A big thank you to my wonderful Beta Gottahavemyncis. She has been my rock throughout this story and for that, I am truly grateful.
epicinium
White Elephant Exchange 2013 – for meekosan
Prompt set 1) GEN, 'rehab', a character(s) are injured (or other circumstance) to where they have to go into in patient rehab (physical or other) and has to deal with the stress and emotions that comes with. (personal note, regarding this, I've been dealing with my grandmother in rehab after a car accident; no need to add this comment to the list, just offering explanation)
AN: The story starts off with a bit of an AU prologue to Truth or Consequences. The story is tagged around this episode and as you can make out, will deal with the aftermath, but in order for me to do that I'm afraid the Prologue deviates slightly from canon to fit the story. Saying that, the sequence of events leading upto it are the same and the scenario's used in the episode haven't changed. I've just added to it slightly and maybe manipulated a situation to suit.
Prologue
EPICINIUM, EPICINI(I)
Definitions:
(victory)
aftermath, afterwards
Despite the cloying heat, coldness seemed to seep deep into his bones. Lying on the floor didn't help and no doubt shock had set in after being beaten and questioned over and over again in relentless waves of misery and pain. This was wrong. Their intel had been right and yet here they were tied up in a stinking cell with a small window providing a sliver of light that highlighted the dust motes that floated around the room.
"Probie. You alright?"
"Can't say that I am, Tony. You?" Tim said quietly and opened his eyes to look at his friend. Squinting against the harsh glare, he was pleased to see Tony looking relatively okay.
"I cannot lie." Tony answered and huffed at Tim's incredulous snort. "No, really. They gave me truth serum. Hey, you know this reminds me of a film..."
"Not now, Tony. Okay? Not now."
"What's going on probie?"
Tim shook his head and sighed heavily. "Just...you know. We're here..."
Tony nodded and glanced around their cell. "Sure we are, but you know Gibbs will get us out. He knows we're here."
"I know." Tim thought back to when he was thrown into the cell followed by Saleem.
1 Hour ago…
"You will tell me all that you know. Who you are? How you ended up here? What you are doing? And you will talk."
'What?' Tim struggled to listen to what was being said. After being beaten to unconsciousness, he found it difficult to track what was going on. The moment he had come to, he knew he was in trouble. His head felt like lead and pounded unmercifully making the nausea rise with every breath. Damn concussion! Keeping his eyes closed, he tried to follow the conversation knowing that it was imperative he know exactly what their situation was.
"I'm not going to tell you anything."
"The Soviets had some success with pure ethanol. This formula is of my own design. A mixture of sodium Pentothal and several other agents I have found...Effective in extracting the truth. Will not take long for it to start working."
'Soviets? Pure ethanol? What?...Aww crap! Truth serum!' Tim had opened his eyes to slits just before Saleem's spiel and watched as the needle plunged into Tony's arm. It was all he could do to stop himself from crying out.
"You're going to be dead soon, you know. Truth or not. I tell you, I think this stuff is working already."
'Jesus…Tony ,don't antagonise the guy.' Tim thought. There was no knowing how this was going to go and it was possible that Saleem's temper would blow, leaving them both in trouble.
"You know, I...I have studied America. Carefully. I believe in knowing my enemy."
Shuddering at the softly spoken tone, Tim remembered the gentle timbre right before the blows rained down on him. At one point, he must have passed because when he woke up, he was being dragged into this very room.
"I believe a man is as big as what he's seeking. I believe you're a big man, Mr. MacReedy."
"My name is Saleem Ulman. You will tell me who you are."
"I'm very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service."
'Tony, please…don't say anything else. Please…' Knowing he couldn't plead out loud, Tim hoped that a part of Tony's mind managed to somehow go round the drugs coursing through his system.
"You know, a few months ago...I had, uh, not even heard...of NCIS. And that may have cost the lives of several of my people. That will not happen again. Now please tell me. What is your mission?"
"We're... we're tasked with pursuing crimes that involve the United States Navy or Marine Corps and their families. And our duties are expansive. International terrorism, espionage. Even, you know, an eight ball of methamphetamine."
And with a herculean effort, Tim fought against the blackness that threatened once again once the throbbing in his head became too much…
Now…
"McGoo! Stay with me!"
"What? Tony, I'm right here." Tim mumbled winced at the pain in his back. "This floor is uncomfortable."
Tony snorted out a laugh. "I bet. Anyway, what do you think he's gonna do next?"
"I don't know Tony. I was unconscious for the best part of the conversation." Tim replied softly and opened his eyes to look at Tony. "Came too when I was kicked onto my back."
"Damn. Probie, anything else you're not telling me?"
"Like what?"
Tony sighed heavily. "Oh I don't know, anything other injuries you might have. Look Tim. I don't know what he did to you and I'm worried okay?" Tony frowned and waited for his partner to respond.
