Author's Notes: One thing that is not demonstrated in the show is the sibling rivalry between Marines and Navy personnel. This rivalry is similar to what happens in a family between brothers. They're on the same side, and are willing to die for one another, but at times can be at each others throats. In my mind's eye, I can see an actor like Tommy Lee Jones from Men in Black playing Clark Thomas. I hope you enjoy the story.

Story Summary: The ex Navy Hospital Corpsman that once saved Gibbs life, and who was an old friend and an NCIS agent in the Chicago area/Great Lakes Naval region, comes to Gibbs for help.

A Blast from the Past




Scene- Just another day at NCIS. Gibbs, Tony, Ziva and Magee, are working at their desks, not really paying attention to what is occurring in the office around them. The elevator opens and in walks a large man, a little older than Gibbs. He strolls confidently into their area.

Thomas- You got a little narrow-assed EX-Marine named Gibbs up here?

(Ziva and Magee look shocked and mortified. Tony falls backwards in his chair)

Gibbs (not looking up from his desk) - Good lord. That sounds like a fat-assed EX-Squid I once knew.

Thomas (walking over to Gibbs desk and looking angry) - You? You never knew anything, just like every other jarhead. You were all dumb as a box of rocks.

Gibbs (standing and looking even angrier) - And you were like every other Squid. Tell me, did you ever get tired of wearing a skirt?

(They glare at each other for a second. Not a sound is heard in the office.)

Thomas (with a chuckle and a big smile) - Damn L.J. It's good to see you again, buddy.

Gibbs (smiling and shaking hands with Thomas) - Doc, How've you been? It has to be, what, 10 years?

(Tony, Magee, and Ziva all show relief. Ziva shows confusion)

Thomas- At least. You know how it is. Time gets thin. I see you're still manning the fort down here.

Gibbs- Yeah, same as always. You still up in Great Lakes?

Thomas- Yeah, same as always. (Takes a deep breath) L.J., I'd like to say that this is a social call, but it isn't. I've got a problem. Is there somewhere we can talk?

Gibbs- Sure Doc. Step into my office (pointing to the elevator).

(They walk over to the elevator and step in)

Thomas- I thought you came out of the closet years ago...

Gibbs- It's an elevator, you idiot.

(The doors close, and Gibbs hits the off switch)

Gibbs- Not to sound like Bugs Bunny, but what’s up, Doc?

Thomas- L.J., I'm in trouble. Right now I'd say there's a BOLO coming across your desk with my name on it.

Gibbs- Oh? Who's is looking for you, and why?

Thomas- You are. That is NCIS is. I'm being charged with treason.

Gibbs- (a little shocked, but quickly regaining his demeanor) Well Doc, I've got to ask. Did you do it?

Thomas- Of course not. I'm being set up, and well, too. I haven't been able to figure out who, or why. And the facts in the case all point to me. That's why I'm here, to turn myself in to you. I know you'll find the truth, and I'll get a fair investigation. If I leave it in the hands of the higher ups, they'll just sell me down the river. I need your help, L.J.

Gibbs- You know, Doc, there isn't anyone else on the planet that calls me that, except you. I won't promise you anything, except that I'll go where the evidence takes me. If you're innocent, I'll find out. If not, I'll personally throw your fat ass in a 6X9 cell and slam the door shut.

Thomas- That's all I'm asking for. A fair investigation.

Gibbs (hitting the on switch to the elevator) - Well then, let's get started.

(The elevator doors open, and NCIS Director Vance is waiting with 2 armed Marines)

Director Vance- Agent Thomas, you are under arrest. (To the Marines) Take agent Thomas into custody.

(The two Marines handcuff Thomas and lead him away).

Director Vance- Gibbs, this case is a hot potato. I'd advise you to stay a way from it, or you might get burned.

Gibbs- Not my choice. He just turned himself in to me, so it’s my investigation.

________________________________________________________________________

Ziva- I do not understand why Gibbs and Thomas insulted each other at first. Obviously, they are quite friendly.

Tony- Well, it's a man thing. You just wouldn't understand.

Magee- Actually, it's an inter-service thing. Look here.

(Magee brings up a screen, showing Thomas's face and his past Navy record.)

