"Gibbs" I call, as he walks in, little Shannon on his hip, clutching a small, purple panda bear. McGee follows.

"Gibbs!" I repeat and he looks at me.

"Shannon wasn't the Waterfield's biological child. They kidnapped her when she was with seven months. Her biological parents passed away a year ago."

"I'll take her." He says, calmly

"W-what? I'm sorry boss, I don't think I heard you correctly did you say you're going to keep her?" I stutter, mouth open with disbelief.

"Yep." Gibbs smiles, kissing the little girl's ginger hair.

I look past him at McGee, who shrugs.

"Dinozzo!" Barks Gibbs "You and Abby are going to go shopping for anything Shannon may need."

"You want Tony to shop?" gasps McGee before he can help himself and as soon as he sees Gibbs' face, he quickly backtracks. "I-I mean, is there anything I can do to help boss?"

"Yeah, McGee. Go home."

"I-I- okay Boss." Mumbles McGee as he turns tail, grabbing his stuff and bee lining for the elevator.

"Dinozzo! Go!" Yells Gibbs, "I need her stuff in the downstairs bedroom in my house by 9:00, there's a Queen bed, walls are pink and bed is cream. The door's open. Use this." He throws a credit card at me. I catch it and run to the elevator.

I find Abby in her lab, dancing to her god-awful heavy metal.

"Abby!" I yell, my voice practically silent in comparison to the music

I walk up behind her and yank on her ponytails. She squeals in shock, whipping around. She grabs the music remote and turns off the noise.

"Tony!" she reprimands "What do you want?"

"Gibbs is Foster-parenting Shannon. She's the girl the Waterfields kidnapped and he wants us to shop for her. We have three hours to buy everything a two year old could need and put it in his house."

"Seriously?" she squeaks

"Yes…" I say, backing up a half step, cautious

With a scream of joy, she grabs my hand and runs out the door, me in tow.

Abby and I are at target ten minutes later. We buy purple sheets, pillowcases, a purple and cream comforter, and a cream blanket. We buy a pink and purple tea table and more pink, cream and purple toy then I can count. We buy tons of clothes and hair thingies that Abby calls barrets.

We drive everything to Gibbs' house, and it takes us an hour to unload it all and set it up. We finish at ten to nine and Gibbs arrives at nine sharp. Shannon is asleep on his shoulder, so he mouths 'Good job' when he sees the room.

Abby and I leave quickly and she drops me off at NCIS. I head up to the bullpen to grab my stuff. When I do, I see Kate is asleep at her desk, her face tearstained and tissues around her.

I gently shake her awake with a frown.

"You okay, Kit-Kat?" I whisper

She opens her eyes, and looks at me for a moment, before she snaps into a wide awake no-nonsense attitude and posture.

"Tony." She says, somewhat stiffly

"Are you okay?" I ask

"Fine." She says, sharply, looking away

"Do you want a ride home?" I offer

A flash of something, maybe panic, shines in Kate's eyes for a second, but it's gone before I can determine what it is.

"No thanks Tony." She sighs, getting up grabbing her stuff and going to the elevator.

I snag my stuff and hurry after her, joining her in the elevator.

She looks tired and miserable.

"Kate. I don't think it's safe for you to drive. I'm taking you home. I'll drive your car and walk back for mine." I say, firmly "but you have to tell me your address and I promise you on my life, that I wont tell anyone or stalk you."

"No Tony." She mutters, and I flip the Emergency stop button.

"I'm not giving you a choice." I say

She smiles slightly, and says "Fine."

We arrive at her house fifteen minutes later, and she is out cold.

I carefully open her door, and unbuckle her. Then I heave her into my arms so her knees are draped over one of my arms and her head on my opposite shoulder the other arm supporting her back.

I carry her through her house and into her bedroom where I gently lay her down in her bed. I would've sworn she smiled when I tucked the covers in around her neck.

I head to her bedroom door and right before I shut it I whisper "'Night Kit-Kat."

Then I turn and leave her house, walking back to NCIS.