Chapter One: The Scene of the Crime

Anthony DiNozzo was happily drumming his fingers on his desk as he hummed the tune that was currently being blasted into his ears by his IPod much to the annoyance of his co-workers. Ziva David was slowly and purposely cleaning one of her many knives. Timothy McGee was doing his best not to pay attention however, that was proving difficult as Tony was getting louder and louder.

"TONY!" Ziva shouted actually gathering looks from the surrounding desks. Tony looked up bewildered. Once the onlookers realized it was just another thing between Tony and Ziva they went back to work.

"What?" Tony asked taking out his ear buds.

"You are driving me insane." Ziva replied slapping down her knife. Tony looked a little smug.

"McGee. Am I annoying you?" He asked pointedly. McGee just shrugged.

"I'm not getting into it Tony." Tim replied turning back to his computer screen, where he was finishing up the last bits of a previous case. Ziva looked smug.

"Thank you McGee, for being smart about it." Ziva told him. Tim just shook his head, it was like they were all siblings vying for the same toy sometimes.

"Shut up McGeek. Just because you had a bad date last night doesn't mean we all have to suffer." Tony grumbled as he put the IPod away. Tim sighed.

"It's not my fault she changed her mind when she saw Jethro." Tim replied defensively. Ziva looked interested. "I told her about my dog and she said she loved them."

"Aww. Too bad McGee." Tony mocked. Ziva frowned.

"What exactly happened McGee?" Ziva asked concerned.

"I met her at a PetSmart while I was picking up supplies for Jethro." McGee started. "We were in line when we started talking about dogs and general. I asked her out for a picnic and taking our dogs for a walk. Well, when she arrived at my apartment, she saw Jethro just sitting there and said she wasn't interested anymore. I've never saw her again." He finished.

"I'm truly sorry to hear that Tim." Ziva replied honestly. Tim shrugged.

"It's alright." He replied turning back to his work. Ziva sat back down. Everyone settled back down into their work.

Gibbs walked into the office, his usual coffee in hand. He surveyed his team unusually quiet for once. He wasn't worried though, he'd find out soon enough. He also knew that the rumors that he knew everything there was to know about his team. Those rumors were right but he loved watching everyone squirm and be surprised when it was proven true on a regular bases.

"Morning." Gibbs greeted as he placed his coffee down on his desk. Immediately, everyone snapped up as a form of attention.

"Morning boss!" Ziva, Tony and McGee chorused. Gibbs smirked as he placed the folder down on Ziva's desk.

"Got a dead Marine sergeant. Pack up and let's go." Gibbs stated as he started to move. Ziva, Tony and McGee grabbed their gear and headed for the truck.

About a half an hour later, the team arrived at Winter Haven Apartment Complex building F. Gibbs had arrived first followed closely by Tony, Ziva, and McGee. Soon after, Ducky and Jimmy had arrived.

"Ziva, take photos, McGee, sweep the area. Ducky, the body." Gibbs instructed as usual as they entered the apartment. Immediately they got to work. Tony took a look at the devesated young woman sitting on the living room couch and grinned. He headed over to her.

"Hi! I'm Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. I want you to know that I realize this is a very difficult time, but maybe I can help." Tony smiled at her with a hint of something more. She stood up looking a little pissed off and while Tony was visibly ogling her figure, she slapped him upside the head a la Gibbs.

"Ow!" He cried out rubbing his head in the spot where she had hit.

"Sorry Agent DiNozzo, but you're not my type." She replied as Gibbs stood in the corner watching with a smirk.

"Ziva, get the witness statement. DiNozzo, pick up where she left off and don't try it again." Gibbs warned him. Tony grimaced as he went to go finish Ziva's job.

"Ducky, time of death?" Gibbs asked heading to the bedroom.

"Well, Jethro, I'd say approximately eighteen hundred hours yesterday." Ducky replied as he was bent over the body.

"Six p.m. yesterday, fits the timeline from the witness. Cause of death?" Gibbs asked.

"Preliminary cause is the gunshot wound to the back of his head. But I'll know more when I get him to autopsy." Ducky replied. Gibbs nodded.

"Boss, his name is Sergeant Micah Kendrew." McGee reported looking through the wallet that had been on the table.

"Bag it." Gibbs replied turning to McGee. Meanwhile, Ducky and Jimmy were moving the body onto the stretcher and into the truck.