This piece was written as a response to a challenge. I was given both the first and last lines and a minimum word count of 500. As I told them on the board for the challenge; I think I went a little over. Also this was my first attempt at fanfic ever, so keep that in mind as you read.

Thanks m.a.c. for the title!

This could probably be rated G, but better to err on the side of caution. No romance involved here, sorry folks.

Standard Disclaimers apply: I don't own anything associated with NCIS, the people with all the money do. But that doesn't stop me from liking them a whole lot!

I've never seen a sample that big, Abby quipped. She looked at the large container of ice cream Gibbs had set down in front of her. I thought I told you I just wanted you to bring me back a small sample of their new flavor!

Gibbs permitted himself a very small smile. Abbs, they have five new flavors and the kid scooping was getting on my nerves, so I brought you back a scoop of each new flavor, okay? Why don't you analyze the ones you don't like? Abby just laughed at the suggestion and he allowed his smile to broaden ever so slightly as he turned to go. Then he tossed over his shoulder on the way out, I'm not bringing you ice cream samples ever again, Abbs. Shaking his head as he headed for the elevators, Gibbs thought he needed to be less predictable about where and when he went for coffee.

As he stepped off the elevator and headed down the hall to the bullpen, he could hear Kate and Tony talking animatedly with someone. Then he nearly froze as he heard a voice he hadn't expected to hear ever again. Forcing himself forward, with normal behaviour Gibbs rounded the corner to see a striking redhead chatting casually with his team.

Boss! Where ya been? Looks like we might have something kinda different here, Tony leapt right into the heart of the matter. Kate, noticing the odd look between her boss and the newcomer, tried to ease the tension. Gibbs, this is Detec ..... Kate got no further as Gibbs cut her off

Leah. Didn't expect to see you here again.

Didn't expect to be here again, Gibbs. How are you? I brought you some coffee.

Gibbs looked over at his desk to see the cup sitting there, then at the nearly empty cup in his hand. He really didn't want her here, didn't want her bringing him coffee, but somehow he just couldn't turn her away as coldly as he'd like to either. Damn. Damn her.

All right Leah, tell me what you think you have for me.

What I think I have is some stupid punk got himself murdered on my turf. What I know I have is something that belongs on your desk, not mine. And my boss'll have my ass in a sling for giving it to you. With that Leah picked up a thick evidence bag from Kate's desk and tossed onto Gibbs', landing it perfectly just beside the coffee he had yet to touch.
It's not poisoned, you know. She nodded at the cup. Not even I would be that obvious. Turning to Kate she smiled and said, Call me sometime when the Grinch isn't around and we'll do lunch. Including Tony in with a wave, It was really nice meeting you both. Hope you figure out that little puzzle. Leah headed off towards the elevators with out so much as a glance back at Gibbs, who was thoroughly absorbed in sorting through the items she'd left.

Say, Boss, how do you know Detective Hecht? Tony asked casually as he pulled on gloves and came over to help Gibbs sort the evidence.

Used to be NCIS. responded Gibbs without looking up. This did not make sense. Why would a street punk be carrying Naval documents. These particular documents should have been in a courier pouch. Gibbs started looking to see if any fingerprints had been taken before the items had been bagged.

Kate, seeing that Gibbs sorting had attained more of a purpose decided to focus on business rather than personal. What did you find?

I'm looking to see if they printed any of this stuff. Gibbs told her.

Kate replied, Um, Detective Hecht said that when she realized what she had at the scene, she collected it all herself and brought it straight to us. Even made me sign for it. She wasn't kidding about the butt in a sling bit.

Tony jumped in, What I don't get is why she just didn't call in NCIS for a proper investigation? We could have been there in minutes and done all this by the book.

Gibbs looked at the younger man. Did you ask her that?

Actually I did. She never really answered me.

With a tiny nod, Gibbs said, Will one of you take this down to Abby and ask her to print the documents and analyze the rest ASAP. I'd better go over to Arlington and see if I can fix this.

As Gibbs left, Kate and Tony just stared at each other. Well, that was certainly odd, even for Gibbs, Kate said.

Tony nodded, Odder still, he never even touched the coffee she brought. There's more than just a former agent here, Kate. And how did he know where to find her anyway? They exchange puzzled looks. Let's get this down to Abby and see what she can make of it.

They began gathering up the material from Gibbs desk. As Tony went to pick up the evidence bag with the documents in it, Kate saw something odd. Tony, let me see that for a minute. Careful to keep it at the same angle, Kate took the bag and looked at it carefully.

Something wrong? Tony came around to stand beside her, head cocked.

Yeah, I think so, she replied. The seals on this document don't seem quite right. Do you see it?

You know, I think I do. Let's get Abby to print all of these first and then get someone from documents to check them out. They might all be forgeries.

Kate took a step back and turned to look at him. Forgeries. On a street punk? And no investigation through channels. What is the deal here?

Tony shook his head and finished picking up the evidence. No idea, Kate, but I'm guessing we'd better stay one step ahead of what Gibbs wants. That redhead detective made him pretty tense.