Magee- Agent Clark Thomas, retired Chief Petty Officer, was a Navy Hospital Corpsman. Now, an agent with NCIS, on duty in Great Lakes, Illinois, Chicago area. According to his record, he served in the military at several different times with the boss.

Ziva- So, they served together. Why would they start off a reunion with insults?

Tony- Well, as McProbie has pointed out, Gibbs was Marine, Thomas was Navy. There has always been a sibling rivalry between the two services. Usually, it's minor. Something like brothers arguing and fighting between each other. They might be at each others throats at times, but they would die for one another if necessary.

(They witness the arrest at the elevator)

Magee- Uh-oh. This explains what is going on. (Magee brings up another screen on the display). It’s a BOLO for Special Agent Clark Thomas, charging him with treason. Apparently, he is accused of trying to sell highly classified documents. Doesn’t say what documents they were, or who he was trying to sell them to, just that they were signed out by him, and not returned. The documents were Eyes Only classification. They haven’t been accounted for. This is Bad…This is Very Bad.
(In the interrogation room, Thomas is seated. Gibbs walks in and sits down across the table from him.)

Gibbs- OK, Doc. Let’s start from the beginning. According to the report sent by NCIS, Chicago, a highly classified document which was in your care is reported missing, and information has been obtained that you were attempting to sell it. You want to explain that?

Thomas- L.J., this has to be off the record. I need you to turn off all recording equipment.

(Gibbs motions to turn off all equipment. The light goes out on the video camera)

Gibbs- OK Doc. It’s off the record.

Thomas- I was working undercover in an attempt to expose a classified information spy ring. Have you ever heard the name Günter Roenick?

Gibbs- Not really. Who is he?

Thomas- He is a classified information broker. Has contacts all over the world, in virtually every government. He obtains secret information, and then sells it to the highest bidder. Through sources, we found out he was in the Chicago area. I was to make contact with him, and run a sting operation. Once the terms, date, and time of sale were established, my handler would co-ordinate the arrest. It sounds simple, right? WRONG. First, this guy knows his stuff. The information was to be authenticated by his own expert, so there was no passing off bogus data to him. It had to be genuine. Also, remember that I said that he has contacts in virtually every government? Well, that includes OURS. I’m certain that he was somehow tipped off, but of course, I have no proof. Now, here’s where it gets sticky…My handler was the NCIS Midwest Director, Jack Lewis. He was the only one who knew about this mission. Unfortunately, Jack died of a heart attack 3 days ago. If he left any record of the mission, no one has been able to find it. Anyway, the day he died, an anonymous tip came in saying that I was selling out my country. Strange coincidences, huh?

Gibbs- I don’t believe in coincidences.

Thomas- Neither do I. But because I was under investigation, I couldn’t find out what really happened to Jack.

Gibbs- Doc, what was the information you were using?

Thomas- That is the reason I had you turn off the recording equipment. I really am not allowed to divulge that information to anyone outside the loop, but I have to trust you. Just by telling you, I’m committing a security breach. You can not pass this information to anyone without proper clearance. Not to your team, not even to Director Vance. Got it?

Gibbs- OK Doc. No one can hear except me. And I’ll get the necessary clearance. So go ahead.

Thomas (leans in) - This document contains information on the communications parameters of all the Unmanned Air Vehicles that the military now uses. It covers both the Predator and the Hawk UAV’s. With this data, an enemy can jam the communications we use to guide and operate our UAV’s, making them virtually useless. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it will cost the lives of thousands of our military personnel. Because I don’t know who to trust, I have hidden it in a safe place.

Gibbs- You want to tell me where?

Thomas- Not on your life. Don’t misunderstand, L.J. I absolutely trust you, but I’m not going to lay that burden on you. Whoever is doing this to me wouldn’t think twice about including you in the “Down the river party”.

Gibbs- Doc, the whole story sounds flaky as a bowl of Wheaties. Also, without that document, I’m not sure I can help you. But I will check into it.

Thomas- Thanks, L.J. I’d like to give you more information, but I don’t know anything else. Also, other than you, I don’t know who I can trust.

