Chapter Two: Uncle Ducky
I arrived in America at 8:00AM that morning. I stared at the clock for a moment before remembering the time change. We had been traveling for seven hours straight but since we were going against the time zones, it only seemed like two hours had passed. I stood up stretching out my stiff limbs, before exiting the plane. Along the side of the runway stood none other than my Uncle Donald Mallard. “Uncle Ducky!” I squealed, running over to give him a hug, “I’ve missed you so much!” He released me moments later to introduce me to the blue-eyed man standing next to him. “Madison, it’s so good to see you again after all these years,” he started, “please, allow me to introduce you to one of my best friends and most trusted colleagues, Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.” I curtsied and put my hand out for him to shake. “Madison Jayde Redmond, at your service, Sir,” I replied as he shook my hand. He smiled, but I didn’t let slip the sliver of uncertainness that flashed through his striking blue eyes.
He released my hand as one of the flight attendants tapped my on the shoulder. “Miss. Redmond,” she said, hesitantly, “your limousine is here for you now.” I gave her a smile and asked to have my luggage loaded into the trunk. She curtsied, smiling, and walked over to the limo driver, as I turned back to Agent Gibbs and Uncle Ducky. “Do you guys want to ride in the limo with me?” I asked, noticing the taxi waiting behind them, “it would give us a perfect chance to catch up and what not, Uncle Ducky,” I smiled as he nodded in affirmation. Charley, my driver for my stay in America, opened the door for us as we slid in the back, Uncle Ducky and Gibbs sitting opposite me. “So Madison,” started Uncle Ducky, “How is life back across the pond?” “Everything’s been great!” I smiled, flashing my perfectly white teeth, “I graduated from Schiller International Prep School almost three years ago. Since then I’ve been studying forensic sciences and looking at internships before I start college at Pennsylvania State University in the fall. On top of that, I’ve also earned my seventh degree black belt in karate, my 7-nanadan ranking in kendo, and I’ve moved into the intermediate kickboxing training sessions.” I smiled, at the list of my accomplishments. “My, my, you sure have been busy since I last saw you,” replied Uncle Ducky, “and you have grown into such a mature young lady,” I smiled back at him, blushing slightly.
Finally, after an hour’s drive, the engine turned off and Charley appeared at the door. I looked around, slightly confused by our location. “I don’t mean to be rude,” I said, stepping out of the car after the two gentlemen, “but where are we?” My question was answered by Gibbs. “NCIS headquarters,” he said, those two words being the only thing that he had said to me. We walked into the building in a comfortable silence, got my visitation pass, and walked down the stair to where Gibbs said a majority of his teams was.
As we descended the stairs, I took notice to the three pairs of eyes staring at me. “David, McGee, DiNozzo, front and center,” said Gibbs in a rather unenthused tone of voice. “This is Madison Jayde Redmond, Ducky’s Niece, and our new intern,” he continued, presenting me to the other agents. “Agent Anthony DiNozzo,” said one of the guys as he extended his hand for me to shake, “but you can call me Tony,” he finished with a wink. This only earned him a jab in the side from the girl to his right. “I am Ziva David, it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss Redmond,” I shook her hand, “please,” I smiled, “call me Madi.” She smiled back and released my hand. I turned to the last agent standing before me. “Tim McGee,” he smiled, it was the first genuine one that I had seen all day, well other than my Uncle Ducky of course. After introductions were over, I was led to the elevator to see another member of Team Gibbs.
The elevator doors opened on the ground level of the building. The only thing that could be heard as we walked into the room was the sound of Suicide Commando’s hit single Comatose Delusion, one of my favorite songs. “Abby!” yelled Gibbs over the sound of the music. The song was instantly muted. “Aw, Gibbs,” she wined, “why didn’t you tell me that we were going to be having a visitor? I would have cleaned up or something,” she gestured to a bath tub and her chemical-lined table. I took a better look at the tub, realizing that the grime caked to the inside of it was from the mixture of acid and decomposing bodies. I then looked up at the computer to see a finger print scan taking place. They must have been in the middle of a case when I got in I thought to myself. Then, briefly studying some of the chemicals on the table, I realized what the case was about. “Serial killer?” I questioned the Goth. “Excuse me?” she responded, having been caught off guard by my question. “The case that you’re working on,” I elaborated, “It’s a serial murder, right?” I looked at her hopefully. I noticed as both Uncle Ducky’s and Gibbs’ eyes widened in surprise. “Yeah,” said the pig-tailed girl before me “the tub gave it away didn’t it?” “Yeah, well that and the fact that it smells like decomposing flesh mixed with…” I trailed off sniffing the air again, “would that be hydrofluoric acid?” I questioned. A look of realization crossed her features as she rushed to her computer, furiously tapping the keys.
