A/N: Hey there; I hope you haven't given up on me yet! I apologize for the late update and that I kind of left you at a cliffhanger, but I've been out in the woods working at a summer camp and now I'm back at college. I also wrote half of this chapter almost two months ago so it took me a while to remember where I was going with it. I am still writing this story, updates will just be slow due to college and work.

Chapter 4: Piecing it Together

Tim pounded at his keyboard trying to track the call as Gibbs was talking, but as expected the signal was bouncing off of several locations.

"Your daughter?" Gibbs said. He had no clue that this man was Mary's father. But he did know that this could possibly complicate matters.

"Yes, I just said that. Is that a crime that I want to ensure the safety of my daughter?" Jayce asked with challenge in his tone.

"I see that it took you almost five years to show that you care about her," Gibbs scowled.

"Well, maybe I have turned over a new leaf then," Jayce replied followed by a sinister laugh.

Ignoring that last comment, Gibbs went straight to the point, "Where are you keeping her Anderson?" he asked harshly.

"Do you think I am going to just hand you that information?" Jayce laughed again. "The armed forces has been pursuing me for years, what makes you think you will catch me now?" he challenged before hanging up.

Gibbs closed his phone. He looked at Tim, "McGee, were you able to trace the call?"

Tim shook his head, "No, sorry boss. He has the signal bouncing off of multiple locations, I cannot yet pinpoint the exact location."

"Then figure it out McGee." Gibbs did not know about the research that Abby and Ducky had already conducted. He turned to Ellie who was also at her desk, "Bishop, find out whatever information you can about Bethany Shields. Anderson is supposedly the father of Mary Shields. Look into his background as well, in case there's anything about him we don't already have."

Ellie nodded. "Yes boss."

Jenny and Kate were still watching closely over Mary. Jayce had given Mary something to eat and it seemed that he wasn't going to harm her, at least not right now.

Mary sat at the table and ate the slice of cheese pizza in silence. It didn't seem like this man wanted to hurt her but… What did he mean when he said that he is her father?

"U-Um… I'm sorry, but who are you sir?" Mary asked trying to be as polite and alert as well.

"I suppose your mother never told you about me. I guess it makes sense though," Jayce replied coolly.

Mary looked at him confused wanting an answer.

"I am your daddy," he said calmly.

"If you are then why aren't you with my mommy?" Mary asked innocently.

Jayce obviously was not going to say the truth to a four year old girl. There was a reason that he had disappeared off the grid since the incident. He did have regrets, but he was not willing to pay for his crimes. He was alright with living in the middle of the woods and avoiding civilization as much as possible. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you."

Mary grunted with frustration, "And why is that?"

"It's something you wouldn't understand, honey."

"Don't call me honey! My name is Mary. Only mommy and people that I like can call me cute names like that," she said crossing her arms. "Even if you are my daddy, I don't like you because you left my mommy! Bring me back to her and to my friend Tali and Mr. and Mrs. DiNozzo!"

Kate smiled a little at Jenny, "It seems she inherited that fierceness from both her grandmother and her grandfather." Jenny nodded at her smiling a little before they both went back to watching over Mary.

"Quite a fiery one eh," Jayce chuckled. "Heh, I guess it makes sense that you wouldn't forgive me, but I'm not going to give up without a fight. If your mother was responsible I wouldn't have you right now."

"But she is responsible. She goes to school and takes care of me and has a job. I'd say she's better than you. I bet you don't have any friends if you live way out here," Mary sassed.

Jayce simply chuckled some more and left the room.

After the door had closed, Mary whispered. "Ms. Jenny, Ms. Kate… Are you still around?"

Both Jenny and Kate were both relieved that Mary was not at all being harmed, however they both still didn't like this situation. They reappeared to Mary. "Yes, we are still here hon," Jenny replied.

"Good… Do you know why he won't tell me the truth?"

"What do you mean sweetie?"

"He said I wouldn't understand why he isn't with my mommy if he is my daddy."

The two women looked at each other. Neither of them wanted to lie to her, but they could not tell her either. "We can't tell you," Kate said.

Mary crossed her arms. "But why?"

"We just can't."

"B-But I thought you were my friends…" Mary said as her eyes began to water.

As much as it hurt them, there was nothing they could really do to get out of this. "We are, but you need to trust us that we cannot tell you."

"But how can I… Ok fine…" Mary said reluctantly.

Well that was a bit easier than I had anticipated… Jenny thought to herself. It would not be too long until Jethro found out the whole truth.

Gibbs had taken the elevator down to Abby's lab to bring her a Caf-Pow. He knew that she had been working longer shifts lately and he knew she would need it.

He saw her hard at work behind one of her computer screens. He took note of the other screen, obviously could not see the words on the screen from the distance he currently was at, but he noticed a familiar picture…

"Hey Abbs," Gibbs greeted her as he set down the Caf-Pow.

Abby quickly switched off the screen that she was not using. "Oh hey Gibbs!" she said trying to act natural. "Sorry I left that screen on even though I'm not using it currently. It's a waste of power, I know. Bad Abby!" she rambled before lightly slapping her arm.

Gibbs sighed. She tries at least… "So, what do you got Abbs?"

Abby quickly started explaining the results she got, however Gibbs was only half listening because he could not help but wonder why that picture was on the other screen. It was a picture of former NCIS director Jenny Shepard who was shot to death many years ago. Did she have some kind of connection to any of the cases they were currently working on?

"Gibbs? Hellooooo, earth to Gibbs!" Abby shouted trying to get his attention.

"Thanks Abbs," Gibbs said quickly before speeding out of the lab.

"Wait, but did you get all that?" Abby asked but it was too late. Phew, that was a close one… she thought before turning on the other screen. She still couldn't believe everything she had found out. Seeing the picture of the former director made her remember how much she missed her.

Gibbs hurried into the elevator to go back to the squad room to see if Ellie had figured anything out. He couldn't get his mind off of why Abby had a picture of Jenny on her computer screen. He did not understand what was going on, this whole case, he was still wondering why he got a strange inkling whenever he was around Bethany. That familiar feeling, would he ever understand it? He still had another floor to go when the elevator door opened and Tim had walked in with Tony, Ziva and Tali. He was still deep in his train of thought when Tali suddenly ran to him and hugged him. "Hi Uncle Gibbs," she said not being her usual cheerful self

"Hey Tali," Gibbs said gently after getting out of his daze and ruffling her hair. He then looked to his former agents. "I'm glad to see you are all safe."

"Thanks Gibbs," Tony and Ziva both replied in unison as Gibbs carefully lifted Tali.

Whenever he held her it made him think of his late daughter Kelly who died along with her mother Shannon years ago. Gibbs smiled and gently kissed her forehead. Ziva felt Tony gently grasp her hand and the couple smiled. The thoughts that Gibbs had after going to Abby's lab soon escaped his mind as the elevator reached the squad room.

A/N: Well I hope you liked this long overdue chapter! Please review! :)