"What we got?" demanded Gibbs as he strode up to a smashed up Corvette.

Metro PD officer Liza Fletcher bit back a response of 'and good morning to you too' when she recognised the MCRT truck and realised she was being addressed by the infamous Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

"Private First Class Gordon Mathers," she said, "drove his car off the road into this tree."

"Not his car, Boss," said McGee who had run a check on the vehicle registration, "it's registered to Royston Clark."

"Is it reported stolen?" asked Gibbs.

"Um. I'll check," said McGee.

"Where's Mathers?" asked Gibbs gesturing at the empty driver's seat.

"He was pretty banged up," said Officer Fletcher, "he's on his way to Bethesda."

"Why did you call us?" asked Tony, "we don't usually get called out to traffic accidents."

"He'd been shot," said Liza.

"That makes a difference," acknowledged Tony.

"You said he drove off the road into the tree," said Gibbs, "which is it?"

Liza took a deep breath to keep calm, "witness said he drove off the road. Just veered off. EMTs came and said he had a bullet wound. Didn't want to assume the bullet wound caused him to lose control. Hear you've got a rule against that."

Gibbs gave a half smile in acknowledgement.

"We'll take it from here. Thank you, Officer Fletcher."

Tony gave her a sympathetic smile and shrug as she was dismissed.

"Bishop, McGee!" shouted Gibbs."

"Boss?"

"Go to Bethesda. See what's happening with Mathers. McGee, anything come back on the car?"

"No, Boss," said McGee, "hasn't been reported stolen. I have an address for Royston Clark. He lives out at Fairfax."

"DiNozzo, sketch and shoot," said Gibbs, "Get on to Abby. Tell her to get someone out to take the car back to the Navy Yard. Then we'll pay Mr Clark a visit. See what he knows about his car."

NCISNCIS

"Wow," said Tony some time later when they drew up in front of the Clark house in Fairfax.

"What?" asked Gibbs.

"House is just like yours," said Tony, "well, the paintwork's better and the yard looks like it's been vacuumed …" he trailed off as he realised he'd been less than tactful, "perfectly understandable, Boss. You're a busy man." He winced as he followed Gibbs up the immaculate path.

"Can I help you?" asked the middle-aged woman who answered the door.

"Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo, Ma'am," said Gibbs as he showed his badge, "NCIS."

The woman paled. "NCIS?"

"Naval Criminal …" Tony began helpfully.

"I know what it is," came the reply, "I was in the Marine Corps for thirty years."

"You were?" asked Gibbs in surprise.

"It felt like it. I was a Marine Corps wife for three decades."

Gibbs nodded, relieved that his instincts had not let him down. The woman who stood before him somehow didn't look like a former Marine.

"Mrs Clark?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Is your husband at home?"

"No. He went out earlier today. I'm not expecting him back until this evening. Why do you want to know? Has something happened?"

"His car was in an accident," said Tony.

"Oh no! Was he hurt?" asked Mrs Clark anxiously.

"He wasn't in the car," said Gibbs.

"Did he drive the car today?" asked Tony.

"Uh, yes. Look, I'm afraid I don't understand. What's happened to my husband?"

"Can we come in, Mrs Clark?" asked Gibbs, "might be easier inside."

"Yes, of course, please come. Can I get you something? Coffee? I have some homemade lemonade."

"No. Thank you. We're good," said Gibbs as they followed her into a sunny family room which looked out on to a pristine backyard.

"Please," said their hostess, "tell me what's happened."

"Your husband's car went off the road in Fellowship Heights," said Tony, "it was being driven by a PFC Gordon Mathers. There was no sign of your husband. Do you know PFC Mathers?"

"I don't know the name," said Mrs Clark, "but my husband knows a lot of Marines and sailors."

"Here's a picture," said Tony, holding out his phone with the service picture McGee had emailed to him.

"No," she said, "I don't recognise him. What was he doing in Royston's car?"

"That's what we're trying to find out, Ma'am," said Gibbs, "the PFC had been shot."

"Shot?" gasped Mrs Clark.

"Has your husband contacted you since he left this morning?" asked Tony.

"No. But that's not surprising. He doesn't like using his cell."

Gibbs nodded in something like approval. "Where was he going?"

"He helps out at a veterans centre. Advice about welfare, housing, disability – you know the sort of thing."

"PFC Mathers is a bit young to be going there," commented Tony.

"Some younger men go there," said Mrs Clark, "If they've got problems. It's run by people like my husband with experience of life in the Marines and the Navy. Some youngsters find it easier to talk through problems with people outside the chain of command."

"How long has your husband been helping out?" asked Tony.

"A few months. He retired as a First Sergeant about six months ago. We settled here because it's near two Marine Corps bases! Royston's a Marine through and through. I can't imagine him not being involved."

"And you?" Tony wasn't sure why he asked the question. There was something a little wistful in Mrs Clark's voice.

