Gibbs was happy because he was cleared to go back to his job. And it was his first day after a long time at NCIS. He and Sloane were having breakfast and then his cellphone started ringing. It was Vance.
"Yeah, Gibbs." He said as he answered the call.
"Gibbs, I know it's your first day but you have to come here ASAP. It's hard to explain on the phone so I can't tell you anything right now."
"Woah...Leon is easy. I'm on my way. Meet you there." Gibbs put the cellphone on the table and pick up the cereal bowl and walk toward the kitchen and drink his coffee in one big sip.
He has no idea what Vance was talking about. He decides to drop Sloane at her place. She told him that her friend from the hospital wanted to meet her and she needed some better clothes so she agreed with Gibbs and decides to go to her place and then she will join Gibbs at the NCIS. Gibbs met that friend once when he was in the hospital.
"So, what did Leon said?" Sloane asked.
"Nothing. He just told me that he wants to see me at NCIS ASAP. Didn't say why." Gibbs said as he was driving his truck.
"What's in your mind, Gibbs?" Jack asked.
"Leon sounds very tensed on the call. And that's not a good sign." Gibbs answered.
"He always sounds tensed when he works under pressure. Might be he's having some issues with SecNev, Homeland or FBI. Who knows." Sloane said.
"Yeah, maybe. But having bad feelings about it." Gibbs said.
"Oh... the famous GUT of the Leroy Jethro Gibbs. What's it saying now?" She asked.
"Right now, I don't know. But something is not right. I can feel it." Gibbs said.
After long and tense silence Gibbs was the first who broke the silence. And he asked something to Sloane something.
"What are you doing tonight, Jack?" He asked hesitantly.
"Nothing. Why you got some plans?" She replied.
"Nah. If you are ok then would you like to have a... mmm dinner with me?" Gibbs asked without looking at her.
"Are you asking me for a date, Cowboy!" Sloane said as she punched his shoulder to tease him.
"So, it's a yes?" Gibbs said with his famous smirk.
"I didn't say that." She rolled her eyes and replied.
"You didn't say NO either," Gibbs said with a smile. She just gave him a smile with a blush.
"So it's YES. Okay, then I will pick you up from your place." Gibbs said as he accelerates the speed of his truck.
Gibbs dropped her at her place and start heading toward NCIS Headquarters. He is still having a feeling that something is wrong. When he reached the office and he gets out of the elevator. He saw McGee was doing something on his computer and Bishop and Nick both were also busy with their work.
Nick was the first one who noticed Gibbs was coming out of the elevator and stopped at Bishop's desk and watching them doing their work.
"Yo, Gibbs! How are you, man?" Nick asked as he walked toward Gibbs and hug him.
"Hey! Welcome home, Gibbs." It was Bishop who was the next one who noticed Gibbs's presence. Gibbs smiled and hugs her too.
"It's good to have you back, Boss." McGee handshakes with Gibbs and Gibbs hug him.
"Good to be back. So...got any case?" Gibbs said as he put his sidearm and badge in the drawer.
"Yeah. We got a case and before I give you updates Director wants to see you." McGee informed him.
"Yeah, McGee I know. He called me in the morning. When I get back I need all updates." Gibbs grabbed his coffee and headed upstairs.
"You think Director already told him about the case?" Bishop asked McGee.
"I don't think so, Bishop. Because we all are still alive. If he already knew about the case we would be lying dead in autopsy. So before he gets back let's try to find something on this case." McGee replied as he started working nervously on the case.
VANCE OFFICE
Gibbs slammed open the door and entered Vance's office without knocking on the door, as usually.
"You wanted to see me, Director?" Gibbs stormed through the door and walked toward Vance's desk. He was on the phone with someone.
"Call you later." He put the phone down and look at Gibbs.
"Well, it's good to see you too Gibbs." He said with a smile. Didn't bother to argue about the door this time.
"You wanted to see me, Leon. What happened?" Gibbs asked again.
"Please have a seat, Gibbs. It's your first day at the office after all." He stood up and walked toward the table and he sit-down on one of the chairs.
"Stop talking in circles Leon and tell me what happened!" Gibbs raised his voice this time.
"Someone has restarted the opioid drug pipeline again, Gibbs."
"WHAT! HOW? WE SHUT DOWN THE DRUG PIPELINE! HOW IN THE HELL THIS HAPPENED AGAIN LEON!" Gibbs shouted.
"Calm down Agent Gibbs. We don't have any leads on that."
