
Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs leads a group of colorful personalities in investigating crimes -- ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism -- that have evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The team includes MIT graduate Timothy McGee, Ellie Bishop, who specializes in international threat assessment, charismatic and unpredictable Nick Torres, and forensic psychologist Jack Sloane. Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard brings his vast experience in forensics into play to help solve cases.
The secretary of defense shuts down Gibbs' murder investigation and demands that McGee and Torres be arrested for their actions in the case.
An old family friend pleads with Gibbs to join him on a road trip to search for a missing military ID bracelet; a Navy lieutenant in NCIS protective custody is poisoned by an infamous drug dealer.
A malnourished and confused 9-year-old girl is found hiding in a storage unit; the team suspects the girl is the daughter of a Navy recruit who disappeared 10 years ago; Bishop discovers notes that Special Agent Ziva David kept on the case.
McGee reluctantly visits his high school after the unique computer password he used as a teenager is linked to the murder of a department of defense contractor; an intruder breaks into McGee's home in an attempt to steal his high school computer.