NCIS Season 9

Episode 9.12.3

Swastika

By: Lady JenDragon

Disclaimer: NCIS is not my idea, yeah, okay I feel better for saying it. Carrying on.

Author's Notes: Like I said…a crazy idea.

SWASTIKA

PART THREE

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Hach seemed clearly overwhelmed by their session. Her face was flushed and breathing ragged. It was quite confounded how easily she responded to Agent Gibbs. Her ability to think logically was also affected. Finally, she found a moment to tear herself away from beneath him to catch a breath. This was going beyond her comfort level.

"I don't think…we're…supposed…to go…this far." Hach felt flushed and avoided his kiss. "The church altar is no place for this kind of display, Agent Gibbs."

"Jethro." He corrected and kissed her again.

A knock echoed through the living room catching both their attention. Hach veered her lips away from him, hoping for such an intrusion. Gibbs ignored the knock thinking it was his imagination pressing his nose against her neck.

The knock echoed once more.

Slowly, he got to his feet and padded towards the door. He appeared annoyed but sighed as he walked. Hach immediately got up having issues with motor control.

Gibbs noted the patrol car sitting out front of the house as he looked passed the officer. "Can I help you, officer?"

"Sorry to bother you, Mr. Gibbs." An officer 'Sheldon' dressed in uniform tipped his hat towards the homeowner with blonde hair and average features smiled at the owner. "There was a report of a suspicious shadow around your home this evening."

Gibbs frowned but understood. "We haven't seen anyone."

The officer leaned forward and saw the woman just inside clearly disheveled. "Sorry to bother you both." He looked back at Gibbs. "A man was seen lurking around your kitchen windows." He paused. "A neighbor called."

Gibbs turned to Hach standing now. "Wait here."

Hach felt annoyed but waited while Gibbs and the officer went around the house. After what seemed like ten minutes, both returned to the open front door. She heard the officer say.

"Goodnight, Mr. Gibbs." He paused. "And congratulations on your wedding."

Suddenly Hach felt more than annoyed. Jethro Gibbs walked back into the house and shut the front door.

"Was there any proof someone was at the window?"

Gibbs nodded. "Yeah." He went and found his phone. "There's a depression in the soil but nothing we can get an impression of. He covered his tracks carefully."

Hach was astonished. "He was checking out the house?"

"My address was listed in the paper." Gibbs knew there was a chance the killer might scope out the place. "Now where were we?"

"I was leaving." Hach had enough for one evening. "We'll run through the ceremony tomorrow with Keller."

Gibbs watched her collect her things. Once she left he smiled closing the door. A part of him knew he took advantage of the situation. However, he also knew that if they had not been seen together, the killer might not strike. If it was the killer at all. They could only wait and see.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Abby appeared disturbed by the news that someone was seen shadowing around Gibbs' house, fisting her hands into a human twizzler during Hach's explanation. For the remainder of the days before the wedding, he was not allowed to go home without McGee or DiNozzo. That would jive if the individual came back.

"Why were you at Gibbs' house?" Abby wanted to know innocently, sitting with Ziva.

The reason was already well known. They wanted details of the evening with Gibbs. It was a rare moment when a woman that spoke to them on a regular basis had intimate moments with Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

"I was under the impression that we were all meeting regarding the operation." Hach found no reason to be coy or shy. "However, upon my arrival, I found I was the only one invited to said mission briefing."

Ziva and Abby's eyes appeared to get large and they asked in unison.

"AND?"

Hach kept the explanation simple. "Agent Gibbs explained what to expect."

"Did you like…" Abby was to the point. "…kiss?"

Hach frowned then replied. "That is not part of the ceremony?"

"You kissed…actually kissed Gibbs?" Ziva was shocked and then wanted further clarification. "You really touched his lips?"

Hach only blinked at her and frowned. "If we behave the least bit awkward with one another in public, the killer will suspect us not to be a true couple. A little awkwardness would be counted as nerves but anything more obvious would blow our cover." She paused. "We have to be sure."

Abby smirked. "How often are you practicing?"

"Just last night." Hach decided after the officer left that they were more than ready for the operation. "Director Vance recommended it. I think we are now comfortable with one another enough to pull off Operation Swastika."

"Director Vance told you to do this?" Ziva could not wait to tell Tony and Tim.

Hach nodded. "I find your level of interest in your boss unusual, Miss David."

"It's a Gibbs thing. So…" Abby led in. "Wha…what was it like to kiss the Gibbs lips?"

Hach pondered for a moment why her meeting with Agent Gibbs meant so much to Abby and Ziva yet the obvious reason escaped her. "I do not know what you mean."

