Tap dancing around that rash-riddled rabbit hole.
It begins with the murder of Petty Officer Adam Meyers, killed by a sniper bullet to the chest.
Just the work of the heretofore unheard of Tri-state Snipers killing spree, right?
Credit: Darren Michaels/CBS
Weve got a copycat, people.
McGee had a couple of bad poison-oak experiences, which werent made any easier by DiNozzos teasing.
I dont want to go down that rash-riddled rabbit hole again, McGee says.
(At one point while McGee and Delilah are arguing, DiNozzo warns McGee: Thats a trap!
Tony DiNozzo, relationship counselor.)
Anyway, this leads to two amazing discoveries.
First, McGee and Delilah argue in modified shorthand binary: Zero zero one!
And second, McGee has a VHS tape of dance recitals in his box of childhood mementos.
DiNozzo assumes theyre his sisters and declares McGee a few sewing patterns away from Buffalo Bill territory.
They used to call me Timmy Soft Shoes Savant McGee, he says.
Meyers has an ugly record with the Navy, however.
(Nice to seeNCIStalking about the difficulty of punishing sexual predators in the military.)
In fact, its why Ashley committed suicide 10 days ago.
Back at NCIS, Delilahs helping Abby and Ellie investigate who actually took and posted the photos.
(Abbys lab on Halloween is delightful, incidentally.
Imagine how amazing her house must look like this time of year!)
Abby declares them the cyber dream team.NCIS: Cyber Dream Team,premiering fall 2016, only on CBS!
Anyway, all the evidence tells them that Meyers doesnt fit the profile of a predatory voyeur.
NEXT: Bishop gets bad news
And then Bishops phone goes off.
Jakes hotel in Dubai was bombed, and she cant reach him.
Doesnt matter if theyre fighting.
Doesnt matter if she has bizarre eating habits.
Thats her husband, and she doesnt know if hes alive or dead.
No matter how much I pushed everyone away, you were all there.
And thats what family does, Bishop.
So whether you think you need us or not, were not going anywhere, McGee promises her.
Bishop doesnt respond right away and then says softly, Zero zero one one zero.
Youre welcome, he responds.
You have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by that.
Delilah gets it but says, Even if you were a librarian, the worry wouldnt go away.
Everyones greatest fear is losing the ones we love the most.
Its why we fight like hell for every minute.
And then, good news!
They spot Jake in the background getting into a cab just before the blast.
Furthermore, they learn that Meyers sister was arrested for drug possession two years ago.
Meyers took the fall for Woodruff, and he used the $15,000 payoff for his sisters legal fees.
Finally, Ellie and Gibbs leave together.
She says shes okay, but she stops the Elevator of Schemes and Secrets to whisper, Seven minutes.
Thats how close Jake came: 420 seconds.
I couldve lost him, Gibbs.
But you didnt lose him, Ellie.
Jakes safe, and hes coming home, Gibbs says.
Tears leak from from her eyes as Gibbs pulls her into a hug.
Thats what family does.
