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Episode opens with an outdoor military funeral drawing to a close with a gun salute whilst attendants at the mausoleum struggle to open the vault in which the young marine is to be interred with his grandfather. They finally release the screws on the vault panel which then explodes outwards, covering them in goo. Amongst the goo is a skull.

Opening credits

Abby is confronting McGee in the main office, demanding he exchange a dollar with her for the candy machine. Abby has mistakenly taken a candy bar containing nougat which she doesn't like and now the machine wont take her dollar. A discussion about the contents of candy bars ensues until Abby explodes with frustration. McGee only has large notes. Tony offers a note. She takes it and storms off, without handing over her dollar to Tony. Ziva is mystified as to what is nougat. Gibbs enters with an explanation It's a cream with sugar, honey and nuts McGee, disturbed by this abnormal Abby behavior, asks did anyone see what just happened there? Tony replies Yeah, she stole my dollar Gibbs tell them to roll to the explosion at a Marine's funeral.

Team arrives at the mausoleum as the bomb squad exit, reporting that there was no explosive and that the area is safe but that you might want to cover your shoes, as he looks down at his own goo-covered shoes. The team enters and discovers the floor covered with a substance that McGee calls porridge but which Ducky tells him is human remains, called effluvium. Ducky explains how bodies can liquify and release gases, causing an explosion as if the bodies were in a pressure cooker.
Scene: autopsy room. Ducky and Jimmy discuss that they have another meat puzzle. They quickly learn that there are more than two bodies when they find they have 3 right hands. They look at each other and say in unison We're going to need another table
Back in the main office: Tony is doing a campfire in Gibb's absence regarding the case. When challenged What do you think McGee? McGee replies She definitely seemed un-Abby Ziva: who? McGee Abby Ziva: Abby's unhappy? Tony No, Abby's un-Abby Tony then instructs them both to focus and says he will talk to Abby later, because he has experience of talking to angry women and there is one clearcut ironclad reason why he should talk to Abby... because she owes him a dollar. He turns and is surprised by silent-walker Gibbs. Tony reports that they have found the victim's relatives who had failed to report her missing. Ducky phones and calls them to autopsy for a report.

Ducky reports that the bodies were dismembered, - butchered at the joints- and that they are missing pieces for two main bodies and that they have spare parts. Ducky opines that they are looking for a mass murderer.
Gibbs walks into Abby's outer lab. She is sitting at her computer in her inner office, doing computer messenging. Her computer name is Abbsolute with USer471. She types Cant we talk about this :-) USer471 replies There's no point... with a grimacing emoticon. Gibbs asks for a report. She quickly changes her screen content. When Gibbs preempts what she is going to say about her DNA results, she snaps at him. But she reports in full, tersely pointing out that photos of the crypts in the mausoleum show that two more vaults have recent marks indicating tampering (the rust has come off the screws). Gibbs leaves and Tony stays to talk to her, revealing that the team has been talking about her behind her back and Tony just keeps putting his foot in it throughout the conversation. Abby is not impressed and stalks off in disgust.
McGee and Ziva are talking to a victim's relatives. The niece becomes upset and Ziva empathizes, handing over tissues, saying Here. I know how difficult it is to lose a person you care about They escort the relatives to the lifts. McGee observes They were really cut up and then realizes how inappropriate that remark is in a butchered body case. He then advises Ziva to pace herself as there are five more next of kin to go. Ziva bridles at the implication that she can't handle it. Tony returns, escorting in Miss Dalton whose grandfather occupies a tomb that has been tampered with. He sends her upstairs whilst he collects gear from his desk. McGee grabs the chance to get the latest info on Abby. Tony tells him that it is probably something McGee did that is the problem. McGee is confused.

