Okay, final chapter! This turned out quite long -- what can I say, you guys inspire me to ever greater heights of total insanity. Please read and Enjoy!



The Rescue

I know this woman, said Tom Morrow, all of a sudden, staring at Jenny Shepard. She used to work at the coffee shop down the street. Six years ago, she became fixated on Agent Gibbs and tried to storm this place with a machete. She kept calling him Mark-something and saying he liked his coffee strong.
He advanced on the redhead, who started to look slightly shifty. The other agents blocked her exit as Gibbs stared at her with growing recognition.
        As I recall, continued Morrow grimly: she was institutionalized. For life.
Suddenly the womans eyes flashed with madness as she launched herself towards Gibbs, babbling insanely. Kate stuck out her foot, easily tripping her, and pinned her to the ground.
        Call the Nuthouse! ordered Morrow.
        I already did, replied Mindy, wiggling her nose and making the elevator doors open. Dr Bat marched out with two orderlies in white scrubs.
        Whats with the Olsen twins? Tony asked cause that line was so funny the first time around.
        Mindy laughed uncontrollably for a moment before clearing her throat and continuing: Sorry.
        I believe she belongs to you? Gibbs asked Dr Bat of the woman still restrained by Kate on the floor.
        Id like to know how she escaped, Morrow told him, sternly.
        So would I, replied Bat as the orderlies picked dff up: but I seem to have very little control over the patients in my facility.
        Chickbay snorted: No kidding
Sundance and Sugcat scuttled behind one of the partitions and hid.
        Who are you? dff demanded loudly: How dare you treat me this way!! I am the Director of NCIS!
        No, youre not, Mitzi, Dr Bat told her, quiet but firm: Youre a crazy old lady who is gonna spend the rest of her life locked up, talking to me about her potty training. Now come along.
The orderlies began edging her towards the elevator, as Bat convinced her and dff gradually went weak as she always does.
        If you come with me, Bat wheedled: Ive got a present for you
        Really? she gasped stupidly: What?
        A Raggedy Annie doll, all of your own! he told her excitedly.
        dff perked up: Oh, can I cut her hair?
        Of course you can, Mitzi he replied indulgently.
        I cut my own hair, you know, she preened, smiling up at Bat.
        I know you do, he replied as if to a child: And it looks very pretty.
        Oh, Bat, she sighed: Youre so good to me.
        I know I am, he nodded as they stepped inside the elevator.
They all sighed a sigh of relief. Mindy and Sammie high-fived each other.
Sugcat and Chickbay high-fived each other.
Nikkinor and Sundance high-fived each other.
DC and Morrow high-fived each other, then did a double-take.
Abby and McGee, who had arrived at some point, high-fived each other.
Ducky and Tony high-fived each other too.
Kate and Gibbs just looked at each other.
        Mindy, DC asked, sidling up to her: youre not going to start pairing everyone off again are you?
        You bet I am, replied Mindy cheerily, as Kate slipped away to change out of her bloody clothes. They all watched her go and Gibbs stood in the middle of the floor, his eyes turned in the direction that shed disappeared, waiting impatiently for her return.
        Okay, before you get all shippy on us, DC interrupted: can you just write what is going to happen around here? Id like to have my show back the way it was Do I have to point out that we have no Director now? She shyly turned to Morrow, who she was finding strangely charismatic in person: Unless YOU will be returning, sir.       
        No, DC, he replied indulgently: I like my new job I can surf on breaks. He shrugged slightly: Im returning to Australia tonight, but I am very happy to leave in charge one of my most capable and trustworthy countrymen.
        Countrywomen, Tom, corrected Mindy: countrywomen.
        Of course, he nodded: May I introduce you all to your new Director? __ Director Mindy.
        Gibbs turned and took a step towards Mindy, assessing her with suspicious eyes.
        Youre pretty short for a Director, he said guardedly.
        Youre pretty hot for an old guy, she countered: But I wont hold it against you if you dont hold it against me.
        Deal, he nodded and went back to watching for Kates return.
        Tony stepped up and Mindy turned to him: Any problems taking orders from me, DiNozzo? she asked boldly.
        As a woman or as an Aussie? he queried.
        Either.
        Hey, I LOVE women and I love Aussies, he grinned.
        Good for you. But keep your thoughts to yourself, she ordered: Well be discussing those fantasies later.
        Yes Maam, he nodded.
        Sit.
        Tony sat: Yes, Maam.
        Wait a second, wait a second, came an irate man from offset: What is going on here? This is so NOT in the script.
        Who are you? Mindy demanded.
        Im the Director of this show, he informed her testily: And the writer!
        Not today, buddy, she muttered.