"Good? Hot? On fire?" Abby tried to think of more adjectives. "Stud?" Abby stopped suddenly. "Ew, I can't think about that one right now!"

"Those are good descriptors to start off with though, Abby." Ziva wanted more.

Hach frowned missing their meaning completely. "He's been married multiple times so I would say…" She noted the expressions of concentrated attention from both women. "…'experienced' might be the best I can do."

Ziva appeared more disappointed than Abby. Abby smiled since she knew just how innocent Hach behaved around others. The woman might have four PhD's but she understood so little of human emotion at times. Especially when making a joke. Hach was just….clueless.

"You might need to practice more." Ziva added unsure why Hach was so reserved. "Just to be sure."

Hach straightened. "I do not think so." She lost sleep after the 'practice' thinking about what occurred and decided that Agent Gibbs would require immediate avoidance once the case was closed. She checked her watch. "My samples should be almost completed. Excuse me, ladies."

Abby and Ziva watched Dr. Hature head towards the door. Hach appeared rather unphased by the conversation but they had less to wonder about what went down last night at Gibbs house. Both smiled when Hach disappeared through the door then giggled. To have someone so willing to share their experience with Gibbs, it was a rare moment.

"You think she looked worried?" Abby began.

"Dr. Hature doesn't come off as a very experienced woman…where men are concerned anyway." Ziva caught on immediately. "I think Gibbs might've awakened her."

"Everyone has sex." Abby thought it was wrong to talk about Hach behind her back then played with her hands nervously. "Course, we are talking about Hach here. And he's been married four times so that says something about Gibbs." She paused at Ziva's innuendo finally sinking in. "You really think so?"

Ziva shook her head. "The little doc doesn't play the field." She paused wondering if she got the phrase right before continuing. "She doesn't have a boyfriend that anyone knows of. I think last night with Gibbs may have made her rethink the whole false marriage thing. Notice how she wasn't willing to 'practice' again with Gibbs?"

Abby nodded. "Ooohhh."

Both giggled again.

Abby announced. "Let's go find Tony and Timmy!"

Ziva and Abby left the lab talking and giggling between them just enough to keep the conversation private.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Gibbs walked into Autopsy hoping to find someone working since the lab was empty. Abby and Hach both appeared to have disappeared. He was hoping to hear about the tox screen. Ducky was found at his desk filling out paperwork to close out the file on the bodies of the two most recent victims of the Swastika killer.

Ducky did not turn from his desk to look at Jethro heading towards him with silent footsteps. "I see the media finally got a hold of this."

"Ah." Gibbs slowed his walk reaching Ducky's desk. "It was bound to happen."

"Now what could you need from me?"

"Tox screen." Gibbs thought better of taking a drink. "Abby's missing from the lab."

"Ah." Ducky smiled leaning back. "Probably looking for McGee. Word travels fast around this place about agents practicing."

"How do you know?" Gibbs automatically linked it to Abby. "Never mind." Then he paused. "How did Abby find out?" He took along drink from his coffee since he needed it.

"Hach apparently doesn't see any reason to keep it quiet." Ducky smiled. "Though I'm sure she gave a more logical and scientifically detailed approach to the experience. I've never known her to have a personal opinion about such matters." He got up from his desk. "Abby told me the tox screen came back negative except for a concoction of relaxers and paralytics. She's running the exact formulas."

Gibbs nodded. "That'll be hard to track down."

"Everything's hitching on this operation." Ducky chuckled. "Forgive my faux pas, Jethro."

Gibbs shrugged with his coffee in hand. "Doesn't matter what you call it." He was tired of the subject. "Thanks, Duck." He was about to turn when he noted Ducky's manner.

Ducky looked at Jethro Gibbs waiting silently for a detailed telling of the story.

Gibbs rolled his eyes. "Come on, Duck." Ducky said nothing yet barely fighting to refrain from smirking. "She's…very…professional."

Somehow Ducky understood what that meant and nodded as he smiled then explained why he wanted to know. "Yes, she would be. She keeps herself locked away from the world. It's where she feels safest. But she wanted her agent status back more than that safety so she consented to performing this mission even though it forced her to partner with you." He paused for several moments getting nothing from Jethro. "What does that tell you?"

"I don't know." Gibbs rarely tried to figure out the workings of a woman's mind.

"She holds it like a sacred artifact." Ducky found Hach to be a most fascinating woman if he did say so himself. "Something in her past made her risk everything to become an agent."

Gibbs continued with the line of reasoning. "Her sister's recent death told us a possible motive to becoming a NCIS agent. It's probably the truth."

Ducky took over again. "But we don't know how she lost it. She's still mourning the loss of that status which was, if I have to guess, out of her control."

