"Give me the animals and the girl, and nobody gets hurt." The man demanded, holding the gun up.
"Over my dead body." Gibbs retorted, having Ducky take Ariel, Haru, and the cat.
"That can be arranged, you know. Now, hand them over." The man continued to demand.
"What does it matter to you?" Tony questioned, keeping his gun pointed at the man.
"I want what's mine! My bitch-slut of an ex-wife and those no-good, ungrateful brats had no right to get rid of or sell those animals. That cat and that dog rightfully belong to me!" The man continued to yell, causing something to click in Gibbs's head.
"Oh. You're the abusive husband, father, and animal breeder those people ran from. I hate to break it to you, Pal: those animals went to good homes and are safe. And what of the little girl? She's not yours; you can't have her—and those animals belong to her." Gibbs calmly retorted, keeping his gun drawn but not pointed at the man.
As they were headed to Ducky earlier, Fornell got a call from his superior. He went upstairs to hear what his boss needed to tell him. Gibbs could just barely see him at the elevator; the man was not paying attention to anyone.
"Don't mock or contradict me! I will shoot you where you stand! Do you know how long I've been looking for that woman? I do not care whether the brat belongs to me or not because all that matters is that she does now! Her bitch of a mother bought my animals illegally and then got them spayed and neutered! That girl is confiscation. And if her mother wants her back, she'll have to pay! And I do not care if you're the girl's father or not: she's mine!" The man yelled, repeating himself a few times.
"That innocent little girl is not an object. And neither are those animals. They're all living beings with beating hearts and breathing lungs. And if I'm not mistaken, you were in jail and the animals were awarded to your ex and her sons. So, no; they did not illegally sell the cats or the dogs. And you can go ahead and shoot all you want but take a look in front of you: there are three of us with guns and only one of you. What do you think is going to happen?" Gibbs was starting to become increasingly agitated.
"You damned son of a bitch!" The man roared, pointing his gun at Gibbs.
"Drop the gun, put your hands on your head, and get on your knees." Fornell ordered, pointing his gun at the man's head.
It took a few seconds, but the man reluctantly dropped his gun, put his hands to his head, and dropped to his knees.
"Easy now." Fornell took one of the man's hands and cuffed him, followed by the other hand.
"Where the hell did you disappear to? What took you so damn long to get down here?" Tony questioned Fornell as Ariel waddled her way to Gibbs, falling over three times.
Once she made it to Gibbs, Ariel clung to his leg.
"*Sigh…* Irregardless of the results, you're mine, aren't you?" Gibbs questioned, lifting Ariel into his arms after sighing. She just made a noise before leaning against him.
"I got a call from Thomas, saying he thought there was someone suspicious lurking around. He would have called Gibbs or one of you but said that he's preoccupied and most likely has you working this case for him as priority number one. That was after my boss called and told me to meet him upstairs. That being said… Gibbs: what do you want done with this guy? It seems to me that he's after that little girl. Do you want to take a crack at him?" Fornell answered Tony before questioning Gibbs.
"Todd: I want you to take Fornell and him to an interrogation room and wait. I will knock when you can start. Because of the situation, I'm recusing myself. However, I still want any information involving Ariel and Tessa."
"I don't know how long FBI will be working with us, so until I'm told they're not, Fornell and Tony are in charge: Tony for NCIS and Fornell for FBI. But for now, Tony… Hold on. I need you to go with Haru and Miku for a little bit." Gibbs started delegating before setting Ariel with Haru and Miku. He then found a pen and a piece of paper.
Food List:
Get Ariel some kind of pasta dish with that white sauce & a plain vanilla shake. NOTHING containing shellfish, pineapple, coconut, or dragon fruit.
Get Haru a medium bag of dog food, a pack of wet food, and three bowls.
Get Miku a small bag of cat food, a pack of wet food, and three bowls.
Get me a burger with everything, French fries, and a coffee.
Get whatever you want as long as it's under $30.
"You guys are working on my time: there is no breaks except for eating and sleeping until Tessa's murder is solved and whoever did it is behind bars. Not for my sake, but for Ariel's; she and her mother deserve justice. So, until then, I will buy breakfast, lunch, and dinner—for my people. However, for tonight, I will buy you dinner as well. So, Caitlin, Fornell, Ducky, and Gerald: write what you want down and try to keep it under thirty dollars. Tony: tonight, is your round. Get everything on that list. It's getting late, and I don't know when she last ate—other than two graham crackers. Before you leave the building, make sure to ask Abby what she wants as well. And don't be an idiot: when you get back, call Caitlin or me to help you carry everything in. Nothing needs to end up on the floor." Gibbs informed everyone before telling Tony.
