A/N: Again, I apologize for the lack of updates. Seems like I've been doing that a lot! As for this chapter, I hadn't intended on running with this idea, but I was facing some serious writer's block and this seemed to come more easily than my other option. It's final exams week and I move out on Friday, so I probably won't update for a while again. Do review, though, I love to hear from you guys!

Chapter 24 - Bad Thoughts

By the time the group got to leaving the cemetery, the sun had come out and begun to dry the rain soaked earth. The drops of water on the grass and tombstones reflected the sun and sparkled.

Trisha let the others start back to the cars first; she stayed behind to say her private goodbyes. Tilting her head back and looking to the skies above, Trisha smiled. "Well, Mom… Dad, I've got to get going before Gibbs has a cow. But don't worry, he's a good guy. I'm lucky to have someone like him. And Kate, too. Come to think of it, I've got a cool older sister - that's Abby… and two big brothers - Tony and McGee… I've even got a corky grandfather who likes to tell stories - that's Ducky…"

Kate and Gibbs watched Trisha from a small distance. They could still hear her talking to her parents.

"Gibbs has taken over as my dad, and Kate has pretty much been like a mom to me. I don't think they know it, but I almost… if it weren't for them, I might be up there with you guys instead of down here." Her gaze wondered from cloud to cloud. "Things had gotten pretty bad. But then Gibbs came along and made it a whole lot better. But I'm sure you knew all that already…"

Gibbs let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. "She…" he stammered at a loss for words, "she thought about taking her own life?"

Kate wrapped her arm around his waist. "She saved you from freezing to death in the woods. But looks like in the end you saved her too, Jethro."

He put his arm around her shoulders. "Kate, did you know about this?"

She shook her head. "I had no idea. She never said anything to me." Kate paused for a moment and looked at Trisha briefly before facing Gibbs. "I doubt she told anyone, Gibbs. It's not like you just go around telling people about something like that."

He nodded absentmindedly, lost in thought. "She's only eight, Katie…"

Kate shrugged. "So what? With all she's been through… It's not like there's a set age for thinking about… suicide."

Gibbs shuddered at the word. "Kate," he began slowly, but as he saw Trisha walking towards them he quickly finished his question. "Do you think we ought to… have the kid talk to a psychiatrist or something?" Gibbs gently grasped Kate's arm as he began to walk, pulling her with him.

She looked at Gibbs, her face laden with surprise. "I thought you hated psychiatrists?"

"I do, they're full of shit," he replied swiftly. "But I can't… I mean I don't…"

Kate stopped and put her hand on Gibbs' cheek. "You don't what, Jethro?" She stared deeply into his blue eyes and waited for him to answer.

Gibbs cupped Kate's cheek and wrapped an arm around her waist in return. "I don't want to risk losing her. I can't take that chance."

She nodded knowingly. "Maybe you should ask Ducky for his opinion first. I know he's not exactly in that field of science, but he can still give you some advice. Maybe he knows someone…"

"Ok," he agreed, "I'll ask Ducky, then." Gibbs rested his chin on the top of Kate's head just as Trisha came walking up beside them.

"What are you askin' Ducky about?" Trisha inquired, looking up at Gibbs.

Gibbs rapidly searched his brain trying to come up with a reasonable answer. "Uhhh…"

Kate filled in for him. "Well, we were thinking about having everyone over for a dinner and wanted to know if Ducky could bring some of his… English food along."

"Oh," Trisha said, finding Kate's explanation good enough. She reached for Gibbs and found his hand.

He hoisted her up and held her snugly against him. "You ready to go, kiddo?" Gibbs asked Trisha.

"Yep," she answered. She turned in Gibbs' arms and rested her chin on his shoulder.

Gibbs and Trisha went home; Kate and the rest of the team headed back to the office.

Later That Night

Much to Gibbs' surprise, Kate had brought Ducky to his house for dinner. Ducky brought along one of his mother's recipes and Kate had taken the opportunity to go to the grocery store with Trisha for the ingredients. That left Gibbs to talk to Ducky.

Gibbs told Ducky everything; how he and Kate had heard Trisha talking to her parents and how he was considering having Trisha see a psychiatrist.

Ducky listened intently to Gibbs' explanation. "You know this isn't my field of expertise, Jethro," he said softly.

"I know… I know," Gibbs repeated. "Still, I'm hoping for some guidance here. You know more about it than me. What do you think I should do, Ducky?"

Ducky sighed and thought for a moment. "Has she ever been to a psychiatrist before?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Her file says the FBI had their shrink talk to her after her parents were murdered. The report doesn't go into much detail," he said, shaking his head as he tried to recall what he read. "I know it never mentioned suicidal thoughts… but she was only four then."

He nodded and took a sip of the Root Beer he was holding. "Have you talked to her about it?" Ducky questioned.

"And how am I supposed to talk to her? It's not like I can just throw this into a casual conversation, Duck!" Gibbs began pacing around his kitchen. "What am I supposed to say? Gee Trisha, nice day isn't it? Think about killing yourself lately?"

"Jethro," Ducky replied seriously, "what if you don't talk to her and something winds up happening? How would you feel then?"

Gibbs stopped walking and looked at Ducky.

"I know it won't be easy, but don't you think she's more likely to let you know what she's feeling instead of some strange doctor?" Ducky tilted his head and smiled at Gibbs. "It's quite obvious that Trisha trusts you, Jethro. You need to try to talk to her first."

After dinner, when Trisha was helping Kate clear the table and the two men had retired to the living room, Trisha confronted Kate.

"Kate, is everything ok with Gibbs?" Trisha asked quietly.

Kate turned and looked at her. "What makes you ask that?"

"Well, after he brought me home today he wouldn't let me out of his sight. The only privacy I got was when I went to the bathroom! And at dinner he kept staring at me funny… something's up, Kate." Trisha paused and took the time to study her. "You know what it is, don't you? I can tell."

She glanced into the living room and sighed. "Gibbs will talk to you when the time is right, ok? It's a tough time for him, Trish." Kate dried her hands with the dishtowel. "Tell you what, I'll finish up in here. Gibbs is sitting on the couch, gobe with him. He needs it."

Trisha shook her head in agreement and walked into the living room. She went around the couch and plopped next to Gibbs onto the cushions. Trisha snuggled into Gibbs and placed her ear over his heart. She relaxed as Gibbs put his arm around her.

A little while later, Kate finished the dishes and came into the living room.

"Well, as much as I'd love to stay and chat with you, I must be going. It's getting close to Mother's bedtime and if I'm not there to tuck her in all Hell does indeed break loose." Ducky turned to Kate, "Caitlin, would you mind giving me a ride home?"

She caught on to Ducky's intentions quickly. "Sure, no problem," Kate answered.

Ducky said goodbye to Trisha and gave her a hug. As he passed Gibbs, who was now standing, Ducky silently mouthed the words, "Talk to her."

Gibbs nodded and shut his front door behind Ducky and Kate.