AN: Everyone, apologies that the first chapter seemed to move so fast. I had asterisks and stuff in, but it didn't show when I posted. I'll find something to replace it with. jtb, I swear that there will be background information soon. As for A.N., I'm working on it. I have most of the next two chapters. I just need fillers to make them long enough. And I always try not to scrimp on fillers. :) Jen PM, the crappy JAG ep mentioned was the one with the dead spook from the week before. I actually didn't see Four Percent Solution until about 2 hours ago. (I watch it on a tape I get from a friend at church) I'm a HUGE HAC fan! I have been since I was 7. :D You liking my fics makes me feel accomplished. :D BlondeOne, why are you pissed? LOL. Thanks for the feedback everyone. I actually never thought about telling what Tony's fetishes. So much interest in it though. :p I'll think on it. Jen, what's your theory? lol.
AN2: Small spoiler for "Chained" and "The Four Percent Solution". On to the story.

"Geez, Ducky. Can't you do something about this smell?" Tony complained through the top of the t-shirt he was holding over his nose.

"What did you expect, Anthony? He's been sitting in that cabin for 2 days- with his intestines exposed. There's bound to be a stench."

"Duck, just tell us what killed him so we can get out of here." Gibbs said.

Ducky looked at the three agents for a moment, deliberately causing them to inhale the putrid odor longer than necessary. One thing Ducky hated was to be rushed.

"Please, Ducky?" Kate sweetly begged.

The pathologist rolled his eyes. "Abby's tests will probably show that there was an absence of epinephrine in the bloodstream. He has no skin except for his scalp and around his feet and hands, so any epidermal abrasions are gone. The back of his skull, however, is crushed."

"So it was blunt force trauma?"

"Yes, Tony."

"Thank God we can go now!" Tony practically yelled as he ran for the autopsy doors. "No offense, Ducky, but that guy stinks!"

"One moment!" Ducky called after the rapidly retreating trio. They all dejectedly paused and slowly turned around.

"I should mention that all of the organs were surgically removed- professionally, surgically."

"Thanks, Duck." Gibbs called over his shoulder. "Tony, I-"

Ducky sighed as the swishing of the doors muffled the remainder of Gibbs' commands.

"The young really are bereft of patience. Don't you think?"

The corpse's empty eye sockets just stared at the ceiling.

"Tony, I want a record of all military surgical personnel, currently employed or fired in the last year. Kate, you're going to process the scene. Where's McGee?"

"Sick leave, Boss. He got a flu shot. I don't know why people get those things, it just makes them sicker. The last time I got a shot-"

"DiNozzo! I want that record yesterday. Kate, get a move on."

At her quizzical look, Gibbs replied, "I have a meeting with the Director."

Kate's lips puckered in a silent whistle as she headed to the elevator, leaving Tony to his work.

Tom Morrow greeted Gibbs with a smile. "Jethro, how are you this morning?"

The younger man closed the mahogany door behind him. "Good, sir. You?"

The director nodded. "I've nothing to complain about. Although the game and wildlife officials do. They called earlier saying that some of my agents shot a grizzly bear. Would you happen to know anything about that?"

The amused smile playing across the director's lips told Gibbs that Tom knew exactly what had happened.

"Yes, sir. My team was at a crime scene in Sleepy Hollow, Virginia at 0930. We were unloading our gear and questioning people when the grizzly tore the left leg off the corpse. Agent Todd shot into the air to scare it. The bear ran for the deep woods and we took it out."

Tom almost openly laughed. "Jethro, these stories never cease to amaze me. You're team's escapades are quite intriguing. Makes me wonder about their recreational activities... By the way, the Secretary of State wrote a rather angry letter regarding you and Special Agent McGee. Good job. It's nice to be reassured that you still remember what I taught you."

Gibbs grinned back at his mentor. "Thank you, sir. Is there anything else?"

"No. That was it. The wildlife people backed off. I'll come by on Friday, though. I have some new stains you might like see. It's about time to paint that boat of yours."

"I'll be home."

Larx sat patiently behind the wheel of the red pickup. Jordan had been gone for 10 minutes now. But that was good; that meant he was being thorough. If he had come back immediately, that could have compromised their whole objective. And if their objective was compromised, the little girl's life would be too. Larx casually peered down into the manila folder open in his lap.

Kelly DeBruhl, age 8. Born in Massachussetts, staying in D.C. until she could get a liver transplant. She'd been in and out of hospitals since doctors had discovered a tumor in her liver at the age of 5. It hadn't looked good. The pretty little brunette in the picture was a stark contrast to the one lying in the hospital in front of him. Jordan had gone in to drop off the liver which had been carefully cross-matched to her blood type by Larx himself. This one would live. So help him, God.

AN: End of this chapter. :D It's actually hot off the press. I felt like the director needed an appearance, seeing as he's been absent from the show lately. The flu shot thing: well, my preacher's wife got one like, yesterday, and she was sick as a dog this morning. I figured, hey, let's use that.

Many reviews are rewarded with prompt follow-ups. I hope this teaches you a lesson. :D Ie: I expect the reviews for the next chapter of American Nightmare to make the overall reviews for it go to at least 101. :D (But I want reviews for this one first. I promise that I'll start typing now, but you guys have to post 10 more reviews to this story before I update American Nightmare. It will be sitting on my desktop until I get reviews. I promise Tony's fetish will be resolved eventually in this story. I actually just figured out when. REVIEW!