"Yes, Sir." Tony replied, hurrying out the moment he got the list from Ducky.
"This one has him on edge—more than usual." Caitlin noted as she, Fornell, and the man stood in the elevator.
"You would be too if your child was involved. Actually, when kids being involved in general. When innocent children are involved; it just becomes an entirely new level." Fornell stoically answered, staring at the elevator door.
"Right. I understand that, but Gibbs seemed extra—I don't know—intense this time." Caitlin replied.
"It is what it is. But now we need to focus; we don't want anything to go wrong. I'd hate to see how intense Gibbs will get if we mess something up." Fornell explained, making Caitlin think—and then shudder.
"I agree." She replied, still shuddering as they led the man to an interrogation room.
With Gibbs:
"You didn't have to do that, Jethro." Ducky spoke up with a smile, watching Gibbs lift Ariel into his arms again.
"Ah. Didn't have to do what? Getting you dinner for helping me figure all this out—and not letting you leave because of it?" Gibbs questioned as Ariel petted Miku.
Miku jumped from the floor to an exam table, to Gibbs's shoulders.
"Well, when you put it like that… Of course, not. Jethro, we get it; we know you want justice for that little girl and her mother. We also realize that Tessa must have been important enough to you in order for you to recuse yourself from the case. You never recuse yourself—not once since I've known you. Jethro: all you have to do is ask and I'll do what I can for you. You're one of my best friends—and I owe you. As for Gerald: he has a fiancé waiting for him." Ducky insisted, watching Ariel lean into Gibbs's shoulders.
"If you absolutely need me, I can stay; I just need to be able to tell Gale what's going on—to a certain point." Gerald insisted, speaking up.
"Well, for now, you're stuck here: I just sent DiNozzo out for food—you included. You stay no later than eleven tonight. Everyone will get to go home between ten and eleven for sleep." Gibbs replied, watching Ducky and Gerald.
"What about you and Ariel? Do you have anywhere in your home for her?" Gerald questioned, watching Gibbs.
"Not yet, but I will. But for now, she and I will stay here. I don't have a car seat, I don't know who killed Tessa, and I don't know who is after Ariel. I would rather have her safe here than risking her life taking her home just yet." Gibbs answered Gerald.
Gibbs's house had four rooms: his room, Kelly's room, and two spare rooms:
He never enters his room because of memories that are still too painful.
Kelly's room, which has been left untouched, he rarely peers into for a few minutes.
He used one of the spare rooms if his father showed up out of the blue. He very rarely has other guests.
The second spare room was empty. Until Ariel, he didn't know what to do with that room.
There had been a point in time when he and Shannon talked about having more children once he was home and retired from the Marines.
Kelly always wanted a younger sibling— brother or sister; it didn't matter.
"I highly doubt it's going to come back negative, but what are you going to do if her DNA doesn't match yours?" Ducky questioned, watching Gibbs, failing to hide his smile.
"Why ask if you already know the answer? I see the smirk." Gibbs questioned, shifting Ariel a little.
"I just want to hear you say it—out loud." Ducky answered.
"I suppose she's stuck with me. My name is on the birth certificate. And unless I say otherwise, that means she can stay with me, seeing as she has no other family. And Tessa mentioned that she made sure Ariel knew who I was." Gibbs answered.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!"
Abby was knocking on the morgue's door, antsier than usual. That typically meant she found something.
"Well, you should go. I have a body to finish examining." Ducky firmly told Gibbs, reminding him of Tessa's body.
"Come on, Haru." Gibbs sighed, grabbing the handle of the wagon.
"Oh, my gosh! That's such a beautiful cat. Tony said that there was a pussy cat now, but I wasn't sure if it was true or not. She is so beautiful!" Abby gushed over Miku.
"Abby, is that why you came all the way down here?" Gibbs questioned, walking to the elevator.
"Oh, no, of course, not. I dusted everything you left for fingerprints, but I didn't read anything; I didn't feel it was any of my business. Oh, but you don't wanna hear about that. Most of the prints were that of Tessa Grant's, but there was one that didn't match hers and wasn't in the system. And it's not Ariel's: it's too big to be that of a small child's. I realized it after I sent the napkin with Kate, but I should probably print that as well." Abby answered and explained. At the same time, she was swaying back and forth to keep herself from touching Miku.
"You can pet the cat, Abs." Gibbs sighed, seeing how antsy she was.
"She's so soft. She almost looks like a Bengal cat." Abby noted, petting Miku's head.
"One of Tessa's letters said she was half Bengal cat and half Himalayan cat. And Haru is a mix of Siberian Husky and Australian Shepherd. It's funny because I thought she said he also had Border Collie mixed in as well. Maybe I misheard. Or maybe she was just so frazzled when she wrote the letter that she forgot to mention it." Gibbs answered before sighing.
