The agents watched as Jared and Cynthia left the room, and all of them hoped he would be okay. Then Phoenix went with Reddington. That left Julian with the agents.

Gibbs turned on Tony as soon as it was safe. "You will not , and I repeat, not let yourself be used like that. Not when it's my responsibility. Not yours. I promised Jared that things would get better for him. And I'll make that happen."

Tony shot back, "Yeah, boss, but I made a promise too. I know what's it's like getting raped. You know what she did with her girls just a few days ago! I know you shut your eyes. I don't blame you. And after that first time, Gibbs, I promised myself it would never happen to you."

His boss sighed and took on a softer tone, "You went through a lot. Hell, we all did, but that doesn't mean I'm dismissing you. That's actually the reason I want to help. You shouldn't go through this alone."

"And having you do it makes things better? No, boss. It doesn't. I appreciate it and all, but I think that's my choice to make," Dinozzo quietly returned. "And it's not like...if she lets us do it, and that's a big if , it would be consensual this time around." He looked at the ground, "Yours would be...very hard. I just know it. She's told me a few things from when we were captured, you know. Things I never told you."

Gibbs blew out a breath, but said nothing. If Tony wanted to be stubborn about this, then there was not much he could do about it. This whole thing might not even come to pass. It was pointless fighting about something that might never happen.

Finally, Pride looked over at Julian and demanded, "Okay, what the hell? How can you stay with her? You know she's a monster."

Julian sighed and rubbed his temples. Quietly, he answered, "I'm sorry, Pride. But I do have my reasons for staying."

"And those would be…?" Pride snapped. He was still concerned that Julian would turn on them. If he was with her ...then….

But Julian locked eyes with him and reassured the agent, "I would never tell her anything about what happened. For one thing, can you imagine what would happen to me? But I should explain more." He sighed, then continued, "Okay. This might be hard for you to understand. But Phoenix and I have had a thing for each other for a long time. Her mother hated me, and Dad didn't want me hanging out with Pandora's daughter. They worked well together, but a romance should have been off the table. We didn't plan for that to happen. It just did. When the shit hit the fan, and we separated, I thought that was it. We move on. Simple."

A wry smile came to his face, "It was supposed to be simple. When you came to me, those memories flooded back. But was I scared. Yeah, scared shitless. But she remembered me. That first day I came to her, we made love."

Chris was staring at him with a hard look in his eye and Julian noted that. He shook his head at the agent, pitying him, "No, never once has she hurt me that way."

Gibbs asked now, "She hasn't touched you in any way?"

Julian had to be honest now. He replied, "Um...actually...okay look. When they 'captured' me, I got beaten up a bit. Then got six lashes for talking back. And after that...I had a close call. It was at the training facility when Sam was there. I almost got caught with the needle for his tracker. She punched me. But that's been all. Seriously."

Tony raised an eyebrow, "She punched you and you still want to stay." It was a statement, not a question.

The dark haired man glanced over and admitted, "Well, I can see you point. Was she right to do that? No. But if I had been caught with the smoking gun, I would have been a slave quicker than you can blink. Was I scared? Hell yeah, I was truly terrified at that point. But she made it up to me."

Tony rolled his eyes, muttering, "Yeah, and you got laid."

A small smirk from Julian. He couldn't help that. And Phoenix was insanely good in that way. But he continued, "Okay, I have other reasons for staying. We've worked things out pretty well between us. And I can tell you she's already better. I mean...she hasn't been as hard on the slaves when I'm around. They've noticed that too, and are grateful. It's been...different for them. And I'm hoping to keep influencing her in a positive way. It'll be slow, but every little bit will help, I think." He looked up at Gibbs, "I've even been helping with Jared. My room is a safe zone for him. I've told him that whenever he's in my room, he doesn't have to act the slave. He can do what he wants, when he wants. Eat anything. Sleep, if that's what he needs. Phoenix never disturbs me in my room. I've been trying to get him back. But it's a pretty painful process. However, I won't ever stop trying."

The older agent gave a nod, and told him, "I appreciate that. He needs every bit of help he can get."

Julian thought a moment, and said, "We've also decided that she'll keep up with the training side of things. But I can't, and refuse to help with that. I'm hoping she will lessen the extent of that. But we'll see. But I will have a job. You remember, Gibbs, what you did the first time around?"

Gibbs was surprised, and replied, "The fight ring. She wants to start that up again?"

Julian nodded briefly, "Well, it's more for me. I like fighting. Goodness knows I did enough of it as a kid myself. But yes, I'll be doing that. It will be fun. But I canpromise you this. Those under me will be treated well. They'll be treated as much as possible as if they're free. They'll be treated with kindness and respect."

