NCIS Season 9

Episode 9.13.1

Visiting Dahlia

By: Lady JenDragon

Disclaimer: NCIS is not mine.

Author's Notes: I wanted something a little unusual this time around.

VISITING DAHLIA

PART ONE

Chapter One

The large slick black Lexus pulled up to the farmhouse. It came to a looming stop near the front porch stairs. The passenger door opened immediately and Tim McGee exited the vehicle looking around the grounds. The derelict house sat off to his front and left and the decrepit barn was off to his right. Corn planted during the spring was left to die in the fields closest to the farmstead structures.

A round man got out of the driver's side of the car and closed the door softly. He had white hair and a red face in a black suit, white shirt and black shoes. He asked the younger man checking out the grounds.

Well." He looked slightly sideways at the relative. "What do you think?"

Tim was amazed. "Who knew Uncle Teddy had this much land!" He spun around then faced the lawyer who was in charge of his uncle's estate. "And you're sure he left all of this to me?"

"The trust named you as the only heir of his estate." Jack Grundy smiled then nodded. "Teddy mentioned it a number of times before he cut your cousin out of the will. You were always his favorite." Jack glanced around. "The place has been abandoned for years though. Teddy didn't like the idea of selling it off while he was still around. According to the neighbors, the kids like to come out and party here. Mostly out by the barn near the cornfields. Jasper Grady, from next door, has been using the land to grow corn and has been paying your uncle some of the money from the profits. It's been paying the taxes on the property for years."

Tim did not like the sound of that. "Can my cousin Jeff sue me over this?"

"He can try." Jack shrugged. "The trust clearly states Teddy's reasons for removing Jeff from inheriting his father's farm. No court would contest Teddy's wishes listed in the trust that was made under no duress in the presence of four family members who all bore witness to the signing and will testify on your behalf if necessary. Drug addicts don't win in court, Timothy."

Tim muttered at the unhappy family connection. "Jeff's a mess."

At that moment, the back door of the passenger side opened and Dr. Hature exited the vehicle. She wore a blue pant-suit and her hair was left loose and natural. She closed her cell phone and slipped it back into her pocket then glanced around at the abandoned farmhouse and nearby barn. Tim smiled and walked over to her.

"Well?" He asked honestly. "You think it'll work?"

"From what I have seen from our tour, the location would be perfect for Camp Little Hero's new home." Hach smiled slightly, her voice conversational. "However, I would like the camp's director to come out and take a closer look to make sure the property meets all their requirements."

Jack Grundy knew about Guinevere Hature setting his eyes on the richest woman he ever met. "Yes." Then nodded. "I think Teddy would approve of your selling the land to such a charitable cause." And added hoping to impress the doctor. "Military families need to send their kids somewhere during the summer too."

Tim replied. "I'd like to give Sarah some money from the sale. Maybe pay off some of her student loans."

Hach nodded that she agreed noting the lawyer's gaze on her but chose to ignore it. "Let us take a look at the buildings. If we can save them, it will add to the charm of the camp."

They walked around the barn looking for signs of the parties supposedly held. Trash was strewn everywhere from where the barn began out towards the cornfield. A derelict harvester could be seen in the tree thicket a hundred feet from the barn lost in the sea of dead corn.

Jack walked with Hach and Tim heading towards the corn field.

"Guess Grady couldn't harvest this part before winter set in this year." Jack hated rural life dusting off his suit. "Shame. But the kids use whatever corn isn't harvested as a maze during Halloween."

"You seem to know a lot about the local party scene, Mr. Grundy." Hach pointed out keeping the lawyer's attention on her rather than Tim who appeared distracted.

"Well…" Jack smiled then looked at Tim.

Tim spotted something near the cornfield's edge the color of red and white. At first, he thought it was a dog that recently lost a fight to the local wildlife. However, something made the hairs on his neck stand on end. He decided it was just better to verify that it was nothing and move on with the remainder of his day. This was his last day off from NCIS before he had to return to work from bereavement leave following Uncle Teddy's death.

Tim frowned at the cornfield's edge. "Is that?" He trailed off moving closer to the field's edge.

