Disclaimer : Still own nothing. Just having fun.

WARNINGS : Violence, language, Tony-whump and an armed gunman in a school. This is not an accurate representation of police procedure. It's meant to be a lighthearted action story only.

Author's Note : Thank you so much to everyone who's favorited, alerted and read the story so far. I'm overwhelmed by the positive response. Many, many thanks to those who have left reviews as well. I love seeing what you guys think.

Snowed in today, so I managed to get this edited. Next one should wrap this up.

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11:24am – Main Office –

Glancing over his shoulder one more time, Tony ensures that Rachel's still down and Izzy actually went back to her classroom. The first time he headed back to the office, his skin had started to crawl…just like he was being followed. It didn't take long to locate his tiny shadow, hiding behind a water fountain, her little knuckles going white against her slingshot.

Even though he could probably use the help, Tony didn't think that Steve Barrows would appreciate his daughter helping to take down an armed gunman. So he sent her away, profusely promising to save Tim and take her to the range for target practice someday. He has no idea how he'll explain that one to Barrows, but it's a different problem for a different time.

Inhaling raggedly, he slinks into the main office.

The place is almost like he left it: in shambles…but now, empty.

He sighs with relief, then lowers his weapon. Since Mathers retreated to Pamela's office, Tony has a chance to plan another surprise attack. Tucking his gun into his waistband, he moves to assess his arsenal. The trail of bouncy balls still leads to the hallway and an oozing pile of silly string lies at the entrance. Just by the front desk rests the cardboard cutout of the school's mascot, smiling as though nothing's wrong.

Tony's features tighten at Moe the mouse's jovial expression.

Sneaking into the hallway, Tony collects the bouncy balls and silly string. He moves the mouse cutout to the hallway to Pamela's office, orienting it so that Moe's buck-toothed grin will be the first thing Mathers sees. He plops the mess of silly string on top for good measure. After heading back into the main room, Tony grabs Debbie's desk and pushes it towards the hallway.

The grinding noise is loud enough to wake the dead.

Ducking behind it, Tony yanks out his gun and readies for Mathers.

But when no one comes, Tony tucks the weapon away, then moves the desk until he has a clear shot of the office door. He crouches down again, debating about whether to wait for Gibbs.

Suddenly, a shout breaks the tense silence, making Tony's gut twist.

That sounded like McGee.

Without a second thought, Tony launches one of the bouncy balls at the door.

There's a loud thud, then nothing. Just as he throws another one, the door rattles open. From the eruption of cursing, Tony figures that he must have hit Mathers.

His smirk lasts until he notices the approaching figures.

With an arm around Tim's neck and a gun on his jaw, Mathers forces the junior agent forward. Tony barely registers the red mark in the center of Mathers' forehead. Instead, all he can see are the new black eye and split lip that have joined the other bruises on Tim's face. His eyes are closed again and his breathing grows shakier with every step.

Tony swallows hard, forcing the rage back down.

As soon as the pair reach Moe, Mathers viciously kicks the smiling mouse over. While he stamps on the mascot cut out, Tim bristles and pushes an exhale through his teeth.

Tony chooses that moment to launch another bouncy ball at them.

It slams into the wall, ricocheting with a loud smack. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Mathers whips Tim around to face the noise. When he finds nothing, he swings his gun back to the office, yanking Tim with him as he turns in a tight circle. Tony pulls out his weapon, psyching himself up for the impending confrontation.

"I know you're here, fed," Mathers growls.

"What gave me away? The fact that you told me to come back?" Tony quips.

"Just come out and we won't talk about how you're late."

Tony clenches his teeth, hoping that Gibbs might have achieved warp speed on his way over. But since Mathers' head is still intact, Tony figures the upgrade to the agency cars just wasn't in the budget this year. Swallowing hard, he peers out from behind the desk.

Mathers guards the path to Pamela's office, one arm around Tim's neck and his gun pointed towards Tony's hiding spot. From his position, Tony can only see enough of Mathers to know that he has a receding hairline. He slides further down the desk, then checks again.

There's no improvement in his line of sight.

"Son of a bitch," Tony mutters.

"I heard that. Come out now and I won't shoot your partner," Mathers offers.

Emerging from his hiding spot, Tony aims his weapon at the inch of Mathers' forehead visible behind Tim's. Even though he's always been taught otherwise, Tony hazards a glance at his partner's face. The expression turns his blood to ice.

Tim's eyes are closed, his mouth relaxed, cheeks pale…like he's already accepted death.

Tony could've handled fear, terror, and probably even panic. He would have waxed poetic about movies and annoyed Tim until the junior agent forgot what was happening.

But Tony has no idea what to do with resignation.

"McGee," he tries, "it's going – "

"Where are Rachel and my son?" Mathers snaps, jerking his arm against Tim's neck.

"They're outside. Rachel went to get the car started. You don't want to keep her waiting. Why don't you let Agent McGee go and meet up with them?" Tony asks, rechecking his aim.

Mathers genuinely laughs. "You feds really do think Metro cops are stupid, don't you?"

