In DC

As Rachel stepped off the plane in DC, she knew her life was about to change. She was about to become her uncles protégé. She knew in her heart that Gibbs had to have another reason, she figured he wanted to retire soon or something. She called Hetty when she landed and got Callen. Asked if Nell could get someone to go to her crash house and send her things. She caught a cab to headquarters and as she did, she thought about Lasalle. He wasn't going to hold that word she thought, and then a text. Did you land? It was from Lasalle. It made her melt as she responded.

Rachel stepped off the elevator and said, "Well it's been awhile since I have been here."

She walked straight to Gibbs desk and said "Monteleone reporting for duty sir, where do we start?"

Gibbs welcomed Rachel told her to go get settled with the director and Hetty. She'd be tied up the rest of the day talking to them both. Gibbs already had his heart to heart with Tim. It went as expected, Tim was pretty upset with the decision but understood he wasn't in the right place right now. Bishop was ready to go to Chicago though. Her desk was packed, and she was getting everything set up for Chicago, but she was missing one piece…Merri Brody. They were trying to convince her to come back to the agency, it wasn't going too well but the director had an ace in his pocket. He put her on sabbatical last year for a to be determined return, so technically she was still employed. We will see how that conversation goes when she came in later today.

Rachel was in MTAC wrapping things up with LA when Gibbs came in. He basically just came in and watched. She stopped to see what he wanted, he said he would grab her when she was all done. Just get to Abby's lab before heading back to the bull pen. She nodded that she understood. Gibbs headed to Abby's lab. This was the first time Rachel would be meet Abby and he wanted to make sure, she didn't well scare her with her excitement.

"Abby, remember no crazy excitement, try to be low key. Rachel, I don't think is used to the idea of being home."

"Got it Gibbs, but you have nothing to worry about. I'm always low key." Replied Abby

"You sure are Abs." McGee said strolling in. "Want to grab lunch after the meet and greet?"

"Sure, no case today?" Abby said.

"No, we are off of top team duty for a couple days until all switches take place." Gibbs replied

"Wow, a mini vacation for me!" Abby gleamed.

"Vacation isn't all that it's cracked up to be." Rachel said walking into the lab

"Good to meet you Abby," Rachel said going in for a hug, "heard you were a hugger."

"See guys, I wasn't going to scare her away!" Abby smiled finishing their hug.

They all laughed and then decided to head up to the bull pen. Rachels phone went off again, the text read "thinking about you." She responded with "same here, missing you." She smiled to herself and thought she had no idea how she was going to make this work. They were in two different states, two different cities, it was just a fling she thought.

Rachel sat down at Bishops old desk. Bishop had her stuff taken to shipping to get sent to the other office. Now all she had left to do were the goodbyes. Vance appeared at the top of the stair case with Meredith Brody, he shook her hand and she walked down to meet with Ellie.

"Hey Ellie, are you ready to go? We have a flight to catch." Merri said.

"What? Really? You said yes!" Ellie shouted

"Yes, I am apparently still employed here, so why not. It'll be a blast. Nothing like the Midwest office. Chicago will be its own little abode." Merri replied smiling and heading to the elevator.

"Hey Merri, wait up," Rachel said heading to the elevator "can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead. What's up?"

"Well, I know you worked with Lasalle before and I was wondering if there is anything important about him, I should know?"

"Why do you ask? Are you taking over NOLA?"

"no, no, I was just curious is all, I worked with him for a few weeks ago and was curious is all."

"Oh I see, well he is a great guy, has had a lot of loss, so don't break his heart okay." Merri said softly and smiled

"Thanks Merri, our little secret?" Rachel asked smiling

"Of course. Good Luck."

"Rachel, you are needed in MTAC, New Orleans office needs your help with that case from a few weeks ago again." Gibbs shouted from the bullpen