Year One

"I'm heeeere!" The bubbly black-haired girl said, throwing her arm up in the air in emphasis.

"We thought you had something else going on, Abbs!" McGee said, smiling at her as she dropped her bags. Abby straightened, her eyebrows raised.

"You honestly think I'd miss it?" she said incredulously.

"We had a betting pool going. Ducky won, again," Tony called from another room.

"Ducky! You too?" Abby called.

"I have always thought gambling was a dirty thing," a crisp British accent answered, "but I knew you wouldn't miss it."

"Shhh!" a gruff voice called out of the bedroom. "You're going to wake her."

"Sorry," everyone stage-whispered, and began to laugh.

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs poked his head out of the bedroom and gave a glare, then sighed. "She's awake now; we might as well do this…"

For indeed, there was one thing bringing all of the NCIS agents together today- the first birthday of Maria Katherine Gibbs, Gibbs' first child with Diane. Including cake and presents, Maria or 'Ria' was about to be royally spoiled out of her mind by her godparents.

Diane came out as well, holding Ria and a small stuffed dog. "She won't do anything without it…" she explained.

"Great. Stubborn, too?" Tony remarked.

"Like her father."

"I'm right here," Gibbs said, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, let's do presents before she gets cranky," Tony said, trying to avoid a head-slap that Gibbs usually gave when he was annoyed with people…usually Tony.

McGee smiled. "I'll go first…"

XXXXXX

A few toys, a blanket, and a mini-NCIS hat (from McGee) later, it was Tony's turn. He smiled and pulled out a little bib.

"Awwwwww…." Everyone said as Tony went over to go put the bib on Ria.

"It's so cute!" Diane said. "Thank you, Tony…"

Tony fastened the bib around Ria's head and patted her head awkwardly. "There ya go kid… "

"Ria, give Mr. Tony a kissy," Diane said. One thing Maria was beginning to understand was hugs and 'kissy.' The young girl puckered up her lips.

"Er..boss?"

"Just do it, DiNozzo. She won't kill you."

Tony cringed but leaned in. Maria gave him a kiss on the cheek and then giggled, making Abby and Diane go absolutely crazy.

"Wow. That wasn't so bad…" Tony said, glancing at Gibbs. "Hey Boss, I think she likes me- OW!"

Ria giggled again, showing off her gums. Her right hand was holding Tony's nose in a death grip.

"Boss…boss… help!" Tony said, trying to wiggle away.

"Well, DiNozzo… she definitely likes you!" Gibbs said, beginning to laugh.

"Greeeeat."