The Missing Pieces*

"I'm going to check up on something ", said Alex as he stood up.

"I will come with you." offered Kate.

"It's cool, Kate. I feel like this will be a wild goose chase more than anything."

"Okay... but call me if anything comes up."

"Sure, thanks, Kate."

<scene break>

Alex Bishop sat on his bike, parked inside the Braddock Mall parking lot, where everything went down. He used Focus Vision(FV) to see if he could find any clues. But it was a parking lot; way too many people passed through there to get an accurate reading of what had happened. He replayed the timeline in his mind: Wilkerson met with Lafferty at 8:00 AM. Thirty minutes later, she was trapped inside the trunk of Lafferty's car. It was clear from her statement that something crucial was missing.

One place kept coming back to him: Perverts Brought to Justice (PBJ). If there were any connection that could fill in the blanks, it would be there.

'In a sense, Wilkerson and Lafferty's connection was through PBJ; it might be worth checking out.'

When Alex arrived at PBJ's office, the atmosphere was intense. The building was filled with people staring at screens, typing away as they monitored chat rooms, message boards, and online traps set to catch predators. It was a bustling hive of vigilantism, a mix of law enforcement support and personal crusades.

Alex approached the front desk, where a young receptionist glanced up at him. "Hello, I want to talk to the person in charge?" Alex asked, keeping his tone professional but firm.

"Who's asking?" came a voice from the back. A man in his late 30s stepped forward, his eyes sharp and suspicious. He had a rugged look and an unshaven beard.

"Alex Bishop, NCIS." Alex held up his badge.

"Ross Logan, manager of PBJ," the man replied, extending a hand that Alex took in a firm shake. "What can I help you with?"

"I'm here to talk about Commander Wilkerson; she was kidnapped around 8 am this morning", Alex said directly, watching for any change in Ross's demeanour. "We believe it could be related to what she's been working on here. Apparently, she was abducted by a predator who goes by 'Fleet Captain.'"

Ross folded his arms; his expression guarded but curious. "I am sorry to hear that. But it does not surprise me. Amanda's always been a bit... overzealous."

"Overzealous?" Alex repeated, probing further. "From what I gathered, she's been heavily involved in PBJ's work, almost like she's been on a crusade of some sort."

Ross nodded, his face tightening as if recalling something unpleasant. "Wilkerson's been here for about two years. She joined us after her niece was sexually assaulted by some predator she met online. That really pushed her over the edge, made it a personal mission to catch every single one of these creeps."

 'That's why she requested a sudden leave two years ago.'

Alex filed the information away. It made sense now why Wilkerson was so driven, why she had a personal vendetta against predators. But there was more Alex needed to know.

"Did you know she was planning to confront this Fleet Captain guy?" Alex asked, his eyes fixed on Ross.

Ross hesitated for a fraction of a second, just long enough for Alex to notice. "No, but it doesn't surprise me. She's done it before—going rogue, going on the offence. I've warned her several times not to confront them. That's the law enforcement's job, not ours."

'Lie.'

There was something off about Ross's response. His tone had shifted, and Alex could sense he wasn't being completely truthful. The way Ross avoided eye contact when talking about Wilkerson's confrontation told Alex this man knew more than he was letting on.

"Let's take a walk," Alex suggested his voice calm but with an undertone of authority.

Ross looked taken aback, clearly uncomfortable. "Look man, I'm busy. If it's not important, then I'd rather not."

Alex leaned in, his eyes narrowing. "I insist."

Reluctantly, Ross nodded, and they walked out of the building to a quieter street nearby. The moment they were away from prying eyes, Alex used Hunter's Instinct(HI).1 Ross's heart was racing, his breathing shallow. Alex could practically smell the fear radiating off him.

"Logan, a few hours back, we found Wilkerson. We rescued her from the trunk of Fleet Captain, aka William Lafferty's car. Wilkerson....She told us everything," Alex bluffed, keeping his voice steady. He watched as Ross's eyes widened, panic flashing across his face. "It's better if you come clean now."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Logan, Did Cmdr. Wilkerson contact you after the NCIS rescued her?"

