FREEZE FRAME 2 – Room Service
Summary: Freeze Frame Episode Two: The team must protect Marley and Abby over a long weekend. Encouraging Marley to act like a kid seemed a good idea at the time. This is an intermittent episode, with a little romance for Gibbs, thrown in.
Warnings: Some bad language.
A.N. Okay, I've laboured over this long enough, still not 100% happy. A big shout out to Harliquinn for the advice.
Chapter 9
CHECK OUT
FREEZE FRAME: CUT to mid shot of Marley being held up off the ground by a large hand. Marley is cringing, with eyes cast sideways and upward, a nervous expression on her face. Convert Black and white. CUT.
CA to Suite Lounge
Gill was sound asleep on the sofa, covered with a blanket Gibbs had placed over her. Gibbs sat in front of the surveillance monitors, scanning the recorded images on one screen while the others transmitted the live feed footage. The screens showed empty corridors and elevators with very little movement in the hotel, except for the lobby, where couples were returning from a Saturday night out and the night shift staff were going about their duties, all adding to the quietness of the night .
The arrival of a rowdy looking bunch just before midnight aroused Gibbs's interest. They looked like a rock band with its small entourage, including personnel that were definitely some sort of security. Dressed in leather jackets adorned with chains, a dress style Gibbs immediately recognized as Goth, they looked beat but not suspicious. Gibbs observed them in the elevators and watched them exit on the floor above theirs; the Penthouse suite, figures. Definitely a rock band, thought Gibbs.
Marley poked her head out through the door and spotted Gill purring contently on the sofa. Gibbs in turn spotted her and placed his fingers on his lips, indicating the need for silence. Marley nodded but stood there a moment watching Gibbs work. Jethro waved the child over, not taking his eyes off the screens in front of him. Marley hitched up her pajama pants and quietly, almost tip toed over to the office space and stood behind Gibbs's chair, where she could get a view of the screens over his shoulder.
With his right hand Gibbs reached across his chest and patted the small hand that rested on the back of his chair near his left shoulder, "can't sleep?"
Marley let Gibbs hold her hand and bent forward to lean her chin on the head rest of the chair. "Ah huh."
"What's up?"
"Nothing, just can't sleep. Not tired."
"How can you not be tired? Everybody's tired."
"Sick and tired of being here, I guess. Sick and tired of me too, I bet."
Gibbs pulled Marley around to the front of him. Pushing his chair, back he pulled her up onto his lap. "I want you to promise me something, Marley."
"What?"
"You won't say things like that anymore. You won't think like that anymore. None of this, NONE of this is your fault. You're safe. I promise I will keep you safe."
"Forever ? You can't keep me safe forever, Gibbs."
"Maybe not forever, Marley. None of are going to be around forever. But as long as we are, as long as I am, I will keep you safe."
"Okay, Gibbs, but how long are you going to be around? Once this weekend is over and the judge accepts my statement and stuff I probably won't see the team ever again."
"Why? You can always visit. Besides, there's still a bit of work to do on this case that we will definitely need your help with."
"Like what?"
"Like, I can't tell you what, yet."
"Why?"
"Because it's not in your best interest to, that's why."
"But, you said you would always let me know what was going on; that if there were things that were going to affect me you would let me in on it."
"And I will. But I didn't give you a when, Marley."
Marley huffed and crossed her arms across her chest "That's not fair. How would you like it if I refused to help you any more, unless you fill me in?"
"I wouldn't like it, and I don't think you would find it all that pleasant either."
"Harummpft…It was a worth a try."
Marley sat there for a while wondering the 'why' about a lot of things; wondering what else could be happening that may jeopardize her safety. There had to be something else, after all Gibbs was getting more protective every day, instead of loosing up a little. Boy! He had his whole team here all the time, just to protect me and Abby. It may have made her feel special and liked, but it was still kind of unusual.
Gibbs and Gill had certainly hit it off. That was really cool, she thought. She had really enjoyed the role play as a family while out in the public areas of the hotel. It was nice to pretend that Gibbs was her dad. I never had a dad and now Gill was her mom, just as loving and caring as Rose, but a little easier to live with, though both of them were sure a lot more bossy.
