Chapter 1 –

Gibbs sat at his desk contemplating the last 48 hours. This case had gotten to all of them but after an emotional and disturbing two days, they finally had hard forensic evidence to convict Daniel Martinez for the murder of First Lieutenant Jane DeAngelis. Now it was in the hands of the FBI to hunt down Martinez and link him to the two previous civilian murders.

This case had captivated the national media. The perpetrator was targeting highly successful, devastating beautiful women and he would get amazing close to his victims without ever being seen. He captured intimate moments of their lives through the lens of his camera. After stalking them for weeks, he would kidnap his victim and leave behind a photo montage pasted to the wall of their homes. The pictures would capture the women's faces in moments of happiness, anger, passion, and sadness over the previous weeks. Some of the pictures were from inside the victim's own home, usually taken through their bedroom windows. The photos were beautiful and made you ill all at the same time. A day or two later, the body would turn up. Each time, he left little to no forensic evidence in his wake.

Gibbs had just told his team to wrap it up and head home. They had done all they could do within their two days and he was damn proud of them. Not that he would share that tidbit with them. Tony had seemed to be affected the most and worked extremely hard without his usual comedic relief. The further he delved into the personal lives of these amazing women the more shook up he seemed to get. Tony sensed Gibbs eyes on him and he looked over at Gibbs as he swung his bag over his shoulder. Gibbs slightly nodded, a small show of affection for a job well done.

The case was almost taken out of their hands by the FBI. Gibbs absently gazed at the catwalk in front of Director Shepard's door wondering if she was still pissed at him for his outburst following her press conference. She announced that NCIS latest case was linked to the "Georgetown Slayer" and that NCIS would be working "in tandem" with the FBI to find the killer. Gibbs knew that 'in tandem" with the FBI meant that the FBI would be running the show.

24 hours ago - Jenny exited to podium and the cameras continued clicking in succession. The media couldn't get enough of this story and they hung on to the director's ever word and action. She was a commanding presence and the media loved it. As she made her way to her security detail, preparing to head back to the Navy yard, Gibbs made a bee-line for her and cut her off a few steps before she reached the sanctuary of her car.

"The FBI is not stealing this case, director" Gibbs shouted causing the lowered cameras of the media to immediately pop back up on their shoulders at the first sign of elevated voices. Jenny Shepard put on her professional mask, only her glare indicating her anger, as she stated in a normal, yet strong tone "Agent Gibbs, as I just mentioned not two minutes ago, NCIS will be working in tandem with the FBI on this case."

"That is bullshit Jen and you know it!" he countered, in a much louder tone than was necessary for the two feet that now separated them.

She was pissed. Not just about the commotion he was causing but because he was purposely undermining her by called her Jen "on the job" in front of half the agency and the FBI. She swung quickly to face him and took a step into his personal face. Within inches of his face, she stated with confidence and conviction "Agent Gibbs, not only will your team do whatever I or the FBI asks of you but you will do it in silence, or so help me god, I will have your badge"

This was the highest profile case since her promotion to director of NCIS and dammit, she was not going to let Gibbs' macho ego screw it up. She was fuming, she drove her point home by meeting his eyes and staring him down. Their piercing glares were being recorded by half of the DC media. Gibbs could hear the still cameras clicking rapidly.

Gibbs looked into her fiery eyes and could tell she was pissed and meant business. He knew he was walking on thin ice. While he enjoyed the game of riling her up, this time it was really about the case. He wanted to nail this perp. Reluctantly, he switched tactics and tried to appeal to her softer side. In a much lower voice he said "I want this bastard, director. Who do you think has the best shot of nailing this guy? Us or the Feds"

Her body language told him all he needed to know, she took a step back and her eyes took on a much softer look. The "us" may have been overkill but he needed to remind her that she was an agent once too and she knew that Gibbs and his team could handle this. She bit her bottom lip as if contemplating her options. Finally, she leaned in closer to not be over heard "You've got 24 hours Jethro, make it count" and she ducked into her car. He closed the door for her as he turned towards the media circus. As he scanned the crowd to find his team something in his gut told him that something was amiss. He couldn't put his finger on what so he found his team and set them to work.

While Gibbs was thinking back to yesterday's events, Tony thoughts turned there as well. He felt guilty over the way he had been treating Ziva and McGee during the case, he had been snippy and not himself. Tony's role had been to dive into the life of First Lieutenant Jane DeAngelis and the deeper he dug, the more respect and admiration he had for her. She had been valedictorian of her high school, went ROTC to college, and risen through the ranks quickly. All the while, looking ridiculously hot and being a kind, well-liked person.

NCIS was called in when they found the photo montage of First Lieutenant and knew she was the latest kidnapped victim of the Georgetown slayer. Tony was mesmerized by the montage at it showed the lieutenant in various states of sad contemplation and reflection. Alone, holding a mug of tea in the morning, her eyes revealing signs of internal strife and unhappiness. Mixed in were photos of her laughing and smiling with members of her squadron. She seemed happiest when surrounded by her marine family.

