Chapter 28 : Noble sacrifice.

Tony struggled to clear his thoughts as he recognised the new danger. He was on the brink of collapse, physical and emotional. Hanging on to reality was taking more strength than he had, and he was aware enough to know that his hold kept slipping. He had to claw through the mush that his mind had become just to force some sense from the nightmare of pain that defined his current existence. He didn't have the energy, the will to fight any longer, and yet there was something, something that came from deep within that wouldn't let him give up. Something that had pulled him through his nightmare childhood, something that gave him resilience in the face of adversity. It was the strength that defined him even through his vulnerability, the same dichotomy that Kate had seen in the clearing. The strength that Gibbs recognised and respected, and, ultimately, had made Gibbs take him on as one of his team. It was a strength he now used, despite protests of both body and mind as he forced shaky limbs to take his full weight. He took the smallest of steps forwards, dropping his arm from Kate's shoulders, his hand dropping to catch hold of her wrist, taking both strength and balance from her as he shifted slightly in front her, the protective gesture clear despite the minimum movement.

"She has nothing to do with this," the obvious effort it took to draw in enough breath to form the sentence did not lessen its quiet intensity. He had protected her once from this mess, his mess. He would do so again. It did not occur to him that she was here to do the same for him. That he was the one in need of help, in need of protection, because that would mean he had given up, and he wouldn't give up while he was conscious and drawing breath. Not if someone needed him. "Let her go and I'll tell you what you need to know. I'll tell you where the diamonds are."

Kate would have reacted but she was too shocked. No, it needed a stronger term than that; awestruck would be closer. Tony had taken her completely by surprise. She expected him to slip into unconsciousness at any moment, expected a fever driven delirium. She did not expect clarity of thought; she did not expect strength and protection, although as she looked at him she realised she should have. This was part of what made Tony, Tony. What made him so likeable despite all of the irritating personality traits that sat on the surface, because deep down he had a spirit that was noble and unselfish, as Abby had pointed out, he would give his life for you.

She turned to stare at Adams, to see how he would react. She knew that she should be the one doing something but all she could manage was a fascinated stare.

Adams sneered his reply. "Oh. I know you'll tell me, but you have to realise that I can't just let you go. You know too much." He adjusted his aim to point at Tony's kneecap. "The only question is how much pain you have to endure before you give me the information I need."

"And you have to realise what the consequences would be of killing two federal agents," Tony stated. "You're a cop, think about it. Think about the effort we put in when its one of our own." Tony paused, watching. His comments were having the desired effect. He could almost see Adams' thoughts connecting. He didn't know how much longer he could keep going so he pressed his advantage. "Then multiply it by a hundred fold. Our boss Gibbs is an ex-marine. He'll hunt you down." The name got a reaction. "You've met him haven't you?"

Adams didn't answer but he didn't have to. His expression betrayed him.

"Kill us and he won't rest until you're dead, wherever you go."

Kate finally snapped out of her stupor enough to find her voice. "You know he's telling the truth," she supported.

For the first time since the start of the encounter Adams started to look uncomfortable, not in control. "What are you suggesting?" he asked.

"Let Kate go and I'll take you to the diamonds. You can use me as a hostage, insurance, whatever, a guarantee that you get what you want."

Kate was abruptly reminded of her conversation with Abby. "Scenario number two; you are being held by kidnappers and you've been hurt. Tony's trying to negotiate for your release but they'll only accept another hostage. What does he do?"

"Volunteers to take my place." Kate stated, again without hesitation.

"Even if it means certain death for whoever the kidnappers take as a replacement?" Abby asked, relishing her role.

"Yes," Kate nodded, "Even if it means certain death."

"Tony, No," she protested sharply and tried to move forward, but he gave her wrist a slight squeeze, held her with a strength she didn't think possible, and turned pain filled eyes to meet and hold her gaze for just a second. It was enough to convey a plea for cooperation, enough to hold the request that she should let him do this, enough to stop further protests.

She knew that he wouldn't listen to her, knew deep down that this was the best chance for both of them to stay alive. Adams wouldn't kill Tony until he had the diamonds. If they could stall for long enough Gibbs would come; he hadn't been that far behind her, but still it was hard for her to let Tony be taken again, he had already suffered so much. She blinked once and gave him a small, almost imperceptible, nod of acquiescence, if not for the reasons he thought. She wasn't letting him sacrifice himself; she was stalling for time.

A relieved smile tugged at the edge of his lips, then he turned back to Adams.

"What do you suggest?" Adams asked.

"Handcuff her to a tree. You'll have the diamonds and be clear before anyone even finds her."

"And you'll come with me willingly?"

Tony nodded.

"How do I know that once we're away from here you'll tell me where the diamonds are?"

Tony gave a grim smile. "Losing a kneecap will be just as painful wherever I am," he stated.

Adams thought about it for only a moment more before he nodded. "OK." He unclipped the handcuffs from his belt and threw them to Kate. They landed on the floor at her feet. Adams gestured with his gun. "That tree there will do."

Tony gave Kate's wrist one more squeeze of reassurance, then he let go, stepping forward, stepping away from her, the message clear, but Kate did not move, could not move. Now that it came down to it she couldn't let him do this. He was too weak. "Tony. . ."

"He makes a strong case for keeping you alive," Adams said, his tone once again dangerous. "But I will kill you if I have to." He gestured again. "That tree will do."

Kate let out a slow breath and bent to retrieve the handcuffs. She moved to the tree reluctantly, her gaze drifting between Tony and Adams, whilst Tony's gaze remained unwavering on the gun, and Kate realised that he was poised for that one last suicidal act, if it looked like Adams was actually going to use it. She drew in another long breath and kept her movements unthreatening as she closed the cuffs around one wrist and then circled her arms around the young tree, clipping the other cuff in place and holding her wrists up for Adams to inspect.

He moved forward cautiously, circling so that he did not come too close to Tony. When he was close enough he quickly checked that the cuffs had been locked into place and then stepped back. He turned to Tony. "OK let's get moving."

Tony ignored him for a moment as his gaze met Kate's for what he knew would be the last time. "Kate. . . ." There were so many things he'd wanted to say to her. He'd thought that he'd die without ever seeing her again, thought that Julie would kill him, and here he was with a second chance, and still he couldn't put what he wanted to say into words, couldn't tell her how much he cared for her, couldn't tell her how important it had been to him that she liked him, respected him. The pause hung in the air for a second, emotion filling the void between them, stealing her breath away, and then the moment was past, the opportunity gone. "Tell Gibbs I'm sorry," he stated quietly and then turned away.

He looked across at Adams. "If you want me to make it to your car then you'll have to help," he stated, swaying slightly.

Adams regarded him coldly, assessing the statement. It didn't take long, nodding he moved to fill the position Kate had vacated. "OK but don't try anything," he stated as he half dragged Tony forward at about twice the speed Kate had been moving him. Tony tried to stifle it but couldn't help the grunt of pain.

Kate pulled her arms tight, resting her forearms and her face against the rough bark as a single tear rolled down her cheek. She had failed Tony twice now, first with Julie and now with Adams, and for that she would never forgive herself. She watched their movement until they disappeared from view and then continued to watch long after there was nothing to see. She had lost him again.

Tony held on for as long as he could, but as he moved away from Kate his need to fight lessened with each step. She was safe, that was all that was important. He was already resigned to his own death. Hell, on some levels he was already dead, a walking shell, destroyed by that which he loved.

And as his need to fight decreased so the pain and the effects of the fever increased, and reality once more slipped away, until only a stumbling mass of firing pain receptors moved forwards, in a world which contained nothing else.

TO BE CONTINUED. . .