Disclaimer: Of course NCIS… characters… and such belong to the powers that be & not ME!!! Story created for purely entertainment value.

You know the drill…

A/N: This is an interlude (flashback) type tale explaining Kate's tumble down the path of poor credit choices. She's just finished the 8th grade, is prepping for her first fancy boy/girl dance, and is celebrating with her best-friend the throw-all-caution-to-the-wind Ms. Stacey. Both girls are 14, although Stacey is about 6 months older and has picked up her mom's casual attitude regarding money and men.

Here's the 3rd installment of Type II Family… The boys will NOT be featured in this story at all.

A/N: Sit back, suspend belief and enjoy it as the fiction it's meant to be.

Warning: THIS STORY will CONTAIN NON-SEXUAL SPANKING; ABORT THE MISSION… DO NOT READ… TURN BACK NOW IF THIS ISN'T YOUR THING.

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Graduation had been a blast! Caitlin Nicole Gibbs was on her way to high school. She was going to be out of the "baby" school and meeting all sorts of new and exciting people. There would be cheerleading, pep rallies, football games, basketball games, and overnight trips, but most of all it would finally be the excuse she needed to force her dad into letting her be more independent. Of course going to high school also meant being in school with her big brother again, but she'd rather have him nosing in her business every now and then instead of having to look out for her other brother, the mini-genius. That kid had already been skipped a grade and mother nature had not been kind in the growth and development department. Holy frick she thought. Kate had been so wrapped up in what was coming that she'd stopped focusing on what was happening in the moment. She was no longer listening to the Principal's speech. She was supposed to speak after him. Scrambling for her notes under her chair she caught her dad's eye as she came back up. Giving her a small smile after her name was announced Kate winked back and sailed up to the podium feeling an immediate sense of calm.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Your speech was wonderful sweetheart. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you daddy," there was a hint of sadness in his daughter's voice and eyes. Leroy Jethro Gibbs didn't even have to ask why. He leaned in hugging her close.

Whispering in her ear he added, "Believe me baby she heard it all and your mom is just as proud as I am."

Having no time to absorb or respond to her father Kate was lifted off the ground in a big hug. Tony spun her around as she tried to hold onto her cap while he yelled, "WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUE!"

"Thanks T, now could you put me down before I puke."

"Fine. So, how are we spending this day of celebration? Family tradition says it's your pick."

"He's right kiddo what's it going to be?" Gibbs rarely caved to the whims of his children preferring to parent with clear boundaries and expectations, but on special occasions he relinquished his veto power to the days' center of attention. Whether it was amusement parks and water slides on Tony's birthday or Tim's very expensive science center party. The rule was no saying NO, expense and good judgment be damned.

"Well, I want to go to the Heart of Sicily for lunch with Stacey's family and then her mom said she'd drop us by the mall to shop for dresses for the graduation dance."

Gibbs didn't like where this was going. "Drop you off as in she's not staying with you two."

"Yes," the voice came out so low it was close to inaudible.

He scrutinized her body language for undisclosed truths while his sons looked on. Ducky watched as did Stephanie, Gibbs on again off again companion, wondering if the tradition of YES was about to be broken.

Giving one final glare with a furrowed brow he acquiesced. "Have fun baby. I'll pick you up at seven and spring for desert at the Sweet Shoppe."

Leaping into her dad's arms for a thank you hug Kate took off to tell her best-friend the good news. She did think she was pushing it with the request, but Stacey reminded her that today was her day of no NOs. That was what Kate loved about Stacey the most. It was her ability to jump into the 'pool' without checking the temperature.

~*~*~*~*~*~

They were standing in the parking lot getting ready to take off in different directions when Kate remembered that going shopping without money wasn't much fun at all.

"Hang on Stace I have to get some more cash from my dad I only have graduation checks that need to be deposited for our trip."

Rushing back out of breath the teenage girl let her excitement control her energy instead of her head. Still twenty feet away she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Dad, Dad, DADDY!"

Walking toward her Gibbs' body language halted the enthusiasm for a moment.

"Sorry for yelling, but I didn't want you to drive off."

"Caitlin I wasn't even near the car yet. What'd you need?"

"Cash. I don't have any to buy a dress."

Jethro took out his wallet being struck by how empty it was. After all his posturing about his disdain for the changing times the man didn't carry much cash instead opting for the security of plastic.

"I'm sorry honey I haven't been to the bank to take any cash out."

"Oh no, so I can't go?"

