Nothing. Slow breathing marked the time. They couldn't understand, it wasn't going through. Tim's face was twisted into utter befuddlement, caught between a laugh and a grimace.
"Tony?" His voice verged on panic, filled with disbelief. One of the FBI agents stepped forward, stretching out a large hand.
"Agent McGee, please come with us." His words were a thinly veiled threat. The man's strong grip on Tim's shoulder pulled him upward. Tim complied in a numb shock, turning around as the man pushed him. The agent was a heavy-built man with pale skin and cropped dark brown hair. The other was a lean, athletic-looking black man with a shaved bald head. He began to recite the Miranda Rights to Tim.
"I know them." Tim interrupted in a mumble.
"All right." The agent cuffed him. "Let's go." He gave Tim a shove towards the door. The other agent fell in step beside him and the two suits channeled him to the door. Taking up the end, Tony passed through the laser beam gazes of his coworkers. His stare was fixed upon the floor until he was shielded in the metal doors.
…
"Hey, cool it Skinner." Tony put his hand on the larger agent's arm, holding him back. Passing a glare at Tony, Skinner loosened his grip on Tim.
The cold of the concrete floor seeped through their shoes as the two FBI agents led Tim past rows of holding cells to the far corner. The keys flashed in hazy, fluorescent glow as Tony fumbled for the right one. Skinner rolled his eyes at his partner. Tiny pieces trundled apart and the bars clinked open. Tony slid them aside, opening the clenched jaw of the dark cave for Tim. He searched for Tim's eyes, but the bright green was shaded by eyelids staring away. The other agent banged the bars shut. Hesitantly, Tony curled the key in the lock and it clicked closed. The FBI agents took off down the hall, disappearing into darkness. Tony walked with slower step, observing Tim, but the younger agent stood motionless with blank eyes. Sighing, Tony faded down the hall behind the FBI agents leaving Tim alone.
It was cold in the cell. There was no warmth offered, not even from the dim light leaking between the bars. The world was dark, painted in molding shades of green, blue, and black. The dampness was leeching the blood from his bones. Disbelief rattled through his skull like a continuously shaking cymbal. Betrayal was a raw wound in his chest, blood inundating his body. With each blink, he carried the hope he would awake to his life but with each blink he found himself in the same shattered remnants. Slowly, his bones bent and he bowed his head out of the light.
…
BANG.
"LEON," Gibbs shouted, the doors cracking against the walls. Vance barely flinched.
"Gibbs," He responded coolly.
"Why has MY AGENT been hauled off to an FBI holding cell?" Gibbs shouted, furling and unfurling his fists. The unbridled rage kindled in him jumped through his feet, searing the carpet as he paced.
"He's a traitor." Leon replied, his voice low and menacing.
"WHAT?" Gibbs rounded on Vance, his eyes vicious and cutting.
"Agent DiNozzo has gathered more than sufficient evidence to charge agent McGee with treason. He will prove it to you when he returns."
"We'll see about that." Gibbs slammed out of the room. He quickly thumped down the stairs, charging into the bullpen. Grinding his teeth, he seethed with rage and frustration.
"Gibbs?" The gentle, worried whisper calmed him. His fingernails released their bite on his palms as he turned to face Ziva. Her brows were creased with worry, her chocolate brown eyes searching his, melting with anxiety. "What is going on?" She squeezed his arm, pleading.
"McGee is going to be charged with treason. The director says Tony will convince us when he gets back." Gibbs responded softly.
"What is going to happen to Tim?" She couldn't keep a slight tremor out of her voice.
"I promise you," Gibbs took her hand off his shoulder, tangling their fingers. "He will be alright." He placed a delicate kiss on her knuckles. A trace of a smile haunted her lips, her eyes glossy as she returned to her desk. Gibbs swatted a cup off his desk and disappeared into the elevator, muttering about refills. Ziva was left in the empty quiet of the bullpen.