That last thought made her chuckle. Gibbs looked at her profile and squeezed the arm he had wrapped around her. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, but,"
"But, what?"
"Gill…mom and you?"
"Gill and I have become very good friends."
"And good friends stick around, right Gibbs?"
"Yep."
"Do you want more?"
"That's between Gill and me, Marley."
"Yeah, well she's my mom, and I'm looking out for her, you know. You said your intentions were honorable. Well, I'm checking up on you."
"Somehow, Marley, I can just see you holding a shotgun to my belly."
"No way, you'd have my hide. I'm not that stupid."
Gibbs laughed, "yeah, well, just between you and me you would not need a shotgun."
Marley raised an inquisitive eyebrow; she thought she knew what he meant. She smirked then tried to wink at Gibbs.
"Okay, enough. You are right about one thing, you touch any gun and you will definitely feel my displeasure about it; on your backside!"
"You act like a dad, Gibbs. You act like a dad all the time to your team, don't you?"
"Yep."
"Is that because you had a little girl?"
"Maybe. Her name was Kelly."
Marley could see the sadness in his eyes. She wasn't sure what to say, but she figured out a long time ago that people had a right to feel sad or mad, and you couldn't go too wrong if you said what you truly thought. Gillian said talking was good, even if it still made you sad, because feeling something was so much better than feeling nothing. And memories about people you loved that were gone were a good thing because it meant they were special to you and special for you. "Kelly was a lucky kid, Gibbs."
"She was a beautiful little girl, Marley, but I don't think she was lucky."
"She was, because she had you as a dad. You will always be her dad. Dads like you are forever, Gibbs, even when…..You aren't so lucky, cause you don't have her here anymore. But like you said, the people we love are sort of who we are, I guess."
"You are a clever kid, you know that?"
"Yep, told ya before."
"You did too, just yesterday if I remember."
"Yesterday feels like ages ago, Gibbs, doesn't it? Last week feels like ages ago. Like it never happened. Trouble is I kinda like how it's all turned out. That's not very nice is it?"
"It's normal. Doesn't mean you wanted the bad things to happen, but you're allowed to be happy, Marley. You are allowed to be glad that you have a new start. Now go to bed, kid. You hardly sleep; you must have been a nightmare as a toddler."
"Yep, I'm a bit of a night owl. It's nice, the quiet."
"Yeah it is, but try and sleep, go." Gibbs pushed Marley towards the bedroom doors.
Marley turned back, "can't I stay until the others get back?"
"No, they are not due back for another hour yet."
"Well, will you wake me up when they get back then?"
"Nope, BED, NOW!"
"Shhhhhhhh, you'll wake Gillian!"
Gibbs stood up, turned her around and again pushed her gently towards the door with the addition of a light swat to her backside.
Marley turned, hand on hips and glared back with an expression of indignant annoyance. Gibbs moving forward again, a raised eyebrow and menacing smirk had Marley high tailing it out of there, again holding hold to the waist of her pajamas, and on the balls of her quite feet.
CA to Bullpen NCIS headquarters
It is late Saturday night, Tony and Ziva are at their desks in the bullpen. Two empty noodle boxes have been discarded into the trash. Abby and Tim are in Abby's lab performing searches and checking for traces on Tony's phone. The building is practically empty except, of course for the 24 hour manned MTAC and security.
Tony was still picking noodles from his take out box while reading his computer screen. "Well this kid Ronnie checks out. What about Rye, Ziva?"
"Yep, all is clear. I don't think either of them was followed. She has entered Gillian's support and duel care program. Her father is in re-hab after injuries in Iraq. Bomb disposal."
"Lieutenant Thomas Burton, officially recognized for bravery and a recent nominee for a Medal of Honor."
Ziva frowned at the screen a moment, scanning the face of the handsome Lieutenant Burton. "Very handsome, yes, don't you think, Tony? You know, I think I know him."
"How? And no, I don't think he's that handsome."
"He is, Tony. He looks like that actor you like, what is his name, Tom Selleck, a little bit more mature looking but very similar, yes?"
"Ziva, you don't even know who Tom Selleck is."
"Wrong, Tony he is that GI Joe, your hero."
"That's Magnum PI, Ziva."