Looking into his little girls big brown eyes he heard his late wife's voice in his head saying, 'aw, Jethro just give her your card. She'll never learn to be responsible if you don't let her be responsible', he didn't love this version of her voice at all.

"Of course you can go." Kate was temporarily puzzled until the card was extended to her.

"You're giving me your credit card?"

Pulling back slightly Jethro added to his last statement. "A hundred dollars Kate. You are to buy one party dress and that's all. Don't go crazy."

"I won't I promise," turning to head back to her friend Kate stopped to turn around a blow a kiss at her dad.

Gibbs made a big show of catching it before returning to his loaded car to drop everyone off. He and Tony were taking Tim to the batting cages until he had to pick up Kate.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"That's a great outfit Kate you have to get it for our trip."

"I'm just trying it on for fun Stace."

"Forget that, it's a MUST BUY. That's what my mom would say."

Checking out the tag Kate wasn't even close to being convinced that her dad would see it the same way.

Enter the pushy saleslady. "You look just darling in those jeans and that top is to die for. I've sold ten this week."

"See, what I mean about a must have."

"Are you going to get one?" Kate practiced her Gibbs' stare on her gal pal.

"I totally would, but my mother only left me with cash. My dress took every penny."

"Alright, then let me change and we'll call my dad for an early pick up."

"Oh, no sweetie you're not really thinking of leaving here without this outfit. Tell you what how about I let you in on next week's sale a few days early. You said you were celebrating."

Stace wanted to get a big bang for Kate's buck. "What's the sale?" She asked.

~*~*~*~*~*~

They were hanging out at the front of the main entrance waiting for Gibbs' truck to pull up. Stacey had almost managed to talk Kate off the 'ledge'. She had been speed talking since they ran the credit card. Kate wanted the outfit, Stacey and the saleslady could see that, she just needed a little push. Her friend's elation was short lived though as she watched Kate go from a rosy joyous hue to a nauseous green guilty one.

"If you keep wearing that face he'll know something is up before we get in the truck."

"Huh, what… Oh, I'm fine Stacey. It's not like I'm going to just start blabbing about spending three hundred dollars. Woa, I just spent three hundred dollars. Seriously, I was right before let's just return it. It was fun to do for like a quick minute, but he will kill me."

Stacey snatched the bag making a few quick switches. Kate was left with her dress while Stace had two bags full. Her dress in one; the other holding the jeans, identical tops (one for the best-friend at half off), a cute shrug, and a pair of shoes. The deal was amazing considering how many things were designer labeled.

"Look, my mom likes to say what my dad doesn't know won't hurt us. Besides, this is something the very fun last Mrs. Gibbs would give total approval."

Kate's jaw dropped at the reference forgetting how much Stacey had liked Diane. "It's also one of the reasons she's former Mrs. Gibbs."

"Just chill alright, I'll take everything to my house. You can sneak it back in a little at a time. He won't pay it any attention. My mom says men don't notice things like our wardrobes."

"Maybe everything your mom says is why your dad takes so many back-to-back tours of duty."

Swinging the bag at her Stacey had to laugh, because it was something they often joked about. Her father was a decorated officer who didn't need to see as much field action as he did, but who seemed to crave the calm of the Middle East versus the storm that was his wife.

"Hey, here he comes can you manage to keep the smile on your face for the rest of the night. No worrying, okay?"

"No worrying… not yet." Kate sighed.

Jethro jumped from his side as soon as he stopped the car to help the girls up into the truck. Loading the bags into the back he quickly climbed back in so he wasn't blocking traffic too long.

"Well, Stacey it looks like you broke the bank. I thought you girls were just buying something to wear to the dance."

"Everything in these bags is absolutely vital Agent Gibbs."

Turning to his daughter again, "and how many absolutely vital things did you buy Katie?"

How to answer without a direct lie? Choose your words more than carefully. "Daddy I am only taking one of those bags home with us." Kate answered then immediately started chatting with her friend again about the dance and picking out new hair styles.

As they pulled around to the Sweet Shoppe Gibbs remembered his card. When he helped the girls back out he stopped them from going in making a request of his daughter.

"Card and receipt Kate…"

Kate's eyes practically told the story. They were huge and frozen like stainless steel platters.

Stacey might have been retained when she was younger, but it wasn't because of lack of creativity or ingenuity. The girl could definitely think on her feet. She was also almost a year older and lot more savvy thanks to her mom's tutelage, neither qualities Gibbs found especially enduring.

