Once again I just have to say I love the love this story is getting! The reviews, the number of story alerts and favorites it has gotten really means a lot to me. THANK YOU!
Here we go! Chapter 6!
I DO NOT own NCIS or anything related to it, TRUST ME!
Kate awoke to a quiet apartment, a too quiet apartment. Tony was famous for watching movies in surround sound on the weekends so to hear no noise at all was strange, especially given the fact they were hosting a three year old for the weekend. Kate got out of bed and made her way out to the living room where she discovered why it was so quiet.
Arissa was sprawled out on the couch, one leg on the back while the other hung over the edge with the blanket struggling to stay on her tiny form. Tony was asleep on the floor, hugging the couch pillow that rested under his head. Kate laughed to herself. Looking at the two of them, she envisioned what life would be like once their little one made its debut in the world.
The clanking of metal pulled Kate away from her daydream.
The cop in her immediately reached for her side, searching for the gun that clearly wasn't there. While she may sleep with a gun under her pillow at her own place, Tony insisted that she put her gun away while at his place in fear that him leaving a wet towel on the floor would result in him receiving a double tap to the chest. Kate cautiously rounded the corner to find Abby in the kitchen stirring a large pot on the stove. Abby turned around to see Kate standing in the doorway and a smile instantly took over her face.
"Kate, you're up!" shouted the Goth as she ran over and hugged Kate tightly. She released Kate allowing herself to get a good look at the agent. "Look at you, you're glowing!"
"Thanks?" replied Kate, unsure of how to take Abby's comment.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me? We're best friends, Kate? We are supposed to tell each other everything!"
"What are you talking about, Abby?"
"The secret's out, Kate! Tony told me! Well actually, Arissa told me. She was in the tub and she said the baby was making you sick and…"
"I get it, Abby!"
"Well, congratulations," said Abby as she hugged Kate once more. "How far along are you?"
"Four months."
"Great, you are through your first trimester. It's the most difficult. I mean the baby is very small and vulnerable and the chance of miscarriage is extremely high! Not to mention the changes taking place with the mother and her hormones…"
"Abby!"
"Sorry! Just really excited!"
"I can tell! What are you still doing here?"
"Your baby's daddy, Anthony DiNozzo didn't have any juice for Arissa so I went out and bought some, along with a few other things. He has like zero food in this place, and both you and that little girl need your nourishment so I went ahead and made a pot of chili for lunch. I also went to my place to pick up an overnight bag because I'm spending the night! Can't let you two have all the fun!"
"Fine by me," said Kate as she leaned into the pot taking in the aroma. "That smells great by the way!"
"Thanks, it's my Uncle Bubba's secret recipe!"
It didn't take long for the smell of the chili to go from great to gross, as Kate placed her hand over her mouth and ran off to the bathroom. Abby ran after her, holding her hair back as she emptied her stomach.
"I'm sorry, Abby. This morning sickness seems to last all day."
"No apologies, Kate. It's good to know that it's the baby and not my cooking that's making you sick!"
Kate and Abby walked back into the living room to find Tony and Arissa both waking up from their naps.
"Mmm? What's that smell?" asked Tony disheveled and groggy.
"I made chili," said Abby.
"Sweet! I'm starving" Tony jumped up off the floor and headed to the kitchen to grab a bowl.
Kate sat down on the couch as Arissa climbed into her lap, resting her head on Kate's chest.
"Aww! You two are so cute together! Just think in five months you will have one of your own!"
Kate gently stroked Arissa's back to help her wake up.
"Kate, I thirsty," said Arissa still half sleep.
"Oh, I got that apple juice for you, Arissa," replied Abby.
Abby went into the kitchen and poured some apple juice into a Sippy cup she had bought for Arissa. She took the cup over to Arissa who was still trying to wake up from her nap.
"Thank you!" said Arissa as she took a sip from the cup.
Tony came out of the kitchen carrying a bowl of chili, shoving a spoonful into his mouth.