"Whatever, but I really think I do know him. You know, I think he was the bomb disposal officer that helped me that time on the ship. Remember he disarmed the bomb with me, the one that was in the backpack, in the engine room.
"You mean the one you and he should have let the robot disarm, but oh noooo you needed to play ninja hero girl." Tony's initial quip quickly turned into the ranting of a concerned friend, peppered with a touch of angst and subtle jealously. "What was that about? Who were you trying to impress? You could have got yourself killed."
"Well I didn't. We didn't. Besides, you have put yourself in danger on many occasions, Tony. It is our job."
"Yes, but there are still safer ways to do it instead of diving in head first, disregarding your own safety."
"Oh, just like you going all gang ho to Somalia."
"It's Gong Ho, but hey, the whole GANG was there, Ziva."
"But you took the biggest risk."
Two of the best of NCIS squared off at each other, daring the other to say more. Their stubborn expressions and menacing glares nearly hid what they really felt. Fact was, they were both just too plain scared to actually say any more in case another satirical innuendo slipped out.
"Scary.. I nearly lost you," he whispered.
"Huh?"
"Scary, that you know that guy."
"Yeah, scary. Like you once said, we are separated only by seven degrees."
"Six degrees, Ziva."
"You said seven, Tony"
"I did not."
"You did too."
"Did not."
"Did too."
With the last "Did Not" Tony flicked a rather large clump of noodles from the tips of his chopsticks at Ziva. She quickly returned fire. Before long, the game turned into a mock military coup, or rather a game of cat and mouse as neither party had managed to hit their opponent. Commando tactics, including rolls and camouflaged attacks, made the game a lot more skilful than it needed to be, but a whole lot more fun. Neither failed to notice Leon Vance descend the stairs and enter the open ground between the rows of desks right into the middle of their noodle cross fire.
Seeing the look on Vance's face as he peeled sticky noodles from his normal Saturday night dress code, his favorite cashmere pullover, his best two agents froze.
"Director!" they chorused as they appeared from their hiding places.
"DiNozzo, David. What are you doing here?"
"Uh... Gibbs has us doing a couple of checks for him. Marley's case."
"Here on the secure sites," added Ziva.
"Anything I should be concerned about?"
"No, sir. Everything looks okay at this point."
"Gibbs is just taking extra precautions, Director."
"That sounds like Gibbs… Good, well I presume you are heading back to the safe house tonight, DiNozzo."
"Yes."
"Again, good. I let you pass on this message then, you're as secure as any phone right now. Tell Gibbs I want him in MTAC at 0600."
"Anything we should know about sir?"
"If there was I'd be inviting you too, DiNozzo."
"Of course, Director."
Ziva watched the exchange and decided to fish a little of her own. "Is that all the message, sir? What about Fornell, has there been any word from him?"
"Fornell will also be here in the morning."
"You're letting Fornell into MTAC?" asked a skeptical Tony.
"No. But, Fornell has a few things to tie up and it's best being done here. Ray Isles has confessed."
"Well, that will be a weight off Gibbs's mind," commented Ziva.
"And Abby's," said Tony.
Vance was happy to let that bit of information out, hopefully it would curb these two and their curiosity and noses for detail. NCIS had pretty much had to take a back seat with this case firstly to the FBI and now Homeland Security. He didn't like it. Both cases involved marines, their people and the NCIS agency's main mission and objectives.
"Very well then, you two can do the protective detail tomorrow." Vance started to leave then suddenly stopped, turning, he ground out, "and get every single noodle picked up before you leave." Shaking his head as he walked off Vance muttered, "Director of NCIS, I'm more like their damn kindergarten teacher."
"Good one, Ziva."
"You threw the first noodle, Tony."
"Not for that? Getting that little piece from Vance."
"I wonder what MTAC's about."
"It's gotta be about Marley's uncle. It is the big unknown. Gibbs is too stressed. He only gets stressed when he's working against a ghost, when he's not in the know. He follows his gut, and his gut is screaming at him."
"The uncle that is missing in action?"
"Yeah. Intelligence. Gotta be. The overprotection detail in a four star hotel, no doubt. Then Gibbs's cover. It's all a bit over the top and over budget for a simple witness protection, even if it is a kid. And, basically it's Fornell's case."
