On Your Six

Chapter Four - Ari & Annalise

A/N: Aww, thanks for the reviews, mia58, W E Wolford, Diamond and Stars, Hawklover, XX-Samantha-XX, and ImmiRose. You guys are keeping me going. :)

And Diamond and Stars, I can't confirm or deny your guess about the mystery lady, so we'll see. :D

Spoilers: None this chapter

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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Quantico Marine Corps University

"So Staff Sergeant Westmoreland worked here in the main office, Sergeant Pennington?" Tony asked the marine behind the receptionist's desk. Ziva stood beside him, both listening to the conversation and surveying the room carefully.

"Yes sir, Annalise worked the morning shift here, I'm the afternoon," the young man replied. "She was about to graduate with her bachelors."

Tony looked down at Westmoreland's file. "International Relations," he said stated. "Were you friends?"

"I only knew her initially through her roommate, Kerry. Then we were both assigned here." He said, then paused. "Kerry said she'd been disappearing a lot on the weekends, the past few months."

Ziva became alert at this piece of information. "Did she have a boyfriend?" She asked casually, sharing a glance with Tony and seeing that he understood her suspicion.

"I don't know, probably." Pennington shrugged. "It would explain where she went, but she never told Kerry anything about it I don't think."

"The roommate is Staff Sergeant Kerry Michaels?" Tony asked as he again scanned the file. They'd already verified that Michaels was on base and the general had sent two officers to wait with her at her barracks until questioning.

"Yes, sir."

Tony closed his notebook and offered his hand to the sergeant. "Thanks, sergeant. We'll be in touch."

"You know, he's reminding more and more of a cross between James Bond and any bad guy from the Die Hard movies," Tony stated quietly with a shake of his head as they walked out of the main office and through the doors of the university building.

Ziva did not need to ask who he meant, but pursed her lips she replied tartly, "Well, everything that came out of his mouth was fiction, apparently." She yanked open the passenger seat and got in the car. Every time she thought she knew everything her about her chameleon half-brother, another revelation surfaced . The depth of his deceptions appeared a bottomless, still causing chaos even after his death. If what she suspected was true...

She sighed.

Tony regarded her as he started the van, but opted to remain silent. He knew no words would ease the sting she felt in regards to Ari.

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Quantico Marine Corps Barracks

They arrived at the barracks and quickly found the second floor apartment. Tony knocked. "NCIS." He announced.

The door opened, revealing an officer in uniform. "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo and Officer Ziva David," Tony said as they both flashed their badges and the marine allowed them to enter the apartment.

Inside, another marine in uniform stood next to a honey-blonde woman seated on the couch in plain clothes. She stood and shook hands with Tony and Ziva. "Staff Sergeant Kerry Michaels."

Tony gestured for her to resume her seat, as the marines went to stand guard outside the door. He and Ziva took a seat on the adjacent sofa.

"I can't believe Annalise is dead," Michaels said with a sad smile. "I'll tell you everything I know, but she was so secretive the past few months and I just didn't think to pry."

"We spoke with Sergeant Pennington," Tony stated. "He said that you told him she disappeared on weekends?"

"Yes, sir. Well, it was weird. It would happen for three or four weekends in a row and then she wouldn't go anywhere for a month or two. It was like that for the last six months. The last weekend was over a month ago. She would pack a bag Friday afternoon and tell me she'd be back Sunday night," she replied.

"And she never brought anyone, a man, back to the apartment?" Ziva asked.

"No, ma'am." She paused thoughtfully. "Usually when she came back on Sundays, she was always so happy. But this last month, she'd seemed depressed. Maybe he was married and broke it off?"

Tony finished writing down her last statement and caught Ziva's eye. She nodded. "What about her relationship with her parents?" She asked.

"I don't think she talked to them recently," Michaels said. "After she graduated and made officer, she wanted to get an assignment in the Middle East. They were here about three months ago for a visit. I was in my room, but I could hear them arguing about it. Captain Westmoreland couldn't understand why she wanted an assignment there, considering her major specialty was in Asia."

