Abby sat alone in her lab after being sent there by Gibbs to maintain the trace on Adriana's cell phone. Tim had managed to find the car that Carbone stole from NCIS, but it wasn't too helpful. She had disabled the GPS, and they were only able to follow the car through tolls and traffic cameras into Northeastern Virginia. Adriana had headed into the 50 square mile radius, but the team was at a loss. So Abby sat and waited, praying that the C.I.A. Officer would make a mistake and turn on her phone. Abby felt the tears rising again, and she cursed Officer Carbone for abandoning them. Maybe Adriana would save him, and bring her Tony back in one piece. However, it had already been an hour, and no communication from Carbone was suggesting otherwise. Abby stared at her computer.

"Please, please, please, please-" Abby chanted. She paused when her computer responded by blinking back at her. Her eyes widened with excitement. She picked up the phone quickly and dialed.

"Gibbs."

"Gibbs, Gibbs!!"

"What is it, Abbs?"

"I have a location!"

"How?" Gibbs asked. His voice sounded tired, but this new information was adding a spark to his words.

"Her phone, Gibbs. She turned it on!"

"Where is she Abbs?"

"Leeland, Virginia. Hang on Gibbs, I'm getting information on the address."

Gibbs heard Abby's fast typing as she pounded away at the keys trying to find where Ben Curran was holding Tony. Suddenly she stopped.

"Oh..."

"What is it, Abby?"

"She's at a cemetery. Shady Oaks."

"Send the information to McGee's PD thing. That's good work, Abbs." Gibbs appraised before hanging up. Abby sat back in her chair almost relieved.

"Find them Gibbs, bring Tony back," Abby whispered as she picked up Bert to give him a squeeze.

Tony could not believe what had just transpired. He had heard a weapon discharge, and the next moment he saw his ex-partner lying on the ground of the damp basement. He had called out to her immediately, but received no response. He continued to stare at her unmoving form. The only thought running through his mind was, 'not again.' He had seen Kate and Paula die right before his eyes, and now this? It couldn't be happening, not again. His eyes began to well up at the thought of another fallen comrade. He stared intently at Addy as if willing her to rise.

"Addy?" he spoke quietly the sadness evident in his voice. Tony had about given up hope when he heard an irritated groan coming from the basement floor.

"You bastard..." Adriana said in a slight voice almost mumbling.

Tony's eyes lit up, "Addy?!"

Addy crossed her left hand over her body to cover the wound on her shoulder. Ben kept his weapon trained on Officer Carbone as she slowly willed herself into a sitting position.

"That the best you can do, Benji?" her words came like fire, scorching and unforgiving.

Ben crossed the room quickly until he was standing in front of Adriana. Using her good arm, she pulled herself to her kneeling position. Ben looked down at her callously before driving his boot into her mid section. Adriana fell from her kneeling position onto her side forcibly. Ben grabbed some loose rope that was sitting on the table in the corner of the room, and went back over to Adriana once again. He rolled her onto her stomach, before sitting down on her lower back, using his body weight to restrain her. Carbone winced as he grabbed her injured arm from her side, and began to tie her wrists together tightly behind her.

"Leave her alone, Ben!" Tony cried out, desperately trying to save his ex-partner from the terrors Ben could inflict. Ben ignored him as he finished tying off the rope. Tony tried again to get through to Ben, bravely taunting him to steer Ben's attentions back to himself.

"I'm who you want, Benji. I'm the one who beat your stupid game. I'm the one who put you in jail! You want me, Benji, not her!"

Ben removed himself from Adriana's back, and stomped back over to Tony. Without warning, Curran reached for the handle of the knife that was still embedded in Tony. Tony let out a cry as Ben ripped the knife from his flesh. Tony dropped his head down, and clenched his jaw, biting back the pain that was radiating through his body. Ben placed the tip of the knife under Tony's chin, forcing him to look up. Tony's eyes met Curran's and he saw the malice that lay beneath them.

"You're right, Anthony. I do want you. I want you to suffer," Ben smiled. "And what better way to make you suffer, then to watch her die. Slowly. Maybe I'll just cut her up piece by piece. Wouldn't that be fun, Anthony?"

"Fuck you, you son of a bitch!"

Ben removed the blade from under Tony's chin, and punched him hard in the gut with his free hand. Tony coughed, trying hard to keep his breathing in check.

"Language, Anthony," Ben scolded in a mocking tone. "Don't make me hit you again. I want you conscious when I take her apart. I want you to feel every cut I make, Anthony. I want you to see every drop of blood, and I want you to know that it is all your fault. She's going to suffer, and it will all be because of YOU!"

Ben laughed as he walked away from a speechless Tony. Was this all his fault? No! Tony was determined to not play his game. He couldn't feel responsible, but he also couldn't help thinking that he could have prevented this. If he hadn't dropped his guard, and let Ben kidnap him she wouldn't be here. The pain he felt as he let his mind wander through all of the horrible possibilities that awaited Addy were killing him inside. He glared at Ben as Ben squatted in front of Adriana. Curran grabbed her hair, and yanked her head up from the ground so he could see her face.

