#ncis: sydney spoilers

[shelbbswrites]

NCIS: Sydney is a joy to watch and write about every week.

But this episode? It has it all! Action, drama, life-or-death stakes, partnership, and ROMANCE. “Bunker Down” has everything I love in a penultimate episode.

Here's my 4⭐️ review!

[jessi-2021471]

Radiant in red: A captivating smile that draws in hearts effortlessly red

[ncis-nerd]

1x3 NCIS SYDNEY THOUGHTS

HI GUYS I JUST WATCHED EP 3.

YOU CANNOT TELL ME THERE IS NOT TENSION BETWEEN BLUE AND MACKEY. THERE IS SUCH A LARGE SPARK THAT IT COULD START A FIRE.

I felt so passionately abt this that I made an edit 😭 . Here is is if anyone wants to see it!

I MADE IT A TAD BIT ANGSY.

Anyways on to much more happier news!

Im so glad they let blue stay and join the team.

I honestly saw that coming because there is no point to introduce a character, have us get to know her and do all of this just to send her away.

Alsoo, since there is only 8 eps in this season and we are 3 eps in. What do you guys think the finale will be about? I'm predicting it has something to do with the government, what happened at the end of ep 3 where they found out the sulilience boat thingy belonged to the US. Maybe we will find out why they were looking in Australia waters in secret and why that guy was trying to cover it up ?? You guys think we'll see him again?? Me thinks maybe.

[avada-kedavra-bitch-187-films]

Omgggggggggg y’all they are making a spin off with tony and ziva on ncis

My dad told me that he heard it on the radio (we were talking about how Sam has been on ncis Sydney or one of them now that LA isn’t rlly on anymore) and now i have to keep it a secret which isn’t fun

My dad is gonna tell my sister because she was destroyed when ziva “died” and when she came back she flew out the chair got carpet burn and like threw a laundry basket so we keeping it a secret so we can get the reaction

[anothergolddustwoman]

Them telling Blue she’s on the team was so cute. I’m just a sucker for a found family

[dress-and-impress]

break down of how i felt with the first ep of NCIS SYDNEY

Bro for the first episode of the season they put WAY too much info and details into it… like for a first episode you gotta have a great introduction to the characters WHILE also having a rlly good engaging crime plot to it… like a navy sailor died and it’s about WHO is incharge of the investigation: the Australian Feds cos he died in Australia or NCIS because the person that is dead is a Navy sailor. But on top of that I feel like they pushed the whole “corruption of investigations” and “cliffhangers” WAY too early in the series.

If you look at the beginning episodes of other shows you can notice that you get introduced to the characters and their style of investigating or way they go about solving crimes and communicating with one another.

That isn’t to say I didn’t LOVE the show. It was good. But it felt rushed. Like they wanted to include EVERYTHING each NCIS show has:

The humour elements of NCIS AND NCIS LA

The cockiness and willingness to push other agencies into being a part of the investigation which is actually in all 4 NCIS shows

Kinda forcing the family vibe that NCIS LA gives

The lone wolf vibes (NCIS = Gibbs, NCIS LA = Callen (even Hetty), NCIS NO = ig that’s Pride (need to watch that series more). I think JD is giving those lone wolf vibes.

The potential enemies to lovers arch. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN AUSSIE VERSION OF DENSI I BEG OF YOU YOUR WASTING YOUR WRITING TIME!!’ Think of smth better than that come onnnn

although i do love how they added an autopsy doctor with his OWN unique personality but at the same time somewhat similar to Ducky from NCIS (may he rest in peace) and Wade from NCIS New Orleans.

I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s pretty rushed for a first episode with introducing the characters and their personalities BUT I AM excited to see how this series pans out AND the characters backstories.

if u wanna read another opinion check out my recent reblog with @caliburn-the-sword 's thoughts-

[ktofbvb]

Overall thoughts of NCIS Sydney Season One Spoilers Ahead

Best Episode: EP 5

Focusing on the medical examiner so early on was a great choice as Doc is a great character. Tragic story about the sick child and the sister doing what she can. The dog cafe is unique as America has cat cafes. Doc is a great character and having the reveal of his wife having dementia was both heartbreaking and slightly expected that you have to have him some tragedy in his past. 8/10

Worst Episode: EP 7

Pregnant woman in danger trope turned fake pregnancy trope and it sucks. I can't stand this trope and it makes me pissed.  The bunker trope is also classic but it didn't quite fit into NCIS until the woman was revealed to be the woman who escaped from EP 1. The kiss marry kill while dying is also fun but still the pregnant woman instantly takes the episode from a 6/10 to a 1/10.

