Gibbs slowly opens his eyes and try to sit up. He clutches his ribs as pain ran through his abdomen. He shut tight his eyes. And trying to breathe normally. After few minutes he slowly opened his eyes. And look around but nobody was in the room.

"Jack!" Gibbs called her name. But she didn't showed up.

"Hey, Jack!" He raised his voice this time.

"McGee! WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?" This time he shouted loudly. But he stops moving as pain ran through his body again!

After taking few deep breaths he decides to go outside and look for her on his own. He stood up staggeringly and started walking toward the door with the support of wall.

There's nobody outside. He started walking in the corridor and started shouting McGee's and Sloane's name. He was started getting angry. Because he wanted to know where is Jack? And is she okay or not?

Then he slipped away and almost fell. He felt something wet and sticky on his right foot. He bent down and look at the floor closely, because there was no light in corridor. The only was coming in the corridor was moonlight through the windows. He saw in horror there was a blood on the floor. It was like someone being dragged who was bleeding badly.

He followed the track. He started walking down stairs and that blood trail stops in the middle of the hallway. He saw one figure was lying on the floor. He slowly made his way toward that bloodied figure. Whoever that person was lying on his face. Wait! It wasn't a male person. It's a woman. Definitely a woman. He was sure that whoever that person was is female.

Still feeling dizzy and Gibbs stopped in his tracks and leaned back against the wall. Trying to clear his eyes sight. After few moments he was feeling ok and started walking toward that person to help her.

"Ma'am! Are you okay? Ma'am!" Gibbs asked her.

He kneel down next to her and check for pulse. There was pulse but weak. That woman was almost dead, her body was ice cold. Gibbs closed his eyes. Then he turned around that body on her back to she her face.

But suddenly all lights were turned on automatically. And he shut his eyes as those lights hits into his eyes. He groan loudly. And covered his eyes with his left hand.

"Argh..."

He blinked his eyes few times to set his eye sight. He saw three figures standing there.

"Who's there? McGee! Nick! Bishop! Is that you? She's injured badly. Need you to ID on her. It's seems like someone attacked her! McGee! I'm talking to you!" Gibbs yelled at them.

He was getting frustrated with the situation. His whole body was aching. He needs some rest. He stood up slowly and walked toward them. He turned around that person and he almost fell down when he saw that person's face.

"Something wrong Agent Gibbs" that person said and he punched Gibbs on his face. Gibbs hit the floor.

"Look what have you done! It was all your fault." That other man said as he kicked him in his stomach.

Gibbs double over in pain. He lay there for a moment and then he sit up. And look around and realized that he was in the warehouse again!

'How could this possible? I and Jack were rescued by my team and REACT team. Or it was my another hallucination! But I killed him! Shot him five times. And these two were dead too. What the hell is wrong with me!' Gibbs was thinking.

He was confused. And weak he didn't know what is going on. Then suddenly something hit in his mind and he looked around toward that body. His eyes were wide open in fear and tears started falling from his eyes.

"NO... JACK!" Gibbs screamed her name. He heard those men were started laughing at him.

He started struggling to get on to his feets. After struggling for few seconds he got up and walked toward Jack. And put her head carefully on his lap. She was unconscious.

"Hey, Jack! Wake up... JACK! Please open your eyes. Please...Sloane!"Gibbs was begging her to open her eyes.

Then he looked up at those three men who were laughing at him. He was really pissed and scared at the same time.

He put her head on the ground carefully. And ran toward them. But he couldn't even touch them! It was like someone or something is blocking his blows that he was throwing at them. Those men were started laughing harder at Gibbs.

"SHUT UP! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER YOU BASTARDS? IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HER. I WILL KILL YOU AND THAT'S THE PROMISE CRAWFORD!" Gibbs yelled at him.

"You can't even touch me then how in the hell you are going to kill me!" Crawford said as he came face to face with Gibbs.

He glare at him but suddenly realized that Sloane was dying. He turned around and ran toward her to help her. But as he turned around someone punched him hard on his face. He stumbled back and reminded on his feets.

"It's seems like he is in hurry, Boss." It was Victor. He stood next to Crawford and the third person was Merriweather! They all were standing in front of Gibbs and started circling him.

Gibbs didn't understand what to do. How to save Sloane's life? Suddenly Victor hit him on his back and that blow sent him on his knees. Merriweather grabbed his chin and forced him to look up.

"Look what have you done Agent Gibbs, she came to save you and now she is dying because of you! You let her down Gibbs. You failed to protect her. All you have to do was giving up on the informations." Merriweather said and released his chin roughly.

Gibbs stood up in anger and tried to hit Merriweather but same thing happened again. His blow was blocked it was like there is invisible glass wall between him and those three. He try again to hit him but nothing happened. He saw Merriweather was laughing at him.