Tony interviews the pretty Miss Dalton, but fails to win her co-operation over opening of the tomb and he has to resort to getting a federal warrant (which brings the case to the attention of other agencies).
Back at the mausoleum, Gibbs arrives and Tony announces to him that they have company. Lt Col Mann emerges from the mausoleum to greet an uneasy-looking Gibbs, saying that she ..got a call that your case might be venturing into CID territory. Gibbs, quietly unassertive That call would be premature. Mann (leaning back on her heels and looking skeptical) Really? And here I was thinking it was 4 weeks overdue. Gibbs looks very uncomfortable and goes very silent. He cannot meet her gaze. Tony and Ziva are fascinated with the encounter. The Colonel continues to discuss the case. Gibbs, in avoiding Mann's eye contact, slews his eyes to check reactions from Tony and Ziva, who immediately pretend not to be paying attention. Mann invites Gibbs to fill her in on the details. He keeps his eyes downcast, saying nothing then glancing at up at her. Mann says You wouldn't want to make a bad situation worse, would you? Gibbs bends and looks down. Mann: Don't look so nervous Jethro Gibbs Do I look nervous? Mann (picking invisible lint off his shoulder and clearly beginning to be amused by Gibbs' squirming reaction to meeting her) You actually..um..look pretty good. Gibbs turns to escort Mann inside and barks an instruction to Tony and Ziva to guard the perimeter. McGee arrives and Tony barks at him to stay. McGee asks What did I miss? (a lot, McGee, a lot)

Gibbs and Mann work in the mausoleum, looking for the tampered vaults. Their conversation starts off with double meanings Not like you to leave something unfinished...the crime scene Gibbs It is best not to have expectations Mann What are we hoping for? Gibbs You throw that 'we' word around pretty casually...last time someone tried to remove one of these, it blew up in his face...you might wanna step back a little bit Their verbal sparring continues as a dual discussion of the job at hand and their personal situation.

The Gibblets, waiting on the mausoleum porch, discuss what is going on between Gibbs and Mann. Mann is not a redhead. Could Gibbs have changed? The discussion quickly turns to Tony's reformed behavior, now that he doesn't flirt anymore due to his girlfriend. Tony deflects that attack by saying that he doesn't gossip. McGee Tony you like to talk about everyone's private lives Tony Talk, yes, but I don't write entire books about them do I? A member of the public arrives, clutching lilies and asks whether he is able to go inside today. He is sent away.

Back inside the mausoleum, Mann stands in front of the next vault that Gibbs is to check for the missing body parts. Mann is barring Gibbs' access. He fronts up to her. G:Are you going to let me in? M:I think we should be clear on the implications first. G:You're interfering with my investigation. M:Is that what I am doing? G:Honestly, I'm not sure. M: If there is evidence in here, then I am going to be obligated to see this right through to the end. G: And if there's not? M:Then I don't see why my involvement shouldn't end right here. (She moves out of the way.) G:If you wanted to see me, you didn't have to manufacture a reason. (She protests that she is following army orders.) M:You could have called. G:So could you. M:I distinctly remember the last thing you said as you slinked out the door...(G (talking over her) I don't slink!)... was I'll call you. G: For the record, I didn't think the last time we saw each other was going to be the last time we saw each other. M:Neither did I. G:Well, here we are. M:Lucky for us. G:Call it fate. M:You really just going to let fate decide whether we go our separate ways? G:Five bodies in total and we only recovered portions. You're hoping the rest are in here. Aren't you? M:To be honest I am not really sure. (Gibbs opens the vault to reveal a mass of bones and bits). G:That the answer you're looking for? Camera freezes on the jumble of bones and body bits revealed in the vault.

