Unfortunately, the Donahue case didn't really end up going anywhere fast. The home didn't have any security cameras up and none of the neighbours had been able to give them a decent description of the suspect to work with. Abby hadn't gotten any hits on of the DNA or partial fingerprints they'd lifted from the scene either.

So, although he was frustrated by it, the Donahue case looked as though it was going to end up on the back burner, so to speak, sooner rather than later. Despite the fact that they'd found several other break-ins that they suspected were committed by the same perpetrator. Jethro didn't understand how absolutely nobody they had talked to could give them a workable description.

With that being the case, when 1700 rolled around that Friday evening, Jethro sent his entire team home, doubting they would've been able to make any meaningful progress that night anyway and could use the rest.

Saturday, though, certainly proved to be quite interesting. Jethro and Shannon woke up a little after 0700cc and went about their usual morning routine, taking their dog Bailey for a walk around the block, eventually heading to Lubber Run Park for a bit. The weather had cooled down some with the start of Fall but it was still nice enough out for them to comfortably walk around with Bailey and burn off some of her energy.

The walk got cut short though when Shannon got a call from their daughter.

"Kelly Baby?" she said, sounding quite concerned. "Is something wrong?" He gestured for Shannon to explain what was going with Kelly. "Okay, I'm passing you to Dad." His wife eyed him pointedly. "I'll call Tony. Get the team there."

He nodded, quickly grabbing the phone, even more concerned now given his wife's reaction. "Hey, Kid. What's going on?" Just as Jethro asked her the question he could make out something breaking. It sounded as though it was coming from the kitchen. Likely a glass or something that had been on the counter.

"Someone's in the house," Kelly replied softly, clearly frightened and trying not to draw any attention to herself due to the situation.

He swallowed, pushing his own anxiety down and doing his best to focus. He gestured for Shannon to start following him back to the house. "Where are you exactly?"

"Bathroom," Kelly murmured. "Locked the door."

"Alright," he said. "How many people are there?"

Kelly gulped. "Just the one, I think. Saw him going around back. Think he's carrying."

That's not good. "Did you see the gun?"

"No," Kelly replied, "but he's definitely wearing a holster. It's showing under his close. I've seen you wearing one enough times to recognize it."

"Okay," Jethro said, the concern he was feeling growing by the second. Thankfully, he hadn't heard the intruder walking upstairs yet and his daughter was quick on her feet. "Listen to me. Stay as quiet as you can and don't hang up. We're on our way."

"Okay," Kelly agreed, clearly still tense. Who could blame her though, really?

He could make out the sound of somebody walking upstairs now and it didn't take long before the intruder entered what was likely one of the bedrooms. They had to get to the house now, not ten, not five minutes later. Who knew how long it would be before she was discovered and found herself at gunpoint?

Finally back at the house, Jethro told Shannon to stay behind him. Out of habit, the veteran agent always had his badge and sig on him, so pulled out his gun and quietly made his way to the back door.

Starting to clear the house, Jethro heard noises coming from the basement and swiftly headed down there, whispering to Shannon to stay upstairs.

Stepping off the wooden staircase and into the basement, a guy maybe in his early or mid-thirties with jet black hair and emerald green eyes swung at Jethro, knocking the gun out of his hand. The man then aimed what appeared to be an old colt at him.

Jethro instantly hit the intruder back, knocking the man off balance and causing him to drop his own gun. He then circled the man warily, mentally mapping the guy's likely weaknesses and strengths. The guy was limping slightly to the left, probably the result of a sprained ankle or something of the kind. He seemed to be compensating well, but it could make him quite unsteady if he was hit from the right angle.

Jethro landed several fast, hard punches to his opponent's jaw and then danced back out of reach, taking just a glancing blow to his ribs in the process.

"I'd give up now," he sneered. "It's only going to get worse." He then drove his right fist deep into the other man's gut. The veteran had a bit of a weak knee himself and was doing everything he could to compensate for it. Jethro didn't want to give the fact away and give his opponent an advantage.

They exchanged several more blows. He continuously probed the man's weaknesses, landing several punches that confirmed his suspicion that the man's left ankle was in fact his weak spot.

They drew back, and Jethro controlled his breathing so it didn't look as though he was winded by the punch to the gut he just took. He scrambled to grab the gun again, but the other man stopped him.

Both men got a few more punches in, each of them getting more and more physically exhausted as the fight went on. Finally, Jethro hit the man and heard a sharp cracking sound, saw the man's head snap back as the blow connected with his jaw.

Game over. There was no way the guy was getting back up right then.

Standing up, feeling more than a bit winded, Jethro quickly grabbed his handcuffs and put the bracelets on their uninvited guest.

Satisfied that the man was suitably restrained for the moment, Jethro headed upstairs to check on his wife and daughter.

Throwing his arms around his Kelly in a bear hug, Jethro immediately relaxed. He was so glad that she was okay. He couldn't handle losing Kelly again. It would kill him. He murmured into her ear. "Thank God you're okay."

Kelly pulled back slightly and eyed him. "Deal with my helicopter parent." Jethro rolled his eyes. What did Shannon say or do? "She wants me to learn how to shoot."

Jethro raised an eyebrow in amusement. Does that girl really think that I'd disagree with Shannon on this? That's laughable. "Sounds like a smart parent."

Shannon smirked at his response.

His daughter, however, gave a very audible huff at his reply. "Well, can you tell her I'm fine? It happened. It's over." She patted a few different places her body and pulled up her sleeves to prove her point. "Not even a scratch."

They finally heard the sound of Jethro's team pulling up out front and rushing into the house, DiNozzo having taken charge. "Body, Jefe?"

He turned towards DiNozzo and then gestured towards the basement. "Down there."

"And you're gonna have another one in the living room in a minute," Kelly said wryly.

DiNozzo fought back a laugh at Kelly's retort as he and Ziva headed downstairs to deal with the very unwelcome and unconscious guest.