"Unless it gets it my way, I don't care how she lost her agent status." Gibbs turned and began walking out of autopsy.

"But that doesn't stop you from wondering, Jethro." Ducky asked from his desk. "Did you enjoy your time with her?"

Gibbs turned to leave and did not stop to bother acknowledging the question. Ducky smiled at the brush off finding more humor than he initially expected. Shaking his head, Ducky sat down and got back to work.

"This wedding is going to be interesting to watch." He looked up then as if he suddenly realized something was missing and whispered. "It's a shame we couldn't have a bachelor party." He smiled regrettably. "Even if just for the..."

Leaving the rest unspoken.

Chapter Thirty

Hach stood facing the wall with her back to Ziva. The dress was smoother than the first try-on now that she wore the proper undergarments. Her hair was left long, grouped at the top of her head and hung loose with large curls. The veil was long down to the hem of the dress once it was placed. Guinevere Hature appeared the vision of any woman about to be married.

Ziva stared at Hach for several moments before arranging the veil on top of the head. She wore a sage-green colored yet simple bridesmaid dress with a smaller bouquet that matched the bride's. Ziva turned to face Dr. Mallard then stepped out of the way to allow him a first glance at Hach.

His eyes lit up with delight at seeing her and smiled widely. Walking forward, he took her hands into his. Ducky looked quite handsome in his tuxedo.

"Well now, you are radiant, my dear!"

Hach shifted uncomfortably and looked to Ziva for guidance. Her bosom was pushed higher from the undergarments she wore. She never thought she would never, ever see a day like this, real or fake. It bothered her that Agent Gibbs was waiting for her out there. His ability to rile up human emotion when she kept them in check…was certainly annoying to say the least.

"Thank you." Hach knew she had to do better than this mushy female persona. "You look quite dashing yourself." She had to make this look genuine. "Father."

"You clean up rather well, Hach." Ziva teased lightly.

"Do not get used to it." Hach teased but let her true emotions show lightly. "You know I do not normally wear dresses. However, Jethro insisted on the wedding dress so I made the exception for him. But it is for today only."

"Expect more compromise after seeing you in that gorgeous dress, my dear." Ducky leaned into Hach and whispered. "Ah, I suggest you act more like you're a woman in love rather than a woman spurned."

She felt alarmed then Hach whispered back. "I've never been in love."

Ducky whispered back. "We'll work on that." That got a perplexed look in response from Hach so he added. "Now, let's go show you off to everyone." Ducky walked off like a proud father, playing his part to the tee. "I'll be outside while you finish up."

"He is rather enjoying this, is he not?" Hach wondered.

Ziva nodded. "More than he'll ever tell."

Abby walked into the room as Ducky passed her, her mouth gaping catching sight of Hach in her dress. She looked sweet in her bridesmaid dress of sage green. It really sparked off her black hair and make-up. She wore the sash of the same sage green to cover some of her tattoos. It was a wedding after all.

"I swear everyone from work is here!" Abby did the walk around. "You look hot, Little 'H'!"

Hach felt her stomach quiver as she held her bouquet in front of her. "Everyone?" She paused. "How many exactly?"

"Like a hundred or so." Abby exaggerated as she kissed Hach on her cheek leaving no mess. "Okay, more like two hundred. I spotted a few people from my church who heard about it and decided to come too."

Hach froze at the idea of performing in front of that many persons from NCIS and strangers.

"Oh, god!" Hach had to sit down and moved to the sofa closing her eyes to clear her mind. "I need a moment to get this all sorted out in my mind."

Ziva and Abby, both alarmed, went to sit on either side of her.

Ziva looked at Abby. "We shouldn't have told her."

Hach looked up and into the mirror across the way then shuddered. "I swear I will never live this down." If the mission failed to capture the killer, she realized.

She did have to admit, she found herself rather lovely today. Perhaps she was over analyzing things. This was only a false wedding. No one in her business world would take the ceremony or the falsely placed announcement ad seriously once she told them it was a drunken joke by a NCIS co-worker. It would all be okay. Her connection to Gibbs was short and even then, temporary. She could get through this and catch this killer.

"All right." Hach stood up and brought up her professional persona. "It is time to get married."

Ziva checked her watch. "Let's go." She turned to Hach and kept her voice low. "Remember, just like we practiced yesterday with Keller."

Hach nodded and felt better for it. A very excited Abby walked out ahead of Ziva and Hach. Ducky would be waiting at the back of the church.

