Hi everyone I hope to finish this bad boy within the next month or so. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
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Ducky could see the adrenaline literally drain from Tim as he made his way through the waist-high crawlspace Detective DiNozzo suggested they hide in. Tim seemed to forget about the fallen Officer as he lay on his side, gasping for breath, the stress of their predicament too taxing for his fevered state. Sweat poured from Tim's flushed face.
Ducky crawled in after him then knelt, plucking his wet shirt from his body as it immediately plastered to his moist skin. The heat consumed them, making the air difficult to breathe. Perspiration ran down the length of Ducky's spine and he felt nauseous.
Cardboard boxes marked 'decorations' seemed to close-in around them. The crawlspace was stuffy and extremely hot-detrimental to Tim's condition. A small, rectangular window, flush with the floor, lead to the outside but Ducky dare not open it in fear of drawing attention to the snipers. It offered ample light—a meager but valued benefit.
Tim rolled onto his back, still out of breath. His chest heaved.
"Of all times to be out of a Motrin—dammit." said Duck.
Ducky had not heard any more shots since they entered their hiding space but did not plan on leaving till the cavalry arrived. Detective DiNozzo's apartment was orderly and neat. If the pills were not in the medicine cabinet, there was a good chance there were none to be found. Plus, Ducky was in no position to search DiNozzo's apartment for a tiny bottle of pills while being shot at.
He wondered if the local LEOs would reach them before Gibbs and DiNozzo did.
Tim pulled on Ducky's arm, yanking him from his thoughts. "Duck? Get down...I don't want you to get shot."
Duck crouched closer to the floor, more to appease Tim and settle his nerves. "Of course, Timothy."
"I-I-just…was hoping you could…be—careful. They shot up Tony's apartment…Do you think that vase was of any sentimental value to him?"
Ducky ruffled Tim's wet, matted hair. "He can buy another one, Tim. It was probably purchased from Pierre One."
Tim seemed to take comfort in Ducky's gentle nature, his breathe evening.
/
"Did your partner tell you he was seeing anyone?" asked Gibbs.
Tony used an iron-like grip on the 'oh-shit' handle above his head since they left the Four Seasons Inn in Gibbs' NCIS issued Dodge Charger. The man drove like Mario Andretti without the racetrack. Shit. Tony couldn't even muster the courage to let go and put his seat belt on.
Moments earlier, Gibbs received a call from NCIS's medical examiner. While checking in on Tim, Dr. Mallard called to tell Gibbs they were under attack. The Officer Tony assigned to protect Tim was down, killed from a single shot to the head. Good ol' Mac, thought Tony. No more late night poker games in eating pork rinds and drinking Miller Lite and A&W root beer at his bungalow in Freferick. He was gonna miss the little poindexter. Some of the guys liked to call him that because of his love for online games.
"Uh…"
Tony could feel Gibbs' eyes boring into him—not paying attention to the road.
"No! He didn't. Now keep your…uh, eyes peeled. Granny…two cars up, see her? Blue Thunderbird? Looks like she's been hitting the sauce extra early today. I think the only lines she stays in are the liquor ones." Tony eased when Gibbs cracked a smile.
They had collected evidence in the janitor's place of residence, what Tony considered a broom closet off the boiler room at the Inn but nothing they had gathered appeared conclusive or helpful to their case. It was something Forensics would have to figure out.
While they were leaving the establishment they were shocked to see Danny entering the lobby escorting a young woman Gibbs identified as Madam Irene Madorn-a known woman of the night. The incident caught Tony off guard and Gibbs had to tug on his arm so they could quickly hide behind a column close to the elevators.
"Would he really take time off work to participate in a nooner?" asked Gibbs.
"We can't be sure why they were together-"
"True." said Gibbs.
A moment later Gibbs asked, "They signed in as Mr and Mr's John Spacemonkey, does that mean anything to you? Did you know that's the name of a choking game teens play?"
"Uh…No, I didn't. But it is the name of his favorite rock band." said Tony. Tony knew because Danny had asked him to accompany him to Boston to watch them play. Tony liked the band and had had a great time. The good ol' days, he thought to himself.
Gibbs seemed to think Tony's answer over. "Oh..." The 'O' shape Gibbs' lips made seemed to trigger deep thought.
Another horn wailed as Gibbs tapped his brakes, coming close to the car ahead of them.
Tony grit his teeth.
"What's the matter, DiNozzo?"
"What?"
"Usually you're a bit more…I dunno…sassy."
Tony held his breath as Gibbs cut off a driver and their horn blared in response.
"It's just that…I'm scared shit-less right now." Tony glimpsed towards Gibbs to catch a reaction. "The only people I know who drive as fast as you wear a helmet…" Gibbs gave him a flashy smile full of self-admiration and maybe a hint of approval towards Tony's upfront honesty.
"And...I'm worried about Tim." He looked at Gibbs and kept his eyes on him.
The older man's smile dissolved. "Yeah. me, too, kid." Gibbs sat straighter. "Strap in and I'll step it up a notch."
Tony gulped as he frantically reached for his belt.
"Let's go rescue him." said Gibbs.
/
"Ducky! His goldfish! Zoey! They might shoot her!"
"Shh." said Ducky. He cleared his throat. He was so thirsty. "Any minute now, Tim. Gibbs and...Detective DiNozzo should be here."
Tim weakly rolled to his side leaning on an elbow. He started to drag his body to the small door they had entered through.
"Oh no you don't." Ducky grabbed his shoulders. "Don't be foolish. Now simmer down, Timothy and relax. The…uh, goldfish is safe. Her bowl consists of bulletproof glass…A requirement for any police officer or detective purchasing a goldfish as a pet."
Tim's eyebrows furrowed as he gaped at Ducky, studying his face for a hint of humor or just waiting for the punchline. After considerable hesitation Tim started to inch his way closer to the exit.
"No, no." Ducky pushed Tim down onto his back. "Timothy. Gibbs and Tony should arrive any moment and settle this fiasco. They were not that far away when I called them."
"This is all because of stupid me." Tim mumbled under his breath.
Ducky sighed. "I don't believe any of this is your fault..." Ducky sighed, knowing Tim had not heard him.
He was out.
Ducky patted his arm. "It will be okay, Timothy." He whispered then gasped.
A door or floorboard creaked within the apartment.
