Gibbs was a light sleeper, he always had been. Too many years as a marine had serviced to make him rouse at the faintest noise. He felt like he had just got to sleep when he heard the first ring of his phone. Sitting upright he quickly answered it, he didn't want it to wake Kate up.
"Gibbs." He tried growling into the small receiver but came off sounding more like a confused bear.
"Boss, sorry to bother you. You're needed in MTAC ASAP." Tony said as he held the phone a little away from his ear, waiting for no doubt for the bark of orders.
"Okay, I'll be in as soon as I can." Snapping the phone shut with his usual lack of decorum.
Gibbs got up and quickly got dressed. He was glad he used the spare room to store clothes as well as in his own room. Creeping quietly across the hall he nudged open his bedroom door and looked in on the figure curled up in his bed. He couldn't make out much of her face as it was covered by strands of her dark hair. The rain that they had been told wouldn't come, had indeed come, in full force so the room was now dark with the rain hitting the window and obscuring the street lights outside.
"Sleep well, Kate." He whispered as he stepped back and closed the door over.
He went and checked every inch of the house, making sure it was locked and secure. He put his coat on and picked up his keys and phone, making sure he double locked the door on the way out. When he got in the car he pulled out his phone and made a quick call, calling in a favour before he headed back into the office. When he pulled up he considered running but didn't bother, he was still going to get wet either way. When he got in he found two very wet agents. They had found Ari's sniper nest and retrieved his brass. After telling them to go get changed, and continue looking for more evidence to point to Ari he decided coffee was needed before he dealt with anything else.
His trip to the coffee shop was mundane, wet, but mundane. He was just walking past Abby's lab on his way back in when he heard the distinct wiz of a bullet and then shattering glass. Dropping his coffee he ran inside and went straight to Abby's lab. He was surprised to find Tony there, Abby tucked safely at his side. Switching all the lights off he went and sat with Abby, promising to keep her safe as he kissed her head. Gibbs decided then they should all stick in pairs at least, safety in numbers and all that. He went up to grab himself clean, dry clothes before going to the evidence garage to find McGee and Abby going over the car from the side of the warehouse. They were pulling out slugs and casing from the various weapons fired around the car. Tony came in and said he had followed up with the shooting from the park and they had evidence coming in from there. Gibbs nodded and left the three of them to work while he finally headed up to MTAC.
When he arrived in MTAC the room was very busy, everyone staring at the multiple screens on the wall. He took a seat beside director Moran, who asked questions about the case, and more specifically if he was sure it was Ari. Gibbs gave a good argument as to why he was sure it was Ari, but the director said he was to stay away for Ari, concentrate on the case at hand and then walk away, forgetting getting Ari. It was then the director dropped a bombshell, he was stepping down as director, taking a position in homeland security. Gibbs asked who would be taking his place. Moran stepped away and called out,
"He's all yours now director."
A figure that was sat in the front row stood up and turned to face him. He couldn't believe, there stood Jenny Shepard, his old partner from six years ago. They made small talk, each becoming familiar with the other again. As they left MTAC, they talked about the case, Gibbs pointing out the fact that no one would stand in his way and stop him from getting Ari, including her.
"On the job, it's director Shepard or ma'am." Standing to her full height as she issued her first order to him.
"What about off the job?" He replied, knowing he was baiting her.
"There won't be any off the job." She answered, nipping her quick retort in the bud.
"That's a shame, Jen, you made a damn fine agent, especially undercover." His eyes twinkling a little as he added the last two words.
"We'll talk about this more in private." She added, trying to end the conversation.
"We'll talk in the car on the way to my house." Walking away towards the elevators.
After he pointed out he was hunting a sniper and had a case to wrap up she agreed. Checking with Tony before he left, he told him to tell everyone to stay in the building and that McGee was on protection detail with Abby. He hadn't been gone five minutes when a young, dark-haired woman came in asking for Gibbs. Tony said Gibbs was unavailable and offered to help. After a quick exchange of friendly hostilities, he found out her name was Ziva David, and she had been sent to stop Gibbs killing Ari. Tony wished her luck, she was going to need it when he wanted him dead as well.
