Can you see me daddy?
A/N: I don't know where this came from I was writing in history while we were talking about 9/11. Sorry about the sadness of it and all. It's also slightly based off of the video on youtube of the little girl talking to her dad who died in 9/11. I also know this is really AU. But yeah... Just a short one shot.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but Ella.
"Ella tell your daddy you love him before he goes to work." Kate Todd prompted her three year old daughter. "Love you daddy." The little girl clung to Tony's legs . "I love you too baby." He leaned down and pulled the little girl of his legs and kissed her on her forehead. "Love you Katie." He kissed his wife and handed their daughter over. "Try to be home early guys." He walked out the door unbeknownst to any of them they would never see or hear from him again.
"Daddy, it's been two years. I miss you and so does mommy. Momma's new boss is trying to help us but I don't think momma likes him much. I started kindergarten this year daddy. I love you." Ella DiNozzo said into the camcorder her mom was holding and started crying. It was hard for the young girl to talk to the father she barely remembered.
Five years had passed and Ella was starting fourth grade. She and Kate had kept up with videos and had sent them to family and friends as Christmas presents they didn't see much. They were always heartfelt coming from Ella and they proved good presents.
"Hi daddy. Are coming home? Mommy says your not. She lets me sleep in your t-shirt. It doesn't smell like you but it helps. I have nightmares. I also see a lady in a suit. Momma says it's to help calm the fears she can't. Like why your not here. I'm in fourth grade and I really like this boy named Kevin. He's cute daddy. I love you daddy." Ella wept the whole time she recorded the video. She left out parts but the was okay.
Ten years and Tony wasn't home yet. Ella understood now why. Kate tried to calm the fourteen year old's deepest fears. It sometimes worked sometimes didn't. She since decided to enroll Ella in an online school and they still kept up with the video recordings each year.
"Daddy." Ella said simply and plainly. "Can you see me?" She took a deep breath and tried to hold back the tears. "I'm in ninth grade now daddy. I miss you. It's hard. Mom finally let Daddy Dos help us out a bit. In case you don't know Daddy Dos is Gibbs. Mom and him got married last year and there's a little one on the way now daddy. I'm going to tell him or her all about you okay? We miss you. I still have your t-shirt. I still sleep in it. I'm in an online school now because kids made fun of me for not having a dad. I had to do a report the other day on my hero. I wrote about daddy. I love you." She let the tears flow and Kate turned the camera off. "I miss you daddy." The words came out even without the camera on. She looked up at the open blue sky. "Why daddy? Why didn't you stay home?"