The doctor had just applied the last butterfly bandage across the cut over the patient's eye when the doors to the examining room opened. The occupants both turned to see the older man and younger woman enter the area.
"I'm sorry but I'm not done with this patient," Doctor Leah Cowen stated imperiously.
"I know," the older man answered, "it's your patient we're here to see." And then looking to the party in question, "Lieutenant Dallas Porter?"
The Marine officer nodded in response. Lieutenant Dallas Porter was assigned to Support Operations at Naval Station Norfolk, working primarily in the area of security protocol for the submarine fleet at that location. Porter was 5 foot 9 with brown hair in a cut that bordered on masculine. Gibbs had already noticed the hazel eyes and the expanse of toned flesh that was exposed by the sports bra and low ride jeans the woman was wearing.
"I'm Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs," he introduced himself, flashing his identification. Pointing to his partner, he added, "and this is Probationary Agent Ziva David. We need a few minutes of your time."
Stepping up next to the doctor, the Special Agent in Charge lifted the chin of the patient, drawing unreadable hazel eyes into line with penetrating blue ones. He turned the Marine's face, looking at the dressing already applied over an area that was starting to discolor.
"Doesn't look like you have a concussion," Gibbs stated.
The doctor answered instead, "No. No concussion."
The agent then looked down the length of the patient, at the area revealed around the waist and stomach. Taut, tanned and muscled flesh also was starting to reveal bruising in the shape of fists. Reaching out to finger the discolored skin, Gibbs asked, "Broken or bruised?"
The Marine jumped, whether from the intimate contact or pain, Gibbs was unsure.
Dallas' initial reaction to the physical inspection by the agent caused her concern. She had expected prodding or subtle poking. What she had received instead was a gentle sweep of large, warm calloused hands over the offended area. An almost caress that had the Marine immediately on guard.
Again, it was the doctor that replied, "Only bruised."
"Good," Gibbs smiled, looking over his shoulder at the doctor, "then she can answer our questions."
"Want to explain what happened?" Ziva now spoke, taking the lead.
The Lieutenant's voice was deep and rich as she responded, "Nothing much."
"Doesn't look like nothing much," Gibbs interjected.
"A difference of opinion, then," Dallas clarified.
"And with which of Commander Brown's opinions did you differ?" If the lieutenant wanted to be coy, Ziva could be as well.
Smiling enigmatically, Dallas responded, "Most of them." And shifting slightly under the senior agent's intense gaze, she countered "Since when does NCIS investigate bar brawls and matters of insubordination?"
"When one of the parties involved in the brawl has top level security clearance and does not show up for work the next day, it creates certain opportunities for NCIS involvement." Ziva countered.
"Commander Brown didn't report for work?" Porter asked.
"No," Gibbs finally spoke, "she didn't. And, several of her coworkers said you and she had a history. Some of which apparently carried over to the bar just last night."
"Look, Agent Gibbs, the Commander and I have differing ideas in a number of areas but none of them would warrant my doing something to harm her. And, as for the brawl? I'm willing to bet those same coworkers you questioned were the ones responsible for my ribs." Shifting again to ward off the stiffness beginning to settle in her body, Dallas continued, "When I last saw Commander Brown she was swinging the 2 by 4 that did this." And she pointed towards the butterfly above her slightly swollen eye. "After that, I couldn't really tell you what happened. Everything went black. I know I've been here, in the E.R, for at least two hours."
Turning to the doctor who was still hovering in the examination room, Gibbs asked, "Any way to confirm what time she arrived?"
Nodding, Doctor Cowen answered, "Yes, we have a sign in sheet. If you want to follow me, I'll take you to the front. I need to get the pain medications from the pharmacy for the lieutenant, anyway."
As the doctor started out, Gibbs followed behind, only to stop and turn back to the Marine still sitting on the exam table, "I think, Lieutenant Porter, there's more to your story than you're sharing. As soon as the doc comes back, Agent David will be more than happy to escort you to the Navy Yard where we can flesh out a few more details."
Nodding her understanding of the order as Gibbs exited, Ziva turned back to the other woman. "Get dressed. We will leave immediately."
Pulling on her shirt and buttoning it up, Dallas slid off the table and answered, "Aye, aye, ma'am."
Ziva froze in her tracks and turned back on the marine, "It is not necessary to call me ma'am, Marine."
Smiling evilly, Dallas said again, "Whatever you say…Ma'am."
Before David could respond, her cell phone rang. Answering, she couldn't get a clear signal. "Tony…Tony. Wait. I can't hear you. Hold on." Ziva stepped outside into the hallway to finish her conversation.
The news that Commander Brown was missing came as a shock to the Lieutenant. And she knew that, if NCIS was involved and questioning her, Dallas was a prime suspect. Running wasn't going to help her case but she had to get out and try to locate the C.O. on her own.
Looking around the room, Dallas spotted a stack shelf of hospital scrubs. Not wasting any time, she shed her own clothes and put on the uniform. Then, grabbing a nearby push tray and several other items, she waited for just the moment when Ziva turned her back to the hall. Easing the door open quietly, Dallas slipped out. To the casual observer, she was an employee carrying needed equipment to another room. She held her breath, expecting the NCIS agent to call her bluff. But, when no one appeared any the wiser, Dallas picked up speed and hastily exited the hospital.
Back in the hallway, Ziva ended her call as she saw the doctor approach. Following her into the examination room, she nearly ran into the medic when she stopped short. Turning to the agent, Cowan asked, "Where's the lieutenant?"
"I left her…" Ziva paused, walking around the doctor and glancing over the area. With a stricken look at the physician, she shook her head and then punched the speed dial on her phone. When the man answered, Ziva responded, "Gibbs, we…I mean, I…I have a problem."