"McGee, give me Morgan's background," Gibbs said, striding towards the large monitor. McGee clicked a button and a picture of the woman popped up. "She's 25 years old and graduated college with a double major in Literature and Music Performance. Her record's spotless, not even a speeding ticket."
"What does she do for a living?" Gibbs questioned.
"She's a teacher-got a pretty impressive piano studio-she accompanies for some of the local choirs and churches…it looks like she's been a big part of several charity concerts."
"She makes a living doing stuff like that?" Tony asked.
"Quite well, actually. Like I said, her studio has been really successful, and the charity events she is a part of, are high-profile events."
When Morgan and Abby reappeared in the bullpen, Abby was in the middle of telling Morgan a story about the bowling nuns, distracting Morgan enough for McGee to turn off the screen. Abby stopped her story when Gibbs pulled her aside. "Whatcha got for me, Abby?"
"Tire tracks come from a Ford F-150, both a popular make and color. I'm running some checks for the license plates but nothing so far. Nothing else I can do 'til Ducky finishes."
Gibbs nodded and headed down to the morgue. "Jethro, what a surprise," Ducky said, leaning over the dead petty officer's body. Gibbs allowed himself a small smile, "Duck."
"I just sent Palmer to Abby's lab. I found some short, black hairs that obviously don't belong to this poor fellow," Ducky said, motioning to the brown-haired petty officer. Gibbs nodded and waited, knowing there was more. "I would date Petty Officer Stevens' time of death at 0300 this morning and I am quite positive my earlier belief was correct, that he was being tortured. Look, many of the injuries were painful, but not serious enough to cause his death. Actually, the cause of death was asphyxiation. And according to the bruises, by someone's bare hands," Ducky held his own up to accentuate his point.
"Thanks, Duck," Gibbs said as he left.
It was later that evening when Morgan listened to Tony cancel a date, that a slight feeling of guilt twisted her stomach. She had a feeling it was to keep an eye on her. They had arranged for Morgan to stay in Abby's lab that night, and Morgan was in the process of apologizing to Abby for the inconvenience when Ziva came through the door.
"Would you like to learn some defensive moves tonight? Or are you too tired?"
Morgan grinned, "I cannot pass on this offer."
When she was lying flat on her back twenty minutes later, Morgan was beginning to wonder if she should have passed. "See? You will want to move away after doing that, or I can just kick your legs out from under you."
"I noticed," Morgan groaned. Ziva laughed and helped her up, "We'll work more tomorrow, if you are interested."
"Sure," she gasped, rubbing her back. Tony joined the two ladies as they wandered back to the lab. Abby had set up a movie in her office, complete with popcorn. The group settled in and Morgan soon fell asleep to the sound of the movie and the friendly bantering between the three friends.