Hach and Jack joined him since he was so concentrated. As they edged closer, it was apparent that the bright red and white pieces that were dispersed at the cornfield's edge was not he remains of a wild animal. The face staring at them through fogged eyes solidified they had a problem.

Hach gripped McGee's coat to halt his forward advance. "We should call your boss, Tim."

There was no need to contaminate the scene. Tim was shocked but then nodded and pulled out his phone. Suddenly it hit him that his Uncle's property brought his work home to him. He wiped a hand over his face and sighed.

Chapter Two

Tony stared at Tim McGee's empty desk this morning. Dressed in a crisp gray suit, white collared short and black boots, Tony was the picture of a NCIS agent. Ziva sat at her desk checking her email wearing a plain v-neck shirt and green field trousers. Her work boots were more comfortable on these colder days.

"Where's McGeek?" Tony frowned. "It's weird not having him around this early in the morning."

"Remember his uncle died last week?" Ziva looked up from her desk. "On his father's side I believe. A man named Teddy McGee." She giggled at the idea. "Apparently, his uncle left him a farm somewhere in the middle of Virginia."

"Happy New Year, your uncle's dead. Wait!" Tony had to laugh. "McGeek turning into a McFarmer?" He could not contain his humor and sang. "Old McTimmy had a farm…yeyi yeyi yo."

Ziva laughed at the joke until Gibbs strolled into the Squad Room with a large coffee in hand passing McGee's desk with a mission. She found his stride consistent with a 'case' but Tony was faster. DiNozzo already had his field gear ready to go.

With a smile, Tony asked. "Where we going, boss?"

"Tim's farm." Gibbs paused at the desk for his weapon, ID, and keys. "Got a body in pieces."

Ziva glanced at Tony.

Neither knew if Gibbs was kidding but knew well enough to follow blindly. Ziva immediately got her field bag. DiNozzo strolled towards the elevators with an expression of glee. Ziva huffed catching up to Tony as the elevator doors opened. Gibbs walked into the elevator just before the doors closed.

And they were off.

Chapter Three

Ducky already arrived with his assistant, Jimmy Palmer, looking over the remains. The Medical Examiner truck was parked at an odd angle near the crime scene at the edge of the cornfield. Gibbs stopped the NCIS vehicle fifty feet from the scene to avoid dust contamination. Tony and Ziva arrived behind him with the Major Case Response Team truck. The two agents opened their doors to exit and headed towards the back.

Tony and Ziva stood at the back of the open MCRT truck with the doors open gathering the necessary field equipment into a pile. They both raised an eyebrow at Hach standing closely with Tim as they got their crime scene hats and jackets on before hefting the equipment. Gibbs somehow managed to dress before they left the Navy Yard.

"Ah, those crazy kids." Tony whispered to Ziva never taking his eyes off the Little Doc. "So, you think they're dating?"

"Doubt it." She replied too quickly she realized. "I know she and McGee have a lot in common like computers and stuff." Ziva was convinced Hach was more Gibbs speed than McGee's. "She feels more comfortable with people she can relate to." Ziva paused a moment to consider the pair. "I don't think they're actually dating."

"All that nerd talk makes me sick." Tony grabbed the camera out of the truck.

Ziva added. "No one I talked to ever heard of Hach dating anyone."

"I was sure there was something after the Swastika case." Tony was at a loss the pair worked as if nothing ever transpired between them.

Tony wondered about the church ceremony where Gibbs and the Little Doc had to pretend to 'love' each other and pull off a perfect wedding to catch a serial killer holding a vendetta against older men-younger women couples. Though Hach was older than she appeared. Many people thought the recognized NCIS genius was younger than Abby Sciuto despite her being the NCIS Director of Forensics.

"Everyone did." Ziva shrugged. "Seems we were wrong about Hach."

"That she lacks emotions?" That made him stop to look at Ziva then Tony took another pause before speaking. "That's why they call her the Ice Maiden, Ziva."

Ziva lowered her voice even more. "Don't let her hear you, Tony."

"You're right." He paused. "She might turn me into an ice statue." Tony realized Ziva had not said anything in response and looked down at her.

