McGee stood anxiously in the hallway of the high school eyeing any suspicious seventeen year old with his trained special agent eyes. Of course they were no match to Gibbs' leering eyes that could send a convicted felon straight to tears, but they were pretty intimidating (or so he liked to think). The kids were making a big deal about Jayson's disappearance, not that it was any surprise to him, but he didn't like how much it affected Bella.
McGee didn't understand Bella, but he understood little sisters, and a lot of Bella reminded him about Sarah, including the sweet innocent eyes that stared longingly out the window as if daydreaming a world of her own. It made him want to protect Bella, and make whoever hurt her pay. So yeah, maybe little twerps running around asking Bella questions she didn't need to answer weren't dangerous, but as of right now it was the only thing McGee could protect Bella from, and by damn he was going to do the best he could.
"McGee," Bella's voice broke through McGee's silent peep talk to himself.
McGee allowed his chest to deflate a little before answering. "What's up?"
"Can I just leave? Please? I hate being in school right now," Bella sighed.
"Gibbs said he wanted this day to be as normal as possible…" McGee said, his face giving a helpless half smirk.
"How can it be normal? My brother was kidnapped by people that my dad has no idea about. My other one has issues too big for anyone but my dad to attempt to work through, and there are way too many people asking me what's up. Not to mention half the school is missing on account to Jay's disappearance. I just want to…get away. Please Tim?" she peeked through her lashes defeated.
Tim sighed feeling his resolve shatter under the look, and the sound of defeat in the young woman's voice. He fished for his cell phone calling Tony, knowing that an 'ok' from him was probably more likely than from Gibbs.
"Tony?" McGee asked to make sure before handing Bella the phone. "Yeah, Bella wants to talk to you."
"Tony?" Bella asked tentatively.
"What's up angel?" Tony asked his voice immediately softening from his short tone he was using just seconds earlier as he was arguing with his father.
"Can I please come there? I don't want to be in school no more."
Tony frowned looking at the current surrounding. There were pictures of the warehouse where the meet was apparently supposed to be held. Ziva looked less Israeli than he could even imagine and there were a series of cell phone remains that had Gibbs' name written all over it.
"It's not the smartest idea Bells. You'll be safer at school," Tony said scratching the back of his neck.
"Is that Bella?" Gibbs asked looking up from his computer.
"Yeah. She wants to come here," Tony holding the phone towards Gibbs.
Gibbs sighed taking the phone from Tony. "Hey Princess."
"Daddy let me leave school. Please?" Bella pleaded, pouting in such a way that McGee (who was listening discreetly) had to remind himself that Sarah and Bella did not know each other and thus the pout was just something all little sisters were born with.
"Ok princess, you can come here. Give McGee the phone will you?" Gibbs sighed ignoring ZIva's shaking head.
"Boss," McGee's voice came back onto the phone.
"Bring her here McGee. Make sure you're not being followed. You know what to do," Gibbs sighed before placing the phone back onto the carrier.
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"Grab your stuff," McGee said gently walking in behind Bella.
McGee resisted the urge to stare down the entire sophomore English class who were currently bustling with whispers. A boy actually had the audacity to point at Bella while she was gathering to grab her books and other belongings.
"Mrs. White, can I have a word with you in the hallway, please?" Tim asked glancing around the room as audible screeches of desks being pulled closer to the front arose fom the whispers.
Mrs. White gave the class a stern look but didn't address the situation at all, much to McGee dismay. She ordered they continue reading out loud the current book until she returned.
"How can I help you Agent McGee?" she asked kindly.
"I have orders from Bella's father to take her back to NCIS headquarters," McGee informed her.
"Oh, that's fine. She's much too distracted to be here at school anyways. What with happened to her brother. Just such a sad tragedy…" Mrs. White sighed.
McGee gritted his teeth. Once this was all over he was going to talk to Gibbs about transferring Jayson and Bella from the horrid school. There was something to be said about the school when even the teachers gave into the rumors floating around.
"With all due respect, Jayson is not dead," McGee said his patience wearing thin.
"I'm ready, Tim," Bella said opening the door and gently shutting it behind her.
"Sweetheart, remember what you need to read for class on Monday. If you need anything dear, even an extension just shoot me an email," Mrs White said tilting her head down in hopes to catch Bella's eyes.
"Thanks Mrs. White," Bella said shifting her weight awkwardly.
Mrs. White studied Bella for just a minute longer before finally going back into the classroom.
"Alright, so one get out of jail free card being redeemed," Tim said clasping his hands together.
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Tony heard the sounds of McGee's squeaky shoes long before he stopped in front of his desk with Bella besides him.
"Heard you use the "daddy" card earlier," Tony teased lightheartedly.
"I hate school. People keep talking," Bella sighed walking around the desk and plopping down on Tony's lap.
"That's because people are idiots. It's ok though. You're actually probably a lot safer here than anywhere else at the moment," Tony said pushing half of his burger towards the girl who took it reluctantly.
"I'd rather Jayson be safe than me," Bella said darkly.
"Hey! I'd rather the both of you be safe," Tony chided.
