Albert Besters Fiction

[albertbester]

A Stranger in Town

An NCIS Fan Fiction by Albert Bester

Rated -- PG 13 -- (T)

Genre --- Alternate Universe / Sci-fi / popular myth

Original Character (John Drake)


This is my first attempt at Fan Fiction, comments and feed back welcome

[albertbester]

PART 1 (arival)

It had been a long flight from London, sleep was a distant memory and coffee was an essential traveling companion. John Drake disembarked from the airplane and located his minimal baggage. The airport had been a complete mad house and the taxi driver was a deeply unhappy person. His attitude had been strongly reflected in his tip.

After showing his ID to the security guard at NCIS HQ he had been directed to the office of one Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Thus far the conversation was not going well.

He was standing in front of Gibbs’ desk with a look of total disbelief on his face.

“What the hell use have I got for British Intelligence?” asked Gibbs.

“Perhaps your superiors feel that British Intelligence is better than none at all?”

Behind Drake both Tim McGee & Tony DiNozzo looked at each other and sought cover behind their desks.

Gibbs smiled very slightly, looked at Drake and said, “Look, I have all the help I can deal with at the moment. But if you want to help us there is a parallel agency in this building that could profit from your help.” Picking up a pen Gibbs scribbled on a piece of paper. “Go see her, tell her what you told me, if you include the last part I’d duck if I were you.”

Drake stood wondering if this was some sort of joke.

“DiNozzo! What have you got for me?” Gibbs barked. Pausing, he looked at Drake. “You still here?”

“No, I suppose not,” answered Drake picking up his hold all and heading for the elevator.

As the elevator door opened, Dr Mallard walked almost headlong into Drake.

Ducky looked at Drake, “John? John Drake? I haven’t seen you for…too long.” Clasping Drake by the hand and shaking it vigorously, he asked, “What the devil are you doing here?”

Drake, unable to hide his pleasure at seeing an old friend, briefly explained, “Those higher up sent me to assist NCIS in the tracking down of one Ari Haswari.”

“Ba****d...” adds Ducky.

“Yes, I am aware of his reputation and many other things about him. But Special Agent Gibbs feels that my help is surplus to requirements and has sent me off to something called ‘NCTC’?”

”National Counterterrorism Centre, headed by Gillian Roberts.” Ducky translated. “They have an office in this building you know.”

“Yes, well I’m going to check in there now. Then report to my home office, to see what they think. Perhaps we could catch up later Ducky, some real food and a drink perhaps?” Drake handed Ducky a card and rushed to the elevator before the doors closed again.

Moments later he walked into an open plan office. There were two young female agents working at their desks, one with a stuffed duck on her desk.

“Um, excuse me, who is in charge here? I have a letter of introduction…” The women looked at each other then at Drake
“I’ll understand if you don’t want me around, but you could read my letter then tell me to PO and I will.” Putting his bag down, he handed the letter over and waited for a response. Lack of sleep and jet lag were doing their work in unison.

Since Drake had come direct from the airport no arrangements for accommodation had yet been made and the last coffee he had drunk was on the airplane. In short he felt like he could sleep on the edge of a razor blade, since sleep did not appear to be an option any where.

“Ok, I’ll let you two discuss what to do about me in private.” He said shifting uneasily from one foot to another. “Can you tell me where I can find a decent large cup of coffee? And a phone or computer I could use? Would you two like coffee?”
He felt like a schoolboy that had just asked the teacher if he could be excused.

After receiving instruction as to the location and formulation of coffee required Drake made for the elevator, which proved to be a very good place for meeting people. As he entered he found himself face to face with a vision of Goth loveliness and for once in his life he was almost speechless.

“Hi, I’m John Drake.” He said as smoothly as he possibly could.

“Oh, you’re Ducky’s friend.” She said.

“Err yes, you have me at a disadvantage. You are?” he enquired, entranced.

“I’m Abby Sciuto.” She introduced herself brightly.

“It is a very great pleasure to meet you, very great.” The elevator stopped and the doors opened.

Drake found it almost impossible to take his eyes off of Abby, but he forced himself to put one foot in front of another and walked straight into Ziva. His train of thought was totally derailed by the scalding hot coffee spilled down his leg.

“Officer David, it is a pleasure to meet you face to face finally,” said Drake looking into Ziva's eyes.

“Commander Drake, long time no see. Sorry about your trousers.” She replied with a smile.

“Think nothing of it, coffee is supposed to wake one up and it’s just John Drake these days. I have retired from the Navy.” He replied in an attempt to appear casual.

“Sounds like an Intelligent thing to do,” said Ziva stepping into the elevator as the doors were starting to close.

“Damn! That’s all I need. Bloody Mossad. This day is getting better and better.” Drake stormed out of the building mumbling under his breath.

Some time later he returned to the building in a slightly better frame of mind carrying three large coffees and a bag of chocolate chip cookies; it never hurts to ply women with chocolate. The elevator doors opened as he was approaching and there in front of him was Abby & Ducky. “Hi you two, how’s it going? You spending the day in the elevator today Abby?”

“No it just feels like it. I did spend a day in the elevator once.” She said in a matter of fact sort of way.

“Was it stuck?” asked Drake.

“Nope.” She answered.

“Have you found somewhere to stay yet John?” asked Ducky.

“Not yet, I’ve only just worked out where the coffee is at,” replied Drake, unable to disguise his tiredness.

“Then you must come and stay with mother and I. She will be so pleased to see you again.” insisted Ducky with a twinkle in his eye.

“Is she still…? In a world of her own?” asked Drake uncomfortably.

“Yes. But there will be a lock on your bedroom door this time. You should be safe.” Ducky handed him a card with his address and phone number. “See you later then.”

Abby and Ducky got out of the elevator on NCIS & Gibbs’ floor and Drake went on up to NCTC to discover his fate.

He was told he would be tolerated for the moment and there was a desk in the corner he could use. The coffee and cookies were received with some gratitude, but not much.

“Life, don’t talk to me about life,” he muttered sitting down and picking up the phone. After a relatively short conversation with his boss in London, John Drake concluded that he had seriously upset somebody above him in British Intelligence. He had clearly established that the person he was sent to help did not want his help. The people he had been foisted onto as help were definitely considered well down the pecking order as far as Federal and Law enforcement agencies were concerned. In short he felt like somebody was trying to get rid of him but could not be bothered to shoot him. All in all not a good start to a new assignment.

His new desk was spartan but adequate. If he leaned back in his chair he could see a window even if he could not see out of it. He was tired and his trousers were suspiciously stained.

“Damn that Ziva!” He grabbed his bag, announced to who ever wanted to listen, “I’m going to get some sleep I will be back in the morning.” He looked at the time and added, “Ok later this morning.” He left the building and went to find a cab at 2 AM.

His body clock was shot, but he had phoned Ducky from the cab and thankfully the Duckman was waiting for him with a large scotch.
They sat and talked for a while then Ducky showed Drake to the guest room and left him to organise himself and get some sleep. After showering Drake checked that his bedroom door was locked and then put a chair on an angle under the door knob, better safe than sorry…

[Deleted]

Well, I'm intrigued. Welcome to the group, Albert.

