"Turn it off Tony...I"ve heard enough." McGee said sadly.
"I'm sorry...it's just like...a train...wreck." DiNozzo said absentmindedly.
"You can't look away but you want to." Ducky said as he stood behind the two agents, who were staring at the plasma screen.
"Turn it off!" Abby screeched as she made her way into the bullpen.
Out of the whole group Abby had been taking it the worst, besides Gibbs anyhow.
"Just a second." Tony said as the report looped again.
"Today at two p.m. NCIS and other officials have confirmed that the burned remains of a female found in a house fire in Alexandria are that of NCIS Special Agent Kaitlin Todd. Agent Todd was kidnapped from her home eight weeks ago. It appears that Agent Todd was the victim of now deceased serial Killer Joseph Ephram. It is believed that Ephram burned his own house while still inside, as he knew FBI and local police were closing in on their investigation of him. ZNN will continue to bring you updates as they are available." The newscaster said it all so fluidly as if it were that simple, and not tragic at all.
Tony turned the TV off and stared at the group around him.
"This is going to suck...has anyone seen Gibbs?" The senior agent asked.
"He umm...he went to umm....get flowers." McGee stumbled over his words as he looked at Abby. He hated to see her so upset.
"Flowers?" Ducky asked in surprise.
"Yeah...to take to the house...where Kate died apparently family members of the other victims are setting up a makeshift shrine at the edge of the property." McGee explained.
"We should go too." Abby said as she fought back tears.
"I think this is something Jethro needs to do on his own." Ducky said as he reached out to hug Abby.
Abby nodded as she hugged Ducky and began to sob.
Jethro Gibbs squinted in the dark light of MTAC. He was frustrated that he was here, when he should have been buying flowers. At the last moment Director Morrow had grabbed him and said that his presence in MTAC was necessary, and it was urgent.
"Back off of Haswari, you've got no beef with him now." Morrow ordered.
"But sir, with all do respect he's been hostile to our country and tormented Kate's family as well as my team... he shot her father, I will go after him." Jethro replied.
"It's my last official order, and you better follow it." Morrow said sternly.
"Last order?" Gibbs questioned.
"I'm leaving...going to Homeland Security." Morrow explained dryly as Jethro stared at the screen in front of him, now that his eyes had adjusted.
"I recommended Agent Todd for the Medal of Honor." Morrow added.
"Thank you sir, but who's your replacement?" Gibbs asked as he looked at his boss.
"Hello Jethro." A small sweet voice said as a woman in front of them turned and stood up to face Jethro.
Jenny Shepard was back, and Jethro had just lost Kate. The sound of her voice hit him like a ton of bricks. This was the last thing he needed right now...to deal with all of those old emotions...to remember the long nights in Paris and Pasitano, when all he wanted was to go home to Kate and spend one more night with her.
"If you'll excuse me." Jethro said as he stood up awkwardly and headed out. He took the roundabout way, not wanting to see his team, content with the misery that was eating away at him.
He drove to the flower shop, but then circled the block twice. He knew it was nuts. It was pouring rain in DC, and Jethro was convinced the sky was crying for Kate. Jethro parked two blocks away and walked slowly in the downpour, hoping to wash away his memories.
Ari hadn't killed her. He had wanted to kill her, but some freak had done it for them. Now he was dripping wet, standing in line in the floral shop as the clerk patiently wrapped a dozen red roses in pink tissue paper.
Jethro headed back out, the tissue paper soggy from the rain as he got into his car and sped off. For a moment he swore Kate was next to him.
"Why did I die?" Her voice ran through his mind...and he couldn't bear it. He forced himself to glance in the rearview mirror where he was assaulted by two more voices.
"Why Jethro? Why?" Shannon's voice asked.
"Daddy...couldn't you save me?" Kelly's sweet voice haunted him.
Jethro sped faster, knowing that it was all in his head. It was mind over matter. He would never forgive himself, for any of their deaths...it would eat away at him until the end of his life.
Jethro parked the car and headed to what remained of the now charred house. He looked at the small plot of land, secluded in a wooded area. Nobody was around, probably because of the rain. At the edge of the property were neatly arranged flowers and stuffed animals. Jethro shook his head...fourteen victims in all. It was disgusting.
"What a romantic gesture." Ari's voice rang out through the rain, as he stared back at Jethro.
"What are you doing here you bastard?" Gibbs growled as he reached for his weapon, securely holstered at his hip.
"You need to die Jethro....it is your time." Ari said as he pointed a gun at Gibbs.
"Why Ari? What is this all about? Kate's gone. You can't have her, I can't have her...she's gone." Gibbs was frustrated at his own words, the finality of Kate really being gone was almost too much to bear.
"You've killed so many people...and now it is your time." Ari said as he stared at Gibbs.
Gibbs saw one finger move slowly to the trigger, and he was paralyzed with fear. There was no way now...he couldn't get to his weapon in time...this was the end.
Before he could think of anything besides death, Ari crumpled to the ground, and Jethro fell to his knees in relief, dropping the flowers he had brought for Kate. Jethro rushed over to Ari, who was most certainly deceased.
From the far corner of his eye Jethro could see a dark haired woman emerge from some shrubs, she was chanting something, either in Hebrew or Arabic. Jethro wasn't really sure.
The woman stopped chanting and extended her hand.
"I am Ziva David. Now get me the hell out of here." She said as Jethro looked at her strangely, and shook her hand...she had just saved his life after all, and she was a complete stranger.