Disclaimer: I do not own the Mentalist or NCIS and I make no money from this

Author's Note: I am so sorry I have taken ages to update, its not the best chapter in the world but at least its something and I'm sorry if you think its unrealistic. Thank you so much to BFangz, :), jisbon-sessed, Sarcasm-the Lowest Form of Wit, razmend, wisher93 and Pho for reviewing, so many reviews! You guys are awesome :)

"That's impossible!" Lisbon protested in shock, "James didn't do drugs! He would never, I would know..."

"I take it you didn't know?" offered Gibbs mildly.

"James didn't do drugs. Those aren't his," she stubbornly stated, her face creased into a frown.

"Yeah, I'm sure someone else broke into his apartment and put some drugs there," DiNozzo muttered gaining a glare from Lisbon.

"Interesting..." Jane mused thoughtfully, "you guys don't have a couch lying around here do you?"

"A couch?" wondered Ziva puzzled, "am I confusing it with something else?"

"Did he have drugs in his system?" Gibbs asked of Ducky deciding to ignore the psychic's comment.

"I sent blood over to Abby," answered Ducky, "but I didn't notice any needle marks, if that's any consolation."

"There are other ways to get high," pointed out McGee.

"Ziva, go give those drugs to Abby then look through his records for anything unusual. McGee phone records, look for any drug connections," Gibbs commanded causing them to leap into action, "what's the name of his CO McGee?"

"Frank Druth, James just got back from Iraq along with the rest of his unit," answered McGee.

"DiNozzo, Lisbon, you're with me," announced Gibbs standing up, "we're going to go talk to his CO and his unit."

"Can I come?" asked Jane to which Gibbs nodded slightly hesitantly before they headed for the elevator...

"You Frank Druth?" Gibbs asked of the man they'd been directed to.

"Who wants to know?" replied the balding man suspiciously.

"Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo NCIS," Gibbs said showing him his ID, "Agent Lisbon CBI and Jane."

"Lisbon? Any relation to James Lisbon?"

"Yeah, he was my brother," answered Lisbon fidgeting slightly as she was reminded of her loss.

"Was?"

"He's dead," Gibbs informed him.

"Shame, Lisbon was a good man and a damn good marine," Druth said sounding sincere.

"He didn't have any problems then?" questioned DiNozzo.

"No. As I said he was good, one of my best."

"Any personal problems?"

"Not that I know of."

"Anybody who would know?" pressed Gibbs, "anyone he was particulary close to in his unit?"

"Err... he got on well with pretty much everyone but he was quite close to Aimes, Wilson. You might wanna try talking to Straff aswell."

"Anyone he didn't get along with?" asked DiNozzo as he got out a pen to write down the names of the people Druth had mentioned.

"Not really... I don't know if its worth anything but Shaw was dishonorably discharged as he got some marines killed in Iraq because of his... irresponsibility."

"What's that got to do with James?" questioned Lisbon curiously.

"He was pretty annoyed, said when he got back he and Aimes were gonna talk to Shaw."

They took down the names of the marines mentioned and their addresses before heading back car.

"Who should we interview first boss?" asked DiNozzo as they climbed into the car.

"I'm thinking Aimes," offered Jane strectching as Gibbs drove off.

"I was talking to Gibbs," complained DiNozzo.

"I know."

"Then why did you answer?"

"Because Gibbs thinks we should talk to Aimes first."

"He does not," scoffed DiNozzo.

"Does too. I'll bet $5 on it."

"Only $5?"

"It's all I have on me."

"Don't bother DiNozzo, he's right we're going to talk to Aimes first," interrupted Gibbs feeling irked by their behavior.

"Oh," muttered DiNozzo quietly and they continued the drive in silence to Aimes' house.

Gibbs pulled up outside the correct address and they got out of the vehicle and strode quickly over to the door, minus Jane who was taking his time. Gibbs rang the doorbell and waited, nothing. Lisbon hammered on the door.

"Aimes open up NCIS and CBI, we need to talk to you," called DiNozzo, still nothing, "maybe he's out."

"Allow me," offered Jane as he picked the lock and for once Lisbon didn't scald him, "I guess we know why he wasn't answering."

Gibbs glanced past him to see a dead man lying on the floor. A pool of blood surrounded him soaking into the white shag, three gunshot wounds to the chest...