McGee may as well of had blinders on. His eyes had never been more fixated, and his drive never more focused. His mind was working concurrently; one on the task at hand; the other trailing him through the last month. The sleepless nights; the anxiety filled days; the guilt he carried around his neck. He had never been more determined to see a mission through; and was certain that nothing or no one was going to stop them.

Ziva exhausted every contact in her arsenal; even her very own Father. It was only a matter of time before something led them somewhere. She was also determined to complete the mission; maybe even more so than any she'd ever taken on. And as usual; was willing to do whatever it takes.

Gibbs had left Abby's lab and decided on his next destination. He entered the Directors office silently and patiently stood over her desk.

"Here to read me my rights Jethro?" She waited for a response only it never came. "Then you plan on staring me to death?" Once again she waited. "Very original."

Gibbs stare was steadfast; his arms now landing on her desk.

"How long do you plan on standing there?" She was still waiting. "What do you want me to say? I'm sorry?" She threw her hands up. "Fine, I'm sorry Jethro. I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I know some where behind that stare you still believe that." She finally stood up and leaned across her desk to meet his eyes. "You do believe me don't you?"

His eyes shifted; hoping to send her the answer without a word and slowly walked out. He tarried down the stairs; his eyes once again catching the wilted black roses until Tim and Ziva both stood up and started towards him.

"Boss…he's in Scotland." McGee had to smile; taking a few breaths.

Ziva then continued. "My contact confirms he appeared on their radar less than two days ago."

Gibbs moved towards the bull pen; his team walking in step with him. "And DiNozzo?"

McGee shook his head; but Ziva did not. "He is being held underground by O'Shea…whether the relationship between La Grenioulle is connected, is unclear at the moment."

He shrugged. "And all this from a couple phone calls David…remind me never to double cross you." He turned to McGee. "Dig into Barclay; I want to know about his wife and kid, where he's been staying…"

"On it."

Gibbs then noticed things were a bit quieter. "Where's Mike?" But before either could answer he came strolling through and handed each of them a coffee.

"Though you three might need it…" he pointed to Gibbs. "Especially you Probie; I know how you can get without your coffee." He cleared his throat. "Now, what I miss?"


Abby cradled Ducky in her arms and was doing all she could to keep him conscious. Barclay had assigned two goons to watch them; and she hadn't taken well to them at all.

"Didn't you mother ever tell you it's rude to stare?" She squinted her eyes towards him to express her annoyance. "Obviously not." She snuggled in close to Ducky and stroked a few hairs from his face. "Don't worry Duck man; Gibbs and the guys are gonna come for us...just stay with me okay?" She placed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Hey…remember that one time you and Gibbs came to watch me in that snow sledding competition? It was so cold. Anyway, I'll never forget when you convinced Gibbs to ride down with us on my victory lap…and you almost fell…" She stopped to laugh a bit. "Gibbs reached out and saved you though…remember?" She could feel his respirations get shorter. "He's gonna save us; just hang on…please…"


"His wife and daughter were on the same train as La Grenioulle almost five years ago. They were killed when his main competition at the time…the Jackal…attempted a hit. Four other civilians were killed in the raid. Le Grenioulle escaped…but of course you know that…" He punched at his keyboard. "Well that's interesting…the anniversary of their death is…"

"In two days." Gibbs finished for him. "He gave himself five years to get the bastard and his deadline is coming to a close."

Ziva stepped forward. "And if we do not deliver."

Gibbs didn't hesitate; being all too familiar with his state of mind. "He's been torturing himself for five years Ziva…if he doesn't avenge them in two days. He'll of failed them…and after that; he'll have nothing to lose." He stared intently at the photo of his wife and daughter. "He'll kill them…and kill himself."

Each of them knew Gibbs suspicions were rarely wrong; especially in this instance. Mike approached moments later. "Well now, the clock is ticking. We either go after the Frog…or get your people back safe…your call Probie."

Gibbs turned to face him and eyed the rest of his team. "Tim, book us another flight…" He watched McGee smile and stepped towards him. "Three seats McGee."

Tim knew what he was implying. "Boss you cant be serious? You can't leave me behind…you need me…"

"I need you here. In case things don't go as planned…someone has to stay close to home base."

"But…"

"No butts McGee…I need you feeding us Intel…and staying close to Abby and Ducky."

It was then Tim barely flinched as Gibbs motioned towards his computer. "And if I say no?"

Gibbs was fuming inside; but had gotten to know Tim well enough through the years to tell him what he needed to hear. "I know you're angry…at Jenny; at Ducky…hell, even at me for the way I treated you…but right now I need you to trust me."

Tim nodded slowly; but wasn't done protesting. "I want to go after Tony boss." His throat suddenly went dry. "I want…I want to save him…"

"So you can prove yourself to him?"

He shook his head violently. "So I can prove it to myself."

Gibbs laid a soft hand on his shoulder. "Tim listen to me, I've trusted you with my life, and the lives of my team for the last three years…if you want to prove yourself than prove to me that you're still willing to do whatever it takes to bring them home."

"I am boss."

He lifted his hand to cradle McGee's face. "I know…now book us that flight."

"On it."

Gibbs watched Tim sit down and turned to find Mike staring him down. "Something you want to say boss?"

Mike simply shrugged. "Just admiring how much you've grown Probie."

"Yeah, let's just hope I'm grown up enough to save 'em."

"I have faith Gunny."

Gibbs placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now, why doesn't that reassure me?"


Tony cringed as what felt like the tenth strike hit him square in the face. "Okay, forget about Brosnan…Daniel Craig maybe?" He was met with another strike and swallowed hard. "Okay…you do seem like a Roger Moore kinda guy, the way you handle that weapon." It was then the butt of the man's gun met his temple sending him into a daze. He was slowly drifting out of consciousness when a familiar face appeared before him.

"Jeanne?"