HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

CHAPTER 12

Tony was tired. It wasn't for the lack of sleep. He seemed to have done little else for days. But the drug-induced slumber hadn't stopped him tossing and turning, Joanne Isaac's tear-stained face, and her unspoken plea for help haunting his dreams. The knowledge that he'd seen her but didn't do a damn thing to help was eating away at him. He could visualise her in his mind's eye but where had he been? What had he been doing at the time?

"Muldoon is being arraigned this morning." Ziva's voice broke through his thoughts. Suddenly something clicked.

"Turn the car round. Take me to the Faraday estate."

Ziva gave him a look. "Why do you wish to go there? Gibbs is expecting us. He knows we are on our way. If we do not arrive soon he will not be happy."

"He will if we find out where they're holding Joanne Isaac."

"You have remembered where you saw her." Her eyes sparkled. "Why did you not just say that!"

Ziva spun the car around, all thought of his comfort gone as Tony was thrown back into his seat. The smell of burning rubber invaded the small space as they raced in the opposite direction at breakneck speed. His body was aching, protesting at the rough treatment as he was bounced around but he didn't care. He only hoped his memory wasn't playing tricks. That, and the little girl was still alive.

Once he caught his breath, he pulled out his cell. "Gibbs…"

"What the hell's keeping you, DiNozzo? Fornell is wearing a hole in the carpet."

He flinched and pulled the phone back from his ear until the boss had finished his rant. "I know I'm late, but you won't mind why...I've remembered where I saw the kid."

"Where?"

Just at that moment Ziva changed lanes, cutting off a car at speed. He was thrown against the door and the cell phone fell onto his lap.

"Damn it, Tony, Don't make me ask again!"

"Sorry, Boss, Ziva cut off the connection…" He ignored her glare and held onto his cell as if his life depended on it. Then he realized - someone's did. "The Faraday Estate. You were on the phone to Vance when the kid ran into me. Before you ask, I don't know which house she came from, but it was on the last street we canvassed."

"Good job…we'll meet you there."

When the call terminated, he gently rubbed his sore arm.

"I can slow down if you wish."

Deep in thought, for a moment Tony had forgotten where he was. He turned to see Ziva watching him with concern. "It's cool…Too much time has been wasted already."

"Very well."

Ziva nodded then put her foot down – hard. Tony gritted his teeth against the G-Force as the speed notched up and the car tore up the road. He was only mildly surprised when Gibbs arrived at the estate barely five minutes after they did. It wasn't long after that they found the house they were looking for...

ooooOoooo

"Is Tony okay?" Jimmy whispered to Ducky as he prepared the dead man's body for transport.

Ducky glanced over at the wounded agent. He was ashen faced, silent. Gibbs was saying something to him, but with all the activity going on it was impossible to hear what it was. Both men looked grim. Ducky sighed. "I would doubt it, Mr Palmer. Men like Tony and Gibbs like closure. With the man who shot him killed by another's hands, there is none to be found here…for either of them. And of course there is the matter of the child. The little girl is still missing."

"Time of death, Ducky?"

Ducky drew Fornell a scathing look.

It was well know that the ME only allowed his friends to use his nickname so when a reply wasn't immediately forthcoming, the FBI man ended the awkward silence. "Sorry…Dr Mallard."

The ME rose up to his full height. "The body is still warm. I would say no longer than forty minutes."

Gibbs and Tony came over to join them just as McGee appeared with a pair of sneakers in his hands. The soles were stained with dried blood. "I'm guessing when we get these to Abby…"

"That's my blood. I don't need Abby to confirm it. I would've recognized these sneakers anywhere. There are some things you don't forget, Probie."

McGee went silent.

"Bag them, McGee. Any sign of the gun?"

"No, Boss."

Fornell's mouth twisted. "My people haven't found it either. We have to assume the woman has it…along with the girl."

Tony saw something out the corner of his eye. He dodged the FBI agents scurrying around to retrieve it from the couch. "She's going to miss this." The pink fluffy toy poodle felt soft against his skin. It also showed signs of wear. This was a well loved toy. His hand was shaking as he gave it to Gibbs.

"Jethro…"

Gibbs caught Ducky's warning, and grabbed Tony's arm. The younger man swayed, but didn't fall. He waited until Tony was steady on his feet before nodding to Ziva. She stopped taking pictures and came over. "Take him back to my place."

Tony pulled away from his grasp. "No…I want to help."

