The nurse rolled McGee's wheelchair down the hallway. You must have some pull here. Not everybody gets to go visiting while they recuperate.I don't know about pull, ma'am. But I work with Detective Hecht, and I'd really like to just sit with her for a while. McGee glanced over his shoulder at the woman navigating the crowded hallway.

Well, they told me you get to visit her anytime you want, as long as you feel up to it and she's not in any danger. They paused before a doorway and the nurse checked the patient ID. Here we are, let's just get you moved over here where she can see you.Is she awake? The hope in his voice made it difficult for the nurse to answer.

No, sir, I'm sorry. Not yet. I meant, if she wakes while you're here. She felt terrible for causing the sad nod the man gave her in response. She arranged the chair and made sure his injured leg was comfortable. I'll check back with you in a little bit. If you need me, just press her call button, here. She indicated the device near Leah's slack hand. Then she slipped quietly out of the room.

As he sat and watched her steady breathing, he wondered what she went through the night before. Did she know something like this was coming? He remembered her calm through so much of what had happened over the last few days and his own fear at seeing her attacker come toward him, defenseless, last night. He wondered if she was inherently fearless or if it was a skill he could learn from her. Funny how, what was it, two days ago? he didn't trust her and now his perceptions of her were turned around. Sort of like reading Shakespeare for the first time and finding out that, Get thee to a nunnery, didn't mean a convent but a brothel. Shakespeare doesn't come out and tell you, you have to find some one who knows the language. Somehow, Leah was a lot like that, McGee noticed. She didn't tell you much. And if she did, she probably told you more that you thought, if only you'd thought to pay attention.

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I was the one Director Morrow spoke with this past Tuesday to get Detective Hecht transferred over here to NCIS, Dr. Curtis began. He saw the surprised looks and nodded as he continued. Doug and I weren't particularly close, but we were friends. And we were friends enough to have noticed some... problems that had developed in the department over the past few years. He picked up his coffee cup and took a long drink. Not one person in the room missed the covetous look Gibbs sent toward the cup.

We'll be here a while. Would the rest of you like some coffee? At the nods of affirmation, Morrow buzzed his assistant and asked her to bring some coffee. And remember, Gibbs is in here, so...Yes, Sir. I remember. Her answer held a smile that matched the one Gibbs' teammates hid by bending their heads.

Go ahead, John.Doug knew Leah, mostly by reputation, but through mutual friends, as well. He looked Howards in the eye. She's one of the best undercover cops there is. She's been busting dirty cops for most of nine years. He looked at the rest of the room. Or so Doug said. She's done other undercover work as well. Curtis shrugged and took another sip of coffee. He found out Leah was in Maryland, doing a friend a favor and prevailed upon her to help him sort out the problems at Arlington. She really didn't want to come back to DC, but the case started to intrigue her. They set up her file, made it look like she'd been here longer, gave her a few questionable busts in other precincts, the whole bit. I was the only other one who knew her true background, in case of, well, fatality. He finished the sentence quietly.

How long had she been here, then? Tony spoke up from the back of the room.

About two and a half years. The rest she faked. Apparently quite well. I'm told she could have given Perry's forger a run for his money, Curtis smiled.

Where was she before that? Kate chimed in.

In Maryland, helping out her friend. I'm afraid that's all I can tell you, I don't know any more than that.

Gibbs' voice cut through the curious silence that threatened to derail the briefing. So why, exactly, did you call Morrow? Why get her transferred here?It was the only thing I could think to do. Curtis made a placating gesture with his hands. You're getting ahead of me. This mess started Monday morning, at least for me.