2-8

"How long does it take to drop off evidence, DiNozzo?"

"I had to say hi to Ziva, Boss." Gibbs slapped the back of Tony's head as he walked by Gibbs' desk.

"What was that for?"

"Did you say hi to Abby?"

"I gave her a Caf-Pow!" he sat down at his desk.

"Because Caf-Pows! Make everything okay," McGee muttered.

"I'm going on a coffee run," Gibbs said, the left the bullpen.

"Oh thanks, Boss, I would love a coffee," McGee said once Gibbs had left.

"Be nice, McMeanypants." Tony balled up a piece of paper and threw it at McGee. McGee blinked and turned back to his work as if nothing had happened. Twenty minutes later Gibbs walked back in with a large coffee cup in his hand.

"What do we got?" he asked, making his way behind his desk.

"It's been less then half an hour, Boss," Tony complained.

"Yeah, so? What do you got?"

"Bank statements," said McGee excitedly.

"Put them on the plasma." Gibbs turned to the screen behind his desk and Tony walked over to get a better look.

"These show that our victim, Staff Sergeant Jeremy Gates, made a large withdrawal from his bank account three hours before he was killed."

"That's not a large withdrawal, McGee, that's just a withdrawal. He took everything, Boss."

"Why would he do that," asked McGee.

"Drugs." They all turned to look at Ziva, who had just walked over from the elevator. "Abby found traces of heroin and cocaine on his clothing. And Ducky found a little more than traces in his blood stream," she quietly said and handed Gibbs the file she had been holding. "I saw Ducky on my way up here." She made her way to her desk. She turned back to Gibbs before she sat down. "And he wants to talk to you, he would not tell me why." Gibbs looked at the other two agents, before he rose and made his way down to autopsy.

"What's up, Duc?"

"Ah, Jethero, you got my message, good." He put the scalpel he was holding down and pulled off his gloves.

"Yeah, Ziva said you wanted to see me," Gibbs shrugged.

"I'm worried about her, Jethero. Does she seem distant to you?" He walked over and stood in front of Gibbs.

"She just lost a baby, Duc, what do you expect."

"I know, Jethero. Maybe distant isn't the right word. More sheltered, or boxed in."

"Duc, that's how she was raised."

"Yes, I know, but look at her and Anthony, they opened up to each other. I just think that she needs some time away from NCIS. Give her and Anthony some time off together, I think it will really help."

"Thanks, Duc, and I think you're going to need a bigger knife," Gibbs said as he walked back to the elevator.

"I guess he is right," Ducky sighed.

"Ziver, DiNozzo, go," Gibbs said, taking a seat behind his desk.

"Where?" Tony asked, confused.

"I don't know, just go." He waved his hand at the elevator. Ziva slowly began gathering her things and Tony walked over to Gibbs' desk.

"Boss?" He looked up at his agent, seeing worry in his face.

"Let her know she's loved, DiNozzo, and don't come home until she's better.

"Thanks, Boss," Tony muttered before grabbing his own things and wrapping his arm around Ziva's waist, guiding her to the elevator.