AT SUMMER'S END

CH 9

Arriving at the destination Gibbs set up what he wanted his team to do, with a few extra agents and Fornell with his team around in case they were needed. He was counting on complete success.

They reached the designated area and with a close eye on Lucas and the package, he watched for any sign of Ramone. A black Lincoln cruised in stopping between two towers of crates.

Ziva had the position to get a lock on the driver, but couldn't see any passengers. Speaking into the mike so Lucas could hear his instructions Gibbs ordered him to stay until someone came to him.

Lucas nervously did as he was told. A man of medium build and slicked back dark hair appeared near the driver's door. Ziva moved her sites to him, "It is Ramirez," she informed the team.

Tim and Tony maneuvered behind the vehicle to determine if Marcea was inside. The windows were tinted making it difficult to ascertain if anyone else was inside. Tony signaled that he was going in closer. Tim nodded not happy with the course of action, but having his partner's back all the same.

Tony sidled to the rear passenger side listening for any sound inside. Not hearing any he tried the handle and found the door unlocked. He quietly opened the door a crack and saw Marcea bound and gagged lying across the seat. She was conscious and her eyes widened, pleading for help.

Tim saw his partner reach into the care and informed the others that Tony had Marcea as she was pulled quietly through the door. Gibbs, who had resituated himself to have Ramone in his sites shouted out, "NCIS. Don't move."

Ramone smiled. Ziva had returned her site on the driver as Gibbs had his gun aimed at their suspect. She saw the window slide down and a weapon appear. Without hesitation she took the shot and the driver dropped the gun out the window and pitched to the passenger's side. Ramone was rattled and went for the gun.

"Don't," was all the warning Gibbs gave. Ramone went for the gun picking it up and turning towards Gibbs with malice in his eyes. As the gun rose, Gibbs shot and hit the drug dealer in the forehead sending him to the ground as the gun fell from his lifeless hand.

Gibbs approached slowly his gun still ready in case any other threat was present. He kicked the weapon away before looking inside the car. The driver was the only body left there and he was no longer a threat, as Ziva's shot had entered his temple and exited the opposite side of his head.

Gibbs stood and saw Tony untying Marcea who could only cry, "Elena? Is my baby okay?"

Tony assured her that her daughter was fine, as he finished removing the last of the cords that had bound her.

Gibbs relaxed as the standoff had come to an end. He turned and saw Lucas being handcuffed and taken away. Lucas wouldn't be catching any leniency if Gibbs had any say in the matter.

He gave his team a "Good job," and then instructed them to take Marcea to Elena as quickly as possible. He told them to tell her about Nelson being in the hospital and that he wasn't responsible for the hit and run. Nelson could tell her about their parents.

Gibbs had fulfilled his promise and drove to let the Lavelles know they had the man responsible. He knocked at their door and gave a small smile to Nathan when he answered still having a lost look in his eyes. Gibbs heart went out to him. He put his hand on Nate's head as his parents approached the door.

Nathan looked to them and accepted the open arms of his mother. She and her husband didn't speak, but searched the agent's face for the message he came to deliver. He nodded slightly and the Lieutenant Commander held Carla tightly not ashamed of the tears that filled his eyes on realizing that their son's murderer was undoubtedly caught.

Gibbs remained silent as Carla mouthed a "Thank you," to him and Jonas shook his hand.

"We appreciate everything you've done for us," he told the lead agent.

He twisted his neck before replying, "My pleasure."

He left them to console each other and to return to the Navy Yard to wrap things up.

In the squad room Tim stood to report the details. "When Nelson was hired both Lucas and Ramirez found out all about his family. They wanted to have leverage against him if needed. Lucas had called when the drugs went missing. Nelson planned to get his parents away thinking his sister and niece were safe in their home.

"When he got back however, Lucas had already showed up to collect and killed his parents. Lucas then managed to get Nelson tied up and into his own car. Not wanting Marcea to come around looking for her car, Lucas drove it back to her house. It was during that venture he hit and killed Henry Lavelle. He got the car into the garage and returned to the Lopezes.

"At some point he'd put the bodies of the parents into the trunk of his car. He then took Nelson to the warehouse to interrogate him. Apparently Ramone was unaware that Lucas had kidnapped Nelson, because he went for the leverage by taking Marcea, leaving the note intended for Nelson to find.

"The rest is our own set up for returning the drugs and rescuing Marcea. The deaths of Ramirez and his driver, identified as Carlos Manuel were justified. Lucas is currently trying to plead his case, but the prosecutor doesn't look to be overly interested in making any deals."

Tony added, "The prosecutor is willing to negotiate with Nelson, however. He may be doing community service for awhile."

Gibbs gave his approval and looked at his team who were watching him closely. He widened his eyes and flicked his hands asking in his own quiet way what more they had on their minds.

Tony, Tim and Ziva looked to one another. None wanted to ask their boss if the case had brought back too many unwanted memories. They shook their heads and returned to their work.

Gibbs smirked knowing the concern they felt for him. He opened his drawer and took out the flask he kept there. Not to take a drink, but only to run his fingers over the engraving and ignoring the bullet still imbedded in it. He'd saved as many as he could and rid the world of one more bad guy.

Sure there'd be someone to replace him. Nothing he could do about it. Unless whoever did was to cross his path in the future.