A/N: Okay, this was supposed to post tomorrow, but I won't be free to do it then, so I decided I'd do it now. That being said, welcome back, everybody! Here's the second installment of Cross Country Case.

For those of you who are new to this story, welcome as well. This is the second part of my crime show crossover trilogy, between CSI:NY, NCIS, and NCIS: Los Angeles. I recommend that you read the first story before you read this one, as the case really is quite complicated. It's titled Cross Country Case: Urban Murder, and you can find it in the CSI:NY category or on my profile.

And now, with all that out of the way, we now pick up our tale of crime where we left off - in the capital of the United States of America: Washington, D.C.


Cross-Country Case: Capital Offense

Prologue

22:42, October 30; Washington, D.C.

A dark-haired man strolled around the grounds of a well-kept, middle-class house in one of the more secluded residential areas of the United States capital. His companion walked beside him, keeping pace with his slightly frantic footsteps.

"Kendall, calm down," he said. "No one's going to find you here."

"You can't guarantee that," Kendall retorted, his tone agitated.

His partner rolled his eyes. "I swear, just because you have Huntington's isn't a reason to induce paranoia."

Kendall irately tried to still his twitching hands, but failed; his Huntington's was progressing rapidly into the late stages, and he knew he didn't have much time left before he lost his sanity and required help to survive. After that it was only a short step to death.

"I don't have a lot of time left to enjoy the fruits of my labor," he pointed out acidly. "I'd rather not spend my last days rotting away in some tiny, godforsaken jail cell, you know."

"Who says you will?"

"You don't know these people! My brother says they're going all out to find me."

"Puh-lease. You're not even responsible for that Marine's murder."

"Regardless, I am far from guiltless."

His friend huffed. "Honestly, you're getting worked up about nothing. This is the safest place in D.C. for you. The documents and ownership deals are completely legal, and we don't do anything questionable here. It's called a safe house for a reason. The cops won't get anything on this place. Trust me." He turned and started walking back to the house.

"Where are you going?" Kendall called.

"I have somewhere I need to be." He winked. "If you know what I mean."

"You're gonna leave me here alone?"

"Look, Kendall, you'll be fine, all right? If you get caught – which I doubt – just give them my name, and they'll stop worrying about you."

"And exactly in what context shall I give them your name?" Kendall asked sarcastically. "The part which mentions you're an international jewel smuggler?"

His companion shrugged. "You can, if you want to. It's really not a big deal." Then the corners of his lips turned upward in a feral grin as he opened the door to the house. "After all, it's not like they'll ever find me."


A/N: Yes, yes, I know it's short - but it's a prologue. The chapters are much longer, I assure you. And speaking of chapters, Chapter One will post on Monday, December 12. After that, it will be daily updates as usual.

I must say, it's good to be back ;)