"n...no. I didn't even know. I thought she was still MIA."

'Lie.' "I have no idea what she told you. But her official statement is the reason why I am here. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Ross Logan broke almost immediately, his tough exterior crumbling. "Okay, okay," he said, his voice cracking. "It's not what you think."

"I'm listening, Logan."

Ross ran a shaky hand through his hair, his composure unravelling. "Amanda never listens. I've told her over and over not to engage with the perverts, but she's always going rogue. She thinks she's some kind of vigilante, and it's going to get her killed one day."

Ross paused, struggling to find the right words. "When I found out she was going after Lafferty, I couldn't take it. I followed her to the parking lot to try to stop her. But Lafferty freaked out and bolted as soon as he saw us."

"So, what did you do?" Alex asked, his voice dangerously low.

"I—" Ross stammered, his face contorted with guilt. "I wanted to teach her a lesson. To make her realise this isn't a game. So, I... I shoved her into Lafferty's trunk. I figured it would scare her straight. Maybe even get Lafferty a harsher sentence. That's why I left the car in the parking lot so that someone might hear her and save her, or I was planning to let her out myself if She was not rescued by tonight. I just wanted to scare her...I never thought it would go this far."

 "So let me get this straight. You knowingly endangered the life of a Navy Commander to prove a fucking point?"

Ross broke down, "I didn't think she'd actually get hurt. I just wanted her to stop. I only wanted to protect her and this organisation."

He pulled out his phone and called Kate. "Kate, I need Wilkerson's number."

"Yeah, I have it. What's going on?" Kate asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Complications. I'll explain later," Alex replied, jotting down the number. He dialled Wilkerson, waiting as the line rang twice before she picked up.

"Hello, Cmdr. Wilkerson?"

"Bishop?" Wilkerson's voice was cautious, almost guarded.

"We need to talk," Alex said, his tone hard. "I just spoke to Ross Logan. He told me what really happened."

There was a long, painful silence. "I didn't think you'd find out," Wilkerson finally said, her voice thick with guilt. "It was my fault. Ross was just trying to protect me, even if it was in the worst way possible. He's the real pedo-hunter deal, Bishop. He hates everything those degenerates stand for."

"You're defending him?" Alex said incredulously. "He knowingly put you in a trunk, commander. You could have died because of his 'lesson'."

Wilkerson's voice broke. "Please, Bishop, don't report him. Ross did it for me, not out of malice. If what he did means Lafferty gets more punishment, then it's worth it. Those monsters ruin lives, and Ross—he's just as desperate as I am to see them go down."

Alex paused, torn between his duty and the raw emotion he heard in her voice. "This isn't just about punishing Lafferty, Commander. It's about accountability. Ross Logan crossed a line. This is a courtesy call just to let you know."

<Scene Break>

That evening, Ross Logan was arrested for the purposeful endangerment of a Navy officer. Despite Wilkerson's pleas, Alex informed Gibbs of his findings. The truth couldn't be buried, not when it involved endangering someone's life in a twisted attempt at justice. When Wilkerson was admitted to the hospital, she called Logan and asked to say he had no idea or involvement in anything that had transpired that morning. 

Gibbs, as always, handled the matter with swift precision. Ross Logan's arrest was quick and clean.

.

.

.

McGee worked tirelessly at his computer, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he dug deeper into the digital labyrinth that was William Lafferty's online presence. The man was a ghost online, covering his tracks with layers of encryption and rerouting his IP addresses through a web of international servers. But McGee was relentless. With each click and command, he peeled back the layers of Lafferty's carefully constructed façade.

Gibbs watched from behind, his eyes sharp and focused. "What have you got, McGee?"

McGee paused, staring at the screen as another folder opened, revealing a treasure trove of hidden data. "Boss, Lafferty was running multiple accounts on dark web forums known for trafficking explicit content. He was involved in distributing illegal material, and it looks like he was coordinating with other predators to share targets."

Gibbs' jaw tightened. "Keep digging. I want every single one of his contacts exposed."

