Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Thanks to Gibbsfan1, Twigster, shirrik, mtee1985, Louise, Elfelet, Lucy, Mic, Antilope, Jules47, hidhere and Capt Cow for your reviews. I'll be away for a two weeks. (ok, I'm going skiing,) ;-) I'll update as soon as I'm back. Reviews are a writer's life blood, well, for now. Lol So, basically, if you read a story and you like, let the writer know. It gives inspiration to spend the midnight hours writing when you're supposed to be sleeping. grin

Surprises

To say that James was worried was a gross understatement. He was frantic. He threw the couch pillow against a wall in frustration and fear. Mike was going to be so pissed when he found out that he had lost his phone.

"Relax man. Why don't I try dialling your number again?"

He nodded, wiping a shaky hand across his face. His nose was still tender. His eyes were swollen almost shut and he didn't need to look into a mirror to see the motley colours of blue and green splattered across his face. When Tommy shrugged and returned the phone to his coat, he slammed his fist into a wall. He pushed past the tall man and took the stairs two at a time.

"You know you're not supposed to go down there," Tommy shouted from the top, looking down at James standing just outside the door to the cellar.

"I'm telling you, it's in there somewhere."

Tommy bit his lip, a nervous gesture he had had since childhood. Looking at James and then back at the messed up living room, he finally acceded. "Ok, fine. I'll help. But we've got to be quick. Mike said he should be back in an hour."

James' shoulders slumped in relief. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed the flashlight from the case against the wall. Unlocking the door, he opened it slowly, his flashlight sweeping the immediate floor. Tommy joined him; going right and hugging the wall while he started towards the place he had last seen Tony.

He realised his mistake when his flashlight found nothing but a bloodstain as the door slammed shut behind him.

"Now honestly, Gibbs. Did you really think we wouldn't notice your absence from the house?"

Gibbs didn't respond. He was staring fixedly at the other, hoping for any opening that could change his current situation. Mike tensed, his finger tightening around the trigger.

"Don't try anything. You will regret it."

He pushed from the door jamb and stepped slightly back, indicating to Gibbs to step into the hallway. The NCIS man made sure his hands were visible as he slowly moved past the other man. At the command, he lifted his hands behind his head and interlaced his fingers. He stepped into his living room and was met by two others. Both were dressed in black, baklavas covering their faces. They were heavily built and the only distinguishing feature between the two was their length. One was around six four while the other just measured five seven.

The shorter one had a hunting knife and proceeded to cut efficiently into the straps, removing the back pack. He stepped back and Gibbs was frisked. His gun was removed, leaving an empty feeling on his side. Both cell phones were placed on the coffee table. Satisfied that he had nothing more on him, he was directed to a chair. Both stood at his side, hands held in front of them. Mike stepped to the table and picked up Ducky's phone.

"Who's is this, Agent Gibbs?"

"I picked it up on the street." Gibbs replied, his voice ice. Mike tapped the phone against his chin. He nodded to himself and then picked up the older man's phone. He proceeded to go down the speed dial menu. Gibbs kept his face impassive when the third time proved to Mike that it was Ducky's phone. Mike placed the phones back on the table and taking his own from his pocket he moved out of Gibbs' sight. He could hear quiet murmuring and then the killer returned to lean against the table.

Nothing happened for ten minutes. Icy fingers were running up and down the NCIS man's spine. He said nothing, waited in silence, keeping the feeling of dread firmly under control. The silence was finally broken and Mike answered his phone. The conversation was brief, leaving Gibbs no clues as to what the other man was planning.

"Get the equipment."

The taller man left his side without a word. He came back a minute later and started to set up a laptop next to the phones. Gibbs shifted slightly and a hand dropped on his shoulder. His right hand twitched, wanting nothing more than to clamp around the wrist and break it.

His second guard joined the other. Mike stepped away and for the first time he got a clear view of the screen. He kicked the chair away as he rose, pivoting away from the taller guard. The smaller man's wrist snapped with a sickening sound, his scream loud in the explosive atmosphere. Gibbs used his body and flung it at the second guard. Mike was already moving from the table, his gun drawn and lining on Gibbs. Knowing that he would never make the distance, Gibbs lunged for the downed second guard. The man was trying to extract himself from his buddy and he was already halfway up. They both went to their knees from Gibb's tackle and Gibbs swung the man around to face Mike. One arm pulled his body tight against his, preventing any further movement while his other encircled the man's neck. He heard a slight gurgle and with only slight increase in pressure, the guard stopped his struggling.

"Let Ducky go."

"It seems I've underestimated your physical prowess," Mike commented, pointing his gun at Gibbs. He took a step to his left and Gibbs shifted, keeping the man in view. Ducky's protests sounded slightly distorted over the laptop. He tried not to let it show how much he feared the outcome of what Mike wanted to show him.

