Gibbs, McGee and Ziva arrived back at NCIS Headquarters after investigating the scene, where Gibbs announced the next plan of action.
"If you two are going to be convincing as a couple, we'll need you to move on base, something we've already cleared, and every inch of that house is going to be covered in surveillance equipment."
McGee listened raptly, nodding, then stopped. "Even the bathroom?"
"Every inch, McGee," Gibbs responded. "We can't take any chances. Serial killer, remember?"
"Right." McGee nodded again. "So, uh, are we going to have any privacy whatsoever?"
"What part of every inch of surveillance did you not understand, McGee?" Gibbs threw him an incredulous look. "Are you really so concerned with privacy when there's a killer on the loose? One who is possibly looking to you two as his next victims?"
"Or her," Ziva put in, at which Gibbs shot her a dirty look. "What? I'm just saying, many women are capable of murder."
"But multiple murders?" McGee asked, temporarily turning his attention to her.
She shrugged. "I've killed many people. I don't see why not."
McGee rolled his eyes and turned his entire body toward her. "Yeah, but you're an assassin, not a serial . . ."
"How many times do I have to tell you two to pay attention?" Gibbs interrupted. "You're almost worse than DiNozzo!"
"Right, Boss," McGee agreed. "Won't happen again."
Gibbs turned his disgusted look to the plasma screen in front of them, which now showed their new identities. He clicked to zoom in on the picture and turned to them. "I want you two to memorize every detail of these identities. It's going to take more than just cop work to pull this one off."
Just as McGee and Ziva began studying the screen, Gibbs flicked it off again, grabbing his coat and heading for the elevators. "Abby's lab," he called, and they hurried to catch up before the doors closed.
The trio entered Abby's lab, McGee and Ziva excitedly chatting about their new mission as Gibbs rolled his eyes and caught Abby's attention by setting a Caf-Pow! in front of her.
"Gibbs!" Abby said, whipping around, flicking her pigtails in his face as she did so. "I have everything McGee and . . ." She suddenly trailed off, distracted by the looks in the two agents' eyes and how thrilled they were to be doing this undercover op – and probably each other.
"Abbs," Gibbs reminded her, and she narrowed her eyes, turning back to her computer.
"Right." She started typing. "All those two will need to complete this mission successfully." She suddenly flipped around and glared at the two agents, who were still laughing – laughing, can you imagine? – over how they'd need to really put on a great act for this one. "That is, assuming they stay focused on the case."
McGee stopped talking and looked over to Abby, having noticed the note of hostility in her voice. "Something wrong, Abby? You seem a little . . . on edge."
Abby slowly faced her computer again. Damn McGee. Why did he have to be so . . . McGee? She forced her usual Abby demeanor and replied, "I just want to see this guy put away."
"Or gal," McGee put in, garnering a smirk from Ziva.
"What?" Abby asked, confused.
"Uh, the killer. Could have been a woman, too. Ziva said . . ."
"Whatever," Abby cut him off. "Let's just get this show on the road and get this . . . person put where he – or she – belongs."
"In prison," Gibbs finished. "You got what they need?"
Abby nodded, returning to her normal self. She skipped over to her office and returned with an array of electronic equipment, both to be installed in the house and for the pair to wear while undercover. "You two take care of my babies, alright? I don't lend them out to just anyone."
"Yeah, yeah, they'll feed and bathe them and do whatever else needs to be done," Gibbs responded for them. "We need to get going."
"Sheesh," Abby said. "Patience is not your strongest virtue, have you ever been told that?" She cocked her head at the older man, and he couldn't help but smirk at her antics.
"Don't make me start calling you 'Abigail,'" he threatened, and Abby relented, handing over the equipment to the bright-eyed agents, who walked quickly to the door, eager to get started on the assignment.
"Remember to check in with me!" she called after them, and as the door shushed shut again, she slumped down in a desk chair, swiveling in a circle and sighing.