A/N: Don't own the show and sorry it took so long, hopefully you will like it and for those who it might concern, this is one of the last chapters!
Chapter 10: Catching up…
"Nick?", Ziva asked.
"Huh, what?", he responded blandly like he was waking up from a long past dream.
"You kind of zoned out on us.", Abby continued.
"Did I? I...", he started while rubbing his eyes. His head was spinning now all the pieces were finally falling together.
"You said DeMarco went to his lawyer?", he continued swiftly, "This lawyer, his name is Greyer, isn't? Tony is there! It's the only place that makes sense."
"McGee, Ziva, with me.", Gibbs said and was out of the lab at a remarkable speed.
Nick remained standing there, eyeing their departure with a wistful look.
"Oh, go ahead and try, you idiot.", Abby said not unfriendly and turned her attention to her computer screen once more, searching for information about Greyer's property that could help the team. "Good luck."
Unfortunately the team was already halfway back to the elevator when Nick reached the bullpen.
"Agent Gibbs, I'm going with you.", Nick stated and blocked his path; Ziva and McGee subconsciously held their breath.
Gibbs gave him one of his finest scowls and gazed at the man before him. Far braver men would have stepped out of his way in an instant.
Nick just stood there for a second or two before he added a muttered please.
"Get in the damn elevator and don't waste my time.", Gibbs decided.
"McGee, give him you reserve vest and if asked… you did not get this from me." He handed Nick a gun. Ziva smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. Finally they had sprung in action; they were getting Tony back, hopefully in one piece…
Still, the disturbing image of Millers' torn body was a constant companion and the ride was a silent one, only interrupted by McGee talking to Abby or the honking of the other cars as Gibbs drove at lightning speed through a busy intersection, ignoring the lights as if they merely had a decorative purpose…
"Boss, the FBI reports that DeMarco entered Greyer's house half an hour ago. They're parked outside within save distance."
"Tell them to clear the way without attracting suspicion and are not to take any action until we're there."
Ten minutes later, with one screeching sound the car came to a sudden hold and simultaneously everybody got out, arms ready.
"Not you, you stay put.", Gibbs said, pointing to the car, when he saw Nick following them.
"Oh, come on!", Nick pleaded frustrated.
"Stay."
Nick sighted and sat back down. He watched as the team entered the house. It was on a quiet street, deserted even with old worn down trees, whose leaves ALREADY lost the hopeless battle against the autumn gales.
Nick looked at his borrowed gun once more. It felt strange holding one again, but somehow it felt familiar too. The back seat wasn't that interesting so he climbed to the front, watching the house carefully. He found a 'NCIS' cap and tried it on, just to distract this nauseating feeling in the pit of his stomach.
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The sounds were slower, more muffled when Tony woke up. He was still strapped to the chair, with no idea how long he blacked out this time. He felt like he was under water. Behind him two guys were talking, but everything felt distant; almost surreal. 'This can't be good.', he thought, 'Focus! Snap out of it!' He coughed, which hurt like hell. Right, the man nicked him with a knife.
"… the feds… car… get out…" Vaguely he picked up these words. The blackness was pumping behind his eyes. He just wanted to lie down and sleep but then he heard the word 'NCIS' spoken in a frantic tone. Someone came running down the stairs.
The shock wore off instantly. Jeremy, DeMarco and that third guy were arguing aloud.
"We need to leave now!", Jeremy said nervous, but the other two were clearly ignoring him.
"Are you certain the feds backed off?", the third man asked.
"Yes, Greyer, absolutely.", DeMarco said. Tony had a 'so that's his name' moment but kept it to himself, not wanting to attract any attention to him being awake.
"Then we should leave.", Greyer stated, but DeMarco let out a frustrated howl.
"Not now, I need Peruch's dead body here!"
"I think we should…", Jeremy started but a quick "Shut up!" from both men made him crawl back in his shell.
"I'm leaving, Rafe and I don't suggest we stop your desire for vengeance, just postpone it for a while, until the dust settles."
"No!", DeMarco yelled, "I want Peruch's location!"
Tony felt himself in the middle of the action again when he heard the sinister clicking of a gun next to his ear.
"Now, sleeping beauty, one last chance…", DeMarco said coldly, while placing his gun just above Tony's eyes, " or I'll redecorate this basement."
But before Tony could utter a word the loud sound of screeching tires outside made everybody jump into action.
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When the team entered the house it was the silence that struck them the most, making them tiptoe the place, scanning carefully for any lively presence.
