Chapter Two: Uncle Ducky
I arrived in America at 8:00AM that morning. I stared at the clock for a moment before remembering the time change. We had been traveling for seven hours straight but since we were going against the time zones, it only seemed like two hours had passed. I stood up stretching out my stiff limbs, before exiting the plane. Along the side of the runway stood none other than my Uncle Donald Mallard. "Uncle Ducky!" I squealed, running over to give him a hug, "I've missed you so much!" He released me moments later to introduce me to the blue-eyed man standing next to him. "Madison, it's so good to see you again after all these years," he started, "please, allow me to introduce you to one of my best friends and most trusted colleagues, Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs." I curtsied and put my hand out for him to shake. "Madison Jayde Redmond, at your service, Sir," I replied as he shook my hand. He smiled, but I didn't let slip the sliver of uncertainness that flashed through his striking blue eyes.
He released my hand as one of the flight attendants tapped my on the shoulder. "Miss. Redmond," she said, hesitantly, "your limousine is here for you now." I gave her a smile and asked to have my luggage loaded into the trunk. She curtsied, smiling, and walked over to the limo driver, as I turned back to Agent Gibbs and Uncle Ducky. "Do you guys want to ride in the limo with me?" I asked, noticing the taxi waiting behind them, "it would give us a perfect chance to catch up and what not, Uncle Ducky," I smiled as he nodded in affirmation. Charley, my driver for my stay in America, opened the door for us as we slid in the back, Uncle Ducky and Gibbs sitting opposite me. "So Madison," started Uncle Ducky, "How is life back across the pond?" "Everything's been great!" I smiled, flashing my perfectly white teeth, "I graduated from Schiller International Prep School almost three years ago. Since then I've been studying forensic sciences and looking at internships before I start college at Pennsylvania State University in the fall. On top of that, I've also earned my seventh degree black belt in karate, my 7-nanadan ranking in kendo, and I've moved into the intermediate kickboxing training sessions." I smiled, at the list of my accomplishments. "My, my, you sure have been busy since I last saw you," replied Uncle Ducky, "and you have grown into such a mature young lady," I smiled back at him, blushing slightly.
Finally, after an hour's drive, the engine turned off and Charley appeared at the door. I looked around, slightly confused by our location. "I don't mean to be rude," I said, stepping out of the car after the two gentlemen, "but where are we?" My question was answered by Gibbs. "NCIS headquarters," he said, those two words being the only thing that he had said to me. We walked into the building in a comfortable silence, got my visitation pass, and walked down the stair to where Gibbs said a majority of his teams was.
As we descended the stairs, I took notice to the three pairs of eyes staring at me. "David, McGee, DiNozzo, front and center," said Gibbs in a rather unenthused tone of voice. "This is Madison Jayde Redmond, Ducky's Niece, and our new intern," he continued, presenting me to the other agents. "Agent Anthony DiNozzo," said one of the guys as he extended his hand for me to shake, "but you can call me Tony," he finished with a wink. This only earned him a jab in the side from the girl to his right. "I am Ziva David, it's a pleasure to meet you Miss Redmond," I shook her hand, "please," I smiled, "call me Madi." She smiled back and released my hand. I turned to the last agent standing before me. "Tim McGee," he smiled, it was the first genuine one that I had seen all day, well other than my Uncle Ducky of course. After introductions were over, I was led to the elevator to see another member of Team Gibbs.
The elevator doors opened on the ground level of the building. The only thing that could be heard as we walked into the room was the sound of Suicide Commando's hit single Comatose Delusion, one of my favorite songs. "Abby!" yelled Gibbs over the sound of the music. The song was instantly muted. "Aw, Gibbs," she wined, "why didn't you tell me that we were going to be having a visitor? I would have cleaned up or something," she gestured to a bath tub and her chemical-lined table. I took a better look at the tub, realizing that the grime caked to the inside of it was from the mixture of acid and decomposing bodies. I then looked up at the computer to see a finger print scan taking place. They must have been in the middle of a case when I got in I thought to myself. Then, briefly studying some of the chemicals on the table, I realized what the case was about. "Serial killer?" I questioned the Goth. "Excuse me?" she responded, having been caught off guard by my question. "The case that you're working on," I elaborated, "It's a serial murder, right?" I looked at her hopefully. I noticed as both Uncle Ducky's and Gibbs' eyes widened in surprise. "Yeah," said the pig-tailed girl before me "the tub gave it away didn't it?" "Yeah, well that and the fact that it smells like decomposing flesh mixed with…" I trailed off sniffing the air again, "would that be hydrofluoric acid?" I questioned. A look of realization crossed her features as she rushed to her computer, furiously tapping the keys.