"I can find out for sure. Right now, aside from the DNA test, running fingerprints, and doing whatever else you need me to test; I have nothing else to do. Oh, and I know you didn't ask or say anything, but I took a few samples from her diaper—to see if there was anything in that. No results yet, but I have them running." Abby excitedly insisted and informed Gibbs.
"Yeah, sure. Just make sure you print everything and get whatever you can off everything else first." Gibbs replied, heading into Abby's lab.
"Aye, aye!" Abby cheerfully replied.
"Oh, do you want me to print her and have her in the system? You know—just in case something happens in the future. Or if there are other small prints that maybe not belong to her." Abby hesitantly questioned, slowly turning to look at Gibbs.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. I need you to watch her for a few minutes while I take Haru out. He's been in here all day, and he's held it remarkably well if he's had to go at all." Gibbs replied before handing Abby Ariel.
"Oh, of course." Abby gladly agreed, taking Ariel.
"Thank you, Abs. Don't let anyone you don't know in here. Come on. You need to go, and you can't do it inside." Gibbs ordered, taking a resistant Haru.
"Of course, not. Come on, Ariel. Do you want to do an art game?" Abby replied, sealing her and Ariel in her lab. Once the doors were secured, Abby got things around to print Ariel's fingers.
Ariel nodded her hand in response, with her left index finger in her mouth.
"Good. I'll just sit you in your wagon and get things ready. The game is called, One Finger at a Time. You only have two jobs for this game. First, you have to do is hold your hands still while I put this black ink on your itty-bitty fingers—one finger at a time. And then, after each finger is coated in ink, you must press that finger onto this piece of paper. But here's the trick of it: you have to place your finger in the exact square I tell you to. Ok?" Abby explained, trying to cleverly make something up that Ariel would understand.
Ariel nodded her head, but Abby wasn't sure about that.
One by one, Abby got Ariel's prints—until she got to Ariel's left index finger. When it was time to do her left hand, Ariel kept trying to put her right index finger in her mouth—and now, she was becoming fussy.
Knock. Knock.
"Abby, let me in." Gibbs instructed from the other side of the door.
"Coming!" Abby called, bringing Ariel with her.
"How is it going?" Gibbs questioned, watching Abby and Ariel.
"It was all good until it was time to print her left hand. She likes to put her index fingers in her mouth. I have all her prints except the left index finger." Abby answered, showing him Ariel's prints.
"Hey, you. Why are you giving Abby a hard time?" Gibbs asked Ariel, taking her from Abby and looking her in the eyes.
Ariel, of course, didn't answer; she just stared at him.
"You have to let Abby finish her job, so she doesn't get in trouble. You don't want her to get in trouble, do you?" Gibbs questioned, watching Ariel; she shook her head.
"Good. Let her ink and press your finger and then we'll wash all your fingers. And only then can you have your finger back. Ok?" Gibbs compromised with Ariel; she nodded her head.
"Good girl. Here you go." Gibbs praised Ariel before leaning her over to Abby to print her finger.
"How did you get her to listen like that? I tried everything and couldn't get squat." Abby replied, printing Ariel's index finger.
"You just have to know how to talk to her. All children are different, but I get the distinct feeling Ariel is very different. Tessa wrote that she took her to a few specialists: some told her Ariel was autistic and some said she had ADD. I say we'll have to wait and see; she's only two and has plenty of time." Gibbs answered, taking Ariel over to the sink to wash her hands.
"So, does that mean you've decided to keep her?" Abby questioned, hopeful as she began printing the wagon and everything else.
"Yes. She's mine, and that's that." Gibbs answered, washing Ariel's hands.
All Abby could do was smile.
"Ok, calm down. Shh… It's ok. Shh… Come on, DiNozzo: where are you? It's been over half an hour." Gibbs rocked Ariel; she was hungry and fussy.
"Is she hungry?" Abby questioned, standing up straight.
"Yeah. The last thing she ate was two graham crackers while I read that first letter from Tessa; that was roughly four and a half hours ago—and I don't know when she ate before that." Gibbs answered, gently rocking Ariel.
"I know she shouldn't have dessert before dinner, but I have a large chocolate chip cookie. If she needs something to tide her over, I can give her half—or a forth of it." Abby offered, watching Gibbs.
"Uhh… Yeah, sure. If it gets something in her stomach until Tony gets here." Gibbs replied, sighing a little.
"Ok. Just give me a second to quickly wash my hands." Abby insisted, setting ink, a brush, and paper on her desk before rushing to the sink.
