A/N: Once again I do not own NCIS.
Sorry for the delay. I got some type of virus and have been sick most of the week. But I am better now so here is the next chapter.
Ch. 4: No RegretsWhen everyone had finally finished their paperwork for the day Gibbs told them all to go home and get some rest.
It was now 6:30 PM, so Kate and Tony told everyone goodnight and then raced each other to the elevator, with both of them pushing and pulling on each other to get there first. Of course Kate won because she tripped Tony halfway there. Gibbs was watching the whole thing and just smiled and shook his head as the two agents entered the elevator. He noticed they reached for each other's hands as the door was closing. Gibbs had doubts at first about the two keeping their relationship out of the office. But even after ten years they were still Special Agents Kate Todd and Tony DiNozzo, partners at work, and still waited till they were off their floor before they went back to being the married Mr. and Mrs. DiNozzo. And he had to admit he was quite proud of them.
As soon as Tony and Kate left the office, they headed to the soccer field to pick up Kayden and Annie from soccer practice.
"Hey guys, how was practice?" Tony asked
"I smoked Annie today, dad, you should have seen me," Kayden exclaimed excitedly as he was getting into the SUV.
"That's only because I let you. The coach said not to go 100 and I didn't want to make him mad, so I let you get by me," Annie claimed with the same serious look that Tony would give when he knew he was defeated but wouldn't admit it.
"Whatever," Kayden shot back with a smile
"Hmm, she sounds like you Tony," Kate added
"What" questioned Tony, giving Kate his 'I don't know what you are talking about' look.
"You know. Whenever you say you 'let' Gibbs win, for the teams benefit, when ya'll are fighting in the gym." Kate responded with a huge smile on her face.
Tony just looked at her and replied, "Now Kate, you know that I can beat him if I wanted too. And next time I will prove to you that I can. But it's you and McGee's loss if he is pissed after I kick his butt."
Kate turned and looked in the backseat at the kids and rolled her eyes and mouthed something that Tony couldn't hear, causing the kids to laugh.
"Hey, I'm serious Kate. You just wait." Tony said
"Whatever you say" she answered smiling
They then headed to Kate's brothers house, Chris, where Kaylee and Anthony would sometimes go after school. They pulled into the driveway and had just started walking up to the front door, when it swung open and two kids came running at them.
Anthony jumped off of the two steps of the front porch and flew into his father's arms.
"Daddy"
"Hey sport, did you have fun today?" he asked his youngest child.
The boy nodded his head and started telling Tony about his day. While at the same time Kaylee ran to Kate and she picked her up and swung her around before setting her back on the ground.
"And how was your day Miss Kaylee?" Kate asked her daughter
"Okay. I got a sticker for being good" she said smiling proudly up at Kate
"Wow sweetheart, that's great. Why don't you tell your father and me all about it on the way home." She smiled back down at her.
"Okay" she answered, running over to Tony
"Look daddy, I got a sticker for being good today" Kaylee said, showing her dad her hand that revealed a smiley face sticker.
Tony put Anthony down and bent down to Kaylee's level, looking at her sticker.
"Wow sweetie, that's really neat" he said smiling down at the daughterwho reminded him so much of Kate.
"Want a piggy back ride to the car for being good today?" he asked her.
She nodded and climbed onto his back. He then looked over at Kate and said, "She is definitely your daughter."
Kate just smiled and nodded. Tony and Kate said their farewells to Chris, his wife Sarah, and their two kids Shane and Shauna. When they turned to walk back to the car Anthony looked up at Kate and said,
"I want to fly"
"Do you now?" she questioned him with a smile, to which he returned nodding.
So Kate picked him up and outstretched her arms so that he was laying across them and she "flew" him to their SUV, making sure to move her arms up and then down, like he was plummeting to the ground, which just made him laugh.
They discussed on the way home what to have for dinner, and Kate was outvoted 4 to 2 on pizza. Kayden was the only one who agreed to just having leftovers and a salad for dinner. For a nine-year-old kid he already had Kate's healthy eating habits.
