6
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS…never will. If I did, Kate would have NOT died. Nowhere near that kind of storyline ever. So basically, my story is in denial for Kate is very much alive in my story. No, I'm not making any money off of this, however, if CBS is interested in paying me, then I'll gladly accept.
Ship: Tate
Spoilers: None really. Post-Twilight…except for Kate dying. And in ways, somewhat AU.
Summary: The playful side of Tony and Kate show during the sleepover at NCIS…and more.
Chapter 8"Finish up what you're doing and leave. I don't want to see your faces until after New Year's," Gibbs stated, tossing some files on his desk.
Kate looked up at him in surprise. "What?" she asked dumbly, not believing that he was really letting them go for the holidays.
Gibbs rolled his eyes. "Just finish what you're doing and enjoy the holidays." He shrugged his jacket on and adjusted the collar. "Merry Christmas," he said on his way to the elevator.
Tony, McGee, and Kate looked at each other in shock. "Guess he really means it," McGee stated, shutting down his computer. He grabbed his stuff and darted in the direction of the elevator. "Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!" he called.
Kate laughed and looked back at Tony. "Ready to meet the family?" she asked in a teasing tone.
"Bring it on," he challenged, a smug look gracing his features.
Kate shut down her computer and organized the files she had been working on in her desk drawer. Tony did the same and soon shrugged his jacket on, and slinging his backpack over his shoulder. He crossed the short distance over to Kate's desk and held her jacket open for her.
"Thank you," she said sweetly. She slipped her arms in and flipped her hair out of the collar. Accepting the scarf that Tony held out to her, she wrapped it around her neck and smiled. "Let's go!" she said cheerfully.
They headed for the elevator and were soon on their way to the airport, having packed the night before. "Will they like me?" Tony wondered as he navigated through traffic.
"My mom probably will, my dad, probably not…and my brothers? Well, that may take awhile to convince them that you make me happy and that you won't break my heart," she teased.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Gee, thanks," he replied sarcastically. He soon pulled into Airport Parking and found a spot. They got out and grabbed their luggage, rolling the bags into the terminal.
Indiana
"Katie!" A deep voice boomed out. Before she could connect the face to the voice, she was swept up in someone's arms.
Pulling back slightly she laughed and hugged the person tighter. "Brian!" she exclaimed happily.
Brian swung her around and around before setting her on her feet. Stepping back slightly, he took a moment to inspect her. "You look happy," he commented. He grabbed her in a hug once more. "Welcome home."
Kate smiled and thanked him. Reaching behind her, she made contact with Tony's hand and pulled him up next to her. "Bri, meet my co-worker and new boyfriend, Tony DiNozzo."
"Hey," Brian greeted warmly. "Welcome to Indiana and Merry Christmas."
Tony, relieved that this man didn't kill him on the spot, shook his hand eagerly. "Nice to meet you."
"This is my oldest brother," Kate said proudly, smiling over at her brother. "He's married to Linda, whom we'll probably see at the house."
"Yep, she's there with the kids, helping out Mom," Brian confirmed. He grabbed their bags from them, despite Tony's protests and had them follow him to his family's suburban.
"How am I going to keep your family straight? All the kids?" he whispered in her ear as they drove to the house.
She patted his hand and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll help you." She placed a kiss on his cheek then his ear.
Tony groaned softly. "Stop. You don't know what you're doing to me," he said through gritted teeth.
She grinned seductively then turned innocent as they pulled into the driveway. "We're here. Okay, my sister is Lindsey and her husband is Ryan," she informed him. "I'll help you with the kids when you can actually see them."
He smiled weakly and swallowed nervously. "Thanks," he said. They got out and were greeted with hugs from her sister and brother-in-law and her parents.
"Mom, Dad, this is Anthony DiNozzo – Tony for short. Tony, this is my mom, Lisa and my dad, Kevin," Kate introduced again. Her parents smiled warmly and shook his hand.
Lindsey excitedly grabbed his hand from her mom's. "It's so great to finally get to meet you! Kate has told me so much about you!" she gushed.
Tony raised an eyebrow, "Really?" He turned to Kate with a smug grin. "I would love to hear all about what she told you."
Kate blushed and moved on to more introductions, "And this is Lindsey, my annoying older sister and her husband, Ryan." She reached over to give Ryan a quick hug as she moved to hug her dad. "Hey Dad."