"Oh my goodness Kate I'm so sorry. I think I threw your receipt away. You remember when you asked me to hold it while you were trying on that bracelet. Then we went to the bathroom and got those smoothies and I think I tossed it with the extra napkins."

The shift from fear to stun was immediate. Kate was both frightened and impressed. How did she do that with a straight face? Gibbs never took his eyes off his daughter, but he seemed to buy the story. Holding out his hand he was still waiting for his card to be returned.

Reaching in her little bag Kate took it out. Turning to her friend she just said, "No problem Stace."

Sauntering through the door Stacey yelled out, "Good, now let's go pig out on some ice-cream guys!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Under the pretense of helping with the bags Kate jumped from the truck keeping pace with her friend to her front door.

"See, I told you it wouldn't be a problem. He won't even think about the receipts again."

"I don't know about that, but I did have fun."

"Of course you did… I was there." The girls hugged making promises to see each other tomorrow. Stacey wanted Kate to hang out with her at her parent's country club.

"Later Stace I'll text you tonight."

When she got back in the car Gibbs turned to her saying, "you girls just spent all day together and it still took you five minutes to say goodbye."

"We were just making plans for our next few days off before the dance."

"Um-uh… Maybe when you get to the new school you'll branch out and make some other friends."

"I have other friends now dad, but Stace is always going to be my BEST friend."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They'd been home for a few hours now. Kate had wiggled out of trying on the dress for the men in her life telling them she wanted it to be a surprise when she was all made up with hair, shoes, and jewelry. She would've added make-up, but that wasn't something she wanted to battle the Gunny over. She'd just do what she always did, which was put it on when she got wherever she was going.

Jethro retreated to his basement, his boat, his bourbon and his memories as he listened to the distant laughter coming from his kids upstairs underscored by the piano playing of the child no longer with him. They'd been playing video games, watching movies and teasing each other for hours. He was going to have to go up being the bearer of sad tidings as he proclaimed it bedtime for all.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Tim was exhausted from all of the day activities. He was getting a little better at swinging, but his arms still killed him. Tony was fighting it more than the others but he too was fading fast. Kate like Tim knew it was time to turn in. If only she could get her brother out of her room. She was tempted to tell Tony about what she'd done instantly changing her mind. Her dad had all these crazy rules on and off the job, but one that kept popping into her head was 'if you want to keep something secret it's best to tell no one… if you absolutely have to tell one other person. There is no third best'. Stacey was her one person. There was no reason to bring Tony in on things.

"Hey, there's a top bunk with your name on it."

"Yes sir Gunny sir," Tony half saluted before leaning into his dad to bump shoulders in a manly goodnight. Gibbs grabbed him at the neck to kiss the top of his head.

"G'night son."

"Night Tony," Kate added.

Kate flicked off her desk lamp scooting down under the covers. Gibbs went over to give them a cursory tuck then sat down next to his daughter. Kate loved the smell that lingered when her dad left her room. It was like having him there to watch over her all through the night. She just studied his features as he dug in the side pocket of his cargo pants and pulled out a tiny box.

"When your mom died I put all of her and Kelly's things in storage, but I've always kept her jewelry close on hand. I had these cleaned for you. I thought you might like to wear them to the dance with your new dress."

Inside the box Kate opened was an exquisite pair of diamond earrings.

The tears were a combination of joy and guilt. "They're beautiful daddy. I don't deserve them… they look really expensive."

"Then you'll be careful with them. Mom had pieces she wanted to share with you and Kelly at different milestones… I guess it's up to you and me to help make her wishes come true."

Leaving the box open Kate put it on her nightstand then reached out to hug her dad.

"I'll take really good care of them dad I promise."

"I know." He was gone off to his own room after that not knowing the heavy burden he'd placed on his daughter's psyche for the night.

Kate finally dozed off after getting very clear with herself. She texted Stacey telling her she'd be over first thing as soon as her dad left for the Navy Yard. Everything was going back to that store as soon as the mall opened. There was no way she could wear those earrings without a clear conscience.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Taking off his watch Gibbs got ready to deposit himself in bed. It was still ridiculously too big he thought, but he never invested the time to change it out. What the hell was Diane thinking about? No one outside the state of California needed a California King Size bed. The thing was a monster that consumed majority of the room.

As he dropped his change into the glass bowl on his dresser he remembered he never got a receipt from Kate. No matter he'd just call the company in the morning to check the balance logging exactly what his daughter had spent and where.