"Where's Kate?" asked McGee when he arrived to work one morning a few weeks after the shooting of Franklin Wilson.

"Sensitivity seminar," said Gibbs briefly.

"What? Why?" asked McGee.

"I decided that she wasn't up to speed on principles of gender equality," said Tony absently as he looked gloomily at a mark on his tie.

"What? Are you serious?" said Tim anxiously. Tony looked up at him with a surprised look on his face. McGee swallowed nervously as he realised he might have just accidentally insulted his Boss. "I-I-I mean," he said hastily, "I mean … Kate? Not up to speed on gender equality? She seems to have written the handbook. She won't want to go to a class on it."

"Relax," said Tony. "Each team had to send someone. You went on the last one. The tutor claimed Gibbs gave him a nervous breakdown last time …"

"You could have gone," suggested McGee.

"Yeah, I could have," said Tony. "But I …"

"Didn't want to," Gibbs completed for him.

"I didn't sleep well last night," confessed Tony. "It wouldn't look good if I fell asleep instead of absorbing the niceties of inter-gender politics."

"But …" said Tim who was clearly still dreading Kate's return.

"Chill," yawned Tony. "She'll love it."

"She will?" queried Tim.

"Sure. It would be like sending you on a cyber SF intermodular CSGI webinar," said Tony.

"What's that?" asked McGee.

"I don't know," admitted Tony, "But you get the idea. If I sent you on a sciencey internetty cybery geeky thing you'd love it even if you knew more about it than the tutor."

"I suppose," said McGee doubtfully.

"Or if I went on a class about crime solving using movies. I'd love it."

"Do they really have those?" asked Tim.

"No," said Tony regretfully, "But they totally should. And if I sent Gibbs to a session about crime scenes in forests … he'd be as happy as … something very happy. So long as there was coffee available."

"Did someone mention coffee?" said Gibbs who had returned to examining a case file while the discussion was going on but had perked up when he heard the word 'coffee'.

"It'll be fine," said Tony. "Don't worry."

Tim kindly went to get Gibbs a coffee as it appeared that his mug had been empty for about five minutes and found that Kate had returned in his absence. She was looking glum and Tim suspected that Tony had been wrong about the joy she would get from attending the seminar.

"Can I get you a coffee, Kate?" he asked, hoping that he wasn't inadvertently obeying some chauvinist impulse. He managed to stop himself from assuring her that he wasn't offering because he thought the cup would be too heavy for her to manage or because he was worried she might burn herself.

"No, thank you," said Kate. "I'm fine."

"Good session?" asked Tony.

"Yes," said Kate. "It was excellent."

"You can fill us in at the next team briefing," said Tony ignoring the pained look directed at him by Gibbs.

"Right," said Kate who seemed to be distracted. "Um, I'm going to get a coffee. Anyone want one?"

For answer Tim and Gibbs held up their full mugs.

"Actually," said Kate, "I need to go see Ducky about … about … something." She went to her desk and picked up a folder randomly, nodded to everyone and hurried out.

"What was that about?" asked McGee.

Gibbs shrugged but noticed that Tony wore a slightly smug expression before he bent his head diligently to his computer.

"Ducky," said Kate as she entered Autopsy.

"Caitlyn," said Ducky, "What a pleasant surprise! I trust we have not been called out to another dastardly scene? I have just sent Mr Palmer off to obtain some heavy duty disinfectant. I fear we need to deep clean the mortuary drawers and I was hoping for a momentary respite from a build-up of cadavers. But, I interrupted you. How may I be of assistance?"

"Ducky …" began Kate.

"Yes?" said Ducky courteously.

"I've just come from a seminar on Gender Equality in the Workplace with Specific Emphasis on Unconscious Bias."

"Oh dear," said Ducky, "Have you?"

"Yes, I have."

"Was I meant to be there too?" asked Ducky in sudden alarm. "I must remonstrate with Mr Palmer more forcibly about ensuring that our calendars are kept up to date. Although, to be fair, our schedules are apt to be disrupted very easily. But, of course, that is the case with everyone who works at the Navy Yard. I suppose the catering department might be immune to such sudden emergencies but I would not like to judge. In any event, we must be more diligent in our attendance at such occasions. I am sure they should be at the top of our agenda."

"Ducky," said Kate, "I don't think you were meant to be there."

"That is a relief," said Ducky. "Although," he added hastily if somewhat insincerely, "I am sure I would have found it of great benefit."

"Ducky …"

"Yes, Caitlyn?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Assuredly. You know that I am always glad to offer my opinion."

"Do you … do you think I sometimes let …"

"Let what?" asked Ducky after a long pause.

"Do I let other people do the dirty work?" said Kate rapidly.

"I don't understand."

