Parallel Lines

Rating: K

Crossover: Sue Thomas FBEye with NCIS

Disclaimer: The usual. Major characters aren't mine. Minor characters are. Any similarities in character names and plot points especially in recent NCIS episodes are purely coincidental since I began this story nearly four years ago! Talk about a major writer's block!

A/N: It's taken a heck of a long time to find my way with this one! So many plot twists and turns. You think you're in charge of writing the story but it's not true. Sometimes they take on a life of their own and this was one of them. I love both shows so I hope you enjoy it. Also, I love Kate so she's in this one.

A/N2: Okay, I don't know what's happening but I've reposted this twice because it's actually a Sue Thomas/NCIS story and not the other way around. Hope this time the story will post correctly!

Summary: Murder, smuggling, a kidnapping and a hint of romance bring our favorite NCIS and FBI teams together.

Prologue

Iraq

Bombed out Building

Five Marines burst into a bombed out building. Checking each room, they worked their way down to the basement.

"Clear!" one by one the men called out.

"Hey, Craig!" shouted one of the men. "I found something!"

"Careful," another Marine called out. "Could be booby-trapped."

While a couple of the men made sure it was clear, the other three gathered about two crates in the basement of a bombed out building.

After carefully examining the exterior for any signs of rigged explosives, he found none.

"Open them!" ordered the Marine in charge.

The tops were pried open to reveal packing material. Careful separating the shredded material revealed a beautifully enameled vase no larger than the man's hand.

"Whew!" said one Marine. "Looks valuable…like it should belong in a museum."

"Yeah."

NCIS bullpen

"Tony, will you give me back my purse?" demanded Kate. She tried to swipe it away but he held it just beyond her reach.

"Why?" he asked eyeing the purse suspiciously. "What do you have in here that's such a secret?"

Hands on hips, she said in exasperation, "Could it be because it is my purse and that I consider it my personal property?"

Gibbs strode by holding his ubiquitous cup of coffee. "Give it back, DiNozzo," he said in passing. "Kate's purse is off limits." A flash of triumph appeared in her face as she grabbed her bag away from Tony. "Where's McGee?"

"Flat tire. Aww, Boss," whined Tony. "I just needed a tissue and I thought Kate would carry one in her purse. I didn't want to bother her over something so trivial."

"Next time ask!" she glared at him as she dug into her bag for one. Holding it out to him, she said, "Here."

He held up his hand. "Too late. The urge to sneeze has passed."

Kate just shook her head.

The phone rang. "Gibbs," was the terse response. "Where?" he asked as he scribbled down the information.

Kate and Tony looked at each and immediately started gathering their things. "We'll be there in twenty minutes." He hung up and punched in a number. "Ducky, we've got a homicide."

"Tell McGee to meet us at the crime scene," ordered Gibbs when he got off the phone with Dr. Mallard.

"What's up, Boss?" asked Tony as he slung his backpack over his shoulder.

"Dead Marine in a burning car," was the brief explanation.

"Since when does NCIS investigate car accidents?" asked a puzzled Kate.

"Since the dead Marine was found in the back seat with no sign of a driver. Let's go."

FBI Bullpen

"New case people," announced Dimitrius Gans as he strode in to the bullpen holding up a folder.

Bobby looked up from his perch on Sue's desk and pointed to their supervisor.

"I'm sure you've heard the rumors that artifacts from Iraq were smuggled into this country. As of this date, it's been confirmed. At least one of them has been sold. As you all know, by international agreement, this is a no-no. We need to find out if there are any more, retrieve them and return said artifacts to the Iraqi people."

Myles looked suspiciously at D. "Will this eventually entail a trip to Iraq?"

D shook his head. "No. All we have to do is find the stuff. The State Department will handle the return of any we find."

"Why us?"

"Because the artifact was sold right here in DC to an art dealer who reported it to the FBI."

He looked around.

"Tara, Lucy, compile a list of Iraqi art objects that have been reported lost or stolen. When their art museum was bombed, whole scale looting occurred so the list won't be a complete one by any means. Jack, get a list of art dealers, pawn brokers, whomever else you can think of that would deal in this kind of stuff. Bobby, Sue, I want you to interview this art dealer and see what kind of information he can give us."

His gaze settled on the art aficionado on the team. "And Myles, why don't you go along? Your art expertise may actually be useful."

"Well, if it's anything like the time he bought the forged painting thinking it was the genuine article I'm thinking Levi here could be the better expert," commented Bobby with an innocent expression.

"I'll have you know, Koala Boy, that I wasn't…."

"Now, now, boys, no fighting," interrupted Sue in a motherly tone of voice as she stepped between them to retrieve her jacket. "We have a job to do. You can finish the argument when we get back."

As they grabbed their coats, Lucy signed, "Good luck. You'll need it with those two."

Sue's dimples appeared. "They'll behave…or else!"

Bobby's eyes narrowed as he caught a glimpse of the exchange. "Should I even ask what you just told Lucy?"

Sue shook her head. "Nope. C'mon, Levi. Let's go learn about art."