        And we cannot have an Australian running this place! he shouted, enraged.
        Just keep the cameras rolling and run back to your little canvas chair there, mister, she ordered and turned back to her friends and agents.
The little man disappeared.
        Okay, she grinned at her friends and announced: For my first action as Director she walked up to Ziva. I dont hate you. But we have Kate back now. Shes smarter, prettier and funnier -- so you can go right back to where you came from.
        Fine by me, Ziva nodded and chucked her rucksack over her shoulder, heading for the elevator.
As she boarded, Nurse Emma stepped off.
        Nurse Emma!! Sammie exclaimed and greeted the woman with a hug: We did it! See??! We did it!!
        So I heard, Emma replied as the Magnificent Seven gathered around her.
        We couldnt have done it without your help, DC told her earnestly.
        Speaking of which Mindy said, self-importantly: I hereby appoint DC my Special Ops Squadron Leader. Since she did such a great job at rescuing us and the REAL Gibbs, I feel she is uniquely suited to this job.
The others all patted her on the shoulder and gave her hearty congratulations. DC blushed and looked proud.
        Wow, I mean, I dont know what to say she fumbled: I mean -- I dont even know what a Special Ops Squadron Leader is!?!
Ex-Director Morrow stepped into the circle of women and held out his hand:         Congratulations, Agent, you deserve it, he said lowly.
        Thank you sir, DC blushed further under the older mans admiring gaze.
        Listen, my plane doesnt leave for another four hours, he told her, oozing charm: Id love to take you out to dinner and discussyour career prospects.
        Sure, smiled DC, thinking that sometimes what you thought was wrong, really turned out to be sooooo right. She left happily with Morrow.
Meanwhile, Sugcat and Chickbay had taken off with the RobotGibbs and dragged it over near the stairs up to MTAC. Chickbay had a pen stuck in the little control centre in his back and was frantically trying to bring him back to life. Suddenly the corpse jerked upright, clamping his arms around Sugcat.
        OOOOOHHHHH. she moaned delightedly: Whatever youre doing, Chickbay keep doing it!! Dont STOP!!!
Chickbay continued probing the electrical workings of the robot while Sugcat tried to pry open his eyes with her thumbs.
        Hey, maybe we can re-wire him, so hes exactly like the REAL Gibbs, suggested Chickbay.
        Only in love with us!! cried Sugcat ecstatically, reveling in FakeGibbs embrace.
        Exactly! grinned chickbay, brow creased in concentration.
        She flicked a switch and RobotGibbs eyes and mouth opened: Cooooofffeeee??? he groaned.
        Its AAAALLLIIIIIIVVVVEEEE!!!!! shrieked chickbay manically.
        You guys SO belong in that nuthouse, Nikkinor told them worriedly. They just laughed in response.
        Mindy rolled her eyes and walked over to Tonys desk: DiNozzo.
        Yes, Director?
        Id like to reintroduce you to Nurse Emma.
        Nurse Emma stepped forward: Hi, Tony, how are you feeling?
        Hi, Nurse Emma, he grinned childishly.
        Now Tony, Mindy told him: Im giving you this chance because I believe you are a good guy at heart and that all you need is the love of a good woman who is smart, sweet, patient and kind. You two seemed to hit it off, so dont screw this up, okay?
        Absolutely, he nodded, turning with Emma and heading for the elevator. Hey, Emma, he said as they left: ever see that movie where Ernest Hemingway falls in love with his nurse?
        Mindy turned to see Abby and McGee at his desk, looking expectant. You guys she shrugged: you guys are cute -- keep doin what youre doin.
        Thanks Director, smiled McGee.
        Dont kiss ass, McGee, she chided.
        Okay, he nodded crest-fallen.
        Can we go make out now? asked Abby gleefully.
        Sure, shrugged Mindy, waving a hand at them: -- just take it somewhere else.
Abby grabbed McGees hand they headed to her lab. Ducky watched them go and looked about at all the strange women in neoprene stuff.       
        May I go too, Director? he asked courteously: I have a date with Gerald.
        Whatever works, man, she told him as she noticed Kate coming back from the ladies change rooms.
        Shhhhhh, Sundance told Chickbay and Sugcat giggling in their corner over their new toy. She and Nikkinor slipped out of sight, behind one of the partitions as Kate approached.
        Were about to have a shippy moment, guys, hissed Sammie to them, as she and Mindy ducked behind the partition as well: Could ya keep it down?
They silenced out of respect, and a hush descended as Sundance, Sammie, Nikkinor and Mindy watched from afar their ship in action.
Gibbs eyes followed Kate as she walked back to the little area they worked in, her stride slow but confident and her face unmarred by blood. As alive and beautiful as she ever was.