So when they got home the kids went to get cleaned up while Tony ordered the pizza. 30 minutes later the house was full of kids' fighting over which pieces they wanted. But it didn't just include the kids fighting. Tony and Kate got into over a piece as well. Just as Kate had picked up the piece she wanted Tony grabbed it out of her hand.
"Tony that's my piece," she said glaring at him.
He then took a bite and looked at her, "Not anymore," he said smiling.
"I swear Tony. Can't you ever just keep your hands to yourself." She said a bit annoyed, but still with a smile on her face. She was well used to his childish antics that he still had not grown out of.
"No"
"Ugh" she said rolling her eyes.
"Because I know you enjoy it when I steal food from you, because it gives you a chance to yell at me, which leads to us fighting, which leads to making up later" he said whispering the last part.
"And that is the best part" he added with a wink and a smile.
Kate glared slightly at him, then punched him in the gut, taking back her slice of pizza and taking a bite out of it, before taking the other piece of pizza that he was planning on eating.
"Well don't count on it this time, DiNozzo" she said smiling at him.
"Hey, that wasn't fair" Tony whined "And that's my piece"
"Well I learned from the best when it comes to playing unfair" she added raising her eyebrows at him, still with a smile on her face.
"And it's not yours anymore" she added while sticking her tongue out at him, before taking a bite out of the pizza and licking the rest of the piece to assure that he wouldn't' put up a fight to get it back.
"Ooo, you play dirty Caitlin"
"I learned from the best Tony."
Tony pouted a little before getting the slices he wanted and heading to the living room with the kids to watch TV, when Kate stopped them.
"Oh no you don't" she began "All of you know we eat dinner together at the table"
"But mom" the kids started, along with Tony's "But Kate"
"No buts. Now to the table" she ordered pointing a finger towards the table.
"Aww man"
"Geeze"
"That's not fair" came out of all their mouths.
"Guys you know we don't always get to eat dinner together. And when your father and I are home, the rule is we eat as a family, at the table" Kate told them, reminding them of their rule.
"I know it sucks guys. But your mom is right, even if some of her rules are a little coo coo" Tony replied making a goofy coo coo face, causing all the kids to laugh, and Kate to roll her eyes.
"Thanks a lot Tony. You are so very mature. Geeze, its like I am raising five kids instead of four." Kate said slightly annoyed.
"Aww, c'mon Kate, you know we love you" Tony said, pulling her onto his lap.
"Don't we guys" he said looking at the kids.
"Yep" they said in unison, while getting up and walking over to their parents.
"Oh no guys, I know what you are going to do" Kate responded just as the kids pounced on her, knocking her and Tony to the ground. All of the kids were hugging and kissing her.
"We love you mommy" they were saying as Tony began pushing everyone off of him and Kate.
"Alright guys, that's enough, save some of her for me" Tony told them as he finally got all of the kids off of them. He then rolled on top of Kate and looked at her.
"See, I told you that we still love you" he said smiling at her.
"Thanks Tony, I feel so much better knowing that" she said sarcastically.
"Hey, I can sick them back on you if you want" Tony replied looking at the kids.
"No, that's all right. I have had quite enough for now" she told him trying to get up.
"Nuh-uh" Tony told her, holding her down "Not until I get a kiss" he said, looking at her with his puppy face.
"Tony"
"Kate"
"Fine" Kate answered, rolling her eyes.
Tony leaned down and kissed Kate on the mouth, causing Kayden and Annie to moan and shout,
"Eww. Stop it. Gross."
While Kaylee and Anthony just laughed and covered their eyes a little, while still peeking through their fingers.
Tony and Kate smiled and laughed a little as Tony helped Kate back up and they all went back to the table to finish eating. On the way back to the table, Tony slapped Kate on the ass, causing her to turn around and see him raise his eyebrows and wink at her while giving her his charming smile. Kate just squinted her eyes slightly, returning the smile, and shaking her head at him.
