Abby Sciuto had joined the agents on the workroom floor. The word of the mysterious female with Gibbs had made it to her lab. With no work pressing at the moment, she had made her way to the area where Tony and the others were still talking.
"What have you heard, Abs?" Tony drew the Goth lab tech into the discussion.
"Nothing. I hoped you might know something by now." She replied.
They all shook their heads and continued to talk. From slightly behind DiNozzo's desk, someone asked, "Figure it out, yet?"
Tony, smiling, turned to answer, "Not yet. Do you know anyth…" And stared directly into the dark green eyes of their mystery woman. Abby was the first to recover.
"We weren't talking about you, ma'am."
Callie smiled. Walking around the barrier to perch on the edge of Tony's desk she replied, "Sure you were. I'd be talking about you if the situation was reversed. You can count on it."
They smiled at her frank response as Callie continued, "So, boys and girls, here's how we play the game. You tell me who you are and what you do and, in return, you get to ask me two questions about anything." Making eye contact with the four agents, to insure they understood, Callie finished, "Interested?"
Again, Abby was the first to respond, "I'm interested." And extending her hand, "Abby Sciuto, Lab Tech extraordinaire. And you are?"
Callie returned the handshake, "Special Agent Callie Harris, NCIS."
The other agents exchanged glances as Abby continued, "NCIS? Then how come we've never seen you?"
"I haven't been with NCIS in over five years. I've just recently been reinstated." That was an understatement, Callie thought.
"Special Agent Timothy McGee," picked up next, "How do you know Gibbs?"
"Gibbs was my handler when I came to work for NCIS." Callie paused thoughtfully, "McGee? I know the face but the name's not right. Are you…do you write?"
McGee looked sheepish as Tony and Ziva began to snicker behind Callie, "I've published a book, yes."
"Deep Six? Is that you? And L.J. Tibbs?" pointing toward Jethro's desk. "And you?" Callie turned to look at the two agents behind her before turning back to McGee, "How did Gibbs not kill you?"
"We've wondered the same thing," Tony replied jestingly.
McGee quickly changed the subject, "If Gibbs was your handler, then you worked undercover?"
"Yes," Callie replied, "When I first came into the agency I had quite a baby face. My first assignments were with Gibbs and your former director, Jenny Sheppard. I passed as their college aged daughter or Jenny's younger sister, depending upon what was needed."
The others had sobered at the mention of Jenny's name and Callie supplied, "I'm sorry for your loss. She was a very wonderful person."
Ziva replied, "She was, indeed."
Tony spoke next, "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. Were you and Gibbs involved?"
"Tony!" Abby admonished but Callie laughed, "No, it's okay. I did say anything."
And turning back to DiNozzo, "Well, Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, I'm not the kind of girl to kiss and tell but if I were, would you really want me to answer that question? Especially knowing that Gibbs could walk around that corner at any moment?" And Callie looked the agents' off. All four of them turned to follow her gaze, knowing instantly that she was right.
Again, Callie laughed as she responded, "Made you look." They all turned back, knowing they'd been had.
DiNozzo continued with his second question, "Then, are you currently involved?"
Callie smiled at the good looking agent, "I'm flattered, DiNozzo, really, but I'm older than I look. And while I would love to have a young, good looking date, I wouldn't want to ruin your street cred by having you seen with a much older woman."
McGee jeered back, "What street cred?" And DiNozzo threw the pencil he'd been toying with at the other agent. Smiling at their antics, Callie turned to the other woman.
"Last but certainly not least. You are?"
"Officer Ziva David. And I have no questions, at this time."
Callie nodded, "Officer David, so not NCIS."
"No." was the single reply.
"Then, I would say, Moussad?"
"How did you…" But Ziva stopped herself short, knowing that it would be her first question, so she said instead, "Gibbs told you."
Appearing around the corner, Gibbs replied, "Now why would I do that, Officer David, when Agent Harris is quite capable of figuring out things on her own."
Ziva looked slightly abashed as Gibbs continued, "Did anyone ask why you were here?"
Callie smiled and responded simply, "No."
The others looked anywhere but at Gibbs and Callie as Jethro continued, "Bring them up to speed, Callie."
Callie turned to the vid screen and began pulling pictures. She explained about their target, Jeremy Loflin and included his escape information. "We believe these two men, known associates of Loflin's, Greg Wall and Keith Long, were involved in his getaway."
"If they're known associates, why aren't they already under arrest?" Ziva quizzed.
Callie turned, replying, "We never could find evidence that actually linked them. And, unfortunately, guilt by association doesn't hold up in court."
"What's he after that would bring him back here and not across the Canadian border?" McGee asked reasonably.
Gibbs replied, "Money" at the same time Callie answered, "Revenge."
Gibbs and Harris stared at each other before Callie continued, "We know that there was over $50,000 dollars that was never recovered." Pointing to the picture, "Only he knows where it is."
"And the revenge part?" Ziva countered.
Callie felt Gibbs disapproving glance as he replied, "He wants revenge on the agents that put him away."
Tony, who had been reviewing the briefing folder, looked up to meet Callie's gaze. "That would be you two." He said simply.
"So with that in mind," Gibbs continued as if DiNozzo had not answered, "Ziva you're with me. McGee & Tony, with Callie." He stood from his desk, taking his gun and badge from the locked drawer, "We're going to the apartment Long & Wall shared. You three are headed to Loflin's last known address. A home his mother left him when she died."
The agents nodded and began to secure their gear. Callie was between Tony & Tim when Gibbs called out again, "Callie!" They stopped, turning back to the senior agent, "Tony's lead. Do what he says."
"I am? I mean, I am." Tony answered and then looked back at Callie, "Got that?"
Callie turned a disapproving look at Gibbs but responded sweetly, "Certainly, Special Agent DiNozzo. Whatever you say."
Gibbs smiled. He'd heard that tone before but Tony could learn. When Callie was being sweet and malleable, that's when she was going to be a royal pain in the ass. It's when she was yelling and angry, that you got the real answers. He'd always preferred Callie yelling and angry.
