On the day following Kate's funeral Tony arrived at work to find the squad room empty although there were two empty coffee cups on Gibbs' desk suggesting that he was around somewhere. As Tony sat down at his desk he noticed a brown envelope waiting for him; he examined it suspiciously at first but then realised that it had come internally from HR. Tony couldn't imagine any terrorist getting past Dolores Bromstead so he decided to open the envelope which turned out to contain a typewritten sheet of paper with a handwritten note at the bottom. In Kate's handwriting.
Dear Tony (the typed portion began)
I'm writing this as you suggested although it feels odd that if you're reading this it's because I'm dead. In case you're reading this after I've died at a ripe old age in some upmarket retirement community, I'll make it clear that I'm writing this after working for NCIS for about two years. God! Two years of working for Gibbs and with you; it feels more like 40!
As you may be reading this just as I'm knocking on the pearly gates and asking St Peter for admission, I'll be kind and admit that working for NCIS could have been worse. I mean, I could have been working with Gibbs on my own. How did you manage that? So, while I'll admit that a chauvinistic frat boy wasn't my co-worker of choice, you helped me out by attracting most of Gibbs' … what's the word? … Attention, I guess. And that didn't seem to change even when we added McGee to the mix. I can never decide whether it's because you're brave, suicidal or stupid: knowing you, it's probably a mix of all three. I'm not ungrateful – oh, that sounds like something Ducky would say. Do you think he's rubbing off on me as much as you and Gibbs are? Mom was right when she said that joining NCIS might not be good for me. Although she was thinking of my physical safety and not my moral corruption.
Still, with St Peter potentially listening in, I'll try and think of nice things to say about you. You tried to show me what to do. Just as well really, as Gibbs seems to think that interpreting his grunts and glares is a class at FLETC. And you clued me in, as much as anyone can, into the way that Gibbs wants (demands!) things to be done. Admittedly getting money out of you was like getting blood out of a stone but you usually found a way to get McGee to pay your debts so I suppose you aren't a complete lost cause.
And we worked well as a team right from the start. Mostly because you recognised my superiority in most things! Just kidding, St Peter! I never expected you to be as good at the job as you are. Is it a DiNozzo rule that it's a sin to look as if you're actually working? As I write this, I realise (again) that I really don't understand you. If I ever had any spare time I'd profile you. I do know, however, that I trust you and not just in the field. Despite all the pranks (and where do you get the energy for all of them?) I trust that you'd never really hurt me. After all, Gibbs must see something in you to have put up with you for so long and then there's your frat brother. Steve Adler told me your fraternity name but he also told me that you were the best type of friend – ferociously loyal and forgiving. He also said that you could drain a keg quicker than anyone he knew but I'm not sure that's something I look for in a friend.
Friend. I guess we have become friends. In just 2 short (or long!) years we've already had lots of moments when we've laughed at the same things, understood things the same way … when we've united in the face of Gibbs' latest Gibbsness. By the time you get to read this I hope we've had lots more.
But you might not be around much longer. No, I don't mean you might be going to die soon although, seriously, Tony you are one accident prone guy. No, what I mean is that you'll get promoted and move off. Oops, I realise I don't like the sound of that. I'll miss you, of course, but with you unavailable, will Gibbs choose me as his next victim? No, I can probably deflect him on to McGee.
Seriously, Tony, look after yourself; it's too scary being in the squad room with Gibbs on my own. Listen to what Ducky's been telling you about good and bad cholesterol. And remember what I told you about bad food pretending to be good … look behind the label, Tony! Which I guess, I may not have been. No, not with food – I'm always careful about that. No, I mean with people; perhaps I really should get round to looking behind your pretty exterior. And yes, I do think you're good looking.
I've done what you wanted and it's getting late so I'm going to run this up to HR for filing. It'll do as a stop gap. I'll write another one soon.
In case this is goodbye – it's been an experience, Tony. And, although I'll deny it if anyone asks, it's one I wouldn't have missed for anything. So, thank you, Tony for helping me survive NCIS and Gibbs. Look after yourself, you're a good guy really.
Kate
Tony gave a half smile as he reached the end of the typed section and then gasped as he read the part Kate had scribbled in afterwards.
DiNozzo! You're dead! I mean it, you've gone too far this time. I've just come back from HR where Delores Bromstead gave me her fishy glare and said,
"Agent Todd, I think Agent DiNozzo was misleading you. There's no requirement for field agents to write letters to their emergency contacts to be opened in the event of their demise."
Of course, I should have known better. After all, it's been at least a week since your last prank but involving Delores is really low. She already doesn't approve of me because she knows why I left the Secret Service and now you've convinced her that I'm a gullible sap. Which I am. I hate you, DiNozzo!
Delores was 'kind' enough to say that "if you really want us to, Agent Todd, HR will lodge your letter and give it to Agent DiNozzo if you are killed in the line of duty." And you know, Tony, I'm going to take her up on that offer but … and this is a big but … know this, DiNozzo; if you're reading this because I'm dead, well, I'm going to come back and haunt you! Haunt you! It'll almost be worth being dead to see you squirm!
Caitlin Todd.
PS. It was a good joke, Tony. I think Delores nearly smiled. And I don't hate you. Well, not all the time. There are times when you're almost house trained.
Love
Kate.
Tony laughed as he finished reading. Gibbs came in at that moment and heard the unexpected sound.
"You all right, Tony?" he asked, concerned that perhaps Tony had finally crumbled under the pressure of the last few days.
"No," said Tony honestly, "but I'm getting there!"
