Part Two
By Mindy

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Kate sat on her couch, braiding the hair of Sammie who sat on the floor. Sammie meanwhile was carefully braiding the hair of Sundance who was sprawled on the carpet, fast asleep, her head in Sammies lap. DC sat beside Kate on the couch, casually buffing her nails.
        Is she alright? asked Kate, tipping her head at the comatose female.
        Uh, yeah, nodded Sammie uncertainly: Shes just on a lot of cold medication. You think maybe you could go a little easier on her DC? she demanded abruptly.
        Hey, DC muttered, turning the page on the issue of Redbook she had propped on her thigh: Show business is cut throat. Sundance is a casualty of war.
        Well, this should make her feel better, said KTFan cheerily, kneeling down and beginning to apply an oatmeal mixture to Sundances unconscious face.
Sundance moaned in her sleep.
        Pup! called Mindy from the TV where she was watching Freaky Friday with Chickbat in her hospital gown: We need more popcorn!
        And more cookies! added Chickbat.
        Coming up! Pup replied from the kitchen.
They were all sitting around the living room in t-shirts and panties (okay, shorts for the modest ones). Kate had curlers in her hair, KTFan had nail polish on her feet and hands and everyone was wearing a thick, greenish facemask. Remnants of their feasting on junk food and caffeine lay messily about the floor.
        Mindy, Pup complained, appearing in the doorway, carrying two plates on one arm while under the other was tucked a large bottle of amber liquid. When we asked you to bring drinks this is not what we had in mind.
        What? Mindy shrugged innocently: I like sarsaparilla.
        Me too, added Kate.
        I like it, added Sammie.
        Mmmmm, Sundance mumbled in her sleep.
        Whatever, Pup rolled her eyes: I say we need booze and we need it now.
        I dont drink anymore, Kate told her quietly: Not since Spring Break.
        Interesting, DC noted: Cause shippers really like to get you drunk.
        Its true, sighed Mindy ruefully: Makes for great fic.
        Well. Kate murmured hesitantly: Okaythere is an old bottle of bubbly at the back of the fridge. Gibbs gave it to me when I left NCIS.
        On it! Pup chirped, dumping the sarsaparilla and the popcorn and the cookies with Mindy and speeding back into the kitchen.
A few minutes later a loud pop was heard and cheer rang out. Pup appeared a moment later with a big grin and handed the bottle to Chickbat.
        Were drinking from the bottle? she muttered: How bohemian.
KTFan snatched the bottle and took a long swig: Yummy!
        Chickbat shot her a menacing look and held her hand up in the shape of a claw: Reeeeeer.
        KTFan held up her hand and wiggled her fingers, tipped with long, black-painted fake nails: Meow.
        So, Kate, Pup said, flopping down next to her on the sofa: Heres a question for ya
KTFan passed the bottle to Sammie as everyone gathered around. Sammie took a sip, entirely relishing relaxing and doing no work whatsoever.
        Why DID you leave NCIS? asked Pup.
An expression of doubt and pain crossed over Kate face as she looked about at the troubled countenances of her friends. DC put down her nail file. Mindy turned down the TV. Pup took a fresh handful of popcorn. Sundance opened her eyes sleepily, muttered: bastards and then went back to sleep.
        Come on, Kate, murmured Sammie: surely you can tell us now.       
        Didnt you read the message on my website? Kate mumbled sadly: I wasnt allowed to talk about it. They swore me to secrecy.
        Who? asked DC.
        You can tell us, KTFan assured her gently: Were your friends.
        And two years later, added Sammie passionately: Were still worrying about it and talking about it and wishing it had never happened.
        We miss you, Kate, Mindy sniffed softly.
        We need closure, said Chickbat solemnly.
        You cant tell anyone, Kate stated clearly after a moment: If you do
        What? prompted DC.
        They may come after me, Kate whispered warningly.
        Wholl come after you? whispered Sammie, wide-eyed.
        Kate paused, looked about at each of them and then admitted quietly: The Redheads.
        Excuse me? Pup mumbled incredulously.
        Are you saying there was a redheaded conspiracy to out you from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service? asked DC darkly.
        Kate nodded: Yes.
        And that if you try to return or do something about it murmured KTFan amazedly.
        They will try to remove you, finished Mindy, suddenly understanding it all: --by force if necessary.
