Disclaimer is in Chapter 1.

Chapter 5

"Unfortunately, no. I'm breaking so many rules here that my job is at stake…but let me worry about that later." Jen began to rub her temples. "For now, here's the situation. We have a missing Colonel…Colonel Essex. He was last seen at the White Wolf Spa and Resort four days ago."

"What was a Colonel doing at a spa?" Rebecca asked, although the don't-ask-don't-tell rule was already running through her head.

Jen gave the younger woman a wry grin. "You figure it out. He was on leave and rather than spend it with his wife, he went to the White Wolf."

"Does she know about his…ummm…preferences?"

"If she didn't before, she's beginning to suspect now. Turns out our Colonel told her that his leave was cancelled and that he had some exercises to run."

"And that he would be incommunicado, right?" Rebecca nodded in understanding. She'd seen several marriages break up and the lack of communication seemed to be the main clue that all was not right in the land of marital bliss.

Jen nodded.

"Where do I fit in?"

"Your background of team-building exercises. I'm sending Gibbs' team in with you under the guise that they're stressed and need to work on working together."

A dark eyebrow quirked up.

"Yes, I know…it's not much of a stretch." Jen conceded. "I'm hoping you have some additional exercises – other than playing baseball – that will help them work together…and find our Colonel."

"When do we leave?"

"Today at 1400. I recall you had a package to pick up."

Rebecca nodded.

"Here's the brochure on the resort. I've also taken the liberty of booking you a conference room so that you can actually do some legit work to support your cover."

Rebecca took the offered brochure and quickly flipped to the back page where the summary of the resort was listed. She breathed an inward sigh of relief. The necessary accommodations were available.

"Any thing elseI should know?"

"Gibbs will tell you the rest."

"How does he feel about me tagging along?"

Jen smiled knowingly. "Picked up on that, did you? Gibbs doesn't like non-essential personnel coming along…but I'm his boss."

Rebecca dipped her head, hiding a smile. When she had managed to regain a straight face, she looked up to see the Director watching her.

The older woman smiled and said, "Besides, he and I have an understanding."

"Enough said, Director. I've learned that sometimes I don't want to know the whole story."

Jen arched a red eyebrow.

"Just a piece of advice," the Director began, "Don't let Gibbs get to you. I don't think you'll have that problem…you seem to hold your own with him."

Rebecca smiled. "I've met with CEOs, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and active military personnel…Gibbs is a breath of fresh air. Besides, Ducky's given me some insight when it comes to handling…no, interacting…with Gibbs. I just need to be honest and straight-to-the-point with him."

Jen nodded.

"I think that's it from my side." The older woman said. "Good luck and if you have any problems, call me."

Rebecca accepted the offered business card. She paused for a moment and then reached into the small wallet in her back pocket. She took out her own business card and handed it to Jen.

"Likewise, Director. Should something happen, I have a feeling that Gibbs will not allow me to leave the resort building and he may be too busy to contact you."

"I know you're not trained for this, Rebecca."

"Ducky's told me a lot…"

"Stories and real life are not the same. This isn't a game."

"I know." Rebecca's voice turned cold. "But I also know enough about these people through Ducky's stories to understand how they work and hopefully I can help them find your Colonel."

Jen remained silentand watched as the younger woman left the room.