(Zoom in on Thomas’ face)

________________________________________________________________________

(Flashback to Kuwait, February 1991. Forward Area, Base Camp Delta. )

Radio operator- Brave Three Zero, Bravo Three Zero, this is Bravo Niner One. Acknowledge….. Brave Three Zero, Bravo Three Zero, this is Bravo Niner One. Acknowledge….. (Turns to the Commander) Nothing, Sir.

Commander- How long since we were alerted to incoming rounds?

Lieutenant - It’s been about 15 minutes, sir.

Commander- Well, I can’t wait on Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs forever. Lieutenant, get the men in their vehicles. We need to be out of this position pronto, or we risk counterfire from the enemy.

(Chief Thomas approaches as the Lieutenant leaves)

Chief Thomas- (Saluting) Commander, Chief Thomas reporting as ordered, sir.

Commander- (points to a location on a map) Doc, Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs is somewhere near this location. Fire Finder radar detected incoming rounds near there and we haven’t been able to raise him on the radio since that time. We must assume that Gunny Gibbs is either injured or unable to answer. This unit must move immediately, but I refuse to leave any of my personnel behind. I need you to take the ambulance, and locate him. Upon extraction, you are to rendezvous with this unit at Rally Point Quebec (points on the map). Just one thing, Doc. Don’t take too long. If you can’t find him within the next hour, then abort the mission. Understood?

Chief Thomas- (Salutes) Aye, Aye, sir. I’ll find him.

(Chief Thomas runs over and jumps into a Humvee with a red cross painted on the side, then drives off.)

(Later, Chief Thomas locates an injured and comatose Gibbs.)

Chief Thomas- L.J….L.J ….Wake up, buddy…Oh, Hell.
(Thomas dresses his wounds, starts an IV, immobilizes him, and manages to get him and his sniper weapon, after unloading it, into the ambulance. He also takes Gibbs 9MM pistol and places it on the passenger seat.) Sorry, L.J. Can’t have you accidentally shooting yourself. Or me, either. I’ll keep your sidearm up front with me. Don’t worry, though. I promise to give it back.

(They drive off. Later, the ambulance is hit with mortar fire. Chief Thomas is wounded in the left eye, but is still able to get Gibbs out of the ambulance. He drags Gibbs on the stretcher for about 50 yards to a small stand of bushes.)

Chief Thomas- (looks at an unconscious Gibbs lying on a stretcher) Well, L.J. we’re in trouble, now. Those ambulances don’t have much in the way of offensive armament. About all we can do is try and stay hidden, and hope that a friendly unit finds us. Damn, something is wrong with my eye. I don’t know how accurate I can be with your pistol. Hopefully, we won’t have to find out.

(Another mortar round hits and destroys the ambulance)

(About 30 minutes pass. Thomas and Gibbs are approached by a three man Iraqi recon team. As they approach, they ready their AK47’s. As they train them on Thomas and Gibbs, a Cobra helicopter suddenly appears and fires, killing the Iraqi recon team. Chief Thomas waves a white battle dressing and gets the attention of the Cobra Crew.)

Cobra pilot- (to his co-pilot) Those are Americans down there. We may not be able to land, but we can radio their position to headquarters.

Chief Thomas- (to an unconscious Gibbs) It’s ok now, buddy. They saw us. Help is on the way. (Fade out of scene)

________________________________________________________________________


(Back at NCIS)

Gibbs- (to Team) Break it up. We got work to do. Magee!

Magee- Yes Boss.

Gibbs- You find out all you can about a spy named Günter Roenick. I want to know everything about him, from where he attended kindergarten to what he had for dinner last night.

Magee- On it, Boss.

Gibbs- Dinozzo!

Tony- Yes Boss.

Gibbs- Pack your bags. I want you and Ziva on the next flight out to Chicago. Dinozzo, you find out what has been done concerning the investigation on Thomas. Ziva, you see if you can find out anything about an undercover mission Jack Lewis was running. There must be some paperwork somewhere. You find it. I’m going down to the morgue. If Ducky can square it with the M.E. in Great Lakes, you will both be escorting Jack’s body back here for autopsy.

(Ziva and Tony just stand there)

Gibbs- I meant today.

Tony and Ziva- Right, Boss.

