Kate

Shocked, Jethro sputtered, "But we put them out last night with your clothes for today."

"I know," she grinned up at him. "I am not going to wear white panties any more. I am only going to wear pink panties now. We can buy some at the store."

"Abby, you can not run around without panties just because you don't care for the color! Now, you are going to get into big trouble if you do that again. I expect you to put on all of your clothes when you get dressed. Do you understand me? This had better not happen again."

Like Tony, Abby had a practiced pout, which she utilized for dramatic purposes.

Gibbs remained firm, however. "I want an answer from you right now."

He buckled her sandal straps.

"Ok," she scowled, and he swung her onto the floor as he finished stuffing her belongings into the bag.

Taking a deep breath, he reached for the door handle. "Let's go, then."

"Daddy, I have to tee tee." Huge green eyes regarded him, and he fought to grab his last reserve of patience.

Lifting her, he set her down on the toilet as he spoke, "I could have sworn this is what I sent you in here to do a half hour ago."

A bit more savvy after having four kids, his senses alerted him to impending trouble, and he grabbed his little girl's hand as she gave the toilet paper roll a good spin, stopping the layers from falling in mid flight. He hastily tore off a couple of sheets and gave them to her. "Wipe, and hurry."

Less than a minute later her hands were washed and he carried her on one hip, motioning her siblings to follow as they headed to the car. Buckling her into her seat, he checked Tim at the same time, and watched as Kate and Tony followed with their own restraints.

"Dad, Tony called me a snuffleupagus," Tim reported, voice laden with hurt.

Gibbs cranked the car and glanced in the rearview mirror as he pulled out of the dance studio's parking lot.

"A what?"

"Snuffleupagus, Dad," Kate contributed, pressing her face against the window.

"I don't know what that is."

"You do, Daddy, you do!" Abby assured him. "On Bert and Ernie and Oscar and Cookie Monster-"

"Aah," realization dawned with the Gunny. "Now, I know."

"It hurt my feelings," Tim explained.

"Tony's being mean," Kate diagnosed, turning to stick her tongue out at him.

"Nobody asked you, so be quiet!" responded her brother.

Tim continued, "He said I was a wimpy snuffleupagus because I wouldn't play outside with him."

"Don't call anyone names any more," Jethro commanded, making eye contact in his mirror.

"Right, are you stupid?" Kate giggled.

"You're the stupid one," Tony countered.

"Tony's calling names, Daddy," Abby tattled.

"Ok, Tony, you are not allowed to speak again until we get to the Mallards, not one word. Understand?"

"Fine with me," Tony grumbled, leaning his forehead against the window and watching the scenery pass.

"Now when we get to the Mallards in a few minutes, I expect all of you to be on your best behavior."

"Why can't we just act like we always do, Daddy?" Tim asked.

"Just once I would like you all to have good conduct the entire visit- not just part."

After that observation, the younger three children chatted until they drove up at the Mallard residence.

Once he parked in the circular drive, all four raced into the house, trying to be the first to get to Mrs. Mallard and Ducky. Up on the porch, though, one of the corgis had gotten loose and he came around the corner barking. Tim shrieked and doubled back, throwing himself at Gibbs. The other three went on indoors, not afraid, and Jethro shifted Tim to one hip and entered himself, giving Victoria a quick kiss on the cheek and smiling at Ducky.

"I hope we're not too late."

"You are just in time," Victoria smiled. Kate grabbed her hand, and the elderly woman added, "Did you have trouble?"

"Nothing unusual, no," Gibbs assured her. "One has no panties, one is about to get spanked, another is afraid of the dogs, and the fourth-" He gave Kate an appraising look, "and the fourth received a glowing review from her ballet teacher today."

Victoria smiled and rubbed Kate's cheek. "All right, my dear, after supper you and I shall go have some fun."

Supper was wonderful, as it always was with the Mallards, and all four children asked for seconds. After helping with the clean up, Tony ran outside, where he was teaching two of the corgis to fetch. Abby joined him, but decided to swing in the tire swing Ducky had hung for the kids from one of the massive oaks. Kate disappeared inside with Victoria and Tim dragged Ducky to the library to locate a book on the constellations Ducky had.

Gibbs sat on the back porch in a wicker rocker, his feet propped on the rail as he watched his oldest and youngest outdoors. They were as naturally exuberant and outgoing as his middle two were inherently reticent.

"Daddy," Kate's excited voice startled him, and he sat up straight as she came into his view. Victoria had given her free reign of trunks of vintage clothing to find play clothes, and Kate had selected a simple maroon crushed velvet hat with a luxurious feather attached, and a dress overlaid with ecru lace. Kate had both dainty hands wrapped in the skirt, gathering it up enough to allow her to walk.

Victoria stood against the doorframe smiling, and directed, "Now show your father how you will walk at Ascot, Lady Caitlin."

Kate slid one hand across the porch rail as she strolled sedately from him almost the entire length of the porch, then pirouetted and floated back to his chair.

She tossed her head to the side and his breath caught as he realized a future glimpse of what a beautiful, poised, stunning young woman his daughter would be.

His throat constricted and he coughed quickly. "Beautiful, Baby- you look gorgeous."

She giggled, "I'm a lady, Daddy, not gorgeous."

"Aah, but you are so gorgeous you will make all the other ladies jealous at Ascot."

She curtseyed then, nodded sedately to Mrs. Mallard, and left to go indoors.

Victoria eyed him appraisingly. "You look tired, Jethro. Why don't you leave the children here tonight? Go home and get some rest."

Before he could answer Tim hurried out clutching a thick volume Ducky had found for him. "Look, Daddy, look at all these constellations in the book! When it's dark Ducky's going to help me find them in his telescope."