"Shut up! SHUT UP... you bastard!" Gibbs screamed again. He was feeling so helpless. Suddenly he heard groan coming from the Sloane's direction.

"Hey, Jack! C'mon, open your eyes. Please open your eyes for me Jack! Please!" Gibbs knelt down next to her and took her hand in his both hands. And started rubbing her hand.

"Please, Jack!" Gibbs was literally begging to her.

"She is going to die Gibbs. And you are the responsible for her death." Victor said.

"AND WE ARE HERE TO TAKE HER WITH US! EVEN YOU CAN'T STOP US THIS TIME." Crawford said.

"SHE IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE! DO YOU HERE ME! SHE IS STAYING WITH ME FOR THE LIFE TIME." Gibbs stood up and yelled at them.

"NOT THIS TIME!" Crawford said loudly and grabbed Gibbs by his jacket and slammed him against the wall.

"This time I won't let you win Gibbs. She's coming with us. Look she is dying slowly... you failed to protect her. What a shame." Crawford said as he put his arm on Gibbs's throat and started choking him.

"But till then let's have some fun with him. Right boys?" Crawford said as he removed his hand and Gibbs fell down on the floor.

Before Gibbs regain his breathing Victor came in front of him and kicked him in his stomach. Then he grabbed him by back of his jacket collar and dragged him toward Merriweather and slammed his face on the floor next to Merriweather's feet.

Merriweather grabbed him by hair and lifted his head and forced him to look at Sloane's direction.

"Almost there. Then we all are gone. She was a stupid who decides to love you. Person like you Gibbs they don't deserve to be loved. Because they will end up dead for caring about you, for protecting you. You never deserve her." Merriweather said bitter voice.

Then he slammed his face on the floor. Gibbs tried to get up and started crawling toward Jack. But Merriweather kicked him on his back and then he kicked him on his side.

Victor grabbed his legs and pulled him away from Jack to the corner of the room.

"NO... GET AWAY FROM ME. LET ME GO, YOU SONOFABITCH!" Gibbs started struggle against Victor.

But Victor grabbed him by his jacket and turned him around on his back. And started raining punches on Gibbs's face. Gibbs tried to fight back but nothing happened.

Crawford crouch in front of Gibbs. Victor forced him to get on on his knees and he pulled his right hand behind his back and grabbed Gibbs's hair roughly and pulled his head back.

Gibbs was loosing his battle against the unconsciousness. His vision started becoming blur. He saw Crawford and he earned one good punch on his left cheek.

"We don't have more time to play with you Gibbs. But it's feels good to see you weak, helpless and beaten. Look at her..."

Victor forced Gibbs to look at Sloane.

"She is GONE. She is DEAD. Now we are going to take her with us. This is perfect lesson for you. Taking her away from you will be pleasure for us. I love to see you in pain. Now it's time to leave. C'mon boys let's go."

"NO... I CAN'T LET YOU DO THIS. I... can't...let... you... I...ca..nt" Gibbs was loosing consciousness. Victor dropped his body on the floor.

Gibbs struggled to look at Sloane's direction he saw Sloane was standing there with Crawford, Victor and Merriweather!

"HELP ME! HELP ME, GIBBS! PLEASE GIBBS... I DON'T WANT TO GO! I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOU GIBBS! PLEASE..." Sloane was begging to him.

Gibbs tried to get up but he didn't have enough strength to get up. He started loosing consciousness. And last thing he saw was Crawford, Merriweather and Victor dragged her and took her with them. And then everything was black.

"NO... JACK! LET ME GO! JACK I'M COMING TO HELP YOU! JUST DON'T GIVE UP! JACK... GET OFF ME! I WILL KILL YOU. YOUBASTARD!"

"Agent Gibbs! Stop fighting! It's okay, you are safe now! We are doctors trying to help you. So please stop struggling." That doctor said as they trying to calm Gibbs down.

"No... I want Jack! I have to save her, I can't left her to die!" Gibbs yelled at them and continues struggling against them.

"Agent Gibbs, please calm down. Agent Sloane is fine. We need to check on you. You have regain consciousness after two days. So please let us check on you and stop fighting!" That doctor said as he gently put his hand on Gibbs' shoulder.

"WHAT? TWO DAYS! I DON'T TRUST YOU. I WANT TO SEE JACK." Gibbs was surprised when that doctor said that he regain consciousness after two days.

Well it was earlier than last two times when he was in Marine Corp and then when he almost died during chasing that terrorist on that ship.

Gibbs suddenly stops struggling when he saw very familiar face. Gibbs was calm and relaxed after watching her face. She was smiling at him. He smiles back at her. When doctors were done checking on him they remove that oxygen mask from his face. And gave him some water to drink.

