NCIS: Time of Death, Cause of Death

A/N: As you may know, Time of Death and Cause of Death, is TOD and COD. Known mainly for their Autopsy usages.

So, this story, will hit home for NCIS.

Mainly Gibbs.

Yet, it will hit home for those who work at NCIS. Tony, McGee, Abby, Ziva, Ducky and Palmer.

So, silence, hush. Pay close attention. Dedication and carefulness is used in the making of this story, as I try to bring out the emotions that they all feel. Past events will come into play, known as Shannon and Kelly, and the one involved in killing them. Yes, the drug dealer, is dead. But, it never stopped there.

And...

It won't end here.

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She heard the key in the lock, turning.

She hoped it was him.

"Gibbs?" She whispered, audibly.

"It's me. You ok?"

Ellie nodded from her place on the couch.

"Wanted to make sure it was you."

"Well," Gibbs motioned with his hands open. "It's definitely me."

Ellie sat up, to allow Gibbs to sit down beside her.

"I've.. I've been having nightmares."

"Hmm? About what what?" He asked, holding her close to him, kissing the top of her head like he did to Abby when she was forced to stay in the elevator, while her stalker, stalked her.

"That day... when I went to the crime scene with you guys. The guy, had gotten shot, from a distance." She paused. "The person keeps shooting, and the guy keeps dying. I never see the shooter either. But it happens, every time I close my eyes now. It wont go away."

Gibbs was quiet for a moment.

"Nobody, is going to hurt you, Elizabeth."

"You're just saying that to make me feel better. To make this nightmare seem like it's nothing."

"Is it working?"

"A little." She paused. "Can you say it again?"

"Nobody is going to hurt you."

"Can I come with you to NCIS?"

Gibbs nods.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a necklace.

Seeing that it was dog tags, she looked up at him.

"I had tags made for you. I put one of my old tags on yours, and yours on mine." He said, slipping it over her head.

She fingered his dog tag for a moment.

"Thanks. But what's the reason? I'm only your goddaughter. Not that I mind, but-"

"I'm not going to lose you, like I've lost others." He said, pointedly, interrupting her.

Shannon and Kelly.

She nodded.

They both sat there for a moment, in silence.

"Gibbs?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you." She said, quietly.

She waited for a response. It was silent, and she swallowed hard, knowing the worst was right.

He didn't love her.

She wanted to cry. She wanted to run. She wanted to be anywhere but here. But she felt safer in his arms, than she did anywhere else.

Finally, she heard him speak up.

"I love you too."

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Hearing something ring, and feeling a vibration, she woke up.

"Yeah, Gibbs."

Ah, it was clearly his cell phone.

"Alright."

She heard his phone slap shut.

"Crime Scene?"

"Yeah. You want to stay here, and I'll pick you up on my way back to NCIS?"

"No, I want to go with you."

"I can have Abby pick you up and take you to NCIS while I'm at-"

"No Gibbs! I want to stay with you."

Gibbs did a double take. He'd never seen her so scared to be alone.

"Can you stay out of trouble? Can you stay in the car?" He asked, to be sure.

"Yes, I promise. Scouts honor." She said, signing the Boy Scout's honor.

Gibbs sighed, getting up. "You've been hanging around McGee too much."

"He's so cool though. Geek smart, cute..."

"Not to mention my Agent." Gibbs said, looking at her.

"Ah, correct Boss. Changing the subject Boss."

"Alright DiNozzo."

Ellie giggled. "Hey! I'm more mature than he'll ever be!"

"No doubt about that." Gibbs smirked.

"So, what's the crime?"

"Supposed drug deal gone bad." Gibbs said, filling up his coffee cup.

"Victim?"

"6 year old."

"Surely a 6 year old cant buy-" Ellie started to say, confused.

"Someone didn't pay up. They take out the people you love. I see it all the time."

"But, why do they do that?"

"Drug dealers, don't care about anything except their drugs and money. If someone doesn't pay up, they kill someone. That 6 year old, just happened to be it."

"It's wrong."

"It is, but there is nothing we can do, except make sure they pay, and get justice for the victims."

"Yes, but is it enough?"

"Hell no, it is never enough. Wont ever be either. But we do, what we have to." Gibbs said, sternly, clearly mad.

Ellie nods.

Gibbs grabs his coffee, and his keys, heading towards the door.

"Let's go."

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A/N: Okay, so this bit of the 6 year old, is from an episode. Season 2. Gibbs is unbearably grumpy, as he tries to find out who "Ari" is. Kate asks Ducky, and he tells of the case where it took Gibbs nearly a year to find and convict the murderer of 2, 6 year old girls.

Can you guess the episode?

Also, do you recognize any quotes?

Sad, but true. Well, in their world, and yes, ours too.

Hope you like, Reviews, are loved.

Always,
Semper Fi,

Ellie