"I would find it hard to imagine my life without the Corps as well," she replied.

"Could you try phoning your husband?" suggested Gibbs.

"Of course." She went and got her cell out of her purse and tried calling him. "It's gone straight to voice mail," she said, "but that's not surprising. I'd have been more surprised if he answered!"

"Where's this veterans centre?" asked Gibbs, "We'll go there, see if your husband is there. Here's my card. Call me if your husband contacts you."

"Of course," said Mrs Clark.

"Nice picture," said Tony as they walked towards the door. He pointed to a colourful abstract oil painting."

"Thank you," she said, "I've been taking classes. Agent Gibbs, do you think something has happened to my husband?"

"Too early to tell," he replied, "we'll be in touch, Mrs Clark."

"Please. Call me Maggie," she replied.

"Maggie," Gibbs confirmed. "We'll let you know."

As the door closed behind them and they walked back to the car Tony said, "What you think, Boss? Is something up?"

"Don't know, DiNozzo," said Gibbs as he gazed back at the house.

"But?"

"But the First Sergeants I knew? No Marine in their right mind would have stolen their car."

NCISNCIS

"What do we have?" asked Gibbs when the team had reassembled in the squad room later in the day.

"PFC Gordon Mathers. Twenty five years old. Works in Communications, based at Quantico," said Ellie, "demoted last year from Lance Corporal."

"Why?" asked Gibbs.

"He has issues with authority," said McGee, "doesn't like taking orders."

"How's he doing?" asked Tony.

"Went straight into surgery when he got to Walter Reed," said McGee, "operation to remove a bullet from his shoulder. He's got a fractured skull from the crash. Doctors think he'll make it but he's unconscious at the moment."

"What's the connection with Royston Clark?" asked Ellie.

"Former First Sergeant Royston Clark," recited Tony, "helps out at the Fellowship Heights Veteran Social Centre. We asked around. He's a popular guy. Like his wife said, the Centre helps with younger guys. People like Clark act as mentors. Seems that Mathers is one of those he's been trying to help. Trying to get him back on the straight and narrow."

"But Clark wasn't at the Centre today," said Gibbs.

"Although his wife thought that's where he was going," said Tony.

"And he was scheduled to," said Gibbs, "but he didn't show. And Mathers wasn't there either. McGee, track their cells. See where they've been. See if our accident victim spoke to Clark today."

"On it, Boss," said McGee. A few minutes later he said, "There was a call from our Marine to Clark late last night. Nothing since then and no calls made on their cells since."

"Check Clark's home phone," ordered Gibbs, "his wife says he doesn't like using cells."

McGee suppressed a smile at this Marine quirk and checked, "one call in, Boss. From a hairdresser's in Fairfax. Probably to Mrs Clark."

"Check, McGee," said Gibbs.

"What now, Boss?" asked Tony.

"Nothing else to be done tonight. McGee, make sure the hospital knows to contact us when Mathers wakes up. We'll start again tomorrow."

"Yes, Boss. I'll phone Mrs Clark. Make sure she's OK."

Gibbs nodded. "Early start tomorrow, people."

NCISNCIS

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" bellowed Gibbs when he returned from an early morning coffee run the next day.

McGee and Bishop were crowded round Tony's desk on which there was an array of muffins. Gibbs marched up, kicked the desk and then swept the cakes into Tony's bin.

"We've got a missing First Sergeant and an injured Marine," he shouted, "and you think there's time for a tea party?"

"I'm sorry," came another voice, "I brought the cakes in for your team."

Gibbs spun round and saw Maggie Clark walking back from the restroom area.

"Mrs Clark?" said Gibbs.

"When I'm worried, I bake," said Maggie. "And last night, I was worried. And then I couldn't sleep so I was up early this morning."

She found herself a bit shaken by Gibbs' anger but she noticed that his team wore looks of weary resignation at his outburst.

"Uh. That was kind of you," mumbled Gibbs.

The team looked on, wondering if Gibbs was about to apologise. When Gibbs didn't say anything, Tony broke the silence,

"We were waiting for you, Boss."

"I didn't hear from Roy last night, Agent Gibbs," said Maggie, "and that's not like him."

Gibbs nodded.

"DiNozzo, take Bishop and look round the crash site. Check for any signs there might have been someone else in the car. McGee, you're with me. Hospital just called. Mathers is awake. We'll go talk to him. DiNozzo, when you're finished at the scene, go to the Centre again. See if anyone remembers anything else."

"And what shall I do?" asked Maggie.

"Go home," said Gibbs, "call if your husband contacts you. Come on, people, move!"

"How did you get here this morning, Ma'am?" asked Tony.

"Please. I told you, call me Maggie. I came on the bus and train."

"We'll give you a ride home," said Tony, "it's not far from where we're going. It'll be a thank you for the cakes," he looked at Gibbs meaningfully, "they looked delicious."