She opened a game of solitaire to fill the minutes, but after a few moments of crushing silence Ziva switched off her computer. Quickly, almost running to escape, she shuffled to Abby's lab.
"Hey, Ziva!" Abby called, somehow sensing her presence in spite of the overwhelming music. Abby's cherry red lips were swung up in her usual smile, her eyes bright and cheery with pigtails swishing. Abby didn't know. It hit Ziva with all the force of the hardest Gibbs-slap, knocking the breath from her. She would have to be told.
"Hello, Abby." Ziva forced a smile.
"What brings you down to Labby?" Abby gestured grandly around the room.
"Abby," She began, the smile falling off her face. Abby's expression plummeted.
"What is it? Did Gibbs retire again? Is Tony alright? If one of them is hurt—."
"Abby." Ziva grabbed her shoulders, stopping Abby's nervous rambling. When Ziva didn't speak Abby resumed her thumb twiddling.
"Who is it? Who's hurt? I swear Ziva," She stopped, shaking her head vigorously. "Just tell me."
"It is Tim."
"How can it be McGee?" Abby jumped out of Ziva's grasp, beginning to pace in circles around her lab. "Timmy doesn't get hurt—Gibbs and Tony get hurt! Timmy only gets psycho girlfriends." She whirled around to face Ziva, eyes wide. "One of Timmy's psycho girlfriends didn't go too psycho on him did she?"
"No—." Before she could get out another word, Abby was off again.
"Then what is it? What could have happened to my Timmy?" She ceased her march in front of Ziva, suddenly still as she waited for an answer with wide, imploring eyes.
"Tony is having him charged with treason."
"What?" Abby screeched. "How could Tony do this? I'm going to talk to him right now!" She made for the door.
"He is not there!" Ziva called, catching her elbow. Abby wriggled out of her grip, instead clasping Ziva's wrist.
"Then I'm talking to Gibbs! Somebody has to stop this!" She trooped to the elevator, Ziva in tow.
…
Gibbs had just sunk into his chair, taking another draught of his fresh brew, when Abby stormed into the bullpen. Ziva hurried behind her, wearing a concerned expression.
"Gibbs!" Abby jabbed her finger towards him. "How could you let this happen? Poor, innocent McGee would NEVER betray his country! He loves NCIS, he loves this team, Timmy would never do such a horrible thing! How could you let Tony accuse him of something like this?" Gibbs sighed. He was going to need to buy more bourbon on his way home today. He stood up.
"Abbs,"
"And where is McGee?" She waved her head wildly, trying to locate her friend. When she turned back to Gibbs, her eyes were wide with fear. "What's happened to him, Gibbs?" He hesitated.
"He's been taken to an FBI holding cell pending trial."
"WHAT?" Abby shrieked, tears blossoming in her eyes.
"Abby, calm down." Gibbs attempted to soothe her.
"Calm down? CALM DOWN? My Timmy is in PRISON!" Gibbs felt the hysteria frothing about in her mind, that brilliant mind that was quickly configuring all the terrible possibilities. Swiftly, he pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him in a death grip, burrowing her face into his chest. He patted her back pacifyingly.
"Everything will be alright, Abbs. I'm going to get McGee out of this."
"But how could Tony even think that he would do this, even for a minute!" Abby gave a muffled sob.
"He's coming back to present the evidence."
"I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!"
"Alright, Abbs." Gibbs continued to pat her back. He glanced past the pigtails to see a stone-faced Ziva watching with cold reservation. A forlorn shadow was cast across her features. He gestured with his arm for her to come over. Not dropping her poker face, Ziva carefully tucked herself into Gibbs' embrace, wrapping another comforting arm around Abby. Slowly, she leaned her head against his shoulder and allowed Gibbs to hug both of them. After a moment, he released them. Ziva kept her arm around a sniffling Abby.
"Let us go back down to the lab." She gently led Abby back towards the elevator. "Call me when Tony returns." Gibbs nodded, watching as they disappeared in the little gray box. His girls would be all right.