"Then how could you said that someone started it again?" Gibbs yelled at Vance.
"Your team got a case two days ago. Dead NAVY Officer Charles Dickens. Dr Palmer said that the cause of death was a drug overdose. The same drug you and Jack had found at the warehouse."
Gibbs was going to interrupt him but Vance raised his hand and stop him.
"There's more, Gibbs. Our dead guy was beaten to death. Dr Palmer also said that there is a possibility that he might be drugged after or during the fight."
"So, you are saying that this guy was not addicted to this drug. So how in the hell this drug was ended up in his system. Any criminal records or drug records on him?"
"No. He's clear as crystal. No family or siblings either." Vance informed.
"Friends? Enemies?"
"Negative."
"Anyone who wants him dead or wanted revenge on him? Any suspect?" Gibbs asked.
"Nothing," Vance replied as he sits down on his chair.
"THEN HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SOMEBODY HAS STARTED THAT DRUG PIPELINE? WE HAVE GOT ALL OF HIS SUPPLIES!" Gibbs slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"BECAUSE OF THE DRUG WE HAVE FOUND IN HIS SYSTEM! IT'S A PERFECT MATCH FOR MERRIWEATHER'S OPIOID DRUGS NEW PRODUCT. I KNOW YOU HAVE PISSED GIBBS AND I AM PISSED TOO. BUT IT'S LOOKS LIKE SOMEBODY HAS TAKEN OVER MERRIWEATHER'S SEAT."
"Two days ago and you are telling me this now!" As every single second passes Gibbs getting angrier.
"We didn't know about this drugs thing before until this morning," Vance said in defence.
"Or maybe...just maybe somebody had bought this shit before in big amount and then he used it to kill our guy. He's dead because of that crap doesn't mean that somebody has replaced Merriweather and turned this damn pipeline on!" Gibbs was not ready to believe what Vance was saying.
He had put his life in danger to stop that bastard and now he was being informed after two days that somebody has to restart that drug pipeline!
"We can hope that but we don't have any evidence yet."
"What do you mean Director! You have this much information and you are not able to get a single lead on this case, hun!" Gibbs said sarcastically.
"The only lead we have is that dead NAVY Officer, Gibbs! It's your job to find more evidence, not mine. That's why I called you this morning. Now go back to your desk and do your job." Vance has had enough.
Gibbs said nothing, he shut the door behind him and went downstairs to get an update on the case.
"TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE GOT SOMETHING MCGEE!" Gibbs yelled as he entered the bullpen.
"I have tried everything Boss..but"
"But what McGee? You forgot how to do your damn job! Bishop do you got anything for me? What about you Torres?" Gibbs was walking toward Bishop's desk to Torres's desk like an angry lion.
"Gibbs! I've got an idea maybe it works." Bishop said.
"I don't want to hear MAYBE, IF, BUTS, BISHOP! FIND THE DAMN ANSWERS!" He slammed his hands on her desk. None of them had said anything. Because they knew right now arguing with an ANGRY GIBBS is like playing with fire and they all love their lives.
Gibbs threw that empty cup of coffee in the dustbin and started walking toward his desk.
"Be back soon. When I get back I want some answers otherwise start looking for the new job all three of you." Gibbs took his gun and badge and left.
Gibbs was pissed after getting this news. He switches on the emergency button and the elevator stops. He rubbed his face and shook his head. Trying to calm himself down. But he failed whenever he tried the whole scenario of Merriweather shot Sloane came right in front of his eyes. They put their lives in danger to stop Merriweather. Sloane, Fornell and himself...wait! Fornell was undercover for almost three months. Maybe he knows something about it. He smiles and turned off the switch and the elevator starts moving.
At the Diner
Gibbs was having his coffee and thinking about the case then Fornell joined him and take a seat at the other side of the table. First Gibbs just stared at him.
"You called me to meet you so you can just stare at me, really Gibbs! Am I that much beautiful?" Fornell said with a smile. That makes Gibbs laugh.
"How's Emily?" Gibbs asked politely.
"She's good. Haven't told her anything about that monster." Fornell replied as he takes a look at the menu card.
"It doesn't matter now. The matter is that she is okay." Gibbs said before taking a sip from his coffee.
"She's a really lucky girl who has two fathers like us. Right, Jethro?" Fornell said.
"Yeah, she is lucky that she makes out of it alive. Tobias..."
"Why I'm having a feeling that this is not a casual meeting! What it is about Gibbs? What aren't you telling me?" Fornell knew Gibbs is hiding something.
