt me. I might break down and actually do it, and then I'd end up in jail. You know it's illegal here, even for parents."
Gibb's derisive snort made it clear just exactly what he thought of that particular law. That, in his opinion, was likely the first part of the problem. "Well, whatever you do, don't let them make you back down. You're right, and you know it."
"Even if he takes it to the Dean," she asked quietly, suddenly unsure.
"Even then," he said firmly. "We taught you kids to do what was right, not what was easy, didn't we?"
"Yeah," she said, and now he could hear her smile, "you did. Thanks Uncle Gibbs. I might just make it after all."
"Good," he replied. "And if all else fails, I can still send a paddle."
Katie was still laughing when she hung up the phone.