FREEZE FRAME 3 – Six Degrees
SUMMARY: – Six Degrees of Separation.
Gibbs, his team, and G. Callen hatch a plan to rescue Marley's uncle, Nic Hanson. Marley and Rye offer their advice and expertise in more ways than they should when they get involved with the rescue. Gibbs's and Gill's romance is cemented. And McGee gets a payback prank.
Third in the Freeze Frame series.
DISCLAIMERS: I do not own NCIS.
In saying that, I'm glad I don't. It was so hard to write this first chapter. I wanted to try using some of the various conventions and formats that the show uses, like a montage…previously on NCIS and a flash-forward. Great idea but I didn't realize how hard they are to write and edit. I have so much to learn. So thank you for your patience and believe me when I say it, the writers of this show are geniuses and I'm not.
WARNINGS: A long montage, if you haven't read the first two stories it should give you a general feel for the story and characters. If you have and your bored go staright to the prologue.
Chapter 1: PROLOGUE
PREVIOUSLY ON NCIS
Montage Freeze Frame 1
While Fornell and Gibbs's team investigated a case of espionage at a nightclub, a young marine and woman, presumably unrelated to their case, are murdered. Agents DiNozzo and David arrived on the scene to find twelve year old Marley Rose Hanson trying to save the marine. Marley witnessed the death of her mother. The team investigated the murders and in doing so developed a relationship with Marley as she journeyed through her stages of grief.
FADE IN: close-up of agents DiNozzo and David in parking lot.
"DROP THE GUN DROP YOUR WEAPON MA'AM LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPON!" ordered Ziva.
"Mom, do as they sa…..."
WHUMP, WHUMP; another two bullets whizzes past her. 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.
CROSSFADE to the close up of Marley in a hospital bathroom.
Marley dried herself off and put on the fresh clothes. While bending down she noticed the glint of an object lying on the floor just underneath the chair. …it was the xd card the marine had given her. Marley put it into her pocket, intending to give it to the agents as soon as possible.
CUT AWAY: NCIS Lab where Ducky and Gibbs discuss their findings about the murders of Marley's mother, Rose and the Marine, Christopher Williams..
''She thought she was being raped?'' asked Gibbs.
''Most likely. Going through her medical history, her bipolar episodes tended to be ones of paranoia, and she was at times delusional. Unfortunately for the young marine Christopher Williams, there was not much he could have done to convince her otherwise.''
''Jethro, that's not the main reason you should be doing this Interview with Marley. In Marley's eyes Jethro, she was the parent. It is like Marley has lost a child. Someone who needed her, someone whom she unconditionally loved and protected, and would do so with her life.''
CUT AWAY to the Bull pen. Tim McGee presenting witness and victims histories.
"Umm. Nicolas Brett Hanson, brother, 38 years old. He's navy intelligence, listed as missing in action. Files are tagged, but they're classified and sealed, boss. I can get….''
''No, you can't… the director and I have had a discussion on him. There's something going on there, but it's not related and we're staying clear of it.''
Crossfade: to close up of Gibbs yelling at Fornell. ''MY PEOPLE ARE IN DANGER!'' Gibbs roared.
Tobias Fornell didn't flinch, ''and so is my witness.''
''My witness," corrected Gibbs, "family's navy and one dead marine!''
CUT AWAY to Gibbs and Marley. More about Marley's background is revealed, including the fact that she was in only twelve years old and had doctored her birth certificate so she could be part of a duel care program.
"Well, I'm not your kid. I'm not anybody's kid. So just, chill out. Do you know how hard it is to be a kid and be taken seriously? They were gonna take Rose away from me. I mean, they were gonna take me away from Rose. This was the best way I could look after her. This was the best way I could look after me. I can't be a kid, a little kid. I just needed to be a bit older so I could get into the program. I didn't mean to break the law. I wasn't friggin' hurting anyone!"