Cut to Ducky's lab. He reveals that the five were shot, stabbed, strangled, bludgeoned and poor Miss undetermined Torrance. The bodies were moved after being suspended and drained and butchered. Paradoxical behavior: unrestrained murder and meticulous dissection. Jimmy answers the phone and says to Gibbs that the Director wants to see you. He starts to leave and Jimmy clarifies Both of you Gibbs and Mann look at each other, surprised, and depart together.
In the main office, the Gibblets are having a campfire discussing the case, listing the details of the victims and discussing the mystery visitor who tried to visit the mausoleum who turns out to be a relative of the first victim. James Brady. Was he visiting his trophies, since he officially had no relative buried at the mausoleum?
In Director Shepherd's office, we learn that the Army has agreed to lend Mann to the investigation. It is clear that Mann and Gibbs are being territorial and staking their authority. Jenny tells them that they have worked together successfully in the past. Nothing has happened to change that relationship, has it? Everyone looks uneasy and says nothing. Gibbs pushes to be allowed to leave and get on with the investigation. Jenny agrees but asks Mann to stay I'd like a private word with you. Gibbs gives an uneasy look as he leaves the Director's office.
In Abby's lab, Ziva arrives to find Abby attacking her platform boot. Abby laments why she wears 3 inch platforms when she is already 5feet10inches tall (about 1.8m tall). Abby looks at Ziva's shoes Flat, sensible, functional...not very sexy Ziva struggles both to stand while Abby has grabbed her foot and then to follow Abby's thinking. Abby views her platforms saying they're wrong, wrong... Ziva asks wrong for who? Abby abruptly switches to a discussion of the forensics of the tissue samples. The torrance tissue has abnormal levels of chlorine.
Gibbs returns to the team who report that the visitor to the mausoleum was Brady. It is clear he had connections to the victims and he worked as a pool cleaner (heated indoor chlorinated pools). They decide to bring him in. Ziva and McGee depart. Tony hovers, looks at Gibbs, glances up to the balcony outside Jenny's office where Lt. Col. Mann has yet to emerge, then back at a po-faced Gibbs. Tony smiles a little smile and scoots.
Jenny and Mann are having a conversation. We learn that Jenny wrote a commendation for Mann after her last work with Gibbs. Jenny is making overtures to Mann, whose contract with the army is finishing soon. She offers Mann a drink. Bourbon. A drink that you acquire a taste for if you work with Gibbs. Jenny subtly makes it clear that she learned to drink with Gibbs a long time ago and hasn't drunk with him lately. But you never lose the taste. Mann takes the implicit message that Jenny is trying to recruit Mann and is not competition for Gibbs but fully understands the Gibbs phenomenon.
Gibbs and Tony are on stakeout in the car outside Brady's house. Tony tries to engage Gibbs in discussion about what he thinks Jenny and Mann are talking about. Gibbs instructs him that they will wait. Silently. Tony shuts up. Spots the suspect and pursues him. They catch him.
Now we see the team entering Brady's house. It is a mess. They find that he is a jack of all trades, many of which have blades. Tony says we will give them to Abby. Ziva says it's not what she wants as she was almost crying over her shoes. McGee queries the almost crying and concludes that it wasn't over shoes. They keep searching and find a pork chop.
Back in the office, Mann and Gibbs walk the corridors to the interrogation room. Mann is smiling and Gibbs gives her a searching look. M: What? G: Nothin' M: Seems like you were thinking something. G: It's been known to happen. M: Something about me. G: I thought I recognized your perfume. M: I don't wear perfume. G: It must have been something else.(he was close enough to smell the bourbon on her). Gibbs enters the interrogation room where Brady waits with Ziva. Mann enters the observation room. Brady is accused of murdering his mother and is uneasy but then the rest of the victims' photos are laid out and he relaxes. Mann realizes that something is not right, because Brady looks relieved. Brady is honest when he says that he didn't do the chopping up of all the bodies. Gibbs leaves. Brady asks Ziva What now? You want me to take a lie detector test or something? Ziva responds with a smile You just did.
Back in the team room, Gibbs and Mann arrive to campfire with the Gibblets. It is Mann who believes that Brady is not acting alone. She leads on the quick fire discussion with the Gibblets. Mann points out that Brady got to the Mausoleum as quick as Mann did...how did he know. Mann issues the instructions as to what each of the team should do. Gibbs is silent and, when the Gibblets look to him for confirmation of Mann's orders, simply says Go. McGee then says Boss.. and it is Mann who responds, and then realizes that McGee meant Gibbs. She leaves for forensics. McGee tells Gibbs that, if he is going to visit Abby, McGee thinks he should know that she seems to be going through something. Gibbs cuts him off with a simple I'm not going empty-handed, McGee.
Cut to Abby's reaction as Gibbs enters the lab (delight) and then she sees Mann following him (Abby deflates). A very un-bubbly, unhappy, businesslike Abby reports.She tosses down the pork chop found at Brady's place. The pork chop has the same cutting signature as the bodies. Mann realizes that Brady's girlfriend is a butcher and is excited by the evidence, and then realizes how unnaturally still Abby has become now her report is completed. Gibbs gives Mann and look and Mann takes the hint and departs.
Gibbs stands, looking at the profile of the silent, hollow-eyed Abby, who is keeping her eyes trained on her computer, to avoid eye contact. Abby asks Dont you have work to do? (Gibbs remains silent)...Look, its not something you can fix in the classic Gibbs hit-and-run style, ok? Gibbs, very quietly, very seriously, says I got time, Abs and just looks at her with complete concentration.
Abby opens up. It's stupid. It's just...a guy. I am not going to start spilling my guts just because you keep standing here.(She lasts a few seconds of the silence and then spills her guts). She starts walking to her office (followed by Gibbs,clutching the Caf-Pow) She confesses that she has fallen for a guy who thinks she is too much for him...can you imagine that? Me? And its not what you think...its not all this (goth attire). He likes..(sighs, looks sideways at Gibbs and away again).. small women. I got dumped because I am too..too big for him. And don't even bother with the it's his problem because he's too small and he cant accept you for who you are. He just doesn't think that we could make it work and I have done everything I can to try to convince him that he's wrong..(she stares at the guy's picture on her computer)...so I guess I am just going to have to accept it...(she deletes his picture from her screen-saver, pursing her lips)...and let it go (she relaxes her face into a semblance of acceptance). Abby finally looks up from the computer at Gibbs, then stands and hugs him and says Thanks Gibbs You always know what to say. (Gibbs, of course, has said nothing but has stared long and hard at the picture and at Abby. He reflects her bleakness. And we, the audience, recognize her beloved as the very short but talented forensic scientist whom Abby met at a trade fair and whose lab Abby borrowed in previous episodes.)
Back in the office, Mann is leading the discussion with the Gibblets, while Gibbs looks on from his desk and Jenny watches from her mezzanine balcony. When they work out that they should check the only boutique butcher shop in the area, Gibbs nods his agreement and issues the command Let's roll
Surprise: the boutique butcher shop is run by Miss Dalton, who refused to sign the release for her grandfather's vault to be opened. She is Brady's girlfriend and she had told Brady that NCIS was at the mausoleum, which he then visited. Gibblets search and find bloodstains in a deep freeze. Miss Dalton runs away, and we hear her choking and vomiting in reaction to the blood.