Pride had to interject, "But they'll still be slaves."

"True," Julian responded. "But I won't treat them as such. This will be fun after all. And I do believe you get more with honey than vinegar. I've always wanted to get into something like that, and now I have a good chance. And I'll be a good influence, I hope."

Vance tiredly asked, "Is there anything else you need to say before I go?" His head was spinning with all this. NCIS being free was fabulous. But LaSalle would need help. And he wasn't happy with Tony and Gibbs trying to do this. It was another tie down with Phoenix, when he wanted to cut ties altogether. And her working with Reddington was...dangerous. And now Julian saying all these things...it was making him tired.

Julian watched everyone's expressions and blew out a breath. He hadn't told anyone of his plans. It was too dangerous. But he wanted them to know he was still on their side, even if it didn't seem like it. He ran his hand through his hair, and softly said, "There's two more reasons I'm staying with her. One… I want to try to find Sam's dad and uncle. I might not be able to get them free... if I do find them. But I feel… kind of responsible… even if it's not my fault...but I want to see if I can find them for him. He'll need his family."

He paused and chewed his lip. His voice lowered and he looked at the floor. "I… also want to find Dad."

Everyone stared at him in stunned silence. Pride eventually found his voice to ask, "I thought… your father was dead."

"He disappeared. When the dust up happened, Pandora died by Dad's men. But Dad...vanished. There were rumours he was taken as a slave. I'd like to know what happened to him. As you know...Phoenix has an incredible amount of resources under her fingertips. I'm going to use them to find him."

Gibbs was direct, as usual, "Doesn't she know what happened?"

Julian shook his head, "She doesn't actually. I asked her. Phoenix wasn't there when it happened. She had nothing to do with the whole thing. It took a while for her to take everything over from her mother, so by the time she had a handle on everything…" he trailed off there.

Now Pride stood up and sat next to Julian. He put a hand on the other man's shoulder. It must have been hard for both him and his brother Luca. To suddenly lose their father at a time when they needed him most. He knew their mother had died far too young, and then after the blow up, the boys had gone in hiding for fear they would be taken too. It must have been a terrifying time for the boys. He could understand Julian wanting to find his father again. Even if he was now dead, it would be closure. It was only fair. Gently, he told the younger man who was now struggling with his emotions, "If you need any help, just let me know. Only fair. You helped us."

Julian nodded with a small smile of appreciation. Those days when it was just him and Luca, frightened for their lives, and in shock with the loss of their father and everything they knew… had been most difficult. But he hadn't blamed Phoenix one bit. She really had nothing to do with it. He remembered that final night when they had been happy together, then the next day…. No. He wasn't going to look back. He was going to look forward.

At that moment, Phoenix came back on Reddington's arm. They both look satisfied, so everyone knew whatever deal they had worked out had been mutually good for both of them. Red made a gesture with his hat, and told them all, "Well, it is high time I took my leave. I'll have Dembe bring the others out, then I must fly. Pressing needs and all." He had a charming smile then nodded to Dembe. The black man quickly left to bring Cynthia and Jared back.

Jared automatically went and knelt and Phoenix's side and didn't look at anyone. Cynthia looked liked she had been stirred with great emotion, but she said nothing. Reddington looked at her and gently said, "I'll leave you with these fellows. You're quite safe. When you're done, someone will drop you home. Au revoir. " With that, Raymond Reddington strode out there, Dembe following behind closely.

Phoenix dropped a hand onto Jared's head. She spared Cynthia a quick glance and asked Christopher, "Well? Have you decided what you want to do? Are you coming back with me? Or are you agreeing to work off your price? And are you doing Sam as well?"

LaSalle sucked in a deep breath. He looked over at King, who gave him a hint of an encouraging look. Chris blinked slowly, then determinedly faced Phoenix. "I will work for your woman in whatever she wants so I can be free. And I will free Sam as well."

Phoenix nodded at him, "Good. When you're back working for NCIS, and I have no doubt about that, then you can use your weekends. For now, it's up to you when you start with her. I'll send you her contact information. She might want to start you off lightly now until you get back to work. You'll just have to hash it out with her to see what works best for both of you." She flicked over at Pride and curled her lip in warning, "You'd better let him work this out on his own. After they've settled something, then you can see about helping if you so wish to do so. But only after he's reinstated back in NCIS. And I just might be your first customer."

