A/N: Thanks to everybody who found the time to review. I really appreciate that.
And to clear things up: There is no Logan in his story (I know it sucks) - Tony is Tony. He just used to know Max. I thought about having Eyes Only involved somehow, but eventually I decided against it.
And now enjoy!
Chapter 5
"Boss. Alec isn't here, and he either left in a rush or was forced to." Tony didn't take his eyes from Max. She was focused on the task at hand now; the soldier in her was back. It had always scared him that there was a part of her he couldn't understand at all. When she was like that he knew there was no way he could reason with her, she was a soldier and did just what she thought was right, based on the training she had had as a child.
"Okay, come back here. Abby called, she already got the package and is working on it, and she should have the results in about an hour or two."
"Okay. We'll be there." Tony closed his cell phone and slipped it back into the pocket of his jacket. "Max? Let's head back, we won't find anything here." He carefully put a hand on her shoulder and felt her tense. "Come on."
xx
"They haven't found a thing," Gibbs informed Kate who had pretty much come to this conclusion herself by looking at her boss's face.
"I just hope we can find this freak before anything happens to Max. She seems like a really nice girl who doesn't deserve this."
"Yeah."
"And I'm not sure how Tony would handle it if anything goes sideways. She seems to be really important. After all, he didn't hit on her once since she showed up." Kate tried to ease then tension.
"Seems like he can be a lot more mature than we though, huh?" Gibbs grinned before he concentrated on the job again, his mask back in place and Kate knew that this was as much emotional chat as he would allow.
xx
"Do you think, you know, Alec is still…"
"Alive?" Max shrugged. "I think so, he just has to be."
"Do you know about…" Tony stopped when a motor roared up on the otherwise calm street. He looked up to see a black minivan speeding towards them. Before he had even had the time to reach for his gun they were surrounded by six guys in black overalls and masks.
"Get in the van! Now."
When they both hesitated the one closest to Tony aimed a gun at his temple. "Now!"
Within thirty seconds the black minivan was speeding up again. Inside Tony and Max both had to hand over their cell phones and then were tied up, blindfolded and gagged. The men were efficient, acting in silent understanding.
xx
"Tony and Max not back yet?" Kate had decided to take a shower while waiting for her partner and the girl they were trying to help.
"No." Gibbs checked his watch again, hardly stopping what he was doing on the computer. "It's taking them pretty long though."
"I'll call him." Kate announced. The room was silent for a moment minus Gibbs' furious typing.
"His cell's switched off." Kate's voice had risen above her usual calm tone. She quickly called another number. "Max's too."
"Damn!" Gibbs angrily slammed his fist on the table. "And we still have no lead."
"You think whoever is responsible for…has them?"
"What do you think?" Gibbs raised his eyebrows.
Instead of answering, Kate closed her eyes for a moment, trying to tell herself to stay calm. The worries for her partner were not allowed to interfere with her work.
"Get Abby on the phone, tell her to work faster. Time's running out."
"You think they are still alive?" Kate swallowed.
"Would you rather assume they are dead and call it a night," Gibbs snapped, a little too harsh.
"No, I…Abby? Kate. Have you found anything?...Then try harder. They've got Tony….Yeah, of course…Thanks."
"Let's go."
Kate grabbed her bag on her way to the door. "Where?"
"Alec's place."
xx
Tony groaned, he felt like the worst hangover he had ever had before had been a ride in the park. His shoulders ached, his throat was dry and his lips cracked under movement. Slowly, he forced his eyes open, heavy lids fighting against his command. "Max," his voice cracked barely above a whisper. "Max?"
"How do you feel?"
Her voice seemed stronger than his and when he tentatively turned his head in the direction of her voice he could see her sitting in a corner, leaning against the wall. He lost his focus immediately, her slim form losing sharpness until he could see it twice. He quickly closed his eyes again, trying to avoid the nausea that threatened to engulf him.
"Like shit." He groaned again. "What happened?"
"I think they drugged us. I have no clue how long I have been out."
"How long have you been awake?" He raised hand to his forehead.
"About an hour."
"Are we alone?" Tony gained more trust in his body and started to sit up, using the cold wall behind him as support.
"Yes, but I think I hear Alec. I think he is somewhere down here as well."
"Where the hell are we?"
"Some basement, there was light coming in from above, but the sun must have wandered." She looked at him worriedly. "Are you really okay?"
"Yeah, just thirsty." Only now did he realize that he was chained to the wall with a thick metal chain wrapped around his wrist. Looking up he realized that Max was just as trapped as he was.
Max threw a bottle of water over. "Courtesy from our friends."
"Thanks." His hands shook badly but eventually he managed to open it and take a sip. Closing the bottle he looked around, taking in his depressing surroundings. It was dark, clammy, and cold. There was nothing in the room, no table, no chairs, nothing they could use to defend themselves even if they would have had a chance to reach it. "Have you seen the guy?"
Max shook her head. "Only woke up in here." She stood up, taking two steps along the walls before the chained halted her movement. She reminded Tony of a caged animal. "Guess this is gonna be an uncomfortable wait," she told him, the old confidence back in her voice for some odd reason. Tony knew her well enough though, he knew why her attitude had changed despite being trapped. Now she knew what she was fighting against, she knew what she had to do in situations like this, the enemy now had a face.
xxx
TBC