Chapter Thirty-One

Gibbs stood at the altar wearing an all white tuxedo with white collared shirt and a red rose on the lapel. Hach would have a single red rose in her bouquet as well. Tim McGee stood next to him as best man that still irked Tony DiNozzo standing on McGee's other side as the second groomsman. Both men wore black and white tuxedos with sage-green vests to match the bridesmaids for the event.

There was to be no radios for this event since that would be immediately noticed. Several agents posed as relatives and acted as ushers. Ducky was playing the roll of Hach's father to give her away. He was honored at the last minute request. They were going with the story that her mother died long ago so there was no need to pull another agent to play that role.

Gibbs stood waiting for the music to start. Agent Keller walked out from the side of the altar indicating the ceremony was about to begin. He crossed to where Gibbs and McGee stood at the first step. The doors at the back of the church opened.

An agent posing as the photographer stepped forward at the front to videotape the wedding as one would normally be recorded for documentation. He made sure to get everyone in the church and to point out people he did not know to the ushers.

Abby walked into view. She appeared the part of a very excited friend of the bride and a bridesmaid in the wedding. Agent Keller nodded her forward, Abby calmed down and did the duty of a bridesmaid winking at Tony. He gave her a thumbs-up as she came down the aisle first. Tim seemed to have trouble taking his eyes off her.

Halfway down, Ziva walked into view, her eyes shifting from Gibbs, to McGee to Tony. Tony appeared awed and impressed she looked good in her bridemaid's dress. Ziva felt proud to be considered the maid of honor. Unfortunately, Abby could not pull off the role since she was not an agent. But Abby was fine with being a bridesmaid and forced herself to wear the traditional garb to be part of the team.

Once Ziva made it the end of the front row of benches, Ducky with Hach by his side took their place at the end of the aisle. He held out his hand to the front, Hach took it with reverence a bride would give. They practiced a lot in the garage at NCIS the night before with Agent Keller.

"Whoa!" Tim found himself shocked.

McGee's mouth gaped open at seeing Hach in a wedding dress. Though she was far away, he could tell she looked the part of a bride.

Gibbs leaned over to Tim and whispered. "I can hear you."

The music started then as Ducky and Hach came to the door. Ziva smiled across the way at Tony on McGee's other side. He glanced over at Ziva and mouthed 'she looks hot'. Ziva thought she looked more than hot. Guinevere Hature was exquisite today.

Gibbs shifted nervously on his feet at the altar as Hach got closer. If he was to pull this off, he wanted to appear slightly nervous for his bride-to-be. She did appear beautifully dressed and accessorized for the role. Ziva took the bride's bouquet and she bent down so Ducky could lift the veil.

Gibbs felt a slight punch to his gut. Her make-up was flawless. She did not appear as Hach, the lab analyst with four PhD's who wore no make-up most of the time.

Agent Keller began the proceedings. At one point he stepped forward to join his hand with Hach. She glanced over at him occasionally cementing the role of bride. Her timing was perfect. Gibbs knew he had to do better.

"Do you Guinevere Maya Shennen Hature take Leroy Jethro Gibbs to be your lawfully wedded husband…"

A man with dark hair, light olive skin, and dark eyes watched the wedding with interest from the back of the church. He had an eerie smile on his face but also a look of disgust. No one noticed him, not even the agents posing as ushers. Dressed as a janitor, he shifted to the back corner where a hallway connected to the rectory.

He appeared almost happy as Hach responded. "I do."

And the wedding continued.

"Do you Leroy Jethro Gibbs take Guinevere Maya Shennen Hature to be your lawfully wedded wife…" Agent Keller's voice carried through the church.

"I do." Gibbs' voice was very confident.

Some mumblings later as the man lingered in the hall waiting for the words he wanted to hear most. He shifted towards the church to watch as the pair at the church's alter faced one another.

And the priest proclaimed. "You may kiss your bride."

Agent Keller smiled.

This was the moment.

Hach thought. 'Do not let me screw this up!'

She turned to Gibbs, their eyes meeting for the first time in more than five minutes. She had to be in the moment just like in all those lame movies she watched with Jay when he was home from school. Holding his gaze, she smiled and stepped to him closing the distance between them. Gibbs smiled at her like a happy man, and in a single motion taking Hach into his arms easily then pressed his lips to hers.

The man at the back eyed the couple stepping to one another without hesitation and sealed their union with a very passionate kiss. Similar to the one he witnessed the previous night when he followed the man home. His future wife to be met him at the house and at some point ended up on the sofa in the front room.

The church erupted into applause. After the applause died down, Agent Keller introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs. His voice echoed down the hall towards the rectory.

Back in the church, Tony clapped loudly. "It's so official!" And knew he could get away with it.

The suspicious man disappeared before anyone noticed him when the wedding concluded.