"Oh, I don't know, Tony, they handed over a fortune for your dad when he helped us out on that case against Mayfield. Plus, Gibbs has gotten real close to Marley and Gill."
"We all have. But…."
"Your instincts tell you there's more," mused Ziva.
"There's got to be more."
"Who?... What?"
"It's not Isles. It may be the Koreans, but I doubt it. Industrial espionage is not high on the Homeland security's list. It's not the witnesses like Marley or Abby or Rose."
"Maybe Williams?" suggested Ziva.
"Nah, not Williams either."
"So who does that leave?"
"That leaves one more that could be connected, that could link these," announced Tony.
"By seven degrees."
"Roach!" They chorused as they ran to their computers and started to furiously type away.
CA to Abby's Lab
Tim and Abby are at two commuter screens, side by side. Music is blaring and Abby is sucking on a large Caf Pow courtesy of Tony.
Tim raised an eyebrow, "Well Tony is going to be relieved. Marley didn't use up his data quota for the month."
Abby moved over and surveyed Tim's screen. "Clever girl. She's tapped into the hotel's Wi-Fi."
"Yeah. Well, it didn't take much. It's free internet access, but she still had to work out the suite's password. This means anything that she either downloaded or ordered has the hotel address and probably room reference. "
"What sites?"
"There are several that she went on, but she only just browsed. She tried to buy stuff, but her banking transfers were denied, so none of those forms got uploaded. That means no name and no trace. Though there may be security warnings on the bank sites. But, they are pretty secure and only account holders and the banks themselves would have access to them."
"They can be hacked, though."
"Yeah, they can, but you would still have to know where to look in the first place."
Abby went back to her searches. "Hmmm, Timmy, this is right up your alley. Guess what Marley was getting as a gift for you."
"What?" Tim moved over quickly to see the site.
However Abby was too quick. She immediately minimized the screen. "No, that wouldn't be fair. Marley wants to surprise you. Besides no tail or bouncer there so… "Abby hit delete.
"Tease!"
"Hey, this one's strange," frowned Abby. "I wonder who she had this one planned for?"
Tim wasn't going to be fooled a second time and continued on his own trace.
"Wow," exclaimed Abby, "she is a creative little thing. Quite unique and clever and soooo cute. Hmmmm. Has to be for Ziva. It would be funny if she got one for Tony too. I'd bet he'd be surprised."
At the mention of Tony's name, Tim jumped in front of her screen. Abby was waiting for him. She knew she would get him with that one and again quickly hit the minimize button.
"You think you're clever don't you, Abbs. Well, I don't really care. I can wait. I like surprises."
"You know we could surprise Tony if you want?"
"I thought you had learned your lesson about playing pranks, Abbs. Or haven't you? I would be real careful if I were you."
"Aww. Come now, Timmy. No paybacks, remember what Gibbs said."
"Oh I remember, Abbs, but there will come a time."
"Tim, Tim, now listen. It was all Tony's idea, The GPS, The Taser, the nun. Well, not the nun, that was sort of an accident, no sorry, wrong word…coincidence."
"There's no such thing as coincidence."
"Okay then it's kinda like seven degrees of separation, everything connects somehow eventually."
"Yes Abbs, but, its six degrees, so it's sooner than you think."
Abby was sure that sounded like a threat, a promise and a threat.
"Yes. But, listen, Tim, I can help. You know Tony always gets away with pranks. I can help you get him back. I've got a really neat idea."
"No, Abby, you're the one that always gets away with it, well, as far as Gibbs is concerned. And maybe, that's going to change."
"No, Tim, we can think about this more, but not now right. This case is important. But, Tim, when this case is over you may need my help, and I promise I will be there for you. Okay?"
"Maybe, Abbs. Come on, we need to get back to this. How's the Caf Pow holding out?"
"It's all good, Tim." Abby drew a loud slurp from her cup, the chill and the caffeine expanding her eyes, "Thing is all these IP tails head back to the Hotel. Hopefully nobody's tracking them."
"Yes. But Marley has left very few details with them. In actual fact, like I said, it's mainly the bank ones that have her name. One she was completely locked out of. I'd say that's Rose's everyday account. There's probably a security flag or alert on that, which may be a problem."
