**Chapter 1: Island Paradise**

The warm tropical air enveloped Lucy Tara as she stepped off the plane in Honolulu, Hawaii. She had been looking forward to this vacation for months, and was excited to trade in her crime scene investigator badge for a pair of flip flops and a beach towel. As she made her way to baggage claim, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over her. The past year had been tough, with back-to-back cases that had pushed her to her limits. She was ready for a break. As she waited for her bag to appear on the conveyor belt, Lucy checked her phone for what felt like the hundredth time. No new messages from work, which was exactly what she had been hoping for. She was officially on vacation, and she intended to make the most of it. Her bag appeared, and Lucy grabbed it quickly, eager to get to her hotel and drop off her things before heading out to explore the island. She hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address of her hotel, a beachfront resort in Waikiki. As they drove through the city, Lucy couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She had always loved Hawaii, with its lush green landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant culture. She had been to the islands a few times before, but there was something about this trip that felt different. Maybe it was the fact that she was finally taking a break from work, or maybe it was the sense of adventure that came with being in a new place. Whatever it was, Lucy felt alive, and she couldn't wait to see what the next few days had in store. The taxi pulled up to her hotel, and Lucy paid the driver before grabbing her bag and stepping out onto the sidewalk. She took a deep breath, feeling the salty air fill her lungs, and gazed out at the ocean. It was going to be a great few days. As she made her way to the hotel lobby, Lucy's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, expecting it to be a work email or a text from a friend back home. But instead, she saw a number she didn't recognize. "Hello?" she said, answering the phone. "Lucy Tara?" a deep voice asked. "That's me," Lucy replied, wondering who was on the other end of the line. "Agent Tara, this is Director Vance. I'm with NCIS." Lucy's heart sank as she heard the director's voice. She was on vacation, and she had specifically told her team that she was unreachable. What could be so important that it required a call from the director himself? "Director Vance, what's going on?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light. "We have a situation in Hawaii, Lucy. One of our agents has been injured, and we need your expertise to help investigate." Lucy's instincts kicked in, and she felt a surge of adrenaline. She was a CI, and this was exactly the kind of thing she was trained to do. "Tell me more," she said, already knowing that her vacation was about to take a drastic turn.