Chapter Thirty-Two

At the front of the church, McGee watched the signing of the marriage license that would never be recorded. He was tasked with keeping the peace after the wedding but found the signing fascinating for some reason. It was only for show in case the killer waited until after the moment. Agent Keller was watching over the license and would bring it with him to NCIS headquarters.

Gibbs signed after Hach was done and she waited next to Gibbs. Gibbs did his part and turned to Hach. He took her into a hug then kissed her happily. Hach kissed Gibbs on the cheek and hugged him lovingly.

Tim leaned over to Tony. "I've never seen him smile so much."

"Don't get used to it." Tony replied through a smile painfully. "He's so watching us right now."

Tim nodded he knew they were not off the hook yet.

Looking around for anyone she did not recognize, Hach realized she left her things in the back room. She did so on purpose in case the killer would wait to confront her there and not in public. Every agent would be watching her every move. She was the bride after all.

"Let me get my things from the bridal room. I forgot my phone."

"Hurry up. Photos, sweetheart." Gibbs nodded talking to an agent from international affairs who was not aware of the operation. The attending agent thought it was a real wedding.

She smiled sweetly. "I'll be quick."

Hach walked towards the back of the church. An elderly lady walked up to Gibbs and tapped him on the arm. He did not recognize her but pretended to care that she attended.

"Congratulations, Mr. Gibbs." She smiled sweetly. "Your wife is beautiful. You must be proud."

Gibbs smiled. "Thank you. Yes, I am very proud. Thank you for coming."

"It's always so good to see Miss Guinevere happy." The elderly woman said and sauntered off through the crowd heading towards the front of the church.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Hach found her black leather and brown purse and unplugged her phone from the wall. She checked her text messages and then thrust her phone into the purse. She turned to find a dark-haired man with light brown skin staring at her from the doorway. At six-one, he had the faint air of arrogance and confidence that came with his type. He slid something rolled into his inner coat pocket.

"Terrence Dane." She recognized him immediately. "What are you doing here?"

He folded his arms. "It's good to see you too, Hach. I see you finally took the plunge."

Hach knew why he was here. "Sometimes you just have to."

Terry, as he was known by, was unconvinced by the whole affair but then he thought he was the only one who knew Guinevere Hature. "You actually love this Leroy Jethro Gibbs?"

Hach faked being offended. "You don't think I can love someone?"

"He's not your usual style." Terrence walked forward, closing the distance between them. "I came to see for myself since reading the announcement in the papers." He paused to consider her. "You do…seem happy. I'll be seeing you, Hach. Hope it all works out."

But there was a tone of non-committal sincerity.

Hach thought about his past behavior and decided he was being overly rude. She walked out of the room after Terrence only to find him gone. Glancing down the hall, she found him in neither direction to the church or the rectory. She decided to brush it off and headed back towards the church. She froze when she thought she heard someone speaking behind her.

Turning to her left, she found the door leading to the basement of the church open. When did that open? She became familiar with the layout of the place before arriving and knew where this stairway went. Taking a long look down the stairs, Hach decided to ask.

"Hello?" Hach waited a moment. "Terrence?" She hesitated for a moment hearing nothing. "Did you come down here?" Hach shook her head. "Guess it was just my imagination."

Hach hesitated then decided Terrence Dane would never go down stairs into a basement unless it suited his agenda. Realizing that her hands were more than full, she paused to place things in her purse. Giving one last glance around, she decided to head back towards the church.

An arm stretched out and came from behind. A large hand covered her mouth, the other arm wrapped around her waist. Hach tried to call for help but found her cries muffled as she was dragged deeper into the basement. Attempting to grab anything to make noise, she was lifted off the floor and carried into the darkness.

The Swastika Killer had been standing by the door waiting for his chance to strike.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Gibbs walked towards the Bridal Room with DiNozzo and Ziva behind him. Hach was taking way too long to get her belongings. It had been a full ten minutes.

"Find Hach." He ordered.

Tony knew how to accomplish looking for a missing bride. "On your six, boss."

Ziva pointed towards the hallway. "She went to the Bridal room. It's just around the corner and to the right."

They arrived at the bridal room where the doors were left open. There was no one there and her belongings were gone. Some how someone had seem something.

Gibbs became concerned. "Find her. McGee, check the camera's."

Tony and Ziva took off down the hall to look elsewhere while McGee went to round up the agents on photography duty. Gibbs paused in the hall wondering where Hach might have gone. Someone was supposed to have been watching her. He moved to head back towards the church when his foot kicked something. It rolled around until it hit the wall. Gibbs bent over to pick up a lipstick lying on the floor. He turned it over and found GH etched into the bottom.

