Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS in any shape or form – so please don't sue, all you will get is my crappy car.
Warning: The following story contains violence and mature subject matter, which may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
a/n: Words typed in "Italics" indicates that characters are talking using American Sign Language (ASL).
The Human Bomb
Chapter 1 – 03:00 Thursday Morning
"Damnit, what did you do?"
"I don't know boss."
"What are we going to do now boss? The Petty Officer bitch is dead."
"Tell me something that I don't already know – dumb ass."
"I don't understand what happened, one minute she was breathing fine, and the next minute – she's convulsing."
"No wonder she's dead, you stuffed her mouth too full."
"What are we going to do with her now, boss?"
"Take her body somewhere and dump it, you fool."
"But what about our mission?"
"We'll just have to grab ourselves another Petty Officer. This being Washington, their a dime a dozen. You two dump the body and then grab another one tonight."
"Right boss."
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10:30 Thursday Morning
Randi Avalon stepped off the bus across the street from the Navy Dockyard, looking around. The petite slender woman, who was in her late thirties with spiked, plum colored hair dressed in a simple red dress with high heeled pumps, headed across the street towards the guardhouse.
"Can I help you ma'am?" queried the stern faced Marine guard.
"Hi, I'm here to see Abby Scuito of NCIS."
"Your name and do you have an appointment?"
"I'm Randi Avalon, and yes she is expecting me, but I had no set time. I didn't know what time I would be able to get here," Randi said, pulling out her driver's license and Canadian passport.
"What here until I call and verify your identification, and confirm with Ms. Scuito," the guard said, reaching inside the guardhouse for the phone, which he spoke quietly for a few moments. Hanging up the phone, he turned back to Randi. "Okay ma'am, Corporal Hill will escort you to the security desk in the NCIS building where Ms. Scuito will meet you."
"Thank you Corporal," Randi replied, stuffing her license and passport back in her purse.
Inside at the security desk, Randi was issued a visitor's pass, after submitting her purse for a hand search and passing thru metal detectors. Where she was greeted by one overly excited Forensics Specialist, otherwise known as Abby Scuito. "Oh my god Randi, you finally made it here. I have been on pins and needles waiting for you to arrive," Abby squealed, her hands flying in the air. "How are you going and I love the purple hair."
"Thanks for the invitation and it's great to see you again," Randi's hands also flew, as she signed in ASL before hugging the taller woman.
"Come on, you've got to meet everyone," Abby replied, as she headed for a hallway pulling Randi along.
"You haven't changed a bit Abby since I saw you last," Randi laughed. "You are still as hyper as ever."
"Are you still working with the DND in Canada?"
"Yes I am and I'm still working in communications," Randi said, looking up and seeing that they were standing outside the morgue. "Uh Abby, why are we outside the morgue? I don't deal with dead bodies very well."
"Don't worry, I just want you to meet one of my friends," Abby pressed the intercom instead of barging in as per her usual habit. "Hi Ducky, are you busy right now? I want you to meet someone and I need the all clear."
"I'll be right out Abigail."
Within a few moments, an older gentleman with gray hair and glasses walked out into the hallway, wearing scrubs and a long apron. "I can't chat long my dear as I am in the middle of an autopsy."
"Ducky, I want you to meet Randi Avalon, a friend of mine from Nova Scotia. Randi, this is Dr. Donald Mallard, our M.E., whom everyone calls Ducky."
"Pleased to meet you sir," Randi smiled, shaking hands with the kindly doctor.
"The pleasure is all mine, my dear. Our dear Abigail has been anticipating your visit ever since she heard about it."
"I have been excited myself, Dr. Mallard."
"Oh please, call me 'Ducky' like all my friends do."
"Okay, Ducky it is, but only if you call me Randi."
"Abby, you must bring your friend back for a longer visit."
"Sure thing Ducks," Abby smiled. "Come on Randi, I want you to meet everyone else."
