He was up late, working on the boat when the door opened upstairs. He looked up nervously, but said nothing to whoever the intruder may be. He prepared his bourbon for a visitor, steadying himself for possibly consolation or just quiet companionship, whatever his team needed. What else was he good for, after all? Ready as he was, he couldn't shake the surprise at who was standing in the doorway to his basement.

"Are you ever going to learn to lock your front door?" asked the visitor, more amused than annoyed.

He grinned to disguise the mess of emotions whirling inside him. "Hello Agent Todd. Bourbon?" He toasted her with his mason jar.

She smiled, "Can't. I'm on duty."

"Didn't know you were back, Kate," he said. She descended the stairs, and leaned against the railing halfway down. He wasn't sure he wanted to know why she was in his basement after six years of avoiding him. After all, she had been his for a time, however brief.

She looked over her shoulder, and said quietly, "I need your help, Gibbs."

"With what?" His concern was immediate. Was she in trouble? He had to help. Every instinct in him screamed that he needed to help her. His hand reached for her as she drew nearer, his eyes drawn to her neckline. He knew beneath that shirt, she cradled a knot of scar tissue in her chest, a souvenir from saving his sorry ass. "Kate, are you in trouble?"

"Of sorts," she said, and suddenly brushed her hand over her eyes, angrily.

He looked her over. She looked healthy, if a bit thinner than she used to be. But her eyes were rimmed with darkness and haunted in a way he hated to see them. Those brown eyes looked as though they'd seen hell. And, considering the six years' absence, it was very well possible they had. "Kate?" he asked.

"I'm… I think I need a drink," she concluded, and he smiled in relief. That was something he could do for her. He held out the jar of bourbon.

"Here ya go, Kate. Now, I think I need some answers."

"Gibbs." Her voice was gentle, surprisingly. It was a maternal tone that reminded him of his own mother. He wondered where or when she'd developed such a tone. He glanced at her hands, and was both relieved and surprised- she wore no ring. "I can give you some of those answers."

"First off, where the hell have you been?"

"I was doing security work. A research group hired me to be their security. Mittelos Bioscience, they're called." She sipped at the bourbon.

He grunted. He'd heard of that particular company, but their reputation was not a particularly good one. Their workers tended to disappear into thin air, and were frequently not heard of afterwards. They did fertility research, so he had to assume she was doing security for one of their labs.

"I was protecting some pretty powerful people in the company. As part of my job. And-."

"Did you get involved with a gang or something?" he asked, impatient.

She blinked, and then looked into her glass. "No. Not a gang, Gibbs."

"So? What?"

"During my job, I came across the intel that there was a very real possibility that Ari was alive."

"Kate, Ari is dead. He was killed right where you're standing," Gibbs said. He was confused.

She blinked, "I know that. I inquired further and found out he was dead, but he had some very powerful connections. They were looking for- for someone."

"For you?" he asked, fed up with her non-answers.

"No."

"Then for who?"

XNCISX

He stared down at the little girl, currently sleeping on his couch. She had dark hair. That much he could tell in the dark. She couldn't be any older than four or five.

"Her name is Rose. I call her Rosie."

"Why are acquaintances of Ari's looking for her?" he asked. She suddenly wouldn't look her in the eye, and he felt his own eyes widen in shock. He was unable to speak, and finally regained command of his emotions and vocal cords. "When?" he demanded.

"He showed up in my hospital room. Slipped his way in when the nurses changed shifts. He did go to medical school after all." She shivered at the memory, but he recognized the bitterness in her voice.

"So this little girl…?"

"I think so."

"You never- you don't know for sure?" Gibbs asked, shocked. A thought nagged at the back of his mind, but he refused to consider the possibility.

"No. I was afraid to find out the answer." She looked up at him, "I'm still scared."

He paused, "Not for the first time, I'm glad he's dead. But tell me- Kate, is that why you quit?"

"I couldn't come back," she looked at her hands, "I didn't want to face it."

"So what's your plan?" he asked.

"She'll be safe with you," Kate said quietly.

"How old is she?"

"She's five years old."

"Kate what makes you think I know anything about kids?" he asked, staring at her, daring her to challenge him. She knew about Shannon and Kelly.

She squared her shoulders and looked him in the eye, "Because, Gibbs. I know you. I've seen you with kids on the job, and you're good with them. Plus- and don't you dare say otherwise- I know you had a daughter once."

