EPLILOGUE

5 YEARS LATER

Gibbs sits back in his chair at NCIS. There isn't a current case today and the team is catching up on paper work. He looks over to see Tony throwing paper clips at Kate again. Tony doesn't know it, but she's collecting the paper clips and connecting them together. '3…2…1…' Gibbs thinks to himself, and as soon as he finishes the countdown, Kate throws a huge paperclip ball at Tony. Gibbs shakes his head 'Now it's war.' He gives them the look and they settle down. McGee looks up from his computer and laughs. When he notices Gibbs looking at him, he ducks his head and gets back to work. 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.'

Kate and Tony were married 3 years ago and last week they announced that they were expecting. Kate is officially stuck on desk work and Ziva David has been transferred to the team. She sits at the desk on the end beside McGee. McGee married his girlfriend not long after the Lilah Harris case and they have a daughter, Ava, or 'Mini-geek' as Tony calls her

Gibbs's thoughts are cut off by a small body launching itself into his lap. "Dad!"

Gibbs smiles. "Hey kiddo. How was your first day of school?"

"It was great! There were lots of other kids, but I'm the tallest, and Auntie Michelle, I mean Mrs. McGee, was real nice, and we colored, and played games, and Mrs. McGee read us a story, and we had recess, and lunch, and we got to play tag in the gym." He said in one breathe.

'Definitely his mother's son.' Gibbs thinks. "So you had fun?"he asks, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah! I can't wait to go back. Can I go back tomorrow?"

"You sure can Kaleb. Where's your mom?"

"Right here Gibbs. Your son is turning into a fast runner." Abby says as she walks up to the pair.

"My son? He's yours too."

Kaleb climbs off of Gibbs and starts bouncing up and down in front of Abby. "MommyMommyMommy! Daddy says I can go back to school! I can go play with the other kids again, and see Auntie Mrs. McGee, and play tag, and paint, and color, and….Uncle Tony! Put me down!" Tony starts to tickle torture Kaleb. "Ahhh! Make him stop!"

"See, your son too." Gibbs points out.

"I don't do that. Okay, well maybe I do, but Tony wouldn't pick me up." Abby says.

"Why wouldn't I pick you up?" Tony says while still tickling Kaleb.

"Cause I'd hurt you." Abby says to him.

"Good point."

"Let me see the munchkin." Kate comes up and extracts Kaleb from Tony's arms.

The phone starts ringing. "Gibbs" he answers the phone curtly. He hangs up after a minute and yells out, "We have a case. Grab your gear."

Abby retrieves her son from Kate's desk. "Want to spend some time with me down in the lab?"

"Do I get to visit Uncle Ducky too?"

"Sure can. Let's go so Daddy can do some work."

Gibbs smiles and waves at them as they head towards the stairs. "Tony! Today"

"Sorry boss. On your six"

Everyone enters the elevator and Gibbs smirks as the doors close. 'Yup, the more things change, the more they stay the same.'

Thank you to everyone who reviewed and stuck by me while I worked out this story. And thanks to the people on NCIS forum who pretty much beta'd it for me. Maybe I'll pick up this story again one day, but right now I ran out of ideas and I really suck at writing Ziva.