Albatross Chapter 4
Author's note: The poetry at the beginning and end of each chapter are from a poem titled "TheRime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I didn't write it.
The Sun came up upon the left,
Out of the sea came he!
And he shone bright, and on the right
Went down into the sea.
Eleanor Bishop breathed in a breath trying to calm her nerves. She had been silently counting the minutes. Two hours and 14 minutes since Fernando Luis had come back for her response. Her brain spun off into many worst case scenarios. Ellie was terrified that there were no good options. Someone will die, and she would go to jail for the rest of her life. The boat rocked propelling her into the pipe, which caused her to groan. Ellie sucked in another breath trying will the ache. She turned toward her guard. A mysterious woman named Viper.
Ellie watched the mysterious woman and noticed she reminded her of Nick. The brown eyes of her captor never stayed in place once. Her eyes were quickly darting around the room.
Her analysis was interrupted when the door to the left opened. Fernando Luis entered with two men behind.
"Now my sweet. What is the verdict? Will assist us in our masterful brigade." Fernando said in a smarmy accent.
Ellie laughed a hollow laugh and then said in her best agent voice, "Are you crazy? You think I'm going to throw away years of my career so that you can attempt to assimilate my friend. So that you can infitrate NCIS for what some old codes." Ellie laughed again, and before she could speak again, Fernando backhanded her hard on the face, which threw her against the pipe with a loud bang. Ellie bit her lip to keep from screaming. Luis was not to be taken lightly, and she righted herself. Fernando lunged and grabbed her neck with his large hand and squeezed.
"You stupid Girl!" Fernando sneered "Do You think it's just for Codes. No, it's the first step in bringing down the American Government. It will surpass you and me."
Ellie felt her airway close, saw white spots dance before her eyes. And the ever-present fear bubbled over. Fernando Luis was not a joker
Fernando got close and invaded her space as she gasped for breath. "I am going to give you one more chance. Yes or No."
Ellie nodded and said in a strangled voice, "Yes. I'll help"
Fernando released her and laughed a vicious laugh and stormed out.
Ellie sobbed as she slid down to the ground and finally gave in to the fear and pain she had been tapping down since she got kidnapped. She realized that for her to get out of there, she would end up losing everything.
As she huddled into a ball on the ground, She noticed her bracelet. It was a tri-tone gold braided herringbone bracelet. Ellie found it on her desk on her birthday. Finally, talking to Denise in accounting. She mentioned that as she was walking, she noticed Nick placing it on his desk. When Ellie researched the price, it was well over the 250. Ellie didn't know what to make of this gift, especially from Nick. The feelings were reasonably new, and truthfully they scared her but not being with Nick scared her more.
Ellie fingered the delicate chain and decided to put it through the handcuff. Hopefully, Nick will find it, and it will be a clue to save her. She closed her eyes and let the loud rocking of the ship lull her into a restless sleep.
Ten days
11 Nights. Sleepless nights of pacing, push-ups, and feeling like he was undercover again. Nick Torres, was at his wit's end. They had lost Fernando Luis. And with losing Fernando Luis, they had lost Ellie. It was like she disappeared without a trace. All his training told him that Fernando Luis had taken her underground. But Fernando Luis was excellent, maybe the best and Ellie was gone. The only shred of faith left was that Ellie was an excellent agent, and she escaped.
Nick decided that facing down ghosts in his apartment was not the way he wanted to spend his evening. Nick went into work early.
As become a regular occurrence Gibbs was in work as well.
Nick had stopped to pick up his and Gibbs coffee. "Morning Boss" Nick said calmly. Gibbs looked over his paperwork and reading glasses, "Morning Torres. Couldn't sleep?" Nick nodded and responded "Seems to be the trend"
"Thanks for the coffee," Gibbs said, going back to his paperwork.
Nick turned on his computer and started the search once again for Fernando Luis. McGee came in the right on time. And as the Senior Field Agent sat down, Gibbs phone rang.
"Grab your gear!, We got Luis's boat," Gibbs said, running toward the elevator. Nick grabbed his bag and followed Gibbs into the conveyor. Praying they would find Ellie.
The boat was not what Nick was expecting. It was a big beautiful yacht, however down in the hold was a dirty room. With just a pipe and a Chair. On the chair was a scarf. McGee took pictures of the room; there was blood spatter on the floor near the pipe. And a pair of handcuffs on the floor near the pipe.
Nick scanned the room, and something caught his eye. Gibbs picked up the scarf and smelled it. Much like he did at Agent David's office. Nick moved toward the thing gleaming in the sunlight.
"Gibbs, look. It's Ellie's bracelet. She was here" Nick said. "I gave it to her for her birthday. I can guarantee that is her blood"
McGee swabbed the blood and put the sample in his pocket. Gibbs silently watched the room.
"Torres, Ellie is alive. Breathe." Gibbs said steadily.
"How do you know that Gibbs" Nick asked earnestly.
Before Gibbs could answer, his phone rang. Kaise was on the other end saying that Fernando Luis was at the Navy yard and that he was demanding to talk to Gibbs.
Back at the Navy Yard.
Gibbs was ushered up to conference room. Nick walked over to his desk were on top was glass bird. Bright blue and hand blown, this bird was on top of the piece of paper. Nick admired the beautiful small bird.
He looked at the piece of paper.
Nick, I don't have a lot of time. I'm in trouble and will have to disappear for a while. I not undercover have to go dark. I am sorry. Out of everyone who I work with, I will miss you the most. I love you Nick, loved you since you called me Babe and now I'm sorry I won't hear it again. I don't know when I will be back. My grandmother always had a collection of these blue birds in her window, and always said it brought happiness. I hope this brings you joy. Don't dwell on me; this is my choice. I will see you again. Just watch for me at Oak Wild Park. I will leave a yellow ribbon by the oak tree near the flag. I love you, Nick. Be happy and don't look for me. They will kill you. Or something worst will happen. Love Ellie.
'God save thee, ancient Mariner!
From the fiends, that plague thee thus!—
Why look 'st thou so?'—With my cross-bow
I shot the ALBATROSS.