"You okay?" Tony asked as we knelt over Kate on the rooftop. "I just got shot at point-blank range, DiNozzo. What do you think?" Kate groaned. "You're not going to Pilates class tomorrow. And that wasn't point-blank range." Tony quipped as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end making me look around only to notice the glint of sunlight off a snipers riffle a few rooftops away. "McGee. Get air support. We got a sniper." I announce into the radio. "Stay down, Kate." Tony says as both of us lay on our stomachs out of shooting range while the helicopter arrives. Soon enough we get the voice of air support through the radio announcing the death of Ari as he tried to flee across some rooftops. "Come on Kate, let's get you checked out." I state as Tony and I stand then help Kate up. "Gibbs I'm fine." Kate says giving me a glare. "I wasn't asking Kate, you could have a broken rib; now lets get you looked at." I announce in a no nonsense tone.
As the EMT's looked at Kate, I went with Ducky to identify Ari's body. Starring at the body of the terrorist that had taken my people hostage months ago, and tried to kill a member of my team today; I couldn't help but feel as if a huge weight had been lifted of my shoulders. Tony was taking measurements and snapping photos, while McGee was collecting all the evidence; as Ducky and I talked for a moment. "Found Ari's sniper's nest boss. Roof of an abandoned office building to the east. Didn't police his brass." McGee announced handing me an evidence bag with three bullet casings as it started raining. "They're Lapua .308s." McGee said while I studied the casings. "Lapua's match-grade sniper ammo. You and Tony find any bullets?" I ask using my flashlight to get a closer look as rain turned into an all out downpour. "None that match the casings. There are three guys on the roof searching." McGee stated as I handed him the evidence bag. "I'm going to get these bastard terrorist's back to the lab before the rain washes away all the evidence." Ducky grumbled while he and Palmer got to work. "Let's check on Kate, then were all heading back to the office and getting dry." I tell McGee as I toss the keys at Tony.
"She has at least one broken rib, and a concussion; plus her vest absorbed a shot to the chest. We really need to take her in for more tests, and possibly observation." The male EMT announced as Tony, McGee and I walked up to the back of the ambulance. "I'm fine Gibbs! I've worked with worse!" Kate stated as she glared at the EMT. "Kate go get checked out at the hospital, I don't want to see you unless you have a doctors note." I said suppressing a chuckle at her behavior. Mumbling under her breath the whole time, she settled back and let the EMT's take care of her while they got ready to go to the hospital. Tony, McGee, and I ran back to the car and started on our way to NCIS. Upon arrival Director Morrow called me into MTAC, as I was going through the rest of the evidence from the shooting. After scanning in, I walked into the dimly lit room full of theater chairs and computers. Quietly so not to disturb whatever is going on with the other agents in the room, I sat next to Morrow in the back row of chairs. "I endorsed your recommendation to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Special Agent Todd" Morrow said keeping his eyes on the big screen in front of us. "Thank you sir." I state simply. "According to your after-action report, Ari was on a rooftop six hundred meters away. Extraordinary shot." Morrow said flatly. "No sir, not really." I state somewhat annoyed. "You were a sniper with the corps, weren't you?" Morrow asked turning to me slightly. "Two tours." I say hoping to change topic soon. "Vietnam?" Morrow asked with a raise of his eyebrow. "I'm not that old sir. Panama and Desert Storm." I say with a sigh as we both watch a car come into view on the screen. "Thought you were older." Morrow joked silently as we watched the car on screen get blown up.
"Anyway, your not my problem anymore Jethro." Morrow said standing up as the room emptied of agents. "You firing me, sir?" I ask a little stunned. "I've been offered a Deputy Director's position at Homeland Security." Morrow explained with a sigh. "You'd leave NCIS sir?" I ask stunned. "Well the agency could use some younger blood." Morrow grumbled. "Well who'd be replacing you sir?" I ask hopping it wasn't some paper pushing desk jockey. "Not me!" I exclaim as Morrow just continues to stare at me. "Much as I like you Jethro, I would not shoot NCIS in the head. He's your problem now, Director." Morrow said as he walked away laughing. A women stood up from the front row of seats and smoothly turned to face me as I stood up. "Hello Jethro." Jen stated as we stood there starring at each other. And with just those two words my mind slipped back to Paris. The undercover operation we worked together in a tiny little apartment, the all to innocent touches that quickly became so much more; only for her to leave me a Dear John letter on the plane. "Should we skip the you haven't aged a bit bull?" Jen asked bringing me back to reality. "Why start lying to each other now, Jen?" I ask with a bit of bite to my words only to see something flicker in her eyes. "Any problems taking orders from me?" Jen asked before I could name what had crossed her eyes. "As director or as a woman?" I ask annoyed. "Either." Jen asked calmly. "It was six years ago. The past wont be a problem." I state as I walk down to her level and stare into one of the few pairs of eye that still haunt my dreams. "You were a damn good agent. Especially undercover." I state with a tiny smirk. "Jethro." Jen stated in a kind of warning but I could see her fighting a smile. "Madam Director." I say right back to her warning as we smile at each other.
As we walked out of MTAC Jen started going of about how much of a nightmare killing Ari is making her job. "No suit with a tight ass is getting in my way, and that includes you, Jen." I argue while we walk down a small flight of stairs. "Special Agent Gibbs." Jen stated crossing her arms as I walked down a couple of stairs. With a sigh I stop and turn around only to see Jen standing there with her back completely straight tapping her foot. so I climb back up the stairs to her side as the whole office goes quiet. "On the job, it is Director Shepard or ma'am." Jen states with an edge to her voice. "Okay what about of the job?" I ask trying to hid the hope that we could try to get back together. Before Jen could reply we were interrupted by my phone going off. The screen read Todd so I answered as I walked down the last of the stairs. "Gibbs." I announce as I lift the phone to my ear while walking to my desk. "I have a concussion, three broken ribs, and a fractured wrist." Kate grumbled into my ear. My only response was a small chuckle as I moved the mouse to wake my computer. "Can I come to work now!" Kate demanded in my ear as I heard someone talking to her in the background. "How long do the doctors want you to stay for observation?" I ask completely ignoring her question. "At least over night, but all I'll be doing is sitting at my desk for the rest of the day doing paperwork and Ducky is right downstairs!" Kate pleaded like a child. "Sorry Kate, doctors orders, your staying at the hospital." I explain only to have her hang up on me. With a shake of my head I toss my phone on my desk and lean back in my chair. "I'm going for a coffee." I announce running my hands over my face.