''There has to be something!'' It had been another two weeks since Palmer had visited the basement, and though he'd provided them with a new angle, the dead ends just kept piling up.

If Gibbs was right, and there had been someone else at the scene, then the key to finding out what had happened lay with them. Considering this, Gibbs had made it their priority to figure out the identity of their assailants.

McGee had started to retrace their steps, going back over their most recent case. Although the files on Lieutenant Murdock were gone, they relied on each other's memories and notes to create a complete case file.

In the meantime, Ziva had sat down with a sketch artist: she had been the one to verify the deaths of three of their attackers. She had then handed these sketches over to Abby, who was running them through facial recognition programs in the hope for a hit. If they could identify their disappeared John Does, perhaps they could get a lead on who else had been at the scene.

Gibbs had once more tried to interview the marines who had been involved in the investigation, but much to his annoyance, not even his famous glare had worked on them. Each person he phoned and visited had shut him down, and eventually Vance had put an end to the interviews when he'd received a complaint.

''You cannot go around interviewing people about a closed case.'' The director had reprimanded regrettably. ''I'm sorry Gibbs, but you'll have to find another way to investigate this, and in your own time.''

When the facial recognition scans had come back negative, the agent had snapped. Standing her ground, Abby had squared her shoulders and put her hands on her hips, huffing back at him.

''You're not the only one who's frustrated, Gibbs.'' She met his gaze with tears in her eyes, but she refused to back off. ''Finding evidence for you is my job and I'm failing!''

Seeing Abby this despondent was like a punch to his stomach. Gibbs hadn't realised how personal Abby had taken the lack of evidence. Then again, Abby always spoke to her equipment as if they were her team, and her faith in science was unwavering.

''I can't find even the slightest part of a print, or a microscopic drop of blood.'' Her shoulders had long since slumped, and she leaned back against her desk, her head hanging. Gibbs was about to approach her when she perked up again, a flicker of a 'Eureka' moment flashing through her eyes. ''Why do you suppose that is?''

Before Gibbs could answer the Goth leapt up, pacing back and forth as she rambled on.

''I don't like to brag, Gibbs, but I'm good at my job! Like damn good! If there's any evidence there to find I will find it, you know that, right?''

''I-''

''Right! So we know there's no evidence, but that's the thing: There's no such thing as 'no evidence'! Not after a shooting with four people dead and one injured!''

''Your point, Abs?'' Gibbs couldn't quite follow her reasoning, much to the Goth's annoyance.

''My point, Gibbs, is that the lack of evidence is evidence enough.'' Again she looked at him expectantly, nearly bouncing as she continued her reasoning when he did not seem to catch on. ''How many people do you know with the skills and resources to completely erase a crime scene?''

''You think-'' Gibbs' blood was boiling, the pieces falling into place. Looking back at everything that had happened, it should have been obvious.

''We're up against an agency.''

Vance had just gotten off the phone with the director of the FBI when Gibbs stormed into his office, his jaw set and eyes glowing with rage.

''Do you know where he is?!'' The agent snarled dangerously, his entire body tense as he impatiently awaited an answer.

Vance waved for the young girl who had anxiously followed Gibbs into the office to leave. She muttered an apology for being unable to stop the man from barging in, but Vance seriously doubted if there was anyone who could have stopped Gibbs at this stage.

''Have a seat, Agent Gibbs.'' Vance responded calmly, gesturing at the chair opposite him.

''I said do you know where he is?!'' Gibbs repeated, clenching his fists.

''And I said have a seat, Agent Gibbs.'' The director retorted unfazed.

''Damn it, Leon, I don't have time for this!'' Gibbs snapped again. ''Did you allow someone to borrow my agent?''

Vance's eyes darkened and he stood up slowly, his own anger bubbling dangerously close to the surface.

''Borrow?'' The disgust that Gibbs had felt was echoed in Vance's question. ''Agent Gibbs, do you think someone borrowed your agent?''

''Wouldn't be the first time.'' Gibbs' words were ice cold. Although he would be the first to admit that Tony had a talent for undercover work, it bothered him that the agent had sometimes been used for cases that his team had not been involved in. Especially when he had not been informed of the matter.

DiNozzo had often worked around the clock, keeping up his job as Gibbs' SFA while doing undercover work on the side. And on more than one occasion, it had nearly cost him his life.

Vance took a deep breath. He knew that Gibbs had his reasons to question him personally; as his predecessor had withheld the fact that Tony had been working undercover for her until it was almost too late.

''I do not know Agent DiNozzo's whereabouts.'' He stated matter-of-factly. ''You think another agency has 'recruited' him?''

If it were true, then Gibbs would not be the only one on a warpath. Federal agencies were competitive, but ultimately they all needed to work together. If someone had taken an injured agent without going through the proper procedures, there would be hell to pay.

''The evidence is that there is no evidence.''

Vance raised a brow.

''Abby?''

''She's damn good at her job.'' Gibbs shrugged.

Vance sat back down behind his desk, contemplating everything that had happened.

''I'll make a few calls.'' He finally decided, leaning forward in his chair. ''I will let you know if I find anything.''

Gibbs nodded.

''Agent Gibbs?'' Vance called before the man left his office. ''These are some serious allegations. I expect something a little more concrete than 'the evidence is that there is no evidence'.''

Gibbs scoffed, but then nodded once more before walking out the door. He was getting closer to getting his agent back. He could feel it. So why was his gut still churning?