Thanks to NicoleR85 for following/faving my story.
NicoleR85: thanks! Hope you like this chapter.
"So you've got two people on your team", Lily said as she and Gibbs rode the elevator. Her father had given her the run down on the way to NCIS. He'd decided that the safest place for her to be was in a federal building with people he trusted. "Tony, the movie buff man-child and Probie Kate".
"Yeah, that's sums them up", Gibbs confirmed. The elevator dinged, signalling that they'd arrived at the right floor and the doors slid open. "Do you want a coffee or a water?" he asked.
"I'll have a water, please", Lily replied.
"Alright. I'll be back in minute", Gibbs said "you can sit at my desk". He gestured to his desk and Lily nodded. While she waited for her father to come back, she settled down at his desk. It was neat, nothing out of place. Her eyes landed on a small photograph of herself with Kelly and Shannon.
A small smile appeared on her face when she saw it as it was in the frame that she made for him when she was little. She didn't know he'd kept it. Most of their photographs and little knick-knacks ended up going to herself.
"…No wonder your bête noir was a vampire", a woman's voice remarked, approaching the bullpen, gaining Lily's attention. The man was the with, presumably Tony, chuckled.
"Bête noir. Cute", he commented.
"Goes with the Louis XV bedroom", Kate continued. The pair paused when they noticed Lily sitting at Gibb's desk.
"Hi", Lily greeted "Tony and Kate, right?"
"Right", Tony said slowly, setting his coat across the back of his chair.
"What happened to your…" Kate gestured to Lily's face.
"Drunken asshat of an ex", Lily answered simply.
"Well I'm sure you're not aware Miss…" Tony trailed off as he didn't know the ginger's name.
"Lily", the young woman supplied.
"I'm sure you're not aware Lily but that's our boss' desk and he doesn't like anyone sitting here except himself", Tony informed her.
"He said I could", Lily said.
"I doubt that very much" Tony walked towards the desk "so I suggest you move before he gets back from wherever he is and gets us all into trouble".
"She doesn't have to move", Gibbs spoke up from behind Tony, making the man stiffen. He moved over to his desk and handed Lily a bottle of water.
"Thanks, dad", she said. The expressions on both Kate and Tony's faces were utterly priceless.
"So what were you guys talking about?" Gibbs asked as if Lily hadn't just announced that she was his daughter.
"Nightmares", Lily answered "Tony's has something to with vampires".
"Is that so, DiNozzo?" Gibbs questioned.
"Well, it was a nightmare I had when I was a kid", Tony replied "I've since outgrown it".
"Good. Now what did you find in Qassam's room?" Gibbs asked, getting down to business.
"Koran, prayer rug, fast food wrappers", Tony listed off "this guy took home from work and didn't empty his trash. He also has sinus problems and bad breath".
"Yeah, probably because he didn't brush his teeth. There was no brush or toothpaste in his bathroom", Kate continued.
"Just aspirin, sinus spray and breath freshener", Tony added.
"Did you swab for explosives?" Gibbs queried.
"Explosives? Who was this Qassam guy? A Terrorist?" Lily enquired.
"Yes he was", Gibbs answered.
"We did and found minute traces of nitrate in the dresser table", Tony replied, answering Gibbs' question "probably were he kept his Barretta".
"Computer?"
"Not even a Gameboy, Boss", Tony answered.
"He didn't have a TV, Tony", Kate reminded him.
"A Gameboy is handheld, Kate", Tony informed her "You're thinking about XBOX, PS2, GameCubes…"
"I'm thinking of kicking some ass", Gibbs cut in. Lily hid her smirk with her water "Gitmo intel said Qassam was to execute a terrorist attack on the Naval Base at Norfolk. He's in no shape to tell us how or when…his computer might".
"No computer", Kate said.
"What about the food court where he worked?" Gibbs asked.
"Just keyboard with pictures. Burgers, malts, fries. Not exactly cyberspace friendly, Boss", Tony state.
"If I were Qassam and I didn't have a computer…I'd use an internet café", Lily commented.
Gibbs looked at his daughter appreciatively "not bad Lily, should've thought of that myself", he remarked.