"Do I let my co-workers … my male co-workers … do the scummy jobs because I know that they only offer because they think I'll accuse them of sexism if they make me do them?"

"Yes," said Ducky with disturbing promptness and brevity.

"Oh," said Kate a little forlornly. "Is it that obvious?"

"I fear so," said Ducky.

"I don't ask them to do them," said Kate.

"Of course not. But I fear they, and I, know that you might object if they tried to get you to do them," said Ducky.

"I wouldn't," said Kate.

"You wouldn't?"

"Well, I don't think I would," said Kate.

"But?"

"What makes you think there's a but?" Ducky didn't answer but gazed at her kindly. "You're right," confessed Kate, "I guess I'm glad that they offer. I see it as an advantage of them trying to be fair."

"And until now you thought this was … acceptable?" asked Ducky.

"Yes," said Kate. "Sort of."

"I see," said Ducky.

"But at the seminar …"

"On Gender Equality in the Workplace with Specific Emphasis on Unconscious Bias?"

"Yes. The leader asked for examples where unconscious bias could be exploited."

"And?"

"And someone said they thought that women sometimes allowed men to overcompensate in treating them equally. And she didn't think it was fair," said Kate.

"I wouldn't feel too badly," said Ducky, "I suspect that we are all adept in trying to avoid particular types of task."

"I know," said Kate, "But I feel bad now."

"I think it was a sin of omission rather than commission," said Ducky helpfully.

"Yes, it was," said Kate eagerly, "I never asked for special treatment."

"Of course not," said Ducky.

"But I took it," said Kate, "And I knew why it happened."

"And what will you do about it?" asked Ducky.

"I suppose I'll have to insist that I do the scummy jobs," said Kate sadly.

"I suppose you will," agreed Ducky.

"Thanks, Ducky," said Kate.

"Any time, Caitlyn, any time," said Ducky.

"Agent Todd," said jimmy as he came back into Autopsy, "How was the seminar?"

Kate just smiled a little wanly and walked past him on her way out.

"Dr Mallard?" said Jimmy. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, Mr Palmer. I rather think that Anthony had a fruitful conversation with one of Kate's fellow seminar attendees. Now, have you brought a good supply of that disinfectant?"

NCISNCIS.

A few days later Tony got a call.

"Let's go," he said. "Report of a disturbance in Anacostia. Someone in Marine uniform. Seems to be having some sort of argument with a woman."

"And that needs us to be called out?" asked Gibbs sceptically even as he grabbed his gun and coat.

"You enjoying looking at those cold case reports?" asked Tony.

"Anacostia it is," said Gibbs with a grin.

As the team drew close to the disturbance they could see that the woman was screaming abuse at the Marine. It was difficult to understand completely what she was saying but they could make out the words 'cheating', 'lying', 'bastard' and 'castration' so they got the gist of what was going on.

"Agent Todd," said Tony as they stood at a safe distance, "Do you want to take the lead on this?"

"Why?" said Kate. "You think I have experience with cheating boyfriends?"

Tony shrugged. "No. I just thought that she seems a bit out of … er … charity with men at the moment. She might respond better to a woman."

Kate nodded but she was already approaching the woman.

"Hey," she said. "What's going on here?"

The woman spun around and seemed, for the first time, to realise that she had drawn an interested crowd. She gulped but didn't say anything.

"There's children here," said Kate, "I don't think they should be hearing that sort of language."

The woman shifted uncomfortably. "Not saying anything that's not true," she snapped.

"Do you need to say it quite so loud?" asked Kate in a reasonable tone of voice.

"He deserves it. People don't like it, they should move along," came the reply.

"What's your name?" asked Kate, privately agreeing that people should be walking away but knowing that under other circumstances she would probably be among the gawkers.

"Sadie," came the reluctant reply. "Sadie Walmsley."

"What's going on, Sadie? What's the problem?"

Another stream of abuse issued from Sadie's mouth too fast for anyone to be able to make sense of the words.

"You need to slow down," said Kate. "Say that again."

Kate's calm attitude seemed to have a softening effect on Sadie who finally managed to explain that her no-good boyfriend Jed Soames had told her that he was about to be posted to Afghanistan for several months but she had found out that he was actually going to be posted to Hawaii, a place she had always wanted to visit. To make matters worse, she had discovered that he had been two-timing her with one of her girlfriends and proposed to take her with him.

Kate favoured the Marine with a hard stare and suppressed an impulse to hand Sadie her gun and tell her to get on with it. She realised, however, that this would not be conduct becoming a NCIS agent and carried on trying to defuse the situation.

"Well, that's bad," she said sympathetically, "But you know, Sadie, he's not worth getting into trouble over. You're probably better off without him."