"We'll just set you next to your wagon for now. Abby is going to share a cookie with you. When she gives you part of it, you have to tell her thank you. I know you don't like talking right now, but if you take your hand and put it to your chin and then take it away like this: that means thank you. Ok? Can you do that?" Gibbs set Ariel on a blanket by her wagon before showing her how to say "thank you" in sign language—a few times.
"Here we go. Would you like part of my chocolate chip cookie?" Abby questioned, kneeling in front of Ariel.
Ariel nodded her head.
"Here you go." Abby split her cookie in half and then split the piece of Ariel's in half again before giving it to her; she gave the other part to Gibbs, and he could decide what to do with it.
"Thank you." Ariel signed to Abby. She was a little slow and shaky, but she did what Gibbs showed her to do.
"Oh, you are so welcome." Abby happily replied, signing as she did so.
"Good girl. And you're a good girl too." Gibbs praised Ariel before also praising Abby when she made a playful face.
Fifteen or So Minutes Later:
"Hey, Boss, I'm back. Sorry, I took so long; everywhere was crazy busy—especially the store." Tony called Gibbs and explained.
"Ok. I'll be down in a few minutes." Gibbs replied, watching Ariel. She was content scribbling on some paper with a few broken crayons Abby found in a drawer.
Haru and Miku were on either of Ariel, watching each other. To Gibbs and Abby, they looked like they were glaring at each other. However, they didn't do anything and just sat against Ariel, begging for her attention.
"Oh, there's no need for that. Caitlin and Ducky just arrived: I called her for help before calling Ducky to let him know I'd be there shortly. I guess he decided to come as well. I will be to you, Ariel, and Abby shortly." Tony informed Gibbs.
"What'd you do—buy the whole store?" Gibbs heard Caitlin question in the background.
"No. It just looks like a lot." Tony argued.
"Come on, you two; let's not argue right now. I'm pretty sure there's a little girl who is hungry and waiting for food. Plus, I don't think Jethro wants to hear you arguing either." Gibbs heard Ducky.
"I will see you soon." Gibbs sighed before hanging up—before anyone could say anything else.
"Tony and Kate?" Abby questioned, starting to run prints.
"Yeah. Come on: it's time to get ready to go to a different room." Gibbs answered before moving Ariel to put her blanket back into the wagon and lifting her into his arms.
"Don't forget her cookie." Abby insisted, handing Gibbs a plastic baggy with a fourth of the cookie in it.
"Thank you, Abs. Make sure you call or find me if you figure something out." Gibbs thanked Abby before telling her.
"Of course." Abby replied with a smile.
"You can have the rest of the cookie after you eat your dinner." Gibbs told Ariel, noticing her watching the cookie.
"Boss. We were just coming to see you." Tony spoke, stunned after the elevator opened.
"Take Abby her food first and then meet us in the interrogation's viewing room. You go let Fornell know ten minutes." Gibbs ordered Tony and Caitlin.
"Right." Tony and Caitlin obeyed, going to where they needed:
Tony went to Abby.
Caitlin stayed on the elevator with Gibbs, Ariel, Haru, and Miku.
"She looks like she's getting tired." Caitlin noted, watching Ariel.
"Maybe. But I know she's more hungry than tired. What time is it, anyway?" Gibbs questioned.
"Ten to five." Caitlin answered.
"Jeez. It's been longer than I thought." Gibbs responded, stunned at how fast the day went.
"Gibbs said we can start the interview in roughly ten minutes. He's waiting on Tony and then he's going to get the baby and animals fed." Caitlin informed Fornell, who was waiting outside the door.
"Ok. Where is Gibbs anyway?" Fornell questioned, confused.
"Right here." Gibbs answered, startling Fornell.
"Jesus, Gibbs!" Fornell exclaimed, holding his chest.
"Sorry. The wagon tipped over and I had to pick everything up. Well, Ariel and Haru helped, but it still took a few minutes." Gibbs explained.
"What about the cat?" Fornell questioned, watching Miku.
"She just sat there and watched us." Gibbs answered.
"Sounds like your typical cat. Oh. Wow. Hey." Fornell muttered before backing up a little when Miku hissed at him.
At the same time, he, Caitlin, and Gibbs couldn't help but laugh a little because it looked like Haru was laughing at Fornell's comment.
"It's like they really understand us." Caitlin commented.
"Animals are smart: some of them can and do understand us. Now, if only we could understand them." Gibbs spoke up.
"I don't know about that. They may never shut up." Fornell replied.
"Good: you're both out here. Fornell: your Country-Fried steak and mashed potatoes with gravy, a side of corn from the diner, and your coffee with cream and sugar on the side. Caitlin: your turkey wrap thing with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, yellow peppers, and mayo with a salad with packs of dressing on the side, and a tea. You didn't clarify what kind of dressing you wanted." Tony handed Fornell and Caitlin what they requested.
