Alex glanced around the room, counting only five students not counting the bomber. The girl in the front wheezing for breath.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kody held his hand up, thumb placed over a red button.
'Why must it always be a red button?'
Gibbs held up the item in his hand. "Nadia's inhaler."
"Stephanie was supposed to bring it. Where's Stephanie?"
"Safe."
Kody began to get desperate. His hand raising to his head, as he shook it. "No, no, this is-this is all wrong."
Gibbs held the inhaler out to kody. "Give this to Nadia. I'll make it right."
"I'm in charge here, not you!" Kody yelled.
Gibbs raised his hands, taking a few steps back. "You're in charge, Kody."
Kody growled, pointing a finger at the ground. "Get Stephanie back in here."
Gibbs half shook his head. "Not going to do that."
"You're killing everyone!" Kody threw his arms out in a 'oh well' kinda way.
Alex growled, her eyes falling on Nadia. The girl was having a hard time breathing and only getting worse by the second. 'She doesn't get her inhaler, you'll be the one killing kid.' Nibbling on Gibbs pants, she yelped at Nadia. 'Give it.'
"I'm not the one with the bomb." Gibbs handed the inhaler to Alex. "I am giving this inhaler to Nadia now."
Alex rushed over to her, handing it to the girl. Gibbs kneeled in front of her taking her hand and coaxing her to breath easier. Alex watched Kody pace from side to side, his eyes looking at anything, but Gibbs.
That was odd, if anything he should be watching him like a hawk.
"She's fine. Now get out!" Kody ordered.
Gibbs refused to acknowledge him. "I'm a valuable hostage, Kody."
"More valuable than a room full of kids?" Kody scoffed. "Get out now, or we all die!"
Alex cringed as he yelled once more. 'Sensitive ears here!'
"You're surrounded by marines who all think you're crazy." Gibbs said. "Kody, I'm the last chance you have of getting out of here alive."
Kody was quick to change his mind, ordering Gibbs to shut the door. "Leave the mutt outside."
Alex growled, planting herself by Nadia. 'Ptff, you really are crazy. I am not going I am not going anywhere.'
"Luna out." Gibbs ordered, although he knew she wouldn't listen. "Out."
'No.'
"What kind of cop doesn't have control over their
dog?" Kody scoffed.
Gibbs pulled the door shut, giving him a slight shrug. "She isn't a dog."
Slapping one of the boys on the shoulder, he ordered the kid to search Gibbs. Gibbs held his hands up, allowing the teen to do so. Only he was clueless, giving Kody a 'what do I do' gesture. Kody patted himself, trying to so him how. "Like they do on cops."
'This kid was something else.' Alex sneezed, she didn't miss the little smirk Gibbs gave.
The teen did a horrible job at patting Gibbs down. "Empty his pockets and check his ankles." Kody ordered. The boy did as ordered, pulling off his holster, cuffs, badge and pretty much everything on his belt.
Who knew Gibbs carried so much? The man had gum in his pocket. Gum. 'Is that why breath always smelled like mint?' Alex groaned after Kody found the ear and wrist mic. 'He's smart I'll give him that.' By the look on Gibbs face, he wasn't expecting him to find both mics.
"Now move over there." Kody ordered Gibbs, gesturing to one of the desks. "Check the dog."
"I wouldn't do that." Gibbs said.
Kody ignored him, ordering the kid to do it. As he approached alex, he snapped at his hand. Its wasn't after Kody nearly got his hand bit off that he decided to skip the search. Instead he ordered two of the students to tape up the bottom of the doors. 'Okay, he was well trained.'
After an hour Alex was really getting bored in a way. This kid didn't want to speak to Gibbs, nor did he want to say what he wanted. He just kept pacing the room and lookin out the window. 'What do you want?' Whenever she would tried to move, he would start screaming at her to stay. Does he not know the difference from a wolf and a dog? Glancing at Gibbs, she saw him making his way towards the thermostat on the wall. So she stood up, walking towards Nadia to get his attention. But the kid caught on, demanding Gibbs tell him what he did.
"You did something, what was it?!" Kody demanded.
Alex growled, ready to take him down should he try anything.
"Kody, this is agent DiNozzo. How's Nadia?"
Alex had never been so glad to hear his voice.
"She's fine for now." Kody exhaled, distracted from Gibbs.
"How are the other kids?"
"They are fine, okay!"
"Well, I'd love to take your word on that, but I'm going to need proof, Kody. Open the door."
"No! No way." Kody was starting to get anxious again. "You try and get in here, I'm-I'm...setting this thing off." He was stuttering, stumbling over his words. He was pushing through it as the time went by.
"No one is coming in. I'd like to speak to special agent Gibbs."
"Everybody's okay, boss."
