Buffy 'Sciuto' - Part 3

Chapter Summary: The family is almost reunited.

Challenge: for the livejournal 2017 August Fic-a-Day Challenge. Also TtH #8564 "In Case of Homicide, Please Call…"

Timeline: 1 year after Buffy 'Sciuto' (Part 2); season 10, episode 2 NCIS and post-series for BtVS; slide timelines to match up

Disclaimer: BtVS/AtS characters belong to Joss Whedon/Mutant Enemy. NCIS characters belong to Donald Bellisario, Don McGill and CBS Paramount Television, et al. I claim no rights to any copyrighted material. Please do not copy or take this story without my permission.

Abby's lab

Saddened by the loss of her co-worker, and freaked out by her recurring nightmares, Abby started processing Midge's clothes on autopilot. It wasn't until she felt something solid sewed into the cup of Midge's bra that she stopped and paid closer attention. Why would somebody sew something into a bra?

She turned the bra inside-out and read: 'In case of accident or non-homicide death, please call Grace Watkins (831)555-1212 and SHS (831)555-1234. In case of homicide or death of unknown causes, please call SHS (same #) and Buffy Summers (831)PROTECT (776-8328).'

That was strange. Why wouldn't it mention NCIS?

Abby was tempted to make the calls herself, but knew that Gibbs would want the team to handle it… But she could start tracking down the people mentioned who weren't Midge's family. Gibbs would want to know who or what SHS stood for.

The next day…

"I'm looking for an Agent Gibbs?" a feminine voice said, causing the team to look up in surprise. Visitors were supposed to be escorted.

"Here," Gibbs growled. He watched as the woman looked behind her to dismiss the agent waiting at the elevator. So she wasn't here entirely on her own.

She held her hand out to shake his, "I'm Buffy Summers. The Watkins family requested that I identify Midge's body and make sure it's safe for transport to their home. Mrs. Watkins is very ill, so neither she nor her husband were able to make the trip, and Midge's daughter, Grace, needs to stay with them. Here's the paperwork; I'm not sure who needs to look it over."

Gibbs grabbed the envelope and tossed it to Tony. "DiNozzo, make sure it's all in order. While he does that, we have a few questions for you, Ms. Summers. Could you come me?" he asked in a way that indicated it wasn't really a request, but he had already been warned by Vance not to alienate this woman.

Buffy waited until they were in the conference room to ask, "How did she die?"

"We're still investigating that," he answered shortly. "Why did Midge want you notified if she died due to a homicide or unknown causes? And what is SHS?"

Snorting softly, she responded to the second question first, "SunnyHell Survivors. Most of us were part of the same graduating class at Sunnydale High School in 1999…" she trailed off, waiting for his reaction.

"Is that the one where the high school exploded during the ceremony?" Gibbs inquired. What were the odds of Midge surviving two explosions?

"Yup. We lost our Mayor and Principal, as well as almost half of our class. Midge was one of our teachers that year. Most of those who lived couldn't wait to get out of Sunnydale – Sunnyhell to us – but they all knew that I would stay. It wasn't a very safe town and I was kind of a neighborhood watch type. They voted me Class Protector. When they all went their separate ways, they wanted to be sure that somebody would be looking out for them, so we set up the SHS group. If anyone was in trouble, they could call for help. One of the group suggested that since I was staying put, they have me be the primary contact for any deaths."

They kept talking for several minutes. Gibbs kept trying question Buffy without it seeming like an interrogation and she answered his questions, but something still felt off to him.

Tony stuck his head in and gestured for Gibbs to join him in the hallway. "Her paperwork checks, boss. It's weird that she's not a family member, but they trust her to identify Midge's body," he complained.

Morgue…

"I must warn you that Midge has been underwater for nearly four months, Miss Summers. She worked for NCIS, so we can handle the identification," Ducky offered.

Buffy gave him a sad smile. "Thank you for the offer, but her family would feel better if I did it."

Jimmy Palmer pulled the sheet down so Midge's face was visible.

Buffy studied her face with a melancholy look. "Can you pull the sheet down farther on her right shoulder and arm, please?" she requested softly.

He did so and watched as Buffy reached out and almost touched the scar on her clavicle. "Do you know how she got that?" he asked.

"Animal attack," Buffy answered automatically. "It's her. What was the cause of death?"

"She was shot in the stomach," Jimmy answered before Gibbs could stop him. "But she died of anaphylactic shock."

"Okay. As soon as her body can be released, please send it to this mortuary in Monterey, California," Buffy requesting, handing over a business card to Jimmy. "If you'll excuse me, I need to go visit a family member since I'm in town."

A/N: Sorry, ran out of time because of a long phone call this evening from a chatty family member.