When they finished eating Tony and Kate sent the kids to get ready for bed while they sat down on the couch to relax. Not ten minutes after they had sat down they heard screaming coming from down the hall.
"So Kate, do you even remember when our house used to be peaceful"
"No, because before the kids were born I had you. Uh-hah" Kate said playfully with a smile.
"Uh-hah. That was funny Kate" Tony said sarcastically, while rolling his eyes.
"But seriously Tony, I really don't remember what is was like"she replied
"Me neither" Tony added, looking over at Kate, and then asking "Do you ever miss it"
"Miss what?" she asked, looking at him.
"Not having to be responsible for anybody or anything?"
"Are you saying you regret the life that you have?" Kate asked, looking at him seriously.
He turned and looked Kate directly in the eyes, smiled, and said, "Not in a million years. This is more than I ever dreamed would happen to me."
"Good. Then you can go find out what the problem is with them" Kate responded pointing down the hallway, while snuggling down in the couch and giving him her "pretty please" face and pouty smile that he couldn't say no to.
"Fine, but when I get back there will be some quality Tony and Kate time." He said getting up and going down the hall to where all the noise was coming from. He stopped outside his daughters' room, where the noise of all four children seemed to be emanating from. He opened the door and the screaming got louder.
"Did not"
"Did too"
"Did not"
"Did too"
"Hey" Tony shouted, causing all four children to get quiet.
"What is going on?" he asked looking at Kayden and Annie who had bee making the most noise.
"Kayden put his dog in my bed" Annie said giving Kayden the evil eye.
"Did not"
"Did too"
"Did-"
"Hey" Tony yelled again "That's enough. Kayden, did you let Hobie get on your sisters bed?"
"No, her door was open and I guess he just liked Annie's bed and wanted to sleep there tonight." He answered looking at his dad.
Tony turned and looked at Annie, "It sounds like an accident honey"
"But he was wet" she said looking up at her dad.
"What" he questioned
"Hobie was all wet and now my bed is wet" Annie told him sadly.
Tony walked over to Annie's bed and felt it, sure enough it was wet. He then turned to Kayden,
"Why is Hobie wet?"
Kayden just shrugged his shoulders and looked at the floor.
"Kayden Andrew DiNozzo. You know the rules about the animals, and you better not lie to me. Now where is Ho-"
Just then there was a shriek from the living room. Then Kate came into the bedroom, a little wet, holding a German Shepherd by the collar, who was completely soaked. Tony had to control himself from bursting out laughing, and he only allowed a smile to slip.
He then turned back to Kayden, who was slowly trying to back up.
"Kayden, do you think you are going to escape without me noticing" Tony questioned.
Again Kayden just shrugged.
"I'm going to ask you this one last time. Why is Hobie wet?"
"Anthony and Kaylee poured paint on him" Kayden answered looking up at Tony "And so I needed to clean him off."
"What" Tony and Kate both replied looking at their two youngest children, whose smiles were now fading.
"Hobie was in Anthony's room when I got out of the bathroom and when I went to get him he had paint all over him" Kayden told his parents. "They were both in there and they both had paint on their hands."
Tony and Kate looked at each other and then walked over to where the two youngest were standing, side by side.
"Show us your hands" Kate told them, but they both just stood with their hands behind their backs.
"Now," she ordered.
They both pulled their hands out from behind them to reveal 4 little hands covered in white paint.
"You two know you're not allowed to play with the paint unless one of us is with you" Kate told them "Now why did you two paint Hobie?"
"We wanted him to match Casper" Kaylee said quietly looking at the floor.
"What" Tony and Kate both repled.
"We like Caspers color" Anthony added, looking up at his mother with that charming DiNozzo smile.
Tony and Kate both had to bite their lips to keep from smiling.
"Guys that's not a good reason. Besides you aren't allowed to play with paint without your mom or me. Right?"
