Chapter 7

Two Days Later…

Tim lay awake, staring at the ceiling in his cell. Gibbs had been down on and off, and Tony had come to visit as well, assuring him that they were doing everything humanly possible to find AF. Tim wanted so much to be in Abby's lab helping, but that was completely out of the question. The FBI had labeled him as a traitor to his country. Fornell had taken him into interrogation a few times, to ask his own questions. Tim told him what he'd told Gibbs, and nothing more.

Movement at the end of the block put him at alert. He sat up and craned his neck to see what was happening. The door down the hall slid open, and two figures walked through. As they got closer to his cell, Tim swung his legs over the side of the cot. As they got closer, Tim realized who it was, and fresh tears threatened to fall. He got up and went to the bars to meet Ziva and his Mother, Ellen.

"Mom…" Tim whispered, on the verge of tears.

"Baby, it's going to be all right."

"I'm so sorry…" he lowered his eyes as his mother reached through the bars and gently touched his cheek.

"You're going to get through this, just like the last time."

"The last time, you were in the hospital for two months because of that bastard. I can't protect you from in here."

"I'm going into protective custody with Sarah. Agent David has assured me we'll be safe."

Tim looked at Ziva, who nodded quietly in assurance.

"Does Dad know?" Tim asked.

"No, he doesn't. He's deployed Heaven knows where on that horrible ship of his. God forbid he ever talk to his family."

"I don't want him to know," Tim said rather desperately. Ellen smiled.

"Unless I can find a way to call him while he's in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I won't be able to tell him. Don't worry."

Tim smiled briefly. Ziva was happy to see it. She hadn't seen him smile since before all of this happened. She slowly stepped forward.

"Mrs. McGee, I'm afraid I have to take you to the safe house now, to join your daughter."

Tim looked up at Ziva with desperate eyes.

"Can we have a few more minutes?"

"I am sorry, McGee. I was given instructions by Director Vance. If it were up to me, I would give you all night." She smiled.

"I understand."

Ellen put her fingers under her son's chin and leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek. As she did, she slipped something in his hand.

"Have faith, sweetie. You'll be all right."

Tim squeezed her hand one last time, before his Mom stepped back into the shadows and walked away, tears in her eyes. Ziva stepped forward.

"We will find him. You trust us, yes?"

"With my life," Tim responded without hesitation.

"Good. Rest. I shall be back tomorrow to visit."

"Thanks, Ziva. Take care of my Mom."

"She will be safe. You have my word."

She squeezed his hand, and left to escort Tim's mother to safety. Tim looked down in his hand, at the object his mother had placed there. It was a Rosary with clear crystal beads. He remembered watching his Mom pray when he was a kid. She would sit on the edge of the bed, Rosary clutched in her hand, eyes closed in solemn prayer. Wiping a stray tear from his eye, he sat on the hard cot and gripped the beads tightly. He rested his head on the concrete wall behind him, closed his eyes, and began to pray.

NCISNCISNCIS

The entire squad room looked up when T.C. Fornell stepped off the elevator. His face was red with anger, and he was headed for Gibbs.

"I've waited long enough, Gibbs! I want McGee transferred to FBI custody, and I want him now!" Fornell shouted.

Gibbs didn't look up from his paperwork.

"You've had your interviews with McGee."

"He's a traitor to this country, and that's FBI jurisdiction!"

Gibbs jumped up and grabbed Fornell roughly by the collar.

"McGee is not a traitor. If I hear you say that again, Fornell, you'll be breathing between your ears."

Gibbs pushed him away, and Fornell stumbled backward. He stood dumbstruck in the middle of the squad room. The entire room had stopped their activities, and was watching the altercation.

"He's still got to be in FBI jurisdiction, Gibbs," Fornell said in a normal voice.

"Tobias, if you really want to be involved in this case, you can help me find the bastard that is setting McGee up. If you're not gonna help, don't let the door hit your ass on the way out."

Fornell regarded that statement for a moment. He stepped forward and held out his hand.

"Let me see what you've got so far."

NCISNCISNCIS

~Later That Evening~

"Darn it!" Abby shouted, kicking her flat tire with her thick platform boot. She'd been on her way to her favorite club when the flat tire occurred. Jumping up and down to keep herself warm, she took out her phone and dialed Gibbs' number.

"Gibbs! I'm on G street with a flat tire. Can you come out and change my tire?"

"Why are you out alone, Abby? Where's Agent Nelson?"

"He should be following me in his car. He must have gotten caught at that last traffic light."

"Were you trying to lose him on purpose?" Gibbs asked.

"No! I would never!"

"Okay, listen carefully. Get back in your car and lock all the doors, and don't get out until I get there."

"Got it! Thanks! I owe you coffee for a week for this!"

"Noted. Go get in your car."

Abby hung up and headed back toward the driver's side of her car. She didn't see the figure moving behind her as she reached for the door handle. The blow to her head rendered her instantly unconscious.

NCISNCISNCIS

Gibbs arrived to change Abby's tire about 20 minutes after her phone call. He found Agent Nelson standing by Abby's open car door, holding a piece of paper in a plastic evidence bag.

"What the hell happened, Nelson!"

"I was following her, and I got caught up at a traffic light a block back. When I got here, Abby was gone, and I found this."

He handed Gibbs the note.

Tag, you're it… bring me McGee in 6 hours, or she dies.

Gibbs kicked the driver's door shut in anger.

"I'm sorry, Agent Gibbs. I didn't mean for-"

"Nelson, report back to NCIS immediately. Go down to Abby's lab and finish working on that computer. Do not leave that Lab without my permission. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir-Agent-"

"Nelson! Just go!"

"Going."

Nelson scurried off to his car and drove away. Gibbs took out his cell phone as he walked to his car to retreive his gear.

"Leon, we've got a big problem…"

TBC…