"I was thinking more like a…" Ziva smiled as she walked away from him. "Popsicle."

Tony smiled through gritted teeth then took a photo of Hach and Tim talking while Gibbs walked towards them. Even he could tell Gibbs was responding rather unGibbs-like.

Chapter Four

Gibbs found Tim, Hach, and a man in a suit, his Uncle Theodore's lawyer by the name of Jack Grundy according to what McGee told him over the phone. They stood away from the body since they were first on scene. It bothered him that Dr. Hature was with McGee on a personal day off. The three chose to stay within range of one another since they arrived together and neither committed the crime while visiting.

"Tim." Gibbs wanted to start with his agent first despite the story relayed in detail by McGee prior to their departure from NCIS.

"Boss." Tim was relieved to see Gibbs but knew he could not be involved in the investigation.
"Wow, you got here fast."

"Happens on occasion." Gibbs liked speed. "Dr. Hature." He paused since he made no connection why she should be here. "What're you doing here?"

Hach knew the tone. "Since I arrived with Tim and Mr. Grundy the answer to your question is rather obvious, Agent Gibbs: I am visiting."

Not what he wanted to hear, he realized. Gibbs nodded for Tim to walk with him away from where Dr. Hature stood with an air of arrogance. Once they were far enough away from the other two, Gibbs asked the question of McGee.

Gibbs asked. "What is Dr. Hature actually doing here?"

Tim seemed surprised Gibbs questioned her presence but remembered few at NCIS actually trusted the temporary assignment of the Director of Forensic Science to the Navy Yard.

"I asked her to come." Tim glanced over at Dr. Hature watching them folding her arms as if she did not agree with Gibbs questioning him about why they were together on his day off. "My uncle Teddy who died. He left me this farm." Tim realized it would take a long time to explain the details. "It's complicated at the moment."

Agent Gibbs eyes trailed from Tim McGee to where Hach stood with the lawyer. He met her quizzical gaze, silently accusing him of interfering. Hature appeared to disapprove of his meddling. That would never bother him.

Hach noted the look from Agent Gibbs and lifted her chin as if to challenge him but remained silent. She did not feel she had to explain anything to him since McGee relayed all of the information via phone while Tim's team was in route. She overheard the conversation finding that Tim told Gibbs little of why they were here since the explanation would require an in depth description. Tim would never keep anything from Gibbs. The lawyer moved towards Tim and Gibbs to join the conversation.

Jack Grundy stepped forward towards the pair. "Jack Grundy." He stretched out a hand towards the older man he assumed was Tim's boss, Special Agent Gibbs with whom he heard a lot about. "I'm a friend of Teddy McGee, Tim's uncle. You must be the infamous Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs only looked at Grundy's hand until the man retracted and smiled. Hach knew she had no choice but to remain where she stood. However, there was no reason Agent Gibbs had to question her presence. As an adult, Special Agent Timothy McGee was quite capable of making his own judgments with whom he socialized. The way Gibbs eyed her felt like an insult.

Chapter Five

Tony and Ziva stared at the body as if they never looked at a crime scene before. There were exactly five pieces of the victim. The body was seemingly cut at the elbows, at the waist and at the knees. However, there were quite a number of other minor cuts, bruising and all covered in various stages of drying bodily fluids hiding details of the crime. Literally, the victim was a bloody mess.

"Of all the years I've been doing this." Tony winced. "I'd have to say this is my first Dahlia case."

Jimmy and Ziva both paused to look at very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. Tony did not realize they were staring until after he snapped a photo of the victim while Ducky worked. Once he brought the camera up then he realized all eyes were on him. Ducky smirked then spoke.

"What Anthony means is that our victim reminds him of the Black Dahlia." Ducky eyed the remains left in almost a squiggle pattern along the edge of the cornfield.

Jimmy nodded that he understood, appearing quite excited at the historical emphasis.

"Black Dahlia?" Ziva queried as Gibbs walked towards the group.

"The year was 1947." Ducky knew the story well. "The place: Los Angeles, California. On January the 15th, a woman walked with her daughter passed a vacant lot in the Leimert Park district area down the west side of South Norton Avenue. There, the body of Elizabeth Short was discovered cut in half at the waist."

