Hello there, chooks. I promised a quick chapter, and I've delivered (though fingers crossed not at the expense of the quality).
However, it is another short-ish one. Though, when you read it, I hope you'll realise that it would have suffered for being any longer. Anyway, the next chapter will be normal length.
I'm really proud of this chapter name. In fact, this is the first story I've ever named chapters in, so if you could add a quick comment to your review about whether or not you like them, I would be incredibly grateful.
BTW – for those of you that are worried, the TATE lovin' will come, it's just one of those slow and steady thangs. Be patient, my children. :D
"Joseph Dean," said Kate, as she read the name off the computer screen.
"What's his connection to Ari?" asked Tony
Kate's eyes scanned the profile on the monitor in front of her, briefly. "Not much. They've been linked a few times in the past to various shady happenings, including terrorism, kidnapping and assassination, but nothing was ever proved. Like always where Ari is concerned. No, I think their relationship was more of a personal friendship."
"Strange to think of Ari having friends," commented McGee.
"I can think of something even stranger," said Kate.
The others looked quizzically at her.
"Well," she explained, "There's nothing here to explain his behaviour. He's supposed to be highly intelligent, calculating, and calm. Why have we been able to find him so easily?"
Gibbs nodded. "The alias at the hotel room – "Mr. Smith", there was nothing clever about that. And of course, there was the print."
"Maybe the print was an accident. It was only a partial," said McGee.
"No," replied Kate, "That would have been an amateur's mistake. And why leave the note at all? Why not just stop at the card? And breaking into my apartment wasn't very professional."
"So, what do you think is going on?" asked Ziva.
"I think that he wants more than just revenge. He's unstable. He wants one of us dead, and he won't stop until he achieves it."
"When you say, "he won't stop", just how far is he willing to go?" asked Tony, seriously.
Kate looked him straight in the eye. "I think it's safe to say that he would be willing to die for it."
No one spoke for a moment. It was a worrying thought.
"Right," said Gibbs, eventually, "There's no point standing here speculating about how badly he wants us dead. Have we got his last known address?"
Kate typed for a moment, and then nodded.
"Well, let's go check it out."
NCIS NCIS NCIS
Joseph sighed deeply. He had spent the last three years twiddling his thumbs. It had nearly driven him mad. Since adolescence, his life had been about survival, terror, and excitement, and he had loved every minute of it. Now, here he was twiddling his thumbs again. However, he couldn't hurry NCIS up. If he did, they would simply catch him, lock him away, and all happily carry on with their lives. He needed them to suffer, and for that he needed to be patient. True, he might have to make a few sacrifices on the way to the ultimate revenge, but he had never intended to live to old age. No, he wanted to go out with a…bang.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
"Is this the place?" asked Gibbs.
Kate looked down at the piece of paper in her hand and nodded. They were stood outside number 21A, in a large, but quiet apartment block.
Tony knocked on the door.
No answer.
He tried again. "NCIS! Open up!"
No answer.
He forced the door.
Gibbs went in first, with Ziva behind him, who was closely followed by McGee. Kate went to follow, when she felt a touch on her arm. She turned to face Tony.
"Kate…keep your head down."
She grinned at him, and they followed the others into the apartment.
NCIS NCIS NCIS
Joseph's face split into a wide smile as he heard the banging on the door. Not long now…
NCIS NCIS NCIS
It was Kate who saw Joseph disappear out the window, and up the fire escape. Without really thinking, she ran after him.
TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER TWELVE: BANG
Reviews are my oxygen. :D