"Vance called me this morning and told me to meet him. He told me that someone has restarted the opioid drug pipeline." Gibbs said and trying to keep his temper cool.
"What! So we risk our life for NOTHING!"
"Shhh... keep your voice low, Tobias. I understand what you are feeling right now. But I need your help here."
"What do you need?"
"I want to know who else can take over Merriweather's place? Any idea about that?" Gibbs asked him.
"I was undercover for only finding him. But I didn't think so people who were working with him were able to take over his place. I think this is someone else whom we don't know. But how can be Leon is so sure about it?" Fornell informed Gibbs.
"MY team got a case. NAVY Officer found dead by drug overdose and beaten to death. Jimmy found the same drug in the dead guy's blood. New product of Merriweather's drug pipeline."
"I don't think so someone from his crew will be involved in this, Gibbs. This is an unknown person who had restarted this. I'm sure about it." Fornell said.
"What do you want me to do, Jethro?" Fornell asked.
"I want you to take Emily with you and go somewhere for few days. For her safety. Can't involve you this time." Gibbs said.
Before Fornell could say anything Gibbs's cellphone started ringing and Gibbs stopped him.
"Yeah, McGee." It was McGee.
"Boss I found something and you will not like it," McGee said from the other side.
"Yeah, I'm on my way." Gibbs put some money on the table and stood up.
"It was McGee. He got something. I've to go and you are going to the safe house with Emily. I will talk with Leon about this." Gibbs orders him and left before Fornell could say anything.
NCIS
Gibbs entered the bullpen. He was holding a cup of coffee and on other hand, he was carrying a shopping bag!
"What do you got McGee?" Gibbs asked as he put that bag on his desk.
"Boss, you did shopping! Really!" McGee was surprised. Last time Gibbs went for shopping to buy a baseball glove for Phineas.
"You said that you got something," Gibbs said as he came face to face with McGee. McGee opened his mouth to say something but didn't.
Bishop and Nick join them but stops as they saw Gibbs and McGee standing the face to face in the centre of the squad room.
"Guys need some help here," McGee said.
"I don't know this man, Ellie. Do you?" Nick said as he takes a step back from his desk.
"Stop there Torres otherwise I'll kick your ass as hard as so your grandchildren could feel that," Gibbs warned Torres without looking at him.
Vance was watching this from upstairs. He decides to go downstairs and save the team. But he saw one red shopping bag on Gibbs's desk. He came downstairs and entered the squad room.
"Agent Gibbs back off before you kill your half of the team and that I can't afford right now," Vance orders him.
Gibbs turned around and saw he was standing at McGee's desk. McGee took a deep breath and lean back against Nick's desk as he put his left hand on his chest.
"I see that's a beautiful gift over there. Did you buy that? Since when did you start shopping?" Vance asked curiously. McGee was trying to stop him by abort signs.
"What! You did shopping for Gibbs? Like shopping mall?" Bishop asked. Gibbs turned around and give her a glare and the smile on her face fade away.
"Since, today Director. Is there a problem with that?" Gibbs answered Vance's question.
"No. But in the middle of the case..." before he completes his sentence Gibbs step forward and he looked into his eyes and answered his question.
"THIS IS PERSONAL, LEON."
"Okay... okay." Vance raised his hand in defence and make his way toward McGee.
"I should have to listen to you, McGee." He whispered and McGee just give him a nod and said.
"It's okay. I've made the same mistake."
"McGee you said you found something. What you got?" Gibbs asked.
"Mmm... yeah Boss. You're not gonna believe this and that makes Merriweather theory correct." McGee picked up the clicker.
"What you got?" Gibbs said in frustration.
"Vladimir and two other men from Merriweather's crew got out of the prison on bail. Right, the day before our NAVY Officer died." McGee informed.
"How did this happen, Leon? The charges against them were serious. There was no chance for them to get bail." Gibbs asked Vance. He was getting angry. Every time he heard that bastard's name that makes him angrier.
"Their lawyer pulled some strings and got them bail. Still, I'll talk with Judge about this, don't worry Gibbs." Vance replied calmly.
"Get that SOB here for questioning," Gibbs told McGee.
"You can't do that, Agent Gibbs. We don't have anything that proves his connection with Officer Dickens case. What we have is theory. We need more evidence, Gibbs. I am sorry, I can't allow you to question Vladimir this time."