        She smiled sheepishly at him: My gym clothes were all I had that was clean, she said quietly, indicating the black leggings and large NCIS t-shirt she wore.
Gibbs looked her over, not concerned with such things.
        She walked around to her desk as he watched her every move with hooded eyes: Whered everyone go to? she asked, looking about.
        Gibbs finally spoke, never dropping his gaze from her face: Ah, the new Director paired everyone off.Except them, he jabbed a thumb at the four sets of eyes watching them from not far away: Apparently, they have nothing better to do.
        Kate looked over as four heads ducked behind the opposite partition. She looked up at him briefly and she sat back in her chair: Oh.
        Gibbs chuffed nervously: I think shes a bit of a romantic.
        Kate fiddled with the hem of her shirt as her mouth turned up in one corner: Think shell pair us off too?
        Id say thats the idea, Gibbs acknowledged, with a heavy sigh, finally breaking eye contact. He sat on the corner of her desk, staring down at the carpet for a moment, still stained by her fake blood.
        Would that be so bad, Gibbs? she asked quietly and Gibbs looked up again, his eyes softening at the sight of the face he thought hed never be blessed enough to see again.
        Kate he started hesitantly.
Kate looked up at him as he struggled to find words for what he felt. She couldnt take her eyes off the emotion painted across his entire face. She had no idea what hed gone through in her absence, but his eyes gave her an inkling.
        She smiled shyly in encouragement and nodded: Gibbs?...
        Ive missed you, Kate, he said finally, with a sad shake of his head.
        Her smile widened and she tried to joke lightly: Gibbs, Ive only been gone a week.
        Yeah, I know, he nodded, his voice hoarse and his eyes pinning hers with incredible longing: -- but I missed you.
She swallowed as tears threatened to overcome her self-control. She had no awareness of the last week, but she had the strange feeling that shed missed him too, and that smiling at him, on a concrete rooftop somewhere, was not the end of their journey.
She rose slowly from her chair and stepped over to him. Their eyes connected and she smiled a second before she moved in and wrapped her arms around his neck. Gibbs hugged her back, his strong arms winding tightly about her waist, as he pulled her as close as he could.
From behind the partition, Sundance burst into sobs again.
        Shhhh, Sundance, whispered Sammie: youre spoiling the mood.
        I cant help it, she sobbed: Theyre just so beautiful.
From behind them, Chickbay and Sugcat, who had joined them to witness Gibbs getting emotionally brave for once in his life, sighed dreamily in unison.
        I want THAT ONE, Sugcat demanded petulantly, pointing at the Real Gibbs.
        Would you let it go?! Nikkinor snapped: He belongs to Kate now.
        And always will, Mindy assured her, resolutely.
        Just be grateful for what youve got, Sammie told them and the two slinked back to their Gibbs-doll and began to drag him towards the elevator.
        I think were done here, Mindy said quietly to Sammie as Gibbs and Kate held each other.
        Its a very nice place to leave it, she nodded in agreement: Unless anyone else has any ideas? she looked at Sundance and Nikkinor. Sundance sniffed. Nikkinor shrugged.
        Couldnt we have one last kiss? Sundance asked hopefully.
        You mean one first kiss? Mindy asked, directing her gaze back to the couple.
        Do we really have time? asked Nikkinor: I mean, this is getting way long do you really think anyone is still reading?
        Theres always time for shippiness, Sundance pointed out and the four looked back at the scene in front of them.
        What I was going to say Kate murmured, pulling away from Gibbs and picking up from where they were so cruelly cut short: was that I thought Id die before I heard a compliment out of your mouth.
        And what I shouldve said, Gibbs told her softly, his fingers tracing her hairline with a tender touch: was thank you. You saved my life, Katie in more ways than one.
        I love when you call me Katie, she smiled, her eyes gleaming happily at him and he moved in to press his lips to hers.
        Then kiss me, Katie he whispered, one hand sliding along her jaw.
        Yes she replied, barely audibly, as her head tilted to one side and her arms folded lazily about him again.
Sugcat and Chickbay stuck their heads out of the elevator where they were still wrestling with RobotGibbs and watched for a moment in rapt silence.
Behind the partition Sundance, overcome with pure shippiness, fainted suddenly, totally out cold. Nikkinor pulled out her cell phone and started taking pictures.
        Mindy smiled secretly and turned to Sammie: Pleasure doing business with you, Sammie, she said and held out her hand.
        Sammie shook it and smiled back: Totally.

END.


Thank you Sammie for helping!!! And thank you to all who didnt mind being made fun of, including you, Bat. Have fun with loony dff.
And for the record, these characters belong to the crew over at DPB et all. We, of course, belong to ourselves.
M.