Jimmy remembered. "She had ankle and wrist bruising consistent with being restrained by rope, didn't she?"

"Indeed, she did, Mr. Palmer." Ducky sighed. "There was also bruising on the skull indicating she suffered from blunt force trauma prior to being cut in half."

Tony frowned since there was only one thing he remembered from the infamous case. "And the Glasgow smile."

Ducky paused to look up at Tony. "Yes. Her mouth was cut from the corners up towards the ears. Unlike our victim here, The Black Dahlia was meticulously cleaned and washed then posed where she was deposited. Elizabeth Short disappeared around the 9th of January and her body discovered on the 15th of the same month. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Police did not take over the case until four days after she was found." He saw enough. "However, the damage was already done."

Jimmy grimaced at the memory of the murder case. "Reporters contaminated the scene and caused a frenzy over the killing. Reporters hung out at the police station and took calls from potential witnesses. There were leaks everywhere and no one shared information. It was quite a mess the LAPD had to clean up. Reporters caused more harm than good to the investigation."

Tony smirked. "Some things never change."

"Why was she called the Black Dahlia, then?" Ziva wanted to know.

Jimmy added looking towards Ziva. "The newspapers called her the Black Dahlia because of the black clothing she was last seen wearing. The media painted her as a deviant young woman though it was told by her relatives that Elizabeth Short never drank, smoked or swore."

Ducky nodded in agreement. "It made all the headlines across the country."

Ziva did not understand the obsession surrounding the woman's death. "Sounds like a stalker turned killer to me."

Jimmy agreed now standing next to Tony who only stared back at the Autopsy gremlin.

"Some would agree with you, Ziva." Ducky replied his eyes focused on the victim. "Since the killer was never found."

Jimmy added. "Of course, that case preceded the use of forensics in murders."

Gibbs walked up to the group then moved towards Ducky. "What do you got, Duck?"

"Female." Ducky noted the clothing. "Probably eighteen to twenty-four years old. Her clothes appear intact on the body. Which suggests she wasn't attacked or raped prior to death. However, I'll need to piece her back together before I make any final conclusions."

"Cause of death?" Gibbs already guessed but wanted a professional opinion.

"On first glance, I would say dismemberment." Ducky was fairly positive. "It seems that the body was cut apart while she was alive. I'll have to look at the joints and bones where she was cut closely to confirm."

"Let me know." Gibbs stood up and surveyed the farm. "DiNozzo?"

Tony found himself under Gibbs scrutiny and asked cautiously. "Yeah boss?"

"What are ya doing?"

"Discussing the victim with Ducky." Tony began snapping photos of Ziva standing nearby then got back to work. "And now I'm taking more photos, boss."

Gibbs smirked as Tony moved off Ziva following him. "Hym hymm."

Things felt as if they were changing among his team. Gibbs did not know if it was a good thing or if that meant something was going to happen to one of them. With The Reaper and Perfecto lurking around NCIS nowadays, everyone remained on edge.

Chapter Six

And nowhere but in the Forensics Lab was that constant reminder of change felt. The glass enclosure continued to be a consistent reminder that the world was dynamic and ever changing. Though small, changes were inevitable. Gibbs stood beside Abby at her workstation tapping away on the keyboard as if she was alone. He was waiting for answers when she turned and just blurted the question eating away at her out.

Abby's face was somber when she asked with a hint of jealousy. "Is Tim seeing Hach?"

Gibbs paused confused as to why everyone was worried about what McGee and Dr. Hature were doing. "I didn't ask." Then he looked to Abby who appeared worried. "Did you?"

"I can't ask them out right!" She felt very guilty and looked it. "I'd feel weird asking Tim or Hach about it."

Gibbs weighed his options. "I don't think they're dating, Abs."

Abby sighed. "I was worried."

He knew better than to ask but this was Abby. "Why would you be worried?"

Abby froze that Gibbs was questioning her instead of demanding answers regarding the crime. "Ah! Nothing!" So she changed the subject. "Onto the case! According to the everything Tony and Ziva found at the farm…Tim's Farm." She paused and smiled at that. "The party must've been huge." Abby put her hands up to show just how large. "I'm talking like super massive, Gibbs!" Then she tapped her keyboard fast as the plasma screen popped over twenty-seven chemical formulas on the large screen. "I've found residues of every drug of choice used by every twenty-something out there."