(Gibbs, Tony and Ziva exit. Magee starts to work at his desk.)

________________________________________________________________________


(Gibbs enters the Morgue. Dr. Mallard and Palmer are inventorying supplies.)

Ducky- Jimmy, make sure that the rib cutters are stored in the equipment locker. They were missing during the last autopsy, and this made taking off the breastplate nearly impossible.

Palmer- That was my fault, Doctor. I was using them, and I forgot to put them back.

Ducky- (a bit surprised and put off) Whatever were you doing with them, Mr. Palmer?

Palmer- They were the only tool strong enough to cut through the packing on the new vibrating saw we were shipped.

Ducky- I’m surprised at you, Jimmy. We don’t use one autopsy tool to unpack another. Each instrument is to be used for a specific purpose. That is why we sign out hand tools from the maintenance room. Otherwise we can’t do a proper job.

Gibbs- Glad to hear you say that, Duck. I’ve got a job for you.

Ducky- What, pray tell, is that. We currently have only a John Doe with us, and it’s not your case, Jethro.

Gibbs- No, this is a different case, Duck. How well do you know the M.E. at NCIS, Great Lakes?

Ducky- Dr. Solstein? Fairly well. Last time I saw him was a medical conference in St. Louis. Somewhat of a boring little man, actually. Good chess player, though.

Gibbs- We need to get the body of Jack Lewis down here for examination. Do you think you could talk him into that?

Ducky- I don’t know. Is this pertinent to an active investigation? That would be the only way.

Gibbs- Yes it is, but try to keep this on the QT. We’re already stepping on enough toes with this case.

Ducky- I’ll see what I can do, Jethro. I should at least be able to get the autopsy findings and some of the tissue samples from him.

Gibbs- Good. Keep me informed. (Leaves the morgue)

________________________________________________________________________

(Back at the office, the TV is on. An older, bald Senator is being interviewed on a local news program.

Newsman- Senator, as a member of the Senate intelligence committee, you would have knowledge of classified information. Isn’t it true that the handling and sharing of classified information by our intelligence community is becoming somewhat sloppy?

Senator Whitworth- There have been problems in the past. However, we are working to insure that there is a tighter handle on that in the future.)

Gibbs- (looking disgusted) Typical political answer.

Director Vance- (from upstairs) Gibbs, we need to talk.

Gibbs- (to himself) Yep, been waiting for that.

(Gibbs goes upstairs and into the director’s office)

Gibbs- You need to talk to me? Can’t imagine about what.

Director Vance- Oh, I think you can. Just got my britches burned by Senator Whitworth. He wants to know why we’re involved in the Thomas case. He says that it should be handled by NCIS, Great Lakes. And to be quite honest, it should.

Gibbs- as NCIS Director, you have the right to assign any case to any of your assets, right?

Director Vance- Of course. But I don’t like playing one division against another. Especially when a senator that is up for re-election also happens to be from the same state, like Senator Harlan Whitworth. And the fact that he is on the Senate Intelligence Committee doesn’t help, either.

Gibbs- I understand the pressure he is putting on. But the personnel up in Great Lakes are too close to the suspects and victims to be objective. Tell the good Senator that.

Director Vance- Oh, I did point that out. It bought us a little time, and I stress the phrase “A Little”. Fortunately, he doesn’t know of your personal involvement with Agent Thomas, or that argument wouldn’t have worked. Wrap this thing up pronto, or we both may be applying for unemployment.

Gibbs- Understood. Just as quick as we can.


(Zoom in on Gibbs’ face)

________________________________________________________________________

(Flashback to the military hospital at Ramstein AFB, FRG, March 1991. Gibbs is out of his coma, but is still a patient. He is in his room, lying in his bed. In walks Chief Thomas. He is also a patient, due to his eye injury.)

Thomas- Hey L.J. How are you feeling, buddy?

Gibbs- Hey Doc. I understand that you saved my life.

Thomas- Just doing my job. After all, who else could I beat in poker so easy?

Gibbs- Doc, I know you did what you were trained to do. But you didn’t do me any favors. Why couldn’t you leave me alone?

Thomas- L.J., that’s wrong on several different levels. First, I was ordered to find your little narrow ass by the commander. Second, it’s my job to keep the Marines in my unit as healthy as possible. Finally, you had to be kept alive to…a… make things right.