"Okay that's one suspected breach. Can we check to see if anyone's tracked the security flags?" asked Abby.
"Yep, hold on I'll get a search going. You check the other account." Tim handed Abby a slip of paper, "Here, Marley has written the security codes down."
Within minutes Abby had the sign in page up on the screen. "Okay, not that simple," she said. "It's a family trust account, the code gets us into a title page but that's all. It's a pretty secure site. Besides the codes, it asks for voice activation from at least one of the beneficiaries."
"Where are Marley's notes? Here, this one's a fourth code. It's probably the code word, but it needs to be in Marley's voice. We'll have to go back to the hotel."
Abby's eyes went wide with excitement. "No, we won't. Well, we might, but we can try something else first." Abby scooted on her platforms to the long row of evidence tubs sitting on the table. Scrounging around she pulled out an evidence bag with a small audio tape.
"Ta da …Marley's first interview with Gibbs."
"Shouldn't they be in archives, Abbs?"
"Yes, Timmy, but you only finished typing all these up before you left. This is the last box and is tagged and ready to go. But the case isn't officially over yet, so here it is for moments just like this. Handy hey? Come on, we should be able isolate the code word."
"As long, as she uses the code word."
"You typed them up, McGee, you know she does."
"And if she uses it with the right inflection and tone."
Abby stood there with her hand on her hips, "McGee, I hope for your sake you are only thinking out loud, because you know I am the master of voice control…Wahhahahah."
Abby inserted the interview tape and captured several sections of Marley's voice and then broke them up into smaller clips again. She dropped them into the time lines of the sound manipulation and convertor program and continued to cut and increase levels of volume and base for clarity." "Got it! I've isolated the word. She actually uses it several times, but this one has the most neutral tone level. So let's try it."
Tim pulled up the family trust account and activated the sign in procedures. He entered the three security codes, then activated the voice recognition sign in. Okay, Abby, hit it."
Abby hit play. "Rose." Marley's recorded voice was clear as crystal, almost as if she was in the same room announcing her mother's name.
But nothing happened. The word REJECTED then flashed on the screen.
"What happened, Abbs?"
"Wait a minute, wait a minute. I'll lower the volume a little and take out some more base, extend the length of the syllable here. Marley was upset when they recorded her voice, there's still a bit of angst in her voice in this section. I say it needs to be a little more neutral and sing songy, you know, softer."
Tim watched Abby's long fingers laden with heavy rings click the mouse at high speed manipulating the wav file, adjusting minute sections of the time line. "Okay, try it again, Tim."
"Let's hope this works, Abbs. It will lock us out for twenty-four hours after three failed attempts."
Again Tim typed in the code words and activated the voice sign in. "Okay, go, Abbs."
"Roosee," a child's voice sang her mother's name.
The site immediately opened up, revealing the details of The Cameron Family Trust, including its beneficiaries over the years, Louise Marie Hanson (nee Cameron), Rose and Nic's mother and Marley's grandmother (dec.), Rose Louise Hanson, Nicolas Brett Hanson and Marley Rose Hanson. It also listed the history of transactions spanning nearly twenty years. Abby and Tim scanned the information taking particular note of the most recent transactions. They gasped as the bottom line and the balance came into view.
"Come on, we've got to tell Gibbs"
CA to Master Bedroom
Rye was lying on the large bed facing its end with a pillow tucked under her chest as she surfed through the channels on the large screen T.V.
"There's nothing on," she complained as Marley came through the door.
"Gibbs says it's late, we should sleep."
"It's like only11.30 and a Saturday night for crying out loud."
"Gill's asleep on the sofa, and Gibbs is watching the surveillance cams. We could watch another movie, they wouldn't hear."
Rye rolled her eyes. "Wow how daring of us. Surely there's something a little more exciting around here?"
"I think Gibbs would say there's been too much excitement around here already."
"So, okay, let me get this straight. I'm stuck here because you and the Abby chick, she is cool by the way, are under the protection of NCIS."
"Yep."
"So, you are some sort of lead witnesses for some case, like drug baron or mob boss, gangland type case?"
Marley was being a little candid; she wasn't sure how much she should tell Rye. "Sort of."
"And this Gibbs guy is your dad?"
Marley didn't hesitate, "Sort of."