Cut to interrogation room: Miss Dalton recounts how she met Brady who was a customer, trying to get a few moments respite from looking after his mother. He always wanted to try new things so she taught him her butcher's trade. She laments how she could not have seen. He is watching from the observation room. Mann asks him whether Miss Dalton is the monster that he had spoken of during his own interrogation. He says no and claims that he was the sole butcher. He attacks the glass and yells, thumps, revealing his presence to Miss Dalton. Gibbs speeds into the obs room and starts flash-carding the pictures of the victims, demanding to know what happened to each. Brady knows. Tony realizes that Brady has already killed another victim. Brady is taken away. Gibbs issues the instruction to let the girlfriend go.
Ziva visits Abby in the lab, and is pleased to note that Abby has her music back on. Abby declares that she doesn't feel good yet but better than before. She says how guys tie you in knots and you can't get the knots out, but it really helped to talk with Gibbs and un-knot the knots. Abby then offers that if Ziva ever wants to talk about Lt Sanders (who died in "Dead Man Talking"), Abby will listen. Ziva says I liked him and he died and what else is there to say? Abby gives Ziva a bear hug. Ziva doesn't know how to respond but afterwards appears shaken. Asserting control she says Hmm. Well, I'm glad you feel better. She pats Abby on the arm, at arm's length and leaves.
Mann and Gibbs are in the car, driving to Brady's missing van that has been located. They are discussing Dalton and Brady. Mann With the right partner, you can make the proverbial monster Gibbs grins and drawls Oh yeah, give me a little of that ol'time romance They laugh. Mann says Someone's got skeletons of his own and says that if she was ever in that situation where she had a body that she needed to get rid of, she thinks that she would tell him. Yeah? he asks. What makes her think that he wouldn't turn her in? Mann remarks that he is good at keeping secrets. She comments that he made the right call letting the girl go. Seems he always makes the right call when it involves a case. By this time they have reached the Brady's van. They draw their weapons, aim and open the back doors of the van...
...to reveal Miss Dalton, covered in blood, butchering her latest victim. The body is already only a torso, the severed limbs are around. Mann draws in a breath and says Son of a... We finish on a freeze-frame snapshot of Gibbs' stoic, unreadable face as he sights along his weapon.
End credits roll

Submitted by hoorooblue