Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS in any shape or form – so please don't sue, all you will get is my crappy car.
Warning: The following story contains violence and mature subject matter, which may be disturbing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
a/n: Words typed in "Italics" indicates that characters are talking using American Sign Language (ASL). In this chapter – whenever Gibbs is signing, he is also speaking for the benefit of the others who are helping him at the scene.
Chapter 4 – 05:00 Saturday Morning
In the bullpen Gibbs was leaning back in his chair, feet up on his desk; sound asleep, Tim's head was cradled in his arms on his desk. Tony and Ziva were both down on the floor behind their respective desks. Gibbs's desk phone rang twice before Gibbs woke up, reaching for the phone. "Gibbs." He listened to the person on the other end, abruptly sitting up. "We'll be there in fifteen." Dropping the phone back in its cradle. "Gear up people!"
Tim bolted upright as Tony and Ziva both jerked up, Tony hitting his head on the underside of his desk, yelping before standing up, rubbing his head. "What's up boss?"
"Metro LEO's reported that a woman was found in Pentagon City Mall. DiNozzo gas up the truck, McGee contact EOD; tell them to meet us there," Gibbs ordered as they all grabbed their guns and kits, heading for the elevator.
"There's a bomb?" Ziva asked as they crammed into the elevator.
"The woman is the bomb." Gibbs drawled.
"Uh, why call us boss?" Tim asked.
"Because she specifically requested that we be called."
"Another Naval officer like Petty Officer Roy?" Ziva pondered.
"Maybe it's a copycat," blurted Tony, wincing from Gibbs's head slap. "Thanks boss."
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At the mall Officers DeMarco and Harmon met Gibbs and the others inside the main entrance. "NCIS, what do you have for us?" Gibbs barked, flipping his badge and ID for the LEO's.
"There's a woman tied to a chair in the middle of the food court. She asked us to contact NCIS, asking for an Agent Gibbs," DeMarco reported.
"Who is she?"
"Umm, she didn't say," DeMarco looked down at his memo book.
"Well, what did she say exactly?" Gibbs snapped impatiently.
"That's just it sir. She won't say anything, she just wrote NCIS, Agent Gibbs, and bomb," DeMarco held his memo book out for Gibbs to read, who squinted at the shaky writing.
"DiNozzo set up a perimeter and find out where the hell EOD is. McGee get the jammer and make sure that no one here uses a cell phone or radio. Ziva, you're with me," Gibbs glared at everyone. "Well, what are you waiting for – an engraved invitation?" At his words, every one scattered to carry out his orders.
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Gibbs and Ziva suited up in their protective gear and headed to where the bomb lady was tied up. Ziva looked at the woman, stopping Gibbs. "That is Abby's friend."
"So I see," Gibbs started removing his protective helmet and faceplate.
"What are you doing? You are exposing yourself to danger."
"Randi needs to see my face to understand what I'm saying," Gibbs replied, also stripping his heavy gloves off. "I want you look carefully and see if you can find out how we are going to disarm this bastard."
The two agents carefully approached the bruised and battered woman who was lashed to a chair with thin wire at the foot of the main support column, keeping their eyes peeled for any possible tripwires or detonators.
Gibbs looked around carefully before squatting down on his haunches in front of the petite woman, taking in the stained and torn uniform skirt, the bulky vest, the wire going from the vest to her closed mouth. Randi looked up; meeting Gibbs's strong, reassuring gaze with a beaten down look.
"Hey," Gibbs signed. "We're gonna get you out of that contraption and get you home."
Randi grimaced with pain, and slowly and painfully fingerspelled. "Is Abby okay?"
"Abby is fine, just worried about you."
Randi's eyes followed Ziva's movements momentarily before focusing back on Agent Gibbs and continued to fingerspell. "Sorry for causing trouble."
"Don't worry about that, that's our job. Now can you tell us anything about this bomb?"
"Gibbs, I've checked Randi's bindings, I believe that it will be safe to cut the wires around her wrists."
"Do it," he ordered.
Ziva reached into one of her various pockets, putting out a pair of multi-tool pliers and efficiently snipped the wires; freeing the captive woman's hands. They watched as Randi carefully flexed her arms and hands, wincing as the circulation flowed back into her hands, causing the shredded skin to throb with pain.
