Chapter 2

Tony was a little annoyed. McGee must have gone to Norfolk again this morning, but it would have been nice to have a phone call or an e-mail about it. Now he was stuck with all of this paperwork before Gibbs got back. McGee wasn't even answering his phone, but that wasn't unusual in the computer lab, all of that electronic interference and such.

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In the mean time, a helicopter was landing at Bahrain. At touchdown the doors were yanked open and everyone jumped out keeping their heads down headed for the edge of the tarmac. "Agent McGee!" a voice called out over the din.

"Here" McGee replied, heading toward the voice.

"Welcome to Bahrain, Agent McGee. Follow me, we can talk inside." The man said.

The doors closed behind them as the helicopter lifted off again. Tim removed the ear plugs from his ears and tucked them in his pocket. He followed the man through a hallway into a room that was marked 'NCIS'.

"Just drop your stuff there." the man pointed to a corner. "We need to hit the Comm and let Vance know you are here."

Tim dropped his bag, but hesitated with the lap tops.

"They'll be fine; I will be locking this door behind us. They'll be secure. I'm Scott Randall, by the way. Agent on the Ground." Randall quipped.

Tim nodded and carefully set the cases down. He tucked his bag around them just to be sure. He turned and preceded Randall out the door, then waited for him to lock it. Silently they turned and headed to Comm room.

After briefing Vance about his arrival and a bit more information he found on Richmond's computer, they signed off and McGee followed Randall back down to the NCIS office.

Randall unlocked the door and ushered McGee in. McGee checked to see if the bags had been touched and was relieved that they were still secure. Randall noticed but didn't say anything as he reached into a small refrigerator for two bottles of water. He tossed one to McGee. They both sat and sipped for a second.

"Ok, fill me in McGee. " Randall said.

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Gibbs walked into the office the next morning noticing Tony sitting at his desk glancing at his watch and looking slightly worried. Gibbs noticed that Ziva and McGee's desk were both empty. Ziva's did not bother him, she was not due back until Monday, however, where was McGee?

"DiNozzo, where is McGee?" Gibbs barked

"Norfolk, again, I think.." DiNozzo

"Ya think DiNozzo? What do you mean, ya think?" Gibbs said getting into Tony's space.

"Uhm.." Tony hedged and then stopped when Gibbs put a finger in his face

Gibbs looked up and saw Vance motioning for him to come to his office. Gibbs headed that direction. "You too Agent DiNozzo." Vance called. DiNozzo bounded up the stairs and into Vance's office just behind Gibbs.

As the door shut, "Where's my Agent, Leon?"

Vance stood behind his desk. "He's on a case, by his own request." Gibbs just waited for him to continue. "He came to me the day before yesterday about a murdered Marine and asked if he could be on the case. He stated his case and why he should be on it and I agreed. He's currently in Bahrain."

"Who's with him?" Gibbs asked

"Agent on the Ground, Scott Randall" Vance replied. "and they've already checked in when McGee touched down so we know he made it safely."

Gibbs nodded, "I know him, good agent. Next time he calls in, I want to talk to him."

"You'll be informed. You might also speak with Dr. Mallard and Ms. Sciuto. They both spoke with McGee before he left." Vance stated as Gibbs and DiNozzo headed out the door.

"Probie lied to me?" whispered DiNozzo "I can't believe it and I missed it. Maybe we taught him too well Boss."

Gibbs answered with a smack to the back of DiNozzo's head. "Nope, he told you the truth, just not all of it. Best way to lie."

DiNozzo seemed to ponder that for a second.

Gibbs stepped on the elevator. "DiNozzo, you comin' or not?"

"On your six Boss." DiNozzo replied sliding into the elevator before the doors closed.