In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 51

Gibbs met with his team before he headed home to get ready to leave on his mission. Gibbs assured Ducky, Abby and Palmer he would deliver Tony home unscathed. It was a promise he intended to keep.

Fornell and his team, including McGee and Kate would raid the farmhouse the following afternoon. The only delay they could see was the Federal warrant they needed. The latest they predicted they could obtain it was early evening. Gibbs hope was he would have Tony rescued, safe and sound, and Stiles ready to bury six feet under, before the warrant was even served.

These kinds of operations were standard procedure for both NCIS and the FBI. The best bet they had was the surprise Gibbs could create from already being inside. No matter which way the teams were to approach the farmhouse, Stiles could see them coming.

When the joint meeting between NCIS and the FBI, to discuss details of the pending raid, ended, Fornell approached Gibbs for a private word.

Gibbs had smiled when Tobias Fornell shook his hand, wished him good luck and added "Shank the bastard, Jethro!"

Kate was determined she would also accompany Gibbs and McGee on the drive to Northern Virginia to drop Gibbs off. She and McGee sat waiting for Gibbs in his living room. When he came downstairs he was dressed in black. Black boots, black jeans, black t-shirt and he was even carrying a black hoodie. He had a backpack, also black, and Kate could only imagine what he had in there.

They travelled in relative silence. Gibbs broke the silence asking McGee to pull over at a diner about 30 minutes out of D.C. They got a booth and Gibbs was greeted by a waitress who was so flirty towards him it made Kate giggle. Gibbs smiled at Kate and shook his head.

"You two get whatever you want…dinner is on me." He said

The agents looked at each other, worry on their faces.

"What?!" Gibbs barked

"Uh, boss" McGee began "You never buy. Not unless you are being nice because you are worried."

Gibbs sat back and thought about that statement. Of course his worry for Tony was ever present. It was the fact that McGee related any generous action on Gibbs part to him being worried. McGee misunderstood his actions.

"I will worry until Tony is safe, Tim" he said "I want to buy you and Kate dinner in appreciation for the hard work you have done and as a thank you for driving me out here tonight. We all know things can go wrong and tomorrow will be really stressful for everyone."

They shook their heads in agreement.

"Besides, I need to eat and I don't remember you two having a decent meal today." He observed

He laughed at the look on their faces. Taken aback by Gibbs rare display they joined him in the laughter. It ended in a mutual sadness as it was evident the one person who would love to be laughing with them was not there.

They ordered their drinks and meals and as they waited for them to be delivered Gibbs looked at his young Agents and said:

"No matter what happens tomorrow if either of you finds yourselves face to face with Gideon Stiles you shoot to kill. Do not try to engage him in any type of hand to hand combat. If you have an opportunity to handcuff him you make sure there are several of you in attendance. Fornell already knows all about Stiles and his ways. "

The waitress set down the drinks and winked at Gibbs. He smiled at her, expressed his thanks and continued:

"No heroics. Get a goodnights rest and be ready to be on top of your game."

McGee and Kate both had so many questions they wanted to ask Gibbs but they didn't. They ate their meal in companionable silence each with their own thoughts of Tony and the events to come over the next 24 hours.

Gibbs paid the bill and left a hefty tip. The redheaded waitress slipped him her number and added a breathy "Call me" as her hand lingered a bit too long on Gibbs arm.

McGee snorted as they exited the building and Kate laughed saying "It's the black and blue."

"Black and blue?" McGee asked

"The black clothes and those blue eyes. If Tony or Abby were here they would say "Bossman got moves!" "

Gibbs just smirked as he slid the number into his pocket.

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As they drove the remainder of the way McGee and Kate took turns briefing Gibbs.

"The farmhouse is roughly one and a half miles from the main road. The terrain has a natural incline until it opens to the bowl shaped property. The property then declines towards a pond in the center of the property with one 2 story farmhouse and one barn."

Kate added "The moon is at crescent tonight so you will have some light to assist your progress."

"Got night vision goggles. No problem." Gibbs added

Kate nodded and continued "Nearest town is Stanton. They have a sheriff's department whom we will be in contact with in the morning. They have a heliport and are located next to the small county hospital."

"Good" Gibbs said

Gibbs hoped neither the Sheriff nor the hospital would need to be called on but they always covered all their bases.

McGee picked up from there "Regular cell service does not connect at the location so you have the satellite phone boss. I have programed it for you. The speed dial feature matches your cell phone."

"Thanks Tim" Gibbs said

They had finally made it to the location. McGee cut the lights and the engine. He dimmed the internal car lights as well so when Gibbs got out he would not be seen. It was over cautious perhaps because it was obvious no one was around. Better safe than sorry.

As Gibbs got out of the sedan Kate and Tim got out as well. They stood close together in the darkness. Partial moonlight made them visible to each other.

"Okay…"Gibbs started to say but he was cut off when Kate stepped up and hugged him. Gibbs body stiffened but relaxed almost immediately. He hugged her back.

"Be careful Gibbs." She whispered to him "Kill that bastard and bring Tony home."

"I will Kate" he said and seeing McGee's lost and emotion filled face he pulled back a bit and invited him to join in the hug. This was a move Gibbs had seen Tony do many times. As guarded as Tony could be about his true self he was a very tactile and emotionally demonstrative person. Gibbs chose to channel Tony at that moment as he hugged his young Agents. He was the first to pull back and say:

"Home you two! Get some sleep and Tony and I will see you tomorrow."

"Be careful boss" McGee added as he got into the car "and good luck."

Gibbs watched as McGee turned the car around and as he drove away he turned on the car headlights.

When Gibbs could no longer see the car taillights he pulled on his hoodie and dug out the night vision goggles. He took out a black nylon full face mask and pulled it on. He added the goggles next. He walked the rutted road following closely to the left side. If he had to jump quickly into the woods to hide he would have easy access. He mentally prepared himself for the night ahead of him. His stealth sniper training never left him. It had just been many years since he had to use it.

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Earlier that day

With his shower complete Tony toweled off and got dressed in black sweats and a soft faded green t-shirt. He spiked his hair with his fingers, brushed his teeth and gearing up emotionally he headed to the bedroom door. He found it was locked. He felt panic and fear settle in his stomach. What had happened that Stiles had come up and locked him in?

Tony walked over to the window and looked out. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He sat down on the bed and turned on the radio programming it to play for one hour. He tried to be patient and keep his mind blank from forming any scenarios that didn't turn out well for him. The talking heads were blathering on and on but Tony wasn't listening. The background noise just helped him keep bad thoughts at bay.

He was absolutely starving and he was so bored. He lay down on the bed convincing himself he was only going to rest his eyes. He closed them and was sound asleep in minutes.

The sound of the padlock being removed woke him. He could hear Stiles walking away. Tony rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. It was 6 pm. He looked out the window and could see the sun was beginning to set.

He tried the door and found it opened without resistance.

He made his way to the stairs and was hit with the smell of food cooking. It had his mouth watering.

He didn't know what "Stiles mood" he was walking into. He would go with the flow and hope for the best. Gibbs and the team were on their way. He had hope and a strong will to survive. It is this renewed strength that got him down the stairs.

A/N-Okay reading peeps, I am going to stop for the night as this story is about to reach the big showdown and then the finale. I have many ideas brewing in my head and have to figure out which way to go. I would like some feedback from you readers…Do I kill Stiles off or do I save him for a possible sequel? I have a great idea for a sequel. Your input is greatly appreciated and as always thanks so much for reading this story. I am really overwhelmed at all the positive responses I have received. Thanks!