"I've been waiting a long time for this, Detective Carbone. I have something special for you."

Adriana spit at Ben, and he smacked her hard in return.

"You filthy whore!" Ben yelled as he released the hold on her hair letting her head drop forward once again. "I'll be back, and you'll be sorry for that, bitch."

Ben left the basement leaving Adriana and Tony alone. Adriana rolled over on her left side, making sure not to put pressure on her wound. She looked up at Tony, who was staring down at floor below him.

"You look like shit," she said, trying to lighten the mood.

Tony looked up at her. She could see the pain in his eyes. Ben had really done a number on him. Adriana had seen plenty of things during her time working for the C.I.A., but it never affected her as it did now. She waited for a one-of-a-kind Anthony DiNozzo smart ass remark, but was disappointed with his response.

"I'm fine..."

It was clear to her that he was trying his hardest to hide the pain in his voice. His breathing was shallow, and she knew that something had to be done soon. Tony didn't have long. She swore at herself for getting caught in this position. She allowed this maniac to play her, and she fell for it. A lot of good she was to Tony with a wounded shoulder, wrists tied behind her back, lying on the floor. Idiot, she berated herself. Tony interrupted her as she began to chastise her plan.

"You...shouldn't have...come here."

"I had to, Tony. You were my partner! What was I supposed to do, leave you here to die?"

"Gibbs-"

"I couldn't tell Gibbs! He would have killed you if NCIS showed up here with me."

"Great...so now," Tony coughed again, "we both get to die."

"No one is dying here, Tony. Hey! You here me? We are NOT going to die here!"

"You came with out back up!" Tony exclaimed, his adrenaline kicked in as the rage he felt boiled to the surface.

"You really think I'd show up here with out a plan?" she argued back.

"What plan, Addy?" Tony asked sarcastically, "getting shot?"

"Gibbs."

"Gibbs?"

"He'll be here, Tony. Just trust me, ok?"

Tony stared at Adriana who had a look of confidence on her face. Gibbs was coming? A wave of relief washed over him, and he let out a deep breath. Big mistake. A sudden surge of pain ran through him, and his eyes glistened as tears threatened to fall. He had to stay strong. Gibbs would kill him if he died before Gibbs showed up. He just hoped that Gibbs would come soon. The pain was unbearable, and Tony was struggling to win the battle with unconsciousness.

"You just have to be strong a little while longer, Tony," Addy said as she tried to console her pained friend. Tony winced as he let out a chuckle. "What's so funny?" asked Adriana.

"Just like old times, Addy."

"What?" replied a confused Adriana.

"You always had to be right."

"And you always had to be a pain in the ass, DiNozzo."

Special Agent Timothy McGee fought the feeling of nausea as the car he was seated in raced down the Jefferson Davis Highway toward Leeland, Virginia. Tim's heart was beating rapidly as Gibbs swerved to pass another car that was blocking his way between their car and Tony. Tim glanced up into the rearview mirror to see Agent's Lee and Jardine. Lee had her head pressed up against the cracked open window swallowing the fresh air, and desperately trying not to vomit. Jardine didn't seem much better. Her eyes were shut tight, and she was holding her hand over her mouth. Three out of the four agents in the car swayed once again, as Gibbs offensively overtook another vehicle. Tim checked the rearview once more to see the autopsy truck in close pursuit. Tim was amazed that Ducky was able to keep up. Palmer and Saunders must be in hell right now; especially which ever one was seated in the middle. Tim secretly hoped that it was Agent Saunders. Tim glanced over at Gibbs. His face was stone, but his eyes were enraged. Tim wasn't sure he had ever seen Gibbs this angry. It scared him, but it also gave him hope. Tony once said that Gibbs was like a dog with an old bone, and McGee could see the truth in Tony's statement. Gibbs made a sharp left onto Morton Road, and once again Tim, Jardine, and Lee shifted violently with the turning vehicle. McGee checked the map on his P.D.A. He saw that they would be at the cemetery soon. Tim prayed that Tony was alive...for everyone's sake.

Tony and Adriana remained silent in their basement dungeon. Every so often Tony would try to release some of the pressure from his arms by attempting to stand on his toes. Adriana would look up with each attempt in concern. Tony was getting worse by the minute. Gibbs had better arrive soon. Ben had been gone for ten minutes, and with each passing second Adriana would try to wiggle out of her bonds. He had tied her wrists tightly, but she was making progress. She could feel the rope burning against her skin cutting into her flesh. She stopped her struggle when she heard Tony speak.

"Addy..." Tony said with barely any attempt to mask the pain. Adriana knew that was not a good sign. Tony was the king of masking emotions, and if his mask was failing, so was he.

"What is it, Tony?"

"If...if we don't get out of this..."

"Knock it off Tony, we are going to be fine," Adriana cut him off in a stern voice.

Tony ignored her and continued, "I just wanted to say...I'm sorry for bailing on you...back in Philly."

"Save it Tony. You can apologize when we get out of here."

"Addy-"

"No, Tony. I don't want to hear it. What ever happened to DiNozzo's not giving up?"

Tony smiled slightly at her words, but his smile was replaced with dread as he heard Ben opening the basement door.