It seemed that Sadie had run out of steam and was increasingly conscious of the crowd of people who were fascinated by what was going on. She was ready to listen to reason.

"Why don't we take this somewhere more private?" suggested Kate.

Sadie nodded and backed away. Tony strode towards Jed, "Come on, Marine," he said. "Let's go." It was perhaps unfortunate that Jed smirked. It was even more unfortunate that Sadie saw the smirk and exploded with anger. The next thing anyone knew she had sprayed something at her errant boyfriend; her aim was poor and she managed to catch Tony full in the face.

Tony fell to the ground holding his eyes. Kate found herself filled with a cold fury and took Sadie down mercilessly. McGee caught the spray as it fell out of Sadie's hands and Gibbs hurried to Tony's side.

"We'll get him to Ducky," said Gibbs. "Traffic this time of day … it'll take too long to get him to a hospital. McGee, call ahead. Kate, stay here with Tim. I'll send someone from the Navy Yard to collect these two clowns. Come on, Tony. And don't rub your eyes. There should be some wipes in the first aid kit."

"It hurts," gasped Tony. His eyes had swollen shut and he was beginning to cough.

"Gibbs," said McGee. "I've told Ducky to expect you. Feel better, Tony."

Tony managed a half-hearted wave and allowed himself to be led away. Sometime later the whole team assembled in Autopsy watching Ducky tend to Tony.

"You have been fortunate, Anthony," said Ducky.

Tony's eyes were beginning to open once more and he used them to deliver something of a glare. "Fortunate?" he said incredulously.

"Perhaps 'fortunate' is not the mot juste," acknowledged Ducky. "But, while this is a painful and uncomfortable experience, it could have been much worse. I believe that your assailant used a pepper spray – the effects should dissipate within the next couple of hours. If she had used acid or some other chemical you would have been in a much more serious state."

"OK," said Tony somewhat appeased by Ducky's explanation and backtracking.

"What about the cough?" asked Gibbs. "Does he need to go to the hospital for that?"

"I don't believe so," said Ducky. "I cannot discern any continuing respiratory distress or damage although Anthony should be vigilant over the next few hours and seek immediate medical attention should the symptoms worsen."

"Anything else?" asked McGee.

"No. I believe rest and the judicious use of these eye drops should be sufficient," replied Ducky.

"I am here, you know," protested Tony. "My ears and voice are working perfectly even if I can't see too well." He spoiled the effect a little by coughing.

"Indeed," said Ducky soothingly. "I trust that Anthony's attacker …"

"I don't think she was aiming for me," said Tony striving for accuracy. "I was collateral damage."

Ducky ignored the interruption, "I trust that the assailant is suitably penitent?"

Tim coughed. Ducky looked at him in concern, "Timothy, have you also been affected by the spray? You should have said something earlier."

"No, I'm fine, Ducky. It's just that … well … things got interesting after Tony and Gibbs left."

"How so?" asked Ducky.

"Seeing Sadie in cuffs brought out Soames' protective instincts," said Kate.

"Um," continued Tim, "I think the whole situation had some sort of … aphrodisiac … effect."

"What?" asked Gibbs.

"I think they've reconciled," said Kate. "For the time being anyway."

Tony groaned. "Gibbs, we're sticking with the cold cases next time."

"You should go home," said Kate. "How you are going to manage the eye drops? What will you do if you start coughing?"

"I have Faith," gasped Tony.

"Oh," said Kate surprised, "That's good. I have Faith too but I don't expect it to put eye drops in for me."

"What?" asked Tony.

"Come on, DiNozzo," said Gibbs, "I'll drive you home."

"Drive carefully, Gibbs," said Kate anxiously. "You've got my number, Tony. Call if you need anything. Do you have food at home? I could …"

"Stop being a mother hen," said Tony.

"Oh," said Kate. "I was only …"

"I know," said Tony. "And it's nice." He thought for a moment and then added, "And it doesn't stop you from being a kick-ass federal agent!"

"Good work today, Kate," said Gibbs. "Come on, DiNozzo. Let's be on the road before the weekend traffic builds up."

"What did Kate do?" asked Tony as he was led away. "I was kinda out of it there for a while," he explained.

"She took Sadie down real quick," said Gibbs. "I think she was kinda pissed that she'd hurt you."

Tony smiled.

"What you smiling at?" asked Gibbs.

"I think we're coming together as a team, don't you?" said Tony.

Gibbs grunted.

"Although if I had a choice I wouldn't have found out through being pepper sprayed," Tony added thoughtfully.