Tony makes a show of thinking about his reply. "Only when it comes to respecting the chain of evidence, getting a DNA sample or interrogating a suspect."

"Bullshit. We're lightyears ahead of your agency." Mathers shifts his weight, making more of his head visible. "Now, where are Rachel and my son?"

The gun inches back towards Tim.

"Jacob's still in class. He isn't going anywhere with you," Tony growls, relieved when Mathers points it at him instead.

"And Rachel?"

"She's already under arrest."

When Mathers features tighten further, he moves, making more even more of his forehead visible. Tony rechecks his aim, unnerved by the amount of sweat sliding down the grip.

If he's off by even a centimeter…

"Go ahead, fed, take the shot." Mathers jerks his arm against Tim's neck again. Even though he lets out a loud yelp, Tony still can't bring himself to pull the trigger. "See, kid? I told you that your partner wouldn't have the balls to shoot me. Too bad for him that I do."

The crack of the gunshot reverberates and a spray of cinderblock dust rains down as Tony dives behind the desk. Just when he thinks that Mathers missed, fire ignites in his left arm. Clenching his teeth, he slams his back against the desk and lets loose a barrage of curses.

His fingers probe the hole in his new jacket, feeling the tacky blood that leaks from his skin. Even though it's only a graze to his left arm, it stills hurts like hell.

"Tony, tell me you're okay," Tim shouts, terror creeping into his voice.

A hint of smile rises to Tony's lips. Terror he can handle. "I'm fine, Probie. You hanging in there?"

There's a strangled laugh. "Barely."

Shucking off his jacket, Tony takes a second to assess the bleeding before he uses his tie as a makeshift bandage. He grabs his gun off the floor, then peers over the edge of the desk at Mathers and Tim.

"You just made this a lot worse, Officer Mathers. Shooting a federal agent, well, you know what kind of time that'll bring you. I think it's time for you to surrender before this gets any more out of hand."

"Not a chance in hell. I'm not leaving here without my son and I'm going to get him. Time for you to come out, fed."

"Or what?"

"I'll kill your partner," Mathers threatens, jamming the gun into Tim's temple.

When Tim's breathing hitches, Tony cringes, then places the gun on the desk.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming out."

Hands up, Tony stands from his hiding spot. Mathers jerks his head back towards Pamela's office and Tony slides around the desk. His stomach is in knots as he tries to devise a new plan.

Just as he moves past Mathers, a blonde figure pops into the door to the main hallway.

"Hey, Jacob's dad!" a tiny voice bellows.

Everyone turns to look at Izzy, who grins broadly, then tears down the hallway. Recovering first, Tony tackles Mathers and manages to take Tim down in the process.

"Probie, move!" Tony yells as he shoves Tim aside.

Mathers lands a right hook to Tony's face that makes his ears ring. When he goes for another, Tony blocks, then drives his left fist into Mathers' gut. He slams his right fist into Mathers' cheek, but isn't expecting the next retaliation. The right cross to Tony's nose leaves him dazed.

He blinks to clear the stars from his vision.

Suddenly, the gun flashes in his sight and Tony lurches forward. Right before he makes contact, Mathers' body arches sideways and he collapses, unconscious.

When he notices Tim winding up for another kick, Tony slumps against the ground.

"I think you got him," he says, but Tim kicks Mathers anyway.

"You okay, Tony?"

"Yeah, fine. How about you, Tim?"

"I'm okay." Tim manages a brave smile that pulls the split on his lower lip open.

"Good," Tony says, breathing slowly.

Even though he's bruised and handcuffed, Tim is alive...and for now, that will have to do. Tony presses his hands against his nose and cringes at the sticky blood that flows from it.

His arm aches, his face hurts and he just wants to go to sleep.

His eyes close; he deserves the rest.

He took-down two dirtbags (well, Tim did help a little with Mathers), protected a little boy and saved his partner. If anyone's earned a little siesta, it's Tony DiNozzo.

"Hey, Tony – " Tim's foot nudges his side " - do you think you could uncuff me?"

"Shhh, McAlarmClock, it's naptime," he mutters.

And then, Tony passes out.

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11:47am – Main Office –

Fire ignites in Tony's arm, sucking breath away, right before his face begins to pound. He bites back a hiss and focuses on the rough carpet beneath his fingertips. Just as the agony subsides, something jostles his side, restarting the process.

When the object pokes him again, he lets out a low moan.

"Come on, Mom, just a few more minutes?"

There's a snort. "Do I look like your mother, DiNozzo?"

"Boss?"

Tony cracks his eyes to find a pair of Gibbses looming over him. Covering his face with his good hand, he hopes – prays – that one of them will be gone when he checks again. He peers through his fingers, relieved by the sight.

One Gibbs is more than enough.

"How you feelin' ?" he asks.

"Well-rested," Tony says.

With his eyebrows pinched and mouth a tight line, Gibbs studies Tony for a long moment. If he didn't know better, Tony might think his boss is concerned.

"McGee said you passed out."

Tony starts, "DiNozzos don't – "

"Fell asleep. I said he fell asleep, boss," Tim interjects, materializing by his boss' side.

