Gibbs walked into the bullpen to find Tony poring over a report and Kate's desk empty. DiNozzo. Where's Kate?
Without lifting his eyes from the page, Tony replied, She went to lunch with Abby.
The team leader stopped in front of the younger man's desk. He refused to continue until the green eyes met his own.
What, boss?
Is she okay? Gibbs didn't know what else to ask.
She'll be okay. Like she said, she's still very shaken up over the fall she took at the crime scene. Now it was Tony's turn to wait. He hoped Gibbs would be willing to let the matter go.
That's all? You're sure? At Tony's tight nod, the older man nodded in return. I'll keep that in mind. Gibbs walked over to his desk and set down the coffee cup he'd been holding. I'm glad she was willing to tell you what was bothering her. You're certain that's it?
Tony let out a sigh. I'm sure. She felt she could talk to me, since I was the one who caught her. I think she thought I would understand. He kept his gaze steady on his boss.
Gibbs sat down. Okay. Do you think she can handle going back out to the crime scene? Because Kate isn't the only one with a nagging feeling that something isn't right. Ducky didn't have anything that could point to foul play, but he agreed to double check everything for me. I also want Abby to go back over the lab results. That body bothered me yesterday when I looked at the pictures and I don't like the fact that it's bothering Kate now, too.
You don't think it's an accident, Boss?
Let's just say I'm a lot more suspicious than I was Tuesday night. I can't put my finger on exactly what's wrong, but... The senior agent let the thought trail off as he shook his head. He took a breath and began again. So, do you think Kate's up for it?
Tony opened his mouth to answer when the subject of the question beat him to it.
Do you think Kate's up for what? she asked setting her handbag on her desk. She looked from one man to the other, waiting for an explanation.
Tony jumped in before the other man could make hash of things. Gibbs wants us to go back out to the Holder crime scene this afternoon. Since you were upset earlier, he was just asking if I thought... he trailed off here, seeing her nod.
I'd be okay. She shrugged, affecting a nonchalance she didn't wholly feel. Whatever it takes to do the job. Right? She stared at her boss unflinchingly. There was no way she'd let anyone say she couldn't do her job. She might fall apart later, but she'd do the job she was assigned to do and nothing less.
Tony watched her face down Gibbs. He knew she was scared, but he also knew she was strong. And he'd be there for her, if she needed him. They'd get through this, one way or another.
Fine, let's go. Gibbs stood up and pitched a set of keys at Tony, who caught them without taking his eyes off Kate. They all made their way out to the car, Gibbs taking the front passenger seat, leaving Kate in the back, alone.
She had plenty of time to think during the ride since neither man spoke. She was going to have to face the place where she might have died, and she wouldn't be allowed the luxury of falling apart. How was she going to compensate for the fear that the memory of the fall brought on? She looked out the window at the passing neighborhood and knew they were nearing the alley. Turning her head toward the front again, her eyes caught Tony's in the rear view mirror. She smiled and his beautiful green eyes seemed to smile back. In that moment Kate knew how to cope with what lay ahead. Every time the fear threatened to overwhelm her, she would recall the memory of being held in Tony's arms -- her safe haven.
Gibbs looked over the photos as Tony expertly slid the car into a space at the curb near the alley. Realizing the vehicle had stopped, he closed the file and flipped a glance over his shoulder at Kate as he exited the car. She gathered up her backpack and seemed to be fine, but as they neared the mouth of the alley her steps slowed. Before he could open his mouth to question her, she stopped, took a deep breath, then blew it out. With determination she continued down the alley toward the Dumpster where they had found Holder's body.
They scanned the scene carefully, hoping that daylight would show them anything they might have missed under artificial light nearly two days prior. Kate found herself drawn to the spot where she landed and looked up at the rickety structure that betrayed her.
He looked up from his search area to see her studying the fire escape.
She looked over at him, This is where we were, right?
He walked over to where she stood and looked back at the Dumpster. He called over to Gibbs for the measurements from his sketches and quickly positioned himself exactly where he was when he saw her fall.
I heard your camera above me, and I remember looking up just as you stepped through the window. I was going to say something to you and then I saw the whole platform shudder. Next thing I knew you were in the air and I was watching you come down... I took a step like this, he said, moving about eighteen inches to his left, and you came down in my arms like that... He gestured for her to join him. Kate did so, and they arranged themselves they way they'd landed the first time.
While Gibbs flicked his eyes between still photos of the deceased and the bodies of his living models, Tony took the opportunity to check on Kate.
You doing okay? He could feel her trembling, but her eyes were calm.
So far. I hate thinking about that fall. As long as I can stay off that fire escape, I should be fine, she whispered.
Gibbs extended his hands to help both agents to their feet. It looks like you may be right, Kate. Comparing the angle you landed to the angle Holder landed, I'm not sure she fell from the same spot either.
Tony was already scanning the building. You know, it's only four stories. She could just as easily have gone from the roof. He looked over at the older man, who nodded his agreement. Tony headed off for the ladder to the roof.
I want to go check out the friend's story again. Come on, Kate. Gibbs led the way to the second floor apartment from which Lynn Holder supposedly fell.
Repeated knocks were met with no response. It is the middle of the day, Gibbs. She's probably at work, Kate reminded the irritated man at her side.
Jaw tightening in frustration, he turned to leave and came face to face with three children trudging around the corner, obviously just home from school. Deciding to take a chance, he asked if any of them knew the woman who lived in apartment 2F.
The three boys looked at each other and then back at him and laughed. Good one, mister. There were lots of people in there the other night, but no one lives there. It's been empty for three months.
Nice try! One of the other boys called over his shoulder as the three continued on down the hall.
Gibbs and Kate looked at each other, puzzled. That had not been a vacant apartment the other night; they had the photos to prove it. More importantly, they had an interview with one Emily Pederson, distraught best friend of the deceased.
I'll go check with the building manager, Kate said, and headed off to find the individual.
Gibbs nodded. I have something I want to check out, too. Meet me back at the car.