"Thank you, Tony." Caitlin replied, taking her food.
"Thanks, Kid." Fornell thanked Tony, taking his stuff.
"Well, follow me." Gibbs instructed, leading the way.
"Of course." Tony quickly followed Gibbs.
"Do you want us to start interrogating the guy?" Fornell questioned, watching Gibbs.
"If you want." Gibbs answered, walking into an interview room.
"What is all this?" Gibbs questioned Tony once the door to the room was closed.
"Well, I didn't know if you had a litter box or litter, so I picked those up along with the bowls and food for the cat and dog." Tony answered, turning on the two-way mirror.
"I didn't even think of that." Gibbs grumbled.
"Don't beat yourself up. With everything going on—finding out you have a daughter, that she's in danger, and that her mother was—well, you know. You are under a lot of pressure. But here's your and Ariel's food and drinks. And then the animal's food is over here." Tony explained, pushing a brand-new wagon to Gibbs.
"Jesus, Tony: what did you get her?" Gibbs questioned, picking up a large container of Shredded Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli and a medium vanilla shake.
"That's the only size the Meadow Butterfly had. And the McDonalds I went to only had medium or large shakes and smoothies left; they claimed not to have any smalls left." Tony honestly explained.
"The Meadow Butterfly? DiNozzo, you could've just gone to the store and picked up a box of frozen noodle box." Gibbs questioned.
"Oh, no. I'm a DiNozzo: we don't do frozen pasta. And if you think of it this way: if she doesn't finish it tonight, she'll have food for tomorrow. The drinks, on the other hand, probably won't last. I suppose shakes can, but they're not near as good after being frozen in a freezer." Tony firmly explained with a smile.
"Ok, let's get you fed. You can sit at this table, but you have to sit very, very still because I don't have a proper seat for you." "Oh, I knew I was forgetting something. I'll be right back." Gibbs started telling Ariel before Tony remembered something.
"Ok... Don't drink all your shake at once: eat your food." Gibbs calmly told Ariel, holding her still so she wouldn't fall over.
"I sure am hungry." Gibbs heard Fornell speak on the other side of the glass.
"Me too." Caitlin replied.
"So, how was your food?" Fornell questioned.
"I haven't eaten yet." Caitlin replied, making a face.
"Yeah, neither have I." Fornell replied.
"Anyway. How do you think Gibbs is doing?" Fornell questioned after a few minutes of awkward silence.
"He seems like he's doing better. I can tell he's still stressed, but he's better." Caitlin answered.
"Gibbs, stressed? I haven't seen that before. I mean, I've seen him under a lot of pressure before, but never stressed." Fornell replied, somewhat stunned.
"Everyone gets stressed every now and then. I know I do." Caitlin insisted, rolling her eyes.
"Sorry about that." Tony apologized, walking in with a large box.
"What is that?" Gibbs questioned, watching Tony.
"It's a highchair/booster seat. The lady who helped pick it out said it was perfect for preemie babies. I didn't tell her, I swear. I said she was two, but looked like she could be a little over a year. But she explained that for a decent price, the chair part of it can be attached and removed from the base whenever. It takes the guesswork out of when your child will transition from highchair to booster seat. It comes with a tray and everything to put everything together. I mean, I know you probably won't set the highchair part up, but you can at least use the booster seat part of it. And it's portable. I'm not sure how that all works, but I figured until you can take her home, this would work for here." Tony quickly explained as Gibbs cut the box open.
"Thanks, Tony." Gibbs thanked Tony, removing the contraption's seat from the box.
"It's not a problem, Boss. With all you've done for me, this was the least I can do. But you're on your own for a car seat." Tony replied, rubbing the back of his head as Gibbs got Ariel set up.
"That's fine. You're all set. Remember: eat your food; don't just suck down your shake." Gibbs replied before telling Ariel.
"Shoot! I'm sorry about the broccoli; I told the person to hold the broccoli." Tony apologized, watching Ariel poking at the broccoli with her fork.
"It's fine; she doesn't seem to mind. We should probably eat as well." Gibbs replied as they watched Ariel sniff the broccoli before eating it. He then continued to get his food and coffee before sitting down. He even pulled out a chair for Tony to sit.
"If you two are done jibber-jabbering, can we talk about my cat and dog? I won't touch the girl: just give me my damn animals." They heard the man speaking to Fornell and Caitlin
"Shut up." Fornell and Caitlin ordered, not having his crap.
"Even if we agreed to give you the cat and dog, I highly doubt they'd go with you. That dog, Haru, doesn't leave the girl's side unless he absolutely has to. The cat ran straight to her when you came for the dog. And by the looks of it, the cat couldn't wait to get away from you." Caitlin informed the man, noticing the fresh cat scratches on his arm.