[albertbester]

PART 2. (Making friends & influencing people)


He awoke at 0530, “Damn! A whole hour and a half!” he growled as he dragged himself out of bed and headed for the bathroom. He emerged ten minutes later and dressed. Pulling on his jacket, he went down the stairs to see if Ducky was up and about yet.


He entered the kitchen and found Mrs. Mallard sitting at the kitchen table drinking tea.


“Good morning John, won’t you join us for a cup of tea?” She asked brightly.


“Oh, is Donald up?” asked Drake looking around.


“No, silly boy I mean my new friend Harry,” said Mrs. Mallard motioning for Drake to look behind him.


As he turned he felt something hit him and the room spun and went dark.
An undetermined amount of time had passed and consciousness came knocking at Drakes head; well pounding would be a better way of describing it. As he woke and tried to move, he rapidly found that he had been tied very securely to a chair. Looking up he saw Ari standing in front of him.

“John it’s good to see you again.” Ari smiled. “Sorry to have to do this but I thought it would be better if we could talk with out resorting to violence”


Drake struggled against his bonds. “It’s all very well for you to say that after you have hit me on the head.” growled Drake.

“I didn’t expect you to allow me to tie you voluntarily.” Ari oiled.


“What have you done with Ducky and Mrs. Mallard? nice guy!” Drake was struggling with his bonds and now fear for his friend and his friend’s mother’s safety.


“Now, now John. They are ok, asleep and locked in their rooms.” Ari smiled. “I just wanted this opportunity to talk with you and bring you up to speed on few things.”

“You know I can’t, won’t believe anything you say. Damn it you nice guy, if you told me the sky was blue I’d seek a second opinion!”

Ari’s smile faded for a moment and he shrugged slightly. “Ok, just consider that you have been set up. You were sent here to get in the way of ongoing investigations, not help.” Sitting down and drinking some tea Ari continued, “Any information that you receive from your home sources will be unreliable.”

“Oh come on you SOB, why would I believe any thing you tell me?”


“Well John Drake that is for you to work out my friend.”

And with that Ari was gone.


Some time later Ducky appeared looking a little groggy and untied Drake whilst reassuring him that Mrs. Mallard was ok, rather annoyed about her new friend Harry.


Drake filled Ducky in on Harry actually being Ari and what he had told him. Ducky tried to reassure Drake that “the nice guy was just playing mind games”.

Some considerable time later after Drake had told his story to Gibbs at NCIS HQ he left the office and started to walk to NCTC office. He was not looking forward to telling Director Roberts (or her duck) that he had spent some time with Ari and not shot him. Perhaps picking up coffee on the way would be a good move….

-------

Drake was not a happy man. This was normal. Christmas was always a problem. In his line of work, friends were few and far between and after his recent experience with Ari he did not want to risk the life of the only friend he had here. He had located and rented an apartment close to the office and was expecting to spend the holiday season alone, probably working. The office was decorated, it depressed him.


He assumed that his background check had come back ok, since nobody had kicked him out. But he knew that somebody had not believed his account of his meeting with Ari. He was aware that somebody was following him. As his tail / new best friend seemed to be everywhere he went he thought he may as well introduce himself.


Drake drove his car into an underground car park, stopped in the first available space, and waited.


His tail pulled into the car park and stopped in a space on the other side of the basement lot.


Drake got out of his car and walked over to the elevator. The doors open, he stepped in and selected a floor.


Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo stepped out of the stairway on the floor that the elevator had stopped at.
A voice behind him said.


“Hi, want a coffee?”


“Drake, what are you doing here?” asked DiNozzo covering his surprise very well.


“Mainly waiting for you. C’mon, there is a coffee shop over here.” Drake pointed across the mall.


DiNozzo shrugged and said, “Ok why not?”


Sitting at a table towards the back of the coffee shop with a good view of the doors they order coffee and Drake stared at DiNozzo.
DiNozzo sat looking a little uncomfortable.


“If you are thinking of asking me out on a date forget it.” said Tony trying to diffuse a worryingly familiar stare.


“I take it Agent Gibbs doesn’t trust me.”


“What makes you think that?” asked Tony, acting surprised.


“Well either he doesn’t trust me, or you are planning on asking me for a date. Since you have been following me for the past couple of days.”


“Ha! Four days actually.” said Tony and regretted it instantly as he had just confirmed what he now realised Drake knew all the time.


“Ok, ok. So Gibbs told me to keep an eye on you, after all you are in contact with Ari.”


“Oh, give me a break! He came looking for me and you are playing right into his hands. He wants to sow suspicion, in order to destroy interagency cooperation. Not that he needs to. Even you most closely connected agencies don’t trust each other. Gods you people are doing his work for him half the time!”


Drake realised this was the most he had said to anybody for nearly a week. Most of his communication was by e-mail, and out of habit he avoided talking too much with people at work. He still felt like the new boy that nobody knew what to do with. And most of his enquiries had gone absolutely nowhere.


“I’m still going to be following you, until Gibbs tells me not to.” said Tony. “And maybe after that. Because I think you’re trouble.”


“Ok whatever you say. With any luck you might learn something. Probably not surveillance techniques. You’re not difficult to spot.” said Drake, deliberately baiting Tony.
Despite the situation he thought that this guy was ok. “Anyway, I’m going back to the office now. If I go out later do you want me to phone you so we can carpool? After all there is no need to be environmentally unfriendly is there?”

Tony looked a little perplexed by the suggestion but said nothing.

-------


Some time later Drake walked into the NCTC office. Joy & Director Roberts were leaning on a desk deep in conversation; they stopped as soon as he walked in.

“Hi,” he said. “Am I interrupting something? Should I go out and come back in, or possibly go out and stay out?” He saw their puzzled expressions. “Sorry, I’m not having a good day. Been followed everywhere by Gibbs’ hound dog DiNozzo. You know I don’t think Gibbs trusts me.”


Joy looked at Gillian, and Gillian just looked a little uncomfortable.


Drake sighed, “Ok is it something I said or don’t you guys trust me either? Ok ok stupid question. Ari didn’t shoot me and I didn’t shoot him. I mean, I didn’t have a gun at the time and I was tied to a chair, but that’s not the point is it? Nobody trusts the new guy. Can’t blame you. Nobody trusts anybody here. It’s worse than home.”


Drake turned on his heel and left. He needed time to think. He needed somebody to talk to that didn’t look at him like he was about to shoot them. He wondered if he was being paranoid. After all it was an occupational hazard.
Drake decided to try to be a nice guy, hard work for a spy. Drake felt bad about going off at his co-workers. He wasn’t even used to having co-workers, it showed and he knew it.


He was scared of making friends. The last time was still raw. “I so want Ari dead!” he said to himself, sitting in his apartment.

He was startled when a voice behind him said “Take a number, there are quite a few people in front of you.”

It was Gillian.


“It’s quite a talent to sneak up on me. It can also be dangerous. Do you want a coffee?” asked Drake.


“Yes please. I would also like an improvement in your attitude.”


“Cream & sugar? With the coffee I mean.” Drake went on.


“Yes to one, no to the other. My agents find you disturbing & they don’t want to work with you.”


“I’m not surprised, I’m not an easy person to like.”


“No kidding…” She looked at him like she was trying to read him.


“Look I’m sorry. I understand if you want me to leave. I know you didn’t want me in the first place. That I’m used to, nobody wants a spook working for them.”


Gillian shook her head “Your background in Intelligence could be very useful to us, if you would just show some.”