It was McGee who noticed that the door leading to the basement was slightly ajar.
"Boss!", he whispered as loud as he could. He pointed to the door when Gibbs and Ziva turned around the corner. Somehow their easy entrance made him feel very spooked. He did not want to reach the bottom of those stairs.
Still silent Gibbs went down first, followed immediately by Ziva and McGee. The atmosphere changed rapidly while they were descending with the cool air and the sound of dripping water as their companions. Ziva imagined Tony making a lighthearted comment about some low budget horror flick like 'always better on the save side of the screen' orsomething similar to break the moment. This was a trait that bothered Ziva on occasion, but at this moment she sadly realized they needed that from time to time.
They reached a small dark room with a chair pinned in the centre. There was only one other door…
Suddenly it opened and everybody raised their guns. Gibbs stood in the middle with Ziva on his left and McGee on his right. Tony was pushed outside, gagged and bound with his hands behind his back, shielding DeMarco and his henchmen from a fatal exit.
"Back off, Agent Gibbs, or I'll blow his brains out", DeMarco said calmly, pressing the cold metal against his agents neck.
Gibbs mind was racing, what he feared finally had come to pass. Next to him he heard Ziva moving uneasy as well. He knew she was a good shot, but right know he needed to get Tony out unharmed. She couldn't shoot three guys simultaneously, nor could the three of them together, not without endangering Tony.
Tony waited for the verdict, but there was nothing he could do that would make his boss decision any easier. Nevertheless, he tried to catch Gibbs eyes and say 'it's okay, if you can't win, change the board'.
Gibbs' gut didn't protest when he slightly lowered his gun, still armed and ready but less hostile. Ziva and McGee reluctantly did the same.
"DeMarco, if you hurt my agent I will hunt you down.", Gibbs said while slowly backing up to the wall, allowing them to leave with Tony.
One final look at the fiery glow in Tony's eyes as he was taken upstairs still shielding DeMarco from any surprise attack, couldn't help him doubt his decision. Would this be the day he would be proven wrong?
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What took them so long? Nick was getting very nervous, tapping the steering wheel and checking his watch every few seconds.
It took too long, something must have gone wrong…
After another minute he promptly got out of the car, checking his gun again, counting the bullets. If he was going to disobey Gibbs, he probably should do it armed, Nick thought with a grimly smile that faded quickly.
He sneaked to the house and hide himself next to the open door, carefully looking for any movement.
He heard stumbling on the stairs and was about to reveal himself, when a glance of the first man's back make him retract his steps. Holding his breath he returned to his hide-out kneeling down just to be save. DeMarco and Greyer were talking loud, either discussing their precarious situation or their lucky escape. Nick cautiously peeked through the window right of him. He saw Jeremy locking a door and then saw Tony all bruised and bound.
'A plan, a plan, think of a plan!', he thought anxiously as he heard them approach the door. His hands became clammy and his heart raced like hell.
"Come on!", DeMarco said and a muffled scream almost made Nick yell out as well. But he needed to keep his cool.
'Clara, I hope you'll forgive me.', he thought before he raised himself from his humble position and blocked the exit.
"What the hell!", DeMarco almost jumped out of his skin. A flare of recognition lit up in their eyes as Nick shook off his cap but it was too late.
"Missed me?", he asked casually and pointed his gun at DeMarco's astonished face. Tony and Nick looked at each other and then, as if it was thoroughly rehearsed, Tony ducked to the floor, unbalancing DeMarco's aim in the process. All three men swiftly redirected their guns to Nick but he was faster and a moment later, when Gibbs, Ziva and McGee broke down the door, the room subsequently exploded with gunshots.
After all the noise the room went silent again. Gibbs and McGee had been forced to retreat to the stairwell and Ziva had to jump behind a couch.
"Ziva, you okay?", Gibbs asked when the shooting had stopped, carefully reentering the room with McGee close behind him.
"Yes, Gibbs."
The chaos in the room was complete, everybody was lying on the floor which was covered with glass, debris and blood.
"Tony? Are you with us?", Gibbs asked worried while he untied the hands of his agent. "Just hold still.", he added when Tony wanted to get up. Ziva and McGee kneeled down as well.
"Boss, Nick, is… he… okay?", Tony asked with a coarse voice. The door was wide open, but there was no Nick to be seen. The cold October wind blew a few leaves inside, piling up the chaos.
"Nick!", Tony yelled when Gibbs didn't reply and tried to crawl to the door, but Gibbs held him back.
"Boss, I'm fine!", he added angrily.
But the doorway remained empty…