"And Gill is your mom now. So what happened to your real mom?"
"She was shot."
"Shit! Sorry, Marley. By the guy you are a witness against?"
"Yah."
"But, he was working for worse bad guys, right?"
"Yeah, some Korean bad guys, and NCIS are afraid that Abby and I may be in danger until the judge can hear my testimony on Tuesday. Then it won't matter if I'm alive to be a witness or not, my testimony will count because I'm a minor. "
Rye looked horrified, "how comforting."
Marley didn't miss the black sarcasm of Rye's comment, and was enjoying the dramatic attention Rye was paying her. "No, really. This FBI guy, Fornell, and Gibbs reckon they probably wouldn't bother to come after me once the judge hears the testimony or the guy confesses. Besides, I really don't know all that much about the Koreans. But I think Ray Isles does, so I'm in danger sort of by association. But, it's going to be pretty hard to find me because my files will be sealed, and they won't know who adopted me and where I have gone. That's why you are still here, just in case someone followed you or traced my call to you."
"So again, this is entirely your fault, that I'm stuck here. You little brat."
"Gibbs says I'm not allowed to blame myself for stuff like that."
"Bullshit! You are so totally responsible for dropping water bombs on me, getting my boyfriend kicked outta here, messing up my plans for my first frat party, and when my gran or my dad finds out my ass is grass, yada, yada, yada."
"Okay, fair enough, I mean about the water bombs, but you got yourself in that other shit all by yourself. You just got caught."
"Because, of you."
"Ya can't make me feel guilty about that. Besides Gibbs, says I'm not to feel guilty."
"Gibbs says, Gibbs says, is that all you can say, or aren't you able to come up with an original statement all on your own?" snarled Rye.
Marley took offence and pursed her lips, "Bitch face in ya lucky skinny leg jeans, lucky they don't snap off and put holes in yer ass, in ya not so high heels, sookie, sookie la-la, cause ya can't go out to a partaay that ya probably woulda' made an unoriginal fool of yourself at. How originals that? Besides, original actions speak louder than words, like making water bombs out of latex gloves, filling them with stinky off milk and dropping' them on ya big fat head only to have them bounce off big fat ass.
Rye laughed at Marley's attempt at an angry cool rant, "Okay, original, and probably more articulate than Gibbs."
Yeah, Gibbs gets to the point. Simple and plain.
Okay, so that's good, no guilt is good, but that doesn't mean I should have to deal with the consequences or be responsible for your bratty behavior!"
"Oh believe me, neither does he. He sorts me out, simple and plain, but then it's over and I'm not supposed to feel bad anymore."
"He sorts you out. You mean he busts your ass."
"Yep."
"Yeah, he looks the type. He didn't hesitate to swat me, and I'm like fifteen years old for pete's sake."
"Age has nothing to do with it when it comes to Gibbs. He treats his whole team like they're his kids and they're old. And he really only gets mad when you put yourself in danger."
"Well, I suppose it's cool that do you don't feel guilty about your mom anymore."
"Yeah, it is. But every now and then I kinda still feel bad. Like, I should have been able to do something. Gill said that's because I'm a nurturer by nature."
"Oh no, now you're gonna start quoting Gill?"
"Yep! But, happy to change the subject. So, what about you? How come you're in the duel care program?"
"Ah…My dad got badly hurt in Iraq, and my Gran thinks I need counseling, like I'm some guilt ridden twelve year old."
Rye gave Marley a nudge and smirk at her last comment. It always helped to think of something funny or ironic to break the ice. She really didn't like talking about her feelings. "Hey, just messin' with you kid. Actually, I must admit Gill is pretty good. She pinned me on a few things I thought I'd never tell anyone."
"Well, you're lucky in some ways, I guess, cause your dad's still alive, and you didn't have anything to do with him getting hurt, so you can't blame yourself."
"No, that was definitely his fault. He was so busy trying to save someone else he forgot to look after himself."
"That's a bit mean. Why are you mad at him for being a hero?"
"Because he could have been a DEAD HERO."
"Now you sound like Gibbs. You're just mad cause you were worried and that he put himself in danger."
Rye had been through this stuff with Gill, and while she wanted to believe it, she really still wanted to be angry about it all. "No, you're right, it is mean and selfish and I'm a sick bitch. I don't need anyone to understand, okay."