Drake laughed for the first time since he had gotten off the plane. “Yes I guess I’ve been dumb.”


“Yes, and then some.” said Gillian managing to smile. Perhaps he was human.


Drake was standing by the window looking out. “I think special agent DiNozzo might be getting a little upset. Do you think we should invite him up?”


“No. He is a big boy, he will cope.”


“So there is something between you two then?” He looked her in the eye.


Gillian looked straight back and said, “None of your business. Are you coming back to work or what?”


“Yes but on one condition, let me take you and your team out for dinner, by way of an apology. You can bring DiNozzo if you like.” He grinned, he was enjoying this.

“I’ll talk to them and see if they can put up with you.” She was smiling now. There was hope she could turn them into a team.


He was in a better mood now.
Annoyed that he was so distracted that Gillian had walked into his apartment and crept up behind him without him being aware.
Perhaps he was loosing his edge. Time to find out.....

[albertbester]

PART 3 (Making peace)


The house Drake parked across the road from was dark except for a light in the basement.


The door was unlocked. He opened it and moved silently across the kitchen floor to the basement door, it was partially open and he could hear a television. It sounded like CNN.

He looked at the hinges, well oiled. He pushed the door gently and looked down the stairs. One man working on a boat in the basement of his house. He wondered how he was planning on getting it out.

Gibbs stopped sanding the spar he was working on. He turned and picked up an almost empty bottle of Jack Daniels and poured some into a glass.

By now Drake was half way down the stairs. He sat down and silently pulled a full bottle of Jack from his coat pocket.

“A peace offering.” he said and was comforted to see Gibbs startled.


“What the hell are you doing here?”

“I come bearing gifts.” He offered the bottle. “Don’t worry I’m not Greek.”

Gibbs took the bottle and placed it carefully on the workbench. “Ok, you’ve proved you’re a sneaky ba****d. So why come see me?”

“Look I’m not a threat to you or your people.”

“The hell you’re not. You could have got Ducky killed!”

“Oh come on Gibbs! Ari obviously knew where Ducky lived. If he wanted him dead, do you think he would still be doing autopsies for you?”

Gibbs continued to stare at Drake saying nothing.

“Ari knows you well enough to know how you would react to him talking to me and you have played right into his hands. You have taken your senior field agent and set him on watching one of your allies.”

“Yeah, DiNozzo told me about your little ‘trust’ speech and you have a point. But I still don’t trust you.”

Drake smiled, “I’m used to people not trusting me. It goes with the job. Any chance of a drink?”

Gibbs smiled very slightly, picked up a tin cup that had pencils in it; he took the pencils out and shook out the dust. Opening the new bottle of Jack he poured some for Drake.

“Thanks Gunny.”

It was the most relaxed that Drake had felt since his arrival. This assignment might workout yet.


-------


"WHAT?!" Paula and Joy both whined at the same time. She had just told them about going to dinner. Paula looked at the papers spilled across her desk. "Maybe I can fake sick." she suggested.

"Stop it you two! He's making an attempt to be nice. The least you can do is go to dinner with him. He might turn out to be a really nice person." Gillian said sternly.


"Are you ordering us to go?" Paula asked.


"No Paula. I'm not going to force you to go. But think if you were him. You've just flown across the ocean to help these strangers on a difficult case. You leave everything you know to come to a strange place. You invite your co-workers to dinner and no one wants to go. How would you feel?"


Joy and Paula fell silent.


Finally, Joy whispered, "So, you said we don't have to go right?" she smiled.

Gillian stared at her two friends. "You guys are going." With that, she turned on her heel and left the office.


She walked to the NCIS main office, into the bullpen. Her eyes scanned the five empty desks.

"Boo!" Two hands wrapped around her arms, making her jump out of her skin.


"Tony!" She slapped him hard on the arm while a grin spread across his face. "Don't scare me!"

"What are you doing here?" He asked as he made his way to his desk.

"I came to ask a favor."


Tony smiled at her. "Yes, I'll go out with you."

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Drake has invited all my team out to dinner."

"So?" Tony said as he rummaged through his desk.

"I was kind of hoping you'd come."

Finding a green apple, he took a bite out of it. "So you did come here to ask me out."

"If that's what you want to call it, then yes." She laughed.

Tony stood up and walked over to her. Grabbing her hand, he got down on one knee. "Oh my dearest Gillian. I will grant your wish. I will go to the ball with you."



Gibbs' hand came down upon the back of Tony's head.

"Hey!" Tony said rubbing his head.

"No time for chit chat DiNozzo. You're supposed to be following Drake."

"I was; it's snack time." Tony said, holding up the apple. Gibbs just gave Tony a look.

"I mean, I'll get on that right now boss."

"I'll see you at 7 then." She smiled.

"Ok." Tony leaned down to give her a kiss.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs barked.

"Hold that thought." He smiled at her than ran off to find Drake.

Laughing, she left the NCIS office and made her way back to NCTC office.


-------

Tony got into his car and started the engine, “Ok DiNozzo, coffee shop, office or apartment. Where should I start looking for the Brit?” He asked himself out loud.

“Try behind you." said Drake, from the back seat. “Don’t you guys look at your cars before you get in?”

Tony tried to cover the fact that he had nearly jumped out of his skin. “I thought you were kidding about the carpooling stuff.” He said trying to sound casual.


“Actually I wanted to ask you a favour. Since we have a date and I’m a stranger in town, I wondered if you would be good enough to suggest a restaurant.”


Tony smiled. “Oh this is so sudden, I had no idea you felt this way.”


“I see what Gibbs means about feeling like a high school principal now.” said Drake, shaking his head with a smile on his face.


“You’ve talked to Gibbs?” asked Tony surprised.


“Yeah. Last night in his basement, we had a couple of drinks. Don’t worry I didn’t mention that you were sitting outside my apartment building eating pizza.”


“No way! You were in your apartment all night. I saw you.” insisted Tony.


”Oh c’mon I didn’t expect you to fall for that. You, I thought you knew movies. The Return of Sherlock Holmes, Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.”


Tony was momentarily confused. “You mean it was a dummy? But I saw it move. Didn’t I?”

Drake treated him self to a chuckle. “You saw a lighting effect, a couple of household electrical time switches set up in sequence. You saw the shadow move, not the dummy. Dummy… You want to slap your self on the back of the head or should I do it for you?” Drake sat back in the seat and relaxed. “Ok driver, let’s take a turn around the park shall we?”

Tony was angry. “Look I’m not your driver and if you try to slap the back of my head I’ll break your arm.” He took a breath, and tried to calm down. “Dinner’s at 7. I’ll make the reservations. You are paying, right?” Tony looked over his shoulder and smiled.

“Well actually technically speaking, I suppose the British tax payer is paying since I plan on putting it on my expenses. So you may choose an expensive restaurant by all means.” Drake said levelly. “Now, would you mind dropping me off at my apartment?

[albertbester]

PART 4 (Dinner & memories)

At 7 PM on the dot, both Drake and Tony arrived at the restaurant. A couple of minutes later Paula, Joy & Gillian arrived.

“Ladies, thank you all for coming. I must say you all look lovely this evening.” Drake tried to be as charming as possible but felt awkward.


The waiter seated them at a table.


Tony sat next to Gillian and looked very comfortable and at home; Drake envied him.