"I know they beat me for information, but I just kept telling them my name, status in NCIS and my badge number. Didn't know what else to do. Apparently they didn't like that."
"Uh huh. Okay, just…just play it cool for now. Believe it or not, you're my best bud and I don't want anything to happen to ya."
Tim laughed at that. "Best bud huh? You wouldn't admit that if you weren't full of truth serum."
"Well it's true, Probie. Can't li..lie, remember?", Tony coughed and winced at the dryness in his throat. "It's hot as hell in here. I could do with some water."
"I'm not hot…" Tim mumbled and winced when he moved his bound legs. Pain shot through his back.
"Tim…"
"Tony, I'm good. Just…can't you ask them for water?"
"Saleem, that SOB, already teased me. Turns out our little captor is fond of the POW. But we already knew that, didn't we. I mean that's the link and…"
Tim frowned. "Tony! Yeah, we knew that." He licked his dry lips but it didn't make a difference in lieu of the dryness in his mouth. "He confirmed it?"
"Threw his water skin in a fit of temper…gotta love temper tantrums…and it was full of the stuff. Abby would have sobbed at the loss."
"Well at least that's something." Tim replied.
"Thought you said you came to when he rolled ya?" Tony said with concern.
"I did. Guess I passed out again. Damn my head is pounding and my bac…doesn't matter. I wasn't tracking the conversation properly."
"Back? Your back? Probie…"
"It's probably bruises, Tony." Tim interrupted. "That's all. Anyway, I seemed to wake up to Saleem leaving and you know the rest."
"Yeah, back to that. When I asked if you were Okay, you said you weren't. Just before that, you asked when we move. You gonna make it?"
Tim nodded slightly and licked his dry, cracked lips again. "Don't have a choice, Tony. We've got to make it."
"Yes we do." Tony had a nagging feeling eating away at him. He had known Tim long enough to pick up on his nuances, especially the ones where something was wrong. "Still think we've got him rattled?"
"Hell yes." Tim replied. "But I'll still hang on for your cu…"
Tim was cut off by yelling outside the cell before the door crashed open. It made him jump slightly. Luckily, whoever it was coming in did not notice and the noise gave him just enough time to close his eyes to feign unconsciousness once again. He heard a scuffle before Saleem's voice rang through the cell.
"Questions are being asked in town about missing NCIS agents. Concern that U.S. forces might mobilize. One of you will tell the identities and locations of all the operatives in the area and the other one will die."
Tim head the sound of material rustling and cracked his eyes open enough to see what was going on. He had to hold back from gasping at the sight of Ziva sitting there. From his perspective, he couldn't see her face and could only see her dishevelled hair. He hoped that she hadn't been treated the same way that both he and Tony had. Glancing at Tony, he tried to judge the look on his friends face, but all Tim saw was a knowing kind of shock that echoed his own.
"I'll give you a moment to decide who lives." Tim closed his eyes again and waited for Saleem to leave.
"Well, how was your summer?" Tim heard Tony ask and turned towards them both, watching the scene unfold. They had spent time searching for Ziva; sure that they would be bringing her back in a coffin. Instead, fate bought them to Saleem and now the game had changed; now they were bringing the S.O.B down and rescuing their dear friend and teammate.
"Out of everyone in the world who could have found me, it had to be you." Ziva's voice was soft and heavy with a sadness that betrayed her stoic demeanour and gave Tim an insight into how she was feeling.
"You're welcome. So, you glad to see me?" Tim frowned at Tony's bluntness. He was trying to be strong, but truthfully the months of searching and working the case had taken its toll on all of them; more so on Tony whose façade crumbled more and more with guilt over Rivkin…or rather, guilt over how badly Rivkin's death had impacted Ziva.
"You should not have come." Ziva replied softly.
"All right then. Good catching up, I'll be going now." Tim watched as Tony tried to stand, but is stopped by his restraints. "Oh, yeah, I forgot. Taken prisoner."
Tim was about to say something to Tony. He wanted to shout and tell Tony to stop being an arse, but before he could, Ziva asked him a question.
"Are you all right, McGee?"
Well, wasn't that the million dollar question. Was he alright? No, not really. The more he laid there, the worse the tingling numbness got.
"I'm just glad you're alive." He replied and glanced at Tony who was scrutinizing him with a frown. Of course, Tony knew he wasn't, but there was no need to worry Ziva just yet.
"You thought I was dead." Ziva asked unaware of what was silently going on between the two men.
"Oh yeah." Tony's focus returned to Ziva.
"Then why are you here?"
"Well, McGee…McGee didn't think you were dead."
"Tony, why are you here?"
"Couldn't live without you I guess." Tony answered honestly; not that he could lie given the drugs coursing through his system.
