N. C. I. S - Things Aren't Always What They Seem

CHAPTER 1

Jenny Shepard, The Director of N.C.I.S. got a call from the local police station telling her, her best agent was there. At first she thought that Special Agent Gibbs hadn't yet briefed her on his latest case. (She'd have to yell at him later). But when Jenny arrived at the station and found out Gibbs was being held in interrogation, not only that he was being charged with murder, that theory had been blown to hell.

Jenny asked for details on the case and to speak to Gibbs. When she was denied both, she started throwing her weight around. Within an hour, she was granted access to interrogation to talk to Gibbs without tape or audio and access to the case files.

Gibbs was sitting alone in the little room, he was used too being in a room like this, just not on "THIS" side of the table. He had to admit if he heard a suspect in his interrogation say that they "just didn't remember what happened". Gibbs would be very tempted to slap them upside the head. Now he found himself telling these investigators that same lame line, but it was true. He didn't remember what happened in that alley, in the back of the bar, at the navy yard.

All he could remember was...

FLASHBACK...

being at the bar waiting for an informant, he had never met before. He didn't like how "Hinky" this felt. (As Abby would say), but it was an order from Assistant Director Vance, whom for the last week had taken over duties for Jen while she was on vacation. Thank god she was coming back at work tomorrow. Gibbs didn't know why, but there was something about Vance that did not settle in his gut.

Gibbs happened to look down at his watch and realized the person he was supposed to meet was an hour late. He decided to leave. On the way out of the bar he called Vance to tell him the meeting was a bust, but Vance's phone went strait to voice mail.

After that, nothing but blackness, until He woke up, being pulled to his feet and handcuffed. He reeked of booze. He NEVER drank while on assignment. He didn't understand, then he looked down and saw the dead body, it was the informant. Gibbs recognized him from a photo Vance had given him. Next to the body was a gun, "HIS" gun! It was only than, Gibbs realized he was covered in blood.

PRESENT TIME...

Gibbs couldn't handle anymore, he was so angry at himself for not remembering. All he knew was he could not kill a man in cold blood, could he? Just when he was starting to second guess himself he heard the door open, Gibbs looked up at Jen with relief and fear.

It hurt Jenny to see Gibbs like this. He had this look once before, when he woke up from his coma and thought it was 1991. He had to relive the death of his first wife and his daughter. She could not let Gibbs go though anything like that again.

Jen walked over to Gibbs, pulled up a seat and sat down in front of him. He just looked at her not saying a word, until she leaned her arm across the table and put her hand on his.

"Jen", Gibbs said in a whispered tone.

"Jethro", what the hell happened", Jenny's voice was full of concern.

"Jen I don't know, I can't remember anything after trying to call Vance".

"Wait a minute you called Vance last night".

"Yes, it went to voice mail. Wait...last night! what day is it, what time is it?" Gibbs asked in shock.

"It's 9:00am Thursday", Jenny answered.

"It was 10:00pm Wednesday when I walked out of the bar. I can't believe I lost so much time".

"You had a blackout? Do you remember what time you arrived here at the station?" Jen asked him a slight look of panic on her face.

"Well when they put me in the back of the police car, the dashboard clock said 11:15. I've been conscience since...I think, hell I don't know anything anymore." Gibbs frustration was boiling over."

"Jethro, we will fix this."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow,"We"?

"I'm calling in reinforcements," Jenny said as she left the room.

As soon as Jen was in the hallway, she pulled out her cell. She told DiNozzo to get McGee and Ziva and meet her at the police station. She also told Abby to expect evidence and before Jen hung up Abby told her Ducky was on his way as well.

Everyone was determined to prove their bosses and friend's innocence because Gibbs, "THEIR" Gibbs could and would not do this.