Both children nodded their heads. Tony was about to say something else when Kate thought of something and looked at the youngest kids and asked,
"Guys, did you only paint Hobie, or did you paint Socks also?"
"Umm," Kaylee began, again looking at the floor.
"She matches Casper now," Anthony said still smiling.
"You've got to be kidding me" Tony responded, looking at Kate, who just closed her eyes and shook her head.
"Do you guys know where Socks is" Tony asked them.
Kaylee walked over to her closet and opened the door. Out came a gray cat who used to only have white feet, but now also had white streak marks down her back and a white tail.
Tony and Kate once again had to hold back smiles, because they had to admit, the cat looked pretty funny.
Kate walked over to the cat and felt it to see if the paint was still wet. She looked at Tony and shook her head.
"Well guys I guess you will have two white cats for awhile" Tony stated.
"Is she gonna stay like that?" Annie asked.
"For awhile sweetie, but eventually it will come off" Kate told her
"That's not right. She is my cat" Annie said, upset. "You two are brats," she said looking at her little brother and sister.
"Hey they didn't do it on purpose, honey." Kate told her "Okay maybe they did. But I am sure you have done your fair share of things to the both of them before."
"Whatever" she said crossing her arms "I don't want Kaylee sleeping in here tonight"
"Well sorry kiddo, that is non-negotiable. There are only so many rooms in this house" Tony told her.
"But its not fair" she said, stomping her foot.
"Baby, life's not fair" Tony told her.
"Hah-hah" Anthony said sticking out his tongue at Annie.
"You little brat" Annie yelled as she started to run at him.
"Hold it there little ninja" Tony said, grabbing hold of her. "Listen to me. I'm sure they didn't mean to do it, well okay maybe they did, but it happened and I'm sorry. And they are both in trouble, but just be glad the paint washes out sweetheart." He told her, looking down into the same green eyes as his. "And that's enough fighting for tonight, okay. We are all tired and it's way past your bed time."
"Fine, but I'm still mad and I'm not talking to her" she stated, pointing at Kaylee.
"Okay, but I bet you'll change your mind in the morning," Tony told her.
"Nuh-uh," she responded.
"Okay, well lets get everything cleaned up, it's late" Kate said, trying to end Annie's little tantrum.
"Kayden, take Hobie to the bathroom and get him dried off," she told him "And don't use any of the good towels," she yelled at him after he had already left the room.
"Tony why don't you clean up our little culprits here, while I get Annie's bed changed" she told him.
"Okay. You heard her guys. To the bathroom" Tony told them escorting them out of the room.
"Help me get these sheets off the bed, Annie"
After Kate had changed Annie's sheets, she tucked her in and read her a story. Just as she finished the story Kaylee came into the room and walked over to Annie.
"I'm sorry Annie," Kaylee said quietly, but Annie just ignored her.
"Annie, your sister just apologized to you" Kate said looking down at her.
"Fine I forgive you. But I'm still mad at you," Annie told her sister.
Kaylee went to her bed and got in. Kate got off of Annie's bed, kissed her goodnight, and told her she loved her. Then she went over to Kaylee, leaned down, and whispered, "She still loves you and wont be mad anymore in the morning" then kissed her goodnight and told her she loved her.
Tony then entered the room to tell the girls goodnight as Kate left to go say goodnight to the boys.
When everything finally quieted down again it was a little past 10:30PM, and Tony and Kate were both exhausted. Kate went into her bathroom to take a shower when she yelled,
"Kayden Andrew DiNozzo"
Tony went running into the bathroom to find water and dog hairs everywhere, not to mention a bathtub full of water and paint. Tony couldn't help but laugh.
"Tony, it's not funny. They aren't supposed to be in our bathroom, at all" Kate stated. But she herself couldn't hold it in, and she soon joined Tony in the laughter.
After they had both showered and finished getting ready for bed, Kate pointed out to Tony,
"You know, if you hadn't gone out and bought that dog in the first place, none of this would have happened."
