Disclaimer - I do not own NCIS and its characters. CBS does and all these guys and "just as well."The concept and characters were initially introduced in a two-part episode of the CBS series JAG (JAG episodes 8.20 and 8.21). The show, a spin-off from JAG, premiered on September 23, 2003 on CBS and, to date, has aired seven full seasons and has gone into syndicated reruns on USA Network, Sleuth and Ion Television. Donald Bellisario, who created JAG as well as the well-known series Magnum, P.I. and Quantum Leap, is co-creator and executive producer of NCIS

Summary : A case that the NCIS team and Fornell's FBI are working on goes terribly wrong when a young girl gets caught in the middle of it all. Rated M

Warning : Mild language and head slaps. There may be the spanking of minors in later chapters. Depends?

Freeze Frame

Chapter 1

FREEZE FRAME convert black and white – Denozzo's face with bilious expression- Fade In

This was much better that their usual stakeouts or surveillance jobs, no of tepid bad coffee combined with fatty foods…..instead

"Shoot"

"Karaha" Tony and Ziva upturned their shot glasses and then slammed them down on the bar. All the while they watched the target waiting for someone to make contact.

"Karaha? " Came again through their earpieces. What's that mean? Asked McGee, watching the surveillance screen from the van parked outside the nightclub.

"Party" Interjected Gibbs sitting next to him. Gibbs spoke into his mic "Yeah well don't go parting too much you two, stay tight "

"It's all cool boss they're only "Cowboys" answered Tony referring to the third shot glass that appeared in front of him. "More Like Cowgirls actually "They're pretty but not much punch."

With that Ziva lent over and slapped the side of his head.

"Hey Only Gibbs has permission to do that! "Scowled Tony

"Gibb's slaps the back of your head, that was the side of your head, performed to wipe the smurf of your face! "

"It's SMIRK "

"DENOZZO! "Snapped Gibbs nearly bursting Tony's eardrum

"Right Boss ." Turning to Ziva he whispered "Stay focused! "

They both lifted their glasses ready to "shoot "their third cowboy when they heard a gunshot and screams coming from the night clubs parking lot.

Cut Away to parking lot- A woman stands besides the open door of a car. A marine lies in front of her bleeding from a stomach wound. A young girl of about 12- 14 is trying to help him.

Marley quickly grabbed the Marine's shirt that lay on the backseat of the car and jammed it into the gaping wound in the man's stomach.

"Hold on , hold on , shit, shit , sorry mister ,..Mister?"

She could feel the blood pulsating through the wad of white material. With each pump of the man's heart came a rich red hue splotch. Behind her Rose screamed. shaking, holding a gun and screaming!

"Shut up mom, shut up , he's dying , help me stop the bleeding ! Mister Please mister, I'm sorry "she pleaded as she pressed harder on the wound.

His eyes stared at her and his mouth twitched, trying to move, trying to say words. He tried to lift his face to hers but only made it half way before closing his eyes in pain. Determined the young marine tried his arms this time and managed to make contact with Marley's hand dropping a xd memory card onto her hands as she held tight to the material soaking up this blood.

"My contact" he rasped.

"Lie down Mister. Please Keep Still. "Marley insisted as the man tried to pull himself up further.

What seemed like an eternity was in reality only nano seconds .The parking lot was becoming noisier and the night sky above her reflected flashing lights. Marley was barely aware of the activity enfolding around her. Sirens could be heard in the distance.

"DROP THE GUN . DROP YOUR WEAPON . MAM LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPON !"

Marley twisted her head and torso and looked to Rose. Her mother's eyes were so wide and her hands shook as she held a gun in her left hand and pointed to the young marine and Marley.

"Mom do as they sa…..."

SSSHT TTT WHUMP! Blood splattered all over Marley's chest and the man in her hands finally slumped back to the ground.

WHUMP WHUMP another two bullets whizzed past her .

She turned almost following their sound stream and watched Rose drop her gun and start to fall to the ground. A small trickle of blood ran down her forehead and her eyes closed in slow motion as her knees buckled. Rose's upper body then suddenly slammed backwards onto the concrete.

Marley ran to her mother's body and threw herself on top of her.

Tony had heard that first shot, so had Ziva. They both fired their weapon at the female aiming a gun at a young girl on the ground in front of her. Ziva moved forward eyes fixed on the child, now sobbing and hovering over the females body. Not taking any chances she spoke clearly and slowly.

"Put Your Hands in The Air !"

Ziva had spotted the fallen gun to the left side of the girls foot and inched her way forward to kick it out of reach. Her instincts told her that the young girl would not go for it. But she knew Gibbs would slap her head silly if she took any risks. She repeated her instructions slowly, articulating clearly to overcompensate for her slight accent.

"Just stand up slowly and keep your hands where I can see them."

"NCIS " claimed Tony as Ziva kicked the gun out of the way.

Ziva noticed the color draining from the girls face . Marley's ears buzzed and whistled. Her stomach wretched when the little food she had consumed over the day started to rise and within seconds projected itself right into the chest of the man now walking towards her trying to holster his gun. Exhausted Marley dropped to the ground and blacked out.

FREEZE FRAME convert black and white – Denozzo's face with bilious expression – go green filter then CUT

TBC - CHAPTER 2

A.N -Sorry about the gun shots – how do you spell their sounds ?, bang bang didn't cut it for me, my sons says they should read Pichku Pichku ? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.