In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 53
Stiles sat across from Tony on the bench looking deeply into his eyes. He could actually watch the green in Tony's eyes peel back revealing more of the black vacancy of dilated pupils. Tony's face had grown slack, the childish grin he had a moment ago had disappeared.
Stiles could see Tony's skin was growing flush. He had sweat beading on his forehead and his upper lip. Tony licked his lips. Even though he had downed two bottles of water, the scopolamine he had ingested carried the side effect of dry mouth.
"How do you feel?"
"Fine" Tony replied, his voice was monotone and he sounded tired
"Do you feel sick to your stomach?"
"No."
"Are you tired?"
"A little."
"Would you like to lie down?"
"Yes."
"Let me help you." Stiles said as he stood and took ahold of Tony's arm helping him to stand.
"Okay" Tony said as Stiles guided him to the couch.
"Lie down and close your eyes Tony."
Tony did as he was told. He lay on his back and closed his eyes. Stiles placed a pillow under Tony's head. He could feel Tony's skin was very hot to the touch.
Stiles went to the kitchen and brought back a bucket he found under the sink.
He placed it near the couch and said "Tony? Open your eyes."
Tony opened his eyes. Stiles could see Tony's eyes were completely dilated.
"I placed a bucket next to you. If you get sick you use the bucket ok?" Stiles did not want a repeat of what he had to deal with after overdosing Tony with tranquilizers from the dart gun.
"Okay"
"Good boy. Close your eyes and sleep."
Tony closed his eyes on command.
Stiles watched Tony sleep and wondered what to do now. He was surprised how easy Tony took to the drug and how compliant he became. Stiles needed to make sure he did not give Tony too much. Seeing Tony's physical reactions to the second dose gave Stiles cause to worry.
He went to the fridge and took out a beer for himself. He sat down on the other end of the couch and turned on the TV. He would spend a few hours with the idiot box and watch Tony carefully as the drug took hold. If Tony didn't O.D. he should be like putty in Stiles hands within a few hours. He would test Tony's resistance. If he had none, it would be time to go gunning for Gibbs.
Stiles laughed loudly and took a swig of his beer.
Tony lay like a corpse on the couch.
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Tony may have given Stiles the appearance of a man asleep but his mind was anything but.
Tony felt like he was trapped in his body. If he had to describe it, if he could, he would say it was like he was an ant sized version of himself, inside a small cage, inside his mind. The windows of the cage were his eyes and he could clearly see everything that was happening to him. He could hear it all as well but he had absolutely no control over anything his flesh shell did.
His ant size self was pacing the cage, screaming to the flesh shell to get up and get out but he got no response. He berated himself for being so stupid but as vigilant as he had been he had not seen this coming.
"What did the fucker give me?" He thought
He rattled the bars and screamed in frustration. It didn't matter. He was trapped and he did not have a clue what to do.
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Gibbs had made it up the rutted road in good time. He now stood at the crest of the hill and was looking down at the farmhouse. The sliver of moon cast weird ribbons of light on the pond. He could see lights were illuminating the first floor of the farmhouse. The second floor and barn were dark.
Gibbs sat down and removed a bottle of water from his backpack. He drank half of it and pulled off the goggles and facemask. He took a pair of night vision binoculars from his backpack and scanned the area below. He could not see much from where he was.
He put the face mask and goggles back on and pulled out the satellite phone. He hit the speed dial number for Fornell who picked up on the second ring.
"Fornell" he answered
"Hey, I made it to the top of the hill. Will be making my descent in just a few minutes."
"Any sign of Stiles or your kid?"
"Too far away."
Gibbs heard Fornell grunt.
"Any news on the warrant?"
"Not yet."
"Ok…see you later today."
"We will be there. And Gibbs.."
"Yeah?"
"Be careful, Jethro."
"Is there any other way?"
"Well, yeah…with you there is impulsive, reckless…"
Gibbs hung up.
Gibbs re-packed his backpack and started down the drive way to his left.
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It took him about 30 minutes to get to the farmhouse. The distance from the house to the woods was deceptive. He realized it would have been very difficult for Tony to escape on foot and not have been re-captured by Stiles.
