Hey hey! Thanks for the review! EarthDragon I believe this chapter will clear up your concerns nicely.
WARNING: some readers may be triggered, although non descriptive. Adult language used!!
If triggered, please seek professional help.
"Hey Gibbs" Fornell greets as he rushes through the door. "Where is she?!"
"Relax Tobias." Gibbs says, preparing to throw the steaks on the fire. "McGee has been taking care of her. He has her calm and she's just getting ready for dinner."
"Where's McGee?!" Fornell asked, still annoyed that Emily didn't come to him or Gibbs for help.
"I am right here, Fornell!" Tim said firmly, standing tall. Gibbs detected the attitude in McGee's voice, the same attitude he'd shockingly experienced earlier. McGee got right up into Fornell's face. "You'll do best to keep your lips shut and listen to every word your daughter has to say to you, as well as everything she doesn't say. You piss either one of us off and we're gone!" Tim threatened menacingly. "I already warned Gibbs, now I'm warning you." Fornell took a step back at his friend's agent and the imposing behaviour. He had never known McGee to behave this way. "I promised Em that I'd protect her and I meant it."
"Tim?" Emily called softly from the kitchen. He left to find Emily without a word.
"Well shit!" Tobias reacted as Tim left the room. "What the hell was that?!" He asked his long time friend.
"Hey, don't look at me. That was mild. I got the extended version including 'Emily and I will leave and neither of you will know where we are. Consider this my notice, should it come to that!' As well as 'I'm warning you now, Gibbs. Diane, Tobias or you cross Emily or cross me, there will be hell to pay.' " Gibbs quoted. "I can tell you one thing, whatever is going on with Emily has raised McGee's defences one hundred fold. Tim wasn't even this protective of his sister when she was investigated for murder."
"Huh?" Fornell asked. "Investigated for murder?"
"Story for another time, Tobias!" Gibbs growled.
Tim and Emily carried plates of baked potatoes, carrots and peppers with steamed broccoli and the cutlery into the living room, just as Gibbs removed the steak from the fireplace. "Vegetables?" Fornell enquired. "I've never eaten vegetables in this house before."
"Times are changing then Dad." Emily countered. "After all, I'm surprised my slut of a mother didn't tell you."
"Now Em," Fornell placated. "Your mother is just as upset as I am that you left without word. It was very childish."
"Hey!" Tim snapped. "Eat first! Then you will both listen to Emily and you will hold all questions until the end! Got it?!" Fornell and Gibbs both nodded. Gibbs was proud of his agent. He had told Gibbs he would handle it. He clearly was handling it. Looks like all the work Ziva had put in with Tim over the years was paying off tonight. His usually meek and mild agent had found his backbone and wasn't afraid to use it.
After dinner, Gibbs and Fornell took a seat at the sofa, McGee had the armchair and Emily had opted to stand in front of the men as she told her story.
"First off you both need to promise me you won't be mad and yell?" She asked, catching Tim's eye from the armchair where he was seated.
"Sure Em!" Gibbs said smiling at her.
"Dad?" Emily prompted. Tim sat upright ready to intervene. Gibbs sit him a 'relax' look, he could tell that McGee was teetering on the precipice of losing it completely in anger.
"Sure Em, you got it."
"So, I think I'm pregnant." She began. Both men looked shocked, stunned even. They weren't even sure if this was what she had to say or if this was the lead up. "Ok, so that's the bad news. Now for the horrible news." Emily took a seat of the arm of the armchair where McGee sat, perfectly ignoring the other armchair completely. "About six weeks ago …"
Emily woke up disoriented, her head was fuzzy. It felt like a construction site in head with multiple jackhammers hammering into concrete. She didn't recognise her surrounds. Plain white walls with one piece of art. A reproduction of some classic symphony piece of sheet music. According to the notation at the top of the artwork it said 'Tchaikovsky'. Sitting up, she realised she was naked. Her body was aching all over. She was sore, her arms, legs, thighs and hips were equally bruised and her neck was aching. Her wrists and ankles were bruised and bloody with dry blood.
Her clothes were folded neatly on the ottoman at the foot of the bed. She listened for sounds from outside the room, but nothing could be heard. Quickly dressing in her clothes, she found her missing, discarded underwear, torn, tucked under the pillow on the opposite side of the bed. She examined where she was, it seemed to be a loft style apartment. Searching for her phone and purse, she discovered them both missing. Her instincts kicked in, no one was here, she needed to leave while she still had the chance. She'd been told enough about past cases of abduction and rape to know that if the opportunity to escape exists. Take it.
Making her way down the street, in an unfamiliar area she found a park. It was early in the morning, barely 6am so it was full of mostly joggers and dog walkers. She knew it was a Saturday, she even knew the date. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied a tall man, almost lanky looking chasing a huge German Shepard "Jethro!" He bellowed. Knowing it was an unusual name, the same as her Uncle's she looked up, almost praying he would miraculously be there.
