Author's Note: I am sorry about the delay between chapters, it couldn't be helped. As always, reviews and comments are greatly appreciated.

Chapter 2

"This just doesn't make sense!' Ziva was frowning at the handsome young face of their missing - most probably kidnapped - Lance Corporal.

"All right, let's review the facts we have again," Tony said a bit wearily as he stood to join Ziva in front of the plasma screen. It was only late afternoon, he really shouldn't be feeling that tired, but his day hadn't started well, and they have been going round in circles for hours now.

Ziva didn't think that one more recitation of the bare facts would get them somewhere, but she did it anyway, "Lance Corporal Phillip Moore hasn't reported to duty since yesterday, this is the first time he missed duty since he joined the Marines. His roommate was in a trip out of town, came home late last night, found obvious signs of disturbance in the apartment and a few spots of blood on the carpet. Moore's car was still in the garage, his keys, wallet and cell phones were all in the apartment."

The scene provided them with little clues, there were signs of a struggle, but the apartment wasn't trashed, and the blood volume didn't suggest a serious injury. Abby wasn't yet done with all the analysis, but she confirmed that at least one of the blood samples belonged to their missing marine, and that another belonged to an unknown individual, presumably one of the assailants.

Ziva's tone was more frustrated as she continued, "no one saw or heard anything relevant, no security cameras around, we can't even be sure when exactly he was kidnapped. He is well liked by his superiors and colleagues, no steady girlfriend, and no known enemies. His mother is dead, no siblings, and, according to his roommate, he is not on speaking terms with his father. His roommate has never met any of his relatives. There is nothing noteworthy about his duties, finances, relations, or family; in short there is nothing that would tempt anyone to kidnap him!"

The three of them have spent hours talking to anyone related to Moore, from his C.O., who was also listed as his emergency contact, to his neighbors, and colleagues. He appeared to have no life outside the Marines, and the details about his background were sketchy. They investigated the roommate closely, but still came up with nothing.

All appearances suggested that the young man has been forced out of his apartment, but was it to kill him somewhere else and dispose of the body or to keep him captive for a mysterious reason? Unfortunately, they were not close to answering any of those questions.

McGee was now diligently digging through records, while Tony and Ziva were preparing themselves to go on another round of fruitless interviews. Gibbs has been more wound up than usual when he left the bullpen a few minutes ago. Kidnappings were particularly difficult to handle, there is always this small hope of being able to get it right and save the victim, but there is also the very real fear that they would be too late, or even that their actions would end up precipitating the victim's death.

"May be he got himself kidnapped for an uncommon, or a less obvious reason," Tony continued with a speculative look, "he may have witnessed a crime, I can think of a .."

"Not another movie reference, please!" McGee interrupted without taking his eyes off his monitor.

"Well probie, I was actually referring to a case, but if you want me to find you a movie reference.."

"I would rather you find me my missing marine, DiNozzo!"

Tony really couldn't understand why Gibbs didn't include his teammates in that statement, but since he wanted to find their marine as much as Gibbs did, and since he really hated to fail Gibbs in any way, he infused his voice with some enthusiasm and gave his standard "On it, boss!"

"Then you better tell me you got something for me other than inane movie references."

Tony just sighed inwardly, and kept his eyes firmly on his computer. He hasn't been playing around-at least not this time, he wasn't a miracle worker, and what's more, he hasn't been making a movie reference. He knew that Gibbs was venting his own frustration, and he also knew that, at times, he gave Gibbs valid reasons to snap at him. To be honest, he mostly didn't take offense. If Gibbs didn't blow some steam, the man was liable to explode – almost literally speaking – and hurt himself, as well as others, in the process. They have been working together for more than seven years, and that pattern was pretty well established by now. However, lately, he found himself silently bristling at some provocations. He was slowly losing his capacity to let unpleasant and unfair comments slide off him, and what worried him even more is that he was losing the ability to find good excuses for Gibbs' behavior. Their recent confrontation and the subsequent talk have given him a better understanding of the man, but haven't done much to restore those abilities.

Tony has always relied on his ability to adapt to the demands and expectations of others, and this ability was slowly deserting him; on the other hand, he didn't have much hope that Gibbs would change his ways easily, if ever. Now, If he can't adapt, and if Gibbs can't change.. Tony didn't want to pursue that line of thought, at least not now.

"I am waiting!" Though it was a general comment, Gibbs was still glaring at him.

"Boss, our Lance Corporal is about as average as they come, there is no obvious reason…"

"Not exactly average, Tony. Boss, I think I found something," McGee interrupted excitedly, " before he joined the marine he had his last name legally changed to 'Moore', that's his mother's maiden name, his father is Alister Kisarios- a well known millionaire, his company's head office is only 30 min. away from here"

The photo of the stern, gray-haired man on the plasma screen bore a strong resemblance to that of their missing marine.

Gibbs examined the strong features on the screen, "he has typical Mediterranean features.. Italian.. ?"

Tony shook his head in the negative, "Greek, second generation immigrant, shrewd businessman, but no shady deals.."

"You know him, DiNozzo?"

"Not personally, but father liked to keep track of the competition, so to speak.." Tony answered with a sarcastic smile.

"His wife is dead, didn't remarry, our missing marine is his only child," McGee continued, his fingers still flying over the keyboard.

"But he has legally changed his name, they must have had a fall in.."

"A fall out, Ziva, and I think it is a bit more than a normal fall out, though it is a bit strange that he didn't try to relocate to another city." Tony added pensively.

"Keep digging McGee, Ziva, you still need to question the neighbors you couldn't find earlier; DiNozzo, you're with me, let's hope Mr. Kisarios will give us the break we need."

Just before they reached the elevator, McGee called them, "Boss, I found something else, it seems that Kisarios disinherited his son right before he joined the marines."

"If he was kidnapped for ransom, then the kidnappers didn't do their homework well."

But Gibbs shook his head, "It's his only child, Ziva, he would still care no matter what…"

"Don't be too sure of that, Boss." Tony interrupted quietly, as he stepped with Gibbs into the elevator.

As they headed to the car Gibbs was thinking of the strange turn their case has taken. Their missing marine didn't turn out to be an average guy with an average background; and none of them has missed the resemblance between his life and the life of one Anthony DiNozzo- who was currently wearing a grim look on his face, and walking briskly by his side. He usually relied on his senior agent's insights, keen observation and people skills, and he could sense when it would be particularly useful to have Tony do a certain interview or accompany him on one. However, he wasn't sure if that resemblance would help or hinder them today, he wondered if it would have been better to take Ziva with him instead. Yet, there was no time for second thoughts or self doubts, and Gibbs wasn't fond of those anyway, DiNozzo was coming with him, and that's that. He just hoped that Mr. Kisarios would be able to help them find his son. He also hoped fervently that they were not about to meet a Greek version of DiNozzo's father!

Tbc.