24 There is gambling in Casablanca

And then it's just them, Gibbs's old MCRT. "Wow," Abby says. "I did not see that coming."

"I should have seen it coming," Tony says. "She didn't bring him for Labor Day. And she never mentioned a name."

"And from that you should have known she was dating a man that could do this?" Ziva asks.

McGee says, "Tony, are you sure she's innocent? He had to have gotten the email address from her and he's at her apartment."

"I'm sure," Tony says. "I knew she was the type that—I knew. I didn't do enough to protect her. I knew."

"She's an adult and a federal agent," Gibbs says. "We don't have time for this. We still have a bad guy on base."

"And we are down one more agent—three if Win and Mark have to wait on a warrant," Ziva says.

"We don't know that we just have one bad guy, either," McGee says. "Blond guy stabbed Tony and took the car. Hamilton probably brought Rebecca back. But there could be more."

"Oh, there are more," Gibbs says. "This was a long time cooking. That frame was planted in July."

"But we didn't even have Hassan in July," Tony says.

"They were just fishing, knowing that Rota's used as a transfer point. Hassan was the first fish they hooked. But I think there's probably just one on base. One sharpshooter is all that's needed. Or one suicide bomber."

"I don't think he's a suicide bomber," Tony says. "I think he's a pro hired out for this job. But we should use the bomb sniffing dogs anyway."

"How many dogs do you have on base?"

"Four explosive, two drug, two scent, 10 K9."

"I bet it's noisy during full moons."

"Like a werewolf movie."

Abby says, "We have the perp's jacket, Gibbs. It's contaminated with Tony's blood, but if we just give the scent dogs a corner it might work."

"Your conversation with Vance," Gibbs asks. "Was it specific as to the method?"

"Yes. They're keeping two bodies on ice on the Reagan. Two were going in one body bag, Hassan in the other. Landing at dock 3. From there straight to the cargo plane."

"How would even a sniper know which body bag to shoot?"

"It would be the smaller one, McGoo."

"Or shoot both bags," Ziva says.

"One or two shots at the most," Gibbs says. "Then all hell would break lose."

"I think suicide bomber," Abby says. "If it's a pro sniper, how does he get away?"

"He puts on the NCIS jacket and hat and runs to the main gate and says…something."

Gibbs sighs. "Okay, here's what we do. We get on the blower and get every available MP off the Reagan and on base."

"What about the other NCIS agents?" McGee asks. "Shouldn't we try and get them, too?"

"They're scattered throughout the fleet. It would take too long to gather them up," Gibbs says. "We start sniffing with the bomb dogs and the scent dogs. In the meantime, Chad stuffs two body bags full of something, one obviously overstuffed. And we bring those to dock 3. Either we flush the guy out through the search or at dock 3."

"Pretty dangerous for Dunham and the people on the dock."

"You got a better idea, DiNozzo? We'll be the guys on the dock and we'll wear vests. I don't see alternatives."

"We can at least focus the search. There's a limited area that would provide clear sight lines on the dock and the route to the airstrip. We can also have a helo up to check rooftops."

"A helo will attract a lot of attention, and I thought that's what you didn't want."

"We don't have terrorist on base or an Iranian nuke guy on the Reagan," Tony says. "We have a kidnapping suspect on base. That's the story if anyone asks."

"Okay," Gibbs says. "Ducky, you and Rebecca stay here with Tony. The MPs stay at the door. Abby, you'll monitor communications from the office. We're going to need MPs there as well. Everybody else is in MP gear. We'll get the scent dogs and the explosive dogs out, and every available K9 unit as well. I'd better get up with the MP CO. Everybody else, back to the office and get wired."

"Abby," Tony says. "I'm going to need a comm. link here as well. NCIS and MP channels."

"You can't do that," Ducky says. "This is an ICU unit. That gear will interfere with the monitors."

"I'm the only patient as far as I can see, and you can monitor me instead."

"This is a terrible idea, Anthony. And a dangerous one." Ducky says.

"It sure is," Gibbs says. "You think you're going to run my investigation from a hospital bed?"

"It's not just your investigation. It's my base. It's what I'm supposed to do."

"This is not a pissing contest."

"No, it's not, it's my job. Abby, if you don't want to be responsible for giving me the comm. link, I'll get Agent Allen to do it. Otherwise, Special Agent Gibbs, I'll make it clear to my agents that you're in charge of the joint tactical operations with the MPs. Clear enough?"

"Jesus," Gibbs says. "What are you all standing there for? Go."

Ziva comes and sits on the bed. "Tony, what are you doing?"

"Great," he says. "Even you don't trust me to not screw this up."

"It is not a question of trust. Any other day but this."

"You're going out. You're doing your job."

"Is that what this is about? Tony, you can't keep me safe this way."

"No, I can't. I can't protect my office. I can't protect the most important operation Vance ever trusted me with. I can't even get my daughter to school on time. I can at least pretend to do what I'm supposed to do."

"Oh, Tony." She does not kiss him, but she puts her cheek against his for a long moment. "I will be back soon."

"Be careful." But he does not try to pull her closer.

Outside, Gibbs takes Ziva aside. "Perhaps you should stay with your husband, Ziva."

"We are too short-handed as it is."

"We need to take this guy alive if we can. I know you've been through hell. But I need to know that you'll follow orders today."

"Gibbs. You of all people must understand."

"What I understand is that your husband is in no shape to be involved in this and he's involved for the wrong reasons. I don't want to worry about you, too."

"You won't need to worry about me," she says quietly.