Gibbs noted the chemical formulas but nothing he knew by sight. "Weapon?"

"I analyzed the pictures of the wounds Ducky sent up." She tapped the keyboard again and brought up a demonstration of how the body might have been cut into what was found at the crime scene. "There's a lot of iron-oxide found in the wounds. There's probably three blades rotating simultaneously."

"Why not one blade?"

Abby had the answer. "Ducky found the same amount of oxidation and decay on each of the wounds implying that they were all made roughly the same time." She was certain one person cutting the victim into pieces was far-fetched. "They blades are large and curved." She frowned. "And also rusty."

On the plasma, Abby watched with Gibbs as the small victim's body was cut with a large broad blade as she fell down. The body bled out quickly as she lay on the ground. Then she was cut again at the knees, her arms out in a non-defensive position. And finally her arms were cut at the elbow.

Gibbs spoke his thoughts out loud. "Rusted blade."

Abby nodded. "I'd look for something at the farm." She turned towards Gibbs. "A large piece of farming equipment. Like a plow or…other farming equipment that has lots of blades." She was still contemplating Tim and Hach. "If the kids attending the party were drunk, they probably didn't even think about it being there." Abby looked so happy. "And I'm willing to bet Tim's Farm that it has the prints of every party attendee there on it."

Gibbs retuned to Abby and kissed her at the temple then left the lab through the glass enclosure.

Chapter Seven

Back at the Squad Room, Tony looked at Ziva's computer pretending to read something over her shoulder as they talked. They were curious as to what they saw at the scene today. Even Ducky was paying attention though he said nothing. Jimmy Palmer mentioned prior to leaving that something felt off this morning. It was odd to have McGee at the scene but not working. And he sat at his desk checking his email ordered to not work on the case until his alibi was checked out for Friday night.

"Was it me or was Gibbs annoyed McGee and Hach were together at the farm?" Ziva whispered from her desk watching McGee at work on the case. "McGee's alibi checked out for Friday night. Game night with his neighbors on the third floor." Ziva smirked. "Shame Hach wasn't there to vouch for him."

Tony wanted Tim to know they were talking about him. "They've been spending way too much time together." He paused eyeing Tim closely for signs of oddities. "It's odd the Little Doc brainwashed him so quickly."

Tim looked up at them from his desk having heard the whole conversation. "She did not brainwash me, Tony!" He rolled his eyes. "She's been showing me the latest GPS unit to be used by the military. It's cool stuff." Then mumbled. "Just because you can't grasp the concept doesn't mean I can't enjoy the technology."

"Sounds like a personal issue, Timmy." Tony moved towards his desk. "I don't want to know what you do with your toys."

Gibbs added as he passed Ziva's desk with fresh coffee. "Nor I with yours DiNozzo."

"Welcome home, boss." Tony smiled slightly getting onto his feet. "I ran our victim's prints through AFIS but it's having issues today. Matches are taking a lot longer to run. We're still waiting for verification and Abby has all the trash, ehr, evidence from the McFarm." He glanced down at Ziva and they both smirked. "Hach will have to work with Abby to get through it all in a timely manner."

Gibbs seemed unphased by the reveal of Hach being involved in the case so Ziva added.

"Our victim still hasn't been identified." She looked at Gibbs who appeared blank. "We'll have to wait for a DNA match. Her fingers weren't useful for the print scanner."

Gibbs nodded and continued towards the laboratory and Autopsy.

Chapter Eight

Gibbs entered the lab through the temporary glass enclosure finding only Dr. Hature at the workstation running the samples. She wore a plain gray pantsuit under her lab coat, not the blue suit he spied earlier. Her hair was restrained in her usual ponytail at the top of her head. The tresses that usually hung loose were clipped to the side of her head by barrettes to avoid contaminating the samples.

