Inconsiderable Rage, unconscionable anger and complete despair was the picture of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And Franks knew it. He'd seen the look in his eyes only once before and knew that nothing on heaven or earth would keep him from revenge. Whether or not the taste of it would help him heal didn't matter. All that mattered now was channeling the fury long enough to survive another day, hour, minute or second.

Tony slipped into the elevator with Ziva close behind. "You do know Vance will be watching us like an eagle."

"Hawk."

"Whatever," she threw her hands up in frustration. "They are both birds." She then watched him fixate on the numbers ascending and switched off the power. "We are not leaving this elevator until you tell me you have a plan."

"Promise?" He almost smiled but soon realized that even he couldn't mask the pain he was feeling. "Look…all I know is the boss wouldn't let the Feds take it over; so neither are we."

"And how do you propose we do that?"

Tony unconsciously scratched his head. "Barricading ourselves in the elevator until Vance gives in could work?"

"I am serious Tony."

Tony raised his voice substantially. "So am I!" He did a 180 turn in the enclosed space and stared intently at his counterpart. "I realize that I may not have the perfect plan but I also realize that no one is perfect…not even the boss." He stopped himself. "Okay maybe a little closer to perfect than most of us, but that doesn't mean he's invincible. First order of business is finding him before we lose him too."

Ziva almost stepped back at his decibel but had been getting more and more used to his outbursts as of late. "I understand your loyalty, but I cannot help but think that Gibbs is a lost cause. He was willing to put his life on the line to catch Kate's killer…and no human being could stop him. He will stop at nothing for Abby…nothing. Not even if it means putting one of us in danger. Perhaps our main focus should be on finding Abby's killer before he makes that sacrifice."

For the first time in days; Tony had listened to every word she'd said. "We help the boss, by not helping the boss?" He watched her nod and gave a shrug of his shoulders. "You do realize he'll kiss us either way?"

"Better that then knowing we did nothing to stop him….and regretting it for the rest of our lives."

Tony agreed. "I'm tired of regret."

Ziva flipped the switch up and faced the doors. "Aren't we all."

Tim had managed to close his eyes for a few seconds and couldn't help but feel the tears break free as his lids crept open. Come on Tim, pull yourself together. His mind was racing in ten different directions. He hadn't been down to see her body; he hadn't stepped foot in her lab…what was next? Not coming into to work period? Or worse yet…not wanting to go home in fear of the memories that would flood his mind. Gosh I hate this. Wish you'd just come back Abs.

"Probie?" Franks had managed to say that name five times before slapping him on the shoulder. "Snap out of it."

Gibbs blinked a few times and only stared to his left long enough to relay what he wanted. He didn't want to talk. He didn't need to talk. What's done is done.

"I don't give a damn whether you speak or not. I'm not used to hearing much from you anyhow, so you can just listen." He cleared his throat. "You called me out here to help…and I wouldn't have come if I didn't think you needed it. But if this is some kind of suicide mission then you better clue me in. Cuz I sure as hell didn't make the trip just to watch you kill yourself Probie…"

Gibbs demeanor didn't change a bit; he continued his stare and focused solely on reaching their destination. That was until Mike removed Gibbs gun from his holster and took aim…

"You want to kill yourself Jethro…then get it over with. Just don't expect me to stand by and watch it…"

Gibbs resisted pulling the car to a halt in the middle of the street and cautiously parked in a nearby plaza. He turned his gaze towards Mike's eyes and swallowed hard. "Point made boss."

"Oh is that right?" His finger remained on the trigger. "Because if I recall, the last time you got news like this you ran off half cocked through a war zone and ended up half dead. The next time you let an assassin get you in his sights…" He swallowed hard. "And the last time…the last time, in Sheppard's home…if I hadn't shown up who's to say you would've gone for that gun…"

Gibbs cringed. "What do you want me to say boss?"

"I want you to say that this isn't the same as those times. That you've lived and learned damnit…"

He shook his head. "I can't say that."

"Why not?"

Gibbs slammed his hands on the wheel. "Because its hurts like hell Mike. And this is all I know how to do…I catch the bastard."

"And kill yourself in the process?"

"If that's what it comes to…"

Mike cut him off. "Well I'm afraid you might be out of almosts Probie…I can feel it in my gut. You may not make it out of this one."

Gibbs reached out for his gun and took it from Franks. "Then that's how it should be." He slipped it back into his holster but not before staring at it for a few seconds. He shifted the car back into drive and focused back on their destination. If he was gonna die; he was sure as hell taking one man in particular along with him.

Donald Mallard had become too accustomed to burying colleagues through the years. And though each time it seemed to get easier; nothing on earth could've prepared him for this. Innocent people often donned his tables; and decades ago even mangled bodies of innocent children. And it seemed that no matter how much time passed the despair was just as raw. There is some ease that comes with seeing a body of a criminal or even a soldier; two people whose choices played a part in their demise. But not his Abigail. To him she was the epitome of innocence; with a heart that loved liked a child and a mind that could conquer the most difficult questions with such simple answers. The one person who had managed to aliven the heart of one Leroy Jethro Gibbs. A miracle of sorts.

So as he let his hand rest on the frame in his hand, he shed a silent tear. Because this time he had no words to comfort himself; no story to distract himself; and no scotch to dull the pain. He had cried for Caitlin; he had cried for Jenny and now it was only fitting that he'd cry for her. His Abigail.

McGee was broken out of his thoughts when his teammates reentered the bull pen. Ziva particularly noticing the puffiness around Tim's eyes.

"We found a lead." She tried to distract from his obvious despair and it seemed to work. At least for the moment.

Tim stood up and opened his desk drawer instinctively. "Then what are we waiting for?"

But just as Tony opened his mouth to speak, McGee noticed Fornell leaving the Directors office. He started towards the stairs when Tony stepped in front of him. "McGee…"

Tim shook his head. "He's involved. The FBI, they're involved. We should be up there. We should be in on this."

"Vance handed the investigation over to them."

"What?" He took in a breath. "Why? This is Abby, we can't let them do this. Tony, we can't let them do this." He tried to move past him a second time when Ziva placed a hand on his arm.

"McGee, we are going to handle this in our own way."

He turned towards her; his face momentarily relieved. "We're gonna get the guy?"

Tony glanced up at the railing and noticed the Hawk himself keeping a watchful eye. "If it's the last thing we do Probie…" He brought his focus fully on McGee. "And it's looking like it just might be."

Tim noticed his gaze but didn't follow it. "Alright."

Ziva soon realized Leon's glares and pulled the two men in close, wrapping an arm around each of them; only half pretending to console. This lasted until Vance was no longer watching. "Coast is clear."

"And here I thought you just wanted a hug." Tony eased away and watched as she stepped aside slowly. "But they'll be time for hugs later; right now we got a couple sons of a mob boss to catch."

Tim sat at his computer; his finger hovering over the key board in anticipation. "What do you need?"

It was then unexpected voice appeared behind them. "A miracle."