"Oh c'mon Kate, you have to admit, the whole thing was pretty funny." Tony said smiling at her.
"Yeah, but you weren't the one who got soaked when a dog jumped on you all sop and wet" she responded looking back at him.
"Yeah I thought you looked pretty funny, but also kinda sexy," he told her, winking.
"Well there is definitely never a dull moment around here," Kate stated while getting into bed.
"That's for sure. And did you check out Socks. She looked hilarious. I had to stop myself from laughing." Tony said to Kate, smiling.
Kate got a huge smile on her face and replied, "I know, me too. Where do they come up with this stuff? And how did they manage to paint both animals in the ten minutes they were gone?"
"I have no clue, but I'm sure its related to the fact that they are our kids, and have our genes. I remember pulling quite a few schemes myself back in the day." Tony admitted while getting into bed.
"What do you mean back in the day" Kate said jokingly "You still cause plenty of trouble at work, not to mention at home" Kate reminded him, smiling.
"Well Kate, as I recall, you cause your fair share of trouble at work also" Tony said poking Kate in the side, making her laugh.
"That's because you are my partner" she said, elbowing him in the ribs.
"It's not always my fault Kate. You have a dark side you know. Why don't you tell me another story of one of the times you got into trouble as a child." Tony said to her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her to him.
"Tony, my childhood stories are not up for discussion right now" she told him "What is up for discussion, is the punishment for the kids"
"Aww, c'mon Kate, I want to talk about your dark side, its sexy" Tony told her sadly, and then started tickling her, making her laugh, just as there was a flash of lightning that lit up their bedroom, followed by a loud clash of thunder.
"Uh-oh" Kate said looking up at Tony, who was now on top of her, but had stopped tickling her.
"Maybe they are too tired and didn't hear it," Tony said hopefully, as he rolled off of Kate, just as there was another flash and loud crack of thunder.
A few seconds later, their bedroom door swung open and Anthony came running in, jumped up on their bed, and crawled between Tony and Kate.
"Thunder," he said looking up at Tony and then over to Kate.
Kate and Tony looked at each other and Tony shrugged his shoulders. Then there was another FLASH and BOOM BOOM! Directly followed by two little girls running into their bedroom and joining their parents and brother.
"I'm scared daddy," Kaylee said holding onto her father.
"It's okay baby," he said wrapping his arms around her.
Kate had her arm around Annie, who was on one side of her, and Anthony, who was on the other. Then Kate looked at Tony and said,
"Maybe he has outgrown this stage"
"I don't think so Kate" Tony told her, as he carefully watched the doorway, waiting for his oldest son to enter the bedroom.
Then there was another flash and CRACK BOOM! Followed by Hobie running into the bedroom with his tail between his legs. He ran and stuck his head under the bed and whined a little.
Kate and Tony looked at each other and waited. Then Tony said,
"Kayden I know you are standing out there, so you might as well come in here and join the rest of us"
Then another FLASH and BOOM, followed by Kayden running into the room and jumping between Tony and Anthony. He looked at his dad and said,
"I just didn't want to miss out on the slumber party in here."
"Whatever you say son" Tony said looking down at him and then over to Kate and smiled.
"Well, everyone's here now so I guess we can snuggle up and go to sleep" Kate said looking at everyone.
Then another FLASH and BOOM, followed by two cats running across all of them, and their bed, and then back under the bed where they stayed the night.
"Goodnight everyone" Kate said smiling over at Tony, who was lying on his back with Kaylee on one side of him, her little arms wrapped tightly around his chest, and Kayden on the other side of him, who tried to act like he wasn't scared but kept scooting closer to Tony as the storm got stronger. Tony looked over at her and smiled back, as he watched Anthony get as close to Kate as humanly possible, with his little arms wrapping tighter around her every time there was a flash of lightning, and Annie who had her face buried under Kate's shoulder, and one of her arms locked tightly around Kate's arm.
"Night" they responded.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Hope to have another chapter up by the weekend, but I'll haev to see how it goes!