Ch 34: Dark Night continued, Aftermath

As the bullets flew toward their targets, that is the detonators on the grenades, Charlie, still next to his armed nephews, quickly followed their lead in closing his eyes, quickly turning his body around and laying on his belly on the roof, facing the front of the house rather than the back, eyes closed, his head tucked down as far as possible and then covering it, in particular his eyes and ears with some of the protective gear. On the ground below them, the teams and the 'distraction/backup' intruders had also dropped to the ground, facing the back of the property, their heads covered by their protective gear. The two criminals who shot the grenades also faced away from the grenades, laying on their bellies, their dark hoods pulled up over their heads.

Lying on the roof facing away from the blast the grenades made as the bullets hit home and the targets exploded, Tim was shaking, the small part of his mind that was still rational realizing it was likely a mixture of fear, adrenaline and shock. He was also freezing on a night when the temperature was in the 50s and he was wearing battle gear, not exactly light clothing or equipment. Knowing that was also shock didn't help much until he realized it did mean he was alive and probably not hurt, at least not badly and the roof he was laying on wasn't becoming hot, falling apart or moving at all. As his senses started to return, he heard people breathing nearby which meant his brother and uncle were alive. It took him a moment or two but eventually he was able to turn his head toward one of the breathers and saw his brother next to him. Tim blinked back tears before giving up and letting them roll. They'd done it, saved their family, their defenders and Tony's house!

His hands still shaking, he started to reach out to Geordie, smiling a little when his brother extended his own shaking hand to him, tears also running down his face. Somewhere in the working part of his brain Tim registered surprise at that. His brother was a Marine officer, Tim knew he'd been in combat many times and must have dealt with grenades before. He mentally shrugged, maybe he'd ask him later. Maybe it was true that no one ever got used to the weapons of war. Or maybe it was that no one who lived who ever got used to them. Or maybe it was knowing their wives, children, nearly all their loved ones had been at risk and they'd somehow managed to save them. Raising himself a little, he could see that their uncle was also alive, moving around a bit and nearly as shaky as Tim and Geo.

Slowly turning his body around, still shaking, Tim belly crawled to the fake lattice-work, looking through one of the peep holes. He sighed in relief as he saw people moving around, and his shoulders relaxed even more when he thought to use his night vision gear and saw his team and several other people guarding 5 men with shiny bracelets, handcuffs, on their wrists. He also noticed two of the 5 were also wearing leg cuffs, also known as shackles. Good!

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After the concussive noise finally died away and Charlie was able to tap in a message without his hands shaking, he sent a message to his brother-in-law that the danger was over, that Tim and Geordie found two additional criminals, closer to the house than the other intruders. With Tim figuring the trajectory of the grenades and then the necessary trajectory their bullets would need to bring the grenades down before they hit their target, he and Geordie were successful in shooting down the two grenades the intruders launched. The grenades exploded into flames mid-air, most of the pieces landing a safe distance from the house with a few scattered pieces landing farther back.

He added that the three of them were all right and that Tim was able to move, still on his belly, to the edge of the roof to see what was happening. Geo was apparently working on his breathing although he was able to say his eyes were fine and the ringing in his ears was diminishing.

Once the 5 criminals were apprehended, handcuffed, searched and their weapons removed, the fire crew moved in. Tim, still at the edge of the roof, tried to stand up but his legs were too shaky so he settled for putting his helmet on the tip of his rifle and waving it above the faux lattice. He smiled when he heard voices calling out and this time was able to sit up so he could wave his arm at them. He grinned at the noise they let loose when they saw him.

Charlie finished his message after Tim crawled back to them, saying his ears were ringing but that it was gradually clearing up. Finding a heart emoji to add to the end of the message, he finally sent it.

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Although later it seemed like it had taken hours, in reality only minutes passed between the family moving from the lounge downstairs to the basement.

Once they were all in the pool room, Jethro told them about the grenades and what they needed to do to protect their ears and eyes, even though they were inside. Lu and several of the others quickly ran next door to the laundry room, pulling clothing, towels, and anything else that could be used to cover eyes and ears. Breena and Jimmy had done a load of laundry Sunday afternoon and had left everything to pick up in the morning. There were at least two dozen clean diapers as well as towels, blankets and other useful items for the crowd to use to protect themselves from the noise of the grenades. Returning to the pool room, the items were quickly dispensed.