Overall: 8/10

This was a really fun spinoff, and while the connection of America and Australia and America as a world cop isn't a favorite. Doc and Blue are super fun, unique characters, and Doc is like Ducky from NCIS OG and Sid from CSI: NY. Blue is like Abby from NCIS OG, Spencer from Criminal Minds, and Bobby Goren from Law and Order Criminal Intent. Mackey can be like Mac from CSI: NY but not the best bits of Mac the worst bits. The characters all meddled together well, which made the show fun, and the poking fun of the other from cultural differences never felt mean but more showcasing.

[tallskinnyvanillalatte]

I think I'll need a few weeks to recover from this season finale. This was so intense and nerve wrecking. Holy shit. I just wish we'd seen Jack's mom a little more and also JD bringing Jack back home.

[ncisfranchise-source]

NCIS: Sydney wrapped the first half of its freshman season by shedding light on Special Agent Michelle Mackey’s tragic past — yet in doing so left us with at least two burning questions.

In the course of investigating this week’s case, Mackey made no secret of the animus she felt toward a POI — Frank Doherty, a onetime petty officer who, decades ago, had abandoned his post.

Toward episode’s end, when Mackey and J.D. unsuccessfully leaned on Doherty to detail his role (or lack thereof) in the murder at hand, a frustrated J.D. bailed on the interrogation. Mackey, alone now with Doherty, shut off the interrogation room mic, as he asked if she, as a helicopter pilot, had ever killed someone, and looked in their eyes while doing it.

Mackey proceeded to detail how she, while a member of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, was stationed in Khost, Afghanistan, several Christmas Eves ago. When three young soldiers wandered off base and wound up on the wrong side of the border, Mackey disobeyed a direct order to stand down and instead grabbed a gunner and a corp man and took flight in a chopper.

The three soldiers were found and scooped up, but the chopper came under fire on the way back to the border. Heavy with fuels and the extra bodies, Mackey’s bird was none too nimble so she could only bring it in for a hard landing a few miles from base.

“The three guys went home to face the music,” she related. “My two went home in body bags.”

Question No. 1, coming out of this sobering share: Why did Mackey mute the mic, leaving J.D. and Evie oblivious to her tragic past?

“She’s a woman who has built a career on being strong and having an armor, and leading with that strength,” NCIS: Sydney star Olivia Swann told TVLine. “I think that, in her mind, showing any sign of vulnerability to her team would change their view of her. She doesn’t think would be helpful for her role as a leader.

“She’s protecting herself but also protecting her team,” Swann continued, “because when you’re out in the field, when someone knows a weakness it shifts their behavior.”

Also, “No matter how close I think we’ve seen [the merged NCIS/AFP team members] start to become, she’s a very guarded person and, I think, finds it difficult to trust people,” says the English actress.

Yet while we now know what defied order led to Mackey facing a court martial, as DeShawn told Evie in the series premiere, Mackey was eventually found not guilty. Question No. 2 is thus: How could that be?

Swann — who told TVLine “we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface” of what she has been told about Mackey’s backstory — affirmed that the question surrounding the court martial outcome is indeed “very interesting, and I can’t wait for whatever episode it is that that comes out, where we find out the whole story.”

[ao3feed-ncissydney]

Lost and Found

by cozyreinsfw When Monica Rowe reveals her true, criminal mind, Mackey and the others have to make sure that one of their own comes back safely. [Episode 7 Ending Rewritten] [Episode 8 Didn't Happen AU] Words: 1372, Chapters: 1/4, Language: English Fandoms: NCIS: Sydney Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/F Characters: Michelle Mackey, Evie Cooper, DeShawn Jackson, Roy Penrose, Jim "JD" Dempsey, Bluebird "Blue" Gleeson, Monica Rowe | Monroe | Ana Niemus Relationships: Michelle Mackey/Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, Evie Cooper & Bluebird "Blue" Gleeson & Michelle Mackey, Jim "JD" Dempsey & Bluebird "Blue" Gleeson, DeShawn Jackson & Michelle Mackey, Deshawn Jackson & Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, Jim "JD" Dempsey & Michelle Mackey Additional Tags: Episode: s01e07 Bunker Down (NCIS: Sydney), Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Kidnapping, Hostage Situations, Kidnapped Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, Out of Character, Threats of Violence, Post-Episode: s01e07 Bunker Down (NCIS: Sydney), Protectiveness, Protective Michelle Mackey, Team as Family, Guilt, Spoilers via https://ift.tt/DrGd6ux

[cyarskaren52]

These shows were definitely worth the space in the dvr

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American Idol

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TVLINE'S YEAR IN REVIEW!