Gibbs was drinking water without taking his eyes off from Sloane's face. Doctor put some sedative in his IV so he can rest properly. And then he told Jack that he will be back in the morning to check on Gibbs.

"Okay, thank you Doc." She said.

Sloane came toward his bed and she sits down on the chair, right next to his bed.

"I thought, I lost you." Gibbs said softly as he cares her face with his right hand.

"I'm not going to leave you that easy, Cowboy!" Sloane said as she kissed his hand. Gibbs noticed her left hand was in sling.

"Now take some rest we will talk in the morning." Sloane said as she kissed him on his forehead.

Gibbs was feeling sleepy. It didn't even take five minutes and he fell asleep. He was sleeping like kid. Sloane was still seated on the chair.

"You should go home Jack. I will stay with him. Go take some rest." McGee said.

"Thanks McGee but I'm fine. I will call you if I need something." Sloane said and kissed on Gibbs's hand.

"Okay, just call me if you need something." McGee said.

"I will and don't even think about staying in the waiting room. You guys have been working on this case since Christmas eve. Now go home and get some sleep. I will see you in the morning." Jack suggested.

"Good night Jack. See you in the morning." And McGee left.

In the morning

In the morning Sloane opened her eyes and she feels like she is being watched. She looked up and found pair of beautiful blue eyes are staring at her.

"Sleep well?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah, little bit uncomfortable but yeah I slept well. "

"What happened to your hand?"

"You don't remember?" Jack asked. In replied Gibbs shook his head.

"What is the last thing that you remember Gibbs?" She asked him.

"That...that McGee and REACT team showed up in time and saved our ass. There was a one hell of a gun fight. And then they surrendered. REACT Team ..." Gibbs tried to remember and closed his eyes

"started arresting them and then...and then...I don't remember. What happened Jack?" Gibbs said.

"Merriweather was going to shoot you but I threw myself between you and the bullet. And you owe me a drink Cowboy." She told him with a big smile.

"You don't have to put yourself in danger for me. I don't deserve you." Gibbs said as he took his hand off from her cheek.

"Who told you that? You deserve better than me but you are stuck with me. And now I won't let you go anywhere. So tell me when you are taking me out for a drink." She said with smile.

"How about steak and bourbon at my place? Hm-mm" Gibbs asked.

"Sounds like a plan. But after you get discharge from the hospital." Jack said as she sit down on the bed and encircled her right hand around his neck.

"Then how about a kiss for now?" Gibbs leaned forward and then they both kissed each other.

"Okay, I think Agent Gibbs you have already had your breakfast. Now let's talk about your health. How are you feeling Agent Gibbs?"

Doctor said as he entered in the room again. Gibbs and Sloane breaks their kiss and smile. Sloane was feeling little bit uncomfortable because of that Doctor's presence.

"I'm good, ready to go home. Doctor..." Gibbs stops.

"Strange. And you're not going home until you get physically healthy and fit." Dr. said.

"What is strange in asking a name, Doc?" Gibbs said.

"I mean my name is Bruce." He replied.

"So what is strange in that?" Gibbs asked with confused face.

"My last name is Strange." Dr. said as he was reading Gibbs's medical records.

"If you're not going to tell then how could people are going to decide if it is strange or not?" Gibbs said with smile.

"MY NAME IS STRANGE. DR. STRANGE." That doctor got frustrated by Gibbs's questions.

"Okay. Wait! You said your name is Bruce right? That means you are Hulk?" Gibbs asked with childish face.

"What? No... no. That Dr. Bruce Banner. And I'm Dr.Bruce Strange!" He said.

"And I am also not Dr. Strange..." before he finished his sentence Gibbs jumped in.

"You just said you're Dr. Strange! Jack check his background details." Gibbs shouted. Jack was enjoying.

"I mean, I'm not Dr. Strange that Marvel's character. Who has magical powers and who can controls time. Who wears that Time stone in the necklace called eye of agamotto.

Well, what I am wearing is this white coat and stethoscope." That doctor said without taking a breath.

"What, you wear a NECKLACE! I think he need to talk with Dr. Grace" Gibbs said but stops in middle of his sentence when Sloane gave him a look. She stood up and came face to face with Doctor.

"If you don't want to put him in coma by your movie references Doctor then C'mon, let's talk outside." Jack said as she started walking toward the door. And Dr. Strange followed her.

"Agent Sloane, we have to run some tests on Agent Gibbs, just to make sure that he is fine."

"What do you mean doc? You said he is fine." Sloane started getting worried.

"He is fine Agent Sloane. After what he had been through it would be good to take precautions. Look he had few fractured ribs, he's suffering from dehydration and starvation. Not for the long period and that is good thing.