After a few moments she stopped, turning to me with a rather enthralled expression. "Gibbs," she said, "who is this?" I cut him off saying: "Madison Jayde Redmond, Uncle Ducky's niece, and your team's new intern." She stared at me for another minute before opening her mouth to talk again. "You just solved the answer to the unknown chemical; I've been trying to figure that out for the past three hours," her eyes widened in joy, "How'd ya do it?" "Um…" I panicked, I had only known the chemical because of the scent, something that was far more acute then anything a human nose could pick up. I looked around at each of them, wracking my brain for another way I could have known the chemical without having an affiliation with the crime or my super nose. My eyes landed on the blue eyes of Gibbs. "Lucky guess?" I responded, my eyes not leaving Gibbs'. He knows that I'm lying I thought, as the left corner of his mouth tilted upward, ever-so-slightly. Damn! "Well Madison, I have to go and get my stuff from autopsy, I'll meet you back upstairs," said Uncle Ducky as both him and Gibbs walked into the elevator, leaving me and Abby by ourselves.
"So you like Suicide Commando, too?" I asked, trying to break the semi-awkward tension of the room. A bright smile lit up her features, "Yeah, my favorite album of theirs is Axis of Evil, but I love their singles, too," she said, "I didn't think that anyone else listened to them." "Same here," I said our smiles growing bigger by the second, "what about METH 101 by Brain Matter?" I questioned. "What about them? I love them!" she squealed, "They're only my all time favorite band!" "Same here!" I squealed as she enveloped my in a hug. "Aw, Mads, you're like the little sister that I never had!" She said, hugging me even tighter. I smiled, returning the favor, and relishing the moment; which automatically ended at the clearing of someone's throat. "Hey, Tony, have you met Madison?" asked Abby, as she got back to work. "Yeah, I have," he said, then looked at me, "Ducky's waiting for you upstairs in the lobby." I nodded and said thank you. "I'll see you tomorrow Abby!" I called from the elevator, as Tony stepped in. She waved good bye as the doors closed.
We were halfway between Abby's lab and the first floor when Gibbs stopped the elevator. "You're hiding something," he announced, staring down at the button he had just pressed. "I… don't know what you're talking about," I stuttered, searching the ceiling for a camera that would capture my impending breakdown. "No one's watching," he said, taking a step towards me. "Now, do you want to tell me exactly what it is that you're hiding?" He took another step forward, searching my violet eyes for answers. I took a step back, panic welling in my chest as my back pressed against the corner of the metal compartment. He took another step, inches away from my shaking figure. That's when my claustrophobia started to get the best of me. I shoved him away, pushing him into the opposite wall of the elevator. "Please," I pleaded, sliding down the wall into a fetal position, "let me out of here." I closed my eyes, burying my head in my arms, trying to calm my breathing. Claustrophobia had only started being a problem for me after I was bitten, I mean, animals plus small spaces are never good. A few moments of silence passed before I heard the elevator engine starting up again. I leaned my head back against the cool metal of the wall and opened my eyes to reveal a hand. I took it and Gibbs pulled me to my feet as the elevator stopped once more, at our designated location. I let out a deep breath, exiting the containment unit. "What you want to know will surface in time," I said, glancing back at him as I walked through the empty bullpen. "But for now," I continued, "Don't look too much into it." I continue my walk into the parking lot where I found Uncle Ducky along with the rest of the agents waiting for me.
I gave him a confused look as both Gibbs and Abby appeared from behind me to go stand with the small group. "I've decided to throw you a little house warming party of sorts, in honor of your journey to the states," explained Uncle Ducky. I smiled, walking over to hug him. "Thank you, Uncle Ducky." He returned the gesture, letting me go as the limousine pulled into the lot. I glanced back at the team, trying to contain myself as Tony's eyes grew, taking in the vehicle before them. Charley, my driver, quickly cut the engine and exited the car, opening the rear door for me. I walked over to Charley and politely asked if he would be able to drop off the agents back here later tonight. He obliged with a tip of his drivers cap. I walked back over to the agent who stood there quietly as the exchange took place. "Charley says that he can drop you guys off to get your cars later tonight," I announced to the expectant group. "So," I continued, "who wants to ride in the limo?" They all – excluding Gibbs and Uncle Ducky – looked behind me at the black Hummer Stretch. Tony and Tim then proceeded to make a run for the seat next to the miniature wet bar. Ziva, Abby, and I all let out a exasperated sigh, "Boys," we said in unison. We exchanged looks before we all burst out laughing and walked to the limo. Gibbs rolled his eyes, him and Uncle Ducky following closely behind us.