In response Gibbs motioned for the rest to leave them. Ziva and McGee got the hint. It took a little longer for Fornell to roll his eyes before eventually moving away.

"Tony…there's nothing more you can do here. Look at yourself - you need to lie down."

"More…I didn't do anything. Oh, wait – I did. I had the chance to save a kidnapped child. She ran straight into my arms, but what did I do. Heck…I gave her back to the woman who'd snatched her!" His head was pounding, the sound of his own voice painful to his ears. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. It didn't help.

"If you want to throw a pity party, go ahead - I won't be coming. Ziva…get him out of here."

Gibbs hadn't raised his voice but Tony knew he'd pissed him off. Right now, he didn't care. He wasn't leaving either. Not yet. Somerville's corpse was now ensconced in a body bag. Tony walked past Ziva, and stood in front of the gurney. "I want to see him."

Jimmy swallowed and glanced at Ducky for guidance. The ME only hesitated briefly before he nodded. As the zipper was pulled down revealing Somerville's face Tony saw the piercing blue eyes staring up at him, except now they were lifeless, as dead as the man himself.

He didn't know how he felt. He wanted to be angry, but the rage he'd felt after he'd been shot seemed redundant now. Would he have killed him if he'd had the chance? The answer would be yes, although a big part of him had wanted Somerville to face justice. Coralee had taken that decision out of his hands. It sucked, but he needed to get over it. He took one more look at the man who'd nearly ended his life then ignoring the concerned glances from everyone around him, turned on his heel and walked out the door.

ooooOoooo

"Where are you going?

Ziva answered without taking her eyes off the road. "I am taking you home…well…back to Gibbs home."

Tony wished he was going to his own place. He wanted to crawl into his apartment and shut the world out - at least till he got his head straight. "What about the insulin for Sharon Adams. I'm no medic, but she's a diabetic and without it…she could die."

"I am surprised you care," Ziva sounded slightly surprised.

"What? Why wouldn't I?" Tony snarked, annoyed at the implication.

"It was Sharon Adams who stole the drug that nearly killed you. She was complicit…"

Tony put up his hand. "Sure…she stole the digitalis, and you're right - I'm not too happy about how that could have ended. But, from what I've heard she was a stooge."

"Stooge?"

He wasn't in the mood to give explanations, but he knew Ziva would pursue the question until she got an answer.

"Coralee used her. Somerville I'm pissed at. Especially as I can't…" His hand balled into a fist as he swallowed his frustration. "Coralee…well there's a very special place for people like her, but Sharon Adams…she's a victim. Not as much as a freaking victim as I am…but one all the same." Tony felt exhaustion creep in as the pent up anger left his body. "I'm not angry with her, Ziva. Besides, I think the woman will probably be punishing herself enough."

Ziva went quiet for a moment. "There are times when I wonder if I know you at all, Tony."

He shrugged. "Sorry if I don't share your blood lust."

"You misunderstand me…I meant it as a compliment." Her ponytail bobbed as she glanced in the mirror before taking the next corner. "Very well, if you feel up to it, I will collect the medicine and take it to the Navy Yard before I take you back." When he didn't immediately answer she turned to look at him. "Do you feel well enough?"

Tony blinked, aware he'd zoned out a little. "Yeah…I'm fine. By the way. If Gibbs give you any flack, blame me."

Ziva's eyes flashed as she gave him a grin. "I am not afraid of Gibbs! His barking is worse than his bite. No man scares me."

He didn't doubt it. Tony tilted his head and considered the passionate but fiercely loyal woman sitting next to him. He was sure glad she was a friend. He hadn't enjoyed being on the end of her wrath when he'd killed Michael.

Ziva parked the car across from the red brick two story apartment building and checked her PDA. "This is the place. Will you be alright while I'm gone?"

"Don't you want me to come with you? Granted I wouldn't be much use in a fight, but I can still handle a gun."

Ziva was already checking the area as she answered. "That will not be necessary. In any case I can see the forensic team from the FBI preparing to leave." Tony glanced out and saw a man wearing clearly marked FBI overalls slam the back of a black SUV then get into the passenger side.

"If Coralee had made an appearance I am sure Fornell would have told us. I will be gone five minutes, no more." As she opened the door to climb out, she glanced back with a glint in her eye. "Call if you miss me too much."