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Upstairs in the bullpen, Tony was pestering Ziva and McGee, trying to find out what their plans were for the weekend and Gibbs was reading some files as the two women exited the elevator. Walking up to the wall that separated the bullpen into different sections. "This is where everyone else works when they are not in the field," Abby signed.
"I can tell who your silver haired fox is, the one you call Gibbs," Randi smiled. "And that one there, the one bugging the other two has to be Tony; the Italian playboy. The woman is the Mossad agent Ziva and that finally leaves Tim McGee, the MIT Geek."
"Very good Randi," Abby replied.
"You've told me so much about them during the past couple of years, that I feel like I know them already," Randi smirked.
The two women continued signing, while Gibbs pretended to read his file as he eavesdropped on their conversation until Abby signed. "Gibbs, don't you know that it isn't polite to listen in on other people's conversations."
"Oh crap, your boss understands ASL," Randi blushed. "I wonder how much of our conversation he saw?"
"I see everything," Gibbs signed, smirking as Tony, Tim and Ziva turned around to look up at the two friends.
"Everyone, this is my friend from Canada, Randi Avalon. Randi, this is everybody."
"Hi," Randi waved before following Abby down to their level.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Avalon," said Ziva.
"It's nice to finally put a face to the name," Randi replied. "And please call me Randi."
"And I'm Tony, and that is McGeek over there," Tony said, standing behind Randi, who didn't respond until Gibbs signed what Tony had said.
"Oh sorry Tony. I didn't realize you were talking to me."
"Randi wears hearing aids and needs to see you to lip-read," Abby explained.
"That's right," Randi said, turning around to face Tony.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize!" Tony said, talking slowly and loudly.
"Tony!" Abby exclaimed, as Gibbs slapped him on the back of his head.
"Ouch. What did I do?" Tony yelped, rubbing the back of his head.
"She's deaf DiNozzo, not stupid," Gibbs retorted, glaring at Tony.
"I can hear with my hearing aids, but you need to speak normally," Randi explained with a slight frown.
"Huh."
"That's because talking the way you were is insulting to any deaf person," said Abby, also glaring at Tony.
"Also shouting also distorts the way the facial muscles move," McGee said, looking at Randi. "And the English language is hard to lip-read even in the best of circumstances. Only 25 to 30 percent of the English language is visible on the mouth. The rest is hidden in your throat."
"I'm impressed Agent McGee," said Randi.
"Call me Tim," replied Tim, blushing slightly.
"How did you know that?" asked Abby.
"I've read Randi's book," answered Tim. "You're here on a publicity tour, promoting your latest book which is about you growing up with deaf brothers and sisters in a rural farming community in Nova Scotia. But you also have mysteries written under the name of PC Matthews."
"You're a writer?" blurted Tony.
"Part time," answered Randi.
"Randi works full time at DND," said Abby.
"DND?" questioned Ziva.
"Department of National Defense – the Canadian Military," Gibbs explained.
"But how did you and Abby meet?" asked Tony.
"I met Randi a couple of years ago in Boston, I was attending a Forensics Convention and Randi was on a bus tour. And we just happened to meet at a coffee shop and started talking."
"And the rest is history," Randi said dryly.
"Agent Gibbs, my office now," and everyone's heads turned to look up at the red headed woman speaking from the upper level.
"That is our boss, NCIS Director Sheppard," Abby signed and spoke. "Director Sheppard, this is Randi Avalon, a friend of mine from Canada."
"Hello Randi, been riding any LAV3's lately?"
"Not since last September during the Airshow. Have you recovered from your ride?"
"It was quite the experience," smiled the Director. "And you've changed your hair color."
"I have, I decided that I needed a change from the usual bright red."
"So you and Abby know each other?"
"We do, and I had to come to Washington so I decided to take Abby up on her invitation to visit her workplace," Randi replied, looking around at the curious expressions on everyone's face.
A phone rang, and Gibbs barked into the receiver after picking it up from the cradle. "Gibbs…Secure the area and we will there in twenty." Hanging the phone up. "Sorry Director, our talk will have to wait. We have a petty officer found dead in a schoolyard."
