Borrowed the name of some gun runners and a gang from CSI: Miami, the Mala Noche gang killed Horatio Caine's wife Marisol and Delko's sister in season four of that show. Just popped into my head for this fic. They may be also tied to the Reynosa crew as well. For a blast from the NCIS past...

The previous evening: Seven pm. Tony was finishing a few last minute things on a report from a cold case when his cell rang.

"Dinozzo, oh hey Cesar?" "How bad? I'll be right down. I knew she was looking for the people who made those guns with bad firing pins, looks like she found them." He sighed and hung up. Then he stood up and walked to Gibbs' desk.

"Zoe was shot. She's on her way to the emergency room. Her partner said she was hit in the left arm. Might need some blood later if anybody wants to give."

Gibbs said "Go. You need to be with her more than paperwork needs done."

Tony hit print on his computer and said "There's my report I'll call you when I know more."

Gibbs looked at him. "She's strong. Takes guts to be a woman in the ATF, a few try but not many stay as long as she has. Hold on to that."

He nodded. "Thanks I will." Then he grabbed his gear and headed to the elevator.

A while later: Tony arrived at the Emergency Room and was told Zoe was in surgery. The bullet had made a pretty deep flesh wound in her upper left arm near her shoulder and a few pieces of fragments were being removed carefully. She would be in there for a few more hours then moved to a room. A nurse would come and get him when it was over.

Tony sat in a chair and was quiet as he waited. He had worn jeans to work that day since they were doing mostly desk work and he had on a red buttoned down short sleeve shirt. She needed to be ok. He had finally gotten real about her and now this had happened. His hand ran through his hair slowly as he sat there. There were other people in the waiting area too and then he saw Vega walk up with a plastic bottle of Coke in his hand.

Vega sat down next to Tony and said "Any word on Zoe?"

He replied "She's still in surgery. The bullet tore up her left arm pretty good, something about fragments in the wound. She will be in there at least 2 more hours or so."

Vega nodded. "Well we may be able to get a ballistics match then and see what other guns are out there that have bad firing pins and pull them in."

Tony inhaled. "Are you telling me that Zoe was shot and there are other guns still out there?"

Vega said "We raided one location where black market sales were happening. The Mala Noche gang is believed to be shipping them up from Miami. "

He nodded. "You might want to see what the remaining members of the Reynosa cartel are doing as well. Some went to Miami when Paloma was killed. Illegal weapons smuggling and cocaine were their thing a while back. Not sure now what they are involved in." Then he was silent.

Vega said "Well I will go back to the office and see what to do with this new information. Keep me posted on Keates ok?"

Tony nodded. "Will do. I'm going to have a long night here waiting."

Vega patted his shoulder. "Hang in there, she's tough. She'll be back to being feisty in no time." Then he left after dialing a number on his phone of his boss.

In the operating room: The orthopedic surgeon Dr. Torres said "There just got the last bullet fragment but she is losing a lot of blood. Tricky when metal meets artery in the arm. Might want to let the family know they can donate for her."

The nurse who was standing by said "Her boyfriend is out in the hall, I'll go tell him."

Callie nodded. "Just about done sewing her up."

The nurse left the operating room and said "Keates?"

Tony stood up. "She's my girlfriend. How is she?"

The nurse replied "The operation is just about finished, she is losing a lot of blood so she may need a transfusion in recovery."

He said "I'm type A."

The nurse said "She needs B ideally."

Then McGee walked up. "I'm type B. Tell me where to go to give blood for Agent Keates."

Tony looked at him. "Thank you Tim I mean it."

He replied "You need her Tony. It's not a big deal."

Tony looked at him. "It is to me Tim." Then he was quiet.

The nurse said "Follow me Agent McGee and we will take your blood for donation. Just in the next room over here. The techs will get you started right away."

McGee went where they had indicated with another nurse.

The one who had come out to update Tony said "I'm going back into the operating room, she has one of the best working on her. Dr Torres is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the hospital."

Tony nodded. "Thank you. I'll be here when she is in her room."

The nurse said "I'll let you know Agent Dinozzo."

He smiled a little. "Thank you for taking care of her."

She nodded. "All part of the job."