Gibbs found it a little amusing and let her continue her "therapeutic" rant until she picked up the can of Coke and hurtled it at the wall.
CUT AWAY To Lab. Mid shot of Gibbs. The case unravels.
"Keep Marley with you, Abbs. And Abby, don't let her out of your sight. "
"GIBBBBS! What's wrong?"
"Roche! They've found his body!"
Crossfade: A merry chase. Close up of Abby in Tony's car, chasing Marley on a pink scooter.
"Gibbs! Gibbs!"
Gibbs hit the hands free button on his phone. "Abbs, what's up?"
"Marley's gone. She recognized one of the photos, and then she just took off. "
"Took off? Took off, how?"
"On Sister Mary Ellen's scooter; she had my keys ….."
CUTAWAY Abby and Marley confront the murderer Ray Isles.
Ray walked over, then put his hand down between the seat cushions, and pulled out his weapon of choice.
Abby instinctively pushed Marley behind her, all the while not taking her eyes off Ray's finger on the trigger of the gun. "What do you intend to do with us? We don't have the card. It's back at NCIS, so you may as well…"
Both Abby and Marley watched, straight faced, as Gibbs snuck into the room. Gibbs put his finger to his lips as Tony made his way towards Ray.
Ray's frustrated expression went blank as soon as he felt the cold barrel of Tony's gun touch his temple. "Sam I am. Hey, Ray!"
CUT AWAY to Fornell and Gibbs interrogating Isles. Marley becomes enraged with grief.
"LOOK!" yelled Isles. "It's not like I meant to kill anyone. Mine weren't the only bullets found on the William's kid and Rose. It was just self preservation. Crazy Rose was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The kid's probably better off without her anyway."
Ziva was seething. Marley was distressed. Without thinking she charged at the two- way glass in front of her and slammed her fists against it. "You bastard," she screamed.
Tony grabbed Marley and picked her up. "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa…"
Marley arched her back and bucked again. Tony lost his hold once more as she dropped to the ground and kicked out towards Tony's groin. DiNozzo's hand immediately cupped his credentials, while Gibbs tried to grab Marley's hands. Tony managed to grab one foot with his spare hand.
"Forget the family jewels, DiNozzo. Grab both her legs. I've got her hands."
Crossfade: Mid shot Gibbs comforting Marley.
"Stop this. Stop this now!" he smacked her bottom twice, before entering the room and sitting on a chair. He put her down and stood her in front of him. Without a word Gibbs pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Marley's entire body heaved and vibrated with heavy uncontrollable sobs. "Let go," he whispered, while rubbing soothing circles on her back.
"She wasn't…wasn't crazy, Gibbs."
"I know."
"I'm not…better…off …without….her. I want… want, him to go away. If he goes...away…Rose will come back."
"We'll make him go away. We can make a lot of bad guys go away. But that doesn't bring the people we love back. Rose can't come back, Marley."
CUT AWAY To conference room, mid-shot of Ducky talking with Ziva about the shooting Rose Hanson, Marley's mother.
"There were many things that 'took' the life that Rose deserved. But, Petty Officer Williams and Ray Isles were responsible for her murder and her death… Do you think Marley blames you?"
"No, I don't think she does. That doesn't matter."
"It does. So, you need to believe this. She doesn't blame you. I've seen her look at you with awe and admiration. She sees you as tough and beautiful. You are small, but can hold your own. You do what has to be done, even though you would prefer not to have to do it."
CUT AWAY to the Directors office. Vance has organized protection for Marley.
"Because it is in Marley's best interest. Children's Services have already sent over Marley's files. They are to be sealed and kept here at NCIS with no access without the highest security clearance," Informed Vance.
Gibbs interrupted and threw Vance a severe frown. "So, what he's trying to say, Gillian, is that you are not a security risk and we…NCIS feels that it would be beneficial for Marley if you actually spent the weekend with us. Of course, your movements won't be restricted, like Marley's and Abby's. But, it's important that nobody else knows of our whereabouts or the special circumstances of Marley's case."