"And that dog is smart; he doesn't even have to be asked, and he does what's needed to help the girl. I could really use a dog like that. Got anymore?" Fornell added with a smile.
"No. I haven't had any luck finding any of the other people my ex and ungrateful mistakes sold the cats and dogs to. I only found the slut and her brat by accident. I recognized my cat in the window. She refused to give me the animals—no matter how much I offered to pay her. And trust me: it looked like she could've used the money. The bitch even slammed the door in my face." The man answered, annoyed.
"They do have names, you know." Caitlin stated, a little agitated.
"Yeah, and? Why do I care? I just want the dog and cat back. I was just going to use the brat as a hostage to get my money from her bitch mother—or anyone who may have been able to help her. Now, just give me the animals and let her know I'm taking what's mine, and that I'll leave the girl alone." The man retorted, getting Gibb's attention.
"Yeah, Abs." Gibbs answered his phone.
"The man who wants Haru and the cat: his name is Dawson Rennie. He's been arrested multiple times for breaking and entering, robbery, battery, several counts of aggravated assaults, and even more counts of domestic or spousal disturbances. The wife finally left him with her two sons and one daughter after he put all three children in the hospital. The first time he was arrested was for beating his younger sister until she couldn't see for clearly for two weeks; he was only sixteen. That was in Vermont over forty years ago. Since his release after only four months, Mr. Rennie has been in and out of jail or prison in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Road Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, and Washington DC. He never spent more than two years in any jail or prison. He's never paid any of his fines and is wanted for bail jumping in New York, West Virginia, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Hold on, there's something else coming up." Abby explained before pausing.
"What is it, Abby?" Gibbs questioned after a minute or so.
"Sorry. His past few charges have been all over the states and even outside of the country. In every state I mentioned previously, it's been confirmed that he had at least one puppy mill in horrible conditions, and his last charge (which he's running from), was for trafficking animals from overseas. Over eight hundred dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, and rabbits had to be put down with how sick they were. There were even more dead. Awww!" "Abby, stop looking at the pictures." Gibbs interrupted Abby; he could hear it in her tone that she was looking at the pictures.
"Sorry. It's just so sad. But uhh… Five and a half years ago, he went on a tangent in Connecticut after his ex-wife and children took off and took cleared out all the animals from that, what he called "Breeder's Sanctuary." In a statement, twenty animals had to be put down, and that Mr. Rennie's ex won the rights to the five litters of healthy kittens along with their mothers, and three litters of puppies along with their mothers. Since then, Mr. Rennie was not allowed to own any animals in Connecticut. And now, the only state that will allow him to own any type of animal is New Mexico." Abby finished explaining.
"Thank you, Abby." Gibbs thanked Abby with a smile.
"You're welcome. Back to work." Abby replied.
"Have you eaten yet?" Gibbs sternly questioned.
"Yes. I've been eating as I work. Talk to you later." Abby answered before hanging up.
"Do you want me to go check on her?" Tony inquired.
"No." Gibbs answered, dialing Caitlin's number.
"Hello?" Caitlin answered Gibbs's call.
"His name is Dawson Rennie. Ask him what their names are. Then no matter what his answer is, let him know Tessa is dead." Gibbs ordered before hanging up.
"Who was that?" The man and Fornell questioned, watching Caitlin.
"Never mind that right now. Now, Mr. Dawson Rennie. That's right: we figured out who you are. You refer to the mother and her daughter (who the cat and dog legally belong to), as "the girl" or "the brat," and whatever derogatory name comes flying out of your mouth. Do you even know their names?" Caitlin questioned, watching the man.
"What does it matter?" Dawson questioned, annoyed.
"The little girl is now with her father because her mother is dead; she was murdered earlier today." Caitlin sternly answered, looking Dawson dead in the eyes.
"Don't look at me; I didn't kill her. I had no reason to kill her: she had my cat and dog. If I were to have killed her, I would have never gotten my dog and cat back, nor would I have gotten my money. And I may be a lot of things, but I wouldn't take a mother away from her child—murder-wise. I would've taken the girl and used her as leverage against the mother to get what I want, but I would never kill her." Dawson immediately replied.
"Mmmhmm." Fornell hummed as she looked toward the two-way mirror.
"I'll be right back." Gibbs informed Tony and Ariel.
Tony didn't say anything; he just ate and kept an eye on Ariel.
Knock. Knock.
"Gibbs, what's going on?" Fornell questioned, stunned. He didn't think Gibbs would come in; he had said he was recusing himself.