They both were staring at each other for a moment. Then suddenly Gibbs's eyes widened in fear and he rubbed his face with his hands.
"What's the matter, Gibbs?" Vance asked.
"I need protection, Leon..."
"Since when you got scared of some sidekicks...."
"NOT FOR ME, LEON! FOR FORNELL AND EMILY. I WANT YOU TO PUT THEM UNDER PROTECTION DETAILS." Gibbs shouted in frustration. He was having a tough day.
"I met Fornell. When McGee called me I was with him. I asked him who could replace Merriweather but he didn't know. He said there's nobody from his crew who can replace him.
We are dealing with ghosts here, Leon. We don't know anything about that person. Nothing! No name, no face, no records hell we don't even know that a person is a man or a woman, Leon!"
"Don't worry I will put them on protecting custody. You want your agents on protection duty or anyone else you would like to suggest?" Vance said.
"Nick, Bishop You both are on protection duty now, until we clear this mess it's your responsibility to protect Tobias and Emily. If something happens to them DON'T BOTHER TO COME BACK. ARE WE CLEAR?" Gibbs ordered them.
"Yes, Sir," Nick replied
"Crystal clear Gibbs," Bishop said.
"Good. Now go."
Gibbs walked toward his desk and that bag got his attention and suddenly he turned around and asked McGee and Vance.
"Where's Jack?" Gibbs asked.
"In her office, Boss. Are you okay Boss? If you are not feeling good then you should go home, I will handle it here.."
"I'm fine. Go back to your work. I need a coffee." Gibbs left for coffee and McGee got up walked toward Gibbs desk to check that shopping bag.
"DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT MCGEE! GET YOUR ASS BACK TO YOUR DESK." Gibbs shouted without even looking back. McGee heard Leon's laughter.
A half-hour later Gibbs came back with two cups of coffee.
"Here take it, McGee." He gave one cup to McGee. And McGee accepts it with a big smile.
"Thank you, Boss."
"Here... eat something too. This is your favourite, isn't it Tim?" Gibbs pull out a packet of Nutter Butter cookies from his pants pocket and gave it to McGee.
He realized that he was being too harsh on him earlier. That kid was working hard on this case.
"Yeah, thank you, Boss. It's been a long time I haven't beat them." McGee said and he opened that packet and started eating like a child. Gibbs smiled when he saw McGee eating like a kid.
"You want some?" He asked with his full mouth with cookies.
"No... it's for you." He waves his hand and looks at his watch. It's almost 20:30. He grabbed his weapon and badge, take that bag with him.
"GO home, McGee. It was a hectic day. Go... get some rest. And don't come back until 8 in the morning."
"Where are you going? It's okay if you don't want to talk about it." McGee asked.
"I'm...going on dinner with Jack. And yes this gift is for her and if you tell this to Nick or Bishop I'll kill you, McGee. Now you too go home." Gibbs told him with a smile.
"Good night Boss." This time he waited until Gibbs entered the elevator and left. He pulled out his cellphone.
"Hey, Bishop! Gibbs and Sloane are dating. That..." McGee stops in the middle of his sentence when he feels somebody's presence.
"Are you standing behind me, aren't you Jack?" McGee asked as he disconnects the phone.
"Mmm-hmm," Sloane replied.
"I'm not going to turn around. Good night Jack." McGee grabbed his stuff and ran toward the elevator without looking back.
Gibbs's Place
Gibbs was getting ready for dinner. He was wearing a black suit. He pulled out a little box from his jacket pocket, he opened it and smile. He put that box back into his pocket and took the car keys from the table and leave for Sloane's home.
Gibbs was smiling during his whole ride to Jack's home. When he reached he ran toward the front door and rang the doorbell. Jack answered the door.
"Hey, Jack!" Gibbs said as she opened the door.
"You are looking stunning Cowboy." She leaned forward and kiss him on his lips.
"I brought something for you, Jack," Gibbs said as he made his way into the house.
"Really! What is it?" Jack asked as she shut the door.
"A dress. After meeting with Fornell I was going back to the NCIS when I saw this beautiful dress and decide to buy it for you." Gibbs said nervously.
"This is so beautiful Gibbs! Should I try this now? Please. Wait how did you know my size?" Jack asked in excitement.
"Lucky guess I think," Gibbs said as laughed.
Sloane went upstairs to change her clothes and Gibbs was sitting on the couch and waiting for her. He was a little bit nervous because after so many years he had bought a dress for the woman he loved.