Less than two minutes later they heard the shots from the rifles and Jethro yelled to close and cover their eyes and to cover their ears. By then everyone had some measure of protection over their ears and eyes. While the eye protection wasn't really necessary inside and easily 32 feet, or 10 meters, away from the exploding grenades, no one was going to argue about it.

The concussive noise from the grenades hit the building as they exploded into flames although it wasn't as bad as feared.

Certain that the shots killing the grenades were fired by his sons, Jethro smiled several minutes later when he read the message from his brother-in-law Charlie. He stood, keeping the smile on his face, looking at his family who were obviously still frightened.

Waving his hands, he quickly had everyone's attention. "The danger is over, I've had a message from Charlie who is on the roof with Tim and Geordie. They found two additional intruders in the woods.

"When the men in the woods fired their grenades, Timothy figured out the angles needed to bring down the grenades before they hit the house, exploding and setting it on fire. Tim and Geordie shot the detonators on the grenades, which caused them to explode before they reached the target.

"When the grenades exploded, just about everything landed on lawn still damp from the last rain and…hang on." Jethro quickly read another message before looking up again, "All right, I have a new message. The teams have reported only two complaints of problems with eyes and ears, both from the two who launched the grenades. The teams followed safety protocols and I guess the other criminals did as well. Jimmy, Rob, I know you'll want to take a look at the two criminals with problems. George and I are armed and will accompany you to the terrace where those two and our teams will be."

Jethro continued, "However, before we do that we need to go over what will happen next. It is standard procedure within US armed federal agencies that when weapons are fired, those doing the shooting have to be debriefed by law enforcement members not involved in the shooting. As Charlie was an eye witness, he'll also need to be debriefed. After they've been debriefed, Tim and Geordie will need to write up at least their preliminary reports which will be submitted to whoever is put in charge of the investigation. As we have a mixed group of British and American law enforcement involved, I have no idea who will be doing the debriefing. Obviously as the father of the two shooters, I won't be allowed. Bec, although as a Navy Captain in the reserves you would qualify, as Geordie's wife and Tim's sister-in-law you won't be allowed either. George, I don't know, I've never participated in a debriefing with multiple nationalities. However, that's not something we need to figure out.

"Directors Vance, McKinley, he's CIA and Sailes, he's FBI, have already been notified, yes, there are both CIA and FBI agents outside with the NCIS agents, the local police, MI5, the Paddington Security team and huh, some from MI6." Jethro stopped to think about that, MI6 was intelligence, MI5 handled the policing of the Greater London Metro area and he had not known that Jaxton was part of that. Shrugging, he continued his explanation, "The 3 directors will figure who will handle the debriefing and then Tim will cede jurisdiction to the FBI."

At the puzzled looks and muttered comments in the room, he whistled, waiting for relative silence before continuing, "That's the law. The FBI has jurisdiction over attacks on US Federal Employees and there are 6 of them in this house, Geordie and Bec are both in the reserves, still employees of the federal government. Make that number 7 Feds as I still do consultations with NCIS. Anyway, now you know why we won't see Tim, Geordie or Charlie until after they've been debriefed.

"Also, the intruders have been arrested, their weapons taken and they will soon be transported to jail in London as Jaxton's lockup isn't large enough for all of them. Maybe that's why MI5 is here?" He looked at George Powell who shrugged, he wasn't sure. Nodding, Jethro continued, "The firefighters have already put the flames out, they've checked all the trees and shrubs, there's no smoldering or fire there. The fire captain says he'll leave two of the firefighters here in case there are flareups. We're safe."

George Powell raised a finger and Jethro nodded, "George?"

"Thought about it and realized I might know why MI5 is here. It's not common knowledge, Jethro, that MI5 has some leeway in deciding what constitutes 'greater London' on a case by case basis and considering the weapons, the involvement of MI6, the residents and owners of this house and whatever they know of the trials, etc., I can understand why they're here. We may find that the Jaxton Chief asked for their participation or perhaps one of Tim's superiors."

Jethro took a deep breath, finally nodding at his friend. When Bill, who was the closest to his dad, saw that he was shaking, he wrapped the blanket he'd been wearing around former NCIS SAC Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Turning, he opened his mouth to ask someone to make hot tea with sugar, enough for everyone, when he saw his mother, Bec and Edie Powell heading out the door.

