FISH

Chapter 1

Gibbs frowned as he hurried down the staircase from the Director's suite, reviewing the plans he and Vance had made as well as the assignments. He'd just been handed a case that was already in the hands of the FBI. Eight murders in the last 10 months, the victims in different areas of the country. The last two victims were sailors, thus the inclusion of NCIS at the insistence of the Secretary of the Navy, supported by her boss, the Secretary of Defense. The Bureau had been working the case for 8 months. Their files should be here by now.

He sighed as he looked at the bullpen, realizing once again that Bishop had already left on her week's vacation, after which she'd be at FLETC for a 2-week training class. He hoped their temporarily assigned duty or TAD agent would be able to work with McGee on the electronics. Looked like there was enough of that to need 2 agents and that was definitely not in his or DiNozzo's wheelhouse.

His team looked up as he entered the bullpen. "SecNav pulled us into the Stoneridge case. Last 2 victims were sailors."

DiNozzo frowned, exchanging looks with McGee before turning back to Gibbs, "Boss, hasn't the Bureau been on that for months?"

Gibbs opened his mouth to reply but spotted a look on McGee's face who was looking at his monitor. "McGee?"

"Boss, we just got a huge file from the FBI."

"Put it up."

Tim was already scrambling. "Need two minutes to save it first."

Gibbs nodded. One minute and 35 seconds later, McGee picked up the remote as documents and photos appeared on the plasma. Gibbs smiled to himself, pleased with Tim's speed and maybe a little bit perversely proud that his agent deliberately overestimated the time needed. Across the aisle, Tim quietly promised himself to find an analogy to explain the electronic saving of a file. Maybe he could use some sort of woodworking or building analogy.

The rest of the day was spent reviewing the files. It was frustrating and sometimes boring work but it had to be done. Before he dismissed them for the night, he'd laid out the plan and assignments, relieved to find their TAD, Bob Chalmers, was comfortable working with Tim on the electronic side of things.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

A week later, the four of them were in MTAC where McGee was using satellite tracking to determine heat signatures in a remote area of Wyoming.

"Got it! Boss, there's the cabin where they've been hiding. Two hours outside of the town of West Boston."

Without saying a word, Gibbs squeezed Tim's shoulder and the younger agent sat up straighter, not sure which was more satisfying - finding the killers or making his boss proud.

While McGee signed off, Gibbs turned to DiNozzo and Chalmers, noticing Vance had joined them. "Once the warrant requests are in, go home and pack. We're going into rough country so boots, jeans, etc., don't bother with anything formal. And bring warm jackets, it's early spring, Wyoming's had twice as much snow as usual this winter. It's colder than here."

He looked at Vance who nodded as he disconnected a call, "Pamela is booking flights for the morning. What else do you need?"

"Two vehicles, both with 4-wheel drive. If one's a truck, needs to have a double cab. It would help if they weren't black SUVs or shiny new. And…the cooperation of the locals. Couple of motel rooms. What about the Bureau?"

"You expect them to show up? They'd have to hear about your discovery first and I don't have a call scheduled with them for another few days. As far as Secretary Porter and I are concerned, this is our collar. If we have a press conference, I'll be sure to thank them for the 7 months of legwork they did."

"Ouch!"

"Don't worry about the FBI, I'll handle the politics."

Gibbs huffed, "Better you than me."

Vance just tilted his head in agreement.

While Gibbs spoke with Vance, his agents returned to the bullpen where Tony was muttering to himself. Tim looked over, "REI is probably your best bet. Bob might want to go with you."

Chalmers nodded, "I brought some of everything I have but nothing in the cowboy or mountain man look."

They both looked at Tim who shrugged, "I have 2 pairs of hiking boots, one for day hikes, the second pair is more rugged for backpacking, plus flannel shirts, jeans and a jacket I can take."

Tony frowned, "How? Why?"

Tim smiled, "Been dating someone who loves the outdoors. We hike in Shenandoah, backpack on the Appalachian Trail, canoe, horseback ride, paddleboard on the Chesapeake, camped on a beach a couple of times."

"Traitor!"

Bob looked puzzled while Tim laughed, "You'd do it too if the right woman came along."

"The right…ah ha, McOutdoorsygeek, what haven't you been telling us?"

"Nothing he's going to tell you now. Go! Meet here at 0600, we're flying cargo into Laramie and then a small plane to West Boston."

Tim frowned as he looked at something on his phone. "Boss, according to the weather forecast, that region is having a heat wave. High temperature today was 84 and forecast is for 89 tomorrow."

"All right, mix it up then, still need outdoor gear - jeans and boots. That means none of your fancy shoes, DiNozzo!"

Nodding, the three younger agents took their gear, personal belongings and left.

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

DiNozzo bit back a groan and stretched as he climbed out of the small plane onto the airstrip. "How many days did that take?"

Tim laughed as he landed beside him, "At least 3."