"Your men will be caught. I've send men to guard him."

"They're dead."

It shook Gibbs when he heard those words uttered without remorse. His gaze shifted quickly back to the screen. Ducky was on his knees, his hands tied behind his back. A gun was placed against his skull. He could see the fear in the medical examiner's eyes. Mike shifted again. It was enough of a distraction for him to focus away from the moaning guard behind him.

His first warning was the cold metal of a pistol where it touched the base of his skull. "It's over Gibbs. I don't want to kill you now but I will if you force me to." He slowly let the man go and then he was roughly cuffed. He was turned so that he faced the screen fully.

Less than five seconds later a gunshot rang out.

Tony suppressed a groan and screwed his eyes shut against the cramps in his stomach. He could feel the door vibrate as one of the men rammed up against it. Gibbs chose that moment to pop in. He stood just in front of Tony, his head at a slight angle while a smile played on his lips.

"How far do you think you'll manage to go before they find you? And they will find you."

He ignored Gibbs and walked right through him. He was slightly hunched over. It was the furthest upright he could get and still function. Taking the steps slow, he had to pause halfway, leaning against the wall. Kate was smirking, looking him up and down and then turning away in disgust. Gibbs appeared and hugged her too him, his eyes boring into Tony.

"Why is it Tony that we always have to save your hide?"

McGee appeared, a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. Tony looked closer and then stiffened. Probie was wearing his cap. Gibbs' gaze never left his when he addressed the youngest member of the team.

"How many times have Tony been kidnapped this year?"

"Two or three times. Not really sure boss."

"And how many times did we have to save his butt?"

Tony blinked against another wave of dizziness and somewhere between the pounding in his head and the pounding against the door, he heard McGee answer. "All of them." When his eyes focused again, they were gone, leaving him alone halfway up the staircase.

Tony grimaced before pushing from the wall and continuing with the trek upwards. Abby waited for him. She was sitting on the overturned coach, her feet swinging in beat with the death march that pervaded the room.

"You're bleeding."

"Thanks for stating the obvious," he murmured hoarsely. Ducky sauntered into the room. He walked around Tony and leaned in, studying his head wound and the slightly bend stanch.

"It doesn't look good, Abby. I'll have to do an autopsy as soon as he's dead. Looks like we'll have to find a new member for the team. I'll let Gibbs know."

"Ooh, I always like newbies. They're so much fun."

Tony felt reality slip. He watched Gibbs appear. He wanted to say something, anything to wipe the look of contempt from the older man's face.

"You were right, Duck. He doesn't have it in him to be an NCIS agent. He's not strong enough."

"No, not real." His voice was barely above a whisper now.

"But we are real, Tony."

He turned his head to find Kate leaning against the wall. He swallowed hard to stave off another nausea attack. A door slammed from somewhere deeper inside the house and he heard voices. His heart jumped to his throat as he frantically eyed the room for any hiding place.

Consciousness returned and Kate slowly opened her eyes. She could make out the blurry elements of the room around her, but not clearly enough to actually place her surroundings. Her right side had a dull ache to it. Shadow moved across her vision and when it finally cleared she noticed a man holding her wrist. He ignored her stirring as he took her pulse before letting go of her hand none too gently. Something about the way he kept looking at the closed door seemed wrong. She swallowed against the rawness in her throat and watched him extract a syringe and moved around the bed towards where her IV was hanging.

She felt the call button against her hand. As she reached for it, he shook his head and moved it out of the way. Alarmed, she opened her mouth to call out. He stopped her by placing a hand over her mouth. Ignoring her weak struggles, he emptied the syringe into her line and waited until she closed her eyes again before leaving the room.

"There's still no answer from Ducky's."

Abby couldn't hide the concern in her gaze. She looked at the flashing screen where a name was proclaimed.

"Maybe he's on his way here," McGee said, trying to placate her. "Gibbs said he should be here by seven. We still have an hour."

Grabbing Bert, she hugged him close, letting out a long drawn out fart. "Something's really wrong, McGee."

He sighed before blowing his nose noisily. "I know, Abs. This whole case is wrong. I think we should go speak to the director."

"Maybe we should wait for Gibbs," she said softly, her eyes pleading with McGee. Glancing at the name again, he closed his eyes. Gibbs wasn't answering the phone, just like Ducky.

"No, I think we should do it now."

The look of relief on her face was visible as he stood and made his way towards the door and upstairs. Even though he wasn't in the lab anymore, the name still flashed in front of his eyes and he knew without a doubt that they were in over their heads.

Reviews, as always, appreciated. ;-) Oh, and I did say that it will be a rough ride from here on out. lol