Author's Note: Long time no see, but here's the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I really wish I did, but I don't own NCIS.

Chapter 3: Not What You Were Expecting, Eh?

Alex dragged the box up the stairs of the porch to the front door and straightened, surveying the house in front of her. It was simple in design, white with a single garage and moderately sized windows. Gibbs walked past her to unlock the door and held it open while she pushed the box inside.

"You have a nice house." she remarked, scuffing her foot lightly on the wooden floor. "Lots of er. Years of moving from one house to another had made her efficient at packing and unpacking and by the time Gibbs returned the box was half empty.

"I see you've had practice at this." Gibbs said, eyeing the amplifier dubiously.

Alex saw the glance towards her guitars. "Ummm…I forgot to ask, is it OK if I practice my music here? If you want, I can practice at school at the music rooms they have. I know electric guitars are kind of noisy."

"Only if you don� the side to her own bathroom. Alex went back to car and fetched her guitars and amplifier and settled them in the corner. Years of moving from one house to another had made her efficient at packing and unpacking and by the time Gibbs returned the box was half empty.

"I see you've had practice at this." Gibbs said, eyeing the amplifier dubiously.

Alex saw the glance towards her guitars. "Ummm…I forgot to ask, is it OK if I practice my music here? If you want, I can practice at school at the music rooms they have. I know electric guitars are kind of noisy."

"Only if you don't mind the sound of hammers and sanding late at night." Seeing the confused look on her face, he explained. "I'm building a boat."

"Where? Outside? Or in your garage?"

"No, in my basement. I'll show you."

Alex followed Gibbs down to the basement, inspecting the rest of the house as they went. Gibbs opened the basement door and turned on the light.

"There she is."

Alex remained silent for a moment. "Are you actually gonna put her on the water...cos' I don't think you'll fit her through this door."

Gibbs sighed. "I should have thought about it more carefully before I started building her. I'll probably dismantle her and move her out in pieces." He led her out of the basement and shut the door. "I just got a call in from work from my team and I'm going to go down there. Luckily, we've just finished a case so my team's on report writing. Do you want to come down with me and meet them?"

"Sure…" said Alex, though she didn't sound it. "Is NCIS like the FBI or do you do stuff like CSI? I'm really confused."

"You'll find out. What are you expecting to see?"

"I have absolutely no idea." Then she grinned. "Maybe something like spies in black trench coats and dark glasses and nerdy science people/mad doctors with test tubes and dead bodies and really weird crimes like - "

Gibbs laughed. "I think you'll get on just fine with my team. Come on."

--------------------------------

(Alex's POV)

I got out of the car, Converse sneakers squeaking on the ground. Gibbs had parked the car outside, so I had a good view of the building. Jogging up the steps to the main door, I saw people in suits, in uniform, and some casual, and suddenly felt very out of place in my ripped ¾ pants and Emily Strange T-shirt. I got surprised looks, though many were also directed at Gibbs. We walked in and straight into the elevator. The door slid shut, and I stood there looking at our blurred reflection in the metal paneling. Finally the elevator stopped and the door slid open with a soft 'ding!'. Gibbs led me over to some desks where a man and a woman where arguing.

"Tony, that's MY pen! Give it back!"

"No it's not, I got it ages ago!"

"Bullshit! OK, then, where did you get it?"

"Ummmm…I got it at…uhhh…", he broke off, noticing me and Gibbs standing there. "Oh, hey boss. I was just getting my pen and doing report writing."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. "So, what are you doing Kate?"

She glared at the guy called Tony. "I WAS writing until I noticed that Tony was using MY pen." she walked back over to her desk and picked up a sheaf of paper. "However, I have finished this."

"Good job Kate." said Gibbs. He looked at me. "So is this what you were expecting?" Tony looked at me eagerly, like he was waiting for me to say the wrong answer.

"Truthfully?"

Kate grinned. "If you lie, Gibbs will know anyway."

"OK…well, I kinda expected everyone to be more…mature…and be able to lie better." I looked sideways at Tony.

Kate laughed. "Oh, I knew I was gonna like you."

Gibbs shook his head. "Alex, this is Special Agents Kate Todd and Tony Dinozzo. I have to go do something. Kate, could you show Alex around? I don't trust leaving Alex with Tony. God knows how much she could be corrupted."

I turned around in time to see Kate poke her tongue out at Tony. "Sure thing Gibbs." she smiled at me. "I'll introduce you to Abby."

"Who?"

"Our lab technician. You'll like her."

She led me out and into a corridor and into a large lab. Loud techno music greeted us. I blinked, and resisted the urge to rub my eyes. Was there a Goth sitting there at a computer?

Whoa. She was younger than I expected and dressed in typical Gothic attire. She grinned when she saw us and turned down the volume. She looked me up and down and was obviously pleased with what she saw.

"And here I was worried that Gibbs had picked some cutsie teenybopper cheerleader. But nope, he picked a skater girl!"

I grinned. I'm a rock chick, no skirts skater girl. That's me.

"Abs, this is Alex. Alex, this is Abby Sciuto."

"Hi." I smiled, somewhat reassured. It was obvious that fun and mischief lay ahead.