Chapter 2

"Mac."

"Veronica."

"So, I heard from our favorite amateur pornographer," Veronica tells her as they sit at a table in Java the Hut. "He's under suspicion for the murder of one of the probies by the NCIS. In their investigation, they found the porn sites you made for the Mutually Assured Destruction, which Carmen chose not to send. I gotta say, nice work." She smirked a little.

"Yes, I decided that if Carmen was not going to send it, the least I could do is just post it on the internet. For anyone curious enough to see. Plus I sent a copy to my friend Abby at NCIS in Norfolk."

"That's a coincidence. That's where Tad is," she saw Wallace across the room, with Jackie. They both waved, but kept to their respective tables, since Wallace knew that Veronica was on a case and would get the deets later.

"Yeah, anyway, I thought I should tell you I sent it to her only few days ago, when he first became their suspect and found out he was from Neptune. I also gave her the details of what happened here, with Carmen, and she suggested taping him to the NCIS flagpole."

"Did you tell her that Weevil and company already taped him to the Neptune flagpole, and as my own revenge I took off the gauze covering his tattoo of Seth's name?"

"Nope," Mac smiled mischievously. Veronica paid for their drinks and together they walked into the bright sunshine. "Look, I just sent it to make sure that it doesn't happen with some other girl he dates. Told Abby to keep an eye on his activities and she said he's been a good boy up 'til now."

"Great. Okay next step is my plane tickets and a place to stay." She took out her cell phone and dialed a familiar number, "Hey Leo, I need a favor."

"You're absolutely sure you want me to watch over her?" Tony DiNozzo asked his younger half-brother, Leo D'Amato, as he tossed his rubber ball up and caught it, leaning back in his chair, totally comfortable and at home at his desk in the NCIS offices.

"Yes, Tony, I'm sure. Veronica said that was going to be there, in Norfolk for a short time, and she needs a place to stay. Somewhere cheap, and where she feel comfortable."

"And you want me to watch over her? Give her a place to stay? Knowing my reputation?"

"Yes. I know you and I know Veronica. I know she'll taser you if you try something with you. I also know that you have that empty spare room."

"Yeah, it's not so empty now. Tell you what, I'll ask one of my female friends to let her stay over. Oh here comes one now. Yo! Ziva!" Ziva walked past his desk, totally not paying attention to him. "Ziva. Agent David? Earth to Ziva."

"Hi, Tony, what?" finally listening to him.

"My baby brother, Leo, needs a favor." On the other end, Leo rolled his eyes. He heard some debate.

Leo shouted, "Hey, put her on the speaker."

Hearing him, Ziva pressed the speaker button, "Agent Ziva David here. I have a spare room, but since I haven't unpacked yet, it is unfurnished."

"What?! Ziva you've been here almost nine months and you haven't unpacked everything yet."

"Well, actually, I've just recently sent for everything, as I've just decided that I'm staying her permanently," Ziva told Tony, "Anyway, Leo, I'd be happy to have your friend, Veronica is it? Stay, but she'll have to pay for her own food." Ziva picked up the paperwork for their new case from Tony's desk and read alittle. Catching the name Veronica Mars, Neptune High Students on the report, she said, "You wouldn't happen to be in Neptune, would you?"

"Why, yes, Ziva we are, why?" Leo asked, scratching his eyebrow, and frowning.

"Oh, no reason. Anyway, You can ask her if she minds staying."

"Sure, sure, oh here she comes now. Veronica!" Leo covered the mouthpiece of the phone, "My brother, Tony, knows this agent, Ziva David, who has a spare room."

"Great," Veronica pressed the speaker phone button, "Hey Agent David, My name is Veronica Mars. I'm coming over for a short vacation, and I just want a place to stay while I sight see."

"Well, the room I have is slightly crowded with unpacked boxes, but if you don't mind you can stay there." Ziva pointed to the sheet of paper and highlighted Veronica's name with the orange highlighter she'd picked up from Tony's desk, "I'll pick you up from the airport. Flight number?" Tony gave her a strange look at this generosity and she shook her head that she would answer his questions later.

"Oh, I- I'll just get a flight."

"No, no, I insist, I'll give you tour. We'll give you a tour.

"All right, but I'd still like to get a rental," Veronica said, firmly.

Leo asked, "Tony, do you still have my 'vette"

"Yes, always hoped you'd sell it to me, so I kept it in great condition. Took it to the mechanics every other year, and paid for the insurance and drove it once a week, to keep it running. I have the keys on my ring."

"Great. Veronica can drive the 'vette and at the end, you can have it. Free and clear. I'll write to the DMV and tell them to switch the title into your name."

"Well, okay,-" Tony was interrupted by Veronica.

"Leo, I can't drive a corvette. It's too generous."

"Look, consider it a favor for me. To make sure that big bro's been taking good care of it," he teased.

