Wednesday
Chapter 4
Early Wednesday evening, the team returns to NCIS Headquarters after finding the waterproof box at the bottom of the Tidal Basin which they've been searching ever since late Tuesday morning. The new-found evidence, the copy of the fifteen-year-old disk which is now in their hands, will put Marcus Frank behind bars; inside a Federal prison. The team walks into the bullpen. Tony is dripping wet; leaving a trail of water behind him. Gibbs walks to his desk. He places the waterproof box on the desk and sits down.
"I'm glad we finally found that disk." Ziva stated.
"And I'll be glad to finally get out of these wet clothes." Tony said.
"You shouldn't have made that bet with McGee." Ziva said.
"Yeah Tony… Though it was rather fun shoving you in the water after you got dressed." McGee said.
"Well if you didn't snatch the waterproof box as I was reaching for it, you little cheat." Tony said.
"It's not my fault you were too slow to grab it." McGee stated.
"You pulled my air tube!" Tony exclaimed.
"Ha-ha!" Ziva laughed.
"You never laid down any specific rules for the bet." McGee stated.
"But pulling a dude's air tube?!"
"I thought it was a water snake attacking you." McGee replied. "I was trying to save you."
"What?! Save me from a water snake trying to steal my air supply?!" Tony exclaimed. "Boss, can you explain to McGee it wasn't fair for pushing me in the water when he cheated."
"Why?" Gibbs wondered. "I thought it was rather funny."
"Oh yeah, you all get a big laugh at Tony's expense." Tony stated. "Ha-ha."
Ziva walks up to Tony and pinches his cheeks.
"You poor, poor thing…"
Suddenly, Gibbs' cell-phone rings. He answers it.
"Did you think your search of the Tidal Basin would go unnoticed?!" Marcus stated.
"Well, well… If it isn't my good buddy Marcus." Gibbs said being sarcastic. "I got you now."
"I beg to differ, Gibbs. You think I wouldn't find some collateral?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Let's put it this way… You have something I want. And I have something you want."
"What could you possibly have that I would want?" Gibbs laughed.
Marcus places the phone to Jamie's mouth.
"Jethro!" Jamie exclaimed.
Gibbs immediately jolts up from his chair.
"If you lay a hand on her, I swear…"
Tony, Ziva and McGee are now looking at Gibbs in concern because they realize Marcus has Jamie for a hostage.
"You swear what, Gibbs?!" Marcus exclaimed. "I put two bullets in her leg. Let's see what happens when I do touch her."
"Don't do it!"
Marcus slams his hand onto Jamie's left leg. He squeezes the wound as hard as he can.
"Aaaahhhh!" Jamie cried in pain.
"Marcus, you son-of-a-bitch!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. You swore you would do something if I did touch her, didn't you?"
"I'm going to kill you!"
"I'm so scared, Gibbs. I'm shivering in my boots." Marcus said sarcastically. "Unfortunately for you, Gibbs… You're not in the position to be making threats or even demands."
Marcus slams his hand onto Jamie's leg and squeezes the wound again.
"Aaaahhhh!" Jamie cried.
"Alright! Please stop!"
"I'm finding it to be quite fun actually."
"The disk is yours." Gibbs stated. "But what makes you think I didn't copy it already?"
"Cause I know you just found it a little while ago. And I'm not going give you enough time to copy it, Gibbs. I want to trade. The disk for the girl…" Marcus makes the offer. "If not… Than Jamie will be in the news… And I don't mean in a good way."
"Where? And when?"
"You know how to get to Fort Washington, Maryland?"
"Yeah…"
"Go to Fort Washington. Get onto Old Fort Road East. Turn left at the very end and go straight down the road until you come to an abandoned storage area. Enter the storage area from the South. Drive up to the storehouse with a large opening. It looks like an airport hanger to put small planes in. You have forty minutes to be there or she dies. And come alone. Cause if not, you know what will happen…"
Marcus slams his hand onto Jamie's left leg and once again squeezes the wound.
"Aaaahhhh!" Jamie cried.
"Alright! I got it! I'll be there!" Gibbs exclaimed. "Please stop doing that. You win, okay."
"You should get moving, Gibbs. The clock is ticking. You don't have much time."
Gibbs closes his cell-phone. In anger he throws the phone against the wall. Upon impact, the cell-phone breaks into a bunch of little pieces. The rest of the team watches as Gibbs places his hands under the edge of his desk, in the middle section of it. He lifts the desk upward. Everything on top of the desk crashes down onto the floor. The desk itself finally drops onto its front side. Papers, files, pens and all loose things that were on the desk are now scattered on the floor. Gibbs walks around the fallen desk, grabs the computer monitor and slams it on the floor. The monitor shatters. The team just watches as they've never seen Gibbs this angry before. With not knowing how Gibbs will react to them if they say anything, they all remain silent. After a minute Gibbs finally calms down.
"Want us to come with you, Boss?" Tony asked in a slightly cautious, yet concerned manner.
"Marcus is too smart. He probably has something setup or planned." Gibbs replied. "I have to go alone. It's the only chance Jamie has of making it out alive."
Gibbs walks over to Tony. He grabs Tony's hand and places his badge and gun into it. Tony can't help but think about the familiarity of this.
"Hold these until I come back."
Gibbs walks to the elevator.
"And what if you don't come back, Boss?" Tony shouted.
"Then McGee will have to start calling you Boss again, DiNozzo."
"You bring her back, Gibbs!" Tony exclaimed.
"I will…"
While standing in front of the elevator, Gibbs takes a moment to look at his team. The team stands helplessly in bullpen looking back at him. Gibbs knows this might possibly be the last time he ever sees them. To Gibbs, the familiarity of standing in the same place after giving Tony his badge finally sets in, but he knows this time is different. This time, he may never come back alive.
"Semper Fi." Gibbs said.
Gibbs turns and steps into the elevator. The elevator door closes.
Gibbs walks to his car and gets in. As he starts the car, Abby begins pounding on the window. Gibbs rolls the window down.
"Gibbs, let me come! I want to come! I can help!" Abby exclaimed.
Abby pushes her head into the car and wraps her arms around Gibbs' neck. Abby starts crying because she fears for her best friend's life.
"I'm sorry, Abs. I have to go alone."
"Jamie is my best friend. You bring her back alive. Please… Promise me you will."
"I promise."
"You're just saying that."
"Is it helping?"
"Yes."
"I have to go now, Abs. I don't have much time and it's a bit of a drive from here."
Abby pulls herself out of the car and stands next to it. Gibbs looks up at Abby. He motions for her to lean down. Gibbs wipes Abby's tears away. He gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. Abby leans back. Gibbs puts the car in motion and drives away.
"Semper Fi, Gibbs. Semper Fi." Abby said softly to herself.
Abby watches as Gibbs' car leaves her sight.