Tony connected with her in many ways. He always felt happiest and content around his work family in ways he never experienced with his real family. That is why he spent so many years escaping to the movies. In that world, he could be happy in other people's families. This connection made him want to vomit when he thought of the crime scene where her body was found less than a day later.

Martinez had spent his time killing her. Slowly slashing her arms and legs, enough to bleed and be terribly painful, but not enough to kill her. After violating her sexually, he finished the job by placing his hands on her delicate throat and cutting off her air supply.

They had been on the kidnapping for 24 hours before the body showed up. Zia and McGee processed the scene while Gibbs kept Tony on the interview and personal life trail. Somehow Gibbs knew that Tony couldn't handle the crime scene. Gibbs may not offer a lot of words of comfort but he always looked out for his team.

As a peace offering to Ziva and McGee, Tony invited the two of them to a local pub to blow off some steam before heading home. They all assented quickly, it was a tough 48 hours.

"I am going to grab Abby, she needs a break too" McGee said as he headed towards the lab. Tony looked back over to Gibbs "hey, boss, why don't you join us?" Gibbs rarely joined his team in any afterhour's activities but he really wasn't ready to go home alone. Gibbs contemplated it for a moment and then figured, why the hell not. "Meet you there" he grumbled. Tony's lifted his eyebrows to Ziva in an "OMG" type expression as the two of them headed to the elevator.

Gibbs wanted to get a report from the director on the progress the FBI was making on the manhunt for Martinez. The only way the director could get the FBI to allow NCIS to head up the case on the first lieutenant was to promise full jurisdiction over bringing in the killer. The Feds were media whores and were forever trying to remain in the good graces on the public.

Something was still bugging Gibbs about this case. He was concerned about how Martinez got so close to an active marine without anyone noticing. He wanted to get the directors reaction to his concerns as well. At least, that was the excuse he gave himself as he climbed the steps, two at a time, to her office.

She had her head buried in a file with her reading glasses on and a glass of bourbon already in the works next to her. "Please, Jethro, by all means, walk right in unannounced" her voice dripping with sarcasm. She took off her glasses and looked up at him with a "what now?" expression.

"Hitting the sauce already" he said as he nodded to her glass. It had been a long 48 hours for all of them. She hadn't gone home either as they all been working non-stop, first on the kidnapping and then ultimately on the murder.

Jenny ignored his comment and got right down to business. It was her defense mechanism for protecting her emotions and everyone was in an emotional upheaval over this one. "I have sent Abby's final report to the FBI and it is solid. The knife that Ziva found at the apartment Martinez rented matched the incisions on the First Lieutenant and the blood under the grip will most likely match Martinez once the FBI tracks him down. You team came through."

"What's the update on the manhunt" he asked as he stood across from her desk.

"The FBI is "surprisingly" saying very little but they promised to keep me in the loop as soon as they had a substantial lead on his where abouts" she said.

"so, another words, they will call you after they have him behind bars" he said.

She smirked in agreement and took a sip of her bourbon. She noticed his eyes following her lips as she took a sip and the slope of her neck as she swallowed. "Help yourself, Jethro" she said, pretending to misinterpret his stare as a desire for some bourbon.

Jethro felt a little jealous of his former self who had "helped himself" to her neck but brought himself back down to reality. "I'm good…heading to Kilarnery's with the team" Gibbs said

Jenny was practically floored. She couldn't hide her expression of surprise.

"What!?" he countered. "The team could use a little morale lift" he finished.

The director got up from her chair and moved to the front of her desk and stood a few inches from Gibbs. She joking placed a hand on his chest near his heart saying "He really does have a heart!"

Jethro gave her a nasty look as he picked her hand up off his chest. He held it perhaps a fraction longer than necessary as he returned her hand to her side. He was about to walk away and had his body already pointed to the door when he said "you should come." He hadn't really thought through the statement and it escaped his lips before he even realized that he said it.

She paused and looked seriously for a moment. Gibbs went into full defense mode "It's not a date, Jenny, it is just a drink with your agents."

Jenny knew it was an innocent invitation but she couldn't help having a little fun with him. "That's a shame" she said with her half smile as she walked back around her desk. The director in her was creating some distance for her protection while the Jenny side of her said "after this case I think we both could use some therapeutic means to decompress."

She sat down at her desk, put her glasses back on, and pulled a file towards her. All the while knowing Gibbs was tracking her every move with his eyes. When she looked up and met his eyes again he hadn't moved from his spot. He pressed is lips together in a "man, you don't know what you are missing" type smile then said "you know where we 'll be" as he headed out the door. He couldn't hid the smile that spread across his face as he thought of just how many things they had done to each other in the past as a means of therapeutic decompression. It wasn't till he got to his car that he realized he forgot to discuss his bad feeling about the case with her.