Gibbs pulled out his SIG, looking at the door to the basement. Had she been lured down here? Opening the door, he glanced down towards the church and signaled he was going in. He descended the stairs quickly. He found Hach's purse at the bottom, dropped hap-hazardly.

Gibbs heard Tony and Ziva shouting orders. They descended the stairs behind him with their SIG's drawn but not as quietly as he would have liked.

Tony asked. "Where's Hach?"

"He's got her." Gibbs tossed Hach purse to the side.

Ziva and Tony exchanged a quick glance. They followed Gibbs further into the basement. The lights were brighter here but they found nothing to indicate where Hach was taken. The hall dead-end at the wall of stone where a door used to lead to the outside.

Tony was not buying it. "Strange. This hallway goes nowhere."

Gibbs did not like knowing Hach was taken without anyone noticing. "The church covered it up because it flooded too much. Wherever Hach is, it's probably somewhere locked."

Ziva noted something about the wall. "Gibbs…"

She staggered back and forth until she fell against the wall losing consciousness. Tony sniffed the air and suddenly became dizzy, his gun lowering towards the ground. Eventually it clattered to the floor as he fell to the floor unconscious as well. Gibbs realized the gas as he was the last one to succumb to the floor falling next to DiNozzo, his gun sliding out of his hand.

Chapter Thirty-Five

McGee stood with Abby and Ducky waiting for the party to arrive back in the church. The elderly woman engaged Agent Keller in a lovely discussion of the flowers and his ceremony.

"Where's Hach and Gibbs?" Abby checked her phone. "They should've been back by now."

An agent in usher uniform caught Tim's attention. "Come on."

The agent whispered where Gibbs, DiNozzo and David went. Neither had been seen since. Tim returned to Ducky and Abby.

"They went to the basement." Tim took out his SIG and lowered it out of sight. "I'm going down. If I'm not back in two minutes, send ten agents to find us."

Ducky nodded.

Abby placed her hands with the bouquets on her slender hips. "You're not going down there blindly, are you, McGee?"

Tim did not have a choice. "That's their last location. Tony and Ziva are with him now. If the killer took Hach, they'll find her."

McGee nodded towards several agents standing together. They began walking forward. Ducky pressed Abby in their direction.

Ducky was very firm. "Stay here, Abby. I'll make sure Tim comes back."

Tim led the way down the stairs with Ducky following close behind him. "You don't have to come with me."

Ducky checked for cracks in the wall. "If the killer keeps to his MO, you'll need me upon finding them."

They followed the hallway to its end. He noticed fresh skid marks and scratches from something falling on the concrete. McGee and Ducky both checked the walls for any sign of a secret door. They could find nothing to indicate a hidden opening. Ducky bent down on one knee. His eyes focused on the marks recently made on the floor.

Ducky was sure. "They were here. Looks like the killer used some kind of gas…"

Ducky looked up at McGee who was beginning to lose consciousness. Tim turned to find Ducky now falling unconscious against the wall. He frowned and sniffed the air but appeared unphased. The wall in front of him suddenly opened up. The dual barrel of a shotgun in his face, McGee dropped his SIG and raised his hands into the air.

The medium voice spoke. "You're the first one that did something smart."

The husky voice spoke. His janitor shirt had Dorian Barr silk screened into the nametag. He held the shotgun at the agent dragging the unconscious elderly father of the bride into the room. No one should be left in the hall.

"Get." Dorian cocked the shotgun.

McGee slowly walked in front of Dorian into the room where everyone was congregated. The room behind the wall was larger than it appeared. McGee felt the sting as he lost consciousness.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The room was thirty by thirty feet with floor to ceiling shelves on two walls. There was a small window leading to the outside. Gibbs woke to find his hands and ankles zip-tied together. He lay between McGee and DiNozzo. Ducky was tied to the center post in the room. Lifting his head, he found Ziva and Hach lying next to one another across the dirt floor. Hach's hair was fanned out around her face.

Dorian sat in a chair near the window with a long knife in his right hand glinting in the sun. "I see you're finally awake. So sad you and your friends were a bit surprised by the gas I left in the hall to prevent nosy people from intruding on my work."

Gibbs felt his head pounding. "You work at the church."

Dorian did not seem phased by the large party. "I work many places."

He got up and walked over to Hach. He pulled her up off the floor as if she weighed nothing. Two wooden workbenches were set up near the wall with plywood placed across the top to make a table. Dorian pulled out a long carving knife from the drawer left open to the left of the makeshift table. He picked up the rock on the nearest shelf and began to sharpen the knife in long slow strokes.