"Well, you're more – smurf than alpha geek", Tony joked making Lily look at him in surprise. She'd not heard anyone talk to her dad like that before "So am I, according to Agent McGee"
"You're right DiNozzo", Gibbs agreed, surprising Lily even more.
"I am?" Tony asked, equally surprised his boss had just agreed with him.
"Hell, I still use a notebook and a pencil instead of a PDQ", Gibbs continued.
Tony laughed "It's a PDA", he corrected "or you can call 'em Palm Pilot".
"It doesn't matter what I call if it I can't use it", Gibbs shot back.
"I'll teach you", Tony offered.
Gibbs' brows raised as he stepped toward Tony, looking at him in disbelief "You'll teach me?"
"Oh boy…" Lily mumbled knowing where this was going.
"McGee teaches you…you teach me…it's backwards! God, I need coffee" without another word, Gibbs walked off, annoyed. Lily got up from the desk and slapped Tony upside the head.
"Ow!" he exclaimed rubbing his head. He did not expect that.
"Shouldn't have upset him", Lily stated and sat back down at Gibbs' desk.
"But I…" Tony trailed off when she fixed him with a look which was very similar to her father's one where he challenges someone to continue with their sentence "I am going to get back to work".
Kate didn't bother hiding the massive grin on her face as she settled down behind her desk. She could tell having Lily here was going to be rather enjoyable.
Later…
Lily huffed a little, slightly bored. Tony was in the head, Kate grabbing a coffee and her father was talking with the Director. She'd already finished the book she'd brought with her and had gone over so many sciencey titbits she'd picked up through her work and studies…now she was extremely bored. She was debating on whether or not to see how many times she could spin around on the desk chair without falling off when she heard and excited voice cry "Oh my god Lily!" the ginger heard an excited voice say. She turned around to see a Goth hurrying towards the bullpen, evidence box in her arms. She could hazard a guess at this being Abby Scuito, NCIS' forensic scientist. Abby quickly dumped the box on Tony's desk and swamped Lily in a massive bear hug. "I can't believe I'm finally meeting mini Gibbs!" Abby stepped back, her happy demeanour vanishing when she saw the marks on the young woman's face. "What happened?"
"It's a long story but one that's brought me to NCIS finally", Lily replied.
"Oh. Well I wish someone I told me you were here sooner", Abby said "I've been dying to meet you. Gibbs has told me a lot about you, all good things don't worry. He's incredibly proud".
A smile appeared on Lily's face at that "thanks", she said "what's in the evidence box?" she asked nodding to it.
"Some stuff for this latest case we're working…"
"Terrorist. Qassam something", Lily said.
"Yeah", Abby nodded "but the weird thing is Ducky wants it all back", Abby told her.
"That's strange he wants it back before you've run any tests", Lily stated "did he say why?"
"No. All I know is he wants it down in autopsy STAT", Abby answered. A confused look flickered across Lily's face. Why would he want it STAT? Unless there was something more going on…
"Sounds like he wants it urgently", she remarked.
"Yeah", Abby sighed "there's a problem. I can't go down there. Autopsy freaks me out…ever since this nightmare I had…"
"Say no more", Lily cut in "I'll take it to Ducky. It'll give me a reason to go see him, its been a while".
Abby hugged her gratefully "you're a star!" she proclaimed. The pair went over to the box where Lily sighed the paper work to ensure the chain of evidence wasn't broken. "You'll need to leave it outside the door, Ducky's doing an infectious autopsy", she informed her as the younger woman picked up the box.
"Is Qassam the only body in autopsy?" Lily queried.
"Yes", Abby replied.
"So…how would he know the body is infected with something if you haven't done a blood test?" Lily asked.
Abby shrugged "I have no idea. Its all so strange", she said.
"I'll ask him when I get down there", Lily assured her "maybe there's a sign on the body or something. And once I'm done, I will stop by your lab for a proper chat".
"Sounds great", Abby said happily. Lily gave her another smile and walked over to the elevator where she hit the button to call it. As soon as the doors opened, she stepped in and set the box down before pressing the button for the basement.
