Chapter 21

Tony and Abby stand in line to attention as the commanding officer divvy up tasks to the cadets. 'Cadets Gibbs and Sciuto.'

'Yes sir.' The two chorus in answer.

'Get some sleep.' They exchange bemused glances from their separate places in the line.

'Permission to ask a question sir?' Abby asks tentatively.

'Go ahead.'

'Why?' A glare similar to Gibbs' is levelled at her.

'You will go to the my office. The pair of you will nap in there. Understood?'

'Yes sir.' At a single movement from the officer's head Abby and Tony break ranks and head towards the CO's office. The Commanding Officer waits for them to move out of both earshot and sightline before addressing all the other cadets.

'Cadet Gibbs' biological father has been spotted outside of the grounds scouting our defences.' The cadets shifts nervously under the officer's glare. 'I know of the rumours going around regarding Cadets Gibbs and Sciuto. It is true that Cadet Gibbs' blood father is not worthy of being called a father and that he is a criminal. It is also true that he has made a couple of attempts to regain custody of Cadet Gibbs. This must not be allowed. And we need your help. You need to be vigilant and aware at all times. You must make sure that all newcomers, both adult and child, have no intention in regards to Cadets Gibbs and Sciuto. You must report anyone who has undue interest in either one, especially if you are approached when on liberty. Is this understood?'

'Yes sir.' All the cadets chorus.

'One more thing. Cadets Sciuto and Gibbs must not know of this.' A cadet, Rachael, sticks her hand up. 'Cadet Wilson, you have a question.'

'Sir, by sending Cadets Gibbs and Sciuto off before telling us this. Won't they be suspicious? I mean they are two of the smartest here.'

'You raise a good point. If they ask, simply state we are raising security features. But I doubt they will.'

Abby and Tony lie side by side under the desk in the CO's office. Abby rolls onto her side to face her surrogate brother. 'Tony.' The young boy doesn't reply. 'Tony.' Abby demands. He slides his eyes over to look at her but doesn't move anything else. 'He knows you're here, right?' Tony nods once. 'And we've been planning a break out to test security.' Tony nods again. 'Wait a sec.' Abby scrambles up and grabs a couple of papers off the top of the desk.

'Abby.' Tony hisses sending nervous glances to the door. she lands back on the floor with a thud and a massive grin on her face.

'The CO was talking to one of the Staff Sergeants who has a hunting cabin up near Fisher Brook. The CO has one too. apparently they're neighbours.' Abby smooth's out one of the papers, a map, on the floor between the two of them. She points to a couple of small squares on the map. 'The cabins are here and here. We've already got plans to bust out of this joint.' Tony begins to giggle. Abby raises her eyebrow.

'Bust out of this joint?' He giggles. 'Abs, you've been watching to much gangster films.' Abby joins in with the giggling. It takes them a good few seconds to calm down. 'When do we go?'

'After they check on us. The sooner, the better.'

'What about the security at the cabins?'

'Barely any. Hunting cabins Tony.' Excitement tinges Abby's voice. Both of them pour over the plans and maps to find out a route that would keep them covered from any cameras and unwelcome eyes. As soon as footsteps approach, Abby returns the papers to their original spots and they lie down to stimulate sleep. They listen to the door opening and two people sticking their heads in to check on to the two children. Hopkins and Sanderson exchange glances knowing full well that neither child is actually sleeping.

'Think they'll break out soon?' Sanderson asks.

'It's what I would do.'

Gibbs and Gloria stand in front of one of the monitors in the forensic lab. Gibbs nervously taps his fingers on the desk. Amused Gloria keep glancing from the screen to his fingers and back again. Gibbs is well aware that she is doing so but refrains from commenting. They keep looking through pictures but Gibbs suddenly points at the screen. 'Go back. And again. There.' The picture now on screen has a man, who looks like a much older version of Tony, half obscured by a woman in the foreground. Gibbs stares at the screen. Gloria nudges him to snap him out of his trance. Gibbs shakes his head to clear it just as Tom Morrow enters the lab.

'He's definitely there then?' The Director asks to inform the pair of his presence.

'Yup.' Gibbs nods turning. 'But he won't be for long.' Gloria senses the waves of the tense emotions rolling of the agent. 'I won't let him.' Gibbs turns back to the screen. Gloria types a series of commands into the computer and pictures line up behind the first all with the man featured in the first.

'Don't do anything stupid.' Tom mutters. 'I don't want him taken away from you.' Mike joins them in the lab.

'He's a fugly.' The gruff agent states.

'Yeah.' Gibbs absentmindedly agrees. Gloria signs something to Gibbs and he nods kissing her on the cheek. 'I will, Gloria. I will.' He stares at the computer screen focusing on the picture. His blue eyes harden to a cool-blue steel colour. If the senior agents and forensic technician didn't know any better, they would say that a murderous intent was evident. It's a good job that they know better. Gibbs strides from the lab and the three adults left behind exchange glances.

'I do not want to be DiNozzo senior when an angry Gibbs is on my tail.' Mike mutters.

'I heard that Mike!' Gibbs yells. The man in question grins. The younger man sticks his head back into the lab. 'Are you coming or not?'

'Hold your horses Probie. Hold your horses.'