CUTAWAY to Gillian and Marley. New arrangements are made for Marley's care. Marley is jealous of a new girl inducted into the program.
"Marley Rose, stop this. You're jealous and you have no reason to be. She has had a hard time, too. Rye's father is a marine and is very sick. He's in hospital, so she could do with a friend. Plus, Alistair has worked hard to keep this program going so that he can set up more homes and help more kids like you and Zac, Josh and now Rye."
"Well fine, but she better friggin' not touch any of my stuff!"
CUT AWAY to Morgue. Acceptance. Marley says goodbye to Rose.
Rose laid there, her injuries concealed by well applied make-up. Her pallor was no longer grey or her eyes cold. They were closed as if she were sleeping. The make-up applied was subtle and softened the woman's features. It was a softness that Marley had rarely seen, since she was a small child.
Marley smiled as she noticed the henna tattoo applied to her left shoulder, blooming rosebud. Marley stretched to reach her mother's face. She felt her feet leave the ground slightly as she was lifted by the waist. Marley leaned over and kissed Rose on her pretty pink lips. "Mommy, I love you."
Ziva put Marley down on her feet and then knelt in front of the little girl and meet her gaze. They embraced for several moments then Marley whispered into Ziva's ear, "Baruch atah, yom yom ya' Amos lanu. (Praised are you, who daily carries our burden)"
CUTAWAY: The Prank. Tony and Abby reset Tim's GPS causing havoc for Tim. They have watched their prank unfold on the computer screens in Abby's lab.
Young Officer Scott Peters pressed the trigger of his Taser as McGee bent over the driver's seat yanking out the last of Abby's wires. The aluminous squiggly cord of the stun gun could be seen linking the young officer's hand to the upper thigh and gluteus maximus of McGee's left buttock.
Tony cringed. "Ouch! That's gotta hurt!"
Gibbs standing behind Tony can now be seen in the reflection of the computer screen.
"YA THINK!" Gibbs slapped Tony up the back of the head.
Montage Freeze Frame 2
The team went undercover and on protection detail at a four star Hotel. During their time there Marley put herself in danger, by running off, getting drunk, played pranks and was nearly abducted. The team, Marley, Gibbs and Gill developed a special bond, including some romance for Gibbs. Close to the end of their stay, it is revealed that Marley's Uncle has been abducted and Marley's safety is still at risk.
CUT AWAY to A drunk Marley.
Marley was standing in the middle of the huge king size bed, slightly bouncing on the balls of her feet and clinking the small glass bottles still attached to her fingers. Ziva had heard Tony yell and quickly entered the bedroom. She went to the small fridge and examined it.
"There's nothing left in the mini bar, Tony."
"Yep, I'd say she's pretty well smashed."
"This is not good, Tony, not good at all."
"Ya think?"
"Sounding like Gibbs is not going to save your ass, Tony."
CROSSFADE: Ducky gives Gibbs advice.
"Marley has responded to that role in a very positive way, and it has been very beneficial to her. In many ways it has also been beneficial to you, but there's a little competition there. Marley has slipped very comfortably in the role of the child and, for all intent purposes this weekend, your daughter and… She quotes you."
"Ducky. There's something I've always wanted to tell you."
"What's that, Jethro?"
"I hate it when you're right!"
"Oh, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, I know."
CROSSFADE to master bedroom: A romantic moment.
"Uh, don't be tempted," warned Gibbs. Still lying on the bed beside Gill, he stared for a while, enchanted by her sincerity, finally he said, "Okay, new rule. Rule number 52, no talking while Gibbs is trying to kiss you."
"Oh, how nice, a rule just for me. Are you sure Tony won't…"
Gibbs didn't let her finish what she may have considered a clever and witty comment, as Gibbs enforced rule number 52.
"And, if I break the rules?"