"Miss me?" asked Ben in mischievous voice. He was holding some kind of apparatus in his hand, which he plugged into the wall nearest to Addy.

"Go to hell, Benji" spat Adriana.

"You first, Detective," Ben replied.

Curran flicked the switch to the apparatus in his hand. It came to life, and Tony forced his head up to see what was making the powerful noise. He saw the electric carving knife in Ben's hand. Whatever color remained in his face paled at the sight. Ben was always true to his words, and he was going to cut up Addy like a Thanksgiving turkey right in front of him. Tony felt the bile rising in his throat as he stared at the menacing object in Ben's hands.

"I borrowed this from the house's previous tenant. I doubt he'll mind. He's a bit dead at the moment," Ben laughed as he made his way over to Adriana.

"Ben, no! Please...please I'm begging you don't do this. Kill me, cut me up into pieces, just leave her alone!" Tony begged with all of his might. He couldn't allow this to happen...not again.

"I knew you'd beg for me, Anthony. Too bad it won't help your partner," Ben inched closer to Adriana with the carving knife. She tried to back away, but it didn't do much good.

"NO!" Tony screamed.

Ben was about to begin when he heard a creak on the floor above him. He turned off the knife, and ran to the table to grab his gun.

The car Gibbs was driving stopped abruptly at the edge of Shady Oaks Cemetery. With lightening speed he was out of the car, followed by a slower threesome of car sick agents. The truck pulled up behind Gibbs' sedan. Ducky, and Palmer exited the truck first, while Agent Saunders (McGee had gotten his wish) crawled out of the middle seat looking a sickly shade of green. All seven gathered at the entrance to the cemetery.

"Duck, Palmer, you two stay here. Wait for my call. The rest of you, follow McGee and I. Stay low, and stay quiet. We don't need this son of a bitch getting spooked." Not when Tony's life is on the line, thought Gibbs to himself, "McGee!"

"Yeah, boss?"

"Lead the way."

McGee pulled out his P.D.A. and followed the trail towards Adriana's cell phone. Gibbs and the others were following closely, weapons drawn, eyeing their surroundings. Within minutes they saw the old groundskeeper's house.

"Her phone is transmitting from over there, boss"

Gibbs nodded, and motioned for Saunders and Lee to make a quick parameter around the house for possible entrances and exits. The agents worked in silence as they surveyed their position. Saunders and Lee made it back quickly from circling the small house.

"Only one door to the inside," Agent Lee reported as she pointed towards the front door. Gibbs moved forward with his gun leading the way. He held up his hand as a sign for the others to follow him. Gibbs looked down as he crossed the threshold, and spotted Adriana's cell phone laying inconspicuously by the front door. Smart, he thought. At least she had the sense to allow him find her location. Tim had Gibbs' six as they entered the small house in silence followed by Lee, then Jardine, and taking up the rear was Agent Saunders. Upon entering the door, the agents heard a dull grinding noise filling the house. The noise became louder as they cleared each room they passed heading towards the back of the house. Gibbs could hear muffled voices coming from below, but they were too faint to make out. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he heard a noise that shook him to the core.

"NO!"

Even though most of the sound was blocked by the floor beneath him, he knew who the voice belonged to. Tony. Gibbs looked up towards the heavens and thanked God that his friend was alive. Gibbs held up a fist to halt the agents who were following him. McGee, Lee, and Jardine stopped immediately. Andrew, who was not paying enough attention, stumbled, causing the old floor to creak. Everyone turned to look at Saunders, who barely acknowledged their glares. They stood in silence for a moment until they heard the grinding noise shut off, and the heavy footsteps of a man who knew he had company. Dammit! Gibbs swore to himself. That idiot Saunders had blown the element of surprise. Gibbs looked over at him with eyes that could kill.

"Saunders, Lee, and Jardine! Wait outside, and maintain the parameter. McGee, you're with me," Gibbs whispered angrily.

"On your six, boss," Tim replied which caused Gibbs to wince slightly. He couldn't help picturing Tony as Tim had spoken those words.

Adriana let out the breath she was holding when Ben turned off the electric blade. She went deathly calm as she watched Ben frantically pacing, gun in hand, planning his next move. Tony was watching Ben's pacing curiously before turning to look at Adriana. Obviously, he had not heard the sound of the floor creaking above. Addy smiled at him in response, and Tony's eyes shined with acknowledgment. Gibbs was here.

"You stupid bitch!" Ben cried as he pointed the gun towards Adriana. "This is not the way it works! You didn't play my game!"

"Aww, Benji, don't be such a poor sport. You told me to show up alone, and I did. Can't blame me if your game wasn't good enough to fool NCIS."

"Shut up, SHUT UP!" Ben yelled grasping his head with his left hand, the gun pointed at Adriana in his right. "No, this isn't over! I'm not done with you yet!"

Ben stormed over to Tony, and took an angled position behind him aiming the barrel at DiNozzo's head. Adriana bit her lip and hoped he wouldn't pull the trigger. Her attention shifted as the door behind her was kicked open with brute strength.

"NCIS! FREEZE!"

To be continued...