AN: sorry it's been so long since I updated, but I am swamped at home at the moment! I read an interview with Mr B, where he said he wanted to bring in an Australian or European to replace Kate, someone who was after Ari like Gibbs…well this is my version…can't wait to see who he brings in for S3
BTW: RMP stands for Royal Military Police, known by their nickname the redcaps, due to their distinctive red berets. They are serving soldiers whose job is similar to that of the NCIS.
Chapter 7
Gibbs stood in autopsy, watching Ducky move around the body, his actions precise and meticulous, his demeanour professional, respectful and caring all at the same time
"Glaring at my back Jethro, will not make me work any faster" Ducky complained without turning around "in fact it has been proven that staring in such a manner will in fact put a person off what they are doing, and cause them to make mistakes" he continued, his tone a cross between a lecture and exasperation
"Normally" was all Gibbs deigned to reply, his tone implying that ducky was not normal, but even as he said it he turned and left the morgue
"I am so glad he has left us alone" Ducky said looking at the body lying on his table "I am sure you have lots to tell me" he murmured as his eyes travelled over the body
"Did you say something Dr Mallard?" Jimmy Palmer his assistant called out from the corner of the room, where he was supposed to be preparing the items Ducky would need for the autopsy, but had in fact been using it as a ruse to avoid getting too close to Gibbs, as the imposing Agent terrified him.
"Not to you my lad" was all Ducky said, without looking up his attention fixed firmly on the body in front of him
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As Gibbs walked into the bullpen he noticed a woman standing next to his desk, talking to McGee, Tony was sitting at his desk working on his screen. Gibbs sighed at the fact that Tony was failing to hit on the woman as would have been his usual routine, but Gibbs knew that he was still hurting badly over Kate's death and Gibbs privately admitted to himself he was worried for the younger agent.
Gibbs studied the woman as he approached, she was an attractive brunette with a smiling face, a few freckles splattered across her face with little makeup hiding them gave her the impression of being young, but Gibbs thought she was older than she looked. She wore a serious brown skirted suit with a crisp white blouse, that flattered and concealed at the same time, his eyes narrowed slightly though, her stance and body language had the earmarks of military, and one used to being in command of a situation.
She turned as Gibbs reached Kate's old desk, her eyes meeting his instantly and squarely, she stood away from the desk almost to attention, her mouth held a polite smile as her eyes assessed him, hardening very slightly.
"Special Agent Gibbs" she said as he neared her, the words more of an observation than a question, whoever she was Gibbs thought she had done her homework
"Sergeant Elizabeth Carroll, British RMP" she introduced herself, not offering her hand as most people would, Gibbs's face relaxed slightly into an appreciating smile
"Sergeant Carroll, what brings a red cap to NCIS?" he questioned as he sat in his chair, and began to pull up his emails
"Ari Haswari" was all she said, watching as Gibbs's fingers paused for an almost unnoticeable split second on the keys, before they continued to type calmly.
Gibbs waited for her to continue but all she did was calmly stand there and watch him type. He found himself wanting to grin as she patiently waited; her demeanour and body language not changing at all. Gibbs noticed out of the corner of his eye that Tony had lent back in his chair and was watching the by play between the newcomer and Gibbs with interest, Gibbs was also aware of McGee shuffling nervously around behind him but the sergeant just calmly stood there.
"You spelt 'because' wrong" she murmured, bending close to his ear as she spoke, her hand reaching over him to hit the delete key
"Thanks" Gibbs said as she moved back and resumed her original position; Gibbs finally turned his chair to face her, leaning back as he did so, giving the impression of being totally relaxed.
"What about him?" he finally asked recognising that she would stand there all day if necessary. Gibbs watched as the rich dark brown eyes flashed momentarily, not so much in satisfaction but more in recognition of his willingness to play the game.
"I believe we can help each other" she said calmly, as she pushed aside his coffee cup and perched on the side of his desk, a smile breaking out on her face that transformed it from merely pretty to stunning.
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"Haswari is believed to be responsible for the bombing of a British lieutenant and his family in Jerusalem two years ago; my team have been looking for him since then. We believed that he had managed to do some kind of deal with the US government but we have been stone walled at every turn by the FBI, by an Agent Farnell in particular" She said, her eyes telling him she had checked out his relationship with Farnell and was satisfied with her results.
"I want Haswari" Elizabeth told Gibbs coldly, over their drinks in a small coffee shop a stones through from the NCIS building.
"What makes you think I can help you, or that you can help me?" Gibbs asked her carefully not willing to give anything away to this intriguing woman.
She smiled slightly "Because Farnell isn't going to tell you anything more than he would tell me" she told him carefully "but combined we have stronger fire power against him" she said, taking a sip of her tea and grimacing "god you Americans make lousy tea" she muttered, pushing the cup aside
"So drink coffee" Gibbs said smiling at her "I lead" he added on seriously
"That's fine with me, I was going to ask to be seconded to your team to make it easier" she replied with a grin "already got the go ahead from my CO" she told him happily her eyes stead on his, assessing his reaction to her 'almost' request. She watched Gibbs's mind assimilate what she has said and the implications, she knew that with the secondment she was putting herself under his command, his control.
"Why?" Gibbs asked leaning forward slightly over the table, his eyes hard and unflinching, knowing that a woman such as Sergeant Carroll was used to running her own investigations, knowing the contempt most British military personnel had for their US counterparts.
"The lieutenant was my friend" she said quietly and with deep meaning
"Lover?" Gibbs threw back quickly, his eyes never leaving hers
"No, friend, we grew up together; I was best man at his wedding, godmother to his kids" she told him, her eyes never wavering, never leaving his but not really seeing him anymore, lost in the memories of the past.
Gibbs sat back in his chair and sipped the bitter brew in his cup, and nodded slowly his eyes creasing slightly at the corners, as his lips turned upwards into a smile
"Welcome aboard Elizabeth" he told her before standing and heading for the exit, pleased to note that she didn't hesitate to follow him out
"It's Liz" she said as she fell into step beside him as they walked back to NCIS, both comfortable to walk in silence.