Chapter 1 - Long time no see

The lift dings signalling Tony's entrance.

"Good morning Ziva, McGee!"

"You are in a good mood this morning Tony." Ziva comments on his uncharacteristically chirpy mood.

"It just feels like..." Tony stops mid sentence as he notices an extremely attractive blonde sitting at Gibbs' desk. He signals McGee to see whether he knows who she is. McGee just shrugs in return. Tony puts his bags next to his desk and moves over to Gibbs' desk.

"Excuse me," he says. The woman looks up from her phone, "I'm very special agent Anthony DiNozzo, who are you?"

The blonde woman stands up, this is the first time he's noticed her uniform. Tony notes that she is an Air Force officer. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel Samantha Carter." Tony beams, shaking her outstretched hand.

"Just a word of warning. That is special agent Gibbs' desk that you're sat at. He doesn't like anyone else but him sitting there," Tony lowers his tone of voice, raising his hand he whispers, "He's a little scary." He turns around and collides with special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Sam conceals her snigger as DiNozzo rushes around Gibbs.

Smiling she greats Gibbs with open arms. "It's good to see you again Jethro."

"It's good to see you too," Gibbs whispers into her shoulder. As he pulls away he questions her, "What are you doing here Sam?"

"Do I have to have a reason to see my favourite agent?" Gibbs gives her a knowing look as Tony mouths to Ziva "Favourite agent?". At the look she's getting, Sam caves, "Okay I'm here on a case of my own. We start investigating tomorrow and I thought I'd come and see you," Gibbs gives her a look of intrigue. "I can't tell you anymore than that. You and your team will get debriefed tomorrow."

"Does it have anything to do with Sergeant James Wells?" Gibbs questioned.

"What did I just say Gibbs?" Shaking her head she carries on, "Anyway I came here to ask if you wanna go out for a few, you could meet my team if you like before tomorrow."

Gibbs nods and starts to grab his stuff. "Does that invite extend to us?" Asks Tony.

"Yeah, sure." Replies Sam.

They all start packing away, giving them time Sam phones her team to invite them all out. "Are we ready to go?" Sam asks.

"More than ever." Says Tony.

Sam shakes her head and leads the way to the lift.