Chapter 8

The drive to Alexandria was pleasant. They mostly talked about the case and made small talk every now and then. Gibbs didn't want to upset Kate by talking about anything personal. He's hoping to get through to her tonight, after dinner, maybe he can offer to drive her to her hotel and they could talk there. He listened as Kate talked and he realized how much he had missed hearing her voice. The lisp she makes when she pronounces the letter "s". He misses how her voice changes to high-pitch when she gets really excited. And most of all, he misses her calling his name. Kate was unlike any woman he's ever met. She's sweet, nice, deeply religious, somewhat innocent, but feisty, independent, speaks her mind and very smart. She also has a sense of humor that matches his. She's feminine and yet, she can hang with the boys and have a beer. She can be frustrating and lovable at the same time. He has come to terms that he's truly and deeply in love with Caitlin Todd. And no matter how much he tried to deny it, his feelings only grew when she left. He felt the emptiness and the loneliness, he hasn't felt in so long since Shannon and Kelly died. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't know that Kate had been calling him until Kate tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, I'm sorry Kate, I didn't hear you."

"I said on the next one, we will exit. What were you thinking about?"

He smiled before answering, "I was thinking about, good thoughts, Kate."

Kate eyed him curiously but didn't push. "So, I think we should talk to the grandmother's attendants first, maybe we can get more information out of them. Joshua was raised by his grandmother and if our profile on him is correct, she might be a little protective of her grandson."

"That's a good idea Kate. I was thinking the same thing."

"Well, like what they say, great minds think alike, right?"

Gibbs chuckled and stared at Kate for a moment before returning his eyes back on the road.

He was quiet again and just listened to Kate's directions to the Convalescent Home. After they exited, they drove for another 15 minutes and found it.

They showed their badges to the receptionist and ask if, they could speak to the nurse attendant or assistant to patient Althea Johnson. The receptionist informed them that one of them is working today and to wait in the waiting area.

After waiting for about half hour, a woman by the name of Therese Bates walked up to them and introduced herself.

"You wanted to talk to me about Althea Johnson?"

"Yes, I'm Special Agent Kate Todd and this is Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, we're with NCIS."

"The Naval Investigation right?"

"Well, yeah. We are actually here about her grandson Joshua. We wanted to know if he's been around to visit her."

"Oh, Josh, yeah, the last time I saw him was maybe three days ago. He came to visit her and usually he is here everyday. He seems like a nice young man."

"Could you tell us if he came by himself?"

"He brought a young lady with him maybe twice. I didn't catch her name, though. Could you tell me what this is about?"

"We'd love to but it's an ongoing investigation. We need to talk to Althea Johnson, could you tell us her condition?"

"Well, she coherent and a real nice lady."

"Can we go see her now?"

"Sure, she just finished her nap. Let me take you to her."

Gibbs and Kate followed the nurse attendant down the hallway.

They introduced themselves to the old lady, who then motioned for them to sit down.

"You're here about my grandson, Joshua, aren't you?"

"Yes, Ma'am."

"He told me he did something really bad in Italy but he wouldn't tell me what he did. He's a really good boy, Agent Gibbs, Agent Todd, he's just a little sick up here. He has issues because of what happened to him as a child."

"Could you tell us what that is Ma'am?"

"Joshua was always quiet and he was always bullied as a child. His parents fought constantly and his Mom, was the dominant in the family, so he saw how his mother pushed his father around. Then one day, he and his father found his Mom in bed with another man. His father packed up and left and never came back. I have not seen my son since then. His Mom remarried and things got worse for him. His stepdad used to beat him and he was really awkward with women. So one day, he came to me and asked me to take him away from them. I called Social Services and I became his guardian. When he turned 18, he signed up for the Marines."

"Ma'am do you know where he is now?"

"I don't know. He needs help and I hope you find him before he does anything again."

"How do you contact him?"

"He usually just comes to visit me. I know he still has friends in Norfolk, so you might want to ask there."

"The nurse attendant said he came here a couple of times with a friend?"

"Oh, that's Allison Nathanson, his childhood friend. He would never harm her. I doubt he even told her what's going on. She is like a sister to him. She's a senior at Virginia Tech."

"Thank you for your cooperation Ma'am. Please call us if you have anything."

"Please help my grandson."

"We'll try, Ma'am."

Before leaving the facility, Gibbs and Kate both left their cards and told them to contact them and the local police if Joshua comes back.

They decided to drive to Virginia Tech and look for Allison Nathanson. They found her in her dorm room and asked her a few questions. She said that she has not spoken to Joshua for over three days and that he had changed his cell number. She told them that when he came back, he seemed different but he would not open up about what happened to him in Italy. Allison said that if she hears from Joshua, she will call them and that she knew the implication if she didn't.

Their last stop was at Joshua's Mom and step dad's house. It was 4 o'clock and they knew that by the time they get to DC it will be late already. They talked to Joshua's mom and it was obvious that she could care less what kind of trouble her son was in. She said that she did not even know that her son was back in the States. His step dad wasn't much help either. He seemed really happy to know that his step son was in trouble and said "I hope you catch that good for nothing son of a bitch and that since he moved out, they have not had anything to do with him."

Both Kate and Gibbs shook their heads in disbelief. They sometimes can't fathom how parents can bring a child into this world and just abandon them.

Gibbs was about to hand the keys to Kate when he noticed how tired she looked. He checked his watch and calculated how long it would take them to get back to the Headquarters. Suddenly, an idea came to him.

"Hey Kate, you look really worn out, how about I ask Tony to call for Chinese take out and tell them to meet us in your hotel room? We can discuss the case there."

"That's a great idea Gibbs. Thanks."

"We should be in D.C around 8, with the traffic and all. I'll call Tony right now to order from this new Chinese place in Georgetown. Just tell me what you want."

Gibbs called Tony and told him what he and Kate wanted and that to tell the rest of the team to meet in Kate's room.

After hanging up, he turned to talk to Kate but she was already sleeping. He gently touched her face and kissed the top of her head and whispered softly, "I'll make it right this time. I won't disappoint you again. I love you."