In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 37
The Director and Gibbs parted company after leaving the conference room.
A disgruntled Kate and McGee were waiting for Gibbs when he walked into the bullpen.
He could tell both his Agents were pissed.
Well, Kate was pissed; McGee was trying to look angry but only looked scared.
Gibbs saw the facial recognition program had hit on Gideon Stiles. The photo showed the major in full uniform. Gibbs cringed seeing it and grabbing the remote he turned off the plasma.
Kate looked at McGee and crossing her arms she looked back at Gibbs and said:
"So, are you going to fill us in on what is going on?"
"Yep, let's go get some coffee."
He headed towards the elevator. He turned back seeing his unmoving and clearly startled Agents.
"Well, are you two coming or not?" he asked
They hurried after him.
Standing behind Gibbs in the elevator, Kate and McGee exchanged a silent look.
Their unspoken words could be interpreted as:
Gibbs is being nice…..this situation must be very bad….very bad indeed.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So, Stiles is targeting all of us?" Kate asked taking a sip of her coffee.
After arriving at the coffee shop, getting their coffee orders filled and finding a table that was somewhat secluded, Gibbs gave them the rundown. He gave Kate and McGee a condensed version of his history with Stiles and a detailed description of what he and the FBI had found at Stiles apartment.
"It looks like he did a thorough background on all of you. He had photos and dossiers prepared."
"Why take Tony over the rest of us, Boss?"
"Getting to Tony may have just been an opportunity, Tim. Since Tony talked to Stiles at Arlington maybe he just decided to focus on Tony because they had interacted."
"But what would have made Tony meet Stiles for lunch?" asked Kate
Gibbs had an idea but did not voice it.
Instead he said "I'm not sure but we need to retrace Tony's movements."
As the three Agents walked back to the naval yard Gibbs gave them a game plan.
"Kate…grab one of Balboa's team and go to O'Malley's. Ask Mick for the tapes from Friday night at the time you were all in the bar and the outside footage when Tony left."
"McGee, contact Stiles landlord and see if we can get a lead on any friends or acquaintances of Stiles. "
"I'm going to see Abby, she should have processed the evidence the FBI sent over by now. I'm then going to talk to Ducky. I am going to warn him and Palmer about Stiles. You two need to be on top of your game. We have no idea if Stiles may be out to grab any or all of you."
Before splitting up to do their part, Kate placed her hand on Gibbs arm and looking at him said
"We will get Tony back Gibbs. Believe that!"
He smiled at her as she turned to find Balboa.
Gibbs wanted to believe Kate was right but knowing Stiles, Gibbs had a horrible feeling he may never see Tony again.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Abby's lab was unusually silent when Gibbs entered. No music meant a troubled Abby.
He found her seated in front of her computer staring at the photos of Stiles.
"What have ya got, Abs?"
She turned around and he could tell she had been crying.
"Hey Gibbs" she said quietly as she stood up and directed him to the evidence table.
"I got Tony's fingerprints off one of the coffee mugs and his prints were also on the sword. I also got his DNA match off the dart."
Gibbs just nodded. He knew this is what she would find. He had felt it in his gut.
"Oh God, Gibbs!" she threw herself into his arms. He held her as she trembled.
"My mind is racing with all the horrible things that may be happening to Tony!"
Gibbs almost gave into his fear but held back for Abby. She began to sob.
He let her cry for the both of them.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After reassuring Abby that they would find Tony, he headed to autopsy.
Ducky knew all about Stiles, so Gibbs had asked him to fill Jimmy in on the necessity of caution.
"I need you and Ducky to stay together when you leave Jimmy. If you can't be together you need to call security to assist."
"Understood, Agent Gibbs." Palmer said looking very concerned he added "Any word on Tony?"
"Not yet" Gibbs answered looking grim
Jimmy nodded and left Gibbs and Ducky to speak alone.
"How are you holding up, Jethro?" Ducky asked
"This one is hard Duck. I know what Stiles is capable of. I am really scared for Tony."
"Tony is a quite capable young man, Jethro! He has emerged from many dangerous situations. The Jeffery White case is a good example."
"Ducky! He almost got his throat slit! Tony has nine lives, I know, but my god, he has used up so many of them!"
"You will find him, Jethro" Ducky stated
"Dammit Duck! I don't know if I will this time!" Gibbs said as he rushed towards the door
Ducky watched his friend walk away. He tried to think positively that Tony would be found.
Ducky did not want to think of the horrors Tony may be enduring.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Tony awoke to the sound of a man singing. It was a pleasant baritone. It was some Gilbert and Sullivan tune. Tony knew the song. The Modern Major General Song from the Pirates of Penzance.
Tony wondered if he was dreaming.
The smell of onion, garlic and bell pepper being sautéed filled the air.
The wonderful smells made his stomach growl.
He felt groggy and hungry and really comfortable.
He tried to open his eyes but his eyelids were crusted from heavy sleep. He rubbed at his eyes and blinked. Much better.
He looked up at a ceiling he did not recognize. He turned his head to the left and right. He was on a very comfortable beige suede couch and there was a rock fireplace across from him. He didn't know where he was so he sat up.
Looking down he saw that he was wearing clothes that he did not own. A USMC t-shirt and sweats. He ran his hand over his hair. It was spiky, wild and all over the place.
"It is about time you woke up!" A voice said behind him
Tony vaulted off the couch like he was on fire.
He glanced around in a panic. It was hard to take everything in all at once.
Tony was in a house he didn't recognize. Gideon Stiles stood behind the couch his hands on his hips staring at Tony like an angry parent whose child was being very disobedient.
Stiles was wearing a black apron with white letters that said "Never Trust a Skinny Chef."
He was armed with a…spatula?
Stiles turned away from Tony and headed back to the kitchen.
He said "I hope you're hungry Tony."
Tony was hungry. He was actually starving. He wasn't sure what he should do so he just stood there.
Stiles returned to the sauté and picked up singing from the point he had stopped.
A/N-100 degrees in the Las Vegas desert is the equivalent to 38 celsius...for those of you who asked.