"Gibbs, I know you want answers but there's too much here. Major mass spec is on overload and if I input any more data into these computers they're gonna blow," Abby said. "But, I think I know a way to get the reconstructions done. We'll go old school."
"Old school?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah, pencils, erasers, all that," she answered. "And I know just the person to do them."
"Of course you do," he said. "That person would be?"
"My sister," Abby said. "It just happens she's in town visiting mom. I can probably get her to stay a couple of extra days to do these. You may have to make a phone call or two, though."
"She'll be willing to do this?" Gibbs asked aware of Abby's tumultuous relationship with her sister.
"Actually, she's already agreed; I called her before you came down here," Abby confessed. "She'll be here as soon as I let her know you approved and cleared it with her boss."
"If it means I get identification quicker, I approve," he said.
"Good. Here's the number for her boss. Remember to ask nice, we don't need an international incident with Canada," Abby said. "I'll call her and tell her to head over now."
An hour later, Victoria Sciuto Thériault walked off the elevator into the bullpen area of the NCIS offices. She looked around, unsure of which direction to go. From his desk, Agent Tony DiNozzo noticed her indecision and quickly walked over to offer assistance. "Can I help you?"
"I hope so," she answered. "I'm looking for Abby Sciuto. She's expecting me."
"Abby's lab is this way; let me show you," he answered and flashed a smile. "I'm Special Agent Tony DiNozzo."
"Victoria Thériault. Nice to meet you," she replied smiling back at him.
As they walked between the desks, McGee and Ziva looked up to see the woman accompanying Tony. What they observed was a woman with short, choppy blonde hair carrying a mid-size black case and black purse. Her dark red lips and lined eyelids recalled classic Hollywood; however her clothes were anything but. She wore a white button down shirt and had the sleeves cuffed up to her elbows, the collar turned up and the buttons undone to an almost scandalous level. Her black pencil skirt came to her knees but was high-waisted with a corset-like lacing in the front. Around her neck from a double chain hung a subtly glittering shield pendant showcasing a skull and her heels were red plaid. Before they got past McGee's desk they were met by Gibbs.
"You must be Tori," he said holding out his hand disregarding Tony. "I'm Jethro Gibbs. Let me take you down to Abby."
As Gibbs and Tori walked through the lab's door, Abby looked up and smiled wryly, "You're all dressed up."
"If you didn't call I did have a plane to catch later and I can't wear that to my office," Tori replied pointing at her skirt. "Cute skirt, though. Mom said thanks for keeping me here an extra few days, by the way."
Gibbs looked on, uncharacteristically hesitant to interrupt. Although he didn't tell her, he was happy Abby seemed to be patching things up with her sister. He cleared his throat. "Can we get started?"
"Sure," they replied in unison. Abby then led her sister over to the LED screen on the wall. As Tori looked on, she flashed photos of the remains in the area they had been found while Gibbs provided a short rundown of the case.
"Where are the skulls now and do you need the reconstructions done in any particular order?" Tori asked when Abby finished.
"They're over in autopsy and no, we just need them finished as soon as you can," Abby replied.
"Where do you want me to set up?" Tori questioned.
"I made a spot for you over there," Abby said and pointed to a corner with a small light table. "What else do you need? I didn't have time to do much."
"Get me a camera and markers if you have them and I'll take the photos and get started. Just point me in the direction of autopsy," Tori responded. "Agent Gibbs, I won't have all five done today, but I'll get them done as fast as I can."
"Thank you. I'll leave you to get started. And Abby, I need the results on the trace evidence as soon as possible," Gibbs replied as he left the room.
Tori gathered the camera and other supplies she needed and headed to autopsy with Abby. Ducky looked up from his small desk as the doors opened. "Abigail, I was wondering where you had gotten to. You must be Victoria," he said. "Ah yes, there is a definite resemblance around the eyes."
"When her hair wasn't dark there was even more of one," Tori replied with a sideways glance at Abby. "And please, it's Tori."
"Then call me Ducky," he answered. "I have the skulls over here. They've been cleaned and are ready for you."
"I can take the photos here," Tori said as Tony, Ziva and McGee entered the room. "Abb, you can get back to whatever you need to. I'll be fine."
The trio of agents looked at each other uncomfortably. They had come to autopsy to ask Ducky about the mystery woman meeting with Abby; none of them expected her to be there.
"Yes?" Ducky asked them. "I don't remember calling you three down here."
"You didn't," McGee admitted. "We were hoping you had more information on the remains we found. Trace evidence, that sort of thing."
"You would need to see Abby for that," Ducky replied.
"And look at that, she's here," Tony said. "So Abby, any news on the trace evidence?"
Before Abby could answer, Ziva walked over to Tori and spoke up, "Why are you here to see Abby?"
"I'm doing facial reconstructions on the skulls. Abby doesn't have time with all the other evidence to process so she asked if I would help," Tori replied.
"You are qualified to do this?" Ziva inquired.
"I've done reconstructions before," Tori stated.
"Guys," Abby cut in before things could get out of hand. "Let me introduce you to my sister, Tori. She's worked with Canadian police in the past, Ziva."
"Your sister?" Tony choked out as Tori looked on amused. "I didn't know you had a sister. McGee, did you know Abby had a sister?"
"Well…" McGee answered. "Abby may have mentioned it in passing but never went into detail."
"Yes, I am Abby's sister. I'll be here until the reconstructions are done," Tori replied. "It's been really nice meeting all of you and I'd love to talk more but I have to get to work."
"So do they," Gibbs announced having entered the autopsy room unnoticed.