After a short ride in the elevator, Lily stepped out into the autopsy corridor, eyeing red sign outside, indicating that there was an infectious autopsy going on. She peered inside, seeing two people wearing the correct gear for the specific autopsy, working on a cadaver. She knocked on the glass and Ducky came over.
At first the ME was surprised to see her but quickly composed himself "you can leave it there", he called.
"You have to sign!" Lily reminded him.
"Well, I can't open the doors with you there", Ducky said.
"What's the infection?" Lily questioned.
"Don't know yet", Ducky replied "He's got a pustule on his thigh. It may be nothing, Abby. But I will sign" he made cross over his heart "cross my heart". Lily watched him walk back to the body on the slab before she set the box down on the floor. Unfortunately for her, the man who was holding both Gerald and Ducky hostage noticed the combat knife when her shirt rode up slightly as she put the box down.
When Lily got to the elevator, the autopsy doors opened. She whirled around, reaching for her knife. Though upon seeing the gun pointed at her, she lowered her hand. "When did lab rats start carrying combat knives?" the Israeli man asked.
Lily lay on the autopsy table on her front, hands behind her head while her captor patted her down for more weapons. Ari took her purse out from her jacket pocket and drivers licence. "'Miss Lily Gibbs, New York'. You're a fairways from home aren't you?" he remarked and Lily didn't answer "ah Columbia University, forensic scientist" he added noticing her work ID "you really are a lab rat. Doesn't explain the combat knife you're carrying" Ari inspected it "you any good with it?"
"Hand it over and I'll show you", Lily said.
"Perhaps not. Judging by the looks of your face, you're not afraid to get into a scrape" Ari set down her knife "So I'm guessing you're here to help with the investigation. Do you happen to know who killed Qassam?"
"Fraid not", Lily answered.
"It was Special Agent Gibbs", Ducky spoke up.
"Ducky!" Lily exclaimed.
"Any relation to you, my dear?" Ari questioned as he rooted through the evidence box. Lily remained silent.
"It's her father", Ducky answered, simply.
"Don't answer this bastard", Lily snapped.
"You mustn't chastise the good doctor, Lily. At least not until you know my rules", Ari said taking out a vial of blood and tucking it into the pocket of his scrubs.
"You can take your rules and stick it", Lily countered.
Ari chuckled, seemingly amused "Doctor, is this all the evidence?"
"From what I can see from here", Ducky answered "Gerald?" he asked, glancing at his assistant.
"It looks like all of it", the man replied.
"Lily you may roll over now, if you keep your hands were they are", Ari instructed. Lily shifted over onto her back, fixing the man with a glare. "Did Special Agents search Qassam's room?" he asked. Lily said nothing "where was the evidence that was bagged and tagged?" Ari sighed when the ginger refused to say a word "Doctor, please explain the rules to stubborn little Lily".
"If we lie, or he thinks we're lying, he'll put a bullet in one of Gerald's joints", Ducky explained.
"Be specific, ball and socket joints. And you omitted one condition", Ari added.
"Oh, yes! We mustn't try to tick him", Ducky said.
"Which you did Doctor Mallard by calling Miss Gibbs here, Abby", Ari said and then shot Gerald in the shoulder. Lily leapt off the table , quickly applying pressure to the wound. Between herself and Ducky, they managed to get the wounded man onto the table.
"Lily, my medical bag. Over by the desk on the floor", Ducky instructed and she nodded. Lily hurried over to get it, only to be stopped by Ari.
"I would dislike having to put a slug into Gerald's knee, as well", he threatened. If looks could kill, he would be dead by now with the look Lily was giving him. Ari released her, allowing her to grab Ducky's bag unaware that Tony had seen her from his vantage point in the stairwell.
Ducky and Lily worked as hastily as they could to stabilise Gerald. Lily had just given him a shot of morphine when the phone rang. "Answer the phone, Doctor", Ari instructed.
"Go, I got it", Lily said quickly before Ducky could say anything. He nodded and went over to the desk. Lily stepped around the table to take his place, pressing her hands down on the gauze.
