A/N: Set during the 2008 writers strike, i.e., between episodes Tribes and Stakeout during mid-season 5, because something had to have happened in those three months. The NCIS characters are not mine, but any mistakes are. Hope you enjoy.
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Prologue
5:15
am
Friday, March 14, 2008
State College, PA
Slowly the ringing of the alarm clock pulled Julia Kelso out of her alcohol induced slumber. Groggily she reached for the offensive device on her nightstand, not surprised when she missed it the first time. Her second attempt left her relieved at the quietness that enveloped her room; she picked up the clock and stared at the neon numbers trying to bring them into focus. She was pretty sure the first number was a five. Wait, that couldn't be right, why would she set her alarm for five-something on a Saturday morning?
She looked around the dimly lit dorm room. Although the room was slightly spinning she made out her friend Sarah lying passed out on her futon. Her heavy eyelids fell back closed; slowly she tried to remember the night before. The burrito cart they had stopped at on their way home. Leaving the club as the neon green lights illuminated the street. Inside there had been dancing, the loud music, and the sound of laughter rising above it all. The feeling of warm bodies pressed against hers. Sarah handing her a drink; it was green, fruity and strong. What was that her seventh? Crap, she had at least seven drinks last night. She groaned. No wonder she felt like crap.
A freshman with a fake-id was a dangerous thing, but really she hadn't intended to go out drinking last night. That's right, 'cause she had to get up this morning. She had somewhere to be. Rubbing her temple the conversation came back to her.
"Come on Jules, come out with us."
"I can't. I've got to get up early in the morning."
"But Jules," Sarah whined. "I don't know if you realize it, but its Thursday night, no Friday classes! Technically spring break has begun. You should be out partying. You deserve a night of fun."
"As if we didn't spend last weekend partying even though this week was chocked full of midterms." Jules said sarcastically.
Ignoring Jules last comment, she switch tactics. "Why'd you have to schedule your flight so early in the morning?"
"Like I had a choice?" The local airport had two daily flights to Dulles, one first thing in the morning and one late at night and she really didn't feel like driving the 150 miles to the airport in Pittsburg or 200 miles to Philly. After all, she could drive directly to Dulles in roughly the same amount of time.
"Still why can't you come out tonight?"
Jules didn't answer, but she cocked her head sideways and watched her friend.
"Julia, come out with us. Please. We're going to Envy, you'll have fun." Envy was a club they had frequented a couple times. It was only about fifteen minutes from their dorm at Penn State.
When Julia wouldn't budge, Sarah pulled out the big guns. "I double dare you!" Sarah declared, she sure knew how to manipulate her best friend. She knew Julia was never one to back down from a dare.
At first Julia just glared at her, until her lips turned upwards into a slight grin.
"Just stay up all night and party with us. You can sleep on your flight to DC."
"Fine, I'll come. Just let me finish packing first."
She sat straight up in bed at the realization. She had to catch a flight. Finally motivated to get out of bed she threw her feet over the side of the bed, standing. She took a second to get her balance, before heading to the bathroom. She really needed to brush her teeth.
Twenty minutes later she grabbed her coat from where it had been haphazardly thrown the night before, pulling her suitcase behind her she locked the door to her room and headed towards the airport.