Pride resisted the urge to bite his lip, but only gave a tight nod to show he understood. He wanted to know how things turned out with the other agents, but could see Chris was tiring. So he told Sonja, who had been silent this entire time (which was amazing for her), "Take Chris out of here. I'll be out when I can. Go get him something to eat...a snack or something. I'll meet you somewhere." The female agent flashed a quick smile at him, and gently took Chris' arm. He couldn't help the slight flinch, but nodded. He wanted nothing more than to get out of there.

Now it was just Vance, Gibbs, Tony, Julian, and Phoenix. And Jared of course. Plus Cynthia looking on. She had decided the best thing was to settle herself into a chair and look on in silence. Phoenix looked at Vance and sharply told him, "I don't need you. Get out."

The Director raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Gibbs. But Agent Gibbs gave a small shake of his head. They'd be okay. He sighed, then took his leave. He wanted to be part of this… whatever this was. But he gave way to Phoenix at this time. Vance gave Gibbs and Tony a handshake, then after hesitating, shook hands with Phoenix herself. Then he made himself scarce.

Tony took the lead this time by saying, "Okay, I was being serious. Very serious. I am willing to work off his price. Jared doesn't deserve this, Phoenix."

The woman glared at him, and tightened her fingers into a fist in Jared's hair. The kneeling man was silent and still. He had no thoughts about this. If he stayed, he didn't care. If he went, he didn't care. Nothing mattered anymore. Only...no. It didn't matter. Jared shut his thoughts and his mind off, putting on the blank expression of old. Not even the pain of her pulling at his hair like that made it waver.

Phoenix was speaking, "And what makes you think that you can do this? You know LaSalle's price. Plus Sam's. You know it will take him, even with Pride helping, a long time. Jared is worth more than both of them. Quite a bit, actually. And you're willing to do that? Really? "

Dinozzo had a hard line to his mouth, but nodded. Jared had done so much for them. He tried his best. But he could see the slave was being...drained of everything. If they didn't act, there would be nothing left of his mind. Tony was really surprised about the Cynthia twist though. How Reddington knew about her was beyond him. And she'd be perfect to help Jared through this. If the man wasn't too far gone already. And obviously, if she was willing to do so.

Julian spoke now, softly as he shook his head again, "Tony, you realize you'd be used as a sex slave, right? And if you don't allow Gibbs to help… it'll be pretty bad for you. Don't do this, man."

Gibbs snapped, "It's pretty bad being with you, Phoenix. You're not exactly the nicest person around. I am willing to help. Tony, that's enough . There. You got two. Now are you willing to play ball?"

Phoenix looked from one to the other and shook her head in disbelief. They were ridiculous, both of them. She looked over at Julian who shrugged. He was staying out of this altogether. He thought it was a bad idea. But it wasn't up to him. Again she looked at Tony and told him, "Strip."

Tony stared at her. He felt conflicted. She had said NCIS was off the hook. But this was also off the books. Was she testing him? Should he obey? He wanted to obey, even if it was only the training she had hammered into his head already. But he didn't have to obey, did he?

She smiled at the conflict in his eyes, and clarified, "I want to see my mark."

Oh. Not that that made anything better. Tony had thought of getting the fiery bird scar taken care of. In fact, it was the first thing he had though of once he found out NCIS was free from Phoenix. But if she wanted to see it...he wasn't going to argue. But maybe he'd get away with stripping off just his shirt. So that's what he did.

Julian and Cynthia both had the same reaction. They looked away sharply from the cruel lines that adorned Dinozzo's chest. But Phoenix stepped forward and traced them. She looked into his eyes, and smiled. The blank expression had returned. He was blocking this out too. She decided to let the slight defiance of not completing the strip slide for this time. She traced her mark once again and remembered his body under her. He had been delicious. But what he was asking...

Now she looked at Jared. The slave hadn't moved from his spot. Phoenix was torn. He had been a big part of her life for so long. She was comfortable with him. He was hers. In every sense of the word. She'd be getting a lot out such a trade. He was worth quite a bit of money. But did she really want to part with him? An echo from the past in the form of her mother's voice rang in Phoenix's head: there is no slave you have that is never for sale .

She went to him now and raised his chin to look at her. Impulsively, she kissed him, noting his non reaction. Phoenix traced every line on his face and studied her slave. She loved the grey streak that was starting to show around his ears. And he was her favourite for lying with. Next to Julian. He filled her in the right places. Except of course, he was a mere slave. But still. He was so useful. He knew his place. She remembered that day ten years ago. Never had she thought he'd be still here, and one of her favourites.

Finally, Phoenix made her decision. She looked up at Julian and met eyes with him. Now she turned to face the agents and laid a hand possessively on Jared's shoulder and prepared to tell them Jared's fate.