Gibbs growled at them, "Knock it off. The vehicles are over there. DiNozzo, with me in the truck."

"Yes, Boss."

Chalmers waited until he and McGee climbed into the second vehicle, an SUV, before grinning. "They always like this on field trips?"

Tim nodded, "When we fly, yeah. Tony is not a big fan of flying Air Marine, hard on his back. Gibbs is a Marine, he'd fly a C-130 to work if he could. But he hates the time it takes to travel. If he could just beam us to West Boston, he'd be a happy guy."

Bob grinned, "I'm learning from the best in the business and you guys are a trip!"

"Can't help being human. Except for Boss, he's got superpowers."

"So I've been told."

"Never did hear about your shopping trip with Tony."

"DiNozzo is the new poster boy for outdoor wear. He bought 3 pairs of jeans, in different weights for the weather and two different pairs of boots, socks. When he asked for western style shirts they politely informed him they sell sporting goods, camping gear, travel equipment and clothing for those activities, that they were not a country-and-western store. He got some shirts that'll be fine. I bought a pair of jeans, boots, socks, a couple of shirts and a warmer jacket that they said I can return if I don't need it. I also bought a spray can of waterproofing for our new boots."

"Good! I should have gone shopping too, went home to do laundry and forgot to do my socks, so all I have are gym socks and a funky pair I got for Christmas as a joke."

"Ah well, as long as they keep you from getting blisters and keep your feet dry!"

"You're right, no one's going to see them!"

Following Gibbs, they parked outside the county sheriff's department and walked in. The sheriff grinned at Gibbs, "I heard they were sending in the Marines! I'm Tom Rohner, sheriff of this county."

"And a Marine?"

"Retired as a master sergeant."

"Former gunnery sergeant Gibbs."

"HooRah! And your team?"

Gibbs introduced them to the sheriff who then led them to a conference room where a deputy was waiting. "This is Sean Hawes, the deputy you'll be working with. This county is big geographically but we have less than 15,000 year-round residents so it's just Hawes, me, a part-time deputy and dispatch most of the year, with volunteers helping when they're needed. During the summer and hunting season, we bring on more help.

"Now, I've read your e-mails and we've mapped out the best way to reach that cabin. We'll have to be quick though. With this heat wave, the snow is melting fast which means all the creeks are running high. There's already flooding farther north and it's gonna happen here too. And with the amount of snow we've had, the flooding is going to be bad. Could block your way to the cabin. Although from the satellite image you sent, Siffert and Meran will have to get out soon as there's a stream behind that cabin that'll flood them out."

"They ever come into town?"

"One of our volunteers lives in West Boston, runs the grocery store there. He's got their photos and has people keeping an eye out for them but he didn't recognize them and his is the only grocery store in town. If they were smart about it, they've got everything they need for several weeks, maybe longer. They can hunt out there without anyone knowing."

"All right. Like to take a dry run out there today, see what the terrain is like."

"Be fine. Don't recommend taking both vehicles though."

Gibbs nodded, "Dead giveaway, I know. You have any fishing gear I can borrow?"

"You're going to fish?"

"No, gonna have it in the truck so we look like fishermen rather than cops."

"Good idea. Yeah, I'll get it for you before you leave. You have a place to stay?"

"Yeah, motel in West Boston."

"Good. The cabin is 2 hours south of town and another 20 to 30-minute drive east. And that part is off-road. Two hours south on Route 997, there's a wooden bridge over the creek. Take that and then follow whatever path you can find due east to that cabin."

"We'll drive to the bridge today. Don't want to play our hand any more than that."

And with that they were done. The sheriff took two fishing rods, tackle box and hats out of the trunk of his county car, handing them to Gibbs and Chalmers, who happened to be standing closest to Gibbs. "Here, you look like you could be a fisherman. Or McGee. DiNozzo looks like a city boy. You ever been fishing, son?"

"Yeah sure, with my dad when I was a kid, on the Atlantic."

"Well, I guess fishing's fishing."

Gibbs shook his head as if to clear it and gestured to Chalmers. "Come on, let's get to the motel, change clothes."

Deputy Hawes had given them directions to West Boston and the motel they'd stay in. They traveled for nearly 40 minutes before driving into the small town. The motel was on the state route and they pulled around back to park, not wanting to advertise their presence. Gibbs' request for vehicles that would blend in resulted in them driving a 4-wheel drive, double cab Dodge Ram pickup truck and a 4-wheel drive Jeep Cherokee, both in excellent shape although a few years old.

They checked into their rooms, Gibbs sharing with DiNozzo, McGee with Chalmers. Gibbs and Chalmers quickly changed, donning the baseball caps from Sheriff Rohner, each advertising local bait stores and left to scout the vicinity around the bridge.

