(The next afternoon, the employees come in to start getting ready for that night)

(As they walk in they still all look confused and curious at the same time)

(Gibbs calls Palmer to come up into his office. As the young, geek-looking boy walks up the stairs, Abby is walking down. She gives him a stare-look as Palmer smiles at her, acting innocent)

(Tony, McGee, and Ziva are standing together, waiting for Abby to join them. Ducky walks in, as he usually comes during the afternoon, to talk and sit with the employees, since he was retired from his job and loved being at the club. As the five of them stand by the bar, Abby starts to fill them in on the details of what Gibbs had told her the night before. All of them look incredibly shocked)

(Palmer walks into Gibbs' office and shuts the door)

Palmer: "You wanted to talk to me sir? "

Gibbs: "Sit down Jimmy."

(Gibbs never calls Palmer "Jimmy," unless there was something wrong)

(Palmer looks extremely nervous)

Gibbs: "I know your secret."

Palmer: "What do you mean, sir?"

Gibbs: "Palmer, I know you are the one that killed that Petty Officer."

Palmer: (Looking extremely nervous and anxious…) "What? No. I was working the floor the whole night."

Gibbs: "Yes, but you are in and out the back door all the time, taking out the trash and what not. You knew this man from somewhere and saw him leave, leaving from the back door, you knew you could confront him. Now Jimmy, tell me… how did you know him? I can help you."

Palmer: (With a "I'm caught" look, he asked…) How could you help me?"

Gibbs: "I know some people from high places and good lawyers – Vance doesn't have much evidence against you, but if you tell me everything, I can see what I can do to get you out of this."

(There was a moment of silence, as Palmer sat there, nervously thinking what he should do)

Palmer: "I don't know sir. I think I will take my chances."

Gibbs: "Palmer, you need to let it out and who better to let it out to than me?"

Palmer: " I guess you're right, sir."

Gibbs: "Ok… I'm listening."

(Palmer begins to explain…)

Flashback:

Palmer: "I work for a gang that handles drug trafficking. I have been undercover the entire time I have been working here for the past 2 years. I've been this innocent character so I wouldn't be suspected. They picked me off the street and offered me a lot of money because of what I look like. So I accepted the offer. This club has been secretly used as a drug exchange location for the past 2 years. Since I've been here, men have been coming in, acting as customers, but actually exchanging each others' goods with each other. I was placed here to be a watcher, to make sure that exchanges were made and no one was cheating on the deal.

When that Petty Officer was here, he was in on the deal. I'm not sure why he was part of this, but he was. He left without fulfilling his part of the deal. My boss told me that if a dealer backs out, I need to "take care of them." You may not have been aware, but the hostess at the front was giving out business cards as a promotion for the club to each customer that walked through the door – that must be why he had the card on him. But, when he left, I went out the back door, followed him, and killed him. If I hadn't killed him, the boss would have killed me. You might try and help, but I'm not sure how much of a help you can be. These people mean business; they are determined to get their money and are not afraid to take action."

(Flashback over)

Palmer: "I had no choice. I didn't want to kill him, but I had to. I thought no one would suspect me since I am a young, nerdish boy, who is clumsy and wouldn't hurt a fly.

Now I don't know what to do. How are you going to help me Gibbs?"

Gibbs: "I just did."

Palmer: "What?"

Gibbs: "I'm sorry Jimmy" (Gibbs pulls open his shirt and showed that he was wearing a wire)

(Palmer looks at him in horror)

Palmer: "But Gibbs, you said…" (Gibbs interrupted him before he could continue)

Gibbs: "I said I would help you. I just have. Now that you are going to be in police custody, you will be protected and possibly get a deal. If you give the names or organizations of the people who sent you to do this mission, you could get a deal while they can rot in prison. If you cooperate enough, you could possibly get a shorter sentence."

Palmer: "You should know better sir. These people probably have connections everywhere, and if I go to prison, with them no less, I am dead. I have just 'outed' them, and now I am number one on their 'hit list'… How could you do this to me, sir? (looking at him, saying with a desperate voice and a desperate expression"

Gibbs: "How could I do this to you?! You have been working for these drug traffickers, letting drug dealers exchange illegal substances in my club – I could have been shut down because of you! And to almost have my employees arrested for murder is even worse! If there is anyone for you to be mad at, it should be yourself! You did this to yourself and got yourself in this mess – don't try and blame me!"

(Palmer looked to the ground, disgusted, knowing he is busted)

(There is a knock at the door. Vance is standing there with an officer)

Vance: "Officer, take him into custody."

Officer: "James Palmer, you are under the arrest for the murder of Petty Officer Sean Manning…" (continuing to read him his rights, voice faded in the background).

Palmer: (looks at Gibbs and says…) "I thought you said not to apologize, that it is a sign of weakness. I guess even you can't always live up to your 'rules'."

(The four of them are walking down the stairs; everyone is staring at Jimmy, in a state of shock – Gibbs remains at the top of the stairs, looking down at the main area of the club)

Jimmy: (Looked at all of them and said...) "And you all thought I was an innocent, weak boy. But to your surprise, I'm no such thing. Funny how appearances can be deceiving" (gives a bad-ass smirk at all of them while they stare at him)

(Colored photo snap of Palmer's smirk)