Prologue
A/N: So I had the idea for this story probably close to a year and a half ago, long before the this season finale. However, this season finale kicked my butt into gear and got me back to work on this. I want to have this finished by the time the next season premieres, however if I don't, any similarities will be purely coincidental. Just a warning, this is not going to be a happy, fluffy story. There are going to be several character deaths, so if that isn't your cup of tea, you may want to skip this one. Please take the time to review and let me know how I'm doing.
NCIS * NCIS * NCIS
McGee checked his clip as he ducked behind a crate. 'Great,' he thought, 'two bullets left.' He took a deep breath as he thought of the events that led him here. It was supposed to be simple. He and his team were just going to re-canvas the crime scene and attempt to locate the missing weapon. It appeared however, that the suspects had the same idea. Now they were in a standoff with two shooters and no back up. Their vests and additional weapons were in the trunk of the agency car and they had no way of getting to them. He had a general idea of where at least one of the shooters was. He attempted to look above the crate to get an accurate fix only to duck back down and swear under his breath as a bullet whizzed over his head.
'Okay, scratch that idea,' he thought. What he needed was a way to distract the shooter. He was just contemplating trying to run to the stack of crates about ten feet to the right when he saw his partner move quietly in position behind a stack of wood to the left of him and judging by the fact that the shooter didn't fire, he hadn't seen her. Immediately a plan formed in his head. Careful to remain covered, he signaled for her to knock the top piece of wood off the stack in order to create a diversion. He knew he would only have a second to locate the shooter and fire, but that was all he needed.
Using his fingers, he counted down from three and the second she pushed he stood up and fired twice. He sighed in relief as the shooter fell to the ground before cautiously running over and kicking away the gun. Aware that there was still a second shooter he looked around once more before quickly checking the man's pulse.
"Dead," he said standing up as his partner came over.
"Are you alright McGee?" she asked.
"Fine, do you have an extra clip," he asked showing her his empty one.
"Yes," she said reaching into her pocket and pulling one out.
"Thanks," he said reaching for it. "Where's D..." he never finished his sentence though. All he saw was the gleam of the gun and he knew he didn't have time to shove the clip in his gun and aim so instead he pushed his partner out of the way and attempted to shield her body with his. As McGee fell to the floor all he could think was the pain in his chest wasn't nearly as bad as the last time he got shot.
His partner had her gun drawn before McGee hit the floor but as she was about to pull the trigger two more shots rang out and she watched as the shooter fell to the floor dead, their other teammate standing behind him. His gun was pointed at the place that had been occupied by the shooter just moments before. She watched as he holstered his gun and quickly repeated McGee's actions from moments ago, confirming that the shooter was indeed dead. In the next instant both of them where kneeling at McGee's side.
The woman pulled out her phone and was calling for paramedics while her partner attempted to stop the bleeding by putting pressure on the wounds. "Come on McGee, hold on," she said desperately. "You're going to be fine."
"Not this time," McGee replied tiredly. "Hey DiNozzo," he said smiling a little. His two teammates looked at each other in confusion and horror.
"Boss, I'm not DiNozzo," the man said attempting to hide the tremor in his voice.
"Ya think, Dawson?" McGee responded, his voice weakening. "I always thought it might be you or Abby," McGee whispered, his focus once more behind his two teammates. "It sure is good to see you, man." Seeing the increasingly panicked looks on his team's face, he turned his attention back to them. "Tony's here," he paused coughing harshly. "He's here, you just can't see him," he paused as another cough racked his body. "Becks," he said weakly, "you alright?"
"I'm fine, thanks to you," the young woman said, taking his hand in hers. "You just have to hold on a little longer Boss, the medics are on the way," she said attempting a small smile. It vanished though and tears rolled down her cheeks as another cough ripped through his body.
"Don't cry Becks," he wheezed. "I finally get to be with my family again." He was struggling for air now. "Take care of them Brian," he said looking at the man once more. "Take care of Becks and Zach. And tell," he was fighting for each breath, "tell Sarah I love her and Jimmy I'm finally home again." He struggled for one more breath before adding, "Team's yours now Brian."
Becky let out the sob she had been holding back as she felt his hand go limp in hers. She looked at her partner as he closed his eyes and a couple tears made their way down his cheeks. When he opened his eyes they betrayed the pain he was feeling. He reached out and put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her to him. As she buried her face in his shoulder and cried, he took a deep breath before reaching into his pocket and pulling out his cell phone to make the phone call he had hoped he would never have to make. He took another deep breath as he listened to the phone ringing hoping to steady his voice. When the voice at the other end answered however, he knew there was no point.
"Yeah, Jim? I..." He took a shuttering breath. "We need you here."