He felt an overwhelming desire to ask a number of questions. Since Operation Swastika was pulled off without major screw-ups, Hach was given some leniencies where Vance was concerned. However, he remained skeptical. Dr. Hature hid too many secrets and his inquiries were coming up short.

"Where's Abby?" He paused to look deeper into the other rooms of the lab.

Hach did not bother to look over her shoulder at the agent. "Getting additional samples from Dr. Mallard as I understand it."

Gibbs took that moment to study the small doctor while he drank from his coffee. His eyes moved from head to toe and back up. Many would not bother to notice her more than once out on the street. Then once you knew more about her, one would feel compelled to pay closer attention to her.

Hach could feel his eyes pass over her and it bothered her to be assessed in such a manner. It was then she turned to face Agent Gibbs knowing the jury was still out on her in his mind. How much proof did he require to accept that she posed no threat to him or his team?

Hach felt annoyed by his resistance to trusting her. "Why are you so obsessed over my past, Agent Gibbs?"

"An agent's status is only lost when…"

"…NCIS determines that an agent was killed possibly by another agent." Hach knew the code from memory. "And yet I'm still here. Which means that agent wasn't me." She paused. "Is that the only thing that bothers you, Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs needed to make things clear. "What is your interest in McGee?"

Hach frowned. "Purely professional, I assure you."

Gibbs seemed perplexed by his own response to her. "You've no personal interest in him?"

Kissing her certainly had something to do with it. More so than he imagined it would. Operation Swastika changed him in a way he did not understand. He felt the change but could not see it.

Hach realized Gibbs motive glancing at the results that popped into a window on the computer screen. "Tim has been most useful on a number of occasions." She paused. "Does my socializing with your agent make you unsettled?"

"Just looking out for my team."

"And I am not part of that team." Hach turned to Gibbs again. "You have made that abundantly clear." She would leave the evidence for Abby to explain to her father figure. "Being the Director of Forensics of NCIS I am labeled 'non-trustworthy'." She did not like being judged by someone she considered 'unqualified'. "And yet I have done so much to help you and your team these past few months."

She looked up the over to find Agent Gibbs gone.

"I wonder how much he missed." Hach said softly and returned to the workstation. "He needs to work on his people skills."

Abby returned from seeing Ducky down in Autopsy walking into the lab carrying sample jars. "Has Gibbs been down yet?"

Hach remained rather calm. "You just missed him." Hach did not bother to look at Abby. "You will have to explain the results to him. He left before I could tell him." Hach paused. "He refuses to trust me."

Abby eyed Hach cautiously then replied happily. "Because he doesn't know you yet." She cheered. "No worries. Once he knows you're on our side, he won't mind you at all."

Not that Agent Gibbs ever would openly allow her on the team, Hach thought to herself. Despite having survived a number of explosions, one along side his team. Then her cooperation in the Swastika case, she believed Agent Gibbs would be less critical towards her. However, since she began her temporary tenancy, Gibbs seemed to be more suspicious of her than ever. Did he really believe she was a 'threat' to his team?

Chapter Nine

Gibbs entered Autopsy as Jimmy Palmer began the cleaning process on the right arm of the victim. Ducky already had the chest open and was weighing the organs. The cuts on the skin appeared only superficial. Still, the sight would be alarming to most agents.

"You're a bit early Jethro." Ducky did not look over. "We've only just begun our examination."

Gibbs only wanted one thing. "TOD?"

"From the amount of damage she sustained, I'd say late Friday night." Ducky knew it was late morning on Monday today. "You'll have to wait on the exact time. I've found no rigor. And there's been numerous animal damage done to the body."

Gibbs turned to leave.

Ducky smirked from his task. "Did you learn anything interesting at the scene?"

Gibbs turned to Ducky once more. "About what?"

"Why Timothy is seeing Hach socially?" He kept his eyes on his task. "I sensed this morning that you were a bit annoyed seeing them at the crime scene together."

"Yeah." Gibbs eyed Jimmy Palmer who took the hint and slinkered out of Autopsy to give them some privacy. "She's spending a lot of time with McGee lately."

"She's not a lioness ready to pounce on her prey, Jethro." Ducky straightened then made eye contact with Jethro Gibbs. "She has a lot in common with Timothy. There's no reason for you to feel threatened by Hach." He smirked. "Or Timothy."