“I will start by apologising for my recent behaviour. I have been a bit out of sorts lately and rather unfairly I think I have taken it out on you. Gillian, Joy & Paula, I’m sorry.” Drake looked at them in turn and figured he still had some groveling to do. But well begun is half done.


The waiter reappeared and handed out menus.


Half way through the meal Drake decided that things were going ok, he had managed not to upset anybody. Even Joy appeared to be having a good time although she still made him uneasy.


“So John, are you married?” asked Paula.


Drake stopped eating; the question had caught him off guard and he could feel all eyes on him. Without looking up he said, “I was. She died.” He hoped desperately that nobody would push the point. Rescue came in the shape of Tim McGee.


”Hi everybody, sorry to butt in like this but Tony, Gibbs has been trying to phone you for the past hour. Your cell is switched off. He told me where you were and told me to get you.”

“Oh great!” complained Tony rising from his seat. “The moral of this story is never make dinner plans in ear shot of the boss. Sorry you guys I’ll have to catch up with you later. Oh and Drake just pretend that I’m following you home.”


As they walked away from the table McGee could be heard saying, “He said to remind you of rule #3.”


The occupants of the table were left desperately seeking small talk. Drake took the plunge. “So what do you guys do to relax? Do you actually get any free time?”


Paula looked up and said, “I have just taken up ‘Mushi Quan’.”


Joy looked puzzled. “Sounds like Chinese food?”


“It the proper name for kick boxing.” said Paula shaking her head.

Gillian was laughing quietly to herself. “So what do you do to relax John?” she asked.

“I don’t tend to have much free time. But I do like to read. Oh and I run a lot.”


The meal progressed without incident or the conversation straying into sensitive or work related topics, which with all things considered Drake thought was quite an achievement. He felt that things might get onto an even keel with his new colleagues if he could avoid putting his foot in his mouth, shouting at anybody or getting too personal.
Joy made him nervous. She reminded him of Samantha, the resemblance had thrown him when they first met and when she introduced her self he knew he had not made a good impression. He knew that working with her was going to be like being haunted. He had to keep it under control. At the end of the evening they went their separate ways. Drake decided to get a cab back to his apartment as he had a few glasses of wine with dinner. As with locks on doors ‘Better safe than sorry’. Tomorrow would be a new start.

-------


It had been a couple of days since the meal. Everything seemed ok with the team. It felt very strange to Drake to be part of a team. In his line of work, unless you were under cover you just didn’t work ‘with’ people.

He still found himself staring at Joy on a regular basis and scolded him self every time, hoping that nobody noticed. He liked her and because he liked her he tried to stay out of her way. No way did he want her hurt as well.

As always the best laid plans screw up. Drake and Joy were sitting in a rental car watching a small hotel down town. Drake had picked up some information, which led him to think they might get a lead to Ari. Nothing was happening.


“Do you want more coffee?” Joy offered Drake the flask.


“Not without a bathroom. I hate stakeouts in cars.” He said grumpily.


Joy laughed. It sounded nice. It made Drake remember.


*** Flash Back ***


It's a year ago. London. A wet, cold December evening.


Drake had spent the day with an Israeli agent exchanging information. Something about the meeting didn’t feel right.


He had learned to trust his instinct. This time his controller had told him in no uncertain terms to “ignore what he thought and do his job.”


The job was done, contact made and information had been exchanged. But still…He couldn’t put his finger on it.


He got out of his car and walked over to his flat. The light was on so he knew that Samantha was home. He walked in the door.


“Hello sweetheart, had a good day?” She asked


“The usual, paper work and filing.” He lied and he hated lying to Sam. But he was told that as far as friends and family were concerned he was a civil servant. Every time he had to lie he felt his gut churn.


She told him she loved him, she made him feel good. She was the most honest, clean and true thing in his life and he loved her more than he could ever hope to put into words.


“I love you too, my angel, my life.”


She laughed and smacked him on the butt and told him to get ready.


They were going out for a meal with friends. Drake didn’t want to but arrangements had been made and he knew how much Sam was looking forward to it.


The restaurant was busy and they were early.


“A drink in the bar?” He asked.


“Love to babe. I’ll have a Baileys.”


“Jack Daniels and a Baileys.” Drake said to the bartender who busied him self with glasses and bottles.


“Ice?” was the only question that the bartender asked. “No, thanks.” replied Drake.


He took the glasses over to a small table where Sam was waiting. Moments later Mark and Wanda arrived and a social evening commenced.


Later. They were leaving the restaurant. Mark and Wanda had left moments earlier. Drake and Sam were crossing the road to their Volvo. A car pulled up just in front of them. “Drake!” called the driver. “John Drake!”


Drake looked and saw it was the agent he had spent the day with. He was pointing a handgun. A shot rang out Drake was hit in the shoulder and the car sped away, wheels screeching. As he fell, he turned and saw his beloved wife crumpling behind him. The bullet had passed through him and hit her in the temple.
As she was collapsing before his eyes he couldn’t help thinking that apart from the slight surprise on her face she looked relaxed and peaceful.
He knew immediately that she was dead.

And as the world began to spin around him he knew that nice guy Ari Haswari would pay for this.


*** Flash Back Ends ***


Drake was jerked back into the present.


“Do you recognise him, Drake? Are you awake?”


Drake turned to look across the road to where Joy had pointed.


“No. Do you?” mumbled Drake.


“No.” Joy photographed the man anyway.


“You ok?” she asked looking hard at Drake.


“Yeah, yes of course I am. Why?”


She handed him her handkerchief. “Your face is wet.” she said.

Drake hadn’t noticed but tears had been streaming down his cheeks.


“Damn allergies.” he said, covering his emotion as best he could.


Joy could see his discomfort and wondered if she should press the point. Instead she suggested that six hours watching a dump of a hotel might be enough for a while and going back to HQ might prove more fruitful.


Drake could not argue. He didn’t have the heart for it now. Apart from that he still needed a bathroom.


They headed for NCTC office for up dates.


Drake was putting photographs into a facial recognition database; in the six hours that he and Joy had sat outside the hotel they had photographed nearly 40 people. Software could go through mug shots much quicker and more efficiently than people. Paula entered the office.




“Oh hi.” she said. “What are you doing?”


He explained as briefly as he could then looked Paula up and down.


“What have you been doing, you look good but exhausted.” he said choosing his words with care.


“Been to the gym, kick boxing training and a general workout.” She looked hard at Drake. “Never see you training.” she observed.

“No.” he responded simply.

“You should keep in shape.” Paula stated settling at her desk.

“There is nothing wrong with my shape.” said Drake slightly defensively.

“You think?” she said slightly goading Drake.


“Yes, thinking is part of Intelligence work.” said Drake without looking up from the computer screen.


Resigned to not getting a reaction from Drake, Paula asked, “Would you like a Coffee?”


“Is the Pope Catholic?” responded Drake. “Black no sugar, thanks Paula”


“That’s ok; get me one whilst you're out there please.” She said sweetly from behind a pile of paper work.


Drake knew he had been out maneuvered and was graceful in defeat, rising from his desk he headed for the break room and poured two cups of coffee.


He returned to the office and put down one of the cups on Paula’s desk.


“Thanks,” she said reaching around half a trees worth of forms.


Drake sat down and looked at his screen. There was a match. He memorised the information and left the room without a word.