"What time is it, Agent Gibbs?"
"It's 6:30 am," Gibbs replied. "Why?"
"Director Sheppard, is she safe? Tell me that she's okay?" Randi signed frantically.
"Director Sheppard is probably in her office. Why are you asking about her?"
"Because I think that these guys plan on killing her. This bomb is just a distraction."
Í remember overhearing the Director saying something yesterday about a speech this morning," Ziva remarked.
Gibbs turned towards Ziva, ordering. "Go get DiNozzo to call the Director and tell her to keep her ass in the office where it is safe. And to send someone to sweep the area where she is supposed to be."
"Right away Gibbs," Ziva turned and then said. "I believe that EOD has finally arrived."
"About damn time," snorted Gibbs before turned back to Randi. "Our bomb experts are here and they are gonna defuse this sucker."
Two heavily armored soldiers approached cautiously. "Special Agent Gibbs?"
"Yeah. And you are?"
"Fraser and DeWitt, sir."
"What in the hell took you so long to get here? Ah never mind that. Just disarm this damn thing so we can all go home."
"Did she tell you anything about the bomb?" Fraser asked.
"Her name is Randi," Gibbs snapped. "And no she didn't."
"Randi, did the people who did this to you tell you anything about the bomb," Fraser spoke thru his protective headgear. When Randi didn't respond. He asked. "Sir?"
"She's deaf Sergeant," Gibbs snapped and then turned to Randi signing. "Did the bastards tell you anything about the bomb?"
"They put what they called a 'Deadman's Switch' in my mouth. They told me that if I tried to spit it out or stop biting down on it, that it would make it explode."
Gibbs turned his head muttering. "Damn those bastards." Turning back to face Randi. His head jerked around when he heard Ziva walking up beside him.
"I contacted the Director about the possible threat to her safety. She insists that the speech is too important for her to cancel. She is stubborn, yes?"
"Yah think," Gibbs shook his head. "Alright I want you to go help the agents assigned to the Director's security detail."
Ziva nodded and started to walk away, as Gibbs swung around to face Randi. "Randi, can you tell us anything else about this bomb?"
"They just cracked a joke about me living with the angels," Randi said, tears welling up in her eyes as her chin quivered. "Agent Gibbs, I don't wanna die. I want to go home and see my family again." Her hands trembling from the force of her emotions.
"You're not going to die Randi," Gibbs replied, his hard gaze softening. "Not if I have anything to say about it."
DeWitt started to slide a probe with an attached mirror under the vest; to check for hidden wires which resulted in Randi winching and saying. "Ow, that hurts."
"Be careful with that damn probe," Gibbs barked.
"Sir, it's not from the probe. The vest is lined with some kind of hooks, which are embedded into her skin."
"Can the top layer with the explosives be cut away?" Gibbs asked, looking at the two experts.
"It's possible," Fraser replied.
"'Do it," Gibbs ordered.
"Agent Gibbs."
"Hey, you can call me Jethro," Gibbs smiled one of his rare smiles. "You've earned the right."
"Jethro," Randi replied. "Those men ripped my hearing aids off and put something in my ears."
"Oh?" Gibbs's eyebrows rose, thinking. "Crazy bastards." "I'm going to take a quick look, okay?"
"Okay."
Standing up, the agent examined the petite woman's ears quickly, conferring with Fraser. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yes sir. Its C4 combined with TNT. It would be best if a doctor removes it, I'm scared of hurting her ears."
"Okay," Gibbs nodded, squatting back down in front of Randi, as DeWitt carefully snipped the wires binding Randi's ankles to the chair legs.
"Boss."
Gibbs sighed and then asked without looking around. "What is it DiNozzo?"
"Someone leaked information about the bomb to the press. The media is outside hoping for a story."
"No one talks to them. You tell everyone to keep their mouths shut, or I will personally keelhaul them."
"Got it boss."
"Goddamnit," DeWitt blurted, staring at the vest that was partially cut away from Randi's torso.
a/n: Oh no – a nasty cliffhanger, yeah I know, I'm so evil – heheheheh - Laplandgurl