"He's telling the truth. Other than the cat and dog, Mr. Rennie has nothing to do with Tessa or her daughter." Gibbs spoke.
"Great. Now that that's out of the way, let me get my animals, and I'll be on my way." Dawson instructed, standing up.
"Sit back down." Gibbs demanded, putting the fear of Gibbs in Dawson.
"Can I go back to dealing with those two?" Dawson questioned, shaking a little.
"No. Let me get one thing straight: you are not ever getting the dog or cat; they're staying with Tessa's little girl. You will not lay a single finger on them or any animal ever again. Where do you think you are? This is NCIS: we have databases just like the FBI. I made a quick call before coming here: Officer Stone will be here in ten minutes to pick you up. As it would turn out, the FBI is very interested in you. The one thing I requested was that they contact whoever needs to be contacted in New Mexico, and make sure you can't own any animal there either. Yes, I know that as well. At the moment, you are not allowed to own any animal in every state except for New Mexico. Hopefully that won't be the case for very much longer, and you won't be able to own animals in every state. That is all I have to say." Gibbs informed Dawson before leaving.
"Wow." Caitlin was too stunned to say much else.
"Turns out you're a wanted man. Who would have thought? You go ahead, Todd; I'll wait for Stone with Mr. Rennie." Fornell told Caitlin, sitting across from Dawson with his food.
"What did he do to get wanted by the FBI?" Caitlin questioned, catching up to Gibbs just as he opened the door to the viewing room.
"For the most part, I don't know. And what I do know, you don't want to. Abby's the one who figured out who he was and what he had done." Gibbs answered before walking into the room.
"Where did the Booster Highchair come from?" Caitlin questioned, noticing the box and Ariel in a booster seat.
"DiNozzo. Well, come sit down." Gibbs answered, sitting next to Ariel.
"How much broccoli have you had?" Caitlin questioned Tony, noticing a piece of broccoli on his Styrofoam box.
"Two pieces. Ariel just put that by me a minute ago. For the most part she's been eating her broccoli just fine." Tony answered.
"That's kind of surprising: I've never met a child who liked broccoli before." Caitlin spoke, unwrapping her food.
"Works for me. It means she'll try other foods." Gibbs insisted, eating a fry.
"Haru seems to like broccoli as well. The cat, not so much. But they both seem to like the chicken." Catlin noted after a piece of broccoli fell off Ariel's fork. She then watched as Ariel intentionally dropped an extra piece of broccoli on the floor for Miku. However, Miku only batted it around until Haru ate it. She then dropped them some chicken: Miku got two pieces while Haru only got one large piece.
"Well, it seems she's trying to be fair." Tony insisted.
"Ok. That's enough. Are you done?" Gibbs stopped Ariel from feeding the animals any more human food.
Ariel shook her head and started eating her noodles. However, Gibbs, Tony, and Caitlin could see she wasn't hungry.
"You're going to make yourself sick if you keep eating. Here, you can have this." Gibbs took her food away and replaced it with her shake.
"What does that mean?" Caitlin questioned when Ariel signed thank you to Gibbs.
"Thank you. It's sign language." Tony answered, watching Ariel suck her shake down.
"Oh. I didn't know you knew sign language." Caitlin spoke, stunned.
"I learned a long, long time ago. Slow down. Come here." Gibbs answered before having Ariel set her cup down. He lifted her out of her seat and into his arms to rub her back as she tried to catch her breath.
"I don't know a lot—just the basics: "please," "thank you," "sorry," "you're welcome," the alphabet, and a few other things. Abby's been teaching me." Tony answered.
"Oh. I guess I'll have to talk to Abby when everything else is figured out." Caitlin insisted.
A Few Hours Later:
8:18 PM:
"How adorable is that?" Abby questioned, getting Gibbs, Tony, and Caitlin's attention. When they turned to see what she was talking about, they were a little stunned:
Ariel was lying on her stomach, half on the floor and half on Haru, and Miku was on Ariel's back.
Ariel was starting to fall asleep. Miku was asleep. And everyone could tell Haru had to use the bathroom with how antsy he seemed.
Gibbs sighed as he moved Ariel's blankets and pillow from the wagon she came with to the one Tony bought. Note: that's how he was able to bring almost everything in by himself, minus the stuff Caitlin and Ducky brought in.
The wagon Tony brought was deeper than the one Ariel and Haru came with: Gibbs felt safer having Ariel sleep in the new one without falling out.
"Ok. Let's get you changed and to bed. And then I will take you out to use the bathroom." Gibbs told Ariel, gently lifting her off of Haru—after lifting Miku off her.
"Mmmm…" Ariel whined, barely awake anymore.
"I know." Gibbs gently spoke, laying Ariel on one of the tables to change her.