"Abby, this is really good! Kate, want some?"
Tony waved a spoonful of chili in front of Kate's face. Kate just stared at him.
"No?" questioned Tony unsure of hope to interpret Kate's expression. Her continued stare, caused Tony to just sit down on the couch and eat his chili silently.
"Come on, Arissa. Let's go get you something to eat," said Abby as she took the little girl from Kate's arm and went into the kitchen.
Tony snaked his arm around Kate's waist pulling her close to him.
"How you feeling?" asked Tony, rubbing Kate's belly.
"A little nauseous, I really needed that nap," replied Kate.
"Abby offered to stay over this weekend and help with Arissa so you can get some rest."
Just then Abby walked in with Arissa who carried a bowl of chili in her hands. Abby carried two bowls handing one to Kate.
"I don't care if you throw it up, you need to eat something. My little niece or nephew can't be starving in there!" said Abby as she sat down on the floor next to the couch.
"Um, Abby? Maybe Arissa should sit at the table so she doesn't spill that chili on my…"
"Ah oh!" interrupted Arissa as she looked down at the floor.
"…Carpet!" finished Tony.
Arissa looked at Tony, eyes wide, afraid of what he may do.
"I sorry, Nozzo!" said Arissa with a shaky voice.
"It's okay, Arissa. No use crying over spilled chili!"
Tony went into the kitchen to grab some paper towels to clean up the chili while Kate and Abby took Arissa over to the table to eat.
After eating a hearty lunch and cleaning some of it off the carpet. The four went back into the living room to hang out. Abby laid on the floor with Arissa, playing with her teddy bear while Kate and Tony cuddled up on the couch. While the chili Abby made was amazing, Kate's stomach was having a hard time digesting it. It was only a matter of time before she ended up in the bathroom but for now Tony drawing circles on her stomach with his finger was enough to soothe her to sleep for a while.
"Aww, she's starting to get a baby bump?" sighed Abby, noticing Kate's stomach.
"Yeah, she's not too happy to be showing so soon but what can I say? This kid's a DiNozzo!" said DiNozzo, softly placing a kiss on Kate's cheek.
Abby smiled, admiring the pair.
The knock on the door pulled Kate from her sleep. Tony hopped over the back of the sofa as he went to open the door.
"Hey Tony!" said McGee all smiles on the other side of the door, carry various bags in his arms.
"Probie? What are you doing here?" asked Tony, surprised to see McGee at his door.
"Abby called me and told me to come over. She wanted me to bring over some toys for the little girl."
"Little old to be playing with dolls aren't you, McGee?" mocked Tony, noticing a Barbie box sticking out of one of the bags.
"You have a Mighty Mouse stapler? And why you are still in your pajamas in the middle of the afternoon on a Saturday, Tony?"
"I've been assigned to a three year old for the weekend, I didn't see much need for clothes today, Probie," snapped Tony as Abby emerged next to him at the door.
"Hey McGee! Did you get them?" asked Abby as she hugged the agent.
"Yeah, I'm not exactly sure what a three year old girl likes so I just picked up whatever looked interesting!" said McGee
"You're not sure of what any women likes McGee," said Tony as he examined all the stuff McGee had brought. "You know she is only staying for a few days not moving in, right? I really don't want a bunch of kids' toys lying around my apartment."
"Oh, you might as well get used to it Tony! Besides Arissa needs something to keep her busy this weekend!" said Abby as she pulled McGee into the apartment.
"Hey Kate! What are you doing here?" asked McGee noticing the agent sitting on the couch.
"Um, Gibbs had me stay over to help Tony with Arissa," said Kate trying now to reveal too much.
"Arissa, this is my friend, Timmy!" said Abby introducing the agent to the little girl.
"Timmy? Come on, Abby?" objected McGee.
"She could always call you, Probie, Probie?" interjected Tony
"Timmy's fine," said McGee as he sat down on the floor next to Arissa.
