DISCLAIMER: I do not own NCIS.
Chapter Eleven: The Dusty Road
Gibbs was standing in front of the plasma, re-reading Abby's message. McGee was reading up on any connections Mikel had in California, Tony was looking up the mystery person who was driving the van, and Ziva was updating the BOLO. Turning around to grab his jacket, he walked out of the office.
"Where'd he go?"
Tony asked, looking up over the wall of a cubicle. Ziva looked up from her work.
"Coffee."
"Ah."
They'd forgotten last time he went for coffee he wound up back at NCIS minus one coffee and plus one lead.
"Got something."
McGee called from his computer. Tony and Ziva got up and walked over, leaning down to look at his screen. McGee hit a key and the information on his screen popped up on the plasma, replacing Abby's message. Ziva and Tony wandered to the screen, looking at a driver license for a young man with a lip ring.
"Looks like I did Tony's job and found our driver. Thomas Lancer, born in California twenty two years ago, spent time for several robbers of liquor stores."
"He matches the description Abby gave us."
Tony mentioned.
"Where does Mikel know him from?"
Ziva continued. McGee walked over from his computer and looked up at the screen.
"It looks like they were childhood friends. They made trouble together as teenagers until Tom moved away to California. It looks like he came all the way to DC to see a band's last concert."
"Does he own a van?"
"No, but his parents do."
Tony snorted.
"Does he still live with them, too?"
"Actually he lives across town from them."
Ziva looked up at the screen again.
"We'd better call Gibbs."
"I'll do that now."
McGee went back to his desk and opened his phone.
"And I'll update the BOLO with the van's license plates."
Ziva said, turning away from the TV.
"Yeah, Ziva's updating the BOLO now… It matches… Alright."
McGee flipped his phone closed.
"What'd he say?"
Tony strolled up to McGee's desk and leaned on its corner.
"He said that all we can do now is wait, so to go home and keep a phone near you."
"Got it."
Tony took out his jacket and smiled at Ziva, who was still on the phone.
"See you later Zee-vah!"
He taunted. Ziva put her hand over the phone's bottom and glared at Tony.
"I will kill you with a paperclip! Huh? Oh, no not you."
Ziva continued with her conversation and Tony winked, walking out to the elevator with McGee. The doors opened and the pair stepped in.
"I hope we can find her soon."
Tony put a hand on his probie's shoulder.
"We will. Abby's one tough chick. Now let's get out of here Elf Lord!"
N-C-I-S
Abby drifted in and out of consciousness. Eventually she felt the van stop.
"We need gas!"
"What if they see Abby!"
"I don't know, but we need gas. Just go back there and keep her quiet."
She heard a door open and close. Standing next to the door at the back of the van, the second light flowed in she pushed out with all her force. Tackling Mikel as she jumped out, she screamed once before Mikel put his hand over her mouth and put her back in the van. He looked back out for a moment and quickly popped his head back in.
"Did anyone hear?"
Mikel hissed to his partner. A fainted voice yelled something back.
"We're good!"
The man yelled.
"Okay Abby, I need you to start behaving!"
He pulled a cloth out of his pocket and put it over her mouth.
"I got this from a trucker at a stop we took when you were sleeping."
He winked and she struggled, trying not to breathe in the chloroform. Eventually she breathed in and closed her eyes, hoping she would be found soon.
N-C-I-S
Gibbs handed Ducky Lancer's file.
"It's a bit bare, but I'll do my best Jethro."
"We just need to know if you think he's prone to violence. They should be caught soon, but until then I need to know who this guy is."
Ducky nodded and flipped open the file, sitting back on his desk chair. After a moment he looked up, locking eyes with Gibbs.
"Is there anything else you need Jethro? This won't be done for quite some time."
Gibbs' eyes flickered away for a second, but quickly looked back again.
"I've been thinking Duck. Abby and I have always been close… But the way I feel about her seems different from everyone else's'."
The doctor looked at him curiously.
"Are you saying you don't think everyone cares about her as much, or you don't?"
"Neither."
Gibbs sighed.
"I think I care… differently."
Ah hell, I suck at this feelings crap.
"I'm in love with her Duck."
Gibbs said bluntly. Ducky looked taken back for a moment, but he quickly recovered with a smile.
"I've always thought something was going on with you two."
"Nothing has, not yet. I never thought about it that way. I don't know if she has either."
"What is it you need my advice on?"
"I know when she gets back I'm going to break Rule #12, but if she feels differently…"
"You're not sure if she feels the same?"
Gibbs took a seat next to the M.E.
"No. And that would change everything."
"It would, but if she came back and you said nothing, do you think you could keep it that way?"
Thinking a moment, Gibbs looked at his coffee.
"No."
"Then there you go."
Standing up, Gibbs' lips curved into a smile. He walked out, his effort to find Abby doubled.
N-C-I-S
The car was jostling her around and her ankle was killing her. Stifling a groan, Abby sat up. God I wish this van had some windows. She was frustrated with being unable to know what time it was and her mind was still fuzzy from everything happening. Escape plan, escape plan, I need an escape plan! Focus Abby! She crawled to the back door of the van and quietly pushed on it. To her surprise, it opened. Mikel didn't lock it! She looked down at the patchy dirt road underneath her as it flew by. They must've been going at least 50 mph, and sadly no other cars were around. The road was old and rocky, absent of any road signs, people, or phones. Well I have to do something! Abby heard muffled voices from up in front. Closing the door again, she crawled up to the wall separating her from her kidnappers.
"This is going to take too long! Driving like this is impossible, someone with find her!"
"I have an idea man. I know this dude who can fly a plane, he's even got his own. No airports, no nothing. We just have to get to Maryland."
"Maryland! We'll have to practically turn around!"
The two men continued to bicker as Abby listened in. This changes things. I have to get out of here before we get to Maryland! Thinking over the possibilities, Abby reopened the door to the outside. There were still no people, but at least they had slowed down a little. They had to be going around 40. Taking a deep breath, she curled up in a ball and jumped out. She hit the ground but stayed in a ball, continuing to roll to a stop. Tearing her skirt, the rocks beneath her bruised her sides and cut her. At least it's not gravel she thought bitterly. Looking up from the place in the road she landed, she spotted the van. One of the back doors was still opened, but she hoped they wouldn't see it in the rear view mirror. Scrambling to get off the road and into a ditch, she hid herself. Her ankle wasn't the only thing hurting her anymore. Now she had scrapes and gashes running all down her body and the dust was stinging her eyes. Her arm was most definitely broken, but other than that she had only been tossed around. She waited until the van was out of site and stood up, beginning to walk down the road the way she had come.
N-C-I-S
I want to thank ladybugsmomma for being our 60th reviewer! My brother's doing well and is home now, so things are good! His surgery had no complications or anything, but thanks for everyone's support. I lost track of time today and meant to post earlier, but I had to edit some of this part. I hope you all liked it! Any ideas are welcomed
~whynotlive