AN: Shorter update here. But more to come soon.

----

Where to now? Back to NCIS to clean out their desks? Home? Drive around the streets of DC aimlessly? Tim could barely focus his eyes out the window; the scenery suddenly blurred by the tears in his eyes. Ziva had managed to place a gentle hand over his and didn't see any reason to remove it the entire ride…to wherever it was they were going. Tony was focused on their next destination and knew the lead was on his shoulders. Although having an ex-marine Colonel in the passenger seat did add a bit more pressure.

"Where are you boss?" Tony was whispering to himself, but wasn't surprised that Ryan had heard him.

"You won't find him."

Tony glanced to his right. "And how do you know that?"

"If the gunny doesn't want to be found. He won't be found. He was one of the best I'd ever seen at disappearing when he had to."

"Well you can get off this roller coaster ride whenever you'd like Colonel. But one thing Gibbs taught us was to never give up…so I don't care if he's Rambo in the middle of the woods…we're going after him."

"Rambo was in the army."

Tony almost smiled. "Yeah…"

"Listen I'm not presuming you kids can't pull this off. I'm just making sure you know what you're up against."

"We know Gibbs."

Ryan glanced behind him momentarily. "And I know the Gunny. You haven't seen him in the middle of a war…"

Tony shook his head, his eyes meeting Ziva's through the rear view mirror. "The hell we haven't."

"Some safe place." Franks looked around at his surroundings but knew better than to complain, particularly about the casket in the middle of the living room. "You sure no one will think you're here Probie?"

"I usually run away from memories boss, not towards them. No one will look for me here."

"Vintorino?"

"Another safe place." He sifted through a few of the cupboards before pulling out a bottle of whiskey.

"He wouldn't happen to be safe six feet under would he?"

Gibbs ignored the comment and lifted up the bottle as if asking Mike if he wanted any. He watched him nod before pouring both of them a glass and taking it to him. They sat in silence for almost ten minutes when Franks broke his gaze from the casket in the middle of the room to get them another glass.

"Did you come here much?"

Gibbs came out his trance and shook his head.

Franks continued. "Wish you had?" But yet again he was met with silence and almost decided on giving up on getting him talk all together. Until…

"Driven her home a few times. Walked her to her door." He took down more of his drink. "Nine years…and I came here three times. Three times." He finished the glass and paced over to the kitchen to get the bottle and bring it back.

"To regrets." Mike lifted up his glass, just after Gibbs had topped it off. Gibbs hesitated but soon lifted his as well. "You know Probie…after this is over you could come back with me. You never did finish my roof."

Gibbs ignored the comment and stared back at the casket. "I built her that."

Mike only listened on.

"We'd known each other one week…as soon as she found out I built a boat, she begged me for days to make it. Had sketches for me…the whole bit. The day I finished it…that was the first day she…the first day she…"

Mike watched as Gibbs suddenly stood up and threw his glass at it's wooden frame. He looked on to see his hands start to shake and stood up along side him. "Probie…"

Gibbs just as well of shoved him away. "The first day she hugged me…" It was then he laughed for the first time in days; shocking even himself. He'd been convinced he'd never smile again…but some how the sudden sob that escaped his throat made it easier for him to bear. "Ah God boss, I miss her…I miss her so much…"

Mike placed a hand on his shoulder cautiously before pulling him into a soft embrace. Letting him cry for as long as he needed and wondering if he was getting a glimpse of what he'd been like after his family. "You're gonna be alright Jethro…"

Gibbs eased away slowly. "No I'm not."

Tony pulled the car over and took in his team. "We have to think like the boss? Where would he be?"

Ziva took her eyes off Tim for a moment. "Hiding."

Tony resisted rolling his eyes and turned back around, his hands hitting the steering wheel forcefully; which somehow managed to bring Tim out of his daze.

"Randazzo." Tim blinked the remaining tears out of his eyes; drying them out a bit. "We follow Randazzo."

"Easier said than done Probie."

Ryan spoke up next. "Maybe not."

Donald Mallard had been left behind once again. An empty bull pen. An empty autopsy room. An empty lab. He had started to pack up her personal belongings to pass the time; and filled up two brown boxes before carrying them towards the elevator. He knew each trip down there would get harder, but he knew what needed to be done. And right now; he was doing just that. He began to pet the stuffed hippo and managed a small smile. "Do not worry dear fellow, we will find you a good home…"

Franks sat up and watched Gibbs stare into nothingness until he passed out or fell asleep. Whichever it was didn't matter. All that mattered was that Gibbs pain was momentarily relieved. Mike wandered around her apartment and took note of the many picture frames that covered her shelves. One in particular of her as Marilyn Monroe, he picked it up and smiled. "Not bad for a blond." He set it back down and hovered for a few more minutes before dozing off himself; that was until the front door began to open…