At 04:19 in northern Virginia an 18-wheel truck accidentally and fatally hits a Naval Reserve lieutenant who had swerved and woven on a freeway, parked on the left side, and walked toward an emergency call box on the right side; Gibbs and company investigate. Ducky sees telling evidence at the site, finds an explanation in his workshop, and offers a theory. The gang check out the obvious leads; Ducky meets and courts an attractive and interesting new ladyfriend. While hiking through a state park, the team find a dead SUV and a dead body under circumstances similar to those of the other victim; this vic is a civilian, but his estranged wife is a Marine on active duty in Afghanistan. When Duckman again sees his new honey, he gets two real surprises. Meanwhile, Gibbs and the gang figure out what's happened, so they head out to help; they wrap up some loose ends; Gibbs offers Duck a ride home.

DiNozzo Senior is found unconscious, in a car with a murdered naval officer in the trunk.