Chapter 3

"DiNozzo, go down to autopsy, take Agent Marsicano with you." Gibbs orders.

Tony gets up, and gives a strange glare at Clarissa, but only Ziva was able to see it. Ziva didn't mind the glare, because Ziva wasn't much of a fan of Clarissa either; well, not yet anyway. The walk to the elevator was quiet, until the doors shut. "I'm sorry if I made your girlfriend upset today." Clarissa says.

"My girlfriend?" Tony questions.

"Yeah. Agent Ziva David. Isn't she your girlfriend?"

"That's where you've got it wrong. Ziva isn't my girlfriend." Tony then mumbles something, that wasn't quite clear to hear.

"What?" Clarissa questions.

"Nothing." Tony then stops the elevator just before it reaches autopsy. "How do you know all this information?"

Clarissa then froze for a second. She swallowed hard, and took a deep breath. "Like I said. Director Vance filled me in on the team. So I'm aware of any soft spots, or if it comes up in a case."

"You sure? Because that sure doesn't sound like Vance."

"I'm telling you the truth!" Clarissa turns the elevator back on.

Tony stays silent until they reach autopsy. "Clarissa, this is Dr. Donald Mallard, and our autopsy gremlin, Jimmy Palmer. Ducky, Palmer, meet our new agent. Clarissa Marsicano. She just joined this afternoon when we went out onto the field."

"Nice to meet you Clarissa. Vance told me that you would be arriving." Ducky and Clarissa exchange handshakes.

"Marsicano, isn't that Italian?" Palmer asks.

"Yes, it is. Nice to meet you both. What would you prefer me to call you guys?"

"Well, everybody calls me Ducky, so why don't you as well." Ducky smiles.

"You can either call me Jimmy, or Palmer. I usually prefer Jimmy, not autopsy gremlin." Palmer looks over at Tony.

"Hey, it fits you well." Tony smiles at him.

"Did you need something Tony?" Ducky asks.

"Gibbs sent us down here." Tony replied.

"Oh, yes! I've got new information."

Back up in the bullpen, the team discusses the new information. "Good job guys. Ziva, McGee go and search his mother's house. Agent Marsicano, go down to Abby." The three agents leave and do as their told. "I'm going to speak with Vance." Gibbs tells Tony. "Why don't you join me?"

"Uh, sure Boss. I needed to talk to Vance anyways." Tony replies.

The two higher placed agents walk up to Vance's office to see Vance already waiting outside his office. "Ah, DiNozzo, you decided to join." Vance gives a small smile.

"Well, I need to talk to you anyways." Tony replies.

"About Agent Marsicano I'm guessing?" Vance guesses.

"How'd you know?"

"Just a guess." Vance opens the office doors and lets Gibbs and DiNozzo in first. "Please, take a seat." The two agents sit at the table, while Vance stands near them. "So, what is it about her you need to talk to me about?" Vance asks.

"Well, I first want to know who she really is. How does she know about Ari, and other things afflicting Ziva? Does she know more? She thought that Ziva and I were dating!" Tony explains. "Why and how does she know this?"

"Honestly, I had no idea she knew anything. I certainly didn't say anything. It's not my jurisdiction so say such things. You may want to talk to her about that."

"Yeah, well talking isn't going to help. I already tried talking to her, and she said that you told her all of the information."

Vance pulls out a chair next to Gibbs and sits. "That's funny, because I never actually got to meet Agent Marsicano face to face until you guys returned from the field. And even then, I didn't say anything."

"Wait." Tony says. "Don't you have to meet the Agents before they're assigned?" Tony questions.

"Yes, but remember, I just came back from leave. My acting director met with her. I was sent the information, and made the decision myself."

"Oh." Tony looks at his watch. "Two hours until the day is done. I'm going to go and try and figure something out."

"That would be a good idea because I sure am confused." Vance answers.

As Tony gets up, and exits the office, Gibbs turns to him. "Hey, DiNozzo." Tony turns around, in a puzzled expression. "Don't do anything stupid." Gibbs smiles. Tony smiles back, and leaves. Gibbs shakes his head knowing that DiNozzo will do something stupid.