Ok, so this is AU. Jen never worked for NCIS, so there is no Paris, no Positano…nothing. But Morgan wanted to explore the idea of them getting together without her working for NCIS. Set at the beginning of season 3, Tom Morrow is still Director, Twilight still happened and Ziva is still Kate's replacement.

Thank you Morgan for giving me the idea and letting me run with it! CK for her continual help with…um…everything! M E Wofford for keeping me stimulated during my LONG boring days at work! AND, last but by no means least, Alyson for suggesting the title (the Japanese believe that people who are destined to be together are connected with invisible threads that they can't help but follow!) Love you guys!

Jennifer Sheppard gripped the phone as the man on the other end explained the situation. Her blood ran cold and her heartbeat tripled in time. No, she thought, no, it must be a coincidence. You don't believe in coincidences, a rebellious part of her mind mocked. Rachel was right, she was right. She must have stumbled on something she shouldn't. She snapped her cell phone shut without saying anything and stared at her fireplace, trying desperately to think of something to do, anything. The tears for another fallen loved one slipped out of her eyes as small feet padded into the study.

"Mommy…" She whipped around to see her little boy standing in the doorway. Her face softened and she held out her arms.

"Come here Alex." The boy ran into her arms and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Mommy, why are you crying?" He asked, his small hands fingering her long red hair. She smiled sadly to herself and pulled away to look at him. His angelic face looked up at her. Alexander Jasper Mathieu looked remarkably like his mother. Large green eyes stared up at her from under a heavy fringe of brown hair, tinged with red and shone like fire when the sun hit it.

"Mommy is ok Alex. Let's get you back to bed ok?" She stood up with the 5 year old still in her arms. His sleeping form molded to her body and she thanked whichever god was listening, not for the first time, that he had been with her when the attacks on the World Trade Centre 5 years ago had taken her husband from her.

"Jen…I'm in trouble."

Rachel's words echoed in her mind as she shut the door to Alex's bedroom. She shook her head to rid herself of the image of Rachel's eyes, the fear shining out through the dark brown irises. She had felt so helpless, watching her friend as she feared for her life. But she had thought she was being dramatic. She let out a bitter laugh, dramatic…well dying is certainly dramatic Rachel, if you wanted my attention, good job, you have it.

Jen took a deep breath and descended the stairs, her legs threatened to give way half way down so she sat heavily. Drawing in a shaky breath, she raked her hands through her hair and stood up. She couldn't sit here feeling sorry for herself. She had to do something, she had to find out what her friend knew, and make everything right. She didn't fail to notice the way her hands shook as she reached for the phone.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was staring again. He was staring at his former team member's desk. Kate had died under his watch, literally right under his nose and he couldn't deny the hole he felt for another fallen comrade. He shut his eyes briefly and listened to the sounds of his team. Timothy McGee tapping away on his keyboard, Tony DiNozzo trying to pretend her wasn't playing a game on his PC, and Ziva David…he sighed again, the desk wasn't Kate's anymore, Ziva David was currently occupying it. She shot him a sideways glance, wondering if he was staring at her or lost in thought. When he didn't look away, she was given the answer, he seemed to spend a lot of time lost in thought.

Gibbs snapped to attention as his phone rung. He grabbed it, welcoming the distraction,

"Gibbs…address…we'll be right there." He scribbled on a piece of paper and stood up, his team members loyally following suit. "McGee, call Ducky, tell him this address then meet us in the garage…you two…" He pointed at Tony and Ziva, "gas the truck." He threw the keys at Tony who caught them and practically ran towards the elevators, Ziva trailing behind.

Gibbs took a brief sigh and grabbed his bag and side arm. No rest for the wicked.

"What's the case, Boss?" Tony DiNozzo, the perpetual player and child, asked.

"Dead Naval Officer, DiNozzo…did you forget what job you have?" He snapped as the doors slid open. Tony flashed an embarrassed glance at Ziva who smiled back.

The young woman had been badly beaten and dumped in the harbor. Gibbs grimaced internally as the rescue team pulled her body out of the water. He glanced at Ducky, the elderly ME who nodded once before walking forward to take control.

"Tony…point and shoot…David, sketches…McGee, with me." Gibbs ordered, his team scattered and McGee followed as he walked towards the local LEO's.

"Story Sergeant?" He asked the young man taking statements. He turned and faced Gibbs, obviously wondering who the gruff man standing in front of him was. Gibbs flashed his badge as did McGee and the Sergeant visibly relaxed.

"A couple taking a walk noticed the body, Sir. Called us, we noticed the uniform and called you." Gibbs bristled at "sir" but let it go, he was in no mood for a fight right now.

"Any ID." Gibbs asked. In answer, a man ran up to the Sergeant with a wallet. The Sergeant handed it over to Gibbs. He opened it and took out a credit card.

"Commander Rachel Anderson…McGee get background info…thank you sergeant, we'll take it from here." The police officer nodded stiffly and gestured to his team. Gibbs continued to search the wallet.

"Got anything Duck?" He asked. Ducky glanced up at him with a good natured smile.

"I may be good Jethro, but I am not that good." Gibbs smiled easily at his old friend and pulled out a card from the wallet. He frowned when he read the words and Ducky's face wrinkled in confusion.

"NCIS please contact Jennifer Sheppard of Washington DC." Gibbs read out loud and looked at Ducky.

"You think she knew she was going to die Jethro?" Ducky asked.

"I don't know Ducky," He answered, "perhaps we should ask Jennifer Sheppard…once we find out who the hell she is."

More coming soon

V!

xox