Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
There is a massive "first time" in this chapter. Can't want to see who, if anyone, notices it. I also have to apologise for this chapter, I get a little angst-craving feeling sometimes, and that feeling must be satisfied...
Chapter 52
There was an unbearable burn stretching across the top of his back, from one shoulder to the other. Twisting his neck to relieve the feeling seemed to have little, if any, effect. He felt his eyebrows draw together as his gut churned. Unable to get into any sort of comfortable position, Gibbs drew in a breath and rubbed his hands through his hair. Or he would have if there had not been a sudden resistance keeping his hands where they were.
That instant feeling of dread swept through his system faster than the time it took to smack DiNozzo across the back of the head. Opening his eyes revealed nothing other than the fact that he had a sack over his head. The need to assess the situation and his surroundings caused him to automatically pull against the metal cuffs pulling his wrists out to the sides and level with his shoulders. Well that explains the burning... His attempts at testing the strength of the bonds were immediately stilled as a pained cry rang out and something moved, brushing against his shirt.
"Please..." Came the gasp. "Don't pull..."
"Mia?" Gibbs asked incredulously. "What-"
"He survived." The child explained. "Lean... your head down... a little."
Doing as requested, the Marine was surprised when the bag over his head was pulled off, little by little. His ears, which functioned better than his eyesight, did not miss the breaths that hitched in Mia's lungs when she moved.
Finally free from the fabric, Gibbs felt his gut squeeze almost painfully as he took in the situation. The aching thud in his bad knee should have been his first clue. He was kneeling against the cold, unforgiving concrete, his arms pulled to the sides by a thick, solid chain. Mia, facing him, mirrored his position.
"You hurt, pumpkin?" Gibbs asked, looking the child over for signs of injury, difficult as it was with her being so close and him unable to move.
"It was... my fault."
The agent frowned at the words. Looking to his right, he realised that the chain binding his wrist looped through a ring on the wall and attached to Mia's left wrist. He then discovered the reason for the desperate plea when he had tested the integrity of the chain. The little girl kneeling before him, pressing gently against his shirt, had had both her shoulders dislocated.
"Oh, sweetheart, none of this is your fault!" Gibbs gasped.
"No, I... I broke the rule... You don't break the rules... but I... couldn't let you get hurt..."
"Mia, promise me that you will never put yourself in harm's way again. Not for me, or for Tony, or anyone else. Promise me." Gibbs demanded, horrified at Mia's admission.
"I can't." She immediately responded, second nature forcing her head towards the floor as she waited for the explosion of abuse which was sure to follow. But there was no way she could stand back and watch as Gibbs, or any other human being, was hurt in her place.
"You really should listen to him, sweet pea." Dixon hissed, sneering as he stepped through the doorway.
Forced to remain pressed against Gibbs' chest, Mia swallowed thickly to try and clear the panic which was building from the notion that her father was behind her. She couldn't turn her head, it would give the impression she was trying to look at him, and that was against the rules.
Gibbs could only glare as Dixon made his presence known and he felt Mia's little body tense. He ached to be able to put himself between the child and her father, to protect her from this maniac. His supremely-honed situational awareness made him immediately aware of the chain dangling from Dixon's right hand.
"You want to fight, fine." Gibbs growled. "Release me and fight me fairly. Just you and me."
"What? No!" Mia cried, looking up at Gibbs. His expression as he glared at her father was fierce, determined. But it quickly changed as he turned his head to the side and leaned over, pushing her head down with his own. The sudden confusion she felt at his actions was swept rapidly away as a violent force burned across her back, curling around the ribs on her right and stealing her breath.
"Are you never going to learn?" Dixon hissed, his breath hot against the back of her neck.
Gibbs' comment died on his lips as he pressed Mia's head against his chest, closing his eyes again the vision of the chain being swung back for another blow.
"Gibbs?" Mia whispered, her voice trembling.
"Keep your head down, pumpkin." He replied. "Tony and McGee will help us. Just hold on."
"Gibbs? Open your eyes." She said, her voice louder this time.
The hospital room was bright against the gloom of the cell. Breathing hard, and heart racing, Gibbs' eyes took in his surroundings. Mia lay under the blanket half on her back, half on her side, her right arm stretching over her body to place her hand on top of his. Her eyes, full of pain and worry, searched his, confused at his behaviour.
"Are you... ok?" She whispered, the pain in her chest begging her to let go of his hand and lie back, but the need to make sure he was unhurt was stronger.
"Yeah, sweetie." He replied, letting out a long breath. "Just a bad dream. Nothing to be worried about. You lie back now, gotta be painful lying like that."
He stood from the chair, his back cracking as he stretched. With gentle hands, Gibbs helped Mia to lie back, smiling as her shy eyes met his. The agent rounded the bed, taking a seat in the chair on Mia's right, allowing their hands to remain clasped. A warm surge moved through his gut as he discovered a new aspect to Mia's personality. Despite everything she had been through, his little girl would still put everyone else before her own comfort or safety.
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