Ugh...morning, everyone.

Today is the end of spring break...and I still have an entire practice AP Chemistry test...multiple choice, free-write and all...

Well, I think it's safe to say I'm going to procrastinate for another few hours.

If any of you had spring break this week too, I hope it was as good for you as it was for me. :D

Anyways, carry on to the story!

I gave him a little wave and began to walk to the elevator.

Tony was driving me to my dorm today. Tim, because I was sick a few days ago, had a little bit of extra work to do. He laid the rules down for me, to insure my best safety. "Do not go off the campus without one of our supervision. Don't go out of your dormitory at night…buddy system at all times, with the exception of the NCIS building."

"I know," I slightly groaned.

"Hey," he said as he pulled into a parking space. He gave me a sympathetic smile. "I know this sounds like you're being treated like a child, but I'm sure you know that if you follow these, you're going to be much safer."

"I know that. Honestly…it just sucks." I tried to put on a tougher mask. "I'm not going to un-declare my major. It's not my problem that somebody has a problem with that."

He laughed, "That's more like it." Suddenly putting on a serious face after opening the door for me, he said, "I know you're scared, Julia, but we will catch this guy. You're in good hands. We're not going to let anything happen to you."

We walked in silent seriousness to my dorm, which I was supposed to be escorted to and from every day. When we reached the door, I told him, "Thanks for all your efforts. They're not going to be wasted."

"I know they won't," he stated. "Bye, Julia. See you tomorrow." We waved to each other. He didn't exactly seem like his cheerful, boisterous self. It was possible that me being threatened and on the team upset him. Regardless of how worried I was, and how close I was to shaking with fear, I was happier than anything, because of how accepted I was in their family.

I closed the door behind me, and noticed I was alone, and in solitude. Tina was probably at the nearest Starbucks with people closer to her age. I shut the window, and closed the curtains. My heart started to quicken. What if I was all alone when I died? Would it hurt? Would anyone hear my scream? Quickly, I threw on my pajamas and covered myself under blankets on my bed. My feet started to tingle, and I started to shiver. I forced myself to shut my eyes, even though it was only eight.

Without taking my increasing breaths into consideration, I slowly found myself falling asleep.

When I woke up, I found it hard to breathe. I forced myself out of bed, then almost fell back in. Tina was still in bed, and that meant the shower was free. After sneaking into the bathroom and shutting the door, I turned the water on and prayed that she wouldn't wake up. I knew I was a mess, but that didn't mean anybody had to see it.

I had started my day off normally, so who was to say that today wasn't normal. It was entirely possible the whole thing had been a crazy dream, or a weird misunderstanding. Clarice wasn't a misunderstanding, and neither were the others. This wasn't just a happenstance, I decided, it was life, and it was about to get scarier, I thought.

Judaism, Christianity, and Catholicism were all religions I had seen and studied once upon a time in different countries. Not once had I faltered in my respect for the religion and people devoted to them, but every day I had experienced a lack of faith, until today. I needed something to believe in dearly. I needed somebody to listen to my hopes and dreams and fears without judgment (because no matter what anybody said, they'd be judging me deep down inside—I've done the same thing, and who hasn't?).

My knees were not on the ground, my hands weren't clasped together, and my eyes weren't closed. I wasn't muttering a short prayer, I didn't make the cross on my chest. I just hoped and hoped that somebody would hear my thoughts and make sure I didn't die sometime in the near future.

Tina, when I got out of the shower and bathroom, was still face down on her pillow, snoring. I pit of jealousy formed in my stomach as I watched her. She had no clue, no worries, no fears. All she had to focus on was having a good time and passing her classes.

I looked at the clock. There was still a few minutes left before somebody should be picking me up. I threw on some clothes, attempted to put make up on to cover my distraught face, and laid down on my bed. My eyes had huge circles beneath them—I had had a rough night. I wouldn't be surprised if I had woken up five times in the few hours I slept. Thoughts ran through my head as I laid there. Going back to sleep, I figured, wouldn't be so bad, no matter how restless it would be.

A knock was heard from the door, and I saw Tina growl. After forcing a smile on my face, I opened the door. Gibbs was standing there. "Morning, Julia. I know the smile's fake."

My face turned into a frown. "Yeah. Sorry," I mumbled.

"Don't say sorry," he said, "It's the sign of weakness."

I smiled again—a real one, this time. "So, I have a question."

"Shoot."

"NCIS deals with petty officers, right..?"

"Right."

"Well, how did you get caught up in this case? I don't know…I mean. I haven't known any of the victims to be petty officers."

"There was one murder before the one you were interrogated about," he explained.

"Oh…who was it?"

"His name was Thomas Jensen. He was in the navy before going to college. He majored in forensic science. After he graduated, he was shot."

Gibbs and I walked together into the office with a cup of coffee in our hands. "I'll let you know if we had any leads," he told me.

"Alright, thanks. I'll be in the lab. But you probably knew that."

He nodded to me, and I was off with a deep, nervous breath, at least, until Tim stopped me. "Turning into a Gibbs, Julia?" He smiled.

"Well…Pepsi doesn't really cut it this early in the morning."

He glanced at his clock. "It's not that early."

"If this was a free day where my life wasn't possibly at stake," I added with a short, hollow laugh, "I'd be getting up at one or two."

He gave me a stare. "Really? I have to get up at ten at the latest."

"I get up at eleven at the earliest. In some circumstances, I'm willing to make an exception," I gave him a smile. Hint, hint. "I'll see you around, Tim."

Tim smiled back, "Alright, bye."

Hmm...

Idunno. It's so early in the morning I can't think of anything to say...even though it's only like...ten.

I slept for eleven hours, what am I so tired about? xD

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!

Read and review you absolutely lovely people! :)

-Amehhh