Kevin Todd squeezed his daughter affectionately. "Is he nice to you? Does he treat you well?" he asked in a whisper.
Kate nodded. "Yes Dad and please don't scare him away; I really like this one," she demanded playfully. She pulled back and eyed him. "Okay Dad?"
He nodded. "All right. I won't scare him off but can I at least give him the infamous 'Dad Talk?'" he wondered, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Kate giggled uncharacteristically. "Thanks Dad and sure, give him the Talk but be nice about it," she warned, pointing a finger at him.
Her father laughed and kept an arm around her shoulders as they walked into the house where Linda was arguing with kids about leaving the food alone. Brian and Ryan took their bags upstairs to a room while Kate introduced Tony to Linda.
"And these ragamuffins are my nieces and nephews," Kate grinned affectionately, resting her hand on the head of the nearest niece. "This one is Madison, she's six," she began. She moved down the line with her eldest niece Riley, 12; Caleb, 10; Logan, also six; and little Ella, three-years old.
"Hey guys!" Tony greeted happily.
The kids smiled shyly and said 'Hi' in unison. "Wanna play basketball with me?" Logan asked, hanging on Tony's hand.
"Logan," Lindsey admonished. "He might be tired," she said to her son.
Tony waved his hand. "Not a problem," he reassured Lindsey. He crouched down in front of the boy. "Show me the ball!" he grinned.
Logan cheered and ran out the back door with Caleb and Riley following. "Guess I'll go play with them!" Tony laughed. He followed the young children.
"Kate, he's wonderful and so cute!" Linda complimented. She linked arms with her Kate and Lindsey as they headed to spy on them through the kitchen window.
"Lisa, what do you think of our daughter's new boyfriend?" Kevin wondered as they headed for the den.
Lisa gave her husband a warning glance. "Hey now, be nice about him. I can tell our daughter is in love with him."
He gave her a confused look. "You really think she loves him?"
"Yes, but I don't know if they've admitted that to themselves," she laughed. "And don't say anything. Let them figure it out on their own."
"Of course, dear. I'll behave," Kevin chuckled.
"Kate, seriously…where did you find him?" Lindsey wondered as they continued food preparation.
"Work. He's my partner," Kate answered simply, chopping carrots for a salad.
Linda laughed. "Interesting. Is that really allowed though?"
"I think our boss is overlooking the matter. As long as we don't let it interfere with work," she said, dumping the carrots into the salad bowl.
The girls continued to gab as they cooked and soon Lisa and Kevin joined them. Kevin kissed his girls on their cheeks as he passed through to join Tony and the kids in basketball.
Two hours later everyone was called to the table for dinner. Lisa and Kevin each sat at the heads of the table while the rest of the family filled the chairs in between. Dinner was filled with excited chatter about Christmas gifts and what to do with the rest of vacation.
Kate glanced at Tony as she passed him the bowl of mashed potatoes. "What?" she asked, amused by his expression.
He shook his head and grinned. "Nothing. I just really love your family! They're great!" he enthused, passing the bowl on.
Kate laughed quietly. "Thanks. I'm glad you like them; they seem to like you too."
Tony's face lit up as he heard that. "Great!" He accepted the rolls from Caleb, took two, and passed the basket to Kate.
After dinner was finished, the men insisted that the women relax in the den while the men cleaned up. The children decided to play games in the den with their mothers, grandma, and aunt. Ella ran up to her aunt Kate and leaped into her lap.
"Hi Sweetie!" Kate greeted as she squeezed the little girl tight. "I've missed you." She dropped a kiss to the little girl's hair and swayed back and forth gently. She really loved being an aunt to all these wonderful children but she still dreamed about having a family of her own someday…perhaps with Tony. She shook her head and smiled inwardly. Let's not get ahead of yourself, Kate.
Madison, Riley and Logan all played Uno while Caleb played with his Game Boy. The men entered the room with loud laughing and friendly slaps on the back. "Hey kids!" Brian greeted. He took a seat next to his wife and kissed her affectionately on her temple.
After a few seconds of watching the Uno game, Tony decided to join them on the floor and asked if he could play. They enthusiastically dealt him cards and started a new game.
A/N: Hmm…sorry about the weird ending…I don't know. shrugs But you can just let me know what you think if you please review! Hehehe Thanks!