Jethro didn't want to worry his former in-laws any longer than necessary. Heading straight for their home in his NCIS issued vehicle he knew he'd have to deal with the motor pool folks again about not logging the car out overnight. It would just be another reason for them to complain to the director about his teams supposed inability to follow protocols. He wasn't sure what had him fuming the most. The outright disobedience was one thing, but worrying her grandparents, endangering herself, well those elevated his blood pressure in a completely different manner. Kids getting older, he thought, would cut down on his stress and worry. Tony seemed to be coming out of his antics and Kate was picking up the slack at every turn. There was a time when the two of them being so different looked like it would work in his parental favor, but in moments such as this different wasn't better at all. Catching his daughter's eye in the rearview mirror briefly at a light Gibbs saw an understanding that his little girl knew exactly how much trouble she was in.

Finally the torturous ride was over, which just meant the remainder of the torturous evening was to begin. As they pulled up to the tandem driveway Kate's heart plummeted again. Her grandparents and Tim weren't back yet. This would require more explanations. Hearing her dad cut the engine she slunk down in her seat leaving Stacey to look at her puzzled. Both girls jumped as they heard the thunk on the hood of the car and saw their door swing open. They needed to get moving.

"You better hope grandma and grandpa aren't out with your brother combing the city looking for you." If his jaw clenched any tighter it would've fused that way.

Kate's speech wasn't much more audible as she responded with her head hung low. "No sir, they're not."

"How do you know that Caitlin?"

Stacey started to realize why her friend's troubles may have escalated.

"Eyes on me young lady and answer the question." Leroy Jethro Gibbs was in no mood to be trifled with.

"They weren't here when I left. They took Tim to the movie with some neighbors and their granddaughter."

The look he gave said to keep the story moving.

"I sort of lied and told Grams that I was feeling sick after dinner so I could stay home."

"Not so you could stay home," was his prompt.

"No, so I could go out to the festival."

"How were you getting back in? And it better not involve your brother."

The thought of dragging Tim down with her wasn't a choice, so Kate started walking in lieu of a verbal explanation. When they reached the back door she moved in to open the screen door and turn the knob.

"Stop," Gibbs took hold of her arm and moved her behind him. Then he turned to face her peering down at the fidgety teen. "Are you telling me you left their door open while no one was in the house? Of all the selfish… irresponsible…"

"Oh my God it's not like I did it then made an announcement to the whole block about it! Nobody even knew it was opened."

That was one comment too many for his patience. Turning his 'little' girl around, pointing her back towards the front of the house, Gibbs smacked her backside right hard raising her up on her toes. "Go stand on the porch, so I can check things out." Stacey was in shock... paralyzed in thought and movement.

"Stacey that means you too," he wasn't barking exactly, but the sternness in his voice was unmistakable. Trying not show it, Kate was hurt inside and out by her father's actions. It was one thing for her friend to know she got spanked, but mortifying to have her witness it. Knowing now wasn't the best time to debt the issue with her dad Kate attempted no response to the swat. Although the sting it left behind was a reminder of what was surely more to come. They moved faster than Kate's butt would've liked; Coming around the corner as her grandparents pulled up. The girl's luck wasn't improving.

They had dropped Abby and her grandparents off first which left no buffer for Tim between him and his nerves. It seemed like no one was in a hurry to speak first yet the silence was both awkward and uncomfortable. Suddenly the front door swung open just as the three passengers from the car began taking quick strides up the walk. It was like waiting for an explosion. All of the components were in place for one heck of a rupture.

"Jethro, son what's going on? What are doing in the house and why is Katie outside?" Douglas McGee was more impatient than curious. His wife was a different story. Julie was a bundle of nerves.

"I think it's best if we take this in the house and have Caitlin fill in all of the blanks." Once he moved aside to let the assorted lot enter Kate made quick eye contact with her little brother. Her singular simple gesture was a finger to her lips. His response was an imperceptible head nod of affirmation. When they were seated around the family room in clusters Gibbs propped up against the wall crossing his arms.

"Alright, Jethro this is all making me very nervous. What is going on? Katie, are you okay?"

"Yes ma'am, I'm fine… I just… dad's here 'cause…" Who was she trying to kid she couldn't just spill this story like it was nothing. Her grams, the only one she ever had, would feel so betrayed and hurt. She was starting to come to the conclusion that was the exact reason her dad was going to make her go through with the explanation.

