The FBI consultant requested a booth upon their arrival at the restaurant. Once they were seated, she immediately picked up the wine and drink menu. Abby's eyes were focused on the extensive list of special rolls and sushi, which all looked particularly delicious thanks to a stomach that had only been provided a Caf-Pow for breakfast. Forsythe looked over Abby's hair, makeup, clothing, and exposed tattoos. She figured she had about an hour to make Abby realize that she would be better off leaving NCIS, and she was confident that she had all the information that anyone with her particular skill set would need.

"Would you like to share a bottle of sake? They have one here that I always get; I haven't found it anywhere else. It's the best."

Abby was somewhat taken aback. "Oh, I mean, that sounds really great but actually I probably shouldn't, since I'm going back to work and everything. So, do you have to go back to work after this?"

Forsythe laughed. "I actually do, but I pretty much work for myself. That is, unless I get a consulting job. But it's nice to have one that's only going to take an hour. Usually they take weeks."

Abby was about to ask why the FBI had thought it as worth hiring her for just an hour to talk to her anyway, as well as what type of consulting she did, when the waitress stepped up to their table and asked if they would like to start with anything to drink.

Forsythe ordered a glass of her sake, hot. Abby asked for a sparkling water with a twist of lime. Their conversation having been interrupted, Abby refocused on determining what she wanted to order. Forsythe knew exactly what she was ordering, but pretended to look over her menu as she took frequent glances at Abby. The woman was dressed exactly as described in McGee's "fictional" novels. Her demeanor and facial expressions matched as well. If everything in the books mirrored the real life of the forensic scientist, this was going to be a very easy acquisition for the FBI.

The waitress returned with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. Abby had checked off a couple of rolls on their sushi list, so she passed that to the waitress and also ordered herself a salad with ginger dressing. Forsythe ordered the same. After all, she had planned on ordering the same thing as Abby no matter what. She needed to almost instantly create a perceived affinity with her subject. Unfortunately for her, she hated sushi, but she would grin and bear it, then excuse herself to the bathroom to vomit the second she was finished chewing. Just one of the sacrifices she made for flexible hours and the ever enjoyable opportunity to manipulate another human being's will.

As the waitress walked away to submit their order, Abby opened her mouth to put forth some questions as to the exact nature of Forsythe's job. Forsythe cut her off before she could speak.

"So! It's great that I'm lucky enough to have lunch with such an interesting person for once. I get intel from the FBI all the time about solved cases where NCIS contributed, and a lot of them benefited greatly from your involvement. NCIS is lucky to have someone so skilled on their team. Needless to say, the FBI is pretty jealous!" She grinned at Abby, anticipating the response.

"Oh, well, that's really sweet of you, but it all happens thanks to a team effort."

"Of course, of course. It must be nice when you do get recognition as an individual for your great work, though. I only met Gibbs briefly, but he seems like the kind of person who would give credit where it's due."

Abby smiled and nodded enthusiastically at the accuracy of the woman's assessment. "Definitely! Gibbs is the best. He always gives me a reward when I do a good job. It's nice to have something to look forward to at work, you know?"

Forsythe laughed. "You're right. Every time I succeed at my job, I reward myself with a spa day." She shrugged and tilted her head. "Or, the FBI throws a little surprise party in my honor. It's always surprised me that they're so generous with someone who's not even really a member of their team. It makes me wonder how they reward their agents. And their forensic scientists." She winked at Abby just as they received their food.

Abby internally rolled her eyes, guessing that the purpose of this lunch was to lure her over the FBI with promises of extravagant parties and monetary rewards for simply doing her job. That kind of thing really didn't interest her. Sure, she didn't mind the occasional party, but she would just assume have it be in somebody else's honor.

"Oh…well, I certainly think I'm valued enough by NCIS. Actually, I know I am. Like I said, I get rewarded in a way that makes me know that I'm appreciated."

"Right. You mentioned before that Gibbs specifically takes care of that. Now tell me, were you referring to the Caf-Pows he brings you, or was it maybe something else? I suppose I should tell you at this point that I've read McGee's novels. They were so suspenseful, I couldn't put them down! So I was just wondering what the more enjoyable reward was for you…a nice, icy Caf-Pow? Or maybe it's the kiss on the cheek from the boss with the icy blue eyes?"