Tony watched the door to the elevator open, then saw a downcast Kate, eyes puffy and red enter the bullpen. His heart in his throat, she said a quiet "Morning " to McGee, then gave him a quick look.
"Morning, Kate."
That was all he manage without adding that he was sorry, that Sandy would be okay, that…..
"Tony?"
His head snapped up, then he saw she was standing in front of his desk, the beginnings of a smile on her face.
"Abby and I will be okay, you don't have to pretend. We couldn't have taken care of her without your help, honest."
Tony winced; his expression must have given away his feelings. "Kate…. I just don't want you to think that.."
"Tony." Kate quietly said, "I know you care. It's okay, I like knowing you have my back."
He flashed a grin at her, relieved that she understood.
"Uh, Kate?" McGee was hesitant, "What time are the grandparents picking up Sandy?"
"At ten. I'd wait to go down there until, about 10:01, McGee. She'll want your shoulder then."
Kate gave him a sympathetic smile as the junior agent looked at his watch, then dashed for the elevator.
As it opened, he almost collided with Gibbs, whose expression did not bode well for anyone who came in contact with him.
"Sorry, boss, I mean, won't happen again…" McGee blustered, then his jaw dropped as Gibbs nonchalantly waved him off.
"Just don't be there all morning, yeesh!"
Kate and Tony both looked at each other, then Tony hesitated.
"Uh, boss, everything okay?"
He was immediately fixed with a pair of icy blue eyes.
"Yeah, DiNozzo, if you count all the paperwork I expect you to have finished by the end of the day, why?"
Kate visibly relaxed as Tony shrugged his shoulders, totally mystified. "No reason."
As Gibbs sat down at his desk, he gave a quick glance at Kate, then smirked to see her doing the same.
"Everything's back to normal", he thought, except…..
Another Saturday home alone. Kate hung up after placing her take out order, then sighed.
She'd tried, she'd really tried to reach out and not be so ….cut off. But Ducky was busy, Abby was out, Tony wasn't answering and …well, she didn't think calling Gibbs was a good idea.
As she flipped through the shows on television, Kate found herself remembering how frustrating, but curiously happy it had been having Sandy stay with her. True, Abby had all but moved in with her, but still…it was nice being needed by someone.
A knock at the door broke her daydream, and she went to look at the peephole before opening the door.
A familiar hat and glasses filled her line of sight, and she quickly opened the door. "Ducky, I'm glad to see you, but, I thought you had plans…."
He beamed at her as she took his hat and coat. "Catlin, I hoped to surprise you, you see, our plans are with you," he said. Affectionately she hugged him, then realized….
"Our?" she responded, then heard Tony griping, "Geeze Kate, couldn't you find a place with an elevator?"
Shocked, she stared as a sport-shirt clad Tony huffed and puffed through her door bearing a couple of six packs. Abby and McGee, each grinning broadly, carried in the familiar looking take out she was waiting for.
"We hi-jacked the rest of his kung pow, Kate, seeing as you didn't know we were coming." Abby explained.
"But, didn't you guys have someplace else to go…." Kate stopped, as a relaxed looking Gibbs carried in a bag bearing ice cream then closed the door behind him.
"Nope." he answered, "I'm afraid you're stuck with us."
A smile lit her face as she joked, "I guess I'll live."
Gibbs smirked back at her, then gestured with his head impatiently.
"Come on, Kate, where do you want this stuff."
Laughing, she gestured toward the kitchen. "In here."
As everyone crowded into her little breakfast nook, sharing egg rolls and fortune cookies,
Gibbs looked over his team, then caught Ducky's eye.
"To our team, Duck." He raised his bottle.
Ducky beamed, then corrected him. "To our family, Jethro."
As they clinked bottles, Abby's voice rose in protest. "Tony, you did so switch fortunes with me, give it back!"
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
Gibbs shook his head. "What a family!"
Fin