AN: Hey guys so sorry for the delay in posting this I had an insane week! Anyway just wanted to explain the timeline because it is a bit off from the actual show. I'm saying Gibbs finished working with Jenny in early 2000 and hired tony in about 2001 so he would currently be married to Stephanie
One Month later
"Katelyn Elizabeth Geer hurry up or we are going to be late" Her mother Melanie yelled at her. Melanie gathered her bags and pulled the camera out of a drawer, she heard the click clack of heels and called "Richard dear she's finally ready to go." Kate walked down the stairs wearing a gorgeous blue form fitting dress that brought out the sapphire color of her eyes. Her hair was perfectly curled and set into a braided bun, and she wore minimal makeup; overall she looked stunning. Melanie snapped photos as she descended the stairs Kate laughed and pretended to walk like a model as she dramatically posed for the camera. Kate's father Richard laughed and said "careful katie-kat you have the grace of a sumo wrestler you will fall and break an ankle." Kate stuck her tongue out "ha-ha thanks a lot daddy!" Melanie smiled but glanced down at her watch "guys we have to go or we are going to completely miss Kate's graduation." A few minutes later Kate and her family walked into the auditorium she walked off to join her friends at the front and Melanie and Richard went to sit with the other parents. Richard watched his daughter talk and laugh with her friends he smiled a bit sadly but he was so proud of the young women she was becoming.
Flashback:
Richard stood squarely talking to his brother in a border town on the Californian coast."No absolutely not I agreed to come meet you but not to clean up another one of your messes! You would think I would learn after the first time you called me out here but no I came back thinking you had changed." Richard yelled before turning and walking away. The man looked panicked "Rick please you don't understand if you won't do this they are going to kill the girl, you and me." Richard stopped and turned around "you put my family in danger! how could you? Rick said in a deathly whisper. Rick paused the said "but I'll do it on one condition you disappear and never contact me or my family ever again." The other man started to protest but finally nodded and grabbed some papers out of his bag "meet Katelyn" he said gesturing to the ID in his hand. Rick looked down skeptically "she's 8 year old I think she's goanna remember her other family. The man shook his head "she doesn't remember a thing, she bumped her head pretty badly but you just can't tell her the truth ever If she finds out we would all be in danger. Rick nodded and a small girl with ashy blonde hair was herded out of the car; she looked emotionless almost as if she had completely stopped caring. Rick picked her up and whispered Kate your safe now I promise.
End Flashback:
Rick had kept his end of the bargain but hadn't felt good about it. From the files he received he learned that both of Kate's parents had died one in Desert Storm and one by the hand of the Mexican cartel. He loved Kate like she was his own daughter but it killed him everyday keeping the truth from her.
Tony and Abby walked into the auditorium, Abby babbling as usual, about and Tony scanning the room for attractive girls that would soon be college co-eds. Spotting Abby, Izzy walked up "Aunt Abby I'm so glad you made it!" she said encircling Abby in a bone crushing hug. Izzy gestured to her blonde friend "this is Kate, I think you've met before." Kate nodded "yes I think at that family picnic." Tony as usual ignored the conversation but had his eyes locked on Kate's long legs, bright eyes and golden hair that flew around so perfectly when she laughed. He was startled out of his reverie with a sharp jab to the ribs from "And this is a friend from work Tony" Abby said Tony nodded extended his hand "it's a pleasure to meet you two and congratulations on graduating."The two girls nodded and then excused themselves to change into cap and gown before the ceremony began.
The ceremony was long and drawn out most the same as any other graduation and by the time it started to wrap up Tony was almost asleep. They had started to show the baby photos of all the seniors when Abby squealed "oh Tony look its Izzy's friend Kate what a beautiful picture!"Tony glanced up and gasped
Flashback: Tony positively flew into the bullpen he had an idea on how to break the latest case, unfortunately in his excitement he neglected to watch in front of him and he crashed right into Gibbs. Everything he was holding went sprawling everywhere including Gibbs' coffee. Gibbs got up smacked Tony on the back of the head and began picking up his papers. Tony started to apologize but then stopped remembering the rules, he bent to help Gibbs pick up papers and saw a photo of a pretty red head holding a small baby that was captioned "Kelly". Tony smiled "boss I didn't know you had a kid?" Gibbs looked up sharply, saw what Tony was holding grabbed it out of his hand and before storming away said gruffly" I don't."
End Flashback
Now it was in utter shock Tony stared at that same photo. It was cropped a bit differently than the one Gibbs had but Tony was positive it was the same picture.