Gibbs heard something in the timbre of Duvall's voice, a precursor to irrationality that warned the agent he had precious little time left. Foregoing the door next to him, he sprinted the few remaining feet to the hangar doors. He grasped the release lever and flung himself through the opening as bullets danced insanely through the room. He was followed through the narrow opening by an intense heat and deafening noise, the force of which tossed him into the back of one of Watson's team members.

Gibbs is clear; I repeat, Gibbs is clear, said one of them, although it took the older man a second to realize he spoke into a headset.

Gibbs, are you all right? Are you hit? We heard gunfire. This from the man he had crashed into. Gibbs shook his head gingerly, then looked up, recognizing Agent Davis.

I'm fine, Davis. What about Todd and DiNozzo? Gibbs started to get up, then thought better of it when his head spun. Reaching a hand up instinctively, he felt the lump forming on the back of his head. Davis' hand landed on his shoulder to steady him.

Just sit there a minute, the agent said, as the three men eyed the chunks of smoldering wood scattered around.

= = = = = = = = =

Kate had just about plotted a course across the hangar to find Gibbs when something in Duvall's voice broke. In that instant, she knew he could start firing at any time. She froze in her tracks, praying that the man could get himself under control when she was startled by a tap on her arm.

Agent Todd.

Kate recognized the man as one of Watson's agents and relaxed. He pointed at the guard handcuffed next to her and motioned toward the door. She nodded her agreement and the two bent to haul her still wriggling prisoner to his feet, propelling him toward the door. She struggled to hide her limp but the men with her spotted it quickly. While the prisoner smirked at her difficulties, the agent spied the bloody wash down Kate's leg.

Agent Todd, you're hit! he hissed.

I think it's just a flesh wound. Look, let's move, Duvall's about to crack and I want to be out of here before it happens.

Just as they opened the door, Duvall lost his grip on reality. Kate heard the wild cacophony of gunfire and ricocheting bullets. With her last ounce of strength, she shoved the guard out the door. She and her rescuer landed in a pile on top of the prisoner, yelling simultaneously, Hands dragged the three to their feet and pulled them away as the ground shook beneath them and the door they hadn't quite closed blew off its hinges.

Kate heard voices around her; someone saying, Todd is clear; I repeat, Todd is clear, minor injuries. Another voice yelled, Get that breathing apparatus down here, NOW! She thought she heard someone say Gibbs was clear, but she couldn't be sure. She was having trouble breathing, and she was starting to feel shaky. Somewhere in her brain she knew it was shock, but she was too numb to process anything, including the fact that someone had to catch her as she started to fall.

= = = = = = = = =

Tony had acquired a second gun before going back in. Coercing his remaining prisoners out should have been easy. After handcuffing them, however, they decided to fight back.

Why me? he groaned under his breath. He heard Kate report her man down and he gave her silent congratulations. He then requested help with his stubborn chemists, resisting the temptation to solve his problem by knocking their skulls together. When Jackson arrived, they dragged the men slowly backward. Somewhere during the struggle, Tony picked up a muffled comment on his headset.

I think it's just a flesh wound. Look, let's move, Duvall's about to crack and I want to be out of here before it happens.

That was Kate, he whispered. Look, Jackson, we gotta go. Grab the jerk and move. He twisted his fist in the back of the scientist's shirt collar and took off in a crouched run for the door, Jackson hot on his heels. He was fumbling with the catch when Duvall raised his weapon and took the first shots.



Stand back, DiNozzo!

The door crashed open just as flames began to appear on the lab table. Four men sprinted out the door, shouting, as a gout of flame and sound followed them from the portal, tumbling them to the ground.

Tony's headset was knocked loose and he was seeing stars from his impact with the ground. He allowed himself a moment to lie still, taking inventory from the toes up. The voices that swirled around his head mixed with the impossibly tranquil vista of the summer sky.

DiNozzo's clear; I repeat, DiNozzo's clear, possible minor concussion. We need emergency services over here, stat! Jackson's down! Where's that damn breathing gear, we've got a man in respiratory arrest!

He tried to sit up, but the resulting wave of nausea forced him back down. His thoughts danced about with the voices around him. He closed his eyes and tried to untangle the words. Possible concussion? Was that me? Must have been,' he thought. Flesh wound? Didn't Kate say that?' Concern for both his partners made him call out without thinking. Hey, Heath! he yelled, wincing from the echo ringing in his head.

Yeah, DiNozzo, what's up? The agent hurried over and knelt by the younger man's side.

Gibbs and Kate?

Both clear. Gibbs took a blow to the back of the head, but not as bad as you. They said Kate just has minor injuries, but she went into shock, so I don't know.

Tony closed his eyes for a brief second as he replied. She has three cracked ribs, left side. Ducky said she was lucky she'd had no spleen damage before... He let the thought trail off.

Thanks, that'll help. It certainly explains her labored breathing. Heath spoke into his headset, relaying the information. After a momentary pause, he thanked the speaker and turned back to Tony.

EMTs have just arrived, they'll tell us when they know more. They said she also has a bullet wound on her lower right leg, superficial only.

Tony gave a tiny nod of thanks, not wanting to move his head, not capable of saying anything. He closed his eyes, moving only when the breathing apparatus was brought to him.