"All right. Ziva, its flight 320 at one in the afternoon your time. United Airlines."

Veronica exited the baggage claim area, heading to the front entrance. There were about a dozen people waiting for her fellow passengers but she did not see a sign with her name. (VMVO) "Where is my ride?" She glanced around once again, then opened her bag, grabbing her Sidekick. She started to dial the number Leo gave her for his brother.

She was startled when a handsome blue-eyed, brown hair man in is early thirties called her name, "Veronica Mars?"

She nodded and asked, "Tony DiNozzo?"

He smiled, "Yep. Leo described you perfectly. Come on. Ziva is waiting for us," he bent down and picked up the largest of her luggage set and led her out to the black sedan with tinted windows and an opened trunk. "Get in," Tony told her, and set the two pieces of blue and black of luggage inside.

Veronica slid into the front passenger seat and turned to the pretty brunette in the driver's seat, "Ziva, thank you for picking me up."

"No problem," Ziva replied, "It's a good chance to meet other people outside of NCIS."

"So what it's like? I mean as an agent."

"Wonderful and frustrating," Ziva said.

"But it has its perks," Tony said as he settled into the backseat, and fastened his seat belt. Tony made faces once Ziva started to drive wildly. "Ziva, watch your driving, you don't want to scare Veronica back to Neptune."

"Relax, we'll be at the offices soon," Ziva said, swerving to avoid another car.

Veronica's Sidekick rang, and Veronica answered, "Hey Wallace, yep on my way right now," she paused, listening to Wallace, "Tell my dad not to worry, I'm fine. What's that voice in the background?" There was a teasing tone in her voice, like she already knew, then she frowned, "Why's Logan there with you and Jackie?" Another short pause, "Tell them not worry. Yeah, I'll tell Jackie that personally. Jackie, hey, heard you were hanging out with my BFF, what's up?" A pause as a faint female voice could be heard saying, "Mac, Cassidy, and Logan are all worried about you taking this case." Veronica laughed, "Jackie, this case is safer than trying to discover who killed those kids in the bus crash. Tell Mac and Cassidy not to worry so much." She left out the mention of Logan for now, "I'll be back in a week or so. Yep, promise. Tell Mac thanks for her computer help. Tell Wallace not to worry and that I'll call everyday. Promise." She hung up

"Friends?" Ziva asked

"Worried friends." Veronica affirmed.

"Worried? Why? For a good reason?" Tony asked before Ziva could.

"They don't trust the government," Veronica said, "Too many cover ups, Mac told me. Plus they don't trust you- Tony- I bet. Too many stories of what a womanizer you are."

"From Leo?"

"What do you think?"

"Don't believe everything you-"He was cut off by a disbelieving snort from Ziva. They passed through the entrance gates, gaining a guest pass for Veronica, and Ziva parked in her space. Ziva and Tony led the way to the front. Veronica handed her purse to the security personnel and he raised his eyebrow when the machine showed a weapon. Veronica said, "Ooopsy, forgot that was there. Go ahead and confiscate that and I promise you won't see it again when I pick it up."

"No problem." The guard put Veronica's taser in the box behind the counter, tagging it and giving her a receipt for it.

"Nasty little toy you got there," Tony said as he and Ziva escorted Veronica into the elevator and pressed the floor button needed. They walked out of the elevator when it stopped and walked to the set up of desks.

"Yep, and I know how to use it."

"So Leo said." He escorted her to the emptiest cubicle/ desk and said, "Sit down, keep quiet, and don't let Gibbs see you."

"See who?" Gibbs asked as he walked into the room from nowhere it seemed.

"Hi. I'm Veronica Mars," she smiled and held out her hand, "I'm a friend of Tony's brother, Leo and when I told Leo I was coming here for a vacation, he offered Tony's place. However, I will be staying-"

"With me," Ziva said.

"Nice to meet you, Veronica. May I borrow my agents?" Gibbs asked, more politely than usual.

"No problem, sir", Veronica watched as he motioned to Ziva and Tony and they moved out of ear shot. Briefly, she wished that she could read lips, then looking about spotted a piece of paper and a pen. She doodled for a minute, and then started to make a list of things she needed to do, to see, and to get while she was in Norfolk. She pondered over Gibbs reaction to her name. It was masked- surprise? Or shock? She had no idea she just knew that she had to help Tad; after all she did not think that he would murder someone. Drug, maybe, make amateur porn absolutely, but not kill. But then she once thought she knew Aaron Echolls as someone who was a gentleman, not man willing to kill, or to sleep with his son's girlfriends, or as a man who beat his son half to death for the littlest infraction. She had been thinking of Aaron Echolls a lot lately; how could she not? He killed her best friend, and nearly killed her as well. She knew the tapes would not be enough- she hoped that while helping Tad, she would be able to find more proof here. At the headquarters of NCIS.

A/N: hope you enjoyed it so far… r&r please.