AN1: *Whew* Sorry for the wait! This story is fighting me all the way. Hopefully the rest will come easier, but because of the super-supportive feedback from so many wonderful people, I simply had to give you all something! Thanks for the support! I hope you enjoy!
AN2: In order to understand, you must read the story that precedes this, "Caught in the Middle".
…
"This isn't over, Gibbs…He's still out there."
…
Gibbs took a deep breath and regained his composure. In the span of 22 seconds, the world had been turned upside-down by the very man Gibbs thought was out of the picture. Or at least had hoped was out of the picture. Now it was beginning all over again, and he felt completely powerless to stop it. Damn it if Gibbs didn't feel like a lost child, vulnerable, exposed, helpless.
After a few seconds, the expression of shock on Gibbs's face was replaced by one of determination. He was NOT going to let Salir get away. The man who kidnapped and tortured his agent would pay for what he did. Gibbs would see to that. With a sense of authority in his gait, Gibbs walked down the hall.
He walked quietly into Tony's room, making sure nothing was disturbed. Throwing cautious glances in all directions, he stood stoically at the end of the bed, examining the agent. Tony's slumber persisted, leaving him blissfully unaware of the horrible turn things had taken. Gibbs stared at the man before him, taking in the pale complexion and lines of pain on his face. In that moment, he made a silent promise to both himself and his agent. I'll get him. I'm going to get that bastard. Reluctantly, he tore his eyes away from Tony and began walking out the door.
As soon as he stepped into the hallway, he flagged down a doctor. The man in the white coat came over quickly, opening his mouth questioningly. But before a word escaped, Gibbs ordered sternly, "We need a security guard outside this room until I sent up one of my agents to keep watch. Mr. DiNozzo is to be constantly supervised until then, no exceptions. Understood?"
The nervous young doctor nodded and jogged down the hallway to get the attention of the floor's security guard. After a few moments, he appeared in front of Gibbs once more, a burly middle-aged man behind him. Gibbs nodded his approval and began walking purposefully toward the waiting room.
He walked into the small area, a solemn look on his face. Instinctively, the group looked up. Seeing the look in Gibbs's eyes, Abby stood immediately.
"Gibbs? What's wrong?" she asked nervously. "Is it Tony? Oh my God, did his fever spike again?"
Gibbs sighed. "Tony's fine, Abs. Well, about as fine as he can be. But I got a message from Fornell…Something's happened. I think you should sit."
Ziva narrowed her eyes, sensing the foreboding in Gibb's words. "What did Fornell say? Is it about Salir?" she asked tightly.
Gibbs looked at the ground for a moment, before raising his eyes to the agents. "Yeah. Somehow, the bastard got away."
Abby gasped. McGee went pale. Ziva stood still as a statue, willing herself to find the strength to remain upright. Gibbs continued wearily. "We don't know how yet, but Fornell and his team are working on it. I just got the message and now I have to call Fornell back."
McGee's bewildered eyes flicked from side to side, his mind obviously trying to comprehend what he'd just been told. "But I thought…that doesn't make sense! You knocked him out, Boss! And the area was surrounded. There's no way he could've run out of there, even if he was conscious. How? I don't…It doesn't make sense…" he trailed off.
"I know, McGee. I'm calling Fornell now for details, but I need you and Ziva to watch DiNozzo. Odds are, with his sources, Salir knows he's here. My bet is that he wants DiNozzo to pay for ruining his op. I don't know if he's planning anything, but just in case, I want someone with him at all times, at least until we can get a federal guard posted outside his room. Got that?"
"Yes, Boss," Ziva and McGee replied. They walked to Tony's room, leaving Gibbs to face Abby. Ducky and Palmer had gone home an hour ago- albeit reluctantly. But Abby had refused to budge.
Brilliant green eyes stared at Gibbs in fear and disbelief. "This isn't fair. Tony's been through enough today. We all have. This shouldn't be happening. How can this-"
Gibbs silenced her with a warm embrace. He wrapped his arms around her small frame, holding the position for a few moments, letting her tears stain his shirt. After a little while, Abby pushed herself off Gibbs, wiping her eyes.
"You need to call Fornell and find out what we can do to get Salir."
"You gonna be alright?"
Abby straightened her back in her best Gibbs imitation. "Not if you don't get out of here and call Fornell. Now," she said with a fake scowl. The corners of Gibbs's mouth twitched. "Good girl, Abs."
. . .
Flashing their badges at the security guard, Ziva and McGee entered Tony's room, both silent as the gravity of what they'd just been told weighed on them. Tony was asleep. The only movement in the room was the small rise and fall of his chest. Occasionally, pain would flicker across his features, but for the most part he seemed to be resting comfortably.
After a few brief moments, Ziva muttered to McGee, "I just do not understand how this can be happening. Gibbs said Salir was unconscious. I figured by now the FBI would have him under lock and door!"
"Lock and key," McGee corrected. They both inwardly cringed at the correction…That was something Tony should be saying. "But yeah, I don't understand it either. Let's just hope Gibbs gets the info we need, so we can find Salir before…" They looked at Tony, neither able to finish the thought that was nagging them.
"No one is going to hurt Tony, McGee," Ziva declared adamantly. Turning to Tony, she said softly to him, "We will not let them." Though neither McGee nor Ziva spoke, both agents knew the statement was for their benefit as well as their friend's.
. . .
Gibbs walked out of the hospital and pulled out his phone. He quickly dialed Fornell's number. After one ring, a gruff voice answered, "Fornell."
"What the hell is going on, Tobias?" Gibbs said angrily.
"I wish I knew. My men have scoured the area. Salir's gone. We found some blood residue on the floor of the storage garage, but that's all. What happened, Jethro?"
"I knocked the bastard out! I slammed my gun into his damn head and watched him fall. I'm telling you, he was out cold. Without a doubt."
The voice on the other end of the line sighed. "I believe you, Jethro. It's just that things aren't adding up. Salir couldn't possibly have gotten out of there on foot, conscious or not. Which means…Well, there's no pleasant way to say this…"
The hesitancy in Fornell's voice irritated Gibbs. "Just tell me, dammit! We don't have time for guessing games!"
Fornell took a moment before responding. "Well, Jethro, I think we need to start exploring the possibility that…" He paused a moment. "That Salir has an accomplice."