Gibbs straightened and appeared insulted. "You think I'm threatened by Dr. Hature, Duck?"

He ignored the remark about McGee clearly meant to dig around for evidence. Since Operation Swastika, Gibbs felt he was under a microscope when he was around Dr. Hature. Everyone watched them more closely than normal. He found himself pausing to glare at the spectators more often lately who then suddenly appeared to be busy.

"A woman with her level of intelligence would be intimidating to most men." Ducky smirked. "If you think she's arrogant you'd be wrong. She doesn't pay much attention to the opinion of others, especially senior NCIS agents."

Gibbs stared at him for a moment realizing Ducky was right about Dr. Hature then turned to leave.

"Since the Swastika case, you've been a bit more attentive to Dr. Hature." Ducky smiled. "I wonder why that might be."

"Wow." Gibbs said as he left the Autopsy. "That's a bit far fetched." He shook his head as he reached the double doors that opened automatically. "Even for you, Duck."

Ducky found himself chuckling. "That's what I thought."

Seconds later, Jimmy poked his head through the door. "Is Gibbs gone now?"

Ducky smirked returning to his task allowing Jimmy to figure that out for himself.

Chapter Ten

The Forensics Lab buzzed with activity as the equipment lit up with their tasks programmed into the memory. While they waited for the results, Abby stood facing Hach trying to explain how Team Gibbs operated.

"Hach." Abby bent her arms at the elbow then twisted her wrists until her palms faced up towards the ceiling. "You can't just expect Gibbs to meet you on your level. He's not a PhD. You need to keep things simple when he's around."

"I am aware of Agent Gibbs lack of higher education." Hach already read his file. "While he does lack the polish of a college degree, there is no mistake that he is an astute investigator. His NCIS record remains at the top of active agents."

"And Tony?"

"He wastes his abilities on comic commentary when he should focus on what is important during active investigations." Hach had specific emotional attachment to how she perceived Agent DiNozzo. "His record is no where near as commendable as Agent Gibbs. Perhaps if he took his job more seriously, he would achieve more satisfaction in his work."

"Wow." Abby was shocked. "Okay." Where should she go now? "Deep. Tony should be careful, eh?"

"I would have more respect for Agent DiNozzo if he behaved less as a child on a consistent basis." Hach knew Abby was getting an idea how she perceived Gibbs' team. "Ziva shows great amplitude and focus on her work that Agent DiNozzo lacks." Hach liked Ziva in a different manner than Tim and Abby. "Her former position as a Mossad operative was key to showing her where to prioritize."

Abby was happy with her progress in getting Hach to open up about her opinions of Team Gibbs. "Ducky?"

"He is a colleague." Hach replied honestly. "There is much wisdom he has gathered over the years. As for his assistant, Mr. Palmer, he will be a good pathologist in the future as long as he remains perceptive and observant of what his mentor is teaching him."

Abby wanted to know more about this person. "Tim?"

"McGee is indeed a most interesting case of a NCIS agent." Hach noted the expression on Abby's face since she knew her long enough to understand the micro-expressions. "He is observant, receptive and kind for an agent. He offers far more to Gibbs than just his skills as a computer expert. Still, he looks up to his supervisor almost as a father figure and appears to think he has much to learn from Agent Gibbs. Apparently you still harbor emotions for Agent McGee, Miss Sciuto."

Her mouth gaped in shock. "What?." Abby shook her head quickly. "No!" Then added hastily. "We dated for a short while years ago. It didn't work out."

"Nor were you old enough to understand what 'working' out a relationship meant. So naturally you failed to take the time to invest in the relationship properly." Hach saw the flash of fear in Abby's eyes. "I believe I know you well enough to estimate that though you insist on 'being friends' neither Tim nor you have had a serious relationship since your affair. However, if either were to become seriously involved with another person, jealousy would get 'ugly' since your true feelings would again surface."

Abby did not know what to say after that assessment, shocked by Hach's sudden insight. "Wow, glad I asked."

Hach glanced at her watch. "DNA should be done in thirty minutes. I have a call I need to make to Trey."

