Pride stood at the gate watching the assortment of business travellers and those on vacation disembark. Every so often he glanced down at the photo he was holding before going back to scanning the exiting passengers. Finally seeing his target he walked towards the woman pulling out his badge.

"Mrs Brody?" He asked.

"Yes." She said cautiously.

"I am Special Agent Dwayne Pride, NCIS."

"How is Meredith?" The woman immediately asked.

"She will be okay." He said leading the woman towards baggage reclaim. "We'll grab your bags then I will take you to the hospital."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Not really." Pride said.

"Well what do you know?"

"Brody was attacked in her home."

"You said that yesterday on the phone. Agent Pride, I have just lost my husband and my only surviving daughter has been attacked. Please do not hide things from me."

"All we know is that the men were after some sort of package. But we are not sure what."

"What has Meredith said about it?"

"She is as much in the dark as we are."

"You are still hiding something Agent Pride. Spit it out."

"Do you think your husband may have sent her something?"

"You think this is related to his accident?"

"We are not sure, but we need to cover all possibilities."

"He never mentioned sending Meredith anything."

"Until we can rule out a link I am going to assign a protection detail to you. You will be escorted at all times."

"Thank you." Brody's mother said, but when she noticed Pride's surprised look she asked. "Why do you look so surprised?"

"I'm just used to Brody fighting those types of decision tooth and nail. I just assumed she got her independent streak from you."

"That she developed all by herself." The elder Brody replied smiling sadly.

-00-

"What have you got?" Pride asked when he entered the office a couple of hours later.

"Maybe some answers." LaSalle said from where he stood next to Patton. "We just got a postal delivery. More specifically Brody just got a delivery. It was a rush service, but got held up at security for a day. Inside was an encrypted USB drive. No note."

"A drive she wasn't expecting?" Pride guessed.

"Don't know. Didn't ask. But I guessed not and on the off chance I am wrong I can out run her for a few days."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Pride said before asking. "You find anything useful?"

"Not yet. Patton is still trying to get into the drive. But I did pull some prints that are being run now."

"Let me know the second either of you get something." Pride said.

"Will do." Chris agreed before asking. "How's Brody's mum?"

"Okay I think. It was hard to tell seeing I don't know what she is normally like."

"Anything like Brody?" Chris questioned.

"Probably more so than either of them would like to admit." Pride replied. "Did you find anything on her phone or email?"

"Actually we haven't found her phone." Chris said.

"I have set up a trace. The second it is turned on I'll let you know." Patton said.

"Keep on it." Pride ordered just as Chris's computer pinged.

"Got a hit." LaSalle said looking at his screen. "A Commander Brent Willis. Currently on long term sick. Before then he was stationed on board the Nimitz."

"Get hold of his CO and find out what you can about the Commander." Pride ordered. "I am going to check in with Sebastian then swing by Brody and find out if she knows Willis."

-00-

Pride walked down the hospital corridor with renewed hope that they were getting somewhere. However, his hope was replaced with concern when he heard raised voices coming from Brody's room. Instinctively his placed his hand on his gun but as the voices became clear he relaxed, realising it was a family dispute. Nodding to the guards he paused not knowing if he should disturb the arguing women. Still undecided he listened from the corridor.

"Sitting around feeling sorry for myself is not going to help." Brody said, her voice having a defiant edge.

"For once can't you think about the other people in your life? Why can't you be more like-" The elder Brody said, although she stopped herself finishing the sentence.

"Want me to finish that for you?" Merri asked sadly.

"No, I didn't-" The elder Brody replied although she was quickly cut off by her daughter.

"Sure you did. I know you wish it had been me not Emily. Sometimes I wish I was more like Emily, but I am not. I can't change who I am." Merri said, her voice full of sadness and bitterness.

Sensing the argument was only going to get worse Pride knocked on the door and stepped into the room. "Afternoon." He greeted, although he paused when he realised that Brody was dressed and standing. "Brody what are you doing? You are meant to be resting."

"Perhaps you can talk sense into her." The elder Brody said before storming out of the room.

Pride watched her leave and kept watching until he was happy one of the guards was following her before looking at Brody, who looked tired, pale, battered and defeated. Concerned he said.

"Explain."

"Don't start with me." Brody snapped back. Her retort causing Pride to raise a surprised eyebrow. Seeing it Brody took a deep breath. "Sorry, I hate hospitals, I just need to get out of here."

"And go where?"

"Work."

"You can barely stand, I am not letting you work."

"If I am at work you can keep an eye on me. Besides as the only witness I could help."

"Absolutely not. You are not investigating your own case." Pride said. "Besides you may have a concussion. You need bed rest."

"I have been cleared and discharged. I am walking out of this hospital. If you don't want me at work I will find a hotel."

"Don't you want to be with your mother?" Pride asked.

"I thought you heard the argument."

"I did. But you are both going through an emotional time. Nothing was said that can't be taken back."

"Last time similar words were said it wasn't an emotional time. Right now we just need some space." Brody said.

"You can come to the office, but once there you take the bed and you rest." Pride conceded.

"Thank you."

"But, if you display any hint of a symptom I will bring you straight back here." He warned.

"Understood."

"Good. Where did you manage to get clothes from?" Pride asked.

"Sebastian, he grabbed my bag from the office. Dropped it off this morning."

"Remind me to have words with him."

-00-

"Brody? What the hell are you doing here? You look terrible." Chris greeted when he saw Brody slowly walk into the office.

"She is here to rest." Pride said trying to direct Brody upstairs to the sofa.

"I'm fine." She insisted.

"No offence, but you don't look it." Patton replied.

"You have any luck getting into the drive?" Brody asked ignoring the comment.

"Not yet. It is a very sophisticated encryption routine. One of the most sophisticated I have come across. But don't worry I'll break it. I always do." He grinned.

"Any idea what is on it?" LaSalle asked Brody.

"No. And I have never heard of Willis."

"There is one other thing you should know." LaSalle said. "There was another set of prints on the drive. They are a match to your father's."

"How did you get a reference set? His prints wouldn't be in the system." Brody asked.

"Best not to ask." Patton grinned again.

"On that note, you upstairs and rest before you collapse." Pride cut in, sensing an argument he added. "If you prefer I can drive you back to the hospital."

TBC

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Next chapter up tomorrow.