His dad's shock also shook Rob out of what felt like a trance and he grabbed his medical bag, hurrying to Bill and Dad. In the meantime, Jimmy started with the elders of the family, checking pulses and blood pressure.

Jethro had finished his tea and feeling himself again when he had a call from the NCIS SSA, Agent O'Brien, asking for medical help for the two who'd launched the grenades. Knowing the men had been searched and their weapons removed from the property, Jimmy and Rob agreed while their dad and George Powell were emphatic about accompanying them.

The four men disappeared upstairs and to the back of the house and the outdoor terrace. The two older men smirked at each other at the spotlights now shining on most of the back garden, set up by the Paddington security team to better safeguard the area. They were now adding lights in the trees wherever the spotlights didn't hit.

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Still handcuffed but with their leg cuffs off, the two criminal shooters had been brought to the terrace and told to sit in the chairs there. Then their legs were cuffed again.

These two and the other three had come here to set fire to the house and kill everyone in it. No one was taking any chances with them.

Still off-balance, although he wouldn't tell anyone but Lu, Jethro felt marginally better when he and George arrived on the terrace and saw the phalanx of fully armed and ready federal agents along with the local police still there. Jimmy and Rob quickly moved to the two injured men. Checking their ears and eyes, they washed their eyes and told them their ears would be ringing for several days.

Needing to speak to the lead FBI agent to advise the two criminal shooters be given additional medical attention, Jimmy stepped away from the men, pulling Rob with him. He knew from experience and agreed with Jethro that the FBI would have jurisdiction over NCIS and whoever else was represented here.

Standing near Jethro, he asked to see the NCIS and FBI lead agents. Although Jethro had explained to everyone indoors, Jimmy had no idea if SSA O'Brien had any experience in determining jurisdiction or would remember the law, something she likely would not have to deal with often here in the UK. When the two leads moved forward, he advised that both criminals have additional medical attention and that the ringing in their ears would take a few days to clear up.

O'Brien, the NCIS lead, frowned, thinking about jurisdiction and then sighed, nodding to the lead FBI agent. He nodded, accepting the unspoken lead, glad they weren't going to have to debate the issue.

By that time, the fires were out and fire crew moved in and out of the trees and the entire vicinity to check for any undetected sparks or smoldering.

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Back inside after the FBI team left, the criminals in their van for transport to London, Jethro winced, saying "We need to get food and liquid to Tim, Geordie and Charlie before the adrenaline crash hits them. George, you and I should probably also handle that."

George Powell nodded while Lu, Bec, Artie, Edie Powell and Bill were already on their way to the kitchen via the elevator which was now safe to use. When they got to the main floor, they weren't surprised to find several of those involved, including the NCIS, Paddington Security and they supposed also CIA agents, in the lounge while others were in the foyer preparing to leave.

Lu smiled, "Thank you, everyone, for your help this morning. We'll have coffee, tea and hot chocolate ready in a few minutes if you'd like to stay, we know not to ask any questions or talk about what's happened."

She almost laughed when members of each team looked to their leaders, they reminded her of the grandchildren looking to their parents for permission. The team leads had a quick conversation amongst themselves before they all turned, nodding to their teams and Lu. Edie ushered them to the dining room while Lu and her helpers got busy. In minutes, the various groups were enjoying coffee, tea, water or hot chocolate along with toast, marmalade and jam.

In the meantime, Charlie and Geo were indeed sequestered in separate rooms on the 2nd floor. With Rob's advice on what to serve, Jethro and George prepared a tray for each of the men and took them upstairs, glad to be able to use the elevator, knocking on each of the doors. The two men were surprised to find that Tim was downstairs, personally thanking everyone who'd responded.

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In DC, Leon blinked in surprise when he heard who was available for debriefing at least one of the men, Charlie, Geo and Tim, that is his absent-for-7-months boss Secretary Porter! When he heard the names of the other federal agents who would debrief the remaining two of the three, he called the boss of those two, thanking him while also asking how long it would take for the them to reach Jaxton and why they were working at all!