"You want me to look after her for you, while you lead them off the trail, is that it?" he asked, grasping the situation.

"Yes. They won't think I'll leave her. But I trust you, Gibbs. She's only a child. Whatever they intend to do to her, she doesn't deserve it." She smoothed a hand over the little girl's hair.

"Rose, huh?" he asked.

"My own middle name, and my favorite flower," she admitted, "Her full name is Rose Abigail Heather Todd."

"Abby will have a heart attack."

"You'll have to introduce them," Kate smiled, but frowned as she looked to him. "Will you look after her for me?"

"Yes," he agreed. God help me, he thought, looking down at this girl, a child who could be Ari's, but for certain was the daughter of Caitlin Todd. "I think since I owe you my life, looking after Rosie here won't be too much of a burden."

"I'm leaving tomorrow, after breakfast." She stood up.

"Who says I'll make you breakfast?"

"Considering it's when I'll be properly introducing the two of you?" She smiled. "I think you'll be nice enough to make me breakfast."

He shook his head after her, and said, "She shouldn't be sleeping on the couch. It's not healthy for her, you know. There's a spare bedroom upstairs, and my bedroom is next to it. You can sleep in there if you want. And you'll be close to her."

She narrowed her eyes, "Is this just because you sleep on the couch and want it back?"

He allowed a small grin, "Maybe. I'll carry her upstairs. You go on and get ready for bed. You must be exhausted."

"I've been travelling through multiple time zones with a five year old, going through airports and train stations worldwide, battling heat stroke, dehydration and jet lag. Exhausted doesn't even begin to cover it, Gibbs." She swung a bag over her shoulder.

"Good night," he called, picking the little girl up. She wasn't too heavy, and light for her size. Automatically, she curled against him in a display of trust. He smiled, and closed his eyes, sending a prayer heavenward for Kelly.

When he got upstairs, he paused outside Kate's door, as it was flung open. Kate pressed a kiss to Rosie's forehead, and brushed her hair back from her face, "Goodnight, blossom," she whispered, before nodding at Gibbs. "Good night Gibbs."

"Night, Katie."

She closed the door, but not before he saw the secretive smile. Ah, so she did remember. That was reassuring. He opened the door to the spare bedroom, and with one hand, managed to pull back the covers. They were still clean and not very dusty. He slid the little girl between the blankets, but not before noticing the ragged bunny she clutched. He smiled to himself, remembering Kelly's sock monkey before tucking her in. He walked out, the lump in his throat too much to bear. He figured he and Kate would discuss things in the morning. He didn't know why Kate had chosen him to trust, but figured he might as well make the best of it. With that thought, he headed downstairs to the couch.

However, before he went to bed himself, he did something he hadn't done for a long time. He bolted the front door.

XNCISX

He was woken up by the sound of the coffeemaker beeping at him, and blinked. He remembered suddenly.

Kate. Rosie. Ari.

He opened his eyes, only to see Kate standing in his kitchen, more modestly dressed than the basketball jerseys she'd favored as a young agent.

"Morning," his voice was hoarse.

She turned around, and smiled, "Morning Gibbs. Why don't you come sit down? I've made breakfast."

"Is your daughter awake yet?"

"No, I looked in on her about a half hour ago. She should be awake soon though, and hungry too. She may be five, but she had the appetite of a teenage boy." Kate laughed at the sight of him.

He stood up from the couch, stretching his stiff muscles. The couch never helped his body recover from work, but he still preferred it. Closer to the door. He smirked as he watched her move self-assuredly around his kitchen, her hair wild. It was something that hadn't changed.

She sat down across from him.

"So," he started conversationally, "Heather, hm? Did you just enjoy plant names?"

"Well I couldn't call her Donald," Kate blushed, "Heather. From Scotland. I wasn't going to call her Thistle either. It's for Ducky."

"Oh." He was surprised. "Tell me about Rose."

"Her birthday is Valentine's Day. If you enjoy irony. Her bunny is named Alec."

"Very Scottish," he jested.

"She loves to read. She nearly pitched a fit when I told her we could only pack twenty of her books."

"She's five," he pointed out.

"As if that will stop her."

"Is she gifted?"

"She's very smart for her age. My boss called her a genius. If you hear her talking about her Uncle Ben, that's him," she warned, "She's very fond of him."

"Okay. And her eating habits?"

"She's not allergic to anything, and she'll eat anything. She loves fruit. All kinds."