In one swift motion Gibbs flipped over, taking Gill's light frame with him. With her positioned on top and close to his chest, he raised his hand and froze it just above her backside.
"Ahhh, don't you dare!"
CUT AWAY to Elevators. An attempted kidnap
"Let her go," demanded Gibbs.
"I wish I could," he cried. The American dared not let her go. He kept his body hunched and the child airborne, for fear she was going to take his ear lobe off. Mike Tyson had nothing on this kid, he thought. Straightening up he pushed Marley's body up and forward over his shoulder, then applied a hard wallop to her backside, forcing her to finally relinquish her hold.
"Gibbs!" said the American, "I believe this belongs to you." He dropped Marley on her feet, and she ran to Gibbs.
Gibbs lowered his gun, frowned as he let out his long held breath. "CALLEN!"
CUT AWAY: Callen explains the undercover operation.
Intelligence and Homeland Security were working with us on the abduction of young girls in the LA area. The belief was that they were being sold on the sex slave market. …It's headed by a guy called Ivan Volkov. He has a partner here in the States. That much we're sure of, but who it is still a mystery."
"Callen grabbed Marley and swung her back around to face him, "there's a very good reason why you weren't to know anything. There was a very good reason why nobody was to know about you. Nic went to a lot of trouble to disappear for your protection. Now, you need to understand this… And from what I've observed this weekend, you and your sidekick there," he said, inclining his head in Rye's direction, "haven't made your protection that easy for any one."
CUTAWAY to Gill and Gibbs.
"What if you can't get Nick out, Marley is still very venerable."
"Nic is a good agent, but we are all aware of the risks. So is Marley."
"Doesn't mean she accepts them."
"And nor should she. I sure as hell don't. We will do everything in our power to get him out, keep Marley safe, and bust these guys and their huge sex slave ring. Callen and Nic have put a lot on the line for this. Everybody wants these guys."
CUT AWAY to mid shot. Nic Hanson is being held prisoner.
"Well Mr. Nikolay Hanson, I have some good news. We have found your niece. It will be only a matter of time before we will have her here in front of you for heart warmink famikly reunion."
"You are wasting your time. You should have killed me when you had the chance."
"No, Nikolay, dead men can't talk, my friend. Also dead undercower agents cause great interest...But, if it makes you feel any better it will be soon, maybe as soon as you have watched your niece suffer. It will be your choice, da!"
TO BE CONTINUED IN FREEZE FRAME 3: Six Degrees of Separation.
PROLOGUE:
I'd Rather Be A Sparrow Than A Snail
Flash forward one week later:
FREEZE FRAME : CUT AWAY to long centre shot. Gibbs and Gill joined in a lingering Kiss. Gibbs has Marley in one arm looking over his shoulders to the team, Ducky, Tony, Ziva, Abby with parasol held up and Tim. Convert Black and White. CUT.
Marley looked around the many faces gathered at Arlington National Cemetery, there in a special garden designated to those who had served and died their country in special operational units. The sun shone on many of the shoulders of those who had come to pay their last respects. Some of the people had come just to pay their respect to a man who had fought for their country and their safety. There were many there she did not recognize, people she supposed knew him, who worked with him. She stood there in the front row, with Gill and Gibbs on either side of her, each with a protective arm on her shoulder, their hands clasped in each others. Marley felt loved and safe.
Opposite her she recognized the Director of NCIS standing poised with his shoulders back and his hands crossed in front of him. Next to him stood the smallest woman she'd ever seen. She was no bigger than Marley herself, yet her dignified stance and respectful expression told Marley she was of importance. She had heard Gibbs and Callen call her Hetty. Marley's memories of the last two weeks included a fleeting reference to her, as an official of the LA NCIS special operations division, and Callen's boss. Yet her expression also displayed softness and empathy. The small woman made eye contact on several occasions with Marley throughout the formality of the funeral service, smiling and winking at her or the family unit that now encompassed her.
