It was just another day at the office for NCIS Agents McGee, DiNozzo, and Officer David. Tim McGee was typing rapidly on his computer probably trying to finish his report on their last case while Tony DiNozzo was arguing with Ziva David over something. Or maybe he was boasting about his date that weekend with some hot chick he met while getting coffee at Starbucks. Who knows with Tony?
Anyway, they were about to leave for the weekend since they weren't on call when their boss Agent Jethro Gibbs strolled in.
"I hope none of you have plans this weekend. There's a dead Marine Commander dead in his home just down the street. Get your gear." He said grabbing his gun from his drawer.
The three Agents grabbed guns and bags and followed their boss to the elevator. They rode it down and left NCIS and walked down to their crime scene. A good sized crowd was already gathered outside of the police tape so they shouldered their way through. Flashing their badges had the policeman lifting the tape and allowing them in. Ducky, their coroner, was already crouched beside the body with his assistant Jimmy Palmer on the other side.
"Ziva, talk to some of these people and see if anyone saw anything. DiNozzo, sketch the scene. McGee, bag and tag." Gibbs says. They go about their tasks. "What we have, Duck?"
"Commander Hugo Jackson. It seems Mr. Jackson has been shot twice by what looks like a small caliber gun. I won't know for sure until I get him on my table." Ducky says.
Gibbs stepped back as the two loaded the victim on a gurney and wheeled him to the van. The two drove off a few moments later. They spent a good hour or so before finding all their was to find. A .22 was the most important. They walked back to NCIS and McGee took their evidence to Abby.
As they waited, they sat at their desks. Soon, Abby ran into the bullpen with a huge smile on her face.
"I got a match on the print from the gun you found at the scene!" She says. She grabbed the clicker to the big scene and a picture of a man with numerous tattoos and a long criminal record popped up.
"That's Johnny Barnes!" Tony says standing and going over to the screen.
McGee, who was watching his computer screen, head shot up quickly when he heard the name. His face lost its color as he looked at the man's face.
"Who is Johnny Barnes?" Ziva asks.
"He's known as the Hangman. He murdered 13 people like 20 some years ago. He always hung his victims after torture ring them for days. He was caught and sentenced to life in prison. What I heard is that a witness testified to put him away." Tony says excited.
"If he got life, how is he out?" Abby asks.
"He escaped."
Everyone turns to see Fornell.
"Tobias." Gibbs says.
"Jethro, I'm afraid I'm going to have to take over here. And take McGee into my custody." Fornell says.
Everyone turns and sees McGee staring at the screen. Gibbs ran over to him when he saw him starting to sway and his face go white as a sheet.
"McGee!" Gibbs shouts.
McGee looks up at his boss and Gibbs grew worried at the undeniable look of horror and fear across his Agent's face.
"He's back." McGee whispers grabbing onto Gibbs's wrist.
"Fornell, who is he?" Gibbs asks keeping his eyes locked with his Agent.
"Not here. Conference room." Fornell says.
Gibbs helped McGee up. He had yet to release Gibbs's wrist so he was pulled along by the older Agent. Tony, Abby, and Ziva followed behind with Abby calling Ducky and Palmer to meet them.
A few minutes later, all of them was seated in the conference room with the door shut and locked. McGee sat at the end of the table and had his eyes cast downward.
"Explain, Tobias." Gibbs says.
"It might be best if McGee does." Fornell says.
All eyes turn to McGee, who was shaking slightly and still keeping his gaze on the table.
"What's up, Probie?" Tony asks.
"Do you really want them to hear this from me, McGee?" Fornell asks.
McGee sighs and looks up.
"I was the witness who put away Johnny Barnes." McGee says.
"You would have been around 18 at the time correct, Timothy?" Ducky asks getting up and taking the seat beside the younger man.
"17 actually." McGee whispers.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Abby asks.
"I guess I have no choice." McGee says taking a deep breath. "I was 17 trying to finish my senior year of high school. One night after a horrible day at school, I went walking down the street. Stupid, I know. It was dark and not many of the street lamps worked but I saw a figure walk up to the house of this girl I went to school with. Her name was Mary and she was my age. We were good friends. Anyway, I saw him open the window and slide in. I thought that was odd."
"Maybe she was sneaking in a boy after mom and da was sleeping." Tony says. Gibbs slaps the back of his head. "Sorry, boss."
"Mary wasn't like that. As I was saying, it was odd so I decided to go up to Mary's house. I was climbing in the window when I heard a gunshot. The nearest houses were empty so no one would have heard it. Being a teenager, I ran towards it. I made it to Mary's room to witness the second shot. It was the one that killed Mary. The guy turned and saw me and I saw his face clearly. It was Johnny Barnes. Then I turned and ran. He came after me and caught me…"
McGee began to unconsciously rub his shoulder. Ducky placed a hand on McGee's shoulder and everyone saw McGee being pulled back into the past.
"Do you need a break, McGee?" Ziva asks concerned.
McGee shook his head and continued having to relive that horrible night.