"Now you sound madder at yourself than your dad, just like I was. You feel guilty for being mad at him."
"Who are you, Dr Phil?"
A multitude of mixed emotions began to rise, anger, frustration and self recriminations had Rye spurting a fast and ranted response, "no, you're wrong, I don't feel guilty about being mad at him. I feel glad that he is not dead, but I'm glad he's hurt, because now he gets to come home and stay home and he can't die anymore. I don't care that he has lost his leg; it means that I can stay with him forever. So what is that? That is just sick, and that's what I feel guilty about. What kind of person thinks like that about someone they love? Someone they would die for."
Rye started to cry. She had blurted out stuff she never wanted to voice, never wanted to hear herself say. "Tripping that bomb wasn't the biggest mistake of his life, having me for a daughter was. A selfish little…"
Rye threw her face into the pillow and sobbed. Marley reached over and rubbed her shoulder. Rye shrugged her off.
Marley was undeterred, "that's wrong, you know, because if you really didn't care, or you're as bad as you think you are, you wouldn't give a shit. You would be too selfish to even know you're selfish. And you wouldn't be bawling your eyes out. You're somebody's kid, Rye, and that's the most important thing to be."
Rye hated crying. She hated the fact that she had told Marley all that stuff. She hated the fact that she even thought like that, felt like that. She just wanted to go see her dad and not think stuff like that. She was just so glad he was alive. But she figured she didn't deserve to be happy about that, her dad didn't need a daughter who deserved to be happy like that.
"Okay, just shut up about it. It doesn't matter, okay. And don't you dare tell anybody what I said, not Gillian, not anybody. Got it?"
"You should tell Gill yourself. That's why she's here, that's why you're here. Because people care."
"Well, they shouldn't bother. I'm okay, right, see I'm not bawling like a baby, I'm just pissed off, that's all. I don't want to be here."
With that Rye got up and started to dress. Discarding Gill's sweats, she poured herself into her clean skinny leg jeans. She tied a knot into the tee shirt she had on and added her own ornate tank as an over shirt. She then went in search of shoes. Hers had not been returned yet.
Marley tailed her around the room, "what are you doing?"
"Getting outta here."
"You can't, we're in protective custody."
"No, you're under protective custody. I don't need protection, except from annoying brats and water bombs."
"Okay, look I shouldn't have done that. I was just pissed off too. You were wearing my tee shirt."
"Jezzz, the t-shirt again, so what?"
"Well, it's my favorite. My mom bought it for me. My Paramour "Miracle" tee shirt, mom said I should always believe in miracles. Of course I thought she was talking about finding the man of my dreams. Mom was always a little confused but, hey, her heart was in the right place."
"Shit! Sorry, kid."
"Don't apologize."
"Okay, I won't. So all I need are some shoes. Hmmm. I wonder what size Gill is?" Rye scrimmaged around in the closet and found a black strappy pair of heels. "Perfect, could be higher, but they will do."
"Rye, are you crazy? If you even try to leave, Gibbs will rip you apart. You could be in danger. Anyway there's no way you're going to get past him. He's just out there in the lounge."
"Well, little miss Pollyanna, glass is always half full, Marley, I don't need to use the door. Remember…" Rye moved over to the small entrance hall to the bathroom and opened the two large linen cabinet doors… "The dumb waiter."
"You are joking?"
"No, I'm not. Look it's huge and it goes up to the penthouse suites. I'll just go up there, get out and go through its front door."
"But what if somebody's there?"
"Get real, the penthouse suites are always empty. And if it isn't, most old rich guys would probably be asleep. I should be able to get past them."
"Rye, don't please. You might get hurt or caught by security or worse, and I mean worse worse, you could get caught by Gibbs or one of the team."
"Look Gibbs is out there alone. The team isn't due back for at least half an hour. That's all I need. Now you just keep quiet about it until then. Cover for me if Gill or Gibbs comes to check on us."
"I can't, Rye. I can't lie to them. Please, just don't go."
"Give me a break. Okay, so don't lie. Just stall or at least don't say anything unless you have to. Come on, you owe me. Don't be a snitch."
