Hello all! So nice of you to read this! Starts out slow, I know, but it'll be better! (: I do not own any of they NCIS members, or the NCIS headquarters, etc.

Please review!

Fleet Admiral Robert Wright strolled through the top of his deck. The night was cool, which was surprising for midnight in the Persian Gulf. The salty-smelling wind ruffled his uniform a bit, and bright stars dotted the ultramarine-colored sky.

Seeing the stars and the crescent moon made the tough-as-nails admiral feel homesick for Washington, D.C. He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and flipped it open to reveal his source of pride and joy: his two children, Luke, age 21, and Julia, age 14. His hand flittered across the worn pictures; it seemed like years he had left from his vacation with them, not just a couple months ago.

But he had a job to do, a service for his country. The mission he had been trusted with was too important to jeopardize. And he would honor that service until the day he retired.

Or until he died. And Robert Wright had no idea that the shadow of death was hovering over him.

The admiral was about to turn to go to his room, when a crushing pain exploded from his chest. He looked down to see his shirt soaked with bright red blood.

He stumbled for his cell, and punched in his first three numbers that were on his speed dial. He left his phone on, hoping it would work. He pulled his pistol out of his holster and shot behind him, and guessing from the shouts of pain, his aim was dead on. As usual.

But the blood was coming faster, and Admiral Wright was on the brink of unconsciousness. He turned to see his attacker, and was greeted by a blow to the face, shattering his nose and opening cuts across his head.

"Payback," the voice sneered. And as the admiral saw the beautiful sky for the last time, the shooter said,

"I told you I wasn't finished with you. Or your family. I will make sure you life's work will sink faster than the Titanic."

A shattering blow, the quick running, the shouts, the gasps of horror. But none of that compared though the agony Wright was going through.

They know.

"Morning, Kate!" Dinozzo's voice came from underneath his desk.

Special Agent Todd shed her jacket and set it on her chair, and sat down. "Morning, Tony. What's on the agenda today?"

"No idea." He looked up to see Kate rubbing her forehead tiredly. "Had a bad date yesterday?"

"Definitely. We saw the new movie, the one about the couple who—WAIT, how'd you know about my date?"

"Well, your planner was just up on your computer, you basically just let the world see!"

Kate rolled her eyes and tucked a wisp of her brownish-black hair behind her ears. "Well, it was awful."

"Did you see that new chick flick?" Tony gagged.

"Yes, and I didn't even suggest it! He wanted to go."

"How was it?"

"Awful. He was crying the entire time." Tony laughed, his grin mischievous. "HE was the one crying—at the CHICK FLICK?"

Even embarrassed Kate had to crack a smile. "Yep. I was mortified. When we came out of the theater, a couple women told me how lucky I was to have a 'sensitive husband.'"

McGee looked up, surprised. "I thought you would've liked Scott."

"Scott?" Tony looked at him and strode over to his desk, which was covered with the latest technology. "You set Kate up with one of your geeky friends?"

McGee blinked. "I thought she might have liked him—" he stammered.

Kate gave an exasperated smile. "Thanks, McGee, but next time I think I'll pass." When she turned away to answer her phone, Tony's face was serious. "Don't try to set her up again, got it Probie?"

"But I—"

He slapped McGee upside the head. "Consider it a warning," he said.

"A warning for what, Dinozzo?"

Tony winced, and stood up straight. He didn't even have to turn around to see who it was.

"Hi Boss,"

Gibbs stood in front of the main NCIS office, in front part of his team. "We have a new case that may take a couple days," he began.

Tony groaned, mumbling something about how he hoped it wouldn't interfere with his weekend plans. Gibbs shot a steely look that shut him up right away.

"A fleet admiral was murdered at about midnight yesterday. His name was Robert Wright. We need to investigate on his murder on the ship, interrogate and ask questions." He gestured to Kate. "I'm going to need you to look up everything about Admiral Wright that you can. I need it in an hour."

"Tony, I need you to make four reservations on NCIS's private jet—and fast. We're leaving for Afghanistan in about three hours."

"That soon, Boss?"

But Gibbs didn't say anymore.