AU stories for NCIS episodes. Each is independent from all the others since this is all based on the possibility of parallel universes and multiple timelines... many, many of them. Later on some may seem to follow something that happened in an earlier AU episode story, but it's probably coincidence unless I say otherwise in the beginning.

This is #3 - a short alternate universe story for Season 1, episode 3 Seadog.

The original episode aired October 7, 2003.

The dialogue through the first part is from the episode.

Rating: K+

Category: General

Warnings: Spoilers for episodes, probably just the one that the AU story is about. But down the road who knows?

Disclaimer: I own nothing NCIS. I'm just borrowing the characters for a bit.

And finally, all mistakes are mine.

"They've got to be going after the power grid," Kate surmised.

Abby announced, "I found traces of C-4 on the stuff you bagged from the boat."

A relieved Fornell told them, "Thank God. They're just gonna try to blow something up."

Gibbs, Abby, DiNozzo and Todd all turned to stare at him.

He explained. "We've been sweating terrorists hacking into our power grid distribution software. That could shut down half the country. C-4 indicates a hard target: a power plant, a substation, distribution node, which are all under tight security. Which are about to get a whole lot tighter."

"There's a good chance that driver works for Jefferson Power," Gibbs offered.

The FBI special agent pulled out his cell phone. "I hope he does. We'll have him before sundown."

Fornell spoke quickly and decisively. "Terrorist alert. APB on Jefferson Power Company van number 831. I want to know where it's based, who's driving it, and I want it in five minutes."

Turning to the others he said, "Thanks, You've all done a terrific job," and then he headed toward the elevator to leave the building.

DiNoozo announced, "I feel like I just kissed my sister."

Abby replied, "I didn't know you had a sister, Tony."

"I don't." Tony smiled, "I was fantasizing."

Abby admitted, "I need music to do that."

Looking frustrated, Gibbs declared, "Fornell's got target fixation."

Not knowing the term, Kate said, "Come again?"

"It's when a fighter pilot gets so fixed on his target that he flies right into it," DiNozzo informed her.

Kate couldn't resist. "Ah, like you and women?"

DiNozzo chuckled and Kate kind of chuckled too.

Gibbs didn't need any of their antics and pulled them back in. "That August blackout was caused by a tree falling on some power lines, right?"

Kate answered, "Something like that," and knowing her answer wasn't enough for Gibbs, headed to her desk and computer.

"Well, hell, these guys don't need C-4. An axe'll do."

Kate had pulled up the required information. "Okay, here's the timeline for the August 15 blackout. "

"Put it up on the plasma, Kate."

"It started at Eastlake, Ohio at 1400 and by the time it reached Indian Point in Buchanan, New York, all the northeast and most of Canada was dark."

Gibbs looked thoughtful before demanding, "Pull the state''s power grid up off the internet."

Kate typed in the request and then said, "Whoa, look at this."

The information appeared on the plasma and DiNozzo read aloud. "It says three key failures in Virginia could cascade until every state from here to the Rockies is dark."

An astounded Kate told them, "Yeah, more than says. It shows how."

Everyone looked at the screen as she told them, "Wait, take down those three flashing nodes, simultaneously, and you take out the entire eastern power grid."

Gibbs looked pleased. "All we have to do is stop them from taking out one?"

"It looks that way. I mean if any two fail at the same time, the slack can be picked up. There will be blackouts, but it won't cascade."

DiNozzo had seen the reasoning and asked, "Well, which one do we go for?"

"The closest one." Gibbs pointed to a spot on the plasma, the Fairfax node. "Right here."

Fifteen minutes later they returned to the Navy Yard. Director Tom Morrow had called ordering them back.

The two men sat sequestered in the Director's office.

"Gibbs, the FBI has this. You cleared the commander."

Morrow looked meaningfully at his senior agent, who was not happy.

"Send your team home, Jethro. Tomorrow is another day."

Gibbs got up, a little reluctant to let it go, but started for the door anyway.

The Director was about to say something else when the lights went out.

With a small smirk, Gibbs turned and quipped, "Let's hope it was just one or two nodes, sir. If not... it'll cascade."

Morrow didn't look pleased as he snatched up his phone. "Get me the FBI Director."

End

(Have lived through many, many power outages and every time land lines still worked.)

Thanks for reading. Please review.