Hey everyone! Thanks for all the wonderful comments and support for this series. Also very grateful that you are so patient with my uploads. Been going through a lot personally lately and just getting back to this again after a few months. The best I can see is a couple more chapters. I need to settle this issue with Paul, and am planning to get this up to her graduation and becoming a Doctor in Psychology and Biology. All in all it should only be a few more chapters at most. But I am open to ideas on furthering this series if you are interested so please let me know in the comments. Also any ideas for future seasons or plots that would be great too. I don't want to really change anything about the show itself (Kate's death, Gibbs leaving NCIS etc). Some stuff I like changing in shows but I feel these aspects are crucial to the show. Now onto the chapter… there may be some OOC Gibbs, but I think he's put in the effort, personally. Action ahead!

Chapter 24 Natalie POV

Natalie woke to an empty bed. Luckily there was at least a note left for her. She smiled seeing Gibbs neat scrawl.

"Nat,

Couldn't bring myself to wake you. Needed to work, you'll be safe. Remember we are watching. Signs of Paul last night so be on the lookout. Remember we need him to make a move before we can get him. Burn this. Xo Gibbs."

She called down to room service for breakfast while she found a match book and the metal trash can in the bathroom. She made sure the trash was empty and burned the note. Not understanding why, only trusting Gibbs to know what to do.

She waited almost 30 minutes for her basic eggs and toast breakfast. Apparently, they were busy. She didn't have much planned today but did mean to get to the business center to get some work done. She needed a space outside the room to spread out a bit. She had marking to do, writing to do and keep an eye out for Paul. There was a bonus to her working on her laptop, McGee. He was patched in and could give her messages sneakily.

She brought her bag down to the center and got herself set up on a large table. Getting papers organized and her laptop set up she noticed the text box in the corner pop up. Morning Sexy! it said. She shook her head before responding McGee, you'll get in trouble for that. Not McGee, Abby, Tim's here, just wanted to say HI Hi Abby, gotta work if I plan to graduate and get marks in Workaholic Damn straight! I've got an eye on the exits and will warn you if we see Paul-McGee now Morning McGee!

It took her an hour to get her notes typed up form her latest interviews as well as observations. She had also decided to start a report for the Director with suggested programs or training that could be of use to the NCIS employees. She also was including a report that suggested who should be seeing someone on a semi-regular basis, or who could benefit from it. She noted that some agents were making job performance gains after starting their conversations. Kate for one seemed less stressed and was becoming better at time management. Abby was always going to throw herself into the work she was so very passionate about but was beginning to open up to the idea of an assistant to help the workload. She was learning the value of self-care, that it was just as important and would make her a more productive employee. She couldn't be convinced that more sleep and less CafPows. Natalie hoped the reports would be beneficial.

She was on her 4th paper grading when she noticed the text bar on her laptop. Suspicious male entering rear of hotel. Avoiding cameras Agents confirm suspect in building, 1st floor lobby. Suspect entering elevator Off on 5th Floor

Natalie couldn't help but feel nervous knowing Paul was around. She wanted to run. Her body screamed at her to just run but she knew they needed to catch him first. She was bait. Bait didn't run. She typed back to McGee acknowledged, will continue grading. Agents on 2nd floor lounge as back-up Suspect knocking on room door and loitering around

Natalie felt a shiver down her back but put her mind on her task. While she wasn't exactly hiding, she wasn't readily found either and with 3 business centers it could take a bit to locate her. And there was no clue what Paul's plans could be. She refocused on the paper in front of her. It was decently written but a little plain. The student was basically stating an idea already well established in the community and just reiterating why it was crucial to the study of psychology. It wasn't exactly inspiring reading. Unlike the paper before which was unique. Someone had researched the effect of early parenthood on the psychology of a teen. How it could in theory effect them in the future. They were using personal examples and interviews with their sibling as the teen parent in question. It was interesting thought experiment as teens had not matured yet psychologically as opposed to adults having children. They even brought bullying, from classmates and adults into the psyche of the new parent. That was fun to read. This was blah in comparison. This student just felt like they didn't care about the class which was sad.

Natalie always got a kick out of what interested the students about the general topics she taught. It always gave a slight insight into their minds. She wondered if any of them realized the irony in that. She finished grading the paper and pulled up the chart to enter her remarks and grades and noted another note from McGee.Suspect leaving 5th floor via south stairwell Suspect exits 1st floor. Appears to be searching while checking phone. acknowledged.

Shaking her head she grabbed her next paper and got back to work. This was stressful.

It was over an hour before she got another notification, suspect on 2nd floor, searching rooms inconspicuously. Gibbs says be careful. Acknowledged she sent back. She was down to 4 papers left and she was beginning to wonder if she would get them done before Paul found her or not. Part of her hoped she would, part of her wanted the anxiousness to stop. She grabbed another paper, this was one she was looking forward to. It was her student who wanted to talk about accepted cultural racism in Asian culture. She was curious what his argument would be. They talked extensively about what constituted racism from his own family. The fact that they pushed for him to date Korean women first, but would accept other Asian cultures but would reject anyone else. He said it constituted as racism while the family said no.

