DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
Caught in The Triangle
Ch 1
"Gibbs," Director Leon Vance greeted the lead agent as the gray-haired man entered his office unannounced and without knocking. He had asked him to come to the office, so it wasn't a complete surprise.
"Leon," Gibbs countered. "What's up?" Having been summoned he wanted only to get to the facts and get back to work.
"I've assigned your current case to Balboa's team," he threw his hand up to halt any argument he knew would be coming. He stood to confront his now displeased team leader.
Gibbs shook his head in disbelief. Exasperated he argued, "We've all but arrested the suspects."
"It'll be duly noted. A more precedent matter has come up," Vance said pointedly indicating Gibbs should take a seat at the table.
Ignoring the director's request, Gibbs remained standing and stared at him intently waiting for more information.
Vance disregarded the slight and began to update, "A Marine vessel has been lost at sea, somewhere in the Caribbean. We've been requested to send a team down to assist with its discovery and recovery."
"Why my team? Sounds like grunt work," Gibbs glared.
"Not in the least," Vance was quick to explain his reasonings. "There is some high-tech computerized equipment involved that our McGee's expertise will be most helpful with. The tourists are great in number this time of year and DiNozzo has the charm to work them for information. Some of the crew were left behind and are being difficult to extract details; I think Agent David will be most beneficial in obtaining their cooperation."
Gibbs' smirked at the director's assessment of his team. "So I need to go as their chaperone?" he quipped.
"No. Seems the stories covering up the ship's disappearance are centering on the myth of the Bermuda Triangle. You're not a believer in any of that nonsense, so you're going down to ascertain what everyone is misinterpreting."
Gibbs snorted, "Right." He turned and exited the office leaving the door open behind him. Knowing the news of the trip South was going to bring about the juvenile behavior of his senior field agent, Gibbs braced himself to spring the news. It was going to be a trial of his patience.
When he reached the bullpen all three of his agents were waiting expectantly.
"What's up Boss?" Tony asked asserting his role as senior field agent to find out what they were all wondering.
"It appears we're being sent on assignment," Gibbs began already regretting what he was about to say.
"Where to?" Tim asked curiously. His boss's unease making him wonder what destination they'd be sent off to.
Taking a deep breath he steeled himself before saying, "The Caribbean." The reaction was exactly what he expected.
"Well that's great news," Tony nearly sang. But seeing his boss looking none too happy he added, "Unless the reasons aren't that great. Which I'm sure they're not." Getting back to business he asked, "What's the case?"
"Marine vessel lost at sea," Gibbs looked at each of them. Vance was right about one thing. His team would be the ones to uncover the mystery and bring the ship and troops back to safe harbor.
"I do not understand what they need us for?" Ziva asked. "Do they not have radar to locate their ship?"
Tony looked at her mutinously, "I'm sure Zee-vah they aren't able to do that."
She narrowed her eyes at him and through their silent exchange she recognized his excitement for going to a tropical climate. She rolled her eyes and shook her head turning again to Gibbs. "So what is it we are supposed to do?"
Grateful that his agents were still focused, Gibbs explained the director's plan for each of them. Tony looked skeptically at his boss.
"What are you going to be doing while we're trying to solve the case?" he nearly whined.
Grabbing his coffee cup, the leader smirked, "Going for coffee."
Huffing Tony dropped into his chair, but soon a grin spread across his face. "We're going to the Caribbean."
Ziva and Tim shared a glance before smiling and preparing their final papers to hand over to Balboa's team.