Beau McKinley, Director of the CIA, chuckled. "Secretary Porter and the Secretary of Defense have been in Belgium for NATO meetings for a few days. And yes, your friends and favorite CIA agents Ted Edwards and Jack Hughes are ostensibly retired, although they keep volunteering for this and that. This time they volunteered to help bolster security while the SecDef and SecNav are in Europe and now they're traveling from Brussels to London with them, although the SecDef has been ordered to the Embassy, he won't be joining everyone in Jaxton.

"Two of our agents also responded with the FBI team, which meant you needed three debriefers from somewhere! I have to say that Henry was a little upset that he didn't have anyone over there who wasn't already involved but as serious as the situation became, he was relieved his team responded as they did."

"Thanks, Beau! I'm glad to know two of your agents will handle the debriefs, especially those two, they've been good friends to us in Europe for all the years I've been involved. As for the debriefing, for a while I was afraid we were going to have to sequester our three for the duration of a transatlantic flight!"

"Nah, I've always got agents over there, Leon. Not at Tim's rank but as they don't work for the same agency that shouldn't be a problem, I believe the regulations call for "law enforcement officers", nothing more specific. They might not be as close as Ted and Jack are normally, from Athens to London, some might be on neighboring continents but they'd still be there sooner than a transatlantic flight could get there."

Leon huffed, "I sincerely hope we don't have any other situations like this. If not for the two Gibbs brothers' well-developed sense of danger and their mix of experiences, this could have been a terrible tragedy! Thanks again, Beau, to you and your agents. Now I need to see how this happened."

"A friendly caution: while you're yelling, just remember everyone's alive, including the bad guys. No one was shot or seriously injured tonight. Tim and his Marine brother did a terrific job of shooting the weapons and not the people and we both know that's very difficult to do."

"I'll remember although that's not due to anything the investigating team did! I want to know how this could have happened. Five men with grenade launchers is a damned serious threat and must have cost a bundle to hire."

"Leon, as you've told me a few times, don't make assumptions. This might not be related to Tim's case at all."

Vance closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "You're right, Beau, and thank you for reminding me. I really do need to go, my team lead is calling."

"Good luck, let me know if there's any other way we can help. Keep us posted?"

"Will do." Vance disconnected, quickly accepting the FaceTime call from Agent Andreson. "Agent Andreson, I have an update for you, minor details as far as you're concerned. CIA Director McKinley had two agents in Belgium who will debrief SAC Gibbs and his brother Major Gibbs, they should be landing in London within the next few minutes. The two agents are retired, they're well known to our European agents, in the past they've worked closely with our overseas teams. They're consulting now and volunteered to handle the debriefing, along with Secretary Porter, who will debrief retired Colonel Camilo."

"Great, thank you for that, Director." Andreson took a deep breath, "Tim sent us 2 photos, one of the three men and another of the two men in the woods, the ones who fired their weapons. We're running them through facial recognition, so far none of them are related to any of the 'mad scientists', Max Hagle, Lily Mello or baby Jeffrey's "caregiver".

"That leaves the financiers, which makes some sense as that group are more likely to have the financial means to hire hit men. However, the financiers who are still alive are in custody, any visits they have are monitored and no one involved in this case has been released on bail or their own recognizance. We're now running down their relatives, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, etc. who might stand to lose money when their suspect family member is convicted. Director, we looked at them previously, closely, all of them. Obviously we missed something."

"Has anyone been keeping an eye on the family members of the finance guys?"

"Yes, teams of FBI agents. We haven't yet heard from them today."

"When was the last time you heard from them?"

"Yesterday afternoon and their next report isn't actually due until tomorrow morning. I sent an urgent message to do a double check today but haven't heard back yet. It will take them some time to do. Yesterday's report states that there hadn't been any movement, no indications of anything suspicious from the various family and friends of the financial group."

"Does that include those who are deceased, I mean the families and friends of those financiers who are deceased?"

Jeff nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Then we have a mystery. Were any of the financiers, now dead or alive, married more than once? And/or possibly have children who are now grown, still have access to enough of Dad's money to hire hit men to kill Tim and thus destroying most of the case, and keep from losing the rest of their inheritance?"

Andreson nodded, "Yes, to multiple marriages and adult children who are still living off their fathers and grandfathers. Director, I've just had a flash message that we've found a relative of one of the financiers we arrested, a distant cousin who lives in Europe and was never on our radar. A quick look at her information shows she has a job that pays very well although it's still possible that her cousin has been or was helping or promised to leave her money in his will, he's considerably older than she is. She might even have been blackmailing him if she knew of the DNA project. While we will continue looking, we'll also concentrate on her. She lives and works in Zurich, Switzerland, which is very pricey."