Gibbs checked his hands and ankles. Both were restrained with zip ties colored black so he could use neither. There was little he could do in this state. That pissed him off.

"Any woman who marries a man almost twice her age…well." Dorian stared at his blade. "It's just not natural."

Gibbs was insulted. "I'm not that old." His head ached and he could barely think straight. "Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS." Gibbs sighed and dropped his head back down to the floor still affected from the gas.

Dorian seemed unphased. "Where you work is unimportant. It'll all be over soon old man. Don't worry, you'll be next Mr. Gibbs."

Gibbs felt tired from the gas he inhaled.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Abby sat on the steps with NCIS agents on either side of her on their phones calling in to report why Gibbs and his team were missing. There were teams sweeping the basement but so far their sweeps came up empty. So, she tapped away on her cellphone it seemed with a plan in place.

"I can't lose all of them!" Abby seemingly prayed that her phone would work faster. "Gibbs just got married!" Then her phone beeped. "Ha, hah!"

The agents talking around her about everything seemingly realized that Abby Sciuto was the only one working. The others in attendance milled around waiting for the bride and groom to show up for photos. It appeared many did not realize they were missing from the party in the church.

Abby leapt onto her feet, taking tiny steps in her heels to re-enter the church. "Found them! Agent Keller!"

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Dr. Mallard woke suddenly. McGee and Tony begin to stir from their unconsciousness. Ziva opened her eyes and tried to sit up but her hands and ankles were bound tightly together.

A man with 'Dorian' silk-screened on his pocket patch worked around the bodies lying sporadically around the floor in front of the shelves that lined all four walls of the basement room. Hach lay on the central platform that consisted of two saw horses and a piece of plywood. Her head was turned towards the wall, her hands folded over her abdomen. He wore dark blue overalls indicating he worked on the grounds of the church for a number of years.

Gibbs woke a few minutes later in front of the shelves lining the wall suddenly aware they were in trouble. Next to him were Tony DiNozzo and Tim McGee who were awake and looking for a way out of their predicament. Ducky and Ziva were spread out on the floor across the room from him and next to one another. Their eyes were already open since the gas apparently had a limited knock out span. He noted they were all bound at the hands and feet with zip ties. The exception to being bound was Hach. He recognized she was to be first.

Ducky whispered and talked silently knowing Jethro could read lips. "He kills through injection first." Nodding towards the man standing under the only window in the basement room running an eighteen-inch blade along the length of the dark gray stone sharpening his weapon. "Every victim had puncture marks in the neck."

Dorian pulled out a syringe with a green liquid. He slowly approached the unconscious Hach. Ziva glanced around for anything she could find to either throw or toss with her bound hands to divert his attention from Hach. A large metal container sat by her feet. She squirmed around to get her feet around the container.

Gibbs decided more needed to be done to distract the killer. "Get away from my wife!"

"Your words have no meaning here, old man." Dorian's voice was low and deliberate.

Gibbs felt offended. "I'm not that old."

Ziva launched the can at the man, hitting him in the head. The syringe fell from his hand and rolled under the lowest shelves. There was a definite 'splak' indicating that the glass syringe broke upon impact. Dorian spun around holding his head, crying that it hurt.

Suddenly he spun around and focused on Ziva. "You bitch!"

Dorian crossed the floor and grabbed Ziva by the hair, yanking onto her feet. Ziva tried to struggle against him but his strength surprised her. Tony and Tim looked around them quickly for something to cut the binding with before Dorian could do anything to Ziva. The only surface that could cut anything was the knife located on the shelf near Hach.

Ziva tried to hit Dorian in the chest with her head.

However, Dorian hit Ziva across the face, letting her fall to the ground hard. He watched with zeal as she fell over. Ziva groaned when she landed, her head striking the lowest wooden shelf loaded with stacks of paint cans. It dazed her but did not knock her out completely.

Gibbs tried to unbind his hands and feet but found himself tangled. He leapt onto his bound feet and launched himself at Dorian. The man easily caught him and tossed him aside. Dorian moved towards Ziva, his focus set on her. Tim and Tony worked between them to also gain their feet but found Dorian anchored them to the metal pole holding up the I-Beam of the floor above. They both sighed in defeat.

Gibbs rolled over and swiped Dorian's legs out from under him but he jumped to avoid being knocked over. Dorian did not see him as an immediate threat. Ziva began coming round again when he reached down and picked her up again. Violently he yanked her to her feet by her hair and gripped her throat. His other hand clenched into a tight fist and it appeared Dorian was about to punch Ziva in the face. He smiled eerily as Ziva's eyes widened at the coming blow.

Suddenly a shot rang out.

BOOM…THAWAK!