2023 in Review: The 20 Best Shows

BY TEAM TVLINE

DECEMBER 4, 2023 7:30 AM

TVLine’s annual year-end retrospective is officially here! And we could save the best for last, but really, where’s the fun in that?

Rather, our Year in Review kicks off with a ranking of 2023’s 20 best series, a list created by our editors’ spirited debates and reminiscences about the past 12 months of television.

Our ranking below covers the spectrum of broadcast, cable and streaming, from the sophomore slump-less Abbott Elementary to Fargo‘s triumphant return to a standout second season for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. We’ve got returning veterans (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession) and breakout newbies (Silo, Shrinking), plus a few hidden gems from this TV year (if you’re not watching Dave… well, why not?).

But as much as we love a good spoiler here at TVLine, we won’t ruin the entire list for you. Keep scrolling to see our picks for 2023’s best shows — including our No. 1 pick for the best show — then drop a comment with your own favorites!

Still to come in TVLine’s Year in Review: Worst Shows of 2023, Biggest Plot Twists, Sexiest Scenes, Character Deaths That Nearly Killed Us, Shocking Cast Exits and much, much more!

20

The Other Two(Max)

Photo : Courtesy of Max

Max’s showbiz satire was funnier than ever in its third (and ultimately, ugh, final) season, skewering everything from Jeff Bezos’ billionaire status to Disney’s famously tepid approach to LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Stars Heléne Yorke and Drew Tarver respectively took Brooke and Cary to new, cringe-worthy lows, as Brooke made a half-hearted attempt at do-gooding and Cary’s desire for fame became even more insatiable. But The Other Two also proved it could still surprise us, wading into occasionally dramatic waters — Brooke and Lance’s breakup fight, or the surprisingly moving series finale — that were just as effective as the show’s nonstop punchlines. — Rebecca Iannucci

19

One Piece (Netflix)

Photo : Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix has bonafide TV gold on its hands with this live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s long-running manga series about a ragtag group of pirates on a global quest for the ultimate treasure, the titular “One Piece.” A winning combination of breathtaking visuals, a delightful tone, incredible fight scenes and inspired casting resulted in a final product that managed to both impress critics and appease fans — an incredibly rare dual feat, especially in the inconsistent realm of live-action reimaginings. — Andy Swift

18

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)

Photo : Courtesy of Prime Video

An occasionally uneven final season does not mask the simple truth: The Amazon comedy went out with a bang. Not only did Season 5 produce some of the finest episodes in Maisel’s entire run — we’re looking at you, Episode 6’s hilarious and heartbreaking Susie-centric “The Testi-Roastial” — but Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino delivered the period-appropriate goods when it mattered the most, i.e. via the immensely satisfying series finale. — Michael Ausiello

17

Silo (Apple TV+)

Juliette and Sheriff Holston (David Oyelowo)

Photo : Courtesy of Apple TV+

To be honest, this dystopian drama had us at “the last 10,000 people on Earth reside inside a mile-deep home.” But Silo took that provocative premise and added to it a knockout cast led by Rebecca Ferguson (and many of whom stuck around a lot shorter than you might have expected!), incredible and tactile production design, and a twist or two that even those who read the first of Hugh Howey’s Wool novels did not see coming. — Matt Webb Mitovich

16

The Fall of the House of Usher(Netflix)

Photo : Courtesy of Netflix

Mike Flanagan and Trevor Macy ended their time at Netflix the way they started it: by scaring us silly while making us ache (in a good way!). Usher, based on various works by Edgar Allan Poe, followed the immensely satisfying formula the executive producers put forth in The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor. First, have a terrific ensemble play out an emotionally resonant saga. Then, sprinkle in just enough jump scares to distract from the deftly woven existential dread! Even better: This time around, Flanagan added heavy hitters Bruce Greenwood and Mary McDonnell to his troupe, giving Usher a solemnity befitting the final jewel in the horror auteur’s Netflix crown. — Kimberly Roots

15

Dave (FXX)

Photo : Courtesy of FXX

With its third season this spring, Davemaintained its status as one of the best shows that not enough people are talking about. The FXX comedy took a deep dive into its protagonist’s psyche as he searched for new love and interrogated his own thirst for fame. The result — as is often the case with Dave — was a bizarre, sincere, reliably funny and surprisingly cameo-filled (Brad Pitt?!) batch of episodes, building to an unpredictable finale that was as horrifying as it was hilarious. — R.I.