"So you will die with me. You should have left me alone." Tim felt his heart sink like a stone. Sure, there a small chance that they would die, but Gibbs was still out there and there was no way the Boss was going to leave his team to die, including Ziva. That was not all that broke his heart though. Ziva wasn't one for giving up and the defeatist attitude she currently held gave hint to the fact that her spirit had been broken.
"Okay, tried, couldn't. Listen, you should know I've taken some kind of truth serum, so if there's any questions that you don't want to know the answer to…"
"I did not ask for anyone to put themselves in harm's way for me. I do not deserve it." True, she had not, but she apparently didn't know them that well. They had mounted this mission to find her and they sure as hell wasn't going to leave without her now.
"So what are you doing out here, some kind of monastic experience? Doing penance?"
"Tony…" Tim groaned with weakly with despair. Now was not the time, but it was obvious that his two friends had either ignored him, or simply not heard him at all.
"It is justified."
"Get over yourself."
"I have…Now you tell Saleem everything he wants to hear. And you have to try to save yourselves. I am ready to die."
"That's not how it works." Tim said a little louder so that he could be heard this time. He frowned as the words slurred but didn't care. They didn't have time for this.
"How what works?" Ziva asked.
"The plan."
"You have an escape plan?" Tim narrowed his eyes at Tony when he winked and clicked his tongue. "Tony…they have 30 men, heavily armed. They have anti-tanks and anti-planes weapons. What do you have?"
"Well, that's where things get a little tricky."
"Tricky? Tony, hacking into the CIA and other government agencies is tricky. This…this is…"
"Have a little faith, Probie! Trust me, hacking…not tricky. You could do that in your sleep. This is just another day in the office for the good ole MRCT."
"Apparently your days in the office are different from mine." Tim argued. "Ziva, we have a plan. It might not work, we're willing to try if it means we all get out alive."
"Okay. How….how did you two get here?"
"We were scouting the area using a mapped out grid. Originally, we were looking for Saleem…" Tony started to explain.
"Scouting the area?" Ziva shook her head sadly. "That was dangerous…"
"Yeah…" Tim agreed and picked up the story. He told her of how they travelled in the jeep; of clearing one area and just as he was calling it in, they were apprehended by Saleem's men."
"Our little Probie has some language skills." Tony huffed out. "Don't know what he said to them, but…"
"Tony, please." Ziva pleaded, wanting to know the rest of their story.
"Sorry. We were ambushed. Tim took a punch to the face and we were brought here."
"McGee, are you sure you are okay?" Ziva asked gently.
"I'll be fine."
"Sure you will, McGoo. Anyway, everything went to plan."
"Wait…you got captured on purpose?"
"Yeah." Tony whispered so as not to be overheard. As odd as it sounded, they were actually right where they wanted to be.
"These men are killers, Tony." Ziva dropped her voice to a whisper too knowing that if whatever plan they had concocted was overheard, then they would all surely be dead.
"I know. That's why we have to stay alive long enough to not get dead."
"That would involve being rescued." Ziva replied sadly. In her mind, the chances of that happening were slim to none.
"Yes it would."
"How long will it take?"
Tony shrugged slightly. "I don't know. How long do you think I've been talking?"
Ziva stiffened in her chair and leaned forward as much as her bonds allowed. "What's the plan?" she hissed, her anger rising. Part of her understood why they had done what they had; but what she did not understand was how they could pull it off without effectively getting them all killed.
"Oh, well…" Tony explains and glances towards Tim who was watching the exchange quietly. "We fail to contact Dubai, word gets to the carrier group in the Med and they scramble F-22 Raptors that burn sand into glass. How long it's gonna take, I don't know. Hours or…days."
Tim lay there, noticing the way Ziva's shoulders slumped. The plan itself sounded good in theory, but now that they were in the mix of it; bloodied, beaten, drugged and bound, it seemed farfetched. He was pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of the key turning in the door.
"Ziva, can you fight?" Ziva frowned and nodded once before the door opened and Saleem entered, carrying a knife.
"Oh, hey, Saleem. What's up, man? What's the commotion?"
"We're moving out." Saleem replied and moved further into the room to stand behind Ziva.
"Oh, well, that's good. I was getting kind of tired of this place." Tony's attempt at keeping the mood light fell on deaf ears. Tim and Ziva knew that it took a lot for Tony to completely lose that sense of humour that could be grating at times, but It usually managed to alleviate some degree of stress within them, not that they'd ever admit to that.
Tim watched with barely open eyes as Saleem moved towards the window to glance out of it. "We're not taking prisoners."
"Oh, well, okay, it was nice talking with you." Tim frowned internally and wondered just what it was Tony was doing. There had to be a point to his taunts. In the midst of his thoughts, Tim's eyes snapped open at a scuffle and what he saw turned his stomach. He had to do something! Saleem had Ziva's head pulled back and a knife to her throat.
