Back in Mac's office Jordan was already on the phone about the serial number. Ducky had emailed it to her. And currently she was speaking to the doctor's assistant.

"Serial number of the ankle joint is three two seven four zero one five. I'll hold." She held the phone on her shoulder.

Mac and Gibbs walked in with after they left autopsy. Gibbs holding 2 cups of coffee. "You'd better be doing something case related, Jordan!" advised as they walked in. He helped her up out of his chair.

"Hang on Mac. They put me on hold." Jordan said as Gibbs handed her the coffee. Jordan took the coffee, and handed it over to Mac. The smell of coffee was the last thing she needed right now. "Yeah sure." Jordan got her attention back to the person on the other side of the line. "Thanks, we'll be there ASAP." She confirmed.

"What did you get?" Gibbs asked as he noticed Jordan's face as she handed Mac the coffee.

"The name of the clinic that surgery, gentlemen." Jordan handed Mac the address.

"Good work, Jordan." Mac complimented. What do you say Jethro, wanna head over there?" Mac was eager to speak to the performing doctor.

"Meet you in the garage." Gibbs said. Mac nodded and left for the garage.

"You okay?" Gibbs informed.

"Yeah, I spoke to Mac earlier. We're good again." Jordan told him as she grabbed for a pen. "Jethro, I need to speak to you later on." Jordan started.

Gibbs got worried about Jordan's expression. "Something on your mind, Jordan?" He wanted to know.

"Yes, but it there's no emergency." Jordan said. "You'd better go and speak to this Dr. Peterson before he slips away. Besides, Mac is already waiting for you." Jordan said absently.

"I'll give you a call when we're done." Gibbs assured her as he kissed her on the back of her head.

From the door Stella observed the interaction between Gibbs and Jordan. They were definitely meant to be together. "Hey, you two have plans for tonight?" Stella sneaked up on them.

Both Gibbs and Jordan were caught of by guard. "Stella!" Jordan shot. "What's on your mind?"

"Well it's Wednesday night tonight and Mac is playing with the band." Stella informed both Gibbs and Jordan. "I figured we all could surprise him. " Stella said.

"I haven't heard Mac play since we served." Gibbs grinned. "I'll be there." He guaranteed Stella. "Jordan?" Gibbs asked as if he was looking for a date.

"Yeah sure, Stella can pick us up here. I don't think I know how to find the jazz bar myself." Gibbs nodded as he and Stella left.

Jordan couldn't stop thinking about Gibbs losing his wife and daughter. Visions about what might have happened kept playing through her mind. And visions about not denying a father his time with his child. Although she was a grown woman, Jordan was finally growing up. But what would be Gibbs's reaction might be once she told him the truth?

***

Mac and Gibbs had arrived at the clinic and were now questioning Dr. Peterson.

"I remember that surgery. We usually fuse the ankle and implant a metal splint in our young servicemen. But his ankle was literally crushed in an auto wreck. May of two thousand, you said?"

"According to our research." Gibbs stated.

Dr. Peterson went through his files.. "Here it is. May fifteenth, two thousand. I implanted that ankle in Marine Private First Class Thomas Dorn." He explained.

"What can you tell me about him?" Mac wanted to know.

"I can tell you a lot about his ankle. I don't even remember the rest of him. Peterson told Mac and Gibbs.

"Seems to be a recurring problem." Gibbs remarked.

"The ankle?" Peterson questioned.

Mac looked up. "No, the rest of him. His leg was found in a Manhattan, trash bin early this morning.

"Just the leg?" Peterson questioned.

"So far." Gibbs answered.

"How deteriorated was the leg? Peterson wanted to know.

"It wasn't." Mac told him. "The M.E. estimated he died within the previous twenty four hours. Is there a problem? Mac questioned.

Peterson scratched the back of his head. "According to his military record, P-F-C Thorn died two years ago.

Mac and Gibbs didn't get any further. On a normal night Mac would have worked through, except this Wednesday he wanted to spend with Stella. He had made a promise to himself to make more time for his private life. So the case had to wait until tomorrow. The two men called it a night. Mac heading home for a quick shower and picking up Stella. Gibbs heading to the hotel and meeting Mac and Jordan back at the lab.

***