Tony rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop smiling as he watched her walk across the road. He'd missed snarking with Ziva. Goofing around with McGee, he'd even missed the head slaps from Gibbs. Fact was he didn't even mind when he ended up being the butt of the joke. That was the worse thing about getting hurt. People treated you with kid gloves. Like a piece of Ducky's fine china that could break if you looked at it the wrong way. He wanted normal back.

It had been a crappy day, but at least he had closure – even if it had been forced upon him. Whatever, he hoped that he could now start getting his life back. With rehab ahead it would be a while before he would be on equal terms with the team, but maybe in a few days he could sweet talk the boss into letting him back to do paperwork.

He hadn't heard from his dad which was no big surprise, but the fact he could still be hurt by his lack of concern, was. His death had been all over the news, but as per usual the old man hadn't even tried to contact Gibbs. He'd stopped making excuses for him long ago. Thought he built up barriers to protect himself against the hurt. He'd been wrong. Now, as well as being pissed at DiNozzo Snr, he was worried. Was dad okay? Had something happened to him? He was half way through punching in the numbers of his cell when a passing car caught his eye. He dialled Gibbs instead.

"DiNozzo…why are you calling? Are you sick?"

"Boss, I think we could have a problem. A grey four by four has just pulled up across the street." While he was speaking he watched as a woman got out. As he looked closer a shiver ran down his spine. "Scratch that…we do have a problem. It's Coralee Adams. Crap…she's heading into the building. Ziva's in there alone…"

"Do what you can – I'm on my way…"

As soon as Gibbs got off the line, he called Ziva.

"Missing me already, Tony?"

"Coralee's here. Where do you keep your spare?"

The smile in her voice faded, replaced with a sharp, clipped tone. "It is taped to the under side of my seat. How long do I have?"

He jerked his shoulder reaching for the weapon and winced, but managed to suppress a groan. "Two minutes. She's entering the building now."

The line went dead. Ziva would be okay, at least he hoped so. He was too far away and currently too slow to get there in time, but Ziva was more than a match for Coralee. Still, he hadn't been able to tell if she was armed. He had to assume she was as the gun that shot him hadn't been found at their apartment. If nothing else he'd make sure she didn't get away. Question was where had she stashed the kid?

Armed with the borrowed weapon, he gingerly unfolded his aching body out the car and made his way over to the abandoned vehicle. He couldn't believe it when he saw the little girl sound asleep in her car seat. The crazy bitch had even left the car unlocked.

Whatever happened next he wasn't about to leave her there. His breath hitched and he gritted his teeth against the pain as he reached in, unhooked the sleeping child and folded her against his chest. At the sound of gunfire, his heart lurched but he tore his mind off Ziva and focused on getting the kid to safety. The child stirred, gave him a look with those big blue eyes then promptly went back to sleep.

He was out of time and out of options. There was no one around to help, so he rushed to Ziva's car, laid her on the back seat and locked it. He'd just started back across the road when he saw the woman running way from the building towards the four by four.

Dressed in sweats and with his arm in a sling, he didn't make an imposing figure. He raised his gun. "NCIS – stop or I'll shoot."

The woman ignored his hail. When she didn't return fire he spotted the seeping wound in her arm, but still no sign of a gun. Regardless of the crime, Tony didn't want to kill her unless he had to, so forced more speed into his heavy legs. Too late, he saw her jump into the car and heard the engine start. He wasn't about to let her get away and although it wasn't the smartest move he stood his ground in the middle of the road and levelled his weapon at the speeding vehicle.

He shot at the front tyre. Heard the bang as it burst sending the vehicle skidding wildly about the road. Tony saw the hatred glittering from her hard eyes as Coralee gained control of the car and drove it towards him. He heard Ziva shout and the sound as his gun fired, once, twice, three times until there was nothing left of the windscreen but a mass of shattered, blood-stained glass.

Out of control the car careered towards him. He dived out the way, but not fast enough. He cried out as the cold, unyielding metal clipped his leg and sent him flying without the aid of a parachute. Pain, sharp and slick ripped through his side as gravity won the day and he hit the tarmac hard and fast. He could smell the burning rubber. Taste the rancid scent of his own blood as he bit into his mouth. See the unshed tears as Ziva screamed into her cell.

Tony wanted to tell her everything was going to be okay, but he couldn't get the words out. Even if he was beat up, it didn't matter. They'd got the kid back. The thought made him smile just before the lights went out.

ooooOoooo

TBC

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