"No. We're not done yet."
"If they do not check in, their people will come looking for them." Ziva bit out.
"Ziva, shut up."
"Kill me. You'll need the Americans for leverage." Ziva ignored Tony's warning and carried on trying to bargain with Saleem.
"I don't make bargains."
Tony frowned briefly and glanced at Tim who just nodded. Taking a deep breath, Tony interjected, "Do you make pizza?"
"What?" Saleem asked, confused at the seemingly random question. He didn't have long to ponder it because Tim took the opportunity to kick out at their captor's legs, knocking him to the floor. Saleem's knife skittered across the concrete and Tim knew he had to get to it. That knife was the only chance he had at levelling the playing field. Despite being bound and injured, Tim grabbed at the knife but was too slow as he found himself looking down the barrel of a gun.
"Stop! Stop! There's something I haven't told you yet." Tony pleaded desperately. Saleem's aim didn't waiver and he kept his gun trained firmly on Tim.
"And what is that?"
"Well, I told you about the brains, I told you about the guts, I told you about the muscle, the scientist, the politician, the leader. I told you about every member of the team except myself. The part I play."
"Which is?" Saleem replies as he stands up from his position on the floor. Tim felt relief flood through him as the gun was aimed elsewhere, but still, the situation was dire and chances are Tony was only buying a little bit of time for them all before execution.
"I'm the wild card. I'm the guy who looks at the reality in front of him and refuses to accept it. Like, right now I should be terrified, right? But I'm not. 'Cause I just can't stop thinking about the movie True Lies, you know, where Arnie's strapped to the chair and shot full of truth serum then he picks his cuffs and kills everybody. You have 30 seconds to live, Saleem."
Saleem's nervous laugh rings through the makeshift cell. "You're still bound. You're lying."
"I can't lie. And I didn't say I was going to be the one to kill you. Remember when I told you my boss was a sniper?"
Tony's timing could not have been better as a bullet whizzes through the window and straight through Saleem's head. It was a kill shot born of experience and a sharp eye; one that only one man they knew could make. Ziva gasped into the room.
"Gibbs…"
"Well, didn't think we'd leave him in DC did'ya?" Tony asked. "Probie!"
"On it." Tim replied and scrambled as best he could to grab the knife. Once his fingers slid over the rubber hilt, he grasped and turned it so that he could use the blade to saw through his ties. Given his position, it took a little bit longer, but once free, he slowly stood up and made his way over to Tony. "I'll do you next, Zee."
Ziva nodded and frowned at Tim's slow, sluggish movements. "McGee, are you alright?"
"I've been better. No time to worry about it now." Gunshots rang through the corridors outside their cell and Tim glanced up to see a guard entering.
"Okay, look out!" Tim ducked at Tony's warning, but carried on regardless, only sparing a passing glance at the guard as he went down with a bullet through his chest. "We've got to go!" he said and nudged Tony's arm to let him know he was free. Moving to Ziva, he was vaguely aware of the tingling sensation that was slowly making its way down his legs.
"McGee…Tim, look at me." Ziva had turned as much as she could. "What is wrong? You are…your movements…"
"Said he hurt his back, Zee. Stubborn…"
"Hey!" Tim shouted. "This, is not the time." He carried on cutting through Ziva's bonds. "When we get out of here, we can all get the medical attention we need, for now, let's just concentrate on getting out of this complex." Tim stood up and reached down to help Ziva stand. She started to shrug him off, but the months of captivity and the beatings took their toll and her legs were weak. "Not the time to be stoic, Zee." Tim grabbed her arm and hauled her up, ignoring the sharp twinge of pain in his back. Tony moved to her other side and both men slung one of her arms over their shoulder.
"Come on. Here we go. All right!" Tony soothed as they made their way out of the room and down the corridors. Ziva slowed briefly. "Come on, all right, Ziva. Here we go."
His repetitive words seemed to have an effect and she picked up the pace only to have Tim wince with the hastened pace. Tim knew that his injuries were worse than he was making out, but adrenaline kept him moving forward. He just hoped his limping and the gun hanging listlessly in his left hand wouldn't be noticed. He was lost in his thoughts and the drive to get out and didn't notice one of Saleem's men come up behind them. There was a sharp blow to the bottom of his back and Tim's legs buckled beneath him. The numbness instant and incapacitating.
"Tim!"
"Probie!"
A shot drowned out their cries and the guard that had attacked dropped with blood gushing from a head wound. "Gibbs?" Ziva asked quietly and knelt down to her fallen friend. "McGee…Tim, where does it hurt?"
Tim frowned and shook his head. "It doesn't." he panted out, panic prevalent in light of the situation. "Ziva, I'm…I can't feel my legs."