"From what I've heard about the attackers, they would not have been cheap and neither was their equipment. And someone was experienced enough to set up the distraction with the second team of attackers."

"Yes sir, we have another team tracking down the weapons with help from the FBI, the CIA, MI6, EU INTCEN, Interpol and Europol."

"Excellent, I've heard from the directors of several European and American agencies, offering any help we need."

"Director, I know no one was hurt but have you heard if Tim's wife is all right as well as the two who are new mothers, and their babies? And the rest of those who live in Jaxton?"

"Yes, Jethro sent a message that Artemis is doing all right. She was nervous but as soon as they knew that Tim, Geordie and Colonel Camilo, their uncle, were safe and brought down the grenades, she's been fine. Sarah and Breena are the two newest mothers and Gibbs reported they are also doing well after the scare and that the infants slept through everything. I imagine that settled anyone who was worried about them as well as those who were worried about Tim, Geordie and Charlie. There are 3 doctors in the family, I believe the elder Dr. Mallard is currently in Greece but his son Dr. Jimmy Mallard is there and I believe the youngest brother, Dr. Rob Gibbs, is also there so they've been in good hands. Jimmy and Rob saw to the two attackers, the ones who launched the grenades, as they're having problems with their ears. Jimmy reported the problems are temporary. "

"Thanks, Director. We'll keep at it, I'm hoping the cousin in Switzerland is our newest criminal." He paused before saying, "They're distant cousins, 4th or 5th, I wonder how they knew each other and how well?"

"Those are good questions. And I'm with you, although extradition may not be easy. If she's an American citizen that's a different story. Jeff, if you find enough evidence to bring her in, have her taken to the Marseilles or Hamburg offices and call me, whatever day or time it is. We may need to bring the State Department in to help us. In the meantime, I'll consult with some of my peers, see what they advise."

"Will do, Director, and thanks for not yelling."

"I know how you work, Agent Andreson, and how you're running this investigation and you've done well, all of you. It's a miracle you've found the people you have after so many years. This must be something new, something that wasn't an issue until one of the perps was arrested and maybe not even then. It's been close to three months since you started bringing in the financial people. Even if it isn't the cousin it very well could be that there's someone no one else knew about or knew they would be affected by the cut off of funds from one of the financiers."

"Yes, sir and thank you. I'll keep you posted."

Vance chuckled, "I've just received a message from Tony Barnes-Gibbs asking that no one call the house or anyone's mobile phone, especially not Tim, Geordie, their wives, children or parents, for the next 24 hours. He says that once the debriefings are done, they're turning off the phones and getting some sleep. Huh, the Paddington Security teams are patrolling the grounds so everyone will be able to sleep peacefully."

"Good! They've been a huge help."

Disconnecting, Vance looked at the time as he yawned, admitting to himself that he was exhausted. He sent a quick message to Tony thanking him for the information and that he'd passed the word to the team lead not to contact any of the family.

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After thanking each of their helpers for coming to their aid, everyone but the NCIS agents left after their beverages and toast. The fire crew was relieved that everyone was safe and they could return to their quarters and to sleep.

While the local police, first on the scene, appreciated the thanks, they were a bit ruffled until they realized that either the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service or the US Federal Bureau of Investigation would be footing the bill for their services that morning. Knowing that would make their chief happy cheered them up. While they willing served, the citizens of Jaxton had large hearts with a not-so-large budget.

Part of the Paddington Security group left happy that they'd been able to help to bring down the bad guys. The other part of the group were the ones who'd volunteered to remain on patrol around the Jaxton house.

Once the others left, Tim left the room where he'd sequestered himself, also thanking the FBI agents as well as his own team before formally ceding jurisdiction to the FBI as the attack was against the home and family of several NCIS employees, although everyone was fairly certain it was really an attack on one specific NCIS employee, the SAC of the NCIS: London-European Field Office, Timothy Gibbs.

He was relieved to see that his NCIS team took the news in stride. Then he left, he was exhausted and knew there was more ahead of them. He really shouldn't talk to anyone before being debriefed but he also hoped that he could sleep for a few hours before that happened.

