Chapter 4

The next day Alex was in the N.C.I.S. building by 7:30, knowing she hadn't finished the paperwork last night she had decided to finish it this morning, and preferably before the rest of the team got in. She had finished all of last night's paperwork, and al it now needed was the Guv's signature, now she was working through the current case, tying up any lose ends when Jenny arrived, and said; "Hey, what time did you get in?"

"Bout half seven." Alex replied with a smile.

"Do you ever stop working?" they both laughed, and Jenny walked off to her office. Around fifteen minutes later Alex had finished all the paperwork she could do, to do with the Petty Officers death, and it was now only quarter past eight. Knowing the others wouldn't be in for at least another half hour she decided to go and get some coffee, and so that the day at least started well, one for Gibbs too.

When she returned from the coffee shop, Gibbs was sat at his desk. He looked up to see who it was, and on seeing it was Alex said, "Did you do all this paperwork last night?" as he stared at the case file.

"No, I did it this morning." She replied, "Just went to get some coffee, I thought that you'd want one, reckoned you were a black, no sugar and an extra shot kindda man."

" Yep. Thanks" he said taking the cup. Alex returned to her desk and by quarter to nine shaz had arrived, followed closely by Kate, Tony and McGee who were arguing as usual. Ales though was getting annoyed at the fact that neither the Guv, nor Ray nor Chris had arrived yet. At twenty past ten Gibbs announced that he would be interviewing Mason in ten minutes. 'Late' thought Alex, yet a wave of relief passed over her at the fact too, it meant that she could at least have one last try at getting the Guv to arrive on time, she hopes anyway. Picking up her mobile she walked to the edge of the room and typed in the Guv's number, yet there was no answer and it went to voicemail again. "Guv, where the bloomin' hell are you? Look I've been covering for you three all morning, now, I don't care if you're saving the bloomin Queens life, you ring me! We're interviewing Mason in 5 minutes, you have to give me something to say! I can't just keep saying you'll all be here soon. Just god damn ring me!" she hung up the phone and walked over to Shaz who was working as usual. "Shaz, have you seen the Guv, Ray or Chris this morning?"

"No ma'am. Not since they all went off with them girls."

"What girls?"

"You know the three divorcees in the bar last night. They were all drunk."

"So the reason they're not here is because they're still in bed. I'm gonna kill 'em all!"

"D.I. Drake!" shouted Gibbs. She smiled as she walked over to the silver haired man. "Where are the rest of your team?"

"In bed I should imagine sir, but I don't know for sure." Alex said in an annoyed tone.

"Right then, you're interviewing with me then."

"Thank-you sir." And off the pair walked towards the interviewing room.

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Alex walked back into the squad room with a smile on her face, due to the result. Gene stepped out of the lift followed by Ray and Chris. Alex stormed over. "Guv, a word!" she said in a stern voice.

"What?"

"Where the hell have you three been? I'm your D.I. not you P.A. I'm not here to do your paperwork and cover your backside."

"I've been in bed. These two where here, you sent them two out for coffee , and as for you been my D.I. I'm your D.C.I. I tell you what to do not the other way around."

"Right, those two where never here, and I never sent them out for coffee!"

"You didn't?"

"No. O, and by the way, the interview went fine, he confessed, hit him over the head. O, and Gibbs asked me to help him interview. Thanks for asking!" shouted Alex storming off.

"DRAKE! Where are you going?"

"To see the director, she wants to talk to me!" replied Alex. C.I.D. wasn't affected by the row, they were all used to the blazing rows. Gibbs on the other hand was linking how much like a married couple they were. DiNozzo was staring at Alex's bum when he was quickly re-awakened by a slap to the back of the head, "Sorry Boss."

Alex composed herself before entering Jenny's office. "Jenny you wanted to see me?"

"Yes I did. I wanted to say congratulations about the case. I hear you and Gibbs cracked the case.

"Yes we did. It turns out Mason hit Ward over the head with a Snow Globe."

"Well then. Look I've really enjoyed having you here the last few days, and I was wondering if you would like a job, I would like you to work as a special agent on Gibbs' team. I could have your stuff shipped over, you could stay with me for as long as you want, and your Super would be sad to see you go, but not surprised if you accept. So all we need is your answer."

"Are you sure you would want me, not some young ambitious probie?"

"I chose you. Probies are good, but we need experienced people too, and you fit the bill perfectly."

"Thank-you, but I don't mean to be rude, but could I have ten minutes to think about it please?"

"Yes, as long as I have an answer by 4pm as that is when the London flight leaves." Alex smiled and walked out onto the catwalk and looked down. The case finished, Gene was telling Chris and Ray off, while Shaz was working. Tony though was arguing with Kate and McGee in a playful way, while Gibbs just let them get on with it and smiled to himself. The two teams where so different, and Alex had decided which side she would rather be on, and she was surprised by her decision. But maybe it was time to take control of her own life.

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