G. Callen stood next to Hetty, staring straight ahead with a neutral expression. Though Marley could have sworn she saw him smirk when she heard the sniffles and cries of Abby, who stood with the rest of the team behind her. Marley turned to see what could be so funny, but then she, too, had to stifle a laugh when she spotted the extended NCIS family standing with each other. Abby dressed in her signature all black with her lace fingerless gloves had started to cry. One hand gripped her New Orleans black lace parasol while the other dabbed at her tears. Tim moved in closer to consol the empathic Goth. However, he nearly had his eye taken out when Abby, in the throes of a heart wrenching sob, loosened her grasp on the parasol and knocked Tim in the face.
Tony and Ziva were standing next to them, and in unison indicated that Marley should turn back around. Marley found it hard to read Tony's face. He stood there with his hands clasped similar to the director, but his Top Gun sunglasses hid his eyes and his silent admonishment. Ziva, on the other hand, made it very clear with her subtle hand gesture and frown. That along with Gibbs's sixth sense and poke to her shoulder had Marley turning back around and attentive.
Marley absorbed very little of the words the pastor was saying about Nic Hanson, the marine, the intelligence agent, the patriot and about the man who gave up his life for a cause. She did register the prose about his life as a boy, his life as her uncle and the love and dedication he had for those he cherished, for those Marley cherished.
It was during these moments she also watched Rye, standing there next to her father. They stood opposite where the ground was firmer and flatter, aiding Lieutenant Thomas Burton supported on his new prosthesis with one arm protectively bracing his daughter's waist. Rye moved towards the podium, smiling at Marley as the pastor introduced the reflection that Rye had planned. He commented on the understanding, acceptance, faith, and drive of her and Marley as well as those around them who had fought against the many wrongs of the world. Rather than listen to the pastor's words, Rye hit the play button on the small IPod dock with its miniature speakers.
I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail sang Simon and Garfunkel…If I could I surely would. At this point many found it hard to keep their emotions and tears at bay. El Condor Pasa, a folk song of Peru, with its melancholy rhythm, its poignant lyrics and simple message, held significance for all of them. Rye now understood why her father had taken the risks he had. Marley could appreciate the fact that her uncle had done everything in his power to protect her, but he had wanted to make things right for many. Bad people needed to be stopped and snails just didn't have the skills to do it. One needed to fly and take the chance. The team knew this. The NCIS director knew this. Many, no everybody who stood there valued this.
I'd rather be a hammer than a nail… Gibbs identified with this, he may have been, at times, as inconspicuous as a sparrow that flew, but when he dived in he was an eagle. He was proud of his girls. All of them, and perhaps he should go a little easier on them. Clipping their wings might keep them safe, but they could never be snails. There were times he was both the hammer and the nail keeping them all together. Never too old to learn or take second chances, he kissed the small head next to him, then leaned over the child and kissed the woman he loved warmly and softly on the lips.
I'd rather be a forest than a street... Ziva could not see Tony's eyes as they stung, swelled with a tear behind those blacked out glasses. He looked at the little sparrow beside him, and the row of his team mates beside her, glad that they stood tall and strong together. He supposed he would always worry, like Gibbs, especially for Ziva, the little sparrow, with roots deeper than any of the forest trees he knew. It was a contrasting irony, one that this special girl let pull at her soul. He nearly lost himself in his pride and wonder at her, nearly reached out to catch a tear that escaped her beautiful huge eyes, and nearly softly touched her quivering lip. Instead, he offered her his handkerchief and pulled hard on the lone ringlet that fell on her shoulder. Pulling it straight, he then let it go to rebound back into its perfect curl.
Everybody was quickly pulled back from their thoughts and realizations, as Rye quickly stopped the music, mindful of the fact that her song list could lead the sombre occasion into "Dead Men Don't Talk's" signature song or Derek and Clive's, "I've got a pubic hair stuck in back of throat." Either would be inappropriate at this time.
