The sound of two gunshots echoed loudly just as McGee's voice assaulted their ears.
Ungh! Dammit, I'm hit! I think this guy's down, though.
Kate was dialing 911 as Tony watched Leah struggle to her feet. There was no time left to get closer, he had to take the shot now. With a deep breath, he steadied himself and aimed, an unconscious prayer flying with the bullet. I got McGee, Kate. He was moving the instant he fired, tossing the words over his shoulder. Go see to Gibbs and Leah. He took off with a long-legged loping stride over the uneven ground, never glancing back.
Kate's eyes were glued to the scene in the window as she ran, relaying information to emergency personnel, phone clamped to her ear. She saw Leah topple just before Tony's bullet hit Ketterer, jerking his body sideways as the slug buried itself in the man's shoulder. When she realized that his rage was more than a match for the pain of the wound and he once again attempted to press the gun to Gibbs' head, she flung the phone aside, brought her own weapon up and fired.
Both men's voices echoed in her ear as she doubled her speed for the remaining distance to the door of the shack.
she panted back. She crashed through the door and into the room holding her imprisoned teammates. EMS is on their way. As her eyes raked the room she added, We'll need them here, too.
--------------
Before McGee could ask Kate who was injured, Tony crashed through the small stand of young trees, nearly tripping over the unseen obstacle in his path. Glancing down, he saw the body of the sentry and he bent quickly to disarm the man, feeling for a pulse as he did so. Ascertaining that the man was merely unconscious and not dead, Tony holstered his weapon and turned his attention to the younger agent.
McGee! How bad is it?
Hurts like hell... Ah! Got my thigh, it's bleeding pretty good, too. He sucked in a breath before he continued. Arms hurt from keeping pressure on it. How is he? Who is he?My money's on Ed Perry. And it looks like he'll live. Tony opened the man's jacket and caught sight of a small bloodstain on the shirt. Looks like the bullet hit him in the side, but his pulse is strong. Not quite sure why he's out cold though... Tony swung his flashlight around briefly. Ah, that explains it. Lucky for you, when he fell, he hit his head.
McGee followed the finger and saw the sharp and bloody rock. I'll take it. I fell as I was hit. He grunted out the words and took a couple of shallow breaths. Tony, help. I can't hold this... He started to slump backwards, arms too tired to hold on any longer, his voice betraying his fear.
Whoa, McGee, hang on. You're not checking out on me yet. Tony quickly stepped over the unconscious man and crouched down next to his partner. He pressed down hard on the wound and said, Talk to me, Kid. Say anything, just keep talking.