Tony propped his feet up onto his desk, strumming a guitar. He hummed, way off tune, but to him, he sounded good. Abby, Ducky, Gibbs, and McGee looked at him strangely.

Kate raised her eyebrows at Tony. "What are you doing, Tony?"

Tony grinned. "I met this chick at the bar the other day, and she sings country music for a living. In fact, she's up for a record label. So, I was—"

"Thinking of impressing her by trying to play the guitar and singing?" Kate laughed, putting her bag down. Julia sat on the edge of Kate's desk, the bottoms of her feet barely reaching the floor.

Tony sang more, and made funny expressions that made Julia giggle. Kate looked at her surprised. She never heard Julia laugh before…it was nice. Her laugh was light and a little high pitched; it was like a bell chiming.

Julia made a sign, and motioned for Tony. "She wants you to give the guitar to her," Gibbs translated.

Tony laughed. "alright, but I don't see how she'll be able to play if she's deaf—" He was soon cut off by Julia's guitar playing.

Her fingers moved easily over the strings, plucking them to create a complicated and beautiful melody. The office was silent as Julia's hands strung the chords.

Julia brushed her hair over to the side, and gave a small smile to the NCIS crew. They were just about to applaud her when she started up the music again, this time opening her mouth:

I remember tears streaming down your face

When I said, I'll never let you go

When all those shadows almost killed your light

I remember you said, Don't leave me here alone

But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

Julia's voice, beautiful and haunting, sang the song to perfect pitch. The crew, spellbound, couldn't help but keep listening

Don't you dare look out your window, darling,

Everything's on fire

The war outside our door keeps raging on

Hold onto this lullaby

Even when the music's gone

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound

Julia finished off the song with a couple of chords. She looked up at everyone, who was staring at her. She grinned at their surprised expressions, because she had expected them.

"How—how did you do that?" McGee stammered, his jaw dropping.

Julia signed something, and a deep voice behind her said. "She's always been able to." Luke touched Julia's shoulder. She flinched, but then relaxed when she saw who it was.

Gibbs's hard stare reached his. "We need to talk to you." He motioned to Abby. "Show her around." He turned towards Julia.

Gibbs, what is going on? She signed, her hand motions fast and feverish.

Go with Abby. He finger spelled. Trust me.

Abby gently took her by the shoulders. Julia looked from her to Kate to Gibbs. Her expression was a confused one.


The elevator doors closed, sealing Julia and Abby. Julia curled her toes inside of her boots. She felt her breathing slow down. Her hand drifted over the three bracelets around her wrist. Had she done something wrong? OR…maybe they found her dad's killer?

Abby noticed Julia's uneasiness, and tapped her on the shoulder.

I'm Abby. She said, using her hands.

She looked surprised, her eyes brightening at the sign language. Julia pointed at Abby, moved her hand up and down, and shook her finger. Where did you learn sign?

"My parents were deaf." Abby said.

Oh. I'm sorry.

"No, it's fine," she said and signed at the same time. "We're going to be spending some time together…is that okay with you?"

Julia smiled, and Abby guessed it was.


"SO this is my forensics lab!" the doors hissed open and Abby led Julia in. Her bright eyes took in everything, not wanting to miss a single moment.

Julia scanned the room. There were so much technology and machinery, it surprised Julia. She didn't really expect a Goth to be in charge of forensics.

But then again, Abby didn't seem to be a normal Goth. But that was fine with Julia.

Her smiled drooped when she saw the dummy on the table. Abby noticed and signed, Hey, are you alright?

Julia took a deep breath and nodded, her hand forming a fist in her pocket. She hesitantly pulled something out, something crumpled and wrinkly.

Abby cocked her forehead, her ponytails flipping. What's that? She asked

Her bottom lip trembled, as she pressed it into Abby's hands. Abby unfolded the paper. She looked at Julia. How long have you had this?

Days before my father was murdered. Someone's out to get me Abby. I'm…I'm…Julia's face paled. She clutched the nearest table. Her eyes closed shut, and her breathing became heavy.

"Julia! Julia!" Abby took her by the shoulders and gently lowered her down on the floor. Her face was in her hands, her knees gathered up to her chest.

A minute later, her breathing became normal. Julia lifted her head up, her eyes tear-stained. I have PT-SD. She mouthed miserably.

"Oh Julia," Abby murmured. She threw her arm around her shoulder, squeezing her tightly. She offered Julia a bottle of water, which she gratefully took.

"Should we go on with our tour?" Abby whispered, using her hands so Julia could see. Julia nodded, refusing to let her tears fall.


Gibbs leaned back on the desk. "I thought she couldn't talk."

Luke looked out the window. "I used to think a lot of things, Agent Gibbs."

"Julia could still talk…even when she was deaf. She just choses not to. Until a couple months ago."

"You see, there was this speech contest…and a lot of kids at her school were giving her grief about not talking. So she decided to participate in the speech contest."

Luke looked at Gibbs and Kate. "She's so brave. She stood up there, in front of so many people, and she talked for the first time."

"What did she talk about? Tony asked.

"The best invention—sign language. She spoke and signed at the same time. She won the entire national competition."

"And…"

"We got notes—threatening her not to talk again. She shut up right away. I had my police force dust for fingerprints and watch her for a while, but then the notes stopped."

Luke sighed, looking remorseful. "It's too bad. When she was speaking, her PT-SD seemed to fade and not come as often. Music was always her haven. She loves singing and playing instruments, even though she can't hear it."

He looked up. "Why did you call me in here, again?"

"We need you to identify your father's body, as well as some personal items."

The song that Julia plays is called Safe and Sound, by Taylor Swift. It's very lovely! (: PLease review!