Chapter 7

In the conference room, Gibbs, Kate and Director Jenny Sheppard are standing in the front while Ducky, Abby, Tony and McGee were behind them.

They waited for a few seconds before Kate's team from Italy appeared on the screen.

"Hello, I'm Director Jenny Sheppard. You must be Special Agent Danny Westbrook."

"Hello, Director Sheppard. Just call me Danny. Let me introduce the rest of my team here. These are Agents Teddy Marshall and James Brady, our M.E. Dr. Jack Warner and our Forensic Scientist Cody Blake. Hi Katie."

Gibbs didn't like hearing the agent call Kate, his pet name for her. Only he can call her "Katie" and the sound of another man calling her that made him jealous. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Gibbs reaction and clenched jaw. She also felt his feet shift, something he does when he's uncomfortable.

"Hi Danny. Let me introduce you to the NCIS team here in Washington, D.C. You've met Director Sheppard, next to me is Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, behind us, are Special Agents Tony Dinozzo and Tim McGee, our M.E. Doctor Donald Mallard or Ducky for short and our very smart and lovable, Forensic Scientist Abby Sciutto."

"I just briefed the team this morning. Do you have anything to add or any information since I left?"

"Hi Kate, it's your partner Teddy, just in case you've forgotten me already." Kate shook her head and started laughing.

Gibbs saw Kate's reaction and didn't like it one bit. This guy, her partner, is obviously smitten with her. From the back, Tony could be heard saying "I'm her partner, what is this dufus talking about? Kate, tell him I'm your only partner."

Since Tony is standing in back of her, Kate gave him an elbow to his stomach to shut him up.

"Hi Teddy, you know I could never forget you. So what do you have for us?"

"Well, I talked to his other friend earlier today and he was able to provide more information than his other friend did. According to his friend David, he has friends and families around the Alexandria area in Virginia. It might be hard to pinpoint where he is staying at this moment but his grandmother is in a convalescent home and he is very close to her. Also, his parents still live there. He was assigned in Norfolk, before he was moved here, so I suggest you guys start there. Oh, I almost forgot, David said that Jason seemed really agitated the week he went AWOL"

"Well, he might have been agitated because it probably sunk in that if he didn't get the hell out of Italy, it won't be long until he is caught." Gibbs said matter-of-factly.

Kate noticed Gibbs attitude and said "Thanks Teddy. Ducky, do you have any question for Jack?"

"Hello, Dr. Warner, I was wondering how soon could I get the bodies shipped here?"

"Please call me Jack, well, we are arranging transportation and hopefully, tomorrow, the bodies will be shipped there."

"Director Sheppard, we have yet to inform the families of the officers, would you mind if your team let the families know?"

"We will take care of it."

"Well, if there's nothing else, then we better start our own investigating here. We'll keep you guys updated. Bye guys!"

"Bye Kate."

"Kate, torna subito amore." Teddy added.

"You're crazy, Teddy. Bye."

Gibbs raised his eyebrows when he heard the last word. He knew what it meant even if he didn't speak the language. He didn't want to bring it up to Kate with the team around but of course, Tony had other ideas.

"Hey Kate, what's up with first, Danny calling you Katie? Then, Teddy, calling you my love?"

"Yeah, Kate, you have been holding out on me, sister!" Abby said.

"Ah, first of all, I think we should concentrate on getting this perp. Tim can you get the address of his parents and also the convalescent home where his grandmother is staying?"

"And Tony, There's nothing to tell. But I'm sure you guys won't drop it so I suggest we all go out to dinner tonight, if your boss would give you guys a break and let's talk there."

"Ah, correction Agent Todd, you are leading this investigation, so technically, you, are their boss." Gibbs corrected her.

"That's right. So definitely, we are going to dinner tonight. So Gibbs, you really have no problem sharing power with me? Or are you just saying that because the Director here will chew your ass, if you didn't agree."

"Don't push it, Katie!" Gibbs said but winked at her to let her know he was kidding.

"I swear, Kate I will have a word with that Teddy guy. You have to set him straight that I am your only partner."

"Ah, Tony, will you drop it already? You have no reason to be jealous, alright." Kate kisses Tony on the cheek. Tony walked to his cube with a huge smile on his face.

"Well, I have another meeting, so Kate, Gibbs, keep me informed on the case." Jenny said.

"We will, Director." Gibbs said sarcastically.

Jenny rolled her eyes and left to go back to her office.

"Kate, I have the addresses for you."

"Thanks Tim. I need you and Tony to go to Norfolk and get his records. Then, talk to his CO there too."

"Where are you guys going?" Tony asked

"Katie and I, will go to Alexandria."

"Hey boss, what's up with you calling her Katie? You heard her boss call her Katie right?"

Kate couldn't wait to hear Gibbs' explanation.

Instead of answering, Gibbs just glared at Tony and yelled."Dinozzo, don't you and McGee have somewhere to go?"

"Yes, boss. Probie, let's go."

"I'll meet you in the car, Tony. I have to help Abby with the suitcase."

"Thanks McGee, you are forever a gentleman. Kate, Gibbs, I'll let you know what I find." Abby said.

Kate and Gibbs made their way to the elevator and to the parking lot.

"I'm driving." Gibbs said.

"Well, so much for me being in charge of this investigation, Agent Gibbs."

"You can drive on our way back."

"Oh, thank you for giving me a choice."

"So, what is going on with you and Teddy? Or you and Danny?"

"What? You are unbelievable, Gibbs!"

"What?"

"Look, I'm not even going to answer that, Gibbs. Let's just stick to the case."

"No, I want to talk about it. I want to talk about us."

"Ah, Gibbs, in case you forgot, there is no "Us." You made that very clear, by not talking to me after it happened, remember?"

"And I'm sorry for that, Katie. I was an ass, a coward, and a jerk. Call me any name you want. I'm sorry that I ever hurt you."

"Gibbs, can we not to this now, please?"

"If not now, when Kate?"

"When it's the right time. When I want to talk, all right?"

"Where are you staying?"

"At the Hilton Washington and Towers.. Now can we get back to the case?"

Gibbs nodded.

"I think we should see the grandmother first. We might be able to get more information about Jason from her since he is very close to her. His parents probably divorced when he was very young and his grandmother ended up taking care of him. His last name is different from his parents. He probably has abandonment issues and maybe his hatred towards women started with his mother."

"That's a possibility, Kate. That can't just be it though. There's got to be something there. Why did he rape women? And then kill them?"

"Rejection? There's so much about this guy that we don't know and he's already 9 days, now 10 days ahead of us. Do you think he's still in Virginia?"

"I'm sure he is. He wants to stay where he feels comfortable. That's why he left right after the second one. He has nowhere to run over there."

"I just really want to catch this guy. I'm mean, it won't be long before he gets the urge to rape and kill again."

"I know, that's what I'm afraid of too. But that might be the only way we could find out where he is."

"And that really sucks." Kate let out an exasperated sigh.