Then another.

BOOM…THAWAK!

Dorian jerked forward slightly then again. Ziva, momentarily confused by the shots, fell into the shelves as the killer collapsed to the floor near her feet. She took several deep breaths, her eyes following to the two holes now oozing blood from his chest. Closing her eyes for a moment, Ziva opened them again and looked towards the source of the gunshots.

Hach was sitting up, a white gun in her right hand pointed at Dorian.

She held a quizzical expression on her face. "He should have looked up my dress." Then took that moment to slide off the makeshift table moving towards Ziva.

Tony smirked. "Women, I swear."

Gibbs whispered. "If only I'd known."

Tim and Ducky chuckled as the door to the room opened and Abby with three agents, including Keller, burst into the room with SIGs drawn. They halted upon seeing Hach aiding Ziva to her feet and Dorian lying against the wall bleeding. The other NCIS agents began helping the fallen bridal party out of their bindings.

Satisfied that the job was now completed, Hach looked to Abby and Ziva.

"Now that we are done." She paused to contain her growing irriation in wearing the damn thing. "Get me out of this dress before I turn into a girl."

Abby and Ziva were surprised by the demand they found themselves automatically following Hach out the room. Gibbs looked to Ducky wondering what the hell that was about and then laughed. Tony and Tim just shook their heads with smiles on their faces.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

There was six days remaining before Christmas. Vance allowed Gibbs' team some time off and the others took advantage of it. Tony and Tim both disappeared until after New Years. Gibbs would be around during the holiday since he did not spend time at home normally.

Hach sat in her temporary workstation across from Abby since she would be at the Naval Yard a little while longer. Her eyes in her microscope, she did not see Ziva walking into the lab seemingly looking for Abby. However, Miss Sciuto was currently on her way home for the night. That did not stop Ziva from pausing, her eyes set on Hach at the scope.

"Do you require assistance, Agent David?" Hach called out quietly.

Ziva did not know where to start. Glancing at the floor, she felt parts of her quiver from the beating today. There would be bruises from it and they would heal eventually. These past few days were the hardest.

"Your welcome." Hach replied.

That made Ziva walk further into the lab towards Hach more curious. "I…I can't say I understand you."

Hach straightened her back at that. "I don't remember thinking you should try to understand me, Agent David."

"That's not what I mean." Ziva realized she was a mess. "I…when I first met you. I thought you were…"

"Cold." Hach nodded then continued when Ziva lowered her head. "It would be an accurate statement. I typically make a point to keep myself detached from people in temporary locations. Some would argue people in general. However, this one assignment seems to be a little longer than temporary. I will not try to interfere with your family here." She waited for Ziva to continue. "I am just visiting."

"At first…" Ziva nodded. "We were worried you were replacing Abby." She paused.

Hach smiled at that. "No one can replace Abby, Ziva." She realized Ziva was having a hard time not because she felt guilty for how she perceived her but for failing to be a NCIS agent at the church. "You should all know that by now. Even me despite my attempts to do so." She smirked. "However, you have been through a lot, especially these past two months. And dealing with the Swastika Killer has affected you just as much as your recent past. Not physically but emotionally as well."

Ziva shook her head. "That's not all." She took a breath. "We weren't as accepting of you…as we probably should've been. But now that I've seen you…how you are with us. I understand you better."

Hach thought about it. "Try to keep it to yourself." She turned and motioned towards Abby's back room. "Come on."

Ziva frowned. "What?"

"You are in physical pain." Hach nodded towards the room motioning for Ziva to go. "I have a specific massage technique that will loosen up your muscles and will, hopefully, calm you down enough to get some sleep at night."

Ziva appeared alarmed. "How do you know I'm not sleeping at…" She realized she revealed more than she wanted to at the moment.

"I am a genius, remember?" Hach smirked waiting for Ziva to join her. "I may not understand all human emotions, however, I am a doctor and know when a patient is in pain." Ziva winced at the indication of weakness. "I can prescribe you a sleep aid if you require one."

"But…"

"I will not accept 'no'." Hach knew how to handle agents. "What are you doing for Christmas?"

Ziva felt suddenly broadsided. "I hadn't…"

"Good." Hach smiled. "I hold a party every year with key personnel. I would like you to come. There should be about a hundred people there. Abby, Dr. Mallard, and Jimmy and Brinna Palmer are also coming as well."

The rest of their conversation was lost as Ziva went through Abby's office door first and Hach closed it after they passed on their way to the back room where she set up the table and blacked out the window in case Ziva came to visit.

THE END

NEXT TIME on NCIS…

Gibbs and the team have to figure why their latest victim is in pieces…