Catch a Falling Star Chapter 2

***a half hour later***

The entire team was assembled in the conference room. Vance had told them that they had a solid lead on Gibbs at last and they had to plan how to rescue him. He looked around the room to assess the emotions before beginning. Abby was excited that they finally had news. Dr. Mallard was pensive as usual. Bishop, Dinozzo, and McGee looked expectantly at him and the stranger. Vance introduced Kade Nelson and told them what he knew so far.

Abby started crying, "We have to get Gibbs out! NOW! Before they do anymore we don't know what to him!" The rest of the team all started talking at once of ideas for rescue. Vance shouted above the bedlam, "EVERYBODY QUIET!" There was instantaneous silence. Kade spoke up, "I know you all want your agent back immediately, but these things take time. I have only limited contact with the ring, and I can't just pop by any time I want. However, I have been invited to watch a fight next week, so I will try to look up the Fox and find more information about him. Here's what I think will work best. Two of you are going to have to go undercover. I am going to drop hints on a new team that possibly will want to join the fights. Then the next time I get invited I will bring you. It will have to be a female owner and a male slave team posing." He looked at Bishop and Abby. "It will have to be someone who can keep her emotions in control, no matter what she sees." Abby looked across the table at Bishop, and quietly said, "I can't do that. I'd lose it if I saw Gibbs. It'll have to be you." Bishop grimly nodded, "I can do it. It'll be the hardest thing ever, but I have Gibbs to think about, and the team will be behind me." Kade smiled with approval, and then gestured to Tony. "You'd do best as the slave, because…well, I have to say it…you are the handsomest of the lot." Dinozzo squirmed uncomfortably. "They look for the pretty ones and you look like you could hold your own in a fight. No offence, Agent McGee." McGee shook his head vigorously, "None taken, Mr. Nelson. You obviously know best. Tony, do you think you can do it?" Tony laughed nervously, "I guess so. I guess women have been trying to boss me around long enough. One of them will finally succeed!" He winked at Bishop. She snorted with amusement.

Vance looked at them, and then said, "Ok. That's sorted. Now let's get to details. Kade, tell me more about…"

***5 days later***

Kade was back with the team in the conference room. He had been to the fights the day before and gotten more information. Vance nodded at him to begin.

"Hello, everyone. As you know I attended the fights yesterday. Yes, I saw the Fox go. He won his fight, just so you know. He's been undefeated so far. His owner is the problem. She is Phoenix. I don't know of any other name for her. Your man is very tough. But she's tougher. I don't know of anyone who could handle the Fox better than she could. I don't mean to give her a compliment but I'm just stating how dangerous she is. Her slaves are among the best. She isn't the one who captured him, but she is the one who bought him and trained him. Since the Silver Fox is so good at fighting, he's going to be valuable. I don't know if you can buy him off her. We're going to just have to wait and see. However, I did say to my friends that I knew of a new woman and her slave that wanted to try the fight scene. They have invited you to come this weekend with me. I'll get to introduce you around. I don't recommend making a move this first time. The second time we go, perhaps we can get to see the Fox. Is that a deal?"

The team agreed that someone as dangerous as Phoenix would require careful handling. Although they wanted Gibbs out as quick as possible, if they rushed things, he would never get out.

Kade worked with Ellie and Tony, teaching them basic slave etiquette. Soon they felt confident that they could pass themselves off as a real team.