McGee nodded, delving deeper. "Got it, Boss. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's evidence of blackmail, extortion, and even attempts to lure minors under false pretences. He's not just a consumer—he's actively recruiting."

Gibbs' expression hardened. "Make sure the evidence sticks. I want him to go away for good."

As McGee continued his work, more disturbing files surfaced: conversations Lafferty had with other predators, detailed logs of their strategies to groom victims, and messages boasting about their conquests. It was vile, the kind of evidence that would turn the stomach of any decent human being.

Tony went through some of the more ghoulish decrypted files. "Boss, this is enough to bury him. With everything we've got, there's no way his lawyer can wiggle him out of this. He's looking at a minimum of 25 years in maximum security."

 "Maximum security's going to be a nightmare for him. Molesters don't last long in there."

In prison, Lafferty wouldn't just be another inmate; he'd be a target. Other prisoners, many of whom had their own moral codes twisted as they were, despised paedophiles. The guards turned a blind eye, and the other inmates wouldn't think twice about meting out their own form of justice. Lafferty's suffering was only beginning.

The court case against Logan was another case. It was his first offence, and he had no prior criminal record. His lawyer would paint a sympathetic picture of a man driven to extremes by his hatred for paedophiles and his desire to protect children. The victim, Wilkerson, from what Alex deduced, would speak for Logan, probably painting a picture to the court how Logan had been instrumental in helping her after her niece's assault and how his actions, while reckless, came from a place of concern. There is a good chance he wouldn't even see a jail cell, and if he hire a good lawyer, he could get off on probation and community service.

But one thing was certain: his, Alex's status with Cmdr. Wilkerson has deteriorated even more.

[Alex's Apartment – Evening]

Alex tossed his jacket over the chair as he walked into his apartment. The room was coated in silver and light blue paint. The floor was fully covered in silver laminates. There was a grey couch and TV in the living room. Other than that, the apartment had a bedroom with an attached closet, washroom, and, finally, a kitchen/dining room. The entirety of the apartment screamed a bachelor pad. There was a dog bed in the corner of the bedroom.

The day had been long and exhausting, filled with confrontations, revelations, and the kind of morally grey decisions that stuck with him. His mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened. It was originally supposed to be a fun day, but it turned out to be anything but.

He picked up his phone and dialled Mia. The sound of her voice, warm and familiar, was a welcome reprieve from the chaos of his day.

"Hey, you," Mia answered.

"Hey yourself," Alex replied, a small smile spreading across his face. "I'm done with the case and am back home. It's been a hell of a day."

"I heard," Mia said softly. "I'm wrapping up things here, too. I should be free in about an hour."

"Wanna come over? I'll cook us something."

There was a playful lilt in Mia's voice. "Depends... what are you making?"."

"That milady is a surprise."

"You had me at come over. I'll be there soon," Mia said, her excitement clear.

.

.

.

The kitchen was filled with the aromatic blend of spices simmering in the pot. The rich, creamy scent of the Butter Shrimp Curry mingled with the fresh and zesty notes of the shrimp salad, creating an inviting atmosphere that immediately brought comfort to Alex. Cooking was one of the few things that could help him unwind; it was something he had almost perfect control over, something he had a lot of practice doing. something that always turned out right. 

Just as he was finishing up, there was a soft knock on the door. Alex opened it to find Mia standing there, smiling. She looked radiant, even though Alex could tell she was a little worn out; Mia wore a cream button-down shirt, a maroon pencil skirt and high heels.

"Smells amazing," Mia said as she stepped inside, wrapping her arms around Alex in a tight hug.

"I aim to please. So...Dinner or shower?"

"Shower..." Mia leaned closer" And you are coming with me."

"I already took one, Mia."

<R-18 WARNING>

She ignored him; Mia walked inside, swaying her hips, and with each step she took, an item of cloth came off. Finally, she was just wearing her red lingerie and high heels. Her back still facing Alex, She bent down and slowly took off her last piece of clothing. She stood up and faced Alex.

"Are you sure about that, Special Agent?"

"Now that you mention it, maybe I remembered wrong."

