Hey, look...an update before the week is out! Yet another reason why I love summer. I would love some reviews, as well. The last chapter was more of a filler...this one has some more action on an investigative and personal level. Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Sweet Sensations

Woody bit back a groan as another paper wad went soaring over his head. He honestly didn't know how the other agents could stand being around DiNozzo for more than five minutes. He never did any work, and bullied the other guy agent relentlessly. Woody liked the other one—McGee—even if he was a bit geeky. He was kind of like Bug and Nigel mixed together; he had Bug's nerdy persona and Nigel's computer knowledge.

The Officer David chick was very attractive, but her looks reminded him so much of Jordan that he didn't really process that fact. Even though she looked as if she could beat DiNozzo hands down in a fight, she didn't do anything about his persistent childishness. She actually seemed to enjoy it.

"So, Woody, how's it hanging?" DiNozzo started in again. "What do you make of our serial killer? What's his beef?"

Woody glared at the agent. "First of all, I've heard all of the jokes about my name. Second, the killer is a woman, not a man. And obviously she has an issue with Marine men."

DiNozzo cracked up and the other agents looked over at Woody inquisitively.

Still laughing, DiNozzo managed to talk. "Really, Detective? You know, I don't know how things work up there in Boston, but here at NCIS we rely on things like evidence. We don't get to just make it up as we go. How could you possibly think that this wack job is a woman?"

Woody tossed his pen on the desk and stood up. So much for not being an alpha male. "Well," he began. "First of all, there's the issue that men are the ones being killed. Most serial killers murder the opposite sex—which is usually a man killing women, but of course there are exceptions for every rule. Also, these murders are very clean. All the victims were shot at close range, but not close enough to get the killer dirty. Not like a stabbing would. Women don't like being messy, so they don't kill by contact." His mind briefly flipped to the Ryan Kessler case. "Most women, anyway."

Gibbs had entered the bullpen during Woody's explanation. "That's a good theory…very possible," he said. "But unfortunately, Tony's right. We need evidence before we can base our case on that."

"Evidence is just what we have, Gibbs."

Everyone's heads spun around to see Abby walking in, along with Jordan, Ducky, and Nigel.

Jordan smiled at Woody. "He's right," she said. "Ducky and I went over the autopsies again. We had pulled sweat off four of the nine victims. Two were the ones from Boston."

Abby interrupted, "Nigel and I ran the samples against each other—and they matched!" She looked around excitedly. Everyone stared blankly back.

"Abby, how exactly does that prove that Woody's theory is correct?" McGee asked.

Ducky stepped up at this point. "What Abigail failed to mention is that the sweat was from a female donor. Four DNA matches from four victims that had no commonalities…it must be the killers'."

Gibbs stood up. "Run the DNA, see if there are any matches in the database."

"Already on it, Gibbs," Abby answered. "But it's probably going to take some time."

"Ok, in the meantime I want all three of you—" Gibbs motioned to his agents—"to go over the crime scenes of the other five victims. See if you can find anything that might provide DNA."

"On it," Ziva said. The three packed up their gear and headed for the elevator.

Woody began holstering his weapon. "I'm coming, too."

"No, you're out of jurisdiction here. You've done enough for today. We'll see you at 7:00 AM tomorrow," Gibbs replied. Before Woody could argue, Gibbs had walked away, coffee in hand.

Woody lay miserably on his stomach. After being unceremoniously kicked out of NCIS by Gibbs, the three had picked up a hasty dinner and checked into their hotel. Nigel had taken the opportunity to explore the city, while Woody and Jordan stayed in.

Jordan sat down on the bed next to him and began rubbing his back. "You know," she said. "Just because you don't get to go to a crime scene doesn't make you any less of a hot, sexy detective."

Woody smiled, then moaned as Jordan switched from rubbing his back to kneading the muscles in his shoulders. "That feels so good," he mumbled. After a few more minutes, he started talking again. "I hate working with other agencies. It's like they always have the upper hand. It makes me feel like some stupid five-year-old."

"Woody, you're great at your job. Just because these people have the power to push us around doesn't make you less competent," Jordan smiled coyly. "Besides, we're the ones really solving the case."

"How do you figure?"

"You knew that the killer is a woman…Ducky and I found the DNA together, so that can't really all be credited to me, but Nigel was the one who started running the DNA samples against each other."

Woody reached up to squeeze Jordan's hands. "Well, I guess you're right. But what do you say we get in their faces tomorrow and force them to include us? I mean, we never just back down because someone asks us to, right?"

"Right on, Farm Boy." Jordan lay down beside him, her hand still on his back. "But I'm glad we got some time off tonight. We don't get to do this often enough, you know."

Woody reached up and stroked Jordan's hair. "I know," he said, looking deep into her eyes. "You're so amazing. I have I ever mentioned that I love you?"

Jordan smiled and took his hand, keeping his palm against her cheek. "Only a few thousand times," she answered. Leaning forward, Woody claimed her lips in a slow, sweet kiss. When they parted a few minutes later, Jordan spoke again. "I love you too, Woody."

Woody's only answer was to capture her lips again.