NCISNCIS

Kate met a friend for lunch in Georgetown the next day and decided afterwards to go for a walk in one of the parks. She was looking for a new running route and remembered someone on the 'On Gender Equality in the Workplace with Specific Emphasis on Unconscious Bias' seminar saying that a group of JAG officers ran there. Kate had hoped to meet Commander Coleman again but it seemed that she did not get assigned MCRT cases so she had not seen her at the Navy Yard again.

The park was reasonably close to Kate's apartment and, she told herself, she was bored with her current route so the park could be a good substitute. She did not expect, however, to see Commander Coleman that day and was surprised when she saw her walking towards her with a tray of drinks.

"Commander Coleman!" she said.

"It's Agent Todd, isn't it?" replied the Commander.

"Yes," smiled Kate. "It's nice to run into you again, Commander."

"Please, I'm not at work or in uniform. Faith is fine."

"Caitlyn," said Kate. "Kate."

"Kate," said Faith. "Do you live nearby? I haven't seen you here before."

"Not far," said Kate. "I'm looking for a new running route. Thought I'd check this park out."

"It's not bad," said Faith, "Not very challenging, I'm afraid but it suits me at the moment. Life's a bit hectic. But I'm sure you know what that's like."

"Don't I!" grinned Kate. "Life as an NCIS agent is not exactly 9-5." She looked at the drinks in Faith's hands. "I mustn't keep you," she said, "Those drinks will be getting cold."

"Actually," said Faith, "Mine will be getting cold. The others will be getting warm. Come on, I'll show you where I start my run. It's just down here. Just let me deliver these drinks."

Kate walked with Faith for a hundred yards or so when she stopped by a tree under which someone was sitting with his head in his hands.

"Someone ordered milkshake!" announced Faith.

The man lifted his head up and Kate was shocked to see that it was Tony.

"Kate?" asked Tony. "Did we get a call?"

"No," said Kate. "No … what are you doing here?"

"Waiting for my milkshake," said Tony holding out his hands.

"You know each other?" asked Kate. "I mean. Of course, you know each other. But you know each other out of uniform? I mean, out of work?"

"Of course," said Faith. "Didn't you know?"

"No," said Kate. "Tony called you Commander Coleman when you came to the Navy Yard."

"Ah," said Tony, "We keep it professional. We have a rule. When we're at work or in uniform we call one another by our titles."

"I see. I didn't know," Kate said again.

"Goes to show that we've dropped off the gossip machine," sighed Tony, "Oh well, such is life."

Faith saw Kate's puzzled expression and guessed that she was too polite to demand more details. "When Tony and I got married …"

"Married?" squeaked Kate.

"For about two and three quarter years," said Tony.

"About?" asked Faith sternly.

"Apologies, my dearest," said Tony, "I meant to say two years, ten months."

"Better," said Faith.

"And the happiest thirty-four months of my life," he added.

"Much better," approved Faith.

Kate was still reeling from her discovery and found herself remembering Tony's 'sexist' remark about a woman in his life having him 'up all night' and exhausting him with her demands. Kate found herself blushing at the notion that this was Faith. She groaned. Tony looked at her in concern.

"What's the matter, Kate? Brain overload? Too much information?"

"When you said 'I've got Faith', I thought you meant you had Faith," wailed Kate.

"I have got Faith," said a puzzled Tony. "You sure you didn't inhale any of that pepper spray yesterday, Kate?"

"Darling," said Faith, "I think Kate thought you were referring to a religious faith. Not a person Faith."

"Oh," said Tony as realisation dawned, "Well, I'm working on that one too. Work in progress."

"Idiot," said Faith fondly.

"But you don't wear wedding bands," said Kate. "How was I supposed to know you were married?"

Tony and Faith held up their right hands with matching bands.

"My mother's Danish," said Faith. "We were married in Denmark."

"They wear wedding bands on their right hands there," said Tony.

"Seemed a good idea to keep the rings on the fingers they were placed on for the ceremony," said Faith.

"I see," said Kate who was torn between demanding more information and wanting to run away and absorb what she had already learned. "I'd better go. Tony will be wanting to drink those two milk shakes."

"Don't you want me to show you where I run?" said Faith.

"No," said Kate. "No. Thank you. It's fine."

"Dada!" came a voice from behind the tree. "Dada!"

"Oops," said Tony, "I forgot we were playing hide and seek!" He crawled on all fours behind the tree and cried, "Found you!" Kate was shocked to hear a peal of giggles and then, moments later, to see Tony emerging carrying a small child who was squirming with delight with being tickled.

"Kate," he said, "Meet our daughter. Matilda. Otherwise known as Tilly. Or Miss Squirmy! Who wants a milkshake?"

Tilly giggled again. Kate gazed at the toddler with her dark hair so like her mother's, her bright eyes and smile so like her father's. Somehow knew she had solved the riddle of the demanding female who deprived Tony of so much sleep.