A/N: Another day, another chapter. Thanks to Mirajo for the review for the last chapter, although I had hoped to get more but hey-ho - I'm not going to hold this story to ransom, demanding more reviews before i post the next chapter - that's just silly. Been watching Wimbledon and doing Advanced Higher maths homework and writing this but I'll try and keep posting regularly.

Anyway, enough of my wittering, here's the next chapter.



McGee sat at his desk, his broken leg resting on a pillow on Tony's chair, opened the background on Allen Smith and dialled Tony. "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo."

"Hey Tony, it's McGee. First of all Abby ran that blood."

"And...?" Tony asked anxiously.

"It's Gibbs'."

"Are you sure?"

"She ran it three times, took a new sample and ran that too. It's definitely his." Tony sighed on the other end and scrubbed his face with his hand.

"Damn it!...Anything else?"

"Yeah. That Allen Smith you asked me to research, turns out he's related to a—" McGee did not finish his sentence as Tony cut in.

"He's the brother of Thomas Smith, convicted murderer serving two life sentences. I know McGee, Gibbs and the director put him away eight years ago. What else have you got?" Tim scanned down through the information in front of him, "Well Thomas Smith died last year and two months later Allen filed for his criminal record to be wiped but the court refused. He's been campaigning for his brother's innocence ever since, believing Gibbs falsified evidence to get a conviction."

"That doesn't sound like something Gibbs would do...does it? What about a place of residence?"

"He lives in a trailer park twenty miles from where you are now. I'll send the directions to your PDA." McGee said, having already sent them five minutes ago.

"What about his cell?"

"Nope, nothing. Abby thinks it's switched off but we'll keep trying."

"Right. I'll take Ziva with me to this trailer park and find this dirtbag and then bring him..." Tony drifted off as he was distracted by a guard waving to him, "I'll bring him in for questioning. Run his bank accounts and phone records to build up a picture of where he's been recently. I want you to find out everything you can about this bastard." He hung up before McGee could reply.

DiNozzo walked over to the waiting guard, "What've you got?"

"Tapes from the cameras as you asked, sir, and a list of everyone who drove into the hospital car park today – everyone has to sign in: a new regulation the commander brought in to tighten security...and make your job a hell of a lot easier I guess." He finished with a smile and handed Tony three tapes, each one dated and with a timeslot written on the label, "I made copies so don't worry about returning them - I just hope you find your guy."

"Thanks." The man turned sharply

Tony slid his phone into his jacket pocket and walked over to the Israeli who was standing at the exit junction from the car park, "Found anything?" he asked as he stood next to her surveying the busy road ahead of them. "Nothing except this receipt near our crime scene." She replied, handing the small slip of paper, which was enclosed in a clear evidence bag, to Tony. At the bottom was the customer's signature – Allen Smith. Tony scanned the list of items their suspect had bought, "High-grade rope, four rolls of duck tape, two metres of chain and an industrial-grade padlock, a twent-four pack of beer and two boxes of aspirin. That's an odd selection for someone who lives alone in a trailer." He scanned further down, came to the price and coughed, "And a lot of money for someone who's been unemployed for six months." He turned to face his teammate, "Let's go – McGee got us an address – unless you've found anything else." Ziva shook her head and started towards their car.


Tony was extremely proud of his high-speed driving, and even Ziva was surprised by the short length of time it took them to travel twenty miles.

He's almost as good as Gibbs, although a lot smoother...Better not tell either of them that – for my own sake.

Reaching their destination, the pair climbed out of the vehicle and quietly shut their doors. Tony pulled his weapon from its holster and Ziva followed suit as they walked inaudibly to the trailer door, all the time inspecting the windows for signs of movement inside. They had no warrant so could not just open the door and enter – they needed Smith's permission, but Tony doubted they would ever get it. He rapped swiftly on the door and stepped back as it swung open. He turned to Ziva, grinning broadly, "Well, I guess we'll have to go in and lock it for him."

"We are supposed to protect people from crime." She added, her shrewd grin rivalling Tony's.

"And who knows what could happen if this door was left unlocked." Tony declared loudly so that all the other residents could hear and stepped inside. Ziva followed him in, watching the small crowd that had gathered around the trailer for anyone who appeared to be phoning the police or even Smith. "Come and have a look at this Zee-vah." Tony cried triumphantly from the kitchen, "Bank records show he's behind on the payments for his van." Ziva flicked through the sheets of paper Tony had found scattered messily over the small wooden table. She was about to comment on their suspect's obvious lack of cleanliness - a week's worth of dishes stacked in the sink, the worktops brown with grease - when Tony's phone rang. "DiNozzo...Right we'll come in just now – we've got some stuff for you to pore over – but this better be good McKumquat or I'll headslap you." Ziva could not help laughing at Tony's newest nickname for McGee and his entirely hollow threat. After he had hung up, Tony wheeled round to face her. "It's very distracting having someone laughing through your conversation, not to mention rude." He cried in mock anger. Ziva simply shrugged and motioned dramatically to the door, "Lead on O great one." Tony narrowed his eyes and stuck out his tongue before turning and stalking out of the trailer, leaving Ziva to lock it behind them. "Wouldn't want anyone going in there unsolicited." She explained to the slightly diminished crowd standing outside, marching back to their car. As Tony reached the car Ziva sneaked in front of him and jumped into the driver's seat, "I'm driving!" She said in a childish voice and stuck her own tongue out at him.

Why do I always get stuck with the crazy chicks?

Tony sighed as he slumped into the passenger seat, suddenly remembering why he was stuck with the 'crazy chick'. "Shall I show you how you really drive at speed, or do you want to continue driving like your uncle?"

"Actually Ziva my uncle drives a..." He was cut off as they took the first corner with what felt like five Gs, "...Porsche."


A/N: What has McGee found??? Oooh I wonder what you'll have to do to find out??? :P

Reviews always welcome.