NCISNCIS

Tony walked Maggie to her front door. She paused before going in,

"Is Agent Gibbs often like that? I mean, shouting at you? Kicking your desk?"

Tony smiled ruefully, "Agent Gibbs is … er … passionate about his work."

"And so he shouts at you?"

"It's his way of motivating the troops."

"I see."

"But you don't need to worry."

"What?"

"We're already motivated. We want to find your husband as much as you do, Maggie."

"Thank you, Agent DiNozzo," she touched his arm briefly, "thank you."

NCISNCIS

Ellie and Tony scoured the area around the crash site but could find nothing to suggest that there had been a passenger in the car who had somehow wandered off. Admitting defeat they went to the Fellowship Veterans Centre, possibly hoping that people would warm up to Bishop more than they had to Gibbs and DiNozzo and remember some important detail.

As they prepared to leave having spoken to as many people as possible, Ellie ventured,

"Does it seem to you that Mr Clark is …?"

"Possibly Gibbs' twin? Or perhaps clone?"

"Yes. Although …"

"Royston Clark is more popular?"

"I guess so. Although Gibbs does have friends. He just doesn't do the friendship thing with us," said Ellie trying to be fair.

"And Clark seems to be happily married," observed Tony.

"Seems to be?" asked Ellie.

"Too early to tell," said Tony, "but yeah, I guess they are happy."

"You can't suspect the wife then?" teased Ellie.

"I'll have you know that my suspicions of spouse, lover or significant other have been scarily accurate in the past," said Tony.

"OK," said Bishop, "I'll believe you. I like Mrs Clark. And I would have liked those muffins if I'd got a chance to eat one."

"Gibbs," sighed Tony, "food is not the way to his heart."

"It is mine," said Ellie plaintively.

Tony was about to answer when his phone rang. It was Gibbs so he put it on speaker.

"Boss?"

"We spoke to Mathers," said Gibbs.

"And?"

"If you don't interrupt, I'll tell you," said Gibbs curtly.

Tony and Ellie refrained from saying anything and certainly didn't risk an apology.

"Mathers was in trouble," said Gibbs, "he's short of money. Got gambling debts. He was approached by someone who told him he could make some easy cash using his communications expertise."

"Who?" asked Ellie before being frowned down by Tony.

There was a pained pause at the other end of the phone before Gibbs continued, "He doesn't know any names. Said the guy called himself Oscar but he doesn't think that's the real name. Mathers thinks there was some sort of heist being planned where they wanted a security system taking down. Right up Mathers' street. He panicked. Told Clark."

"What did Clark do?" asked Tony.

"Why didn't he tell the police? Or NCIS?" asked Ellie.

"Figure that Clark didn't want to get Mathers into trouble. Thought he could sort it out himself," said Gibbs.

It was probably fortunate that Gibbs couldn't see Tony and Ellie exchange significant looks at this new evidence of the similarities between Gibbs and Clark. They said nothing but waited for Gibbs to continue.

"Clark went with Mathers to the meet with Oscar. Seems he planned to scare him off."

"But it didn't go well," said McGee, "Mathers says there were three other guys with Oscar. And they weren't up to listening to reason. It seems that Clark changed tactics."

"How?" asked Ellie, less concerned about interrupting McGee.

"Said he could do the job better than Mathers."

"And could he?" asked Tony.

"He was a communications specialist," said McGee, "top level. If Mathers could do it, so could Clark."

"What happened?" asked Tony.

"Bad guys weren't falling for it. I'm guessing that Mathers looks a bit less … well, let's just say it seems that Clark looks honest as the day is long and incorruptible …" DiNozzo and Ellie mouthed to each other, like Gibbs, "and Mathers doesn't," continued McGee, "they decided they needed to make a run for it. Mathers got to the car before he was shot but Clark didn't make it. He shouted to Mathers to get away. So he did."

"Does he know what happened to Clark?" asked Ellie.

"Nope," said Gibbs.

"So he might be dead?" said Tony.

"We're on our way to the place where they rendezvoused," said Gibbs, "we'll see. My guess is that they've taken Clark and plan on forcing him to do the job they recruited Mathers for."

"What do you want us to do?" asked Tony.

"Meet us there," said Gibbs, "McGee'll send you directions."

"On it," said Tony, taking some satisfaction in ending the call before Gibbs could.

A few minutes later, Ellie said,

"This isn't the way to the meet. You should have taken a left back there."

"I know," said Tony, "but we're going to make a call first."

"Where?" said Ellie.

"I think we need to see Maggie," said Tony.

"You mean you do suspect her after all?"

"No," said Tony as they pulled into the road where the Clarks lived. "Look!" he said, pointing to a large van parked haphazardly in front of the house, "that doesn't look good. Go round the back!"

AN: letting the characters out to play again ... probably won't be a long story.