"Emily?" Tim had asked as he had approached her. "Emily Fornell?" She looked alarmed. "Hey, it's ok. It's me, Special Agent Timothy McGee, NCIS."
"Agent McGee!" She screamed in delight, realising it was someone she knew, kind of and flung herself into his arms. "I need help ….I ... I was r..raped." The dog, who'd run off chasing a squirrel had returned, defeated when he realised his owner had no longer been chasing him. "Thank goodness I found you. I need you to take me, to the hospital."
"Emily, are you hurt?" He asked suddenly.
"I don't know, I woke up somewhere I don't know. The last thing I remember was leaving the public library last night."
"Let's go. My car is just over there." McGee pointed to his Porsche. "Can you show me where you were, then we will head to the hospital."
"Absolutely I can. I even memorised the apartment number." She said vehemently. "I am the daughter of an FBI SAIC agent and an IRS investigator, stepdaughter of a DHS agent and a goddaughter and niece to an NCIS SAIC agent." She said proudly.
Before long, Jethro was dropped at the doggie sitter on the ground floor of the building opposite the park and Tim and Emily had made their way to Tim's apartment building where she had escaped from. Emily told him the apartment number and he made their way to the hospital.
"So, McGee isn't the Father?" Fornell asked, almost relieved. Gibbs felt slighted by Fornell's question. McGee was a good man, he had saved his daughter!
"No" she said with tears in her eyes. "He saved me. Saved my life really." She said smiling at Tim weakly.
"Why didn't you tell me, McGee?!" Gibbs asked hurt. He was hurt that McGee hadn't told him. He was upset that Emily had been hurt. He could see he didn't have the full story too, so kept his feelings in check. Mostly.
"I made him promise not to tell anyone." Emily said. "I was embarrassed and scared."
"You we're on assignment with Tony anyway. It was after Ziva left, but before Ellie came aboard full time."
"I don't get it. Why not tell me? Why not tell your mother?!" Fornell boomed in anger.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Dad?!" Emily swore.
The Maryland PD sexual crimes squad sent two detectives to talk to Emily at the hospital. They interviewed Tim as well. They collected the DNA sample from her, took photographs of her injuries, as well as blood and urine samples. Tim had sat stoically by her bed after she refused to let them touch her and the doctor had asked Tim if he could try to calm her down. After promising to not leave her side again, he settled in and held Emily's hand throughout the entire ordeal.
It had bought back memories for Tim of the time his sister was raped by a foster carer and he sat in the same position as he sat now. Shoving down his memories, he solely focused on Emily's needs.
"Mr McGee?" The female detective asked. "I understand you live in the same building?"
"Yes, but I don't know who lives in that apartment. I just moved in last weekend, haven't had a chance to meet the neighbours, probably won't. It's temporary housing until my new place ready. I used to live in a one bedroom over on Basker Ave. I needed a bigger place, my former co- worker now lives in Israel and has plans to visit for the new year. She will be staying with me. As well as the fact that my German Shepard 'Jethro' is now a fully grown dog and needs a room of his own."
"Is there anything else we should know?"
"Her Father is a FBI agent and her Mother is an IRS investigator. I have to respect her wishes that she doesn't want them to know yet, won't you have to talk to them in the course of the investigation?" He asked, knowing how the MCRT runs rape cases.
"Not necessarily. Do I have your contact details yet?" Wordlessly McGee hands her his NCIS business card.
"Please keep me updated as the case progresses. I have met Emily a fair few times over the years, known Emily since she a twelve year old girl. Her father and I have worked together over the years and my boss is her Godfather and pseudo Uncle."
"I strongly suggest a therapist or support group for her and encourage her to tell her parents, or her Uncle. The law enforcement boys should understand."
"I'll try my best, but Emily Fornell is fiercely independent."
"Victor is the one who set me up to be raped!"
"Mr McGee, Miss Fornell, thank you for coming in. Sorry about the update delay, but things became complicated. " The female detective and her partner greeting them. "Best we can tell is that Mr Isaac Yoverti was paid fifty thousand dollars by a man to have you raped and held captive for twenty four hours. He was to be paid another fifty thousand should he decide to kill you."
"Who was the man?" Emily asked. "My father is FBI he is undercover at the moment. Tim will need to know, he has the clearance to see if it's related to his case."
"A, Mr Victor Sterling!"
"That is my stepfather, there must be some mistake?" Emily asked sincerely. She never had any idea how her stepfather could do this to her.
"He is away on a retreat with your mother, according to his assistant, we have a warrant for his arrest upon their return." The male detective said. "Is there anywhere safe you can stay until we arrest him?"
"She can stay with me. I have moved into my new place since it occurred. I'm in Georgetown now." McGee offered, turning to face Emily. "Gibbs is on assignment and your father is undercover. I'm not leaving you alone at either of their houses. Your mother used to know where I live, however I have moved twice since then. Neither former building manager has my new address, I only ever list my publisher's address for all mail forwarding purposes. Plus she'd no idea to look for you with me." Tim reasoned.
