Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Again, many thanks to everyone who took the time to write a review for the last chapter. Hopefully this will give everyone a bit of hope...
Chapter 37
At 0600, Gibbs sent McGee out on another coffee run. Tony downright refused to leave the lab for anything other than a bathroom break and with Dixon managing to evade all attempts at being located, the entire team was feeling frustrated.
Two hours previously, Mia's damaged legs had finally given out, the sudden drop pulling both shoulders from their sockets and ripping an agonized cry from the child. Determined not to make another noise and risk breaking another rule, she had gritted her teeth and tried to focus instead on the easing pain in her legs.
The strangled cry had drawn Gibbs, Tony, and Ducky out of their chairs, each coming up with different ways to torture Dixon once they determined his location. Dr. Mallard was especially concerned over Mia's wellbeing, having the medical knowledge to know exactly what sort of damage and long-term complications she may be facing.
"Breathe, little one, just concentrate on breathing, the pain will ease soon." Ducky muttered, his old eyes noting the tremors shaking her small frame.
"What the hell does that mean, Duck?!" Gibbs growled. "Is she-"
"No, Jethro, she is at no immediate risk of death. The fall has caused her shoulders to dislocate and, while that is no trivial injury, her circulation will be compromised and her arms will become somewhat numbed." The doctor explained.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
"How long does she have, Duck?" Gibbs asked, grabbing his coffee from the tray McGee carefully placed on the desk.
"It is difficult to say. She has no life-threatening injuries that we are aware of, but I believe his intention is not to cause a swift death, rather to induce a maximum level of pain in order to make you both suffer. However, she has been deprived of sleep for over 24 hours, and denied any sort of sustenance. The human body cannot survive in those sorts of conditions."
No-one had any response to that. Everyone in the lab had thought about it at one time or another over the last day, but none had asked the question outright.
The arrival of Dixon on the screen drew the attention of everyone in the lab. Abby stood, pale-faced, next to McGee, one hand covering her mouth, the other entwined in his shirt.
Mia remained motionless as her father entered the room, remembering to keep her eyes low and breathing evenly in a vain attempt to calm her racing heart. Dixon wandered casually around her before dropping to a crouch in front of her.
"It appears Daddy Gibbs has been trying to find out where you are, and despite my efforts to put him off, he has come very close." Dixon sneered, turning to glance at the camera. "Perhaps we should invite him to the party. Unfortunately, your friend Tony won't be able to join us since he has been already ... taken care of."
Mia's mind raced, this wasn't good. She remembered Gibbs being held in the cell next to hers the first time they met, and she knew exactly what her father thought of him. If he was suggesting that Gibbs be a part of this, she couldn't bear to see the man hurt. And tears escaped as she thought of Tony, who had kept her grounded when the memories took over, and introduced her to pancakes, he couldn't be...?
"Why so sad? Do you miss Daddy Gibbs?" Dixon whispered harshly, even the words seeming to cause pain. Unknown to the child, Gibbs himself was right next to the screen, wishing desperately that he could reach out, take her into his arms, and hug the pain away. Mia didn't answer, couldn't answer, the emotions too strong.
"I asked if you missed him?!" Dixon yelled, backhanding the child and causing her head to snap to the side.
She wanted to say no, she didn't miss him, to keep him from being harmed. But it would have been a lie. In truth, Mia knew that it didn't really matter what she gave as her answer, her father would carry out his plans regardless, but if Gibbs was watching, she would not break his rules for her. And so, she told the truth, hoping that even if Gibbs was angry with everything else she had put him through, he would be glad she had given a truthful answer.
"Y-Yes... I... miss him..."
There was a great sense of pride in the Marine watching the events unfolding on the screen. This little girl, who had known him less than two weeks, had tried to put herself at risk, successfully or not, in an attempt to protect him. Standing in the face of her father, tormentor, abuser, she had been the stronger person. It was this fact, this tiny action, which caused the single tear to trace down the lead agent's cheek and he smiled, casting a silent promise that, no matter how long it took, he would ensure she no longer suffered her father's cruelty.
"Well then, Agent Gibbs." Dixon said, standing and turning to the camera. "If you wish to take up the invitation, meet me at the address I will email to you. A word of warning, however, no weapons, no bugs, no wires, and should you bring anyone other than yourself, the next link you receive will be a live recording of her death."
With that, the screen instantly blackened.
"Abs?!" Gibbs snapped, unable to understand why the feed suddenly stopped.
"The link is still active, no interruptions to service, he must have turned the camera off. There's no way to turn it on over the network. It can only be done physically." She reported, her voice becoming quieter and quieter.
"Abby-"
"Keep monitoring the link and let you know if the camera comes back on, on it, Boss!"
"McGee-"
"Call you as soon as the next email comes through, on it, Boss!"
"DiNozzo-"
"Not moving from this spot, Boss."
"DiNozzo, get your ass onto Abby's futon and get some rest."
"Boss-"
"Do NOT make me slap your already-concussed head!"
"On it, Boss..."
Gibbs watched as his Senior Field Agent trudged through to Abby's office and lay down on the futon. He was hugely thankful for the team he had, each silently willing to go to the ends of the earth to get this little girl back, and to ensure that Dixon never ever laid his hands on her again.
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