Kate glanced around furtively before continuing her search. She certainly didn't want to get caught doing this. Why she was doing it, even she wasn't sure. Curiosity? All she was sure of was that this would take forever. It didn't help that she knew next to nothing about what – who – she was searching for.

One step at a time, she encouraged herself, taking yet another fleeting look around the office. She had found the birth record, finally. It had taken several hours, spread over several days; she had had no idea how many people had the same name. Now she just had to find the marriage certificate.

This proved to be slightly easier than the birth announcement, since she already had a general location and time. It still took two hours. Fortunately, Gibbs was out on a case. She was supposed to be finishing paperwork but, she figured, there was plenty of time for that. Besides, this was far more interesting.

When she finally found the last piece of 'evidence', she couldn't suppress a small cheer. Blushing embarrassedly as several nearby people turned to look at her curiously, she hurriedly printed out two pages and...sat down in her chair. What was she supposed to do now? She was thrilled she had found out, but she felt the irresistible urge of a secret-holder. She had to tell someone.

But who? Usually when she had evidence, she ran it straight to Gibbs. She obviously couldn't do that with this. So who then? The thought sprang into her head accompanied by a groan. Not him...but it had to be...there was no one else. Tony.

"Hey, Sparky, we're back!"

"Kate," Gibbs greeted her less exuberantly. "Get your paperwork done?"

"Uh, some of it," Kate said guiltily. "Most of it. There's a lot," she offered by way of explanation. Gibbs did not look too impressed as he, of course, left for some coffee.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Kate leaned over to Tony. "Psst, Tony," she hissed.

"What?" he whispered back. "And why are we whispering?"

"You know how Gibbs is always saying he's a bastard?"

"Yeah..." Tony replied, a question in his voice.

"Well, look at this." Kate handed over her 'evidence'. Tony scanned it quickly, his eyes widening slowly.

"That explains it," he breathed.

"Explains what?" Kate asked.

"This is why Gibbs looks at me funny every time I call shotgun."