Trey Walker was her head of household outside Norfolk. Hach left Abby Sciuto pondering in the Forensics Laboratory, a smile on her face as she exited through the glass enclosure and into the hall. Abby Sciuto was clearly unaware of her reactions to Timothy McGee despite the constant declaration that she was not attracted to anyone seriously at the moment.

Abby turned at the beep of the mass spectrometer. The window popped up on workstation and she read the results slowly. Suddenly, she slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide in another expression of shock.

"I've finally got a match after how many weeks?" She used her fingers to verify the results. "No, no, no, noooo!" There was something very wrong here. "This can't be right!"

Suddenly Abby closed the window and sent the data to her personal drive at home that no one else could get to from NCIS. She would keep the data off the main server in case someone was running a search for proof. Still, she had to tell someone.

"Gibbs!" Abby ran out of the lab.

Chapter Eleven

The day was cold but the sun managed to peek through for once eliminating the gray looming over DC. The greens and browns turned lighter, softening the sadness of the coming winter. Many people were out enjoying the sunshine even if the temperatures were a little colder. Gibbs sat on the park bench reading a paper.

The British drawl was lazy at best. "Agent Gibbs." Trent Kort sat down on the bench behind him. "We need to stop talking."

"Agreed." Gibbs knew Kort was just as interested in the arrangement as he was. "Anything?"

"The Reaper and Perfecto are the least of my concerns." Kort slid a manila folder between his arm and torso then through the slat in the bench behind him. "The CIA has their own problems."

Gibbs felt the nudged of the folder sliding between his arm and torso from the back. Unless someone was standing next to them, no one would know they were exchanging anything. Still, Gibbs gave a simple, unrushed glance around them, finding no one around.

"Trouble at home?" Gibbs pulled the folder from under his arm as if it had been there the whole time but refrained from opening it in public.

"Dr. Hature has a reputation for keeping secrets." He leaned lazily back. "And most of them aren't even hers." Kort glanced around the park lazily. "Word is, you want a secret kept secret, take it to Hature. She makes all sorts of secrets disappear."

"A secret keeper." Gibbs was not surprised.

"One thing I want to know, Gibbs." Kort looked around the park. "What does she have on the SecNav."

"Clayton Jarvis?" Gibbs was intrigued.

"Yes." Kort said with the drawl then smiled knowing he was planting seeds again. "I know Dr. Hature saved his kid's life back in the day. Still, I doubt that would keep her in his bad graces. She's got ways of uncovering the truth how NCIS and all of her sister agencies operate. Dr. Hature certainly kept Director Shepard busy trying to track her methods. Even the file on Vance remains well guarded." He sighed. "Stuff the file I gave you earlier didn't have." Kort chuckled. "Listen to me gossip. Back to our main topic. Now that Jarvis is SecNav, he's trying to find a way to get Dr. Hature out of NCIS."

"You don't have any idea what she has on Jarvis?" Gibbs needed something to go on so he could do his own digging.

"Not a clue." Trent hated feeling like the inferior agent here. "Clearly you don't either." He should have known. "All I know is that if he tries to crucify her in public, most of NCIS will go down with her. And a number of key persons in Homeland, the CIA, and the FBI." He paused for effect. "Not to mention most of Congress."

Gibbs was sure this was a bunch of bull. "You expect me to believe Dr. Hature has gathered intelligence on high level personnel in the government agencies and no one knows what she has?"

Kort stood up and faced Gibbs who turned to look at him from a sitting position on the bench. "Geniuses should be feared for a reason, Agent Gibbs." He looked around the almost empty park. "I doubt she truly understands what she has in her possession. If Jenny Shepard had lived, she wouldn't have remained the NCIS director for much longer." Kort smirked very slightly. "Vance must be smarter to keep Hature in front of him." He sighed once more and took a quick glance around again. "Be seeing you."

With that Kort walked away from Gibbs who remained sitting on the bench.

"Once again, more questions than answers." Gibbs remembered the secured door off the main hallway in Hach's home outside Norfolk and whispered as he got to his feet. "I bet she knows exactly what she has."

TO BE CONTINUED…