hey all! thanks for not killing me for leaving the last chapter where i left it. although i must admit...it was ALOT of fun doing it! well this is chapter is the end of this fic...:tear:... but i am thinking of writing a sequel if you want. but i need some ideas. so please let me know!

thanks for climbing aboard this rollercoaster and sticking around for the ride...and for the reviews and everything!

"DADDY!"

At the sound of the little girls scream, everyone ran out from the backyard towards the little girl.

There in front of them stood Caitlin Todd… alive and well. Gibbs stood there shocked as his wife stood there with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Katie?"

Stacy broke away from her eldest brother's protective arms

"Mommy?" taking tentative steps towards her mother.

"Yes Princess, it's mommy, I'm home"

Kate bent down and opened her arms, tears now streaming down freely as Stacy raced forwards and threw herself into her mothers arms.

"MOMMY!" Stacy clung tightly to her mother's neck and Kate tightened her hold on her daughter, both of them clinging to each other crying tears of joy.

Stacy's words came out in muffled shudders "Don't let the angels take you again Mommy… don't leave me… love you mommy"

Kate breathed in her baby's scent and tightened her grip "Shh baby, it's ok, Mommy's home now, I'm not leaving again I promise, I love you baby".

It only took a moment more before Kate was attacked by hugs from her two stepsons, laughing she tried to hug the both of them around Stacy who refused to relinquish her hold on her mom. "Hey guys, I missed you" The boys gave her a quick squeeze before stepping back allowing their dad to approach.

"Hey babe…"

The couple stood before each other, staring into each others eyes for what seemed an eternity before Gibbs reached for her and crashed their lips together, their tears mixed together as they kissed deeply and passionately. When the need for air came over their need for each other, they broke apart, with Gibbs instantly wrapping his arms around his wife and daughter, leaning his forehead against hers,

"I love you," they exhaled in unison.

"God I've missed you, I had this feeling you were still alive…but how? "Gibbs murmured against her cheek.

"It doesn't matter now hon, Its over, bastards dead… it's over" she said softly, brushing their noses together, raising her lips to his once again, kissing him deeply, breaking apart only when Fornell gave a little cough. Kate grinned sheepishly looking at Stacy who was resting her head on her mommy's shoulder, and had wrinkled up her nose at her parents little display.

Turning towards her family and friends, still shell shocked, grinning guiltily and said "Miss me guys?"

Tears and laughter erupted once again as her family and friends rushed forwards hugging her tightly, breaking down when seeing her own mom and dad. There were questions shot out from all over the place as they moved the party back to the backyard

"where the hell have you been?"

"HOW have you been"

"Katie girl, I wondered how long before the Angels got sick of ya!"

"Who finally got the bastard?"

"Weren't you dead"

"TONY!""DINOZZO"

"WHAT!.. OW!" Tony cried as Mcgee and Abby slapped him up the backside of the head

"Oh, Probie you did not just slap me!"

"And what if I did?"

"BOYS!" Kate's indignant voice stopped them in their tracks, grinning, "I see that nothings changed then! Now are you gonna let me talk or what?"

Fornell sat back in the recliner as he looked on over his friends smugly. The afternoon's festivities had begun to tire and only family had remained, extended and immediate. The sun had set and everyone had retired to the lounge, sat around Kate who was leaned back against Gibbs, her head tucked under his chin, arms wrapped protectively around one another, drinking coffee listening to Kate speak about what she had done during her six month stint in the Witness Protection Program.

Stacy looked up from her spot on the floor in her Aunt Maureen's lap (Kate's cousin), as the family roared in laughter when Kate told them about the cocky Gym teacher at the school she was working at as a counselor. He had tried to hit on her, then using her as an example during a wrestling lesson to his class, only to find himself flat on his back, curled up in pain with Kate's foot on his chest growling at him, "I'm NOT interested".

Fornell grinned at the memory when he found out by her Witness Protection agent what she had done. Gibbs looked over sharply at Fornell as realization dawned over him,

"Fornell you balding bastard! You knew all along and let us believe that she was dead!" Fornell just shrugged and said,

"I was under orders" Gibbs then looked down at Kate suddenly having an epiphany.

"You were at the service weren't you… and you came to me when I was in the hospital didn't you?" Kate looked into her husband's eyes,

"Don't be mad Jethro, as much as I hated it, you had to believe that I was dead… I'm so sorry," she murmured. Gibbs just shook his head tilting her chin so that she looked into his eyes "Never say you're sorry baby, I'm not mad, I'm just glad you're ok" he kissed her lightly.

"This all reminds me of a time when…" Ducky started and everybody turned their attention to the much loved medical examiner.

Stacy toddled over sleepily to her parents, dragging along the bear that Kate had given her and climbed into her mommy's lap nuzzling herself into her parent's warm embrace, listening to the warm, enchanting voice of her Godfather as he told a story from his past. Kate dropped a kiss to her baby's hair as she rested her head against her mom's chest sucking on her 'Binky', letting the warmth and protection of her parents love and peaceful beating of mommy's heart lull her to sleep.

The End...

:tear:

ok guys...just coz its the end does not mean that you dont have to 'hit the purple'. because i'll reply to them via email. also i would like to know if you'd like a sequel and what you'd like to see/read...bounce some ideas people! TEAMWORK!

once again, thanks for reading, i've enjoyed writing this for you, and reading your replies!

MWAH

prinnie