Gibbs had considered just bringing in his sniper rifle and taking out Stiles from a distance but he would have had a hard time explaining that. They had to do things by the book or it had to appear that way at least. In Gibbs mind Stiles had already had his fair treatment under the law. The pile of the dead Stiles had accumulated would agree. It was time for Stiles to pay.
Gibbs made his way behind the barn. He saw Stiles truck parked where they had seen it on the satellite feed in MTAC. Gibbs checked the vehicle for keys. The driver door was open but the keys were not in the vehicle.
Gibbs stood still and silent for a few minutes, listening carefully. The only sound he heard were different wind chimes. The sound was soft as the breeze was very light. He moved soundlessly towards the barn. Inside, he saw a jeep and 2 ATVs. He saw the coffin sized trunk and he felt his heart clench. He opened the lid and was relieved to only find supplies inside. Gibbs did take notice they were of the "travelling serial killer" type of supplies.
He checked the vehicles for keys and found none. He lifted the Jeep's hood and checked the engine. The engine looked sound, everything in its place and it seemed to have enough gas to get them off the property at the very least. He checked behind the Jeep to make sure he had a clear exit out of the barn. It took him about 25 minutes to hotwire the vehicle. It was now ready if a chance to escape presented itself. When he was satisfied he had completed the job he made his way towards the house.
The front porch was bathed with the light from inside. Gibbs had removed his goggles but kept the face mask on. He moved onto the darkened part of the porch and peered cautiously inside the bay window.
He saw a dining room table just inside and a kitchen to the right. He could see a river rock fireplace straight ahead and slightly to the left. The big screen TV was on and he could make out Stiles black head of hair as he sat on a large beige couch watching the television. Gibbs scanned around looking for any sign of Tony. Nothing.
Gibbs moved away from the window.
He had noticed there was another large window at the back of the house. It was next to the fireplace. Gibbs made his way around the porch until he was standing next to the window. He couldn't take a chance of Stiles seeing him so he moved away from the window and into the shadows facing the window.
He had a clear view of Stiles sitting on the couch to the right. Gibbs drew in his breath when he saw Tony stretched out on the couch. Gibbs almost moved forward wanting to press his face to the glass to get a better view. Tony looked like he was sleeping. Gibbs pulled the binoculars from his backpack and took in the closer view. He noticed the bucket next to Tony and wondered if he was sick.
Gibbs steadied himself to sit and watch the bizarre seen play out. He noticed Stiles would look over at Tony every few minutes or so. Stiles leaned over and placed his hand on Tony's forehead like he was checking for a fever. Gibbs had to fight the urge of just crashing through the window, gun blazing and shooting Stiles in the face.
He watched as Stiles pointed the remote at the TV and then set it down on the glass table.
Gibbs was happy he could read lips as he saw Stiles say "Sit up, Tony, and open your eyes."
Gibbs thought that was weird but he saw Tony DiNozzo sit up immediately at the command. He opened his eyes and stared straight ahead. That is when Gibbs noticed Tony's eyes were black and lifeless.
Gibbs could tell Tony was drugged. Knowing how Tony and narcotics did not mix explained the presence of the bucket.
What the hell has he been doing to you, Tony? Gibbs thought
Gibbs saw Stiles command Tony to "Stay here, I will be right back."
Stiles walked over to a door behind him, opened it and disappeared. Gibbs just watched as Tony sat perfectly still, unblinking. Gibbs was in agony as to what he should do. He wanted nothing more than to get Tony away from Stiles but he had to wait until the time was perfect.
Gibbs watched Stiles return with a gun in his hand. It looked like a six shot Colt revolver from what Gibbs could make out. He watched as Stiles checked the six chambers. They appeared to be empty but Gibbs could not be sure from his vantage point. Stiles spun the cylinder and snapped it shut. He set the gun down in front of Tony, the grip of the weapon facing towards him.
Gibbs looked at Stiles face to read his lips. He read:
"Pick up the gun, point it to your temple and pull the trigger."
Time seemed to stand still for Gibbs as his mind screamed "WHAT THE FUCK!"
He looked at Tony and watched in horror as Tony picked up the gun without any hesitation, placed the barrel to his right temple, cocked the hammer and pulled the trigger.
A/N-Don't panic peeps…Tony will never die in my stories. I will have the continuation tomorrow.
