Coded
by zeilfanaat
Category: Humour, Mystery
Ratings: G or K
Disclaimer: Neither Stargate: SG-1 or NCIS is mine. No infringement intended. Any characters that are not from the series or movies are mine.
Spoilers: No specific ones that I can think of. And I must admit, I haven't seen most NCIS episodes (yet; I'm working on it).
Summary: #6 in Language Series. Crossover between NCIS and Stargate: SG-1 (no worries if you only know one of the series). Whenever sensitive information needs to be conveyed between a certain retired Marine and a certain Air Force officer, they meet over coffee. To the casual listener, their conversations are rather superficial. But these men like their coffee strong, and both their cake and conversations layered…
A/N: It started out with just another idea for my SG-1 Language series: get Jack to talk in some kind of code, which is really a language on its own. It kind of got out of hand (see notes at the end of the story/chapter 3), and somehow this ended up more NCIS than I expected. Should still be fun for fans of either of the two series, even if you haven't seen the other one. And even though this is #6 of the Language Series, you don't have to read the others to follow this one. (Of course, if you want, do go ahead: Homework Secrets, Family Secrets, A Birthday Colonel, Comfort Food, and Cultural Exchange preceded this one). Enjoy!
A/N2: While this story consists of a couple of chapters, they are actually unrelated except for the two people involved.
A/N3: Many thanks to DorothyOz for looking this story over! I really appreciate it!
Finished: 13th of May, 2017 (chapter 1); Published: 29th of March, 2018
Chapter 1 – Easy as Pie
They hadn't seen each other in years. But when the other man had called to arrange to meet for coffee, just when he was stuck on this particular case, he didn't hesitate. Which was why he'd headed for the elevators as soon as he'd hung up.
"Going for coffee," was his only explanation to his team. The other man was already there, sprawled in one of those French bistro chairs like he hadn't a care in the world. He knew better.
"Cake?" he asked as he sat down across from the older man. He noted the man's hair colour, and tried not to think too much about his own greying locks.
"Hmmm, apple pie." The reply was accompanied by a look of sheer bliss.
He looked down at the table where two steaming cups of coffee stood. Just one piece of pie though.
"None for me?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, as he took a sip of his coffee.
The other man grinned. "Actually, this is for you." He pushed the plate to the middle of the table. "I already ate mine," he confided.
"Just how many pieces of cake have you had?" he asked suspiciously.
"Today? Just the one, I promise," the other man said slightly defensively. Then he added a little sheepishly, "I might have had one or two yesterday…and another one the day before."
"Seriously?"
That made four in just three...
"I can safely say this is your only piece of the week then," the other man quipped.
...weeks.
"Ya think?" He still hadn't made a move for the piece of cake, although he was working his way steadily through his cup of coffee. It was good; strong, just the way he liked it.
"Could you just hurry up and eat that cake? If you don't, I will," his companion threatened.
Contemplating the piece of apple pie that still stood waiting in the middle of the table, the retired Marine eventually sighed, and pushed it back the way it had come.
With this one, apparently that made five.
"Go ahead." At the smug look of delight on the other man's face, he sent him a glare, and grumbled, "You just had to pick apple pie."
"Yeah, sure ya betcha." The man waved over the waitress and asked for some whipped cream.
Hmm, okay, that was something at least. Still, this place made a mean apple pie!
"You're paying for this," he told the grey-haired man. The man didn't seem concerned, picking up the lone fork that had remained on his side of the table the whole time.
There was a ding from the elevator as the doors opened, and doctor Mallard approached his desk. Gibbs had already sent the rest of the team home.
"Ah, Jethro, I was looking for you. There are a couple of people from the Air Force, and they've asked me to hand over the body of the unfortunate Major, as well as all the evidence we've gathered."
Gibbs looked up and gave a short nod. "Yeah. I know."
"Well, what do you want me to do?" the medical examiner asked.
"Give 'em what they want, Duck. I already did."
"You did what?" The doctor sounded completely in shock. Apparently Gibbs would have to give some kind of explanation.
"The Air Force was already investigating four murders. There were two last week, one the week before, and another one this week. Same killer as the one who killed our Major."
"Are you sure it was the same killer?"
Gibbs nodded. "Yeah."
"Well, surely, if you want, we could make a case that the murderer has moved on to our jurisdiction?" Ducky tried.
Gibbs tilted his head from one side to the other, and thought of whipped cream. "They caught the killer. They want justice just as much as we do. If not more. Case closed."
There was a moment of silence.
"It's not like you to just hand over an investigation, Jethro," Ducky said, giving the Special Agent a searching look.
"I know, Duck." Jethro sighed; he'd have to give his friend a little more information. "Look, I know the person in charge. He'll make sure the murderer is properly put away." He rose and looked the medical examiner straight in the eyes. "Trust me on this, Duck."
Whatever Ducky saw in his eyes, it was enough, as the older man gave in. "Alright. I'll go down and make sure it's all handed over."
"Thanks, Duck." Gibbs reached over to switch off his computer, and grabbed his coat. Time to head home himself.
Ducky was on his way back to the elevator when he was hit with a bout of inspiration. He turned around. "You didn't happen to flip a coin over it, did you?" he asked.
Gibbs grinned, thinking of the fork – like he'd ever had a chance! – and shook his head.
"Nah, Ducky. We talked it out. Easy as pie."
End Chapter 1
A/N: Hope the code language is not too convoluted…