Gibbs- What do you mean by that?

Thomas- (speaking softer) L.J., I know about your wife and little girl. And I know that there is no way I can feel what you’re going through right now. But suicide, whether it is by your own hand or by combat, doesn’t make things right. Now, you tell me. What would make things right? Think about it…. Also, there’s an NIS Agent named Franks that wants to talk to you. He came around to see me last evening when you were sleeping.

Gibbs- So where do we go from here?

Thomas- Well, I don’t know about you, but it’s retirement for me. They don’t let you stay on active duty with only one eye. But I’m dealing with it. You need to deal with your problems. I know you can. Let me know if I can help you.

________________________________________________________________________

(At NCIS, Chicago. Tony is trying to put the moves on a young lady wearing horn rimmed glasses. She reminds him of his high school librarian)

Tony – (leaning over her disk and invading her space) Good morning my dear. As I understand it, you were working the Thomas case.

Agent Paula Jones- (obviously perturbed and standing up) Yes, I WAS the agent in charge until your department got Director Vance to give it to you. I suppose you want all pertinent documents concerning the case?


Tony- (smiling) That would be very kind of you. But I’d also like to get your personal insights on this case.

Jones- Can the come on, Agent Dinozzo. I will do exactly as I have been instructed. Period. Do you read ME?

Tony- Loud and clear.

Jones- Good. (Handing him the case file) Here. You will find all documents properly completed and in order. Good Day.

(Tony takes the file, gives her a phony smile, and walks away, wondering if Agent Jones has a relative working as a librarian somewhere.)

________________________________________________________________________

(At NCIS, Chicago. Ziva is talking with the Jack Lewis’ secretary)

Ziva- I am sorry to hear of the death of your boss. Were you close?

Secretary- We were friendly. He was a devoted family man, and left a wife and two kids behind.

Ziva- What were his personal habits? Did he smoke? Drink?

Secretary- Absolutely not. He was a very religious man, and considered both of those activities sins. He was an older man, and even though he was a diabetic, we all thought he was in good physical condition. It just goes to show you that you can go at any time.

Ziva- That is very true. I would like to see his office. Has anyone else examined it since he died?

Secretary- Agent Jones went in and searched the office, but she didn’t find anything suspicious. She would have noted it in the case files. Also, Mr. Lewis suffered the heart attack while he was alone at his home.

Ziva- When Agent Jones searched the office, did she take anything?

Secretary- No. And I was with her the whole time.

Ziva- Fine. Let’s go in and take a look.

(They both go into the office. On the wall, there are several pictures with dates located at the bottom. Ziva recognizes Agent Thomas, Director Vance, and Gibbs in them. She looks through all the papers in his desk, but finds no mention of any secret investigations. However, she dutifully photographs everything in the room. She then remembers from the case where Director Sheppard died that the dates on the pictures may be used to hide information, so she also photographs them)

Ziva- (to the secretary) Thank you for your help. If I need anything else, I will let you know. Can you direct me to the morgue?

Secretary- Just like in a hospital. In the basement.

Ziva- Thank you.

(Ziva exits to the elevator)

________________________________________________________________________

(At the morgue, NCIS Chicago. Ziva and Tony arrive at the same time.)

Tony- Dr. Solstein, I’m agent Tony Denozzo and this is agent Ziva David.

Dr. Solstein- Yes. I’ve been expecting you.

Ziva- Has Dr. Mallard spoken with you about Agent Lewis?

Dr. Solstein- He has. This is very unusual for one ME to begin an autopsy, and another to finish it. However, Director Vance has personally instructed me to offer every consideration to you. My initial findings are in the file on the desk, over there. All samples I took from Agent Lewis are in this cooler, and his body has been readied for transportation to Washington. In order for the chain of evidence to remain unbroken, you must sign for everything you are taking. Further, you must not allow any of the evidence to be left alone, or any seal to be broken. Is that clear?

Tony- Yes, Doctor. We know the rules concerning of chain of evidence.

Dr. Solstein- Then it is all yours. I’ll have my assistant give you a hand with the body and transportation out to O’Hare when you are ready to leave town.

