Ari (guest start Rudolf Martin) continues to wreak havoc on the NCIS team as he uses its members as pawns in the game he is playing with Gibbs.

Gibbs, who is still haunted by images of Kate's death, is determined to stop Ari after he and Director Shepard are the target of sniper fire and Ducky is lured out of the NCIS headquarters by the terrorist. Though Gibbs is still uncertain of Ziva's connection to Ari, she becomes an invaluable asset when Gibbs finally comes face to face with his arch nemesis.