As Rye walked back and stood beside her father, eight marines came forward. Seven stood in formation side by side as the eighth, sounded off, "READY, AIM, FIRE" the other seven raised their rifles and shot in unison three rounds, a three volley salute, twenty one shots, in the traditional manner for a fallen hero. "READY, AIM, FIRE, READY, AIM, FIRE."
As the echo faded another order was ground out, "PRESENT ARMS" On cue another marines lifted his Bugle and played Taps.
At the end their supervisor continued "ORDER ARMS, PORT ARMS, RIGHT FACE, FORWARD MARCH."
Marley had not expected any of that. Little did she know that both Vance and Hetty had insisted upon it. Still it was very jarring, hearing the rifle shots when all they had heard before was the preacher's words and a soft song, made her and even those who had witness the salute before jump, leaving all with an overwhelming feeling of honour and pride
Two officers then stepped forward and pulled the flag that rested on the coffin and folded it, precisely and methodically into a soft triangle. One of the officers marched over to the child that stood between Gibbs and Gill and bent down to officially hand it to her.
Marley's tears flowed and she turned away, planting her face into Gibbs stomach, more timid and sad of the symbolic finality, than scared, "No, I don't want to."
Gibbs looked at the stoic expression on the officer's face and nodded to him. He stood there frozen in a moment, as Gibbs bent at the knees and lifted Marley's face to his, "It's okay baby. It's a honor. Nic is honored. It doesn't mean the end. He'd want you to take it and keep it forever. Hey? Little Sparrow?"
Marley nodded wiped her tears and turned back to the officer, cueing him to continue with a smile and her outstretched arms. He placed the flag in her hands, saluted, and then turned on his heels, as Gibbs, Marley and Gill returned the acknowledged salutation.
Marley waited as they lowered her uncle's coffin into the ground before turning and slamming herself into the two figures that now stood behind her. Gibbs picked her up, cradling her in one arm as she buried her head in the crook of his neck and sobbed. Gill leaned in close to both of them. Brushing past Gibbs, she kissed Marley and fondled her hair, only realizing at that moment that Marley had re-applied the purple streak in the front. Marley smiled, contented and turned her head to look over Gibbs's shoulder. Gill took the opportunity as she retraced her movements past Gibbs's smirking grin to kiss the lips that had formed it.
Marley watched as the crowd slowly dispersed and dwindled to a few lone figures which included Ducky, who stood next to a tall gentleman, with grey hair and whiskers. Marley noticed as they shook hands the missing thumb and forefinger of the man. He spotted her looking curiously at him and winked. He turned to Ducky, his gravelly voice and words barely heard, "Don't worry Ducky. You tell Leroy, it's about time. And that little girl, I got her six too."
Ducky laughed and walked slowly with the tall stranger to a stretched Hummer with black tinted windows parked on top of the hill. He got into the back and closed the door. Ducky stayed and watched as it pulled away from the curb.
The team also watched the exit of the mysterious vehicle and then tracked Ducky as he walked towards them, returning to their ranks. Marley staring back at them, turned as a response to Abby's sigh, to see Gill and Gibbs still in their embrace and ensuing kiss.
"Get a room," she recommended.
Gibbs didn't move his head or release his lips, just threaded his other arm between their bodies and flicked his open palm on Marley's backside.
FREEZE FRAME: CUT AWAY to long center shot. Gibbs and Gill joined in a lingering kiss. Gibbs has Marley in one arm looking over his shoulders to the team, Ducky, Tony, Ziva, Abby, with parasol held up, and Tim. Convert Black and White. CUT.
To be continued. ( soon)
Chapter 2: Six Degrees Of Separation.
A.N. Once again, a big thank you to Harliquinn, who wades through my chapters with great passion and gives superb advice. A Special thank you for the info on the 3 volley salute. Another thank you to my student filmmaking son who also cut the crap out of my Montage. Also, to all of you that have alerted and reviewed; WOW! Thanks.