There was a pause. "Well, that's good to hear...special agent Gibbs."
Alex rolled her eyes. 'The man is a movie reference book, and that was the best response he had.'
"Your agent says he's a negotiator." Kody said.
"Well, that's right. He's my best man."
Kody laughed humorless. "Well, your best mans a moron for getting caught in here." He stopped at the sight of the growling wolf.
'One, he is not a moron. Two, he didn't get caught in here, he stayed on his own accord. Three, you are really pissing me off.' Gibbs hand came down to rest under her jaw, calming her down.
"He always had an attitude problem."
'Oh, Tony is gonna get it.'
"I want the man in charge!" Kody yelled.
"That's me kody."
"So if I want an airplane and a million dollars, you are just going to give it to me?"
"Is that what you want?"
Kody slammed his hand on the table, causing the others to jump. "Answer me!"
"I'm the one you want Kody."
The kid thought for a moment, before finally giving his demand. "Bring my mother to the classroom. No deals. No stalling. You have until sundown. If you-if you cant do that, then..." He glanced at Gibbs. "Everyone dies."
Alex had taken up, walking around the classroom. She knew she couldn't tackle the kid and she sure as hell couldn't bite him, so walking in circles it was. Not to mention, the room was getting hotter. The vest had begun to rub against her skin, giving her a slight burn sensation. Her mind wandered to Nathan, wondering if they were safe. Wondering if the packs had clashed.
"Luna." Gibbs called. Alex paused, making his way towards him. Gibbs kneeled in front of her, unhooking the vest and pulling it off. "Better?"
'Much thank you.' Licking him under the chin, Alex shook herself off.
"What are you doing?" Kody asked.
Gibbs raised the dog vest. "Luna isn't used to the vest, it was irritating her."
"What kind of cop has a wolf?" Kody asked.
Gibbs tilted his head. "She wasn't exactly planned, but its been the best decision."
Alex noticed the look in his eyes. He had a little spark when speaking of wolves. 'I am going to guess, wolves are your favorite animal.' But just as he looked like he was about to pet her, he suddenly pulled away, demanding Gibbs keeps her away.
"There are easier ways to see your mother, Kody." Gibbs said.
Kody pulled a stupid look. "It's none of your It's none of your business."
"You made it my business when you threatened their lives." Gibbs retorted.
'And mine when you threatened Gibbs.'
"It's not up to me, okay?"
Gibbs leaned back in the chair, knitting his brows together. "Well, who's it up to, Kody?"
Kody began breathing heavily, taking in short gasps of air. "You cant fix this. No one can fix this." The end of his sentence coming out in short breaths.
'The kid is Hyperventilating!' Alex jumped to her feet, watching him closely. 'He's going to pass out.'
"I don't want to fix it." Gibbs stood up, walking slowly towards him. "I want to end it."
Kody continued to breath too hard, tears filling up his eyes. "You just have the answer for everything, don't you?" As he turned around, he bumped into one of the desks, falling to the ground. Gibbs grabbed his arm, trying to help him up. "No! No! Don't touch me!" He crawled to the corner, holding the detonator out in front of him. Gibbs stopped, stepping away as Kody stood up.
"Kody is something wrong in there?"
Tony's voice startled Kody, making him dash to the other side of the room. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
Alex stood between Kody and Gibbs. The kid was slowly loosing his composure and patience. She hated even thinking it, but it came down to it. Alex would have to put him down for good. She didn't understand it, this kid was a nervous wreck. He stuttered, and stumbled with his explanations. Yet he was oriented enough to block all camera access and find Gibbs ear and wrist mics. Something else was going on here.
Kody sighed, unzipping his jacket. "Why is it so hot in here?"
Alex and Gibbs stood at the front of the class. Gibbs leaned against the teachers desk, while Alex stood in front of him. She kept her eyes on the boy, watching him pace back and forth. He had calm down just a bit, but then of course, Gibbs just had to open his mouth. 'I love the guy, but seriously I can only handle so much yelling.'
"You can walk away from this." Gibbs said.
Kody scoffed, tossing his arm. "Do you...do you have any idea what they will do to me if I walk out of this building?"
Gibbs shook his head slowly. "No one will touch you."
"You have no idea."
'Why do I have a feeling we aren't talking about the same people.'
"I won't let them, Kody." Gibbs eyes fell to the computer, just as the words 'Gibbs we can see you' appeared on the screen. Nadia having saw it as well, gasped and dropped her inhaler. Gibbs moved quickly, reaching for the dropped items as Kody turned to them.
"What you...what'd you just do? What-what just happened?!"
Gibbs looked up, signaling Nadia to keep quiet. Alex moved to block Kody from getting any closer to Gibbs. 'Don't test me kid.'