And he was tortured and beaten up badly. Person at Agent Gibbs's age would not survive without having permanent damage to the lungs after being waterboard. There is swelling on his kidneys so we need his urine sample to run the test for infection. There's no sign of concussion or internal bleeding.

So there is nothing to worry about. We have to run all the tests as a precautions. Otherwise he is in very good condition. His body needs rest and so as yours Agent Sloane." Dr. Strange said.

"I'm glad that he's okay. And he's a marine so one session of waterboarding is not going to damage his single tissue." Sloane said with relief.

"You were there?"

"What do you mean?" Jack said.

"When he was being beaten and tortured were you there?" Doctor asked with concern.

"Well, I was hiding in the other room. But yes, I was there. I could hear his voice when they were torturing him. They kept asking him about information but being a marine he never give up." Sloane was having a flashback of Gibbs's torture session.

"In my suggestion you need to see a psychiatrist Agent Sloane. Because after what you have to face it needs psychological treatment. Even I would refer this to Agent Gibbs too." Doctor suggested. But Sloane started laughing.

"Well good luck with that." Sloane said.

"If he wants clearance on continuing his job again,then he has to clear his psych-eval first." Doctor said.

"Wow... but still I'm not going to tell him about this. You're on your own Doc. Good luck." Sloane said as she went to get coffee.

She noticed one young girl was looking at her suspiciously. When she looked at her that girl gave her a big joyful smile. She smiles back and then she sits down at the table and enjoy her coffee. That girl joined her.

"If you don't mind then can I sit with you?" She asked. She is really pretty girl. She reminds her, her daughter Faith.

"Yeah, sure please." Sloane said with smile.

"Thank you. I'm Anna. I came here to visit my uncle." Anna introduced herself to Jack.

"Hi, Anna. I am Jack Sloane." Jack said.

"I've been watching you when you were talking about that doctor. Your husband is lucky man. You are really a caring wife. What happened to him? Is he OK?" Anna asked her.

"Wait...wait...wait! He.. is.. not my husband. He's my... coworker and my boyfriend." Sloane said.

"Oh... I thought he is your husband. Is he going to be OK? Because you're looking afraid when you're talking with the Doctor."

"Yeah, he is fine. And I am afraid because I have doubt that if I can see that doctor in one piece or not." Sloane said with smile.

"Why are you saying that?"

"Because he was going to tell my husband..." Sloane stops and blushes. Then she shook her head and looked at Anna.

"Aah...I mean Gibbs. His name is Jethro Gibbs and that doctor is going to tell him that he can not continue his job until he clears his psych-eval. And this is enough reason for Gibbs to kill that doctor." Jack said calmly.

"Are you kidding right? He is not going to kill that doctor, right? Is he?" Anna asked in worry.

"It's depends on his mood. He has not drink his coffee since the night we were abducted. Oh... C'mon! Of course I'm kidding. But he really hates when he is forced to take some rest."

"What? You guys were kidnapped? I hope that guy was taken in custody by NCIS." Anna said. She was really wanted to know that NCIS got the guy.

"Yes and No." Jack replied

"What do you mean? Look what that guy did to your husba... I mean Gibbs. And you are injured too. He deserved to be in jail." Anna said aggressively.

"Calm down kid! That bastard is dead. He was the reason of my injury. He was going to shoot Gibbs." Sloane stops when she noticed Anna was smiling.

"What?"

"So you took the bullet to save your boyfriend's life. Right? You are insane." Anna said.

"This is love, dear. You will understand it when you will find your true love." Sloane said as she stood up and threw that empty cup in dustbin.

"So what happened to that guy who kidnapped you and your boyfriend?" Anna was really curious to know what happened to the kidnapper. It was like movie's story to her.

"He's dead. Gibbs killed him."

"Wow...that's amazing. I'm glad that he's dead. I just can't imagine what you and Gibbs went through. Can I see him? If you don't mind." Anna asked hesitantly.

"Okay. And I've doctor to save." Sloane said and then they both laughed.

Anna and Jack started walking toward Gibbs's room. They both were looking at Gibbs from the glass wall. Gibbs was sleeping peacefully. And Jack was glad that he didn't kill the doctor.

Anna get back to his uncle's room. Sloane was feeling relaxed after talking with her. She is really sweet and caring girl. She entered in the room and sits down on the chair and gently kissed Gibbs on his forehead. And then she leaned back in chair and trying to take a nap. She knows once Gibbs wakes up she needs energy to control him.

Sloane and Gibbs are safe and fine. Gibbs is not fit to continue his job. So to get back to the job he's to clear his psych-eval.

Sloane made a new friend... and she reminds her- her daughter Faith. She liked to talk with her.

Let's pray for Dr. Strange so we can have him in the next chapter again.

So... enjoy the chapter and don't forget to give your reviews.

Thank you. :)