Ziva- That would be most acceptable. Thank you, Doctor.

________________________________________________________________________

(At O’Hare international airport, Chicago. Tony and Ziva are boarding a C130 military aircraft.)

Tony- Damn, how I hate these web seats on these military aircraft. My back won’t be right for days after this.

Ziva- (making a sad face) Aw, poor wittle Tony. Too bad that the mean old C130 is the only way we could maintain chain of custody on the evidence. You will survive.

Tony- (looking at Ziva) Thank God it is a short ride back to Washington.

________________________________________________________________________


(At the NCIS office, Washington. Magee is working at his desk, and Gibbs walks in)

Gibbs- Magee, what have you got for me?

Magee- (bringing up a screen on the display) Günter Roenick, age 50, born in Dresden, Germany. At age 18, was inducted into the East German Army. Discharged after 3 years. Was then trained by the Stasi secret police, where he remained until the fall of the Berlin Wall when he defected to the West. Is now president of his own import export company, which is suspected to be a front for money laundering, spying, and information brokering. Has no record of arrests or convictions. His intelligence is considered to be at the genius level. Has advanced degrees from Humboldt University in Berlin and Oxford University in Britain. Fluent in six languages. Will sell any service or anything to anyone for the right price. Profit is his main driving force. Thought to be somewhere in the Chicago area.

Gibbs – That’s good work Magee.

Magee- Boss, while he doesn’t seem to get his hands dirty, he is diabolical and ruthless.

Gibbs- So you think we had better be at our best, then?

Magee- (looking sheepishly) Absolutely, boss.

(In walk Tony and Ziva.)

Tony (to Ziva) - I don’t think my back will ever be the same. That MAC pilot must have received his flight training at the Kamikaze School for Pilots.

Gibbs- Dinozzo, what do you have?

Tony – (groans) Three ruptured disks and permanent lumbar damage.

Gibbs- I meant on the case?

Tony – Oh, right, boss….All initial information points to Thomas. He signed out the classified document which was never returned. It should have never left the vault. His signature was confirmed by handwriting experts. Further, he was caught on video making contact with Roenick at a restaurant about seven days ago. Also, there is a report of an anonymous tip that Thomas was shopping information to a foreign power.

Ziva- Making this even more suspicious is the chance death of Jack Lewis. We all know how you feel about coincidences, Gibbs. In Director Lewis’s office, I found no indication of any undercover operations he was running, but then I noticed this (Shows Gibbs the dated pictures). You remember the Sheppard case?

Gibbs- Yeah, I do. Magee!

Magee- Yes, boss.

Gibbs- Trace these numbers down and see if you can find out anything. Pay particular attention to the picture of Lewis and Thomas.

Magee- Any idea where I should start, Boss?

Gibbs- Well, Yeah, Magee. Wherever you can find out information on this case would be a good place to start.

Magee- Boss, those numbers could mean anything. This could take forever.

Gibbs- Then you had better get started.

(The phone rings and Gibbs answers) Agent Gibbs. Yeah, Ducky. Be right there. (To the team) I’ll be down at autopsy if you need me.
________________________________________________________________________
(Gibbs walks into the morgue)

Gibbs- What have you got for me, Duck?

Ducky- It is what I haven’t got that is perplexing, Jethro.

Gibbs- You called me down here to tell me what you haven’t got?

Ducky- Yes. I read through Dr. Solstein’s report. It is only preliminary, but all indications point to a massive myocardial infarction. However, when I examined his heart, I found no evidence of vascular disease. He had the heart of a 21 year old.

Gibbs- Drug induced heart attack?

Ducky- At first, I thought so, too. But I sent blood and fluid samples to Abby for analysis, and she was unable to find any drugs in his system. It is a true mystery.
However, Abigail is still working on it.

Gibbs- You keep at it too, Duck (Leaves the morgue)

________________________________________________________________________

(Gibbs walks into forensics with a plastic container of Calfpow. Abby is intently looking through a microscope)

Abby- Gibbs, you’re early. I haven’t found anything yet.

Gibbs- (handing the Calfpow to Abby) I know. This is for when you do.