14

Fargo (FX)

Photo : Courtesy of FX

FX’s pitch-black crime anthology has made a triumphant return with Season 5, easily its best and most exciting outing in years. (Yes, only three episodes have aired so far, but trust us: It keeps getting better.) Juno Temple is a real spitfire as Minnesota housewife Dot, and Jon Hamm turns that old Don Draper mystique on its head as macho sheriff Roy Tillman. Season 5 strips away the indulgences that derailed previous Fargo seasons and ups the ante with a barrage of high-octane action sequences. Are we hooked again? Oh yah, you betcha. — Dave Nemetz

13

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds(Paramount+)

Photo : Courtesy of Paramount+

The Paramount+ show’s sophomore run was a crowd-pleasing affair that gave us a little bit of everything. From Una Chin-Riley’s thought-provoking ethics trial to that charming musical episode that had us singing its praises (and proved this cast has serious vocal chops) — and let’s not forget that bonkers crossover with the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks — Season 2 took big creative swings that elevated the show to bold new heights and yet, never forgot its roots. — Keisha Hatchett

12

The Great (Hulu)

Photo : Courtesy of Hulu

The Hulu series delivered another — ahem — great season of absurdist comedy and political intrigue as Peter and Catherine finally called a truce and recommitted themselves to their marriage. The couple’s twisted romance felt especially engrossing this season, due in large part to Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult’s beautifully layered performances that were as devastating as they were funny. And the show’s needle-drop ending moment, during which Catherine danced through her grief to the tune of AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” highlighted an invigorating season of growth and loss tinged with raucous humor. — K.H.

11

Snowfall (FX)

Photo : Courtesy of FX

Set during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic, FX’s captivating drama ended its run on a series high as Franklin Saint wound up destitute and wandering the neighborhood he destroyed with drugs. Portrayer Damson Idris was brilliant in his final outing as the ruthless dealer, delivering a standout performance that deftly illustrated how greed, ego and addiction fueled the character’s gut-wrenching demise. It’s an unspeakable crime that Snowfall never received the Emmy recognition it deserved, especially after an exceptional final season that solidified its status as one of the all-time greats. — K.H.

10

A Small Light (Nat Geo)

Photo : Courtesy of National Geographic

National Geographic’s gripping retelling of Anne Frank’s tragic story didn’t get a lot of love when it was released. And that’s a shame, because the limited series — told from the perspective of Frank family friend/protector Miep Gies (excellently played by Bel Powley) — did its subjects a great service by leaning into the moments of joy that sparked even in the darkest days of the Franks’ and Gies’ lives. With a modern sensibility and an examination of hatred that sadly still reverberates throughout the world, A Small Light was a profoundly moving project anchored by the warm gravitas of Liev Schreiber as Anne’s father, Otto Frank. — K.R.

09

Abbott Elementary(ABC)

Photo : Courtesy of ABC

There was no sophomore slump for the hit ABC comedy, which continued to bring the laughs in its second season while also deepening its characters in ways that were both hilarious and illuminating. (Barbara’s school-fire meltdown is an unforgettable example.) With thoughtful but funny storylines, like the introduction of Janine and Melissa’s messy family dynamics, Abbott Elementary successfully expanded its scope beyond the school walls. Meanwhile, the delicious romantic tension between Janine and Gregory is still alive and well, even after the pair took some steps forward and backward in their “will they/won’t they” dynamic. — Vlada Gelman

08

Shrinking (Apple TV+)

Photo : Courtesy of Apple TV+

A series about grief turned out to be one of the year’s funniest and most heartwarming. Jason Segel lit up the screen as a widower struggling to parent his teenage daughter and move on from his loss. His big life change sparked an avant-garde approach to his work as a therapist, leading him to fly off the rails personally and professionally, as the impeccable supporting cast — including Harrison Ford, Christa Miller and Jessica Williams — landed well-executed quips and touching moments. Poignant and wildly entertaining, Shrinking proved that silver linings do exist, even if dark clouds may be blocking our view. — Nick Caruso

07

BEEF (Netflix)

Photo : Courtesy of Netflix

Netflix’s story of two unhappy souls whose paths collide after a vicious road rage incident spawned both humor and tragedy, and allowed stars Ali Wong and Steven Yeun to showcase their deep arsenals of talent. From comedy that bordered on absurdism to the emotional meltdowns that had our jaws scraping the floor, the series took some thrilling turns before culminating with a literal bang that nearly destroyed us. By its end, BEEF‘s flame-broiled insanity left us hoping creator Lee Sung Jin has something else to throw on the grill soon. — N.C.

