The small drops fell from the dark, dirty ceiling, refreshing the man's face against his will.
But why should he care anymore…if he was already dead.

— McGee…the man weakly asked, touching the still shoulder with one hand. McGee…he repeated. Wake up.

But there was no chance for Tim to do so…especially after what had just happened to him.
Gibbs finally opened one eye with difficulty, now slightly shaking his agent.
But it seemed like even talking was an incredible task to achieve…

— McGee, he spoke again. Do not let them win. Do not let them get that power... McGee, he insisted.

But he got no answer in return.

— — — — — — — —

(Two days later…)

— How are you doing today, Agent McGee ?

Tim slowly begun moaning, but it was nothing intelligible. In fact, Gibbs wasn't sure, himself, if Tim had recognized any voice, or if he was simply trying to protest.

— You're not gonna touch him again, Jethro suddenly stood up, willing to protect his agent one more time.

— And who are you to decide ! the man finally completely entered the small room, three more armed men standing behind him.

Gibbs briefly froze as the hand pointed a gun at his face, but he couldn't hold back the angriness anymore.
If Tim had been more conscious at this very moment, or at least more talkative, he'd probably have told him to not try anything stupid, but well…that was the problem. Gibbs wasn't stupid. And he knew they would be killed eventually.

— That's enough ! he continued challenging them without care, not controlling his tongue, he's too weak to go through anything else ! So stop it !

The man reacted with a smile and suddenly lowered his gun, now pointing it in Tim's direction...
Tim had been lying down directly onto the floor for the last two days, too exhausted to lift himself up on that disgusting piece of wood and mattress, Gibbs too tired as well to carry the man's body, and too scared to hurt him even more if he had only dared doing so anyway.

— Yeah, maybe you're right, the man calmly hesitated. Maybe I should end his miserable life. That must be very painful for him, after all…he smiled.

— Use me instead ! Gibbs almost shouted and barely hid his worries, this time, knowing he could potentially delay the inevitable. I am the one you want !

But Tim hadn't even reacted to both speech and threatening…but was it even possible for him to do so in such a situation ?
The gun finally lowered again after a short moment of silence, but Gibbs knew that wasn't the end of it. In fact, he only didn't know what it was exactly.

— You must be really liking your agent, to be ready to sacrifice yourself…the voice begun speaking again. I have to admit that I kind of appreciate it. Well, that is certainly very noble, but he is the one that I want, unfortunately, 'cause you see…bad people need to be 'educated'.

— What don't you say 'punished'…

— Decide, Agent Gibbs, he suddenly turned seriouser than ever, cruelly facing Jethro's blue eyes. He comes with me now or the next bullet is for him.

Gibbs could perfectly see the three other smiles in that still half obscurity, but he didn't really care about that for now, no, all he was doing was looking at the group...then at Tim.

— Three seconds, Agent Gibbs, the clock is ticking, the dark silhouette pronounced as he raised again the gun next to Tim's motionless head. Three, two, one…

— Take him...! Jethro shouted with desperation, clumsily pushing his arm against the wall. I'm…I'm s-sorry, McGee, he exhaled and held back the tears, slowly watching them leave and force McGee standing up. Wait, let me come with him ! he panicked and tried walking in their direction, but a strong knee instantly hit his stomach, and he couldn't help but then fall onto the floor, completely powerless…
— — — — — — — —

...He didn't need waiting more than five minutes to understand they had started their game again, and if he had thought there was no energy left in McGee to allow him to shout, he had certainly been wrong…there was nothing to underestimate when people already knew how to do their job, and he should have been the first to know that.

Gibbs clenched a fist and felt his heart break one more time as he heard Tim's voice now begging for help.