Chapter 7

Chapter 7

It's been a few days since FBI Agent Allison Michaels, the lone witness the brutal killing of two marines and her fellow FBI undercover agent Darren Jacobson. Allison Michaels has yet to regain her memory and based on the injuries that she suffered she's a long way from recovery. Gibbs has been visiting her everyday, in the morning before going to the office and at night, before going home. Gibbs doesn't know if he's doing this because he felt guilty that he wasn't able to save Kate. Or it's because it's his job. Gibbs hopes that for her sake, Allison will at least be able to remember her family and her past. He remembered not too long ago losing his memory but at least he remembered Shannon, Kelly and Kate. And if he never remembered anything else, he would have been fine with it because the three most important people in his life, he could keep their memories.

The past few days, the FBI has been able to provide more information on Allison Michaels and the reason for her and Agent Jacobson going undercover. Allison Michaels was born and raised in San Diego, California. She graduated from UCLA, majoring in Criminology. She took a job in East Los Angeles, areas where drugs and gang violence were normal every day occurrence. She was then recommended by the Chief of Police to transfer to the DEA. Being a DEA agent allowed her the opportunity to work with the FBI. After working for the DEA for two years, she was recruited by the FBI and has been with them for three years. Six months ago, the FBI received a tip from the streets that there had been an increase in cocaine use. So the FBI sent her and her partner, to do some digging and posted as drug buyers. They found out that a large amount of cocaine have been coming in to the streets of Washington, DC. Since the arrest of Ruben Gil, the mayor of Izucar de Matamoros in Puebla, Mexico, and alleged leader of narcotics trafficking ring, smuggling drugs into the US have been difficult. As the DEA and U.S. Marshalls have become more resourceful in stopping narcotics trafficking ring, drug traffickers also have become smarter in finding ways to smuggles the goods. Apparently, they found a way to do so by using the US military. So Allison Michaels and Darren Jacobson enlisted themselves and were making progress. The night before they were found, they were supposed to meet with the suppliers. Something had gone wrong that night and that's what they need to figure out.

Her second week at the hospital, the bruises on her face have started to disappear but the swelling and cuts are still visible. The doctor had told her she could go home but needed to stay with someone who could look after her. Since she doesn't remember her family and the FBI and NCIS are keeping her identity and condition a secret, she is under protective custody and it's up to both federal agencies to decide.

She could hear the FBI Agent Fornell and NCIS Special Agent Gibbs arguing in the hallway. Agent Gibbs, have visited her without fail these past two weeks. She didn't know the man but she senses that he cares. There have been times when she had caught him staring at her as if he knew her before. His eyes are always gentle and sympathetic and they could read through her. He often mentioned an agent named Kate and concluded that she must be very special to him. It was only the other night she learned that she had been dead for three years now. She had asked him to bring her since she talked so much about her. She noticed how his clear blue eyes had turned dark and he became really sad. Since that night, he never mentioned her name again.

She noticed the yelling had stopped and both men are attending outside her door.

"Agent Fornell, Special Agent Gibbs, come in."

"Hi Allison, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm feeling fine, Agent Fornell. My doctor said I could be released today. I know you both were arguing about it but I'd like to make the decision. Agent Gibbs, if your offer is still on the table, I'd like it very much if I could stay with you."

"Wait a second Agent Michaels, you're an FBI agent so you should be in our custody."

"But I trust Agent Gibbs, Agent Fornell. He has been here everyday and frankly, I don't want to be living or be watched by someone I have never met before. You could assign an agent to watch me while Agent Gibbs is at work. I appreciate your concern Agent Fornell, but I think that staying with Agent Gibbs, someone that I have come to trust would be good for my recovery and maybe, I could regain my memory because I feel safe."

Allison then looked over at Gibbs and smiled. Gibbs smiled back but turned his gaze quickly to the window. Seeing Allison smile and her dimples reminded him so much of Kate. He again had to remind himself that Kate is gone.

Allison couldn't quite read Gibbs' reaction. Maybe he had changed his mind about her staying with him while she recovers.

"Agent Gibbs, are you okay with this because if you're not I will go with the FBI?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Allison, of course I play with it. Do you want to go now or do you want me to come back later to pick you up?"

"I know that you guys are busy trying to piece all this together and my lack of memory isn't helping, so maybe I could stay here another night and you could come tomorrow morning to pick me up?"

"Tomorrow morning is fine. It will give me time tonight to get the guest room ready."

"I'll see you tomorrow morning then, Agent Gibbs. Bye Agent Fornell."

"Get some rest Allison."

"Bye Agent Michaels.

When Fornell is sure that Agent Michales could no longer hear them, he confronted Gibbs.

"What the hell do you think you are doing Gibbs? You are getting too attached."

"Fornell, she needs my help. She needs someone there she could trust and you heard her, she trusts me."

"Gibbs, she isn't Agent Todd!"

"I know that Fornell!"

"Do you really, Gibbs? Stop lying to yourself and admit that every time you look at her, you see Agent Todd. And when she smiled at you, don't tell me you didn't see Caitlin Todd. Because I did and if I didn't know any better, I would say that she is Agent Caitlin Todd. Her dimples, her laugh and her eyes, I'm not blind Gibbs, I noticed Agent Todd before, I mean who wouldn't? She was a very attractive woman."

"And Gibbs, don't forget that the woman in that room is the key in solving this case."

"I know that and I know what my job is."

"I hope so Gibbs because this isn't about redemption this is about finding out the truth."

Gibbs nodded and drove away leaving his friend Fornell with a worried expression on his face.