Gibbs and Pride returned to the office, where Brody and Chris were waiting.

»That was fast. «, Pride said, »Weren't the owners at home? «

»No we talked to them. The first one was quick, because the police found his car. His brother was angry with him and so he stole his car. «, Chris answered.

»The second owner was more interesting. He and his family were on vacations and they just came back. We asked the neighbors if they had seen anything and they mentioned that they haven't saw the Pick up since the family was gone. «

»Did you called the police? «

»Yes, we gave them the license number and they started a search. They will call us when they find anything. «, Brody said.

»Good work. Did Abby or Hobbs call? «

»Not that we know of. Speaking of Abby… «, Brody started and then she looked at Chris.

»What is about her? «, Pride asked and gave his agents a confused look.

»Well, we were wondering why you didn't tell us about that contract killer. «, Brody explained, after it was clear that Chris wouldn't say anything.

»We did tell you. «

»You mentioned it as if a contract killer would be normal. «

»We didn't just mention it, we… «

»We had to ask you and we still don't know what happened. All we know is that she is fine, because we saw her on screen yesterday and because Gibbs wouldn't act that normal if she would be hurt. «

»You're right. We really forgot to tell you. «, Pride realized, »Well, the short version is a contract killer tried to kill Abby, but Gibbs shot him. Now we try to find out who commissioned him, but he was clever. He burned all evidence and now we are back to zero. «

»There is no way Abby and Hobbs can rebuild the evidence? «, Chris asked.

»No, he burned it to ash. You can't read anything. «

Suddenly Pride's phone rang.

»Yeah? Where? We're on our way. «

»New case, king? «

»Yes. Call Dr. Wade. We have a new body. «

They arrived at the crime scene. Dr. Wade already examined the dead body.

»Hey Loretta. What can you tell me? «, Pride asked, but he looked as if he would already knew.

»Well sweetheart, I'm afraid that you will not be happy. She is a young petty officer and the killer stabbed her. «

»Does she have the mark? «

Dr. Wade opened the blouse of the woman and showed them the mark, which the killer carved into her chest.

»It's him. «

»Yes, there is no doubt. «

»King. «, Chris shouted, »You should see that. «

»What is it? «

»We found her purse. «

»So what? We know that he doesn't kill to rob the women. «

»Yes, but this time something is missing. Her phone. «

»Are you sure? «

»Yes. We can't find it. «, Brody answered, »Besides the officer told us that they got a phone call from an upset woman, who told them that someone attacked our victim. Our victim was calling her, but she didn't hear the phone, so our victim talked to her mailbox, when she got attacked. «

»But why did he took the phone? Our victim spoke to the mailbox of her friend. Her phone isn't useful. «

»It is useful, because the phone number of the friend is probably listed. «, Gibbs said.

»He wants her phone to erase the call. «

»And will probably kill her by that way. «

»We need the name of this friend! Now! «

When the police arrived at the house of the friend, she was alive and she still had her phone. Pride and Gibbs went to the lab, after they got the phone from a police officer. They heard loud music coming from the lab. Abby was at the computer working on the new crime scene photos, while Hobbs took a little break.

»How can you work with that music, Hobbs? «, Pride asked and the forensic scientist smiled.

»Abby and I have a deal. In the morning until noon we listen to my music and then we listen to hers. «

»As long as you can work with that noise. «

Gibbs turned the music down and sighed: »Much better. «

»Don't touch my music! «

Surprised he and Pride looked at Abby. It was obvious that she was in a bad mood.

»What's wrong? «

»Do you really ask me that?! «

She stood up and walked over to him, until they stood face to face.

»Did you really think that I would find out? «

»What did you find out? «

»About the contract killer. You went to his house. Did you really think I would be that busy that I wouldn't remember that someone tried to kill me?! «

»I hoped it. «

»Gibbs! Why didn't you tell me?! «

»I didn't tell you, because I wanted to protect you. «

»Stop protecting me! «

»Never! «

»I'm a grown up woman! «

»I don't care! I will always protect you, if you like it or not! «

»But this man wanted to kill ME! I think I have a right to know when you have new clues about the man, who tried to kill ME! «

»Does it make a difference? «

»What? «

Abby was that surprised about his question that she stopped screaming.

»Does it make a difference to you that you know his address? «

»Well… no, but… «

»Exactly. Nothing makes a difference. Yes, someone wanted to kill you, but all what has to interest you is that he is dead and that he will never hurt you. «

»If it is that easy then tell me why are you still searching? «

»I'm still searching, because I want to know who sent him. «

»You mean because if that someone finds out that I'm still alive then he will send another one. So it isn't that easy. «

»Abby. «, Gibbs answered soft and took her face in his hands, »No one is going to hurt you. I will protect you and there is nothing you can do to stop me. «

He saw how her tears started to fell down her cheeks and suddenly his little girl hugged him.

»I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I don't want that… «

»Shhhhhh. It's okay. «, Gibbs said, while he stroked her hair, »Everything is fine. «

»Hobbs. I have an exercise for you. «, Pride said loud and gave his forensic scientist the phone, »There is a call on that phone and I need to hear that. «

»Just give me a second. «

Gibbs gave Pride a thankful gaze and he nodded. Pride walked with Hobbs to the computer to give Gibbs and Abby the possibility to speak in private.

»Do you feel better now? «, Gibbs murmured in her hair, after she stopped crying.

»Yeah, I'm really sorry. I… «

»Abby. It's okay. «

»No. I don't want that you stop protecting me. I actually like that. «, she admitted, which made him smile, »It is sometimes a little too much, but it is sweet. The reason why I was yelling was because I was scared. Scared that someone wanted to kill me and that fear turned into anger. But I don't have the right to yell at you just because I'm scared. «

»Abbs. It's alright to be scared. I just want you to know that I will not allow anyone to hurt you. You are my little girl and when I see that you are in danger then I see red. I can't stop that, because when I would, I would stop being concerned about you. «

»I don't want that you stop being concerned about me. «

»Good. «

Softly he pressed his lips against her forehead.

»Hey Emily. I just wanted to tell you that I will be at your house in fifteen minutes. «

»What is that? «, Abby asked.

»I know, I know, I'm too late and I'm really sorry. I will tell you the story when I'm there. It is such a crazy story, you'll probably… AAAAH! «

Abby winced at the scream and grasped Gibbs' arm. He pulled her closer, while they listened to the rest of the call.

»Please. Don't kill me. I don't want to die. «, the woman cried.

»Shut up! You don't deserve it to live! «

»Please. I did nothing wrong. «

»You didn't? What about your little trips to the bar? I watched you. You go there every night and you drink until you can't walk straight. «

»I promise that I will stop. I will never… «

The message was over. They were all silent, until Pride broke it.

»At least we have new hints. We know that he watches his victims and that he hates it that they drink a lot. Maybe someone in his family died because of drunkenness. «

»And we know his voice. «, Gibbs added, »When we met him, we will be able to… «

»I know this voice. «

It was only a whisper, but everybody turned their heads to Abby, who was still looking at the computer.

»You know him? «, Pride asked euphorically, »How? Who is it? What is his name? Where did you…? «

»Pride! «, Gibbs stopped the special agent, »That's enough. Don't you see that she is scared? «

Pride opened his mouth to say something, but then he saw Abbys face and he closed it immediately.

»I know his voice. «, Abby repeated, but this time her voice was louder, »But I don't remember from where. «

»You will remember. You just need time that's all. «

»Let's hope that it doesn't take too much time. «, Pride murmured and Gibbs gave him an evil eye.