Remember (Book One of The Avengers Reports)

Chapter Two (Picture of Gibbs)

All righty, next chapter! Even though it's . . . like . . . six in the morning here . . . *insert cricket chirps* . . . Anyway, enjoy!

By the way, this is dedicated to icallringbearer for having the weight of being the first reader on this story. She's awesome, and look at her profile and read her stories. AWESOME!

***

NCIS Navy Yard

Washington D.C., Capitol of the United States of America

Director Leon Vance put the phone down back into its cradle, then looked up at the redheaded woman that was seated at the table, an ice pack on her neck. "Are you all right, Agent Romanoff?"

"I’m fine, Director," Natasha replied, wincing a little as she nodded. "Just in a little pain."

"Completely understood," he assured her. "Do you have any memory of your attacker?"

Natasha shook her head. "No. It was dark in the corridor. It was definitely a man, though."

"Most likely our killer," Gibbs put in.

Natasha jumped, then looked over at Gibbs, who was seated in one of the chairs in the corner of the office. "When did you get here?"

"I followed you in," Gibbs replied dryly.

Natasha scowled, then looked back at Director Vance as he stood. "Agent Romanoff, I’m going to have you at your desk for today. You will be back in the field tomorrow."

Natasha opened her mouth to argue, but when she saw the firm look in Vance’s face and the care in Gibbs’s eyes, she closed it again. "Yes, sir," she replied.

"You both are dismissed," he told them.

Natasha stood and instantly went for the door, opening it and exiting his office. On her way out, she paused at the railing that overlooked the bullpen. As she looked down into it, she could see Ziva, McGee, and Tony looking up at her in worry. Standing at Ziva’s desk was a black-haired girl in a lab coat, and she was pretty worried.

"They’re all worried about you."

 ***

Gibbs watched Natasha jump again as he came up and stood beside her. "Will you stop doing　that!" she snapped.

"What?" Gibbs asked innocently.

Natasha gestured vaguely with her hand. "That!"

"Natasha, we’re worried about you," Gibbs told her again. "Whoever attacked you wanted to make sure you were out of the investigation. Why?"

Natasha looked back down at the bullpen, obviously deep in thought. Gibbs tried again. "If the Director had his way, he would’ve tied you to your desk for this entire case," he informed her. "I struck him down."

Natasha looked at Gibbs. "Why?"

"This man knows you," Gibbs replied simply. "If we put you out in the field, he’ll come back to try and harm you again."

"So I’m bait," Natasha concluded.

Gibbs winced. "Yes."

Natasha grinned. "Fine by me. I just want to punch him in the gut."

Gibbs smiled and followed Natasha as she walked down the stairs into the bullpen. "I told the Director that, too. His only comment was that he pitied your attacker."