Gibbs entered the Director's outer office and was brought up short by the sight of Leah. She was standing with her back to him, tapping her foot, and he smiled at the nervous habit he knew so well. Before he could speak, Morrow's extremely efficient assistant announced them. Rather than let her catch him looking, he turned and entered the inner office. He seated himself after nodding to the man behind the desk. From the corner of his eye he registered Leah's hesitant entrance and the brush of her palms on her slacks before she extended her hand and spoke.

Hi, Tom. I see you finally made Director of this asylum. How are you? She shook Morrow's hand and sat down.

Leah, it's good to see you. You should visit more often.

I don't know. Too many memories, and not all of them pleasant. Her voice was friendly and curious, the low timbre wrapping itself around Gibbs as he sat silently next to her. So tell me, why am I here?Gibbs, what do you have on the body you picked up earlier?

Not much, Sir. Ducky had just started the autopsy. He didn't have a cause of death yet, although he said the victim had been sodomized prior to his death. Gibbs looked expectantly at the Director, forcing himself to keep his gaze from straying to the face of the woman beside him.

Tom turned to the detective and asked, Leah? I believe you have some information pertinent to this case?

You mean the cold cases Ritchey gave me? I don't know if it's pertinent or not, Tom. She took a breath and started over. We have a couple of cold cases from three years ago. Same general area of town, similar circumstances with the body dump. Both of those were sodomized, as well. She seemed to toss in the last fact as an afterthought. But neither of those were military, that we could prove. She shrugged but did not look away from her questioner.

Well, I spoke with your captain earlier, and after these two this morning, he wants to find out if there's a connection between your cold cases, the unidentified corpse and our petty officer. He shifted through some papers on his desk and Leah took advantage of the pause.

No problem, I'll be happy to bring over the files on the cold cases. I can get them to you by the end of the day. She started to rise, clearly anxious to escape the room, but it wasn't to be that simple.

Actually, Leah, your captain is letting us have more than just the files. He's letting us have you, as well. She froze for a moment, almost fully standing, before slowly sinking back to the chair.

Since you know the cold cases and there are two fresh murders to work, both of them potentially ours, Captain Ritchey and I thought it would be more productive to have you work with our team on this. If it turns out there's no connection, then there's no harm done. Gibbs will show you to a desk where you can work when you're here and we'll get you a temporary ID, so you won't need to be escorted all the time. Tom smiled at her and extended his hand. It'll be good to see you working here again, Leah. Even if it is just temporary.

They left the director's office in silence, eerily similar to the last day she'd been an NCIS Special Agent. He followed her as she led the way to his desk, moving in tandem with her as if they'd never been apart. He sensed more than saw the unique movement of her hips, the scent that wafted back to tantalize him was something new, and he wanted to memorize it, as he had her old one. His hands itched to reach out and touch her, to see if her skin still felt like silk. Having her here would be heaven and hell, a dream remembered and a nightmare to torment his every waking moment. He fought to maintain a decent distance from her, even though her body pulled at him. A small smile graced his lips as the irony of their impromptu dance struck him. The push and pull of the attraction defined them perfectly, both on the job and off. Too bad they'd never gone far enough off the job to find out...

I said, where do you want me to sit? Leah was exasperated.

He blinked and focused on now, recognizing the frustration sparking at him from her clear aqua eyes. Derailing his treacherous train of thought required getting her out of his presence. Right now, I want you to take DiNozzo and see if you can ID the body Curtis has. I'll make sure there's a desk for you when you get back. And don't forget to pick up those cold case files on your way. His words came out sharper than he'd meant, guilty at having been caught eyeing her.

Yes, Grumpy. C'mon Tony, let's get out of here before the volcano blows. She turned with sarcastic words, shaking her head while Tony scrambled to comply. She walked out of the bullpen without a backward glance, preceding Tony to the elevator.

Gibbs closed his eyes and clamped his jaw shut to prevent himself from screaming. This is never going to work. One of us is going to wind up killing the other before this case is closed.' he thought. Gaining control of both his anger and desire, he snapped out a request for an update from McGee and Kate.

Petty Officer Dave Willard was on liberty, Boss. He wasn't due back until tomorrow, so no one knew he was missing. I've been trying to track his movements, but he didn't exactly leave an itinerary for his vacation. About the only thing I have found out is that this guy was really into making his liberty count, if you know what I mean. McGee swallowed nervously.

No, McGee, I don't. Why don't you tell me. Gibbs stared down the younger agent as the man began to stammer slightly.

He means, Gibbs, that there isn't a prostitute in the area that Willard didn't know personally. Kate spoke matter-of-factly and the ice blue eyes focused on her.

Then get his service photo and start talking to the ladies of the evening. His voice was low and dangerous.

Gibbs! Do you have any idea how many prostitutes there are around naval bases? We could be interviewing for days! Kate protested vehemently

Yeah, and somebody sodomized Petty Officer Willard and then moved his body. We have to start somewhere, Kate. Gibbs flung himself in his chair as he glared at her.

Kate sighed. C'mon, McGee. Let's go pickup some prostitutes.

Tony should be the one doing this. He'd love this job. McGee countered as they walked out of the bullpen.

Gibbs smiled as his keen hearing detected Kate's muttered response. Yeah? I'd kill him!