Abby- After running all the samples through the gas spectrometer and culturing the body fluids, I can tell you there were no drugs, poisons, or deadly organisms present. (Looking sadly) This man should not have died, Gibbs.

Gibbs- Good men never should, Abby.

Abby- I was checking under the microscope to see if I could find anything, but it is clean, too. (Pauses, then her face brightens) Wait a minute…..Maybe, what killed him occurs naturally in the body. Give me some time to look. I’ll call back if I find anything.



________________________________________________________________________




(Thomas, Gibbs, and Director Vance in Director Vance’s office)

Director Vance- I’m taking a huge risk with this, Agent Thomas.

Thomas- I appreciate that, sir. I won’t let you down.

Director Vance- I know. We’re going to keep you on a short leash… Agent Gibbs??

Gibbs- (handing Thomas a ball point pen and a tie tack) These are radio transmitters. Keep them on you at all times. They will enable us to track your movements and we will be able to monitor any conversations you have with the suspect. Have you contacted him, yet?

Thomas- Yes, he should be in the Washington area in about 90 minutes. Have set up a meeting at the Lincoln Memorial.

Director Vance- Good. Agent Thomas, this may be your one chance to clear yourself. Don’t blow it. Good Luck.

Thomas- Right, sir.

(Gibbs and Thomas leave Director Vance’s office)

Gibbs- You understand what the plan is, right?

Thomas- Of course. You remember that mission we were on in Prague? Nothing has changed since then.

Gibbs- Sure, I remember. And I will be monitoring in case this goes south.

Thomas- (grinning) Glad you got my back, L.J.

Gibbs- Just like old times.

________________________________________________________________________

(At the Lincoln Memorial. Thomas is waiting. Gibbs, Denozzo, and Ziva are monitoring him from a van parked nearby. A dark sedan pulls up and a window opens)

Roenick- Ah, yes. Clark. Please get in. Now. (Thomas complies) Do you have the information we discussed.

Thomas- Of course not. But it is close by and I can get it.

Roenick- You don’t trust us. Such a pity.

Thomas- And I suppose you do trust me, right. By the way, where are we going?

Roenick- Somewhere close by.

(The sedan turns into an underground garage. It stops by a maintenance room. Thomas and Roenick get out of the sedan, enter the maintenance room, and find two men waiting there. Roenick starts to speak, but he is halted by Thomas. Thomas takes off the tie tack and the ball point pen. He places them under a bucket.)

Thomas- There. We can talk freely, now.

Roenick- I’m glad to see you are being straight with me. I knew we were being watched. Is it a sting investigation?

Thomas- Yes. NCIS is waiting outside. As soon as I give you the documents, they will arrest you and charge you with espionage.

Roenick- I thought as much. But, evidently, we can still do business.

Thomas- We can. I just have to get rid of this leash.

Roenick – Not so fast, Clark. The first man is my communications expert. He will verify the authenticity of the information you’re selling. The other man is my own personal medical physician. Please take off your clothes, and he will give you an examination to make sure you have no other bugs.

Thomas- Being shy, I’ll try not to watch.

(Thomas complies. The doctor checks him for any devices.)

Roenick- Well, doctor?

Doctor- He’s clean, Herr Roenick. I thoroughly checked him, and there are no foreign objects.

Roenick – Good. Now, Clark, we can proceed to where you have the documents.

Clark- Not so fast, Roenick. There is a little matter of the money, first.

Roenick- The money has already been deposited in a Swiss bank. Here is the bank and account numbers. (Hands Thomas a scrap of paper)

Clark- Good. I can verify payment at the location where the documents are. However, I can’t travel like this. I’ll be arrested.

Roenick- Of course. (Hands him a new set of clothes) These should fit you nicely. We will leave everything you had on for you NCIS friends as a memento.

Clark- (Gets dressed) I’m sure they’ll love going through my dirty underwear.

(The four men get back into the sedan and leave the garage by a different exit)
________________________________________________________________________

(In the surveillance van, Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva are standing by)

Tony- They are certainly being quiet.

Gibbs- Yeah, they are. I don’t like it. (Gibbs’ cell phone rings) Agent Gibbs. Yeah, Abbs. What have you got?

Abby (on phone) - Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs, I found it. I found it.