06

Jury Duty (Amazon Freevee)

Photo : Courtesy of Amazon Freevee

Now this one was a surprise! Amazon Freevee’s wildly chaotic prank comedy flew under the radar at first, placing an unsuspecting real guy named Ronald on the jury of a completely fictional court case, but it delivered more laughs than just about anything on TV this year. The twists were almost too crazy to believe — James Marsden cracked us up playing an arrogantly entitled version of himself — but it was the underlying sweetness here, with Ronald bonding with his fellow jurors as the trial dragged on, that made all those long days in the jury box worth it. — D.N.

05

The Last of Us(HBO)

Photo : Courtesy of HBO

Executive producers Neil Druckmann and Craig Mazin blended a cracking-good cast (expertly led by Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey), beautifully spare scripts and loving devotion to/willingness to deviate from the source material — a post-apocalyptic zombie video game! — all to create one of the finest dramas we’ve seen in years. Let’s take a moment, as well, to acknowledge standout guest stars like Murray Bartlett, Nick Offerman and Ashley Johnson, whose performances propelled the deeply moving story toward its gorgeous, albeit devastating, Season 1 conclusion. — K.R.

04

Poker Face(Peacock)

Photo : Courtesy of Peacock

Star Natasha Lyonne and director Rian Johnson teamed up to pen a love letter to classic TV detective dramas with this charming Peacock mystery. It’s a real throwback, with Lyonne’s amateur private eye Charlie Cale solving one self-contained mystery per week and meeting a roster of fun guest stars, but Lyonne’s sassy, quippy performance brings it all right up to the present day. This isn’t bulls—t: We could watch her solve crimes all day. — D.N.

03

The Bear (Hulu)

Photo : Courtesy of FX

The first season of Hulu’s culinary dramedy, it turns out, was just an appetizer. Season 2 was even more delicious, taking its sweet time to let the drama marinate as chef Carmy and his pals worked their butts off to build a fine-dining restaurant from scratch. The energy was infectious, the emotions were raw, and the performances were astoundingly good, cutting right to the bone. Throw in an all-timer of a holiday episode with a feast of big-name guest stars, and The Bear’s sophomore outing somehow left us both supremely satisfied and hungry for more. — D.N.

02

Succession (HBO)

https://tvline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/succession.jpg?w=1240

Sent from my iPhone

[shelbbswrites]

The NCIS: Sydney cases keep improving, and the character dynamics are only getting stronger.

The chemistry between Dempsey and Mackey is what great NCISverse partnerships are made of. (Yes, I miss Densi!)

Here’s my “Brothers in Arms” review:

[innocent-diamond-2090110]

NCIS Sydney Season 1 Ending

Firstly, I feel very stupid right now just realizing that NCIS Sydney 01x08 (original air date 2023-12-29) was indeed the SEASON FINALE. I kept waiting for a new episode for 2-3 weeks & assumed that the show was taking a break because of the new calendar year. BUT HOW ARE 8 EPISODES SUPPOSED TO BE A SEASON?!

Here's some advice... If a notoriously antagonistic authority figure suddenly decides to help the protagonists during an important mission, then there is something completely wrong & suspicious going on. The colonel better have an extremely good reason for being in contact with European spies/terrorists, or else he'll be toast when Season 2 comes out! (spoilers ahead with crappy subtitles T^T)

Below is the "everybody abhors you" glare: ⬇️

[ncis-nerd]

NCIS SYDNEY

i literally came on tumblr for the first time in MONTHS just to talk about this show 😭. i need to find people who have seen THIS.

What do we think about the first 2 eps??

I love blue she's so adorable. I'm just dying at the part where she accidently made the parrot call mackey a dumbass for the rest of the ep.

Also I lowkey think blue has a crush on mackey

I also ship constable and DeShawn

The doc reminds me of ducky

Also I love how up to date the show is. I mean it's kinda relevant to today's generation with the Boba tea obsession and tik tok . That's what I loved about the most recent season of the og ncis, they talked about Gen z slang and such. Being a member of Gen z myself, I loved seeing something I could relate to be incorpated into a show I love very much

[wannabesewcrafty]

Bartender

Summary: Crossover with Jay Kulina from “Kingdom” meeting Sydney Halliday, an ex-Green Beret, from “NCIS: New Orleans.” Set after S3 of Kingdom with major spoilers at the start so it’s all under a cut.