"I see," he nodded, "What about school? Shouldn't she be in school right now?"

"She's been homeschooled for a year, and she's good enough go into first grade in the fall."

"Wait, she's done for the year? Kate, it's April."

"I've noticed," She said. "I told you she was smart."

"So what am I supposed to do with her all day?" he asked, concerned at once.

"Take her to work," Kate said evenly, "Give Tony something to do besides slacking off."

He chuckled. "He has matured you know."

"Not much, and I'd bet my best shirt on it."

"Hope your best shirt isn't worth much," he retorted.

She grinned, "Anyway, all her vaccines are up to date. That includes a handful of inoculations that ward off tropical diseases."

"Where the hell was she born?" he asked, suddenly curious.

Kate grinned. "Oregon."

"What?"

"She's as American as you are, Gibbs," she smiled.

"And?"

"I've got her medical history, and passport. It's all in a folder in one of her two suitcases. Don't lose her stuffed rabbit, she'll go berserk. Not too much candy, and Gibbs, I beg of you, please don't get her hooked on coffee quite yet."

"Anything else?"

"She's got a huge imagination. Loves to tell stories." Kate glanced up at the ceiling, "She's very friendly, but can be shy at times. And she knows all about you. I told her a little bit about the whole team."

"Can she help me with the boat?"

"If you ask her nicely," Kate smirked, "She can dress herself and brush her own hair. She's pretty self-sufficient. Don't worry."

Gibbs looked up at the sound of running footsteps upstairs. Kate smiled into her mug of coffee.

"Mommy!" came a voice that sounded like Kate in miniature. It was his turn to smile. Rosie ran into the kitchen, clutching the stuffed bunny and wearing ragged pajamas covered in Disney characters.

"Morning blossom. Sleep okay?"

Rosie nodded, "Yeah. Breakfast?"

"Sure, sweetie, but first let me introduce you. Rosie, this is Agent Gibbs."

Rosie looked at him with eyes that were definitely not Ari's. They were a brilliant blue, and she smiled at him, a dazzling smile, "Hi," she waved shyly, before moving over to her mother, her bunny tucked under her arm.

"It's a pleasure, Rosie. But you don't have to call me Agent Gibbs, okay? You can just call me Jethro."

Kate grinned at him, in a surprised but pleased sort of way, before hauling her daughter into her lap, "Remember what I told you? About Jethro?" The word slipped easily from her, as though practiced for years.

"He's gonna look after me, right?" Rosie asked.

"Yeah, blossom. That's right. He'll introduce you to everyone at work too. You're gonna have to behave for him, okay? Like you would for me?"

"What about Uncle Ben?" Rosie asked, looking up at her.

Gibbs watched. He'd suspected a maternal streak, buried somewhere inside Caitlin Todd. Granted, as she'd left as a young agent, he'd never had the chance to observe it. And now that streak was being displayed in his kitchen, like a Normal Rockwell scene. And yet, he didn't mind.

"Uncle Ben is still gone for work, Rosie. He's going to meet me back home, okay? He's safe. And he's going to look after me. We're going to work together."

Rosie touched her mother's face, "You behave too, mommy."

"I will, sweetie." Kate rubbed a hand over her daughter's hair, and stood up, "I better go."

"No, mom. Please don't go."

"Oh Rosie," she knelt down and wrapped her arms around her daughter, "I have to. But I promise I'll come back. I love you Rosie."

"I love you too, mommy."

When they broke from the embrace, Gibbs nodded, "I'll walk you to the door. Rosie, why don't you enjoy some breakfast?"

He walked with Kate, and when they were standing on the porch, he sighed, "Christ, Kate, I can't believe you show up here for one night, drop a little girl in my lap and skip town the next day. All because you say you trust me."

She smiled, "Gibbs I trust you, because you prioritize family. And that's what I need from you. I need you to consider her your family. Please, Gibbs."

"Kate, you know I'll watch her."

"I know." She reached up and kissed him. "Take care of yourself too, Jethro. And thank you. I'll be back." She walked over to the car.

He called out, "Good bye, Katie."

She smiled, but got in the car, nonetheless. He raised a hand and waved as she drove away, still wondering about what to do. The daughter of Caitlin Todd was sitting in his house and he had work to do.

He took a deep breath, still feeling her kiss on his lips. Damn it, she had him pegged.

He walked inside and closed the door.