Randi watched as Gibbs and his team grabbed guns, backpacks and jackets before rushing towards the elevator.
"Well, that was Gibbs and the rest of the gang," Abby shrugged.
"Interesting group of people," Randi quipped.
"Yes they are," Director Sheppard agreed, walking down the stairs to the lower level.
"You two know each other?' Abby said. "How cool is that? How did you two meet?" Bouncing with excitement.
"Abby, how many Caff-Pows have you had today?" Director Sheppard asked gently.
"Just two," Abby replied, her pig tails swinging.
"What are Caff-Pows?" Randi asked curiously.
"A sugary drink that is high in caffeine," Director Sheppard replied.
"So how did the two of you meet?" Abby asked, repeating her earlier question.
"I volunteer at the N.S. International Air Show every September. And last year Director Sheppard was among the group of VIP's attending the show," Randi explained.
"I seem to remember telling you to call me Jenny."
"Okay Jenny," Randi smiled at the Director.
"So what brings you to Washington?"
"Oh, oh, can I explain?" Abby begged, her green eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Sure, go ahead," Randi replied with a hand gesture towards the younger woman.
"Randi is here to promote her latest book about growing up deaf on a dairy farm."
"Nice," Jenny nodded. "Is this your first book?"
"It is, using my real name," Randi admitted. "I also have several other books out under the pen name of PC Matthews."
"You're PC Matthews?" Jenny asked.
"Uh huh," Randi nodded.
"Have you read them?" Abby bounced. "I've read them all and I think that they are awesome."
"Excuse me Director."
The three women looked up to see Cynthia, Jenny's assistant standing at the top of the stairs.
"SecNav is on the phone for you."
"I'll be right there Cynthia," Jenny said before turning back towards Abby and Randi. "So how long are you in town for?"
"I'm scheduled to fly back Monday afternoon."
"I'm sure that we will be talking again before you leave unless something comes up."
"Okay," Randi smiled.
"Director," Cynthia said.
"I'll be right there," Jenny snapped.
"Come on Randi, we'll grab some lunch. I'm free until Gibbs and the others get back," Abby said.
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Meanwhile, out in the field Ducky was examining a dead Petty Officer who had been found in the football field of the George Washington High School. "Don't worry my dear, we'll find out who did these atrocities to you."
"Any sign of I.D. Ducky"" Gibbs asked, crouching down next to the body.
"This young lady is Petty Officer Alice Roy according to her dog tags," Ducky replied, passing a small plastic evidence bag to Gibbs.
""McGee!" Gibbs bellowed. "Petty Officer Roy's last posting."
"On it boss."
"Cause of death?" Gibbs asked turning his attention back to the naked body.
"I believe that the young woman was suffocated judging by the petechiae in her eyes."
"How?"
"It looks like someone forced a white, clay like substance in her mouth," Ducky replied, peering into the dead woman's mouth.
"Stop right there Ducky," Gibbs ordered. "Clear the area right now people!"
Everyone looked up quickly before quickly scrambling to obey Gibb's orders.
"DiNozzo, grab the flak suits out of the truck. Ziva, you and I are gonna check out the Petty Officer's body for any detonators.
"You got it boss," Tony headed for the truck with Ziva following.
"And everyone, turn your cell phones off. We don't need anything triggering a possible bomb."
"Should I activate the jammer, boss?" McGee asked.
Gibbs glared in response.
"Right boss, I'll just get the jammer now," McGee stammered, wilting under his bosses glare.
Geared up in the bulky suits, Ziva and Gibbs carefully examined Petty Officer Roy's body for any triggering devices. "I think that they didn't finish what they started," Ziva said, looking at Gibbs.
"She may have died before they could," Gibbs stood up, removing his flak helmet. "Ducky, you can safely remove the body now."
"Thank you Jethro," Ducky motioned to Jimmy Palmer to wheel the gurney next to the body. "Young Mr. Palmer and I will perform the post on our young Petty Officer and advise you of our findings."
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Back at the diner, Abby and Randi were finishing up their lunch when Abby's cell phone rang. "Speak my silver haired fox."