After few long minutes, Sloane came downstairs and Gibbs saw her. His jaw dropped to his feet. She was looking very gorgeous in that white dress.
"Hubba hubba! Planning to kill me, Jack?" Gibbs finally said something.
"It's a gift from you. So it will be considered as a suicide." Sloane teased him. They both burst out laughing.
"C'mon Gibbs, I am starving." She said as she dragged him to the door.
"I thought you had lunch with your friend? After you." Gibbs asked as he opened the door for Jack like a true gentleman.
"Yes, I had but I didn't like the food," Jack replied.
"Hope you like the food where I'm taking you," Gibbs said as he opens the door for Jack.
They arrived at the restaurant and Gibbs and Sloane entered the restaurant. They made their way to the table that Gibbs had booked for them. She didn't know when he did that. Everyone in the restaurant was looking at her.
"It's awkward," Jack mumbled.
"What is awkward, Jack?" Gibbs asked.
"Everyone is looking at me like I'm an alien." Gibbs laughed at her statement.
"They are looking at you because you are looking amazing, Agent Sloane," Gibbs tells her.
Gibbs orders for food and beverages. They were talking about how was the day at the office.
"Well, my day was not good, it was quite a rough day for me," Gibbs said as he takes a sip from the glass of wine.
"Why? What happened?" She asked.
"Someone has restarted the opioid drug pipeline. We don't have any clue who is behind it. Mcgee finds out that Vladimir and two more men got out of the prison on bail. Leon is trying to figure out how they allowed it." Gibbs explained.
"What! They just let them go?" Sloane was shocked.
"That's what I asked too. But their counsellor pulled some strings and get them out of there."
"Did Fornell knows about it?" She asked with concern.
"Yeah, he knows. We put him and Emily under protective custody. Nick and Bishop are with them at the safe house." Gibbs informed her.
"That's good." "How about you? Are you okay, Gibbs?" She asked.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I'm...I'm good."
They were enjoying their food and after a long time, they both were feeling happy. After finishing the meal they both are looking at each other and suddenly, Gibbs took her hand in his hand. And squeeze it softly.
"I don't know how to say it, but I want to tell you that how much I love you, Jack. I just can't live without you. After a long time, I found true love, which I do not want to lose it." Gibbs said softly.
Jack don't know what to say. And suddenly Gibbs stood up and pulled out something from his pocket. He nervously looks around and then he kneels on one knee. And open the box and smiles at her. Everybody in the restaurant was looking at them.
"Special Agent Jacqueline Sloane will you marry me?" Gibbs asked with a big smile on his face.
Everybody was started shouting, "Say yes! Say yes..." Jack was surprised. She couldn't believe that Gibbs just proposed to her. She stood up and covered her face with her hand.
"YES. I will." Sloane answered with a blushing face.
"Yeah..." Gibbs shouted in excitement. And then he placed the ring on her left-hand ring finger. He stood up and they both kiss each other. People were greeting, cheering and whistling.
They both were happy. After paying the bill they leave the restaurant and started walking towards the car. Gibbs was holding her left hand. They were walking slowly. But their happiness didn't stay for long.
Suddenly from nowhere, a big SUV stops in front of them and before they could react two well build men gets out of the vehicle and grabbed Sloane.
Gibbs kicked one of them in his gut and step between Sloane and those men. He was still holding her hand. They both jump on them one of them grabbed Sloane and the other one hit Gibbs with the butt of the gun. Still, Gibbs was able to swing hard on that man's face. But he was hit hard enough and his vision becomes blurred. And that both men dragged Jack into the SUV.
Gibbs fell on the floor and the only thing left from Jack was that ring. It was still in his hand. When they seized her Gibbs was holding her hand so tightly but after getting hit by the man he loosens the grip on her hand. Somehow the ring came out of her finger and when Sloane's hand was yanked away from Gibbs's hand the ring was left in his hand.
Gibbs heard that Sloane was calling his name but he was losing his grip on the consciousness. He was laying on the road and he was holding a ring tightly into his fist. But he didn't know about it. Someone called 911 and EMT arrived in few minutes. When they searched him and found his badge and NCIS ID They took him to Bethesda. And called McGee. Because it was the last contact number on his phone.
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
AND WHY DID THEY TOOK SLOANE?
WHO HAS RESTARTED THE OPIOID DRUG PIPELINE?
WHO HELPED VLADIMIR TO GET OUT OF THE PRISON?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT.
DON'T FORGET TO GIVE your COMMENTS.
THANK YOU.