Ziva nodded, hearing the information almost distantly. What was it that her father had once told her? You can never truly know anyone, all their secrets.

"Thank you, staff sergeant. We're going to do a sweep of the apartment now, mostly in her room, take few items back to NCIS for evidence. Anything that belongs to you will be returned at the end of the investigation." Tony said as he stood up. Ziva stood as well. The door opened and one of the marines entered, followed by Gibbs and a couple in their late fifties. The man was dressed in full uniform and the woman in a neutral business suit, their distress apparent.

"Special Agent DiNozzo and Officer David, Captain Westmoreland and his wife Ann," Gibbs said he made the introductions. Tony and Ziva shook hands with the couple.

Before Gibbs could speak again, Ann Westmoreland spoke, her blue eyes red-rimmed. "Have you found anything yet?"

Tony shook his head. "We're still in the process of taking statements and collecting evidence, ma'am. We have some leads, but nothing concrete yet." He looked at Gibbs. "We were just about to check her room. It's the last evidence area and we've got the surveillance videos in the van."

Gibbs nodded. "Go ahead." As Tony and Ziva disappeared into the staff sergeant's bedroom with their evidence kits, Gibbs motioned for the Westmorelands to sit down. Michaels offered Mrs. Westmoreland a hug as the two women sat on the sofa. Westmoreland remained standing and started to pace.

"Damn it, Jethro, I hate being left in the dark!" He said agitatedly. "I know your people back at NCIS and here know something. Our daughter is dead! I think we deserve to know what's going on."

Gibbs face remained impassive even as he sympathized with his friend. "Ron, my people are doing everything they can to find out who murdered Annalise. But we do not release any leads or information on open case to anyone. You know that."

The captain sighed as he leaned against the mantle, picking up a picture of his daughter and her roommate in uniform on the day they received their staff sergeant stripes. Tears formed in his eyes as he blinked them back. Jethro looked away, guilt seeping through him. No matter how much Jen had tried to tell him not to blame himself, how could he not? If Ari was involved, Annalise had been targeted specifically because of her father's link to him.

Back at NCIS, Ducky had confirmed strangulation as the cause of death around 8 p.m. in the evening the previous day. Abby had found some prints not belonging to the victim on one of the cufflinks of her uniform and had run it through all the databases, including against Ari's fingerprints. Nothing matched before Gibbs departed for Quantico again. Jen had insisted on notifying Fornell of the situation, but had agreed to wait on the CIA until they had more to go on. After securing NCIS, he'd sent McGee and Agent Paula Cassidy over to interview the ROTC teachers and students from the three area high schools that made visits to the base in the past few days.

Gibbs excused himself to go check on his agents. He stepped into the doorway, quietly watching as Tony and Ziva efficiently gathered evidence and took pictures of the room. That this newly formed teamed appeared already in excellent form was the only bright spot in this mess. "Almost done?" He finally spoke. "We need to wrap it up, the general wants to take the base off lockdown if possible. And we've got to get back to NCIS with the rest of the evidence."

Tony nodded. "Yeah, I think we're good, Boss. There's nothing we've got that can keep it on lockdown." He replied, zipping up a bag and taking his gloves off. "Are her parents going to pack up her stuff tonight?" He asked.

"They're staying on base tonight. There's going to be a memorial service tomorrow. Ducky and I are bringing the body back." Gibbs said, running a hand over his face. "I don't think they'll do any of that until the day after tomorrow." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Ziva fiddling with the back of an antique bureau against the wall.

"There's some type of compartment in the back of this, I can feel it." She said as she tried to get a better angle.

Tony, took out another pair of gloves and went to help her move the heavy oak furniture away from the wall. They both bent to exam it. Gibbs turned and saw Westmoreland approaching curiously. Sensing that his agents were about to discover something critical, he intercepted the man. "Ron, let the officers take you and Ann back to your barracks for the night."

Gibbs could sense his friend's reluctance, but he gestured for him to move toward the door. He turned to the two women. "Staff Sergeant Michaels, you've made arrangements to stay elsewhere for the night?"

