Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with NCIS in any way, shape, or form. That all belongs to DPB, CBS, and Paramount.

Chapter 5: Time

Meanwhile, at the NCIS building

After being checked out by paramedics at the crime scene and declared that he was fine, except for jelly legs and jittery nerves, McGee headed back to the NCIS building to write up the incident report. As much as he wanted to be att the hospital, someone had to write up the report, and he knew that Kate should be the one there. Besides, he needed to be with Abby. No doubt she would be freaking out and she needed s shoulder to lean on in times like this.

So, Tim was sitting at his desk, typing furiouslt on his computer. Abby was sitting with Bert the hippo at Gibbs's desk. She was probably one of few people who could find hugging a farting stuffed hippo comforting, but hey, it takes all kinds.

"This is so frustrating!" Abby fumes while squeezing Bert. "I want to be able to help instead of sitting on my butt! I want to go to that alley and find some evidence, something, anything. There has to be something left."

"Whoa, slow down," said McGee, who had stopped typing and was looking at Abby, brow furrowed. "You can't go there. What if the perp is still around? He could hurt you. Plus, everything is taped off. It is a crime scene. Nope, I can't let you go."

"Timmy, I can't sit here doing nothing. Tony and Gibbs need me. Kate too. I'll be fine, with all the cops around, the dirtbag will be long gone. And I can get access to the alley by flashing my NCIS id. No problemo. You worry too much Timmy," she said, taousling his hair affectionately.

"It's too risky. Why don't you go up to your lab while I finish up typing the report?"

"Fine," Abby said dramatically, and started to stomp off.

"Hold on!" McGee called out to Abby. "First, you have to promise me that you won't go anywhere near that alley."

"Fine Timmy, I promise."

"Good. I'll see you when I'm done."

The elevator dinged, and Abby got on, looking defeated. The doors shut, and smiling, she uncrossed her fingers.

Back at Bethesda

Kate knew that she had to leave the hospital, that Gibbs and Tony needed her to be out there, searching for the bastard. However, she couldn't let herself leave, not while Tony was in surgery. What if there were complications? No, she had to stay, at least until he was out of the O.R. and into Recovery. Still shook up from her visit to Gibbs's room, Kate opted to wait in that wretchedly cheerful waiting room. Fortunately, according to a nurse she asked, she wouldn't have to wait for too long. The surgery was a relatively short one, and as soon as Tony was in Recovery, Kate's conscious would be clear and she could get out of there and do what needed to be done. That is, put a bullet in the heart of the person responsible.

With every second that ticked by on Its Rolex watch, It became more and more impatient. Sunset was rapidly approaching, and there was much to be done, none of which could be accomplished while sitting in a traffic jam. Damn rush hour, it always took more than an hour. An hour! Each second that passed was vital to the success of The Mission.

However, It decided, the time lost would be time well spent. Absently drumming Its fingers on the steering wheel, the next stages of Its dark plot were hatched. All the while, the seconds ticked by, a monotonous, methodic countdown.