Stacey was feeling so out of place. She was desperate to get a call in to Tiffy for a pick-up. The only problem with that was she was supposed to be exactly there, with Kate. Maybe a new best-friend with less strict parents would better after all.

"Caitlin!"

"Grams… grandpa I am so sorry… so sorry."

"Sorry for what baby girl?" Doug held his arms open to comfort, but Kate shook her head and continued.

"I lied to you about being sick. I lied about wanting to come here just for a visit because I missed you. I lied about everything so I could go out…"

Interrupting Gibbs amended her word choice. "…sneak out."

"So I could sneak out with my friends someplace daddy said I couldn't go."

The truth often has the ability to suck the energy out of a room. This time was no exception. A hush literally feel over the crowd. Tim refused eye contact while each adult looked upon the fourteen year old with eyes that acted like heat seeking missiles. Even Stacey was hoping the floor would open and take her friend in one big gulp.

"Timothy come here."

Moving from his spot on the couch between his grandparents Tim went to stand before an imposing Gibbs. Going down on one knee, clasping his shoulder and looking him in the eye Jethro spoke intently. "Did you know what your sister was planning when you asked to come here?"

The fidget was instinctual. He just wanted to be reassured by his sister. If he lied now and she took her story back they would both be in a world of trouble.

"Look at me son. Did you know?" Gibbs could feel the slight tremble going on in the boy's body. Kate sneezed, giving pause to the exchange momentarily. She prayed the message was loud and clear.

"Bless you," Stacey offered.

"No dad I didn't know about any plans Kate had." Not fully convinced Gibbs had little choice or evidence not to believe him.

"Okay, then off you go. Say goodnight and go get ready for bed. I'll be up before we leave." The 'we' escaped no one in the room. Giving his grandparents a quick embrace Tim was pulled into one by his sister.

"Night Timmy… sorry for lying to you," she said in her full voice. Much lower she added, "Get rid of the note."

The boy took off up the stairs. When he got in the room he shredded the note with his hands then flushed them down the toilet. Tony was always quoting their dad's work 'rules' and such. Tim remembered something about criminals constantly getting caught by doing stupid things or forgetting the one piece of evidence that got them busted. That little memory made the boy flush another time for good measure.

Beneath him the rest of the distasteful details were being put forth to the room. Needless to say they were not received well. Julie's eyes were damp with disappointment and sadness. Doug took more of an 'I-told-you-so' stance as he let his granddaughter in on the fact that she wouldn't have had the need to sneak at all if she'd have gone with them because they ended up at the festival. There was a piece of information she could have used earlier. Exhaustion was taking over them all.

Reaching for his wife Doug moved toward the stairs. "Goodnight Jethro and lock up for us son. Caitlin come over here."

Both seniors embraced the near sobbing girl rubbing her back simultaneously. "We love you Katie, but we don't like being lied to by you." Doug said.

"I'm just glad you're safe and that you're not sick."

"I really am sorry and I promise it will never happen again."

A final kiss on the head and they were gone to rest from all the night's excitement.

Kate turned back into the room and waited for instructions she figured to be forthcoming.

"Go get your things while I check on Tim. Stacey call your mother on the phone."

"Oh, Special Agent Gibbs that's not necessary. I mean you can just drop me off at home on your way. My mom's going to be out late with friends."

"Well it's about mid-morning in Germany perhaps a call to the Commander is more in order."

"Not necessary I'm sure she'll pick up eventually." Stacey watched Gibbs and Kate go upstairs and never wished for the sound of her mother's voice so much.

Three attempts later, "hey ma… oh, yeah everything's cool, mostly… he did… he wants to speak to you… not really sure… if you don't he's calling dad… don't yell at me mother I didn't do anything… not really… she did ask, he just said no… yes I know, but we didn't plan on getting caught… can't you just come pick me up… he won't do that… the man has serious trust issues… you have to speak to him he won't take my word for it… I did mention him calling dad, right… no mother I did not… I know… I know…"

When Kate and Gibbs came back down Stacey made quick business of turning her phone over. They couldn't have an in depth enough 'eye' chat to convey what was going on as they locked up and headed to the car. As niceties were exchanged by both adults the girls got in the backseat again while Gibbs stayed outside to finish up with Tiffy. Getting back in Gibbs started the engine then handed the phone back to its owner.

"You're spending the night at our house. Kate will give you what you need. Your mother will pick you up tomorrow afternoon."

The girls exchanged a worried glance knowing full well that it wouldn't be a typical fun sleepover. Odds favored their trouble being divided in an equitable fashion.