Tony looked at the time and seen he still had some time before meeting with Director Shepherd. He decided he would message the only person other than Jenny that knew he was coming home. He figured at the next light he would text that person and see if they wanted to meet up for coffee.
Are you busy?
No. Are you guys back in D.C. yet?
Yep, you want to meet for coffee?
Be there in 10.
Tony couldn't wait to see his friend again. Tony looked in the rearview mirror. Kami was sound to sleep. Poor baby the trip had worn her out. As Tony pulled into the coffee shop parking lot, he awoke Kami.
"Hey sweetheart, how about we go inside and get a donut and some chocolate milk?" Tony asked his daughter as he unbuckled her which caused screams of delight from the little girl.
After Kami sat down with her donut and milk, Tony got his coffee. He noticed his friend come through the door. Tony raised an extra coffee cup up in the air catching his friend's attention.
"You didn't think I would forget what kind of coffee you like did ya autopsy gremlin?" Tony chuckled.
Jimmy Palmer made his way over to Tony and Kami's table.
"My have you grown Miss Kami!" Jimmy said taking the steaming coffee cup from Tony.
"I'm this many!" Kami told him holding up three little fingers.
"Wow! I have a little girl who will be 3 in a couple of months." Jimmy explained to the little girl.
"You would not believe how much she is like me. Hey Kami, tell Uncle Jimmy what your favorite food is." Tony provoked.
"Pizza!" Kami squealed.
"Her favorite movie is Lion King."
"Daddy why you call Unca Jimmy gremlin? No water or light for him?" Kami innocently asked.
"I take it she's seen the movie?" Jimmy smiled.
"She's my daughter through and through." Tony grinned.
"All the way down to your love of movies. Tony she's really beautiful. She looks just like Kate. Beautiful brown hair, soft porcelain skin, but there's no denying she's your daughter with those big green eyes." Jimmy laughed.
Tony smiled and thought just how much Kami did look like Kate. A tear escaped his eyes and he quickly brushed it away.
"Tony how are you really doing?" Jimmy asked.
"It's been hard. I couldn't handle staying in that house any longer. Kate had already started decorating the nursery. We didn't know what we were having yet so she did the room in gray and yellow. The day I lost Kate and the baby, I went into the baby's room and cried. I was angry, I blamed myself for both Kate and my son's death." Tony tried to hide the tears.
"It's not your fault. You did everything you could." Jimmy patted his friend on the shoulder.
Tony looked at his watch. As much as he was enjoying catching up, he needed to go and meet with Jenny.
"Crap I need to get to the Navy Yard. I'm so sorry Jimmy." Tony said gathering his daughter. "Come on sweet pea."
"You know Tony, once you guys settle in we could have a cookout at my place. I'm sure Tori would love to meet Kami! How does this weekend sound?" Jimmy asked.
"I think that would be perfect!" Tony said.
Kami took her daddy's hand and smiled. Tony looked down at his precious daughter and lifted her into his arms.
"Bye Unca Jimmy!" Kami waved her little hand.
Jenny was excited to have Tony DiNozzo back in the NCIS office. He really was one of the best agents they had ever had. Tony was adamant about not wanting to return to the field. As a single father of a 3-year-old, he didn't want to be out risking his life. Jenny had expedited Tony's paperwork through Human Resources along with reinstating his security clearance while Tony was preparing to come back to D.C. It was such a short notice, Tony had barely buried Kate, but he needed away from the memories that now plagued his mind. The moment was finally here and she was ready to welcome the young agent home.
Tony and Kami walked into headquarters and passed through the security check point before heading upstairs. They went straight up to Director Shepherds office without stopping to see if the team was in. Jenny's secretary led them to where the director was waiting for them.
"Tony it is so good to see you! Welcome back!" Director Shepherd said shaking Tony's hand.
"My have you grown Miss Kami?" Jenny stated.
The little girl held on to her daddy's hand and tried to hide behind his height.
"She can be a bit shy at times." Tony explained.
"If she is anything like you or Kate she will warm up to all of us in no time. I am so sorry about your loss Tony." Jenny apologized.
"Thank you. Just trying to cope and move on." Tony remarked.
"Well as you know there isn't much we need to do. Just get you to sign the official offer paperwork and get your picture taken in HR for your credentials. You will be in training for 2 weeks and then the team is yours." Jenny smiled.
Tony never in his wildest dreams thought he would be over his own team. He had always been in Gibbs shadow. The last time he was part of the team Kate was by his side. They had gotten married shortly after he recovered from the plague. Within a few months Kate found out that she was pregnant with Kami. They both came to an agreement to resign from NCIS and move to Indiana where Kate's family was. Kate and Tony returned to NCIS to visit after baby Kami was born but then went back home to their new lives. Tony went to work as a homicide detective and Kate decided to be a stay at home mom.
"Is Gibbs and the team here?" Tony asked.
"I think they are out on scene but should be back soon." Jenny said.
"That's alright I will catch them later." Tony said. "Come on sweet girl. Let's go see Aunt Abby." Tony said picking Kami up.
"Again, welcome back DiNozzo." Jenny said shaking his hand.
"Thanks for having me Jenny." Tony grinned.
Tony and Kami went down to Abby's lab and found she was hard at work on her computer.
"Well hello there little lady." Tony said dropping his voice.
Abby spun around in shock.
"Tony your back!" Abby exclaimed before running over and tackling Tony. Tony forgot how nice Abby's hugs were.
"Hey Abs, I missed you too." Tony said hugging her back.
Abby hugged Tony longer than she expected to. She just couldn't believe it was really him, and he was actually back home where he belonged.
"I heard what happened to Kate. I am so sorry." Abby whispered into his ear. She pulled away and seen a beautiful brown haired green eyed little girl standing next to Tony.
"This isn't Kami, is it?" Abby asked.
"Kami can you say hi to Aunt Abby?" Tony said.
Kami tried to play shy and waved her little hand at Abby.
"She's adorable Tony! She's gotten so big." Abby exclaimed.
There was so many new people and new places for the little girl and made Kami a little nervous. She clung to Tony even more.
"So what apartment are you staying at?" Abby asked.
"Actually, we bought a house not too far from Gibbs." Tony smiled.
"Does he know yet?"
"Gibbs doesn't even know I'm back in town."
"He is going to be so thrilled to see you."
"Let's hope. It's so good to see you again Abs." Tony said giving Abby another hug.
The ride up to the bullpen was a lot longer than Tony remembered. As Tony and Kami stepped off the elevator they made the corner to go to HR. Ziva and McGee looked up and thought they had seen a ghost. Could that really be Tony DiNozzo?