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When Tony heard who would handle the debriefing, he told his dad he and Maggie would play host and was surprised but happy when his father agreed. The two drove to Jaxton, feeling someone who was wide awake should be there. Tony's brothers and uncle were still sequestered and he hoped they were catching some sleep while they could. Although knowing Tim, he was probably working on his preliminary report.

Once in the very quiet house, Maggie set up the coffee maker and put the kettle on for tea before helping Tony pull clean mugs from the dishwasher, for coffee and tea and putting a bowl of sugar and a small pitcher of cream on the kitchen counter along with spoons and serviettes. Tony then hurried upstairs with three mugs of Gibbs-strength coffee to make sure his uncle and brothers were awake and would stay awake.

After delivering the drinks, he nearly ran down the stairs when he heard vehicles outside, quickly pulling the front door open so they wouldn't ring the bell. The house was silent and he wanted it to stay that way!

He quietly greeted Secretary Porter, shaking hands with her. Maggie joined him, giving the newcomers a brief update. Two agents as well as Porter's security detail entered the house and Tony looked at the agents. "We know each other, right?"

Smiling, they agreed, reminding him they'd met in Greece. Maggie nodded, "Of course, Ted and Jack! Now, we have coffee ready and tea, although it will need to steep or we can make hot chocolate if you prefer."

All three wanted coffee and were taken to the kitchen. Porter looked around, "I've been here a few times but I don't think it's ever been this quiet!"

Maggie chuckled, "It won't be for long, we have two fairly young babies, Dr. Jimmy Mallard and his wife Breena's daughter Victoria, who was born in April and Sarah and James Powell's daughter Lucy, who was born in March. Lucy lives on the 3rd floor while Victoria lives down here on the main floor. Although we're told they're both sleeping longer hours, neither of them are sleeping all night. Yet."

Tony smiled, "If you'll come with me, I'll take you upstairs to the 3 rooms where Tim, Geordie and Uncle Charlie are sequestered. I took them coffee and a snack a few minutes ago, knocked on each door and got answers, so they're awake."

Porter nodded and then smiled when they reached the elevator, "Oh good, I feel as if I ran here from Brussels!"

The two agents nodded in agreement and Tony shrugged, "It's been that kind of a night!"

Porter knocked on Uncle Charlie's room and was quickly admitted while Ted and Jack did the same on the doors of the rooms with Tim or Geordie.

Too tired to return to the main floor and then come back up again, Tony found an empty room and sat in a comfortable chair to wait. He was beginning to doze off when he heard men's voices, including Geordie's. Walking back into the hallway, he lifted an eyebrow at Ted, who nodded and smiled, he was done. Grabbing Geordie, Tony gave him a healthy hug, doing the same for their uncle when he and Secretary Porter emerged from that room. Tim and Jack weren't far behind but when Tony hugged Tim, his brother nearly fell. With a smile, Charlie led the visitors downstairs while Tony helped Tim and Geordie into the elevator. It was only one floor up but he didn't want to have to carry either one of them.

Once his brothers were safely delivered to their wives and children, Tony kissed his sisters-in-law and brothers, the children were asleep, before getting back in the elevator. After the stress and not being able to help his family during the attack, Tony was nearly as exhausted as they were. Back downstairs, he thanked the SecNav and the two agents, glad to hear they were staying in London for several hours before returning to Brussels in the late afternoon.

Although neither Maggie nor Tony wanted to leave Jaxton, they decided to drive home as they knew their girls would be very upset if they weren't home when they woke. Maggie had slept for a few hours before the crisis and was still wide awake. They would return with the girls and Dick when they woke later in the day. That is, if anyone here was awake!

As Maggie drove, she reminded Tony to send Leon an update, which he did, thanking her for remembering.

1) I did research grenades and how they work, etc. Hope I got the actions somewhere close to reality!

2) Ted and Jack are the two CIA agents who first appeared in my story Finding Home and as they had already been mentioned in this series, I decided they could help NCIS one more time. Beau McKinley is my OC CIA Director who first appeared (I think) in The Common Thread and I believe that was where Henry Sailes, my OC FBI Director, also first appeared. On the show, Secretary Porter has been replaced by Tara Flynn, the new Secretary of the Navy. However, if I write anything else where SecNav appears, it'll likely still be Sarah Porter.