"Pack your bags, we're going for a trip," Gibbs announces as he wonders into the squad room.
Three faces stare up at him, questioningly. He shakes his head.
"Go home, get your things together. We are going to Ohio. We've got a case, and we will be gone for a few days. I'll meet you back here in an hour. Make sure that all of you have eaten. DiNozzo go potty before we leave. It's going to be a long trip."
An hour later they return, and find Gibbs in the garage. Abby waits with him. They gather around Gibbs.
"Abby, you will be riding with McGee."
She raises her hand. "Yes Abby," he questions.
"Can I drive?"
"That is up to McGee. Go, put your stuff in the car," he motions the two of them on.
Tony, and Ziva step forward.
"What about us?"
"The two of you will be taking the other car. Make good use of your time. The two of you should discuss your plans for the rest of your lives, because they are about to change. Work out your issues, I don't care how, just do it. The two of you will be spending a lot more time together in the coming years."
"What aren't you telling us? Why are we going all the way to Ohio?"
"It's a favor, for a friend. Look, the two of you need to... I don't know what you need to do, but you have to learn to live with each other."
"Why?" Ziva wonders.
"You'll see," he smiles.
"Can we have a hint?" Tony begs.
"You will find out when we get there," Gibbs answers.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Ziva remarks.
"Get used to those," he motions them to their vehicle.
He climbs onto the rig with Ducky, and Palmer.
An hour later they finally break the silence between them. He turns off the radio. She pushes the sunglasses further back on the bridge of her nose. She watches the road. She waits for him to begin.
"Don't you think that it's weird that he hasn't told us anything about the case?"
"What do you think that he meant when he said that we are going to be spending a lot more time together? How could we spend more time together? I see you more than I see... anyone else."
"I don't know," he shrugs.
"Should we be worried?"
"I'm terrified."
"I've got your back," she reminds him.
"Somehow, I don't think that will enough this time."
"So what should we talk about?"
"Can we talk about..."
"No," she shoots him down.
"I don't like him."
"You don't know him," she argues.
"It doesn't matter. I'm sure he's not good enough."
"I don't want to hear this."
"He told us to work it out," he reminds her.
Hours later they pull into a hotel parking lot. They wait for Gibbs to check them in. He doles out room keys. One for Tony and Ziva. One for Abby, and McGee. One for Palmer, and Ducky. And one for himself. After parking, and dropping their things in their rooms, they meet him in his room. He sits at a table, in the corner of the room. They all watch him, as he begins speaking.
"First of all I would like to say that the room assignments are non-negotiable."
"Gibbs..." Abby begins to argue.
"Abby, I don't want to hear it."
"Why are we here?" McGee queries.
"I know you are all wondering why I dragged you to Ohio, in the middle of February, to investigate a case. I think that all of you will want answers on this one, that's why I brought you here. Ducky, you'll access to the body first thing in the morning. McGee you and Abby will work on the car. Tony, Ziva, the two of you are well... I have plans for you."
"What are we investigating?" Abby quizzes.
"The death of Damon Werth."
A silence falls over the room. They all stare at him.
"He was killed in a car accident. Because of the work he was doing, the circumstances are being considered suspicious. That's all I know. Everyone should go to their room, and get some rest, it is going to be a long case."
Everyone begins to leave the room.
"Tony, Ziva, I need a moment alone, with the two of you."
"I'll just be, getting some ice," Ducky excuses himself.
Tony, and Ziva return to the table. "Have a seat," he instructs. They slide into seats on either side of him.
"The two of you, probably will not be getting any sleep."
"What does that mean?" Tony wonders.
"Damon had very specific instructions for the two of you. You will meet with his attorney, first thing in the morning. Then you have another pit stop that you will need to make."
"Gibbs, what is going on?" Ziva furrows her brow.
"Damon left something behind, for the two of you."
"What did he leave us?"
"The two of us?" Tony clarifies.
"Damon was involved with a Marine named Heidi Grammer. He met her, when he came here. She was deployed shortly after they met."
"We have to tell her?" Ziva assumes.
"No. Heidi was killed in combat, two weeks ago."
"What did he leave us? He left us a dog, didn't he?"
"No, DiNozzo. This is a lot more responsibility than a dog. You see, after Heidi was deployed she learned that she was pregnant. She came home for a few weeks, when the baby was born, but had to return."
They stare at him, with their mouths agape. Ziva is the first to comprehend, and verbalize what they have just learned.
"You are saying that Damon had a child? That he left that child, to Tony, and I?"
"Yes. That is what I am saying."
"Boss, are you sure?"
"Yes, her name is Marisa, and she is seven weeks old. You'll be picking her up, at nine tomorrow, after you meet with Damon's attorney."
"You're kidding right?"
"Does it look like I'm kidding, DiNozzo?"