"Hi, Timmy! I like your toys!"
"Oh, well they are for you!" said Tim sliding the toys towards Arissa.
"Really?" asked Arissa as she dug into the bag, pulling out a Barbie doll. "Thank you!"
Abby sat down and looked through the items that McGee had brought pulling out a tea set and make up kit.
"Oh!" shouted Arissa noticing the items. "Can we have a tea party? Please?"
"Yeah!" shouted Abby, just as excited as the little girl. "I'll go put some juice in the tea pot for us to drink!" said Abby as she ran off towards the kitchen.
"Kate, you play too?" asked Arissa with big puppy dog eyes.
"Yeah, Kate! You play pretty, princess tea party with Arissa!" mocked Tony.
"Only if Tony plays?" said Kate. "And he has to have his makeup done?"
"Yeah, Nozzo! Let's do your makeup!" said Arissa, pulling Tony by the arm.
McGee laughed.
"What are you laughing at, Timmy? Who do you think is gonna be the queen of the tea party?" smirked Tony.
Abby came back in with a tea pot full of juice as they all sat down to have a tea party with Arissa. McGee played waiter, serving juice and cookies to Arissa and the team while Tony was forced to undergo a makeover complete with blue eye shadow, red lipstick and a tiara.
The doorbell rang and Tony took the opportunity of answering it to get away from the girls. He was surprised to find Gibbs standing on the other side.
"Hey, Boss! What are you doing here?" answered Tony, cheerfully.
Gibbs stood in shock of what was going on with Tony's face.
"I tried calling but no one seems to want to pick up?" said Gibbs as he entered the apartment, unable to take his eyes off of DiNozzo. "What are you The Joker or something?"
"No, I'm the princess of the tea party!" replied Tony smiling unaware of how unprincess he looked.
"Gibbs! You came to play tea party with us?" asked Abby seeing Gibbs standing in the apartment.
"No, I came to get you. We have a case to solve, why aren't any of you answering your phone?"
McGee, Kate and Abby all looked at their phones.
"Sorry, Boss! Mine's was on vibrate. I must not have felt it ring," explained McGee.
"I had mine set on silent," said Kate.
"I just didn't want to answer," said Abby with a smile, testing the senior agent's patience.
"Gear up!" shouted Gibbs sending his team scrambling in four directions.
Arissa sat all alone amongst the tea set staring at Gibbs.
"You too!" said Gibbs playfully, sending the girl running off laughing like the rest.
Gibbs couldn't help but smile. Just two days ago she was lying in a hospital bed, terrified, with cuts from a cocaine pipe across her face. Now she played amongst his team as if she was just hanging out. He admired her resilience. He didn't however admire his team's negligence for the job.
Petty Officer Stevens had sobered up that morning and was released into NCIS custody. Gibbs had Abby take Arissa down to her lab to play while he, Kate, Tony and McGee interrogated Stevens.
Sitting in the interrogation room, Steven could barely sit still. While most of drugs were out his system, Stevens was still feeling the effects of withdrawal. Between his sweating and consistent need to throw up, Kate was finding it hard to tolerate. Lucky for her, the ringing of her cell phone allowed for her to step out of the room for some air.
A little while later, Tony, Gibbs and McGee all made their way back into the Bullpen.
"How'd it go?" asked Kate as she sipped on a can of ginger ale, attempting to settle her stomach.
"One case solved. Stevens confused to overdosing Jennings. All we have to do is confirm that Jennings stabbed Moreland and what he was doing with all that money? Speaking of, I haven't heard anything for Bethesda? McGee get the Sudan, we are taking a trip to see Petty Officer Moreland," ordered Gibbs.
"Um, that won't be necessary, Gibbs. Moreland is on his way here," interjected Kate.
"Moreland was released from the hospital?" asked McGee.
"Not exactly. Petty Officer Moreland's dead."
What do you think? Reviews are welcomed! Update coming soon :-)