Tony blinks again, surprised to see how disheveled Tim appears. His sportscoat is ripped and his shirt has numerous stains coating it. Even though the left side of his face turns an ugly purple, Tim still smiles. He rubs his wrists and Tony winces at the angry flesh from the cuffs.

"So you took a nap in the middle of the floor?" Gibbs asks.

"Yeah, something like that."

Gibbs rolls his eyes. "How's the arm?"

Tony's features pinch. With all the excitement, he'd forgotten about getting shot. He presses his hand against the tie, feeling the tackiness underneath. When he applies too much pressure, he shudders violently, trying to chase the nausea from his tongue.

"It's fine," he lies.

"Fine, my ass. Go with the EMTs when they get here," Gibbs orders.

"I need to give my statement to Metro."

"Do it from the hospital."

Tony makes a face. "But boss, it's not even bleeding anymore."

"Yeah, Tony, you should go. You don't look so good," Tim offers.

"Neither do you, Mc – " he searches for a nickname, finding none, "Gee."

Gibbs jabs his fingers at him, then Tim. "Both of you, hospital, got it?"

"On it, boss," they chorus.

Gibbs nods, then heads towards Pamela's office.

"Well, we can't say that the boss doesn't care," Tony says, grinning at Tim.

Pushing himself to a sitting position, Tony takes a moment to blink the newest round of stars from his vision. Once they clear, he surveys the room, finally noticing that there are more people here than just the male members of his team.

In the corner where the desk used to be, Ziva talks with a pair of uniformed Metro officers. Just on the edge of them, Pamela and Debbie stand, stone-faced and sullen.

"Were they part of it?" Tony asks, frowning when Tim nods. "Think we should go talk to them?"

"Might not be a bad idea," Tim says, offering his hand.

Tony lets Tim pull him to his feet. After the world stops spinning, he and Tim make their way over to the group. They move in silence, all too aware of the pieces from their standoff still present on the ground. When Tim kicks a bouncy ball out of his path, Tony's features tighten.

As soon as they reach the group, Ziva's eyes glide over them, assessing their injuries.

"You are both had a blast, yes?"

Tony's brow furrows and he meets Tim's gaze. "Right saying, wrong usage, Zee-vah. You get bonus points for nailing the phrase though."

"If you can correct me, then you are fine, Tony. I am glad." She turns to face Tim. "And how are you, McGee?"

"Fit as a fiddle," he replies with a smirk.

Her eyes scrunch as she seems to debate the saying. "I thought that one involved a harmonica."

"Not in this language," Tony says.

Rolling her eyes, Ziva reaches into her pocket to produce a small piece of paper. She passes it to Tony, then winks. "A blonde woman asked me to make sure that you got it."

From the digits that are scrawled on it, one would assume that yet another lady couldn't resist the DiNozzo charm. He straightens his suit, wincing at the ache in his left arm. He feels the blood ooze out from under the tie, further staining his already ruined coat.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Debbie says, sliding into the trio, "but Miss Hastings actually meant that for Agent McGee."

Tony laughs. "Uh, what?"

"While you were passed out – "

"Sleeping," he corrects.

"What?"

"I was sleeping."

"Okay, fine. While you were sleeping, Miss Hastings came down to check on us. Apparently, Izzy Barrows told her that you and Agent McGee were fighting Jacob's dad. Quite the kid, that one." Raising her eyebrows, she shrugs. "But anyway, Miss Hastings left her number for Agent McGee. She said to give it to the agent with the nice jacket."

When Debbie gestures at his chest, Tony glances down at his suitcoat. Caked with blood and fluorescent flakes of silly string, his Zegna no longer resembles the designer outfit it once was. Features twisting in annoyance, he stuffs the paper into pocket of Tim's off-the-rack sportscoat.

Tim begins to speak, cheeks flushing, but Tony shakes his head.

"Ziver!" Gibbs yells, voice echoing from Pamela's office. "In here and bring the LEOs!"

"I am glad that you are both safe," Ziva says, reaching to squeeze her teammates' hands.

Then she's gone, taking the cops with her.

"Thank you again," Debbie says, reaching to pull Pamela over.

When she jabs her elbow into the principal's side, Pamela blinks slowly, taking in her surroundings. As soon as she notices Tony, her face lights up with a megawatt grin. "I'm glad to see that you're doing okay, Tony. Tim told us that you got hurt trying to help us."

"Yeah," Debbie says, "it's thanks to you both that we're still alive."

Appearing to feel better, Pamela swoons. "Both of you were so brave. We never would have survived this, if it weren't for you two. Tim and Tony, you both are incredible…"

Cheeks blazing, Tim coughs and stares at the floor. Tony shifts his weight, grinning at the sight of an EMT just outside the main door. Wrapping his right arm around Pamela's shoulders, he guides her towards her office.

"Actually, Miss Patterson, we're really not that great. But if you'd like to meet someone amazing, let me introduce to my boss. His name's Gibbs and you're going to love him!"

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Author's Note 2.0 : I'm debating about bringing Izzy back in the next chapter. Does anybody want to see her again?