Gibbs- What have you found, Abby?

Abby (on phone) I found what killed Jack Lewis. The level of Potassium Chloride in his system was through the roof. That amount would have killed him three times over.

Gibbs- Potassium Chloride?

Abby (on phone) - Right. It had to be injected. And being he was diabetic, any needle marks would have thought to have been from injecting insulin. It would have looked just like a heart attack, and because your cells release potassium into your bloodstream upon death, it is almost untraceable. EXCEPT at levels this high.

Gibbs- Is this something that only medical personnel might know.

Abby (on phone) - Medical personnel and executioners. It’s one of the three ingredients used in executions by injection.

Gibbs- Thanks Abbs. (Hangs up phone) Guys, we may have been had!

________________________________________________________________________


(The four men arrive and enter Dulles International Airport. They walk towards the departure gates.)

Roenick- You have the documents here?

Thomas- Right up here in a sealed locker. I hid the key behind the locker so I could get to the documents easily. (Walks over to a pay phone and makes a call, then comes back) I just verified payment. All is in order. Let’s get you those documents.

Roenick.-Yes, Please. But why did you choose an airport to hide them?

Thomas- One very good reason. If I just hand over the documents to you, what prevents you from shooting me on the spot? However, if you pull out a weapon here, every Federal Officer within a two block area will be all over you. So, here, we are both safe. Also, these are the actual documents. I made sure that they were not on any electronic media that could immediately be transmitted via the internet. This gives me time to safely get on my departing flight. I have thought this out well.

Roenick- So I see. You have considered all of your options.

(Thomas walks to the lockers, locates the key, opens the locker, then hands a document folder to Roenick. Roenick and his expert open the documents, and examine them)

Roenick- Everything seems to be in order, Herr Thomas. This has been an unusual way to conduct business, but, nonetheless, effective. Have a nice flight.

(Thomas turns and walks toward the departure gates. Suddenly, Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva appear with guns drawn.)

Gibbs- Federal agents. Get your hands in the air. (Roenick and his men raise their hands. Ziva and Tony take them into custody. Gibbs takes possession of the documents)

Thomas- Right on time, as always, L.J. I knew you were ”keeping an eye” on me.

Gibbs- Of course. You were always joking about “being a private eye” and reminding us that you had that radio transmitter in your prosthetic eye. That’s the way we tracked you in Prague, and it worked here, too.

Thomas- Yeah. I guess I’ll keep it. It’s come in handy at times.

(Gibbs cell phone rings) Agent Gibbs. What is it, Magee?

Magee (on the phone)-Boss, I found the undercover case file that Jack Lewis was running. The numbers corresponded to a website that had the file. It was just like Agent Thomas stated. He was innocent all the time.





________________________________________________________________________

(Back at NCIS, Thomas, Gibbs, and Director Vance are talking by the elevator)

Director Vance- The classified documents are being returned to their proper place, and the money in the Swiss bank that was to be paid to you, Agent Thomas, has been turned over to the Justice Department. Günter Roenick’s personal physician is being investigated for the murder of Jack Lewis. Both Roenick and his communications expert have been charged with espionage and will be going away for a very long time. And you are to be returned to duty. All in all, not a bad day’s work.

Thomas- Thank you, Sir. It’s great to be back.

Director Vance- There is just one thing. There seems to be an opening in the Chicago office. We need a new Mid West Director. Agent Thomas, you might consider applying for the job.

Thomas- I don’t know, sir. I don’t know that I fit well behind a desk. But I will talk it over with the wife and consider it.

Director Vance- You do that, agent Thomas. (Walks away)

Thomas- Well, L.J. I guess it’s time for me to go. We’ll stay in contact, though. (Smiles) I’ll...a…keep and eye out for you. (More seriously) I do want to thank you, though. I owe you one.

Gibbs- I’d say we’re closer to being even. Oh, and Doc, let me give you a little tip. Stick to investigating. If you go into stand up comedy, you’ll starve to death. (They both chuckle)

Thomas- If you ever need anything, give me a call. Semper Fi, Gunny.

Gibbs – Fair winds and following seas, Doc.

(The elevator opens, Thomas gets in, and the doors close.)


The End