McGee was flustered, he had just gazed at DiNozzo after he had said those foreboding words. Though with Tony you never knew what to expect, he had never sounded so serious that he would replace him. It wasn't so much the words that Tony had used but rather the seriousness that he had spoken it in. Even now those words were sending shivers down his spine. Especially with what he had seen earlier, DiNozzo clutching his desk before popping some pills. And in McGee's mind the only pills those could have been were nitroglycerin pills. It was this assumption that made him sweat like a teenage boy. He was worried for his partner, but also worried for the others. If Tony was in a serious batch of health problems, he would not be able to perform to his full extent in the field let alone be able to protect anyone.

With the heavy burden on his mind, McGee however trudged on through work ignoring everything. Even Gibbs and Kate coming out of the elevator after their talk in the car.

"McGee did you get the trace to Abby?" Gibbs spoke in his normal gruff tone. There was no answer and at that Gibbs raised his voice, "McGEE!"

At that the agent turned and leapt out of his seat, "Yes boss, sorry boss." His voice was quick and frightened, which made Kate bust out laughing. But the great suprise was the fact that Tony said nothing humorous or spiteful, in fact he stood and walked over placed a hand on McGee's shoulder and boldy spoke to Gibbs.

"Boss, he was working. There was no way he would have heard you regardless, for you were across the office. Yes, Abby has the trace. She marked it as priority and says you still owe her one. Ducky is on his way back with the first batch of bodies, I believe," He consulted his notes, "nine in total with this run. He was calling in another truck to get the other nine."

It was at that point that Gibbs cut him off with a glare, "DiNozzo, did I ask it from you?"

"No Gibbs, but as I said..."

"Did you just try and correct me DiNozzo?"

"Yes Boss, I did."

"Get out of my sight now, I'll page you when we know something." With that Gibbs sat down at his desk, dismissing DiNozzo with an angry snort.

Tony shoke his head, grabbed his coat and keys and marched to the elevator. No goodbyes to his partners, and no back talk. He knew he had crossed the line, but at the moment he also knew he had to get out of there and get his pills. So he had taken advantage of the situation and of Gibbs hatred at being contridicted and or corrected.

As Tony exited the elevator his eyes closed slightly, a raspy breath echoing through him. 'Damn it, just a bit longer. Calm down and breath just like they told you. 1, 2, 3, 4...' He sighed as it passed, he was getting worse and he knew that. But damned if he would tell the others what was going on with him.

He kept walking, his guard was down and he didn't hear the soft pitter patter of feet quickly rushing at him. Suddenly though he felt something strike his skull before all fell into darkness. A man in a trench coat stood over him and spit at his bleeding skull.

" 'bout time you got your come upance, Anthony." He held a northern drawl, and the way he stood gave way that he was from a busy city.

As Tony lay there bleeding the man looked over his shoulder and waved the offending instrument of Tony's unconsciousness, a glock. From the other end of the parking garage came an old van, black with black tinted windows. No plates lingered here and there was no vin number either. It was the perfect get away car. Men exited the van as it stopped a mere few feet from the one in a trench coat. They hurriedly picked up DiNozzo and threw him into the back of the van before driving off.

The only evidence that remained in the garage was a small puddle of blood, though that was quickly fading down the drain as the rain water from outside began to coat the ground floor of the parking garage.