Elevators

Disclaimer: I own nothing except a dying Christmas tree. And I technically only own half of that.
Spoilers: Not really. If you have seen season one, you should be ok.
Apologies: I'm not from DC, so my geography might be a little off in where the NCIS building is related to other buildings. I'm going off a half remembered quote.

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*Ping* Warning: Elevator Stopped!

*Ping* Warning: Elevator In Motion!

*Ping* Warning: Elevator Stopped!

*Ping* Warning: Elevator In Motion!

The new guy sat scrunched in front of his terminal, eyeing the evil popup that kept multiplying.

*Ping* Warning: Elevator Stopped!

*Ping* Warning: Elevator In Motion!

"Sir...Sir, I think we have a problem."

His counterpart in the surveillance room was a spry old sea-dog, a veteran of several wars. It was the probie's first post and this man's last - keeping the headquarters of NCIS secure.

When no response was given, the young tech hesitated, obviously uncertain if the situation should be reported.

"And what is this 'think' problem?"

Gruff, but encouragement none the less. He would take it.

"There, uhm, seems to be a problem with the elevators. At first I just thought it was a glitch, but the warning keeps popping up. Then I thought maybe it was the janitor, stopping it so they wouldn't fall off the ladder while cleaning the overhead. I used to do that when I had my summer job. But elevator R2 keeps stopping. It moves for a couple of feet and stops again."

"Who is on the guest list from our friends from Hoover?"

"Hoover?"

*Ping* Warning: Elevator Stopped!

*Ping* Warning: Elevator In Motion!

"Yeah, you know, that building across the river that is always getting in the way."

"I am sorry, boss. I still don't follow you."

"The FBI, kid."

"Oh, yeah, them."

A few clicks and scrolls.

"I show an Agent Freedman and an Agent Fornell."

"Never mind the elevator."

"But...?"

His boss did not respond. The probie turned back to his computer. The second hand just crossed the 12 for the second time when,

"But, boss..." He faltered, indimidation freezing further words.

"Spit it out. If you are going to brood over it until I get no peace, just spit it out."

"What does the FBI have to do with the elevators? Are they running some sort of test? Why weren't we notified?"

"Nothing. No. Nobody thinks it is worth it."

"Huh?"

"Look, kid. Most of this job is about routine. People are creatures of habit. And you get used to what is ordinary and not ordinary. Ordinary is every time Agent Fornell shows up the elevator hiccups for a while. It does it with a couple of other people too."

"Oh, I see."

Pause.

"But?"

"I am sorry, Sir. I don't see the connection."

A sigh.

"Where would you go if you wanted to talk to someone without anyone hearing or barging in?"

The veteran could hear the neurons firing like pistons in the boy's brain. Then the headlights went on.

"Ah, yes. That is rather ingenious. But isn't that a blind spot in surveillance? Does the director know?"

"I don't know and I am not going to tell. With all this technology, there is still something to be said for the old ways of not everyone knowing your business."

It was the longest conversation the probie had heard with his 'cellmate' since he started three weeks ago. The rest of the day was smooth. Agent Fornell turned in his guest badge at 1841. At 1843, a Special Agent let himself in and requested the video feed on autopsy from the morning's body. The probie pulled it up and handed him the disk.

"Get everything straightened out with Fornell today?" the old sea-dog turned security guard questioned the special agent.

"Yup."

The security guard glanced back at the monitors.

"DiNozzo's 'bout ready to start imperonating you again."

"Better go catch him in the act."

"Only way they learn."

The probie realized there was a lot more to this job than staring mindlessly at other mindless people through mindless cameras.


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Hope you liked it.