McGee got busy with his laptop, checking for news on the case and anything else. DiNozzo contacted Vance for an update and ended up representing Gibbs on an MTAC call about another case. McGee was grateful to have the time to catch up with his girlfriend, he grinned at the thought. She was done with her work for the day and the two spent some time together on Skype. They hadn't seen each other in person for several days and both were smiling when they logged off.

Knowing their partners would be gone for at least 3 hours, considering Gibbs' mad driving, the two decided to have dinner in town and bring back meals for the other two. Each room had a microwave, mini-refrigerator and coffee maker. Tim laughed when Tony asked that his attire be inspected for suitability.

"Tony, just be yourself. So what if we look like city boys, that doesn't automatically mean we're cops! We're here for some fishing and whatever hunting is available this time of year."

"Do we know what hunting is available?"

"Right now, it's turkey and mountain lion, I don't even want to think about eating that. Black bear starts April 15th. There's a short archery season for black bear, starts the same day and ends on the 20th. Firearms for black bears ends June 15th."

"Archery? There's a special season for bow and arrow kills?"

"Yeah and that actually sounds interesting."

"Have you ever done that?"

"Killed with bow and arrow – no. But I have a bow and arrows, took archery in school and again when I was doing the paintball to improve my shooting skills. It helped with that too."

"Huh, you never cease to surprise me, McRobinHood! Do you play bows and arrows with your outdoorsy girl?"

"Yes, we've done that."

They drove into town, deciding to eat at the local diner. When they walked in, the cashier blinked, smiled and bent down to look at something under the register. The two agents shook their heads as they walked to a booth, people needed to be more discreet than that! It was obvious to them that she was looking at the photos of Siffert and Meran.

They liked the menu as it had classic diner cuisine, burgers, salads, breakfast all day long and comfort food such as meatloaf, as well as local cuisine. Both men chose the local specialties. Tim ordered a venison steak dinner while Tony opted for a salmon that was native to the area. Both enjoyed their meals but didn't tarry, they still had work to do.

Halfway through their meals, they ordered venison steak and meatloaf entrees to go. Tim's thought was Boss and Chalmers could split each entrée so they'd get a taste of the local and the classic. They thought the dark roast coffee would please Gibbs but knew he'd also brought his own.

Back at the motel, they worked together on their plan, knowing the team would be working in pairs, Gibbs and Chalmers, DiNozzo and McGee. When the other two returned from their scouting trip, Gibbs was pleased with their work and the entrees they'd brought back for them.

McGee looked at their boss, "How's the road to the turnoff?"

"Pretty hairy. The good thing is there was very little traffic. The road's two lanes, narrow with twists and turns the entire way out there. Glad we went, there's nothing to tell you where the bridge is. Chalmers marked the mileage on the way back so we'll have that. The locals would know where things are because they've been here for years. No need to spend tax dollars on signs. There was a sign on the highway for something else but that's a state route."

"Where does it go?"

Bob grinned, "Sign said 'Denver' but the maps don't show the route going all the way through the mountains."

"Weird."

Gibbs shrugged, "Unless our two decide to make a run in that direction, not gonna worry about it."

Tim nodded, "According to everything I could find, prior to his current residency Meran hasn't spent more than 2-3 days here in his lifetime. Inherited the property from his great-uncle but only visited once as a kid."

"And his activities don't show a lot of outdoor stuff. Neither do Siffert's."

That offering was from Tony and the others nodded, they thought Meran and Siffert would be even more 'fish out of water' than they were.

Gibbs nodded, "Good observation. Where can we expect to find them?"

"They were smart enough to come with provisions so they won't be in town unless they get bored. Cabin or bridge, I'd guess."

Chalmers grinned, "We placed a few cameras while we were out there."

McGee returned the grin, "Time to look!"

Bob gave him the coordinates and Tim pulled up the feed on his laptop. They watched, fascinated with the wildlife as it appeared and disappeared. Gibbs and Chalmers heated their meals, split them and ate while the four of them watched a deer family and a raccoon cross the bridge. They occasionally caught sight of an owl as it swooped down to snatch up a tasty morsel of something they'd rather not think about. Over the next couple of hours they saw a moose wander through, a rabbit scurrying along by his side and wondered if the moose would protect him from the owl.

As they were tired and would need to be up at first light, Tony took the first watch, Tim the second, then Bob Chalmers would watch on his laptop and finally Gibbs. While they had interesting animal stories to tell the next morning, no humans were spotted in range of the cameras.

NOTE:

Yes, Bob Chalmers is the same OC from the Serendipity universe. No, he's not married in this story. Alix33 asked me what Bob looks like. He is 6"3', in his late 20's, with dark hair and eyes. He's the son of an American sailor and his Filipina wife. He looks like a younger, taller version of actor Danny Pino. You can look him up on IMDb . com (Danny, not Bob!). Among many other roles, he played Scotty Valens on Cold Case and Nick Amaro on Law & Order: SVU.

REI is a chain of stores selling outdoor equipment and clothing. The full name is Recreational Equipment, Inc.