The young woman nodded. "I've got my bag packed. You don't need me any longer, sir?"

"No, you're free to go. Have one of the officers escort you." He instructed as he herded everyone out of apartment. Once the door was closed, he locked it and turned back towards the bedroom. As he made it to the doorway, he heard a clicking sound as a small compartment shot out from the back of the bureau, spilling letters onto the floor. It narrowly missed hitting Tony in the head, causing him to stumble forward into Ziva, catching her around the waist before she could lose her balance. They shared a look of surprise.

"Well?" Gibbs said from door as he moved into the room.

They broke their gaze, springing apart and immediately turned their attention to the letters. Ziva picked up one of the letters and turned it around to see the front. "Ari Haswari." She whispered as she read the return name and address. The three agents regarded in each other in grim silence. Tony looked through the rest, seven letters in total, addressed from various parts of the world from Ari to Annalise Westmoreland.

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NCIS Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

"Hey Abs, any luck yet on those fingerprints?" McGee asked as he and Agent Cassidy walked into the lab.

Abby looked up from her computer, where the prints were being run through yet another database. "Nothing so far, Timmy." She said, an edge of frustration in her voice. "Any luck at those high schools?"

"Maybe." McGee replied.

"Timmy, you know how Gibbs feels about maybe." Abby said sternly, shaking her finger.

"What McGee was going to say," Agent Cassidy interjected, "was that one of the students at Quantico High said she thought she saw one of the female students from another school in their tour group break away from the group, heading toward the restrooms on the same day that Staff Sergeant Westmoreland was murdered. She didn't know if it was a student from Woodrow Wilson or Gonzaga. They were in the Computer Science room, which is on the second floor of the university. And she didn't really see the girl's face and her hair was hidden under her hat. No one else's statement corroborates this, unfortunately."

"In other words, we really need those surveillance videos from Tony and Ziva." Abby concluded. "Well, Gibbs left an hour and half ago for Quantico with the staff sergeant's parents. He said they'd be back by seven."

"I think this is going to be a long night," McGee sighed.

"Well, how about I go get us all some Chinese," Cassidy suggested. "We might as well eat while we have the chance."

"Sounds good to me." McGee said, smiling at her.

Abby frowned and grabbed her empty Caf-Pow cup. "I need another one, McGee." She said, unable to hide her annoyance.

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Quantico Marine Corps Barracks

Ziva found and opened the letter with latest postmark, just six weeks before that fateful day on the rooftops, while Gibbs and Tony began reading the others. Recognizing Ari's nearly illegible scrawl, Ziva was horrified to feel tears burn her eyes. What was wrong with her? She'd done the right thing in Gibbs basement, she reminded herself. She had a job to do now. To prevent whoever was acting on Ari's behalf from murdering another person. Where was that cold, methodical assassin who did her job without flinching? She had to find her again to survive this. She swallowed and glanced quickly at the two men, hoping they had not noticed her inner turmoil. Gibbs was absorbed in the letter was reading, but Tony met her gaze with simple understanding. She looked away, unnerved by the intimacy of the moment, returning her eyes to the letter.

Anna,

It seems that I will return to the U.S. sooner than I thought. Another medical conference.
If I can get away, perhaps you can finally take me on a tour of the famed Library of Congress, or as you call it,
your "Mecca of books"? I may even try some of that cotton candy you love so much, despite the fact that
it has no redeeming nutritional value. Listen to your doctor.

As to your father, I wouldn't worry so much, ahuvati. You are a grown woman and can do whatever you please.
I doubt it is concern as much as he wants to control you. I'm convinced it is the real reason people have children.
I can hear your voice once again lamenting my cynicism. But it is well earned. How about this for optimism?
Your life is whatever you make of it. Is that not the type of saying Americans are so fond of?
It's something I happen to believe as well. Are you shocked?


I will be with you soon.

Ari

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What do you think? Suggestions? Questions? Let me hear them. :) The next chapter's going to pick up the pace action-wise, but I really love exploring these characters in the NCIS universe, thank you all for coming along for the ride so far!

Rosemeade