Disclaimer: Well, the wish that I made when I blew out the candles on my cake didn't come true, so I am currently still not affiliated with NCIS in any way, shape or form, except I am a dedicated (some may prefer to call it obsessed) fan.

Chapter 2: The Scene of the Crime

"What!" Three voices shouted simultaneously.

"I said...I said that Fornell's been shot. That was the head of the FBI on the phone. He said that he wanted us to take the case."

"Wow, Fornell must really be in bad shape is the FBI director wants us to take the case," Tony whispered to Kate."

As id he heard Tony, and knowing Gibbs he probably did, he said, " The Director said that he knew that Fornell would have wanted it to be our case."

"So...how bad is it Boss?" McGee asked.

"Bad. The shot was fired upwards, strangely enough. The slug penetrated the stomach and continued up before exiting out of his right shoulder, breaking or fracturing at least six ribs in the process. It's a damn miracle that it missed his lungs and heart. He was found in an alley across from an Arby's at approximately 0915."

There was silence for several minutes and the team processed what had just been said. Then the silence was broken by Gibbs. "What the hell are you guys still doing here? McGee, go gas the ruck. Grab your gear. Fornell's attacker is somewhere out there, and we're gonna catch the bastard."

Scene of the crime 0955

The NCIS truck pulled up to an alleyway that was deserted except for some Dumpsters and the rats that were feasting inside of them.

Gibbs stepped out of the truck, soon followed by Tony and Kate. Upon opening the back doors, McGee also joined them, looking a little shaky after the bumpy ride there.

"You know Gibbs, we really should get some sort a seatbelt back there," said Kate.

"Yeah, what would we do if our poor, precious Probie had a little accident and had to stay out of the field and back at NCIS for a few months, buried in paperwork?" Said Tony in the same voice one might use with a baby. He looked like he might even pinch McGee's cheek.

"DiNozzo?"

"Yes, Boss?"

"Come here."

Tony walked over to Gibbs, who raised his hand, causing Tony to flinch. Gibbs just lowered his hand and laughed one of his rare laughs. Meanwhile, Kate and McGee exchanged looks.

"I'm not going to slap you Tony."

"Really Boss?" Tony said, opening his tightly closed eyes.

"Yeah, really."

"Thank you Boss."

"Now let's get to work. We're not doing Fornell any good sitting on our like some donkey-riding cowpoke!"

"Donkey-riding cowpoke?" Tony laughed.

"You have some kind of problem with my expressions DiNozzo?"

"Of course not Boss. I just meant to say that..."Tony started to say while turning and trying to walk way, fast. He was too slow.

SMACK! Gibbs' palm connected with the back of Tony's head.

McGee and Kate laughed. Even Gibbs cracked a wry smile at the grimace on Tony's face. The grim cloud that had settled over the NCIS team started to lift, and the team started to process the crime scene, determined to find some clue to find the dirtbag who had attempted to kill Fornell. But alas, they had just barely started dusting for prints and snapping pictures of the crime scene when Tony went over to the Dupster that was at the end of the alley.

"Hey Boss, come here, I hear something!" He called over to Gibbs.

Together they searched the near-empty Dupster.

"Wait a minute..."Gibbs said as realization dawned on his face, "that sound...it's ticking! It's a bomb!" he yelled.

He and Tony tried to run, and they just barely had enough time to drop to the ground before the Dumpster exploded in a flash of fiery fury.

In a nearby building, a person looked out of the window, smiling in satisfaction.

"Boom," it chuckled, and grabbed it's coat and went off to work, patiently awaiting the hours after the sun had set.