[albertbester]

PART 5. (Lights out)

Half an hour later he was waiting in his car in darkness watching an empty house in the suburbs.
This was the address for Christopher Lions, an ex-con suspected of arms trafficking.
This could be the contact he needed to get to Ari.
Drake’s cell buzzed in his pocket.
He cursed under his breath then answered.

“Drake…Hello Director Roberts, what can I do for?” He was cut off in mid sentence.


“I know where you are, Joy has tracked your GPS chip in your cell. I know what you’re doing. You didn’t clear your computer screen. It’s SOP to follow up leads with backup. Stay where you are and wait for us to get there."
Her voice was commanding and she hardly took a breath, not allowing him to get a word in.
“Do I make my self clear?”

“Absolutely Director Roberts. Oh one thing, it would be best if Joy stayed in the lab and kept an eye on the GPS.”

Her voice was noticeably indignant. “Are you telling me how to do my job?” she asked.

“Of course not,” replied Drake smoothly. “Just a suggestion.”

“We will be there in ten minutes.” said Gillian. Then she hung up.

Drake put his cell back in his pocket.


A car pulled up across the street. Lions stepped out and walked up the drive to the front door of the house. He entered but no lights came on in the house, a few moments later he reemerged carrying a large case. Walking down to the car he left the front door of the house open. Drake watched as the man put the case into the trunk of his car and went back to the house.


Drake got out of his car and moved quickly across the road to the house, hiding himself to the right of the front door he pulled the Glock 19 9mm from his shoulder holster and waited silently. The man reemerged from the house with a second case. He put the case down, then closed and locked the door.

Picking up the case he suddenly stopped when Drake stepped out and told him, “If you move I will shoot you.”

The man didn’t hesitate, his hand immediately reached for the gun concealed in his jacket. Drake didn’t hesitate either. One shot rang out, the man cried out and dropped to his knees, he had been shot at the joint between the humerus and radius the lower part of his arm hung uselessly and blood poured down his forearm. Drake moved forward quickly and disarmed the man pointing his Glock at Lions shoulder joint he said, “I’m not going to kill you. But if you don’t tell me what I want to know you will wish that I had.”


The man now breathing heavily looked at Drake, he was obviously in agony and terrified. “Aaagh, come on man I need an ambulance!” he said.


Drake looked at him, after studying the man’s arm for a second or two Drake said, “Yeah, I would say you’re right, I might have nicked an artery with that shot. You had better keep pressure on that and tell me quickly where Ari is before you bleed to death. Or get shot again.”


“Hey man are you a cop or a fed? I’ve got rights you know.”


Drake pushed the muzzle of the Glock into the man’s shoulder and replied, “I’m neither of those. The only right you’ve got with me is the right to bleed. Answer the question.”


“Please man, I don’t know. I’m just a delivery guy. I pick stuff up and take it to where I’m told.”


Lions was obviously about to pass out, and Drake had not yet got enough information out of him. He prodded him just above his gunshot wound with the muzzle of the Glock. The pain was enough to bring Lions back to consciousness.


“So where were you to take the cases? Quickly now you haven’t much time”


“Ok, I have to take the cases to Prince William Forest, the end of Park, Park Entrance Road, off Joplin Rd…..Come on man, an ambulance I need an ambulance.”


“Not just yet. When are you supposed to be there?”


“Ok, ok. 5 AM tomorrow. I’m to wait in my car till Ari contacts me.”


Lions slumped; the wound wasn’t that bad apart from the elbow joint being shattered. Drake had seen the results of Haswari doing much worse and as far as he was concerned anybody working with Ari deserved what ever they got.

Drake reached into Lions’ jacket and took his cell phone and slipped it into his own pocket.


Behind him a car pulled up, Paula & Gillian got out just as a police car pulled up. The police officers got out of their car with weapons drawn and only relaxed slightly when Gillian and Paula showed their ID’s and informed them that Drake was one of theirs detaining a suspect.
Immediately they called an ambulance and one of the cops started to administer some first aid whilst the other cop watched Gillian, Paula & Drake carefully inspect the cases. They would need to get Joy to check them for forensic evidence but they needed to know what was in them first.
Gillian opened one with great care.


“Oh my god, will you look at this?" She said to the others.
Drake and Paula and the cop looked into the case and were horrified to see about 33 lbs of C4 explosive, the other case contained the same.


“Well that turned out ok.” said Drake Looking at Gillian.

She motioned him to move closer.


In a low menacing voice she said, “In my office when we get back. You’re lucky I don’t tell the cops to arrest you and take you away now.” She drew a breath and shook her head very slightly. “When I say wait, you damn well wait.”


She walked away back to the car.
Paula walked over to Drake and said, “Gee, she is ticked at you, I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.” With that she went to join Gillian as the ambulance arrived with a second police car.
Lions was loaded into the ambulance and, with a police guard, taken to the hospital.


Drake got into his car and drove back to the office to face the music. But at least he had a lead, now all he had to do was persuade Gillian to let him follow it up.


On the way back to the office he looked at the time, 2355hrs. Only 5 hours and five minutes until the meeting that Lions would not make. He knew that this was his best shot at getting to Ari.
He knew the longer he delayed the less chance he had of getting the nice guy.
He also did not trust information not to leak from NCTC office.

The beauty of being in America is that there is always a store open. He stopped at Wal-Mart he found 66 lbs of flour and two cases identical to the ones that Lions had taken from the house and placed them in the trunk of his car. He needed Lions’ car to make the plan that was forming in his head work.
He was not going to enhance his popularity, in fact he might end up facing charges, but he had been there and done that before so that was nothing worth worrying about.

The main thing was to get Haswari before he could cause any more death or pain.

Having loaded each case with 33 lbs of flour Drake set about making use of his shadow. He picked up his cell-phone and called DiNozzo.

“I know you have been watching me all evening so you might as well help.” he said as soon as Tony answered his phone.

“Drake? What are you up to? I have seen you going to Wal-Mart, are you going on a trip? Planning on doing a lot of baking?”

“Tony I’m going to be breaking a few rules and I need you to back me up….Are you up for it or are you gonna go running to your boss?” said Drake trying to appeal to the rebel in DiNozzo.

“Ok, we need to talk, I’ll take the lead. Follow me.” said Tony. His car pulled out from three cars back and over took. Drake followed him and a few minutes later they were pulling into the car park of a bar.

As he took a glass from Drakes hand Tony asked, “Ok Drake, what’s going on in that sneaky British brain of yours?”

Drake laughed. “How much do you want Ari?” Drake watched the expression on Tony’s face change. “Well however much you want him, I want him more.”

“Don’t bet on it! He killed a co-worker and very good friend of mine” said Tony with an edge of passion and anger in his voice.

Drake looked Tony in the eye and told him, “He killed my wife….”

Tony was noticeably shocked. “Oh, man I’m sorry….I had no idea.”

“Of course you didn’t. I don’t share my life story in my line of work and I don’t have many friends that I talk to.” Drake looked at Tony and saw that he was pleased to be called a friend. “Lions was going to deliver two cases of explosives to Ari in the morning, I plan on going to that meeting and getting the ba****d.”

“So what do you need from me?” asked Tony.

“I need the car that was taken to the NCIS compound this evening from Lions’ place”

Tony looked shocked. “Gee, why not just ask for something difficult.”

