Dawson Montgomery sat very still. She was still in interrogation where Gibbs had left her. He had been gone for an hour, and she was beginning to think that he wasn't coming back. She could tell she was being watched. Someone was watching her through the one-way mirror, she could feel it. She jumped when the door finally opened, and Gibbs re-entered the room. He sat down without saying a word.

"This is everything we have on Operation Escargots," Gibbs said. He tossed a file onto the table, Dawson grabbed it. She flipped through the file, grimacing.

"This isn't right. You did this."

"I did what?" Gibbs asked, suspiciously.

"This isn't right," Dawson repeated. She emptied the file onto the table, several blank pieces of paper slid across its smooth surface. "These shouldn't be blank."

"And you think I did it?"

"Well, someone did it! There should be so much on these papers. So much information. Where did it all go?" Dawson asked, helplessly.

"I don't know," Gibbs replied.

"I want my phone call."

Gibbs removed his cell phone from his pocket, and handed it to Dawson. "It had better be an important phone call because its your only one. Put it on speaker."

Dawson dialed the phone and pressed it to her ear.

"This is Elizabeth Marshall. Put me through to the director," Dawson barked into the phone.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. You aren't authorized to contact the director."

"Run my name through the database. You'll see that I am authorized to contact him."

There was a pause. Gibbs watched Dawson carefully. She was panicking.

"I'll put you through to the director right away, ma'am. Sorry for the trouble."

There was another pause.

"Elizabeth?" asked a voice. "What's happening?"

"Director, I've been picked up by NCIS. There's been some confusion about my identity."

"Let me speak to the man in charge, Daws-Elizabeth."

"He's right here, Director. You're on speaker," said Dawson.

"The woman you've apprehended is Special Agent Dawson Montgomery. Due to a particularly dangerous op last year, she has been going by the alias Elizabeth Marshall. It is in the best interest of NCIS to release her immediately. With whom am I speaking?" the director asked.

"Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, sir."

"Gibbs, I've heard all about you. This has been a big misunderstanding."

"With all due respect, sir, my team has been working on this case day and night for the past three days. I want full jurisdiction on this," Gibbs said, confidently.

"I'm afraid that can't happen, Gibbs. Montgomery's been on this case for much longer than three days. The best I can offer you is shared jurisdiction with the FBI. Take it or leave it."

"Thank you, sir," Gibbs said, reluctantly.

"Dawson?" the director asked.

"Yes, Director?"

"The immediate threat to your life has been eliminated. Your alias is no longer necessary. Return to the bureau for a full de-briefing."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

Dawson hung up the phone and smiled at Gibbs tauntingly.

"Looks like we're partners now. Don't worry, I won't hold this against you," she said, pointing to her busted lip.

"Report to NCIS first thing in the morning. Be prepared to tell us everything you know." Gibbs stood, and opened the door. "I'll escort you out of the building."


Once Dawson Montgomery was in a cab and on her way home, Gibbs returned to the bullpen to find his team waiting patiently.

"What happened, Boss?" DiNozzo asked from his desk.

"She's FBI. Had to let her go."

"What?" exclaimed Tony. "You just let her go?"

"She'll be back first thing tomorrow, DiNozzo." Gibbs sat down behind his desk to finish up some paperwork before he headed home for the night.

"Aren't you worried she's a flight risk?" Bishop asked. She was still sitting on the floor, munching on some chips.

"No. If she runs, I'll find her."

"Boss, she wasn't exactly easy to find the first time around," said McGee.

"That's because her name isn't Elizabeth Marshall. Its Dawson Montgomery. Special Agent Dawson Montgomery," Gibbs said. "Elizabeth Marshall is an alias."

"Wait, I'm confused-" Tony began.

"Well, don't be. She's going to explain everything tomorrow morning."

"I don't like this, Boss," said McGee, quietly.

"Yeah, me neither. Now go home. All of you."