"I guess. Are you guys going to even find Jayson?" Bella asked sadly.
"Hey, we've not only got the best NCIS agent working on the case, we also have the advantage of dad working the case. You know him. He won't stop until he gets what he wants," Tony reassured.
"I don't want you or dad getting hurt Tony," Bella stated.
"Well dad is like an even cooler James Bond you know. Maybe I should compare him to like Jason Borne or something. Although the Borne trilogy really fell short each time…" Tony started to digress.
"How is dad a cooler James Bond?"
"Because it's dad!" Tony said shaking his head as if he didn't believe those words just came out of his sisters' mouth.
All the while both Ziva and McGee tried to inconspicuously listen in on the obviously very private conversation, though Tony and Bella weren't exactly whispering either. Neither Ziva or McGee could wrap their heads around this side of Tony who appeared so mature and friendly. Neither could miss the obvious tight bond that held the family together. Both wondered what would happen if this were to end badly.
"Bella, come here sweetheart," Gibbs' voice cut through the two younger officer and agent's thoughts.
Gibbs ignored the sudden pattering of keys as both Ziva and McGee tried to appear busy. Bella came up to Gibbs giving him a hug. It was now not surprising to either of the two said agents to see Gibbs give an equally, if not tighter, embrace, placing a gentle kiss on the top of the teenager's head.
"DiNozzo, bring McGee up to speed," Gibbs barked out. "Gear up. We leave in half an hour."
"Boss, I know we were discussing this earlier, but you never really said anything…do we really have to wear bullet proof vests?" Tony's voice bordered a whine.
Gibbs chose not to answer, instead gave his son a glare that dared the younger man to ask the question once more. Wisely Tony dropped the subject and started filling McGee in on the plan.
"How about me dad. Do I get to know anything?" Bella asked looking up at her dad expectantly.
"I want you to stay downstairs with Abby alright?" Gibbs started, guiding Bella towards the back elevators towards Abby's lab.
"Abby?" Bella asked questioningly.
"She's our forensics scientist. Very cool," Gibbs said hoping he used the word cool in the same context as it meant all those years ago.
"Where are you going to be?" Bella questioned.
"We're going to the exchange. No, I will not tell you anymore than that," Gibbs said noticing his daughter's mouth already open for questioning.
"Dad! You have to tell me more! What's going on? What's happened between the time at school and now? And where was Tony last night? Dad, you can't leave me hanging!" Bella practically shrieked.
"Baby girl don't worry. Tony and I have it covered. You know the situation. I don't want you knowing that what you need to know. This is a very delicate situation. In this particular situation, ignorance is bliss," Gibbs explained.
They walked into the blue colored lab to be greeted with the sounds of "Scary Kids Scaring Kids" blaring from Abby's speakers.
"Abby!" Gibbs yelled over the music.
"I don't have anything Gibbs. You can't be here yet!" Abby said her eyes glued to the eyepiece of the microscope.
"Abby, meet Bella," Gibbs said over the music.
When Gibbs realized he didn't shout loud enough he stalked over towards the stupid sound system jabbing the power button hard enough to actually hurt his own finger.
"Gibbs! That was the good part!" Abby complained looking up. "Oh, company!"
"Abby, you know the plan. There is an NCIS agent outside the door just in case. Bella, Abby. Abby, this is Bella," Gibbs said leading Bella to stand right across from Abby.
"Man, you do look like a Gibblet," Abby said with a smile.
Bella looked up at her dad unsurely. "Um, thanks?"
"Don't worry Gibbs. She's safe here," Abby announced.
"Cameras?" Gibbs asked.
"I was able to get the traffic cameras positioned as you asked. Ziva is wired up along with a transmitter that they will NOT be able to find. Ziva is more dedicated when it comes to transmitters than Tony by the way. Everything you asked for is set," Abby replied.
"Ok. We're set," Gibbs said taking in a deep breath.
Seconds later Tony, Ziva, and McGee all walked into the lab. McGee and Tony both wearing bullet proof vests. Ziva was wearing scrubs, an obvious attire in hopes to fool the kidnappers.
"Everything is in place boss," Tony stated.
"McGee, you're driving. Get the car. Ziva go with him," Gibbs barked out.
Both disappeared. Abby made an excuse to check something in her office leaving the family alone in the actual lab itself.
Tony wasted no time in wrapping his sister in a firm hug, holding her close to him for as long as possible. Bella looked up, tears threatening to fall. She had absolutely no clue what was going to happen, but she knew that this was different from all the other cases her father and brother had worked over the years. This was more. This was their family on the line.
"Bring him back Tony," Bella whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too Princess. And I will," with that Tony left headed towards the car, leaving father and daughter in the lab.
"Bring them both back safe dad," Bella gave a strangled laugh, allowing a tear to slip from her eyes.
Gibbs took her face into his hand, wiping the tear from her cheek with his thumb. He gave a smile and his voice sounded very oddly like it broke as he said, "I will." He hugged her tightly. "I love you."
And then he left. His back turned from his daughter to go save his son. To go save his family.
A/N - And so we're set to get to the exchange...