“Yeah I was afraid it might be more than you could do.” Drake said looking down at his drink.

“I just need you to know that I’m going to do this because I want that nice guy not because you’re trying to push my buttons. Understand?” said Tony finishing his drink. “Wait here I’ll be back in about an hour.”

An hour passed, Drake figured that either Tony would do what he had asked him to or he would tell Gibbs. Either way Ari would get what was coming to him.


There were some feelings of guilt for keeping Gillian, Paula & Joy out of the loop but he knew they were all team players and would insist on playing by the rules.
So far playing by the rules had done nothing to get Ari. Tony walked into the bar and dropped a set of keys on the table in front of Drake.

“When Gibbs finds out what I have done he is gonna kill me. You know that don’t you?” Tony said sitting at the table with Drake. “So what’s our next move?”

Drake looked at Tony, “Your next move should be to go back to the office and think of what to tell Gibbs when he finds out that you took the car from the impound.”
He knew that the chances of DiNozzo actually doing this were slim especially if he had not told Gibbs what was going on.

“Well we both know that is not going to happen. Tell me where the meeting is and I’ll back you up.” Tony said in conspiratorial tones.

“The meeting is in Prince William Forest Park.” Drake stated.

“It’s a big park, exactly where in the park?” asked Tony, looking concerned.

“The end of Park Headquarters Road. I’m….Well Lions is to wait there for instructions,” Drake lied. “If you are coming along then you had best wait on Joplin Road, when I get the call I’ll call you with my cell phone and keep you informed.”

“But Lions was the one who was going to be contacted, how are you going to get around that?”

Drake pulled Lions’ phone out of his jacket pocket and waved it at Tony with a slight smile on his face.

“You knew what you were going to do all along, didn’t you?” said Tony in an accusing tone.

“Well I had an idea of what I might do.” answered Drake quietly.

-------


It was 0455 and DiNozzo parked his car 100 yards from the Park Headquarters Road turn off. Drake turned onto the road and once he was out of sight he accelerated to an unsafe speed he had some distance to cover and little time to do it in.
He turned right at the first fork in the road and then sped along the mostly straight section of the road to the next junction where he turned right his tires screeched sounding like a racing car. From here the road became more bendy and Drake drove like a confident mad man.
Again he took the right fork and sped on.
As soon as he saw the ‘T’ junction ahead he knew he was at Park Entrance Road and he turned left onto it and accelerated onward.
A few moments later he arrived at a dead end and stopped the car.
A few moments passed then Lions’ cell phone rang.


Doing a fair impersonation, Drake answered the phone “Yes?” He waited and for a couple of seconds there was silence, then a familiar voice.

“Ah, Mr. Lions. You have what I want?”

“Yes.” answered Drake. Again he waited

“There is a track at the end of the road. Bring the two cases 100 meters along the track….On foot.” Drake pulled on a black woolen hat and got out of the car. He retrieved the two cases from the trunk and set off along the track.
After 100 meters he stopped and put down the cases. He looked around, all seemed to be quiet then a voice from the woods.


“Well if it isn’t my old friend John Drake. What brings you here on a cold dark December night? Ah I see you have bought my cases….Not containing my C4 I’ll wager. No matter. That was not why I wanted you here.” The smugness in Ari's voice was unmistakable.


Drake drew his Glock from his belt and pointed it in the direction of Ari’s voice. Then there was a very very bright light then nothing at all just silence and blackness...................

[albertbester]

PART 6. (Just the facts)


Gibbs & DiNozzo walked into Abby’s lab. Abby was in a sombre mood, there was no music playing. There were pieces of broken and burnt electronic equipment arranged on the bench.

“Ok what you got for me Abs?” Gibbs asked putting down a large Caff-Pow.

She looked at him and forced a smile. “Well the night vision camera was fitted with a remote control pan & tilt and a short range video transmitter.”


“What was the range of the video transmitter Abs?” asked Tony.


“Not more than 2 kilometres.” answered Abby swiftly. “The four Claymore mines were detonated by a similar transmitter. I found pieces of the trigger device and receiver in the evidence you recovered from the scene along with a remote operated two-way radio.”


“So it was a trap from the start.” stated Gibbs as McGee entered the lab.

“I found a report of a vehicle broken down on I-95 at the time of the explosion, a highway patrol officer stopped and checked the car and a man answering Ari’s description told him that he was waiting for a breakdown recovery vehicle. He checked the driver’s license and vehicle registration and they came back clean, registered in the name of Patrick McGohan. I have put out a BOLO, there was no breakdown recovery called.” McGee said it all hardly taking a breath. He then stood looking worried.


“Good work McGee. Abs, see if you can find where the claymores came from. I’m going to see Ducky. DiNozzo, with me.”


“On your six boss.” said Tony following Gibbs out of the lab.
The elevator doors slid closed behind them.


“Damn it boss! Why wasn’t Drake up front about the location of the meet?”


“Well he was a spy, in his line of work there are trust issues. We didn’t exactly welcome him with open arms, so I guess he figured he was on his own.”


“But if we had the right part of the park staked out we might have caught Ari.”

“If he had told us the correct location for the meet we might have been blown up too DiNozzo. His way kept injuries to a minimum. People like Drake are trained to work alone. They are used to only trusting themselves.”


The elevator doors slid open again and Gibbs followed by DiNozzo walked out and headed for the doors of the autopsy lab.

[Deleted]

nice work!!! i cant wait to read more ;D

[albertbester]

PART 7. (Dead right?)

The first thing that Drake was aware of was voices, they were distant but one was definitely familiar. He opened his eyes and looked around.
There was an x-ray viewing screen, the lighting was florescent. He looked to his right, there was an examination table, the type was familiar, it was an autopsy table.
He looked to his left. There was a second table.


He sat up and swiveled round to sit on the edge of the table trying to remember how he got there. Was his old friend playing a bad joke on him?

He could still hear Ducky’s voice but he could not see him. Drake stood up, he felt strange like he was not awake, perhaps this was all just a dream.


The glass entrance doors of the autopsy lab slid open, Ducky, Gibbs & DiNozzo walked in.

“Ducky, what the devil am I doing here?” Drake asked.

Nobody responded. They did not even look at him.


“Hey come on people, what’s going on here?” Drake asked. He felt like he should be mad but he was quite calm.


“Ok Ducky what do we know?” asked Gibbs

“Oh Jethro, he has only been here ten minutes other than the obvious time and cause of death there is nothing I can tell you.” answered Ducky, his impatience barley disguised.

“Well, we’ll leave you to it Ducky. Come on DiNozzo, let’s see what Ziva has found.” Gibbs turned on his heel and walked out of the lab with DiNozzo following in his wake.


“If you see Mr. Palmer, tell him I would like to see him here.” Ducky shouted after Gibbs.
Ducky put on his greens and walked over to the table where Drake had been laying. “Well John, my old friend what have you been up to?”

“Oh thank god I thought you were going to ignore me Ducky.” said Drake walking over to his friend.
It was only then that he realised that the table he got up from was occupied.
He was surprised and puzzled which became stunned and confused when Ducky pulled the sheet back to reveal Drake’s own battered and burned body.

Drake stood and watched as his old friend performed an autopsy on his own body, he was expecting it to be more upsetting; he had always been a little bit squeamish about internal organs and the like. All he felt though was mild curiosity.

