#15

AU stories for NCIS episodes. Each is independent from all the others since this is 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. Again, these are AU scenes/stories which means a character may die in one story and be alive in the next one.

This is #15 - a short alternate universe story/scene for season 1, episode 15 Enigma

The original episode aired on February 24, 2004.
The dialogue in some of this is from the episode.
Rating: K+
Category: general
Warnings: Can't think of any
Disclaimer: Borrowing characters. Just borrowing. No profit.
And finally, all mistakes are mine.

"You lied to me, Tobias."

Fornell looked at Gibbs with a fake smile. "Don't take it personally. I'd lie to my mother."

Gibbs didn't smile. "Are you gonna lie to me now?"

"That depends on what you were doing in Georgetown last night."

"Colonel Ryan is not a thief," Gibbs reiterated.

"I don't really care one way or the other. My job is to find him."

"Then that's a problem because I do care."

"I know you and Ryan served together. I can appreciate that but innocent people usually don't run." Fornell didn't sound convincing. He knew innocent people ran all the time.

Gibbs reminded him, "They do if someone's trying to kill them."

Tobias scoffed. "And just who is it who's trying to kill him?"

Gibbs looked defiant. "At this point… maybe you."

"That's a good one, Gibbs."

"You know it's true. You've already decided he's guilty of anything and everything and you admit your job is to catch him, not investigate what's going on."

Fornell almost looked repentant.

"I want you to think about something, Tobias."

The two men looked at each other for several seconds. Then Gibbs told him, "When you get arrested for something you didn't do, something big that ends your career and threatens to put you in prison, you better hope someone cares enough to investigate."

And without another word, Gibbs turned the elevator back on and ignored Fornell.

End

Got to thinking about season 2 episode 5 The Bone Yard when Fornell gets accused and arrested for helping the mafia and compromising an undercover FBI agent.

At this point, maybe you.

That's a good one, Gibbs.

You had to know we'd check the tape

and figure out

that it's more than two days old.

Sure. I just didn't think you'd get it done

that fast.

What changed?

Why the rush to find him right now?

One of my men disappeared

two days ago.

Just after he reported

sighting the colonel.

And you put me on the trail

and hoped that I'd lead you right to him.

If it was your man, are you telling me

you wouldn't do the same?

Next time, just ask for our help.

You don't exactly have a reputation

for playing well with others, Gibbs.

Maybe I might've been able

to help save him.

What do you mean, save him?

(GASPING)

He was getting married next month.

- We don't know it's Agent Carlson yet.

- I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it is.

The dental records are conclusive.

Our John Doe is your missing agent.

- Now your colonel is a murderer.

- Colonel Ryan didn't do this.

And how could you possibly know that?

There was evidence of a break-in

and a gun battle at his cabin.

- We need to see it.

- So do we.

Unfortunately it was incinerated

in the explosion.

That's pretty convenient.

Hey, all this started

because you people lied to us.

Agent Todd, if Ryan's innocent,

how did my man end up handcuffed

at his cabin in the first place?

I'll get you your evidence.

- How?

- Any way I can.

Your boss is playing a dangerous game.

- He doesn't play games.

- Well, neither do we.

If I find Gibbs is helping Ryan

I'll have him charged

as an accessory to murder.

Let's go.

- He's right. We have to do something.

- Like what?

I mean, Gibbs obviously

doesn't trust us enough

to tell us what's going on.

You don't honestly believe that, do you?

Don't you see?

Gibbs is doing his very best

to protect you.

- From what?

- From being accessories yourselves.

Look, he's willing to risk his own life

and reputation for a friend,

but he's not gonna risk yours.