Alex closed the door and took off his shirt; he walked over to Mia and lifted her up as her legs locked around his waist; Alex grabbed her ass cheeks, she bit her lips, feeling Alex against her bare body. He felt how soft her skin was against his callused hands, and even though he had done this 100 times, it genuinely surprised him how light she was. He could smell her sweat, but it only turned him on more. Her breasts were right in front of him, begging him to devour them. he gently blew on her nipples and saw them getting hard. She instinctively gripped his hair and moved his face towards her.

He brought his mouth closer and licked her areola before nibbling on her left nipple while rubbing his right hand all over her pussy. She started grinding on his hand, which caused her to moan.

He pulled away from her nipple, took out his hand, and brought it to her lips.

He didn't have to say anything. She started sucking his fingers. He took off his pants and her heels as he walked to the bathroom. Alex teased her, with his erect cock rubbing against her clit. He looked at her as she sat on his hips with her legs tightly latched around him. He could see her eyes looking straight at his, lust filling her pupils as her eyes blinked. He got in the shower and turned the water on.

"Ready?" He asked.

She nodded her head in response and grabbed his cock, positioning it at the entrance of her vagina. Alex entered her and started moving her hips back and forth; she arched her head back, moaning and grabbing hold of the shower wall. Her juices started to flow, running down her pussy lips, coating his cock. She leaned her head down and kissed him passionately as she grinded harder on his cock. He grabbed her hips and thrust upward into her. She screamed, arching her back. Alex grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled it back. Mia opened her eyes as her mouth dropped open and a low moan escaped from her. Her eyes widened, and she panted.

<Scene break>

It took them 45 minutes to finish the shower. Once they were done. Mia wore one of Alex's full-sleeve tees and sat down at the dining table. Alex served Toasted bread, Butter Shrimp Curry and shrimp salad on the side, garnished with fresh green peas and green onion and cabbage. Mia's eyes sparkle.

"This looks perfect," Mia said, taking her first bite and savouring the flavours. "You really know how to make a girl feel special."

"I had a lot of prior practice." 

"Hey!"

"What? I am talking about cooking."

"Sure you were." Mia rolled her eyes. They ate as they discussed their day.

Mia was a junior investigative journalist at ZNN; she graduated with honours from George Washington University (GWU) with a degree in Journalism the previous year. The missing case of Amanda Wilkerson was already in the channels; they talked about the case a bit, and Alex left out a few parts for obvious reasons. Once they were done, Mia washed the plates as Alex put on a movie and got butter popcorn.

*ring* Mia's phone started ringing. It was work,

Mia looked at her phone, her smile fading as the name of her editor flashed across the screen. She sighed, running a hand through her damp hair, clearly torn between her job and the evening she wanted to spend with Alex.

"I hate this," she said, frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm always on call. I just wanted tonight to be ours."

Alex moved closer, gently cupping her cheek. "Hey, it's okay," he said softly, his thumb brushing her skin. "I get it. Your job is important."

Mia leaned into his touch, her eyes glistening with both appreciation and sadness. "But I'm always bailing on you. You set all this up, made this amazing dinner, and now I'm running off again. I don't want you to think I don't care."

Alex smiled, pulling her closer into a warm embrace. "Mia, I know you care. You're an up-and-coming journalist, and you're amazing at what you do. You're making a name for yourself, and that takes sacrifice. I knew what I was signing up for."

Mia sighed, burying her face in his chest. "I just wish I didn't have to leave so soon. I was looking forward to this—being here with you."

Alex held her tighter, his chin resting on top of her head. "And I was looking forward to it too. But this is part of who you are, and I wouldn't want you to be any other way. You're chasing your dreams, and that's one of the things I love most about you."

Mia looked up at him, her eyes softening. "I'll make it up to you, Alex. I promise. We'll have our night, and I'll make sure it's even better than this."

"You don't have to make anything up to me," Alex said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "We'll have our moments, Mia, and I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled, touched by his words, and leaned up to kiss him softly. "You always know exactly what to say."

"That's because...I have a lot of prior practice," Alex said with a smirk. That got him an elbow from Mia

Mia hugged him tightly once more before reluctantly stepping back and leaving.