“COMMANDER JOHN DRAKE.” The voice behind Drake was deep and resonant with a hollow and authoritative quality.

Drake turned around and was shocked by the sight that greeted him.


Standing there was a 7 ft tall robed figure holding a scythe. Its hands were skeletal; the face was a fleshless skull, two burning blue pin points of light flared in the eye sockets.

“I HAVE COME FOR YOU JOHN DRAKE.”

“Oh? And who are you?” enquired Drake with more composure than he was expecting to possess under the circumstances.

In so far as it was possible for it to do so the skull’s expression became one of surprise.


“I AM DEATH, I HAVE COME TO AID YOUR PASSING FROM THIS MORTAL COIL.”

“Oh so what’s next then?” asked Drake.

“THAT IS UP TO YOU. THE AFTER LIFE IS DEPENDANT UPON WHAT YOU EXPECT.”

“Well personally I was not expecting to die quite yet. So if it is all the same to you I would quite like to go on living.”

“OH DREARY ME, YOU’RE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT AREN’T YOU?” Deaths shoulders became more rounded and he lent on his scythe in the manner of an old man with a walking stick.
“YOU MAY CONTINUE TO EXIST ON THIS PLANE HOWEVER YOUR CORPOREAL FORM IS NO LONGER VIABLE SO YOU WILL BE A DISEMBODIED SPIRIT.”

“Do you mean a ghost?” asked Drake “Only I don’t believe in ghosts…. Is that going to be a problem?”

“NO, THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN GHOSTS THEY BELIEVE IN YOU.”

“So will anybody be able to see me?” Drake asked trying to get to grips with the whole ‘dead’ situation.

“AS A RULE THE LIVING WILL NOT SEE THE DEAD. THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS, THOSE WHO HAVE SOME PSYCHIC ABILITY, CATS AND SOME OTHER ANIMALS MAY SEE YOU.”

“So are there any rules of which I should be aware?” asked Drake as Death started to walk towards the autopsy lab doors.

Death looked over his shoulder and said “YOU SHOULD NOT SEEK REVENGE, THE DEAD MUST NOT KILL THE LIVING… IT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.” Death then walked through the closed doors and vanished.

Drake stood and considered his situation; his next move would require some thought.

[Deleted]

Well, I'm still intrigued. Looking forward to the next part.

[albertbester]

PART 8. (A surprise for mother.)


Drake had not been having a lot of luck.
Apart from being dead he was having trouble with the few things he thought he knew about being a ghost.
He had tried four times to walk through the doors of the lab but with no luck although he could not move objects his body refused to pass through the doors. He was puzzled and a little confused.


He realised that Ducky was getting ready to go home for the night and not wanting to spend the night in the autopsy lab he decided to go with Ducky.
He followed him out of the lab and into the elevator.

Ducky was in sombre mood and spoke to no one on the way out of the building; he got into his car and started the engine.

Drake was perplexed as he tried again to pass through the door and again he just rebounded, the frustration was just too much and he shouted as loud as he could.


“For gods sake Ducky open the door!”

Ducky turned off the engine and got out of the car. He looked around with a puzzled expression on his face. Shaking his head very slightly he got back into the car. Whilst Ducky was looking around Drake climbed into the car and scooted across into the passenger seat.

Ducky parked the car in the driveway of his house; he got out of the car and closed the door before Drake even had a chance to think about it. So there he was locked in the car.

“Damn!” Drake said in frustration.

Ducky walked into the house through the front door.

“Hello mother I’m home.” He greeted his mother as he walked into the sitting room; she was standing looking out of the window.

“Well I can see that you silly boy. I’m not senile yet, unlike you…” she said with a note of accusation in her voice.


“Mother what are you talking about?”

“You have locked your friend John in your car. That is just rude.”

“Mother what are you talking about?” He stood beside her and looked at the car.

“Are you going to let him out?” she asked.


“There is no one in there.” He said his voice tinged with concern.

Mrs. Mallard in an obvious temper walked to the front door taking Ducky’s keys from the table and opening the front door she went straight to the passenger door and opened it.
“Come along John; come into the house and we’ll make you a nice cup of tea.”


Drake was so stunned he did not know what to say, he got out of the car. Mrs. Mallard closed the car door and locked it and walked back to the front door of the house. She turned around and looked at Drake.

“Come along silly boy, don’t just stand there.” She chuckled and walked into the house, holding open the front door and waiting for Drake.
He walked into the house and saw Ducky looking at Mrs. Mallard with an expression of acute concern on his face.

“Mother, what are you doing? John is not here…”


Mrs. Mallard cut him off mid sentence, “Oh come along Donald, have you boys had an argument? Come along and make up over a cup of tea.” She smiled and tried to take Drake’s hand, when her hand passed through Drake’s she first looked puzzled then shocked.
She took three steps back and sat on an upholstered chair.


“Mother, are you alright?” Ducky rushed to his mother’s side and took her hand in his.

“Donald, I’m afraid your friend is a ghost.” she said, looking first at Ducky then at Drake.

“I got blown up. I think.” said Drake looking at Mrs. Mallard.

Mrs. Mallard relayed Drake’s comment to Ducky who looked stunned.

“But this is impossible, I don’t believe in ghosts.” said Ducky shaking his head.

Drake laughed, “That’s ok Duck, I believe in you….”

[albertbester]

PART 9. (The team take the case)

It was 0830 Tim, Tony and Ziva were all working quietly at their desks.
Director Roberts entered the bullpen holding a large filing box and went straight to Tony’s Desk.

"Special Agent DiNozzo, can you tell me where I can find Special Agent Gibbs?"

Tony looked up and smiled "Director Roberts, it’s good to see you."

Gillian looked at Tony with no sign of emotion. "This is not a social visit. Where is Gibbs?"

"I'm behind you." Gibbs said quietly standing just behind Gillian.

Turning on her heel to face Gibbs she handed him the filing box. "This is every thing that John Drake did whilst he was here. Funny how you only want to know about him after he is dead." Without saying another word Gillian strode out of the office and onto the elevator.

Gibbs put the filing box down on DiNozzo's desk. "We are taking over the investigation of Drakes murder."

"Umm its hardly a navy investigation boss." ventured DiNozzo

Gibbs stared at him

McGee spoke up, "He was British navy..."

"Retired." chimed in Ziva

Gibbs slammed his hand down on his desk. "He was murdered by the nice guy and that makes it our case. Now start checking everything Drake looked into whilst he was here." Gibbs headed for the elevator.

-------

Jimmy Palmer was filing test results and making sure all was ready for a new day as Gibbs strode into the lab.

"Mr Palmer. Where is Dr. Mallard?"

"Errrr, ummm, I don’t know, he's not here." Jimmy stammered. Gibbs made him nervous and it showed.

"I can see that! That’s why I asked where he is." Gibbs turned on his heal and almost collided with Ducky as he walked into the lab.

"Good morning Jethro, Jimmy." Ducky walked passed Gibbs and went to hang his coat up.

"Have you got the results from Drakes autopsy? Was there anything other than the explosion that we should know about?" Asked Gibbs

"Like what? There were no drugs in his system, other than a small amount of scotch he had not consumed anything for several hours prior to his death.... What else can I tell you?" Ducky went about his business without another word.
Both Gibbs and palmer looked at Ducky with puzzled expressions.

