"Another Christmas-Eve finish, my friend. Cheers," Ducky said, raising a glass of champagne. The NCIS crew had been called out the twenty-first for a double-homicide and had finished up in time for some December 24th fun. Diane, as always, was happy to entertain, and Ria was too wrapped up in the Christmas cheer to care who was there.

"I'll drink to that!" Tony said, smiling slightly. The ding of the doorbell interrupted, and Gibbs stood to get the door. Abby came in, along with McGee.

"Whoa…" Gibbs said, sucking in a breath.

"Proby…what exploded on your chest?" Tony said, smirking. McGee was wearing a green and red checkered number with a reindeer on it. Abby, as always, was wearing black.

"It's a Christmas sweater," McGee mumbled, turning red.

"I think it's cute!" Abby protested. "His Great-Aunt made it for him."

"Oh, is she blind?" Tony asked sarcastically. McGee glared at him.

"Behave, boys," Kate said, coming out of the kitchen with a plate. "It's Christmas, you know."

"Cwistmas!" Ria said, toddling out into the family room. "Pwesents!"

Tony smiled slightly. Even if the kid was a little cheeky and loved causing him harm, he liked Ria. "Yes, presents. Tomorrow."

Ria pouted slightly. "Awight…"

Tony took another long swig of eggnog. "Yup, tomorrow."

XXXXXXXX

"Ugh…it's tomorrow."

Tony rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Not his ceiling, he realized. "Oh…"

"Good morning," Gibbs (of all people!) said, coming in. "Took you long enough to get up."

"AH!" Tony said, yanking the covers over him. "What are you doing here?"

"Why else would I be here?"

"It's…your house?"

"Ya think?"

"What happened last night?"

"Well, I would love to tell you that you got stark-raving drunk and you finally passed out after kissing Kate under the mistletoe… but I'd be lying."

Dang it. Tony thought.

"No, Diane guilted you into staying since you were all alone for Christmas."

"Oh… I remember now."

"Yeah. Ria already opened her presents, and she wants you to come downstairs."

"Alright, fine." Tony slid into his clothes (very tousled) and ran his fingers through his hair. Heading downstairs, he found himself tramping through an inch of Christmas paper. How many presents did they get her?

"Hi, Mr. Dee-nozzie!" Ria said, smiling brightly at him. "Did you see my new toys?"

"Um…no…"

"Alwight. I'll show you!"

Fifteen minutes later, Tony had met personally with all of Ria's new stuffed animals and board games and whatever else children got for Christmas. "Is this what you called me down for?" he asked.

"No. Mommy says that if you could go outside wit me I could wide my new twycicle."

"Tricycle. Of course," Tony said. "Alright…what's the harm in that?"

XXXXXXX

Gibbs was enjoying some nice coffee (Jamaican blend) with Diane. It had been probably five thirty when Ria had woken up and demanded to see what Santa Claus had brought her. Now it was almost ten, and with the Christmas party tonight, Gibbs needed his energy.

"Where's Tony?" Diane said, setting down a plate of scrambled eggs.

"Helping Ria with her tricycle. They're on the road."

"Oh, that's right. So…" Diane said, eyes twinkling. "Did you tell Tony why he was here?"

"I told him you guilted him into staying."

"Not that he was drunk? And tried to kiss Kate under the mistletoe?"

"Oh, he'll figure that out soon enough," Gibbs said, with one of his rare smiles.

"Don't be too hard on him. He's a good guy, Tony is."

"I won't," Gibbs said. Diane's eyes got wide, and Gibbs frowned. "I'm serious, Diane. I'll take it easy on him, you don't need to be so upset…"

"No, it's not that," Diane said, fighting the urge to laugh. "Look…"

Gibbs stared out the window. It looked normal. The sky was a murky gray. The neighbors Christmas decorations were off, but glittering in the sun. And a man was running. Running? Gibbs took a second look.

"What the…" he said. Tony DiNozzo, who had never really rushed a day in his life, was running full-tilt down the road. Following him was Ria on her new tricycle, laughing like crazy.

"Gibbs! Gibbs, help me! Your daughter's going to KILL me!" Tony yelled. Gibbs finally started to laugh and opened the window.

"DiNozzo, relax! She's three years old…" Gibbs called. Comprehension dawned on Tony's face and he turned around, holding the handlebars.

"Thanks Boss!" he called.

"Those two are going to be great friends," Diane said when Gibbs had closed the door.

"Just wait 'til she gets older!"