"Abby, I need you to get back to the lab; Ducky will soon be sending some evidence for you to process."
"Gotcha Gibbs," Abby disconnected the call, looking at Randi. "Sorry."
"Don't be," Randi waved Abby's apology aside. "Go do your job. I'll meet you at the club tonight as planned."
"Are you still gonna dress up for Halloween?" Abby asked with a grin.
"Of course," Randi laughed. "Will anyone else be joining us?"
"Depends on how things go with the case," Abby shrugged.
"Hey, email me if you find that you can't get away tonight."
"Gotcha. Catch you later," Abby dropped some money on the table to pay for her meal before dashing out the door.
Randi shook her head at Abby's whirlwind departure before paying for her own meal.
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Later that afternoon Gibbs walked into autopsy, carrying his usual cup of coffee. "Ducky, what do you have for me?"
"Ah Jethro, just as I suspected. This young lady was indeed suffocated."
"What about the C4 Ducky?"
'Oh dear, whoever did this, is one sick character."
"Dr. Mallard found traces of C4 in every orifice on her body," Jimmy reported with a sickly looking expression.
"Anything else? Any other trace? Defensive wounds?"
"We also did a rape kit and sent it up to Abby, along with scrapings from under her fingernails."
"Good," Gibbs turned to head for Abby's lab.
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Inside the lab, the music was blaring, machines humming as Abby darted around checking various machines. "Abbs!" Gibbs bellowed before stepping over to the CD player, lowering the volume.
"Hey!" Abby whirled around protesting. "Oh, its you Gibbs."
"Don't you know that you can go deaf listening to loud music," Gibbs smirked, before becoming serious. "Do you have anything for me?"
"What is up with all that C4? How hinky is that, using a body for a human bomb?"
"Abby."
"Right, well the C4 is military grade, and the Petty Officer is definitely Alice Roy. Her prints matched to the ones on file," Abby gathered several printouts, reading the results. "And the rape kit revealed traces of spermicide. The poor girl was raped before being stuffed like a Christmas turkey."
"Abbs, breathe."
Abby paused to take a quick breath before continuing. "And the trace from her fingernails was skin and I'm running the DNA thru CODIS."
"Any idea how long that will take?"
"It will be awhile yet Gibbs."
"Let me know as soon as you get anything."
"Of course Gibbs. Don't I always," Abby looked slightly hurt.
"Good work Abby," Gibbs kissed Abby's cheek, restoring her usual sunny nature.
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Up in the bullpen, Gibbs exited the elevator. "Report."
"Boss, Petty Officer Alice Roy was on liberty from the Teddy Roosevelt," McGee reported.
"She was not due to report back to the ship until 06:00 hours Saturday," Tony piped up.
"And the security guards didn't see anything suspicious before finding the bodies," Ziva looked up from her computer.
"Who are her next of kin? And have they been notified?"
"Her parents live in Denver, Colorado. And the Navy is sending a Captain and the Navy Chaplain to make the notification," McGee replied.
"We need to talk to her C.O. and find out who she was with while on liberty," Gibbs ordered. "And the school grounds was the dump site. We need to find the primary crime scene people."
"Got it boss."
"On it boss."
"Working on it Gibbs."
Gibbs phone rang. "Gibbs." He listened before replying. "I'll be right there." Snapping his phone shut, Gibbs headed up the stairs towards MTAC where the Petty Officer's C.O. was waiting to talk to him.
a/n: A LAV3 is a Light Armored Vehicle 3 which is commonly used by the Canadian Military and very interesting to ride in. Several years ago I volunteered at the Airshow mentioned in the first chapter and I had the opportunity to ride all day in one of these LAV3's – wearing an army helmet while escorting the military personnel and the general public, as I hold a permit which allows me to be on restricted parts of the airport.
This is my first Fanfiction on the NCIS site and I hope that you will enjoy the story, and excuse any errors regarding to either Canadian or US military protocol – as I am not part of the military. My dad and my grandfather were both army veterans.