Hello all! I have returned... I'm taking this little bunny and running with it. R+R :)

A/N: I own nothing but my shiny little computer. Oh, and the last 5 or so seconds of Twilight? never happened.

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He was exhausted; his wrists ached, his legs were lead, and a sharp, throbbing pain tore through his side with every move he tried to make. The events that led up to this dim haze of his only came to Gibbs in brief, vivid flashes-- instant memories never lasting long enough for his mind to string them together. All he was aware of for certain, was the weight that pressed heavy against his chest.

---

Ari's black SUV. No movement all night. No one in. No one out. Gibbs subconsciously cracked his knuckles against the steering wheel. All of their subversive intel had led them there, but there was a knot, something in his gut. Something told him all was not right. Kate, who had been wide-eyed and diligent at his side from the start of the hunt, was now drooping down in the passenger's seat, her head nodding as she drifted in and out. The worry lines that had been swept across her face illustrating her brush with death, were no longer there.

Gibbs nudged her thigh with a soft push of his hand every so often, just to keep her somewhat conscious. He hadn't seen the need to keep her awake, just as long as he was twice as vigilant. Gibbs took another mouthful of coffee, never taking his eyes from the Suburban, not noticing that his hand still lingered on the seat by Kate's leg.

The air around him grew heavy and the knot in his gut began to grow and twist without tangible reason, causing him to grimace and shift uneasily in his seat. This all seemed too simple. Ari would have seen them by now... what was he waiting for--?

"Kate, I..." his rough whisper was suddenly strangled to silence.

---

Gibbs took a soft but sharp intake of breath, lifting his head with difficulty and trying to open his eyes. Nothing. He blinked several times and discerned that this darkness was not a lack of vision, just a room void of light. He sighed with un-encouraged relief.

He was sitting on a cold metal chair that made his back cramp and muscles burn; with handcuffs securely fastened to his raw and swollen wrists, the chain carefully looped between the slats of the back of the chair, making escape nearly impossible. Gibbs again became aware of the weight against him, as he slowly started to regain his mental balance from what he could only assume had been an ambush upon their little stake out.

His eyes snapped open as his brows rose. It finally registered as to what the mysterious weight was-- Kate was straddling his lap, immobile, head limp on his shoulder with her hands under his arms and seemingly cuffed to either side of the chair.

"Kate..?" He whispered hoarsely. When she didn't respond, he gave her bottom an upward nudge with his thigh. She didn't move a muscle, and he began to panic silently.

"Kate, c'mon..." Gibbs carefully brushed the side of her head with his cheek, subconsciously struggling against his restraints in anxiety. "Kate!" He growled, shouting. He figured being quiet wasn't a concern for them now.

A short fizzle of static came from an intercom somewhere in the tiny room. Gibbs seethed and became instantly still as Ari's voice filtered slow and teasing into the room.

"Agent Gibbs.. there is no need to shout." Ari chastised. "Besides, dear Caitlin needs her rest... I've found 700 kiloVolts takes a lot out of a person."

Gibbs' wrists began to bleed as he fought to get his hands free. He knew it was no use, the cuffs were too tight to begin with, and his wrists were just too swollen.

"When I get out of here..." Gibbs ground out under his breath. "I swear to God--"

"When? You sound so certain, Agent Gibbs...! I would think 'IF' to be a more.. accurate word choice. Now.. if you will excuse me. I still have a bit of business to take care of.. Play nice, Jethro. Do look after Caitlin while I'm gone." Ari's laughing tone was not lost in communication before the intercom cut out.

Gibbs squinted through the darkness, trying in vain to make out even the faintest of Kate's outline. He brought his knees up, nudging and cushioning her to him as best he could. Resting his cheek against her soft hair, her head still lax on his shoulder, he let out a tense sigh.

"Wake up, Katie..." he whispered.

Suddenly the dark seemed unbearable.

...TBC?...