"She dropped her inhaler." Gibbs said, holding the inhaler up to Nadia. "Let Nadia go, Kody, as a sign of good faith while we are looking for your mom."
"No one leaves." Kody growled, throwing his arms up and down. "Do you get this?" He stumbled on saying more, but in the end he just continued to pace.
Alex laid down next to Nadia, allowing the girl to pet her on the head. 'Don't worry, we will get you all out of this alive. Just trust Gibbs, like I do.' Nadia began to calm down a bit. Her heart beat stopped pounding against her chest. Which was good for both of us, my ears could only take so much.
And of course the quiet didn't last to long.
"Tell me about your mom, Kody." Gibbs said. "Doesn't she want to see you?"
Kody glared at him, offended by his words. "Don't say that."
"Just wondering why you're threatening to blow all of us up, just to see her." Gibbs stopped on the opposite side of the tables between them.
Kody kept pacing, stumbling with his words. "Because I-I...I do, okay?"
"She's dead, Kody."
"I know."
Alex looked up at him. 'What?'
He stopped, almost as if he was listening to something. "I know-I know I saw her." He suddenly escalated. "Shut up! Shut up! Just sh..." He turned away, gripping his hair, he glanced out the blinds. Gibbs watched him, staring at him actually. Kody saw him for a moment, before telling him to get away.
Gibbs walked forward, moving his hands ever so slightly to the computer. Alex watched Kody, ready to cause a distraction should he catch Gibbs. but somehow he caught Gibbs nod. How? Alex had no clue.
Kody stopped his pacing. "Why'd you just nod?"
Gibbs turned around, faking confusion. "What?"
"You just nodded."
He frowned. "Did I?"
"Yes!"
"I don't know. Nervous, jumpy. I guess."
Kody glared at Gibbs, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Were you signaling someone in this room?"
Gibbs kept his face neutral. "No. I swear."
Kody waved his hands in front of him, signaling Gibbs to back off. "Just-just sit down."
Alex moved away from Nadia, taking a seat next to Gibbs. Placing her head on his lap, she exhaled deeply. 'I stand by my words. This is the stupidest-one of the stupidest ideas you have ever had.'
"Hell of a first day back right." Gibbs ran his large hand over her head, scratching just behind the ear. "How do you get through a kid being manipulated."
Alex sighed, glancing towards the scared kid. And yes he was scared, terrified really. He wasn't angry, or vindictive. All his scent gave out was fear and sadness. He needed to know they would help him, with whatever it was. Just as she made her way to him, Nadia asked the question every hostage has to ask.
"What happens is they can't find your mom, Kody?"
Kody slowed his movements, not daring to look at the girl. "You know what'll happen." As Nadia began to cry, he walked over to her, speaking in a calm and almost gentle voice. "Just don't, don't...don't ask me that again, okay, Nadia?" Nadia replied with a whimpering okay.
"You don't want to carry out your threat, do you, Kody?" Gibbs stated more than asked.
Kody scoffed. "No." But once more he stopped as if listening to something or someone. "B-but I will, if I-if I don't talk to my mother."
'That was the most unreliable sentence ever.'
"Talk or see? Talking might give-"
"See!" Kody corrected. "I have to see her, here in my homeroom."
Gibbs shrugged. "I'm just saying talking can give us more time-"
"There is no more time okay?!" Kody yelled in a exhausted manner. "She has to be here before sunset!"
Gibbs made his way back, taking a seat in the chair once more. "Nautical, civilian or astronomical?"
"What?"
'What?'
"Which sunset? There are three."
"Before it gets dark." Kody replied as if it was the most obvious answer.
"Astronomical." Gibbs smirked.
'Great my mate is a nerd.' Alex groaned. Seeing Kody had calmed down somewhat, Alex walked over to him. Siting in front of him, she finally put a stop to his pacing. 'I am not going to beg for a pet, so just love me already.'
Kody stared at her, not sure what to do. "Go away." Alex didn't move. "Call your dog."
Gibbs chuckled. "She isn't a dog and she isn't good at following orders."
"Well what does she want?" Kody stuttered.
"She wants you to pet her." Gibbs replied.
Very slowly, he stuck his hand out, placing it on the wolf's head. Seeing she hadn't bitten his hand off, Kody exhaled deeply. He fought hard to hide it, but there was a slight smile on his lips. Alex leaned in closer to him, placing her nose over his beating heart. 'We will help you. Whatever it is, my team can help you. You just need to trust us.'
'The sunset is looking beautiful Kody. You should enjoy it, since it is going to be your last.' a mans voice spoke from Kody's ear. 'You are running out of time.'
Alex reached for his ear, making it seem as If she was smelling. In reality she was attempting to knock it out and bite it.
Kody pushed her away, his anxiety coming back. "Look we are running out of time, where is my mother?" Kody exhaled.
