A/N: Sorry for the shortness on this one… But the next one should more than make up for it… Now to finish writing Chapter 14

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Special Agent Jethro Gibbs walked right passed the woman in the waiting area and directly into Director Sheppard's office without so much as a "by your leave." Actually, stormed into the office might be a better description of what he just did, but Director Sheppard had been expecting this visit, so she was fully prepared for Gibbs to go off this time. The rampaging bull expression on his face was no surprise to her and neither was his forceful slamming of her door. "What the hell is going on around here, Jenn?!"

She simply waited for him to continue, because she knew it was more of a rhetorical question than one he wanted an answer for, "I've got David telling me she saw the SecDef leaving the building and Ducky had lunch with the SecNav after his meeting with you. Then I've got this hot-shot from MI in here turning my people over on their ears every time I turn around. So, I want to know what those two old buzzards have brewing around here or I'm gonna start crackin' some skulls!"

Jennifer Sheppard leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest before speaking, "Are you finished, yet?"

Quickly deflated by her casual remark, Jethro Gibbs dropped down into one of the chairs in front of the Director's desk, "I'm getting real tired of the run around, Jenn."

"I understand that, Jethro, but you know what DOD is like sometimes… Lots of secrets and lots of hands stirring pots. The SecNav and the SecDef have two of the biggest spoons in that arena." She shot him one of those raised eyebrows to punctuate her statement and Gibbs relaxed a bit.

"I don't like being out of the loop when it comes to my own people, Jenn… And I get the distinct impression that this Maj. Cassidy is not just here for to profile the suspect… That she's here to profile all of us, as well." Gibbs shot the Director back with a raised eyebrow.

"And do you honestly expect me to confirm or deny your suspicions, Jethro?" The Director knew how to play this game as well.

He tried one last time to stare her down, and when that failed he just grunted, "Aaarrrgghh!" got up and stormed right back out of the Director's office.

Shortly after Director Sheppard heard the door to her main office slam, her assistant was standing in the doorway, "Should I expect him to come in like that a few more times, Ma'am?"

"Most definitely…" They both laughed at her comment and then the Director added, "And before it's all over, he'll be ready to throw someone out a window… So, let's just try to stand out of arm's reach for a little while, shall we?"