"You sure?" She asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, I am." Tim smiled. She had confided in him this morning that she doesn't feel safe enough to sleep. "I even have a fully functional spare room now with a guest bed."
"What?!" Her father seethed. Gibbs sat quiet, perfectly still. Tim could see him reverberating with red hot anger.
"It's true!" Tim supplied softly.
"Victor was arrested last week. Mum had stayed another week at the resort and returned yesterday to find out that Victor was arrested. As soon as she knew why, she blamed me." Emily explained through her tears. "She blames me!" She cried harder. Tim pulled the girl onto his lap and cuddled her instantly.
"Em honey, it's not your fault!" Tim said softly, kissing her hairline as he'd done earlier today in the bullpen. "It's not your fault. You did nothing wrong. Right?" He asked looking for back up from her Father and Gibbs.
"Absolutely Em, not your fault." Gibbs said, moving to sit on the coffee table so he could rub Emily's back in comfort.
"Not your fault." Fornell agreed softly. He was numb, he couldn't believe what was happening.
"Why threaten me?!" Gibbs asked. Emily was asleep in the guest bed and Fornell had left, citing work. Apparently he was preparing to go back undercover again.
"Diane." Tim explained. "She has something on you. She told Em that you'd back her story over Emily's because otherwise she'd bring your secret to light. She insinuated that this secret could have devastating consequences should it come out." Gibbs mind went burning hot with anger. He knew exactly what secret Diane was referring to and he could scarcely believe that she'd stoop so low as to blackmail and manipulate him that way.
"What about Fornell?" He asked.
"We are actually counting on him to back Emily honestly. Don't think she has anything on him."
"Good."
"Ah Boss?" Tim asked. "Does what Diane have on you happen to have anything to do with Mexico?" The look Gibbs shot his younger agent said everything. 'Yes, it does son!'
Now Tim knew everything!
"Gotta break rule six, boss. Sorry about earlier." Tim said, offering his apology and a handshake. "I was still so angry at Diane and Victor. I know you'd never hurt Emily."
"Apology accepted!" He said shaking his agents hand. "You really care for her?" He asked with a genuine smile.
"I held her hand while they did the rape kit. I've taken countless late night and early morning calls. Spent sleepless nights, protecting her so she could sleep. I went with her to a therapist and to a weekly rape victims survivor support group. I've been there every step of the way." He explained. "Whenever I'm free, I check in and we grab coffee and talk. Hell, lately she's been taking Jethro with her most nights because she's afraid Isaac or Victor will come and kill her. Of course I care, I found her, remember?" Tim took the offered coffee from his boss' hand and took a sip as Gibbs put a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder. "I've been trying to get her set up in an apartment, but the rental market has tightened up. Short of renting my spare room out to her I don't know what else to do." Tim finally sagged onto the table.
"You're a good man, Tim." Gibbs said comforting him. "You've got a kind heart and Emily is lucky that you found her."
"Finding her stirred up some bad memories for me, Gibbs." Tim admitted softly. "Sarah was raped. Not long after Dad killed himself." Gibbs was shocked. He knew both of his parents were deceased and Sarah was to be notified third in case of emergency. He knew he and Ducky were first and second respectively. He never knew his father took his own life. "Been going to the support group with Em. It's been helping."
"Oh Tim, that's awful!" Gibbs said softly. "I never knew your father took his own life."
"Only Sarah and now you know. Ziva suspected as much, but never confirmed she knew. I'd like it to stay that way." Tim explained. "Tony ..."
"Enough said ... although things are better, they're not there yet." Gibbs knew his senior agent had a long way to go at regaining Tim's trust outside the job.
"She was raped in a foster home we were in." Tim suddenly spoke up. "I couldn't stop it, I sat with her through the kit. She never forgave me for not stopping the rape. Of course she didn't blame me until after she met Ethan!"
"Her boyfriend?" Gibbs asked.
"Now husband." Tim confirmed. "Six years ago they met and Sarah changed. One day at dinner she suddenly blamed me for everything bad that had happened. Mum dying of cancer, Dad taking his life, Penny abandoning us in Boston, foster care, her rape, her schooling debts. Everything!"
"Sounds like he's controlling her."
"He is, I'm sure. I can't prove it though." Tim said. "He's navy, an accountant. I have his name flagged boss! He ever gets questioned by any law enforcement agency or Sarah I'll get a notification." Tim wiped a stray tear away. "I miss her, she's all I had in this world and Ethan has destroyed that!"
They sat and drank their coffee in silence. When offered a refill, Gibbs filled his mug quarter way with bourbon. The top shelf stuff he left in the kitchen, not the rot gut stuff he had in the basement. "Sip it." He instructed. "Come on Tim, after everything tonight. You need it."
Tim pushed it away gently. "Can't boss, it'll make me sleepy. Need to be awake. Em's nightmares will start soon."
"Sip it son, I've got Emily. You need the sleep tonight." Gibbs said softly. "Let me help."