A/N Just wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to read and review. I really appreciate it!
CHAPTER NINE
Emmy found her father in his little cabin he kept about a mile from the house. Those select few that knew of its presence believed it was where the good Reverend went to meditate and commune with the Lord. Emmy knew better. Other than the front room which was furnished in a simple, rustic style in case anyone should inadvertently come by, the cabin was fixed up like a luxury condo with all the latest in electronic gadgets. This was where Dewey Clayborn hung out.
McAbee was sitting at his computer, a Jack Daniels near at hand and a cigar firmly clamped between his lips. "Hey, sweetheart!" he greeted his daughter when she came in. "Where you been?"
"NCIS headquarters," she said flatly pouring herself a glass of wine before settling into a large leather sofa. "Dad, I think we got problems. They know I was married to Noah and they think he was bitten during one of the services."
"Damn," cursed McAbee turning to look at her. "What did you tell them?"
Emmy shrugged. "The usual drivel. That his faith wasn't pure, he was dead to us, yada, yada, yada. You know the drill. But I think they're close to figuring out who we really are. I do believe it's time for the good Reverend McAbee and his dear daughter move on to greener pastures."
McAbee cursed again as he rose to his feet and began to pace the room. "We're runnin' outa places to go, Emmy dear. We need more cash before we can leave the country and settle down someplace. How much more do you think we coulda gotten out McGee?"
Emmy cocked her head as she thought. "Well, he told me he had another $250,000 in cash mostly from his book sales. I think he's also got quite a bit invested stocks, bonds, you know, that kinda thing. His book was really successful and of course, there are also the royalties."
"Hmm," said McAbee thoughtfully, "I think it's time we reeled McGee in. You shoulda seen the look on his face when I told him you dreamed of being his wife! If it hadn't been so pathetic, I woulda laughed. Putting that poor sap out of misery will be doing him a huge favor!"
Emmy looked a little troubled. "Do we really have to kill him off?" she asked.
McAbee turned and stared hard at her. "You aren't goin' soft on me, are you? You know full well we'd never get the money if we don't get rid of him. Don't you remember what happened with that Franklin fella?"
Emmy looked down at her wine and nodded. Oh yes, she remembered. He's what started all this. Jake Franklin had been a big, good looking guy down in Alabama and the owner one of the largest pig farms in the county. Not exactly glamorous but definitely lucrative and Emmy had managed to lure him into their church. Under the influence of the elixir, he had fallen for her hook, line, and sinker and became highly active in the church but Emmy couldn't convince him to donate any money. So, she married him, thinking that as his wife, she would have more control over his money. She couldn't have been more wrong. She quickly discovered Jake was a monster in his own right who'd been playing her like she'd been playing him. He beat her savagely and threatened to expose her and her father if they didn't toe the line. Sadly for Jake Franklin, he was the first in a list of young men to die in unfortunate accidents. In his case, he'd gotten drunk and drowned in the sewage holding pond on the farm. At least that's what the police report said. Emmy quickly sold off the farm and the money was soon safe and sound in an offshore account but the experience had convinced her and her father that getting rid of the guy was the best policy.
McAbee resumed pacing. "We gotta get you two married quick as possible. As long as that dolt is under the influence of the elixir it shouldn't be too tough for you to convince him of a speedy wedding. Then, I think it might be time to introduce him to Beelzebub." He laughed as he took another gulp of his whisky. Emmy simply sighed in resignation and got to her feet.
"I guess I'll go look for Tim." She paused thoughtfully. "You know, I think that elixir is hitting him a lot harder than the others. He doesn't look too good."
McAbee shrugged. "Well, maybe that'll do him in for us but you better hope it's not before we get our hands on his money."
Emmy placed her wine glass on the bar and nodded as she left. She certainly didn't love Tim McGee but she did feel a little sorry for him. He really was a decent guy and didn't deserve any of this but what could she do? This was business and in the end, money was all that mattered.