        Look, sighed Kate, trying to lighten the mood a little: Im not saying that ALL redheads are evil--
        No, no, everyone shook their heads in unison: of course not.
        But there was just this one particularly vocal group, she shrugged, her eyes lowered to the floor: thatresented my role in the show.
        Uh huh, Chickbat noted sarcastically: Any of them happen to be just a little obsessed with Jethro Gibbs?
        Well Kate sighed: they may have mentioned something like that. I dont really remember. I was drugged and tied up. They made me take that bullet, she insisted, spreading her hands: They forced me into hiding. I didnt want to leave. You have to believe me. I love NCIS.
        We believe you, DC assured her gently.
        Of course we do, Kate, added KTFan.
        But this cannot be allowed! Sammie stated emphatically: We can do something about this!--
        We can? asked Pup.
        And we will!! she added heroically.
        We will?
        We have connections, DC told Kate lowly.
        Its too dangerous, you guys, she protested, with a shake of her head. I appreciate your support, really-- butthese women were serious, you know. Theyd been hacking into my computer for months, following me on dates, bugging my apartment.
        You mean? whispered KTFan worriedly: they could still be listening to us? Right now?
        Thats paranoid, Pup shook her head: Theres no way---
Suddenly there was a loud crash and three figures in dark jackets rushed through Kates door, guns drawn, voices yelling. They all screamed and flinched away from the noise and the intrusive men in black.       
        What the--? Sundance puffed, waking abruptly from her sleep.
        Hands in the air! the intruders yelled, loud and ominous.
They all obeyed, eight sets of hands shooting into the air as they were surrounded.
        Kate narrrowed her eyes at the middle figure: Gibbs?
        Gibbs took off his hat: Kate?
        Kate got to her feet, glancing at the man on the left: Tony?
        Tony grinned and tucked his gun away: Nice panties.
        Shut up, she bit.
        DiNozzoooo Gibbs headslapped him. Hard. Er he shuffled a little closer as Chickbat tried to salvage some of the popcorn that had spilt at his feet.
        Hi, she sighed with a dreamy grin. Want some? she offered seductively, holding up a handful of popcorn to him.
        Friend of yours? Gibbs asked Kate blankly.
        Um, yeah, nodded Kate slowly.
        Is she deranged? he murmured, eyeing the hospital gown.
        Kate shrugged: She has her moments.
        Hi, girls, Tony flashed a charming grin to the others still sitting stunned on the floor.
        Uh, were not girls, Tony. Were WOMEN, muttered Mindy caustically.
        Yes, you certainly are, he mused happily, giving KTFan a deliberate leer.
        So are we gonna be firing these at all? inquired the third figure in an NCIS jacket and cap. NCISluvr held up the loaded Sig Sauer and sent Tony a questioning look.
        Tony headslapped NCISluvr: Power down, Probie.
        Great, the Probie huffed and holstered the weapon reluctantly.
        Didnt know you lived here, Kate, Gibbs mumbled, smiling apologetically to her friends who all returned generous, forgiving smiles.
        I moved here after Kate looked at the floor: Well, you know after--
        Yeah, nodded Gibbs: its nice, he added, looking about.
        Would you like a cookie? KTFan wheedled, sidling up to Tony.
        Sure, Tony smiled, taking one and stuffing it in his mouth.
        Theyre goooooood, huh? she flirted.
        Yep, Tony nodded, taking another and inhaling it too.
        Probie? she offered the plate to NCISluvr.
        Thank--
        Rule number nine-- Tony snapped, commandeering the whole batch from KTFan: No cookies for probies!
        I think youll find, NCISluvr spoke up: thats Always carry a knife.
        DiNozzo rules, he scowled, then turned his smile back on KTFan, giving her a cheeky wink: Nice cookies.
        Sundance rubbed her eyes and sat up: Whats happening? she murmured fuzzily, looking about at all the people and all the mess.
        I have no idea, Sammie rolled her eyes: ask Mindy.
        Well, Mindy began, taking a big breath: Kate was telling us this conspiracy theory about why she left NCIS. And then THEY-- she pointed at the NCIS-clad figures: Came busting through the door!
        Quite a coincidence, DC muttered skeptically: Wouldnt you agree?
        Kate, Tony and Gibbs all turned to look at her: We dont believe in coincidences.
        Something very hinky is happening here Sammie muttered suspiciously.
        Definitely, nodded Mindy, patting her on the shoulder: And its your turn to figure it all out.

TBC