Thanks for all the kind reviews! However, they have brought up a point that needs to be addressed.
There is no intended shipping in thisfic In the interests of beingtrue to the show and focusing on the issues of the story, any 'shipping' will be confined to the reader's interpretation. Like on the show, there may be snippets of conversation that seem Kate/Tony or Kate/Gibbs or whatever, but nothing more will be made of any ship.
A torrent of conflicting emotions flooded Kate's mind. Joy, worry, relief, fear, love, dread. The eyes which she had at first thought were her own, she now realized were lighter and far more innocent. Grace's hair was brown, like Kate's, but with a definite blonder tint. It also curled slightly, framing her face in a sickeningly familiar way. Kate swallowed hard; Grace looked very little like Dominic, in fact, but the little features were enough to catch her breath.
It was a long time ago, she reminded herself. I'm not the same person, and she's not her father.
After what seemed hours but was in reality only a few seconds, Kate remembered herself and smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way. Her mouth suddenly felt too big for her face and she was having trouble operating it.
"Grace, this is your birth mother, Caitlin Todd," Mr. Tompkins said quietly. "Kate, Grace."
"Grace," Kate greeted hoarsely. How often she had turned the name over in her mind, wondering about the person behind it. Now she was finally meeting her and she had no clue what to say.
"Hi," the girl replied. Her tone was guarded but, to Kate's surprise, not shy. Repressing the urge to smile at this resemblance to her own personality, Kate cast about for something to say. This girl had just lost the only people she knew as parents; what could anybody say?
Grace decided for her. "So…I'm gonna live with you?"
Kate nodded. "Yes. If that's all right with you."
"Sure," the girl shrugged. "How long do I have?"
"Since it's already May," Mr. Tompkins jumped in, "we want to let you finish out the school year. We still have a bit of paperwork to sort out, too, before you can move in with Ms. Todd. I'll need to officially examine the suitability of the home and…" He realized his audience was only pretending to listen out of politeness. "Well, I've arranged to have your Uncle Jack continue staying with you for the next few weeks. Is that all right with both of you?"
Kate nodded, slightly relieved that she wouldn't have the responsibility of a fourteen-year-old on her hands immediately. Grace shrugged again, apparently trying to exude the typical teenage indifference. Kate's heart went out to her; this girl had lost her entire family (as she knew it) less than a week ago, her life was now being upended by two strange people, and yet she was attempting to maintain her composure.
"Okay," Mr. Tompkins smiled. "You ladies should have more time to get to know each other in these coming weeks, but time has unfortunately passed us much faster than, I'm sure, we imagined. Grace needs to get back to her uncle for dinner. And bed; it's a school night, young lady."
Grace nodded tiredly and turned to leave.
"Grace," Kate called before she could stop herself. "It was nice to meet you." She offered her hand and Grace took it, almost hesitantly, a small smile growing slowly over her face.
And then Grace walked out the door with a piece of Kate's heart.
"Kate," Mr. Tompkins began quietly, after Grace had left. "My wife asked me to extend an invitation for dinner tonight. I believe the menu is stew and dumplings."
Kate smiled gratefully, suddenly exhausted. "Thanks, but I think I just need to be alone tonight."
The kind lawyer wore a sympathetic look as he patted her on the arm. "Of course. If you need anything, you have my number."
"Thanks," she repeated, walking slowly out the door.
She got in her car and just sat for a few moments, thinking. Questions ran through her mind, pausing briefly for consideration before scurrying off again. They were questions of all types, ranging from serious problems to trivial issues. The one question that came up repeatedly, in a few different variations, was a serious question about a big problem. What am I going to tell Gibbs?