She was entering her comments and final grade into her spreadsheet when another notification popped up, entering your bus. Cent. So Natalie casually glanced at the window and could see a male shadowy figure reflected about 20 feet behind her. She purposefully picked the biggest table, which was at the back of the room. Rather than have herself be in full view from folks walking by she faced the window and beautiful view of DC instead. It also meant she could view reflections slightly in the window.

Her heart pounding she worked very hard to make her movements look natural. She grabbed another paper, took a sip of her tea, and began to pretend to read. She wouldn't do the student the injustice of attempting to read their paper now. She could feel a presence behind her but feigned interest in what she was reading. Conscious that Paul knew she could speed read she made sure to flip pages accordingly. He had leaned down over her right shoulder while simultaneously grabbing her left. As he spoke she quickly glanced at her laptop in clear view and noted McGee wisely closed their chat for her. He was remotely on her laptop and she knew was able to view and record from it. They had every word he said taped.

"Hello Beautiful, you're going to casually walk out with me with no trouble. You've been very hard to get a hold of Natty," Paul said while pushing a gun into her ribs.

Acting startled Nat said, "Paul! What-How, You shouldn't be here, please leave me alone."

He laughed, "Not a change, you've gotten away one too many times, you will be mine." He moved slightly and grabbed her upper arm as if 'helping' her up. He squeezed hard, "Now" he sternly ordered. Natalie slowly rose and looked into eyes that once belonged to a friend. He looked completely sane. He looked clear and focused, so unlike that day at her mothers. She tried pleading with him as they walked out.

"Paul, this is wrong and you know that. You need help."

"Yes, and you will give it to me. You will give everything to me or so help me no one will ever see you again. I can make that happen."

Natalie was scared. He had a gun and there were too many people in the hotel to really make a move without causing them potential harm. She glanced at the buttons on her sweater hoping like hell the voice and video recorder on them were activated and working properly. Everything he was saying would be used to put him away. As he was escorting her out of the lobby she noticed Kate, only because she knew her shoes, they were pink polka-dots, very memorable. She felt herself feel stronger. She could take Paul. He was dangerous but she was wiser, stronger and better prepared this time.

Paul led her down the parking lot. "Where are you taking me?" Natalie asked.

"Away." Was all he said. Once they were away from people she tried pulling away. It obviously didn't work and she didn't want it too, she wanted him less calm. Less calm meant he would make a mistake. "Don't fucking think about it Natty" he said grabbing her to him and pointed the gun at her face. "I have nothin' to lose and will just kill you here and now. Do you think your grandpa boyfriend will still think you pretty with a bullet in your face?"

Natalie froze, grandpa boyfriend? He meant Gibbs. But how…

"That's right, I saw you fucking him last night." He pulled her up to a van and opened the door. He shoved her in, "I know why you never wanted me, I'm not old enough for you. Daddy issues bitch! Well I'll make you want me. I'll be better than any old guy. I can last longer, go more often and fuck you senseless." He put the gun in his pants at his lower back and moved the close the door. Natalie knew she needed to do something and quickly kicked with all her might.

He slammed into the vehicle beside them with a yell. She bounced out of that van so fast after him slamming her forearm into his windpipe. She kneed him, hard, in the groin as he was reaching for his gun and headbutted him before running off back out of the parking garage.

"Natalie Down!" she heard Kate yell, and immediately dropped to her stomach mid run. She hit the ground hard enough to push air out of herself. Gunshots rang out echoing in the space. She glanced behind herself seeing Paul fall back with the gun raised. He recovered faster than she thought. Tony ran out from between cars and kicked the gun away.

"Nice shot Kate, he's still alive though," Tony said.

"Yes, he deserves prison." Kate said helping Natalie up, "You okay?" she had asked. "Gibbs wants to know…" so Natalie nodded her head still unable to speak yet. She was in shock.

"My stuff" was all she could say, thinking of her papers and laptop left behind.

"Secured," Kate said giggling, "You almost get kidnapped, fight for your life, and are involved in a shoot out and all you can think about is your stuff, yeah you're fine."

"BITCH, I'll get out!" Paul was saying as Tony was handcuffing him. He was bleeding profusely from his right arm and both knees. Kate took out his knee caps and gun holding arm. Natalie was impressed. "Get me a doctor you asshole, I'm bleeding out!" Paul said to Tony.

Tony chuckled, "you'll live, unfortunately. OWW!" yelled Tony. Paul was free and stumbled in Kate and Nat's directions. He could barely stand but that crazed look entered his eyes.