No Time Like the Present

Introductions

Pit pat. Pit pat. Pit pat.

Rain fell hard on the NCIS building, soaking those who walked to and from. Shoulders hunched, soaking in the warmth of his coffee, Gibbs entered. Giving a silent nod to the security officer at the door as he wanded him before letting him through the gates to continue to the elevators. Ducking in with some other agents he ascended to his second home.

As the doors opened he could tell there was something wrong. Well, more so a hindrance than wrong. Director Shephard stood in the middle of the squad room, his team watching and waiting. Eyes falling to him as he walked over and took his coat off, setting his coffee down without a word.

"About time agent Gibbs." Shephard tutted, her arms crossed, body tense with anticipation and slight annoyance.

"It's raining director. Traffic." He retorted with a side glance at his watch. "..besides I'm on time . Didn't know you were waiting for me. What's the problem?"

"The FBI will be here soon. Your current case connects with one of theirs. "

A cumulative groan erupted from Tony and Mcgee. Gibbs giving them an immediate cold stare which resulted in their apologies in unison. As if on cue the elevators opened and Fornell, along with some other agents, exitted. Approaching them as Gibbs met his gaze.

"Usual conference room?" He questioned as Fornell nodded. The two stern looking men entered the elevator together as Gibbs flipped the emergency switch. Once they were in complete privacy their gaurds fell.
Fornell leaning against the wall facing Gibbs.

"Well Jethro, here we are again. Another one of your cases hit home with some of our cold ones. Suspected serial, the print from your scene matches two unidentified partials from ours. "

"A serial? Gee Tobias that is a bit need to know huh? Especially in my backyard." He couldn't resist teasing lightly as he sipped on his coffee. Fornell let out a low chuckle as his shoulders shrugged in acknowledgment.

"What can I say, I love keeping you on your toes. Let's just catch this bastard so we can go home. Deal ?" Fornell held his hand out as Gibbs shook it.

"Deal." Flicking the emergency switch back as they put their walls back up and exitted the elevator together.

"Mcgee. Plasma." He motioned and leaned against his desk as he crossed his arms. Clicking the remote Mcgee cleared his throat.

"Two nights ago Private Shawn was murdered an alley behind this strip mall. Cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the abdomen causing him to bleed out. We found a partial print on him that flagged the FBI , which..."

"...Matches the partials from two other crime scenes with the same M.O." A female voice piped up from behind the other FBI agents. All heads turning to look as Fornell smirked. Making her way through the agents as she stood in the middle.

"The cases span almost two years and occurred in similar areas. Alleys behind a business which would normally be busy during the day. The number of stab wounds and placement are consistent which each victim. Also each victim was of the same rank and had the same amount of time spent in the service."

"And who is this ?" Gibbs raised an eyebrow , curious and impressed.

"She's one of mine Gibbs, one of my best. This is agent Adeline Williamson. " The blonde managed a soft smile at him, tilting her head as she surveyed him.

"So this is the infamous Gibbs. Nice to meet you, Fornell speaks highly of you. At least most of the time. " He couldn't hide the small smirk that formed on his lips at her words.

"Yeah. That's me. I wouldn't take everything he says to heart though, he did take one of my ex wives." Chuckling as he finished his coffee and tossed the cup into the trash can near Fornells legs, making him roll his eyes.

"Come now Jethro, let's be civil today. "

"Well go ahead.." He nodded at her. Clearing her throat she continued as Mcgee went through the various images on the plasma.

"We suspected someone within the service who knew all the men but we never found any connections nor behavior that would result in this. Our best lead is a two month period of overlapping time the victims spent in Bethseda for various reasons. "

"Mcgee..." Gibbs spoke up without hesitation.

"On it boss. I'll cross reference all employees during that time, current and not who were in contact with the victims."

"Dinozzo."

"Yeah boss, I'll start with their medical records. See if there's any red flags. "

"Ziva.."

"And I'll begin with examining the evidence from each scene."

With a nod of satisfaction Gibbs walked over to Adeline.

"I assume you're working with us then?" He questioned, now surveying her. Noting the few faint graying roots in her blonde hair. Near flawless skin except the small dimples when she smiled. Her pants suit showing off her physique, eyes landing at the heels she wore. Meeting hers as he raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Can you run in those?"

"Oh don't worry special agent Gibbs. I can get around just fine. " Flashing a smile as he noticed a small chip in her tooth, only noticeable if you were within a few inches of her. He flashed his own grin now.

"Well good. Follow me down to autopsy then." He moved around her to head to the elevator. Pressing the button to go down, he looked up watching the arrows.

"So how long have you been with the FBI?" He questioned.

"Almost seven years now. Fornell recruited me himself. Taught me everything I know." Her response made him chuckle, narrowing her eyes a bit unamused.

"And what's so funny?"

"Oh I already said it. He married my ex-wife. I hate to know what he teaches you all." He smirked as he gestured for her to enter the elevator first. Moving in she scoffed as he came in behind her and pressed the button.

"You'd be surprised at how much he knows. How much he's seen special agent Gibbs."

"Call me Jethro." He couldn't help manage a crooked smile at her now. Especially seeing her dimples as a result.

"Jethro huh? What western did you fall out of." She quipped back causing him to shake his head with a soft chuckle. Letting her step out first once they reached autopsy. Guiding her through the doors he spoke up.

"Ducky. Got some company. This is agent Williamson with the FBI. "

"Please. Call me Adeline." She smiled at the doctor. His face turning to an excited smile.

"Doctor Mallard, but everyone calls me Ducky. Adeline you say? What a beautiful name. Not one very common either. I do think I knew an Adeline.. yes it was back in Quebec.."

"Ducky.. the body. " He nodded down at the man on the table.

"Oh ah yes. Sorry Jethro, I found this.." Ducky held up a sealed container with a white piece of thread in it.

"It was in his throat. Perhaps the killer brushed close to his mouth during the attack. Or during a struggle he managed to get some of his attackers clothing in his mouth. Perhaps trying to bite at him or her. I'll send it up to Abby for analysis. "

"Good work Ducky. Call if you find anything else." He turned and motioned for her to follow him. Leading her back to the elevator and up to the squad room.

"I better go find Fornell and touch bases. I'll see you around Jethro. " She smiled and walked past Tony who came over.

"Wow. She's kinda hot boss.." Within a second of the words leaving Tony's lips he smacked him in the back of the head.

"...sorry boss. I'll get back to work." Tony mumbled and walked off like a dog with its tail between its legs. Shaking his head he rounded the corner to go speak with the director when he stopped just in the corner.

"She is hot." He muttered to himself. Letting out a sigh he then smacked himself in the back of the head before heading up the stairs to the directors office.