Gibbs nodded towards his cell phone on the desk. "Let me talk to my boss. I'll get a progress report."
"Okay." grabbing the phone, he tossed it to Gibbs. "Put it on speaker."
Alex stayed by Kody's side, as DiNozzo told them they had the number to his mother. Well let's just say that escalated wonderfully. Alex jumped in front of the kid, as he lunged for the phone. She didn't want to hurt him, but if she had to choose, Gibbs always came first. After they hung up the call, alex kept Kody in one spot. The kid distracted himself with petting her and keeping his eye on Gibbs. In that moment we had Ziva and Tony bust into the classroom, ushering the students out of the room. Kody was stunned, falling back into the corner of the room. Alex could hear his heart jump aggressively. The kid was about to have a heart attack. You had the marines ordering him to get down on the ground. Alex jumped in between them, snapping at anyone that got close to him.
"Call your dog off!" One of the men shouted. "Call her off or we will shoot her."
"You shoot that wolf and I will personally shoot you myself!" Gibbs yelled. "Stand down."
The officer from earlier walked into the room. "Agent Gibbs, may I remind you he held a classroom hostage with a bomb."
"He was controlled into doing this. Stand down." Gibbs was nose to nose with the man, challenging him. In the end the officer stood down, pulling his men back.
Alex crouched down onto her stomach, crawling towards Kody. Very gently she grabbed his sleeve, pulling him up to his feet. Bomb squad were quick to remove the vest, as Gibbs removed the earwig from his ear.
Kody was so confused, looking from one man to the next. "Wh-what?"
Gibbs held him by the shoulders. "It's over Kody. We got them, they cant hurt you any more."
The look of relief appeared like a waterfall, he latched onto Gibbs, holding on for dear life. "Thank you. Thank you."
"Alright, lets get you to your dad." Gibbs smiled, walking him out of the room.
Back in the office, Alex laid in the bullpen with the team. Gibbs was somewhere up with the director and Kody's family. Ziva and Tim were hassling Tony for using the idea of the loop video from the movie Speed. Now that everything was done, Alex was getting worried. She had been trying to link with Nathan all night, but nothing.
'Matt.' she whimpered at getting no reply. 'Matt?'
'Alex?'
'Matt! Where are you? What happened? Where are Nathan and Eyal?'
'Relax! One question at a time.'
'Where are Nathan and Eyal?'
Again with the pauses. 'Nathan and Eyal are fine, a little banged up. Eyal got most of the damage on his chest. Nathan on his neck and back. They were already checked by the pack doc. The packs are okay, we had a few casualties.'
'What happened?'
'They ambushed us before we knew it. They went straight for the alphas first, trying to eliminate them first. The fight broke out, but the only alpha that fell was Damon himself.'
Alex froze. 'Damon, as in Elston's dad?'
'Yes, Eyal killed him. Only then did the pack retreat.'
'And Elston?'
'He left with the pack, but I am sure he will be back.'
Alex didn't blame him if he did. Eyal did just kill his father. 'Where are Eyal and Nathan?'
'They went home.'
'And you?'
'I am fine, just a few scratches here and there. No need to worry about me little sister.'
'If you see Nathan before me, can you let him know I am trying to get ahold of him.'
'Of course, but most likely he is asleep. Doc gave him some meds with wolfs bane to help with the pain.'
Well that explains it. 'Okay, stay safe Matt.'
'Right back at you sister.'
Alex laid her head on her paws, her mind wondering to Elston. She knew the last he wanted was to hear from her, but she still considered him a close friend. Right now he must be distraught in loosing his father. Elston had already lost his mother to hunters, now his father. She wanted to speak to him let him know she was still here for him. She was his pack mate, no matter what happens.
"Luna." Looking over her shoulder, she noticed Ziva holding out a raw piece of meat for her. "Eat up."
Gibbs walked back into the bullpen, grabbing his jacket and phone. "Good work today." Bending down to pet Alex, he smiled softly. "All of you."
'That idea may have been stupid, but I wasn't about to let you do it alone.' Giving his cheek a lick, she nuzzled into his chest. 'I will always be there to keep you safe, no matter where you are.'
"Gibbs you taking her home tonight?" Ziva asked, tossing her dinner wrapper into the bin.
Gibbs sighed. "Not tonight, Lisa still hasn't gotten rid of the dog. He bugs Luna too much." Giving her a lingering kiss on the head, he walked away.
Alex couldn't help, but let out a whimper. Every time he walked away from her, it hurt. She may be mated to Nathan, but the feelings will always be there. The bond will always be there.
"I know girl, you miss him." Ziva crouched beside her, stroking her back. "Don't worry, you'll be back with him soon. For now let go home."
