Gibbs sped through the streets while dialling an all too familiar number. It was late but he had to call her.

"Gibbs? Is something wrong?"

"Listen your life is in danger. Are you planning on doing anything?"

"Well, I was going to the new mall with my mom,"

Gibbs cursed knowing that was when Sergei would strike. It would be as close to the accident he could get.

"Maddie, I am coming to get you." Gibbs said

"I'll pack some stuff I might need,"

Gibbs was thankful for her understanding. He really didn't have time to explain anyway.

Maddie Taylor got out of bed after hanging up. She knew this was important and so refrained from asking any of the million questions running through her mind. Gibbs had a good reason of that she was sure and he would explain later.

Gibbs shielded Maddie until she was in the car. He told her to catch up on sleep while lying on the back seat. Truthfully he just wanted her out of the range of any lurking snipers.

When Gibbs had gotten to the Navy Yard, he gently shook her awake. They went through security and to the bullpen.

The team was pacing looking quite worried and he didn't blame them.

"Abs, stop pacing a hole in my floor," he said with a smirk as she launched herself into his arms.

"Gibbs I was so worried!"

"Don't be, relax a little," Gibbs said placing a kiss to her forehead

"Uh Gibbs, I might need an explanation," Maddie said

Gibbs nodded at Tony to start the recap," Sergei Mishnev is trying to make Gibbs pay for killing his so called son,"

"He is recreating murders that are personal to Gibbs," McGee carried on, bringing up other pictures on the plasma.

"There is only one left to recreate," Bishop started

"Aunt Shannon and Kelly's?" Maddie enquired

"Yes," Ziva confirmed

"It would have been perfect if I went to the new mall with my mom,"

Gibbs just nodded, knowing that Sergei wanted to cause him emotional pain and that it didn't matter if Shannon wasn't nailed perfectly but Maddie was close enough to Kelly to cause the pain Sergei wanted to inflict.

"Maddie I need to put in protective custody until this is all over,"

"Can't I stay with you guys and help?"

"It's far too risky," Gibbs told her

After some quick phone calls, the FBI had agreed to loan them a safe house and 3 agents on Fornell's request. They were good agents too; Fornell had assured him of that.

Gibbs was personally driving her to the safe house to make sure that she got there safe and sound. His team was not happy about that but Gibbs knew that Sergei wanted him to suffer not die otherwise 'he would have shot me on that roof top,' Gibbs had told them.

He thought how ironic it was that Sergei was avenging Ari and sent the greatest impact with Diane's murder. The feeling of helplessness as the bullet tore through her skull and the crippling guilt afterward.

"Gibbs, are you alright?" Maddie's question snapped him out from his thoughts.

"Uh ya why?"

"I asked you the same question thrice,"

"What question?"

"Why did he choose me? I am sure there are other people whose death would affect you more."

"Maddie, your death would affect me especially if it was because of me but you are the age Kelly would have been and I see Kelly when I look at you," Gibbs decided to be blunt and not hide it like he usually did.

Once Maddie was safe and sound Gibbs was heading back in the early hours of the morning his phone rang.

"Gibbs,"

"Boss, everything okay?" Tim's voice sounded nervous. Must have been coerced into doing it, Gibbs though with a smile.

"Yup, on my way back now. You guys find anything?"

"Yes, Sergei was spotted at an airport in Pennsylvania," Tony shouted from the background

"WHAT! Why didn't airport security take him in?" Gibbs thundered

"He was wearing a disguise, Gibbs," Ziva added

"So how do you know?"

"I was running security camera footage from every airport in places that you have a personal connection too just in case," Abby said

"Call local LEO's," Gibbs directed

"It's no use Gibbs, a man using the same disguise left two hour later," Bishop reported

"Destination?"

"DC," Tony said glumly

"Try to find any trace of him."

"Already heading to the airport. We'll ask around with a picture of him in disguise,"

Gibbs just hung up intent on getting to the Navy Yard as fast as possible. He vowed to end it soon.