Found
The small group was dozing lightly when the sounds of the helicopter became audible in the distance.
As it grew nearer, and louder, McGee was the first to stir.
"Tony, do you hear that?" he asked, drowsily.
Tony was startled awake by the voice of his teammate. "What, McGee?" he said, before fully awakening.
"Chopper," McGee said, taking a deep breath and shaking his head fully awake.
Tony looked at Palmer, peacefully dozing with Ziva's head in his lap. "Awwww. Look, Tim. Our little boy looks so sweet when he's sleeping."
McGee rolled his eyes as he turned his head towards the sound of the approaching helicopter. "You think they've found us, or they're still just looking?" he asked.
Tony quickly reverted from smartass to deadly serious without missing a beat, in true Tony style, as he shook his head. "Not sure. They must have located the plane, and we're in the fuselage."
McGee nodded, satisfied at the answer. He reached over and gently gave Palmer a nudge.
"Palmer, wake up. Palmer. Jimmy, wakey wakey," he said, trying to rouse him.
Palmer took a sudden deep breath, as he opened his eyes. "What?" he said, then as he fully awoke, his face turned towards the sky. "Chopper?" he asked, turning to the two men.
They nodded at him, as Ziva stirred awake.
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"Special Agent Gibbs, we've found the plane, but we need to return to base for supplies and to refuel."
Gibbs swallowed, and covered the mouthpiece of the phone.
"They found the plane. But they had to return to refuel."
Jasmine jumped up. "I want to go. I'm a paramedic, I can help."
Abby shook her head. "Jaz, I'm sure they've got adequate emergency medical personnel."
Jasmine looked at her and sighed with exasperation. "Damnit, that's not the point, Abs!"
Gibbs thought a moment, and moved his hand away from the receiver. "We have a certified paramedic here who wishes to accompany you. With your permission, of course." He listened a moment, then turned to Jasmine and nodded.
She smiled briefly with relief, then got up and readied herself to go. "Tell them I'll be there ASAP."
"Damned right you'll be," Gibbs said. "I'm driving. Abby, I want you in Autopsy with Ducky. No reason. I just think you should be together."
Abby nodded wordlessly, and got up to head to the elevator that would take her downstairs.
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"I wonder where they went?" Palmer asked, worried.
McGee and Tony shared a concerned look. Finally, Tony shrugged. "Maybe once they found us they went back to base to kit themselves out properly. I mean, we're not exactly going anywhere."
McGee nodded at this. "Yeah, Jimmy. Don't worry about it. I'm sure that's probably what happened."
Ziva stirred again, moaning slightly with pain. Palmer reached down and stroked her cheek, trying to comfort her. He leaned over and whispered to her, "Shhh, Ziva. It's almost over." She nodded weakly as once again, McGee and Tony looked at each other, worry etching their faces.
The three men turned suddenly to the jagged entrance to their shelter, as they heard footsteps shuffling through the fallen leaves and other forest debris.
McGee got up first, and stepped outside, and gasped as he walked right into the relieved arms of his baby sister.