Tim wandered into the empty church building. He felt so weird, so disconnected from the world. It was hard to explain. One moment, he would be experiencing a joyful euphoria so powerful he thought his heart would explode. The next moment, he would find himself in the pit of darkest despair contemplating ending his own life. Last night had found him standing on the edge of an abyss in the mountains wondering if he should take that one extra step. Only thoughts of Emmy brought him back. His thoughts were jumbled and confused. He couldn't seem to concentrate on anything. He'd hardly eaten or slept in days. He lived for the nightly services and for the moments he could spend with Emmy. But every now and then thoughts of his former life would seep through. He could hear his parents and sister calling to him. He could see DiNozzo's cocky grin or Ziva's mysterious smile. Abby's face would suddenly appear in his thoughts and he could imagine her scolding him for his foolish behavior and demanding he come home to where he was loved. Loved. Ha! McGee shook his head with a bitter grimace. They didn't love him there. They were simply work associates. They tolerated him because they had to but they didn't really care who sat in the computer geek seat as long as the job got done. He imagined Gibbs was delighted to finally get rid of the bumbling McGee.
McGee sat down heavily on one of the pews; his head suddenly pounding as nausea roiled through his gut. He felt awful. He looked towards the altar and wished he had more of the elixir used during the services. That always made him feel so much better. He chewed on his lip for a moment. Maybe he could find where it was kept. Just a little wouldn't hurt anything but could make a world of difference to him. He climbed unsteadily to his feet and gripped the pew back as the world spun around him. He took several long, deep breaths to steady himself before moving on.
He looked quickly around the small kitchen but found none of the distinctive bottles of elixir. He now faced the storage room door. The snakes were in there he knew, but what about the elixir? Despite the chill in the air, McGee was sweating heavily and his hands were shaking. He turned the knob and almost cried when he found it locked. He knew he should have expected that but the reality of it was like a physical blow. With a snarl of anger, he began to throw himself physically at the door, his desperation giving him the strength to finally break through the flimsy paneling. Panting, he cast around wildly for the bottles. With a cry of relief, he spied one on a shelf above the snake cages. Snatching it up, he was immediately disappointed to find it was nearly empty but perhaps that was a good thing. He yanked off the top and gulped down the overly sweet contents in a single swallow. Dropping the bottle, his knees gave way and he slowly collapsed onto the floor. Within moments, he sighed in relief as he could feel the magical substance take effect.
His smile of relief quickly turned into a grimace of pain as his body abruptly contorted itself into a painful convulsion. His face and neck stiffened and his legs and arms began to spasm uncontrollably. His teeth clenched so tightly he thought they would fracture and he could barely breathe. The convulsion seemed to go on for hours but in reality was only a minute or two but when McGee's body finally relaxed he lay panting and exhausted. That had never happened before! He thought in dismay. Slowly, shakily, he sat up and leaned against the wall, his eyes closed as he tried to calm his wildly beating heart.
It's because you took it when you weren't supposed to, idiot! McGee scolded himself. Like handling the snakes, the elixir was only meant for the services. He opened his eyes and looked across at the cages of snakes. He felt as if they were all regarding him with hard, accusing eyes. He was just as big a bungler here as he had been in NCIS. For one reckless moment, he seriously considered just thrusting his hand in the cage with the snakes and letting them bite him. Just end all this bumbling once and for all.
"Tim?" McGee looked up with heavy, bloodshot eyes to see Emmy standing in the doorway, her face creased in concern. "Oh my, Tim, what has happened to you? Are you all right?" She hurried over to him and took his hand in hers and gently kissed it.
McGee looked away, fighting back tears. He didn't deserve this wonderful woman. She could do so much better than him. "I'm fine, Emmy," he muttered still not looking at her. Emmy noticed the empty elixir bottle but said nothing.
"No, you're not," said Emmy mournfully. "You are suffering greatly and I believe I know the cause."
Now Tim looked at her in confusion. Emmy smiled at him, tears shimmering in own round blue eyes. "I love you, Timothy McGee." She leaned over and now kissed him hard on the lips. McGee's eyes opened wide in surprise but he quickly responded.
After a few moments he pulled away and looked nervously at the beautiful young woman beside him. He took a deep breath. "Emmy," he began swallowing hard, "I know I don't deserve you but you are the most wonderful, the most beautiful woman I have ever met in my entire life and I…I…uh…wonder if you would do the honor of becoming my wife." His mouth snapped shut and he realized he had never felt so terrified in his entire life. He glanced quickly at Emmy, afraid of what he might see. There were tears in her eyes and for just a brief instant, he thought he saw pity there but then she smiled.
"It would be my honor," she said and she kissed him once more.