Arriving at Gibbs house, he unlocked the door and turned to way at the car parked opposite. He did a few hand gestures and watched as the car drove off. Stepping aside he let Jen past him and motioned for her to go to the basement, he didn't want her waking Kate up if she was still sleeping. He flicked the lights on in the basement then headed upstairs to check on Kate. He didn't have to open the bedroom door as it was already open, his view of the bed unobstructed. Kate was still sleeping, her body curled around the pillows that should have been on the side he normally slept on. He found the gesture quite touching in a way, her body seeking out comfort from him when she was alone. He tiptoed inside, stepping over the creaky floorboard to reach the bed. Sitting down as gently as he could, he turned slightly so he was looking down at Kate. She looked like an angel, her dark hair fanned out on the cream pillow, her skin looking pale against the contrasting black sheet. He reached over and brushed from hair away from her face so he could see all of her. He didn't get to look at her uninterrupted very often, and when he did he wanted to see all of her. As his fingers brushed her cheek she stirred, her eyes flickering open.
"Gibbs." She slurred out, her voice and throat still asleep.
"Yeah, I'm here. Go back to sleep, I'm sorry I woke you." Stroking her cheek as her eyes drifted shut again. "You're safe now, sleep, my angel." Leaning in and kissing her forehead as he whispered the last few words. As he sat up he saw a ghost of a smile on Kate's lips, causing him to smile a little. She may be sleeping but she didn't miss anything. Getting off the bed, he quickly and quietly gathered up clean clothes and headed back out the room, but not before glancing at Kate one last time.
When he walked into the basement he found Jen sat on his stool in the far corner.
"Is this the boat you were building six years ago." Knowing she could get him to talk about boats.
"Nope." His answer curt and to the point.
She then quizzed him over the last boat and why he had burnt it. She couldn't help but goaded him, especially about him his ex-wives.
Then as quick as anything the subject was back to work and another argument started over how she had become director over a field agent. When he made a dig about politics and who would she be dining with, he was shocked and concerned by her answer. When she said it was with CBS, he told her why she should cancel, told her Ari was after his team, women first. If she did the interim she was putting herself harm's way. He finally managed to convince her that to postpone the interview, at least for a few day.
Back in the office Tony was being driven nuts by Ziva. She knew his whole life story, and they hadn't dated, that's should be a criminal offence. He was starting to get frustrated when he saw Gibbs exited the elevator with the woman he had left with earlier. Both men were shocked when the woman greeted each other by name, kissing each other night the form of a traditional greeting between friends.
Gibbs walked past Tony's desk and Tony followed him.
"You first," Gibbs asked as he stepped behind his desk.
"Ziva David, Mossad. She's here to stop you killing Ari. Yours?"
"Director Jeremy Shepard, same mission." Watching as the women talked.
"Which agency?" Tony asked, his curiosity peaked.
"Ours."
Tony started to laugh a little until Gibbs pinned him with the famous glare. They both watched as the women walked over and Jenny introduced her friend. She gave them a quick low down on Ziva, how they met, what they had been working on together. Just then Ziva's phone rang and both women moved away. Jenny took a seat at Kate's desk while Ziva answered her call. When she was finished Gibbs couldn't help it, he had to push, has to ask questions. When he pushed Ziva for information she slipped up, she just hadn't realised it, or so he hoped. Gibbs pushed more, knowing he was baiting her. Jenny had seen enough, she stood up and intervened, assuring Ziva no action would be taken against Ari without proof. Gibbs watched as Ziva and Jenny left, his blood boiling.
"Abby's lab, now Tony." Gibbs barked out as he passed Tony's desk.
When they entered the elevator and the doors closed Gibbs stepped right up to Tony and told him he wanted him on Ziva's ass. Tony had to make a wisecrack, which earned him a head slap. Tony quickly agreed, even before he explained that Ziva must be in contact with Ari, or she wouldn't know who hung up the call first. Tony stayed in the elevator when Gibbs left heading to see Abby, he had some stalking to do.
Abby had lined up all six rifles that matched the weapon calibre that Ari had dumped. She had managed to rule out three, leaving two near identical ones, and of course, the weapon Gibbs himself used when he was a marine sniper. Gibbs looked over at the weapons and asked McGee to check all weapons sold in the area in the last … He was about to leave when Abby stopped him. She knew there was something bothering him, really bothering him. When he told her she wished he hadn't. He explained that as a marine he had fired the exact same bullets used by Ari and that the name used by marines for the weapon he was sure was the one, was a 'Kate'. Abby's heart sank, the weapon Ari had tried to kill Kate with, and herself, had a special meaning to him, and Ari knew it, singling it out from the other options.
Ducky was just finishing up in autopsy when his phone rang, and the office phone at that. He didn't really want another case, not right now. He knew he had to answer it though, it was after all his job. He was most surprised to hear Gerald's voice on the other end, closely followed by a voice which at first he didn't recognise. It was until the other person spoke a little more that he worked it out. Ari had Gerald.