"Is every thing ok Duck?" asked Gibbs looking rather concerned at the uncharacteristic behaviour of his friend.

"To be honest Jethro, I don’t know what to think at the moment. I just spent the evening talking to John Drake through my mother..." Ducky carried on with his work whilst Gibbs and Palmer both just looked puzzled

"What??" asked Gibbs already knowing that he would regret asking.

"It seems that John has come back as a ghost.... I know it sounds crazy but mother was able to answer questions that only John would have known the answers to." Ducky looked worried.

"This is going to be a long day." said Gibbs "I need a coffee or two, you want to join me and tell me all about it Duck?"

there was a rapid exchange of facial expressions. Jimmy looked worried and Ducky’s expression became one of puzzlement.

"Thank you Jethro, I think that might help. You can mind the store for a while Mr Palmer." said Ducky as he and Gibbs left the lab.

"I think I have woken up in Bizarro World." Muttered Palmer as he continued to file paper work.

-------

[albertbester]

PART 10. (Lessons)

It had been a very strange day; Gibbs had listened to an unbelievable story from Ducky, there were no leads to find Ari. Right now Gibbs was sanding his frustration out on a spar of his boat.

Drake had been watching Gibbs working on his boat for about an hour and he was getting bored.

"Damn it Gibbs, we need to find Ari and working on your boat is not getting us there!" Drake started walking up the stairs to the open door.

"Well you’re not helping any." said Gibbs not looking up from his labor.

Drake stopped in his tracks and turned to stare at Gibbs. "You can hear me?"

"I can see you too." said Gibbs still working on the spar.

"So why didn't you say something?” asked Drake, barley keeping his annoyance and frustration out of his voice.

Gibbs smiled. "I barely talk to the living so what makes you think I'm gonna chat with you?"

"You don’t seem surprised." commented Drake with suspicion in his voice.

Gibbs looked at him and there was sadness in his eyes. "You’re not the first ghost I have seen. You’re not the most useful ghost either."

Drake walked back down the stairs and stood in front of Gibbs. "This is all rather new to me; I have only been a ghost for 2 days and I don’t seem to have gotten the hang of it yet. So cut me a little slack why don’t you?"

Gibbs smiled and went to the bench where the Jack Daniels bottle was sitting; he poured some into a glass and took a sip. "I would offer you a drink but offering one spirit to another just seems wrong."

"Yeah thanks for that." sneered Drake. "I could really use a drink too."

"So do you remember anything useful from being blown up?" asked Gibbs.

"The most useful thing I have learned from getting blown up is that it is a bad thing to do."

"As ghosts go you’re just not much use are you?" Gibbs voice was cold but not angry. "Sounds like you need lessons in being dead."

Drake was puzzled. "Any suggestions you have would be useful."

"Oh hell not me, I'm alive and plan on staying that way for quite a while yet. No you need the advice of someone who has been dead a while and knows the tricks." Gibbs looked over to the corner of the basement.

Drake looked in the same direction but there was nothing there.

"Kelly, sweetheart, you can come out; there is someone I would like you to meet." There was sadness in Gibbs’ voice. Suddenly there was light and the figure of a young girl appeared in the corner. She smiled and half-walked, half-glided across the room to her father. "Drake I would like you to meet my daughter. She has been with me for quite a while now and she helps me a lot."

Drake was more shocked by this revelation than he was by his own death. "Your daughter? She is the famous 'Gibbs gut instinct’?"

Gibbs just smiled sadly and went back to working on his boat.

[albertbester]

PART 11. (Road trip)

Abby was working in her lab. She had been trying to find some other trace evidence on the remains of the explosive devices and electronic equipment. There was a piece of electronic circuit board that was about the size of a postage stamp under her microscope and she was examining it in minute detail and still drawing a blank.
“I would give real money for one tiny drop of blood on this board.” she said to the world in general.

A large Caff-Pow appeared on the bench in front of her. She looked up into the eyes of McGee.

“So you're not having much luck then, Abbs?”

Taking the Caff-Pow she looked at McGee and said “Wrong McGee. I’m having lots of luck but it is the wrong kind… Whoever made this servo control was just too careful.” She drank her Caff-Pow in the hope of being struck by Caffeine fuelled inspiration.

“Well you had better keep looking. Gibbs is upstairs and he is not in a good mood, and I mean worse than the normal bad Gibbs mood.” McGee looked at Abby, she was staring over his shoulder. “Oh darn, he’s standing behind me isn’t he….” Abby nodded

“McGee!” Gibbs barked.

“Yes Boss, Sorry boss going back to work now boss.” McGee started to beat a hasty retreat out of the lab.

“Where do you think your going Elf Lord??” Gibbs asked quietly

McGee cringed “Ummm, I was going back to……. I’m staying here to help Abby aren’t I.”

“Find me something that will get us Ari!” said Gibbs already walking out of the lab.

“Welcome to purgatory.” Said Abby apologetically.

----

The phone on Gibbs’ desk was ringing, DiNozzo answered. He listened for a moment. “We are on our way.” He replaced the receiver . “Ziva, grab your gear, we’re going on a little trip.”

“Oh really DiNozzo? Where are we going?” asked Gibbs from behind him.

“A marine commander has been found dead in a place called Camp Hero, Long Island. The circumstances are a little bizarre” DiNozzo looked a little uncomfortable. “The local LEOS are keeping the crime seen ready for us.”

Ziva was on the phone to Ducky already. Gibbs grabbed his gun and his ID and was heading for the elevator, with DiNozzo right behind him.

“Ziva phone McGee he is in Abby’s lab get him to meet us at the truck.”

“The truck boss? But it’s a 5 hour drive to Long Island.” Said DiNozzo

Gibbs just stared at him.

“If your driving 3 and a half tops….. Maybe less.” DiNozzo continued.

“Better get Ducky to follow us” said Ziva running into the lift with them. “If Jimmy navigates they might never get there.”

----

4 hours later McGee is tagging and photographing the seen Tony & Ziva are talking to a pair of hikers that found the body Gibbs is watching his team work and waiting for Ducky and Palmer to arrive. He stands beside the body of a teenaged boy in the uniform of a marine commander the dog tags are clearly exposed and Gibbs has read the name and serial number. Having phoned navy records he knows that if the body were that of commander Darrel Ritter he would be 90 years old not the 19 year old he is looking at.

Having interviewed the hikers Tony & Ziva start searching the scene for evidence or even clues.

“Oh no!” said Ziva distain evident in her voice, “Those are the biggest t*ts I have ever seen in my life”

DiNozzo who was at least 30 yards away stopped and looked puzzled. He walked over to Ziva. “What you found Ziva?” he asked

“This is disgusting, will you look at the size of these t*ts She said lifting up the lower part of her shirt to reveal two large blood-sucking insects.

Tony looked rather disappointed. “Ziva, those are called Ticks, and the little blood suckers seem to have a good grip on you”

“Ticks, t*ts what is the difference….” She said very unhappy with her new passengers

“Trust me Ziva I don’t expect you to be showing me your t*ts any time soon.” Said Tony as he went back to looking for evidence.

Ducky arrived to find Gibbs with a broad grin on his face, which disappeared as soon as they started to discuss the case and the body lying on the ground.