"I can take the dog out if you want, Boss. That way, you don't have to worry about Ariel, and neither does he. He doesn't seem to like to leave her side if you're not with her. But when you're with her, Haru seems a little calmer." Tony offered and insisted.
"Yeah. Go ahead. His leash is in the other wagon. Take a bag in case he has to poop: that can't be left sitting. And take Agent Todd with you." Gibbs replied, concentrating on changing Ariel's diaper.
"That won't be necessary. What I mean is I'm heading out for the night; I can go with them. Then when they head back in; I'll just go home." Fornell informed everyone.
"Fine. Whatever. Just be careful." Gibbs replied, digging around in a bag for a pair of jammies for Ariel.
"We'll be back. Come on, Haru." Tony replied, hooking Haru to his lease.
"And don't use his name outside." Gibbs ordered before Tony could step out the door.
"Yes, Boss." Tony replied, heading out.
"Here we go." Gibbs found a pair of Ariel's jammies to change her into. The pajamas were a dark purple shirt with a moon and stars with matching frilly shorts.
"So, do you really have to change Haru and Miku's names?" Abby questioned, working on something to do with Tessa and Ariel.
"That's what Tessa requested in her letter. I don't want to have to do that—I don't want to confuse Haru, Ariel, or Miku. But if that's what Tessa wants for Ariel's safety, then that's what I'll do. But that's the only reason I'll do it—for Ariel's safety, and her safety alone." Gibbs answered Abby.
"Any ideas?" Abby questioned, watching Gibbs.
"No." Gibbs answered.
"No ideas at all?" Caitlin questioned.
"I haven't had a dog for a long way. And I gave him one name and one name alone; his name was never changed." Gibbs answered.
"Mmm…" Ariel started fussing again.
"Shhh… Time for sleep." Gibbs gently told Ariel, carefully placing her in the new wagon. He gave her her teddy bear, and Miku jumped in next to her before he could cover her with her blanket.
"That's a cheeky cat." Caitlin noted, watching Miku lie on Ariel's shoulder.
"Yeah… I think Haru and Miku have some weird competitive thing going on for Ariel's attention. Yet, at the same time, they both love her enough to not go after each other. They both want to protect her, and they both want her attention. Still, they can't stand when the other gets more attention than the other." Gibbs explained, covering Ariel and Miku.
"Maybe they have that cats vs. dogs thing going on." Caitlin suggested.
"Except neither of them are evil, nor are they trying to take over the world. They're both good." Abby cheerfully spoke up.
"What in the world are you talking about?" Gibbs questioned, blankly staring at Abby.
"That was a good movie." Tony spoke, walking into the room with Haru.
"What?" Gibbs questioned.
"Cats & Dogs. It's a movie that came out July 2001. It's a cute and funny family movie. It's about cats vs. dogs. The dogs are the good guys, and the cats are the villains. Kind of makes me think the creator didn't like cats too much. But anyway, the main good characters are Butch, a breed of shepherd, and Lou, a beagle. The main bad guy is Mr. Tinkles, a Persian with a crazy owner who loves dressing him in ridiculous outfits. And all the animals talk. It would be a good movie to watch Ariel." Tony explained as Haru went to Ariel.
"Ah." Gibbs responded, watching Ariel.
"What were you talking about that brought that up?" Tony questioned, sitting down.
"Renaming the animals." Gibbs answered with a frustrated sigh.
"Well, you could go with characters from The Little Mermaid. What? Her name is Ariel. Why not name her best friends after Ariel's best friends in The Little Mermaid?" Tony suggested before asking Caitlin after she made a face.
"Do you really think Flounder, Sebastian, or Scuttle?" Caitlin questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, not Flounder. Sebastian could be a good name for a male dog. Scuttle could also be a good name. And hey, Prince Eric's dog's name is Max. Max could certainly work." Tony stated his case.
"Ok. That's enough. I will figure it out later; I have time. Just go home for the night; we've all been stuck together all day. Get some rest and come back with fresh senses." Gibbs ordered, slightly annoyed.
"Yes, Boss." Tony immediately agreed. He wasn't stupid and didn't have a death wish.
"See you tomorrow." Caitlin also agreed, heading out.
"I'll head out later. I've still got a lot of work to do." Abby insisted.
"Do not stay past midnight." Gibbs sternly told Abby.
"Right." Abby replied, getting to work…
What do you like for the names for Haru & Miku?
Haru: something space related like Lunar, Moon, Aries? Something mythological like Loki, Zeus, Thor? Or something simple like Koda, Dakota, Remi, or Parker?
Miku: Luna, Daisy, Lily, Rose, Sadie, Princess, Dusty, or Spacy?