Content warnings: Language, alcohol, drinking of alcohol.

Notes: This may be added to in future. Tagging @hiriaeth and @papersergeant-pencilsoldier if interested.

It was two weeks after Alvey’s win and his million-dollar payday. To make extra money, Jay had decided to go back to bouncing at bars, but before starting his job search, he had decided to visit as a customer. Choosing a bar at random, he entered in time to see the female bartender behind the counter grab a male customer’s hand and twist it into an awkward angle at the wrist. Jay grimaced in sympathy, but his fighter’s eye could tell that she had sprained the wrist and not broken it. This woman, whoever she was, certainly had his attention. He took a seat farthest away from the man with the mangled hand and waited for her to approach him.

“What can I get you?” she asked.

“Whatever your favorite drink is. I’m buying you one for that display of skill right there.”

She met his eyes briefly to gauge if he was serious. “Money first,” she said, waiting until he pulled out his wallet and put down a bill. Then, with a shrug, she went to the tap and filled two glasses with beer.

He took his glass with a look of surprise. “Now, why beer, I wonder?”

She didn’t answer, only took a big sip, and shot a glare at the manager, daring him to say something.

Jay caught the exchange and smiled softly. If he hadn’t been dealing with the loss of Nate, he would have grinned.

“Thanks for the drink,” the bartender said after she had drained her glass.

“My pleasure,” he replied, watching her move down the counter as another customer took the injured man’s place.

He left after downing his own beer and soon secured work at a couple of the local bars in the area. He felt good, at least, as good as he could be under the circumstances. He had decided to take up Lisa’s offer to teach some MMA classes at the gym, and he would use the work at the bars to supplement his income. Plus, it would give him an excuse to visit this new bartender again.

***

The guy with the arm tattoos and scraggly facial hair came back a week later. Sydney was surprised at first. She thought she hadn’t made a big impression on him. Most of the guys she had encountered since starting her bartender job had become daily or almost daily regulars. Things were fine as long as they kept their hands to themselves. Those who didn’t soon learned she could retaliate and found another bar to patronize. The balance between the increase in business and the loss of customers over her actions worked out in her favor, so the manager let her stay on.

Arm Tattoos took a seat at the same place he had last week and nodded a hello at her. “How are you doing this fine evening?”

She shrugged. “I’m alive.”

That gave him pause. The smile that had formed on his face slipped and disappeared, and Sydney felt a pang of regret. She knew she had sharp edges. She sometimes forgot how easily she could cut someone down, especially a civilian. Which she now was, ever since that investigation with NCIS…

“Want a beer?” she asked to distract herself from her thoughts.

His head bobbed up and down in an agreeable manner. “Yes, I will have a beer. I’m going to start work soon anyway.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad you asked. Yes, I’m going to be doing some enforcement at some drinking establishments nearby.”

“You’re a bouncer?” she asked, setting down a mug in front of him.

“Some nights. I teach classes during the day. Jiujitsu, boxing… Mixed martial arts.”

She nodded as she polished an empty mug with a rag. “I’ve seen some flyers for a gym…Navy Street?”

He snapped his fingers. “That’s the one! Feel free to come by if you want to train. Tell them Jay sent you.”

“Will that get me a discount?”

“It sure as shit will not, but it’ll be fun to say.”

That earned him a small smile from her, and he felt like he had just won a round in the cage.

***

The next time Jay visited Sydney’s bar, he came armed with information. He had asked around at the bars he had worked for, and the gossip mill had given him a murky picture of this new arrival. Her name was Sydney Halliday, and she had come from New Orleans. What she had been doing before then, no one seemed to know.

“You a fighter?” he asked, his eyes following her hands as she mixed and poured a lineup of cocktails for some coed college students.

“Not a cage fighter,” she replied. “Not like you.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Oh, has someone been doing research on little old me?”

She scoffed as she passed the drinks to the waiting students. “You said you taught classes at Navy Street. People come in here and talk about the Kulinas. I put two and two together.” She opened her mouth, as if considering saying more, but Jay was distracted when someone bumped into him from behind.

“Sorry,” said a gruff voice belonging to an elderly man. “Hey, Manny, what time is it?”

When he heard Manny’s reply, Jay swore under his breath. “I’ve gotta go, or I’ll be late.” He took a final sip of his beer. “A pleasure as always, Sydney.”

He was gone before she realized he had addressed her by name.