Marley didn't want to be a snitch or a liar; she just wanted Rye to stay. But before she could present any further argument Rye jumped in the four foot by four foot lift and punched the up button.
"Shit. She's the one who's crazy." Marley hesitated a moment before jumping into the next box that appeared in front of her. Rye must have stopped at the floor directly above her. Marley hit the up button and followed.
The dumb waiter pinged again, and Rye quickly ran to the bathroom door and closed it. Thank goodness there was nobody asleep in the master bedroom. Still, she wasn't going to take any chances. She ran back to the linen cupboard and opened its double doors, then dragged Marley out.
"Are you crazy?"
"Will you stop calling me that," yelled Marley.
Rye grabbed Marley and clasped her hand over her mouth. "Shhhhh, it's just a figure of speech, don't be so touchy. What did ya follow me for? God, no wonder Gibbs busts your butt." Rye removed her hand and pushed Marley back towards the doors, "Now go back."
"No. Not unless you come back, too. Come on, Rye. They won't even know we're gone yet. Just get in and hit the down button."
"No, you go back."
"I'm going to hafta tell if I go back without you."
"You are so annoying. Don't be such a little bitch."
"I don't want to be, honest. I just don't want you to get into trouble, or maybe hurt. Please, Rye."
"Why? What do you care? So go back and tell, I'll be long gone."
"Right then, I'm not going back. I'm going with you," retorted a smug Marley, hoping Rye might feel a little guilty and decide to go back, "I don't care if we get caught; Gibbs can bust both our butts. But you'll get into more trouble than me. Besides, I'll be alright, there's probably no real danger anyway. Gibbs just overreacts."
"You are so asking to be smacked one." Rye grabbed Marley and pushed her back towards the doors once more then picked her up and attempted to put her back in the dumb waiter. "Back you go, you little stool pigeon."
Marley braced her legs against either side of the doors and pushed back against Rye's chest. She bent her knees, letting Rye move her weight against Marley's body and towards the opening. Marley then suddenly straighten her legs, springing herself backwards and knocking Rye off her feet and flat on her back on the bathroom floor with Marley sitting on top of her. Rye let out an almighty squeal and quickly flipped Marley over and straddled her prone form.
"You fucking little brat, Marley. Come on, stop being ridiculous. Stop playing the little hero."
"No, you stop." Marley started to buck, trying to get the bigger girl off. "Get off ME, Rye."
"Not unless you promise to go back."
"No."
Rye grabbed Marley's arms and pushed them back over her head. In doing so she had to lean over to keep Marley's arms pinned to the ground. Marley used the opportunity and the little extra space to kick Rye in the back and send her flying towards the shower door. The noise was deafening and, while the double glazed glass didn't break, the door handle smashing hard against the marbled tiled walls sounded like thunder.
Neither girl would have made their fame or name in espionage as the noise in the penthouse bathroom escalated with the high pitched squeals and expletives that only two teenage girls could deliver. The grunts and thumps that came from the brawl that continued eventually bought the occupants of the room next door to the doors of the bathroom.
"HEY!"
Two male figures entered and grabbed a girl each and pulled them to their feet. Marley and Rye were instantly at attention and looked up to see a crowd of about six guys, dressed in jeans or leather pants and jackets, splattered and torn looking tees and a variety of footwear from what looked like military hiking boots to classic black converses. Most had long black hair and multiple facial piercings.
The tallest man held onto the smallest girl by the collar of her tee and lifted her into the air like a six day old kitten and asked, "What the ….."
FREEZE FRAME: CUT to mid shot of Marley being held up off the ground by a large hand. Marley is cringing, with eyes cast sideways and upward, a nervous expression on her face. Convert Black and white. CUT.
TBC
Chapter 10 : Late Checkout.
A.N. Okay starting to catch up now. I know there are few little mysteries here, but as this episode nears the end there are some clues as to what's next in Freeze Frame 3. There's trouble a foot, yes, beware and a case for the team. There are a few holes I need to plug, so bear with Harliquinn and I, while we get the order and flow right, I'd hate to have to back track. All will be revealed in the next two chapters, maybe three. Oh and the blossoming romance between Gibbs and Gill will… Hey, no that's between them…..FOR NOW… and besides Marley will be the first to know.
