Trip and Fall

Summary: Part of the Future Perfect Universe. Katie's new job isn't entirely free of bumps and bruises. Warning: discussion of spanking of adults. Don't like? Don't read!

Disclaimer: Katie and Leigh are mine; the rest belong to other people.

A/N: This story takes place in the Future Perfect Universe, which features Katie and Leigh, the twin daughters of Tim and Abby.

Warning: this story contains the mention of off-screen spanking of adults. If you have a problem with that, click on that 'back' button now. You've been warned.

Gibbs raced through the sliding glass doors and, with a familiarity born of too many visits here with his team, headed straight for the nurses' station. Not for the first time, he wished that Ducky was still around to cut through the bureaucracy for him. The ME had always been good at getting past hospital red tape.

He was just about to tell the nurse on duty that no, he would not like to take a seat in the waiting area, when he heard his name being called. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a uniformed Marine striding towards him.

'She's alright, Gunny,' Colonel Montgomery called out as he approached. Despite the passage of time, Gibbs recognised him immediately, even without the oak leaves on his collar and the simple logic connecting Katie's boss to the situation.

'What the hell happened, Montgomery?' he demanded.

Montgomery didn't seem surprised not to be afforded even a greeting. And, to Gibbs's relief, he got straight to the point.

'She tripped. Landed the wrong way against a desk, sprained her wrist. She'll be fine.'

'She tripped?' Gibbs asked, one eyebrow raised. He had been concerned that his former subordinate might target Katie as a form of revenge. It wouldn't be the first time that an unpopular newcomer suddenly became 'accident prone', and Gibbs had made enough enemies in his day for plenty of unpopularity to spill over onto someone, apparently vulnerable, associated with him. Including, he suspected, the man standing in front of him, who had learned a few hard lessons on the wrong end of Gibbs's belt.

To his credit, Montgomery didn't pretend not to understand.

'Nobody was playing 'pin the tail on the civilian', Gunny. She just tripped. You can ask her yourself in half an hour.'

'Why the hell can't I ask her now? I want to see my...'

'She's been sent for X-rays, just to make sure nothing's broken. They're pretty confident it's just a sprain, but better safe than sorry.'

'What did she trip on?'

The abrupt change in the direction of the conversation didn't faze Montgomery, who seemed unsurprised that Gibbs wasn't letting up on him yet.

'A book.'

'A book? What the hell was a book doing...'

'One of the people she was working with ran out of flat surfaces, put it down on the floor...' Gibbs opened his mouth to comment, but Montgomery continued quickly, a slight smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, 'And yes, I've already suggested he use his chair in the future. He's not going to be sitting on it for a while, anyways...'

Gibbs felt some of his anger deflating, and raised one eyebrow meaningfully. He hadn't expected the Marine who had clearly resented being spanked to have adopted the same strategy with his men.

'I thought you'd appreciate that. It's good to see you, Gibbs. When I saw your name on McGee's security paperwork, I hoped we'd have a chance to meet again. I'd hoped it would be under better circumstances...' Montgomery trailed off.

'You've done well, Montgomery,' Gibbs commented.

'I never did thank you, Gibbs, for making me get my head on straight.'

Gibbs smirked.

'You didn't much appreciate it at the time.'

'I do now. I was one hell of a screwed up kid. Nobody had ever cared enough to call me on it, until you. Not many men would do what you did for me. Thank you, Gunny.'

Montgomery held out his hand. Gibbs clasped it firmly, bringing his other hand up to slap the other man affectionately on the shoulder.

'You're welcome, Colonel.'