"Autopsy", Ducky greeted after Ari put the phone on speaker.
"Ducky. What's with the infectious autopsy?" Gibbs asked.
"Purely precautionary", Ducky answered.
"Is that why you took the evidence back?"
"Yeah, sorry. But I'm really busy", Ducky said hastily, knowing that Gibbs was trying to determine the situation.
"Hey, is my daughter there?"
"I'm afraid not, she left a few minutes ago", Ducky answered.
"Okay. You let me know when I can come down, you got me curious", Gibbs said. Ari then cut off the call.
"I can't wait to weigh your liver", Ducky said, giving Ari a death glare, just like Lily did.
"Ducky!" Lily called and he went over "We need to get Gerald to a hospital soon otherwise he's going to lose his arm".
"You'll be able to do that as soon as I get the rest of the evidence collected from Qassam's room", Ari said, stepping up to the table "so where is it?"
"I'd say it'll be in the evidence lock-up", Lily answered.
"Which is?" Ari questioned.
"In the garage, one floor up", Ducky replied.
"The same way I came in", Ari stated.
"We don't know how you came in", Lily said.
"In a body bag", he told her.
"Same way you're going out", Lily said.
"Is it the same garage?" Ari queried.
Ducky shook his head "no, the evidence is in the garage, next to forensics" he pointed to the ceiling "one floor up".
~Forensics~
Abby watched the large screen anxiously as Gibbs fed a camera through the floor, showing video of Autopsy. "Oh god Gerald", she breathed, seeing the ME assistant on the autopsy table, Lily and Ducky standing around him "Lily shouldn't be in there, it should be me. Gibbs I'm so sorry…if it wasn't for my stupid phobia…" the goth was cut off when Gibbs put his hands on her arms.
"Hey, maybe you're not in there because you're needed in here", he said softly "now I need you to feed this up to MTAC". Abby nodded and got to work.
~Autopsy~
Ari looked up at the little camera poking through the ceiling, smiling before he shot at it making both Ducky and Lily jump. "Doctor, Lily, put Qassam into the body bag", he instructed. When they didn't move, he added "now please. Soon they'll be negotiating for your release".
"We don't negotiate with terrorists", Lily said firmly.
"Lily, when you get to know me better, you wont call me that", Ari said.
Lily scoffed "I have no intention of getting to know you better", she said adamantly.
"Are you sure?" Ari asked.
"Pretty sure", Lily replied. She turned to Ducky "Lets get Qassam into the body bag". He nodded in agreement. While she and Ducky placed the cadaver into the bag, Ari spoke to the Director giving him his terms. Lily then noticed a scalpel close by, her eyes flickered back to Ari.
"No", Ducky whispered, seeing what she wanted to do "don't do it". Lily ignored his warning and scooped up the scalpel. She wasn't going to be the victim anymore, she'd spent too long doing that. Instrument gripped tightly in her hands, she quietly moved over to Ari and in one quick motion, she attacked the man. The Israeli cried out and swung around, cracking her across the face with his gun. Lily yelped, falling backwards smacking her head on the floor. The last thing she saw before passing out was Ari hovering over her.
The next thing Lily knew she was lying in a hospital bed, her father sitting in a chair, arm in a sling. "Dad? What happened?" she asked.
"The guy who had you, Ducky and Gerald shot me", Gibbs replied.
"Ducky and Gerald, are they ok?" Lily questioned, worried about both men.
"Ducky is fine. And Gerald is currently undergoing surgery", Gibbs replied.
"And…the asshole who was holding us captive?" Lily queried.
"He got away but I know you got in a blow with a scalpel", Gibbs said.
"Yeah I did", Lily admitted "are you mad?"
"Mad that you attacked your captor? Nope, not at all", Gibbs assured her.
"Are you sure? Cos you can ground me if it'll make you feel better", Lily said.
"I won't ground you , though I will be giving this back", Gibbs placed her knife on the bed.
"Thanks", Lily said, pulling the knife closer "you know, if you want to go home then do so".
"I'm not going anywhere until you're released", Gibbs said. Lily nodded. She should've seen that coming.