A/N: I know folks, it's been a while! But here's a new chapter! For those that follow on facebook, you'll have seen I've been fairly busy for the last few months with work & university, but I can gladly say that I'm on university leave for 2 months & am currently on vacation! So I've gotten a chance to get back into my writing, which I've dearly missed!
Thank you for those who've waited patiently, lets get straight into it!
Myles came out of the lift trying to regain his composure "we're loading up!" he ordered towards his men, who all reacted instantly, jumping up & grabbing their packs and moving to follow their LT.
Tim knew he should organise the vehicles, he saw his fellow SFA "Lovett, you & your team are in the lead car, Lieutenant, your team can follow us in 2 vehicles, MP's will drive them" he saw Lt Andrews "Lieutenant, you're driving us"
Kelly had kept her eyes on Myles, the tension in his body was palpable, she just headed with the group towards the vehicles. She saw Harry make a detour to get his gear and that's when she noticed that he was already wearing his SWAT uniform & had brought with him his & his dad's gear & weapons, the full kit and all. She refocused on Myles though, he was almost shaking as he neared the SUV. She knew Tim wanted her in the front seat, he always wanted to her sit in the front seat, but her friend needed her support, so approaching the car door, she put her hand into his & pulled him into the backseat with her.
Tim saw Kelly go into the backseat, while he didn't like it because of her motion sickness he wouldn't comment. He did though change things around, he took the keys out of Lt Andrew's hands & motioned to him to go into the front passenger seat, Harry he motioned to put himself into the backseat with the others. He would drive, at least then he was in command of the vehicle in case anything happened & could make sure it drove in a manner that wouldn't be a problem for Kelly's motion sickness.
Myles needed to get out of the SUV, he really needed to vent & he needed to do it without Kelly anywhere near him! As soon as they pulled up in front of his brother's plane he jumped out trying to distance himself "Montgomery! I want all gear checked & stored ASAP! We're heading for Belfast, so everyone change into civies!" he barked as he went straight for the plane.
"Yes sir!" Montgomery answered "you heard the LT, move men!" he barked to the team. He couldn't help but notice that there was something up with his LT, he was definitely pissed off & given he'd seen the Admiral enter the building, he wondered if he had something to do with the mood change?
Myles caught sight of his brother's Sargent "Lewis! Where's Anderson?"
"Here" Anderson called from depths of the plane, what was Myles doing here?
"Something wrong?" Kruse asked
"We're heading for Belfast, Commander Kaplan's been spotted, this plane needs to be ready for departure as soon as the others get here" Myles answered "fuel up & start pre-flight"
Anderson took a moment to take in his fellow Lieutenant, something wasn't right "we're already fuelled, but I'll start pre-flight, Sgt Lewis, take over for me here"
"Yes sir" Lewis replied
"Myles, can we talk please" Kelly asked, she'd followed him out of concern, he'd said nothing but had steadily grown nervous shakes, she was really worried about him.
"Need to get this plane & the teams ready for departure Kelly, we'll talk later" Myles answered, he really didn't want to speak to her right now!
Kelly's eyes widened "oh no, we're talking now! You calling me Kelly tells me everything I need to know, come with me" she stated holding her hand out for him to take, when he didn't do it straight away "now mister!" she asserted. She knew he was purposely distancing himself by calling her Kelly, he never did that unless he really didn't want to talk!
Myles huffed as he took her hand, she could be so stubborn!
Kelly led them out of the plane & around to the other-side where there were fewer people so they could have some privacy. She noticed that the MP's that had escorted them were now taking up position around the 2 planes to stand watch. She managed to find a spot tucked away from prying eyes, well, as much as possible as she looked at him "talk to me"
"This can wait" Myles remarked
"No it can't" Kelly retorted "you're rung tighter than a damn noose Myles! Talk to me"
Myles let out a sigh "you don't need to hear this KAGy, you shouldn't have to hear it"
"Since when did that stop us from talking about things? There have been plenty of things we shouldn't have done, but we did them & spoke about them, no?"
Myles couldn't help but give her a small smile, she was definitely right about that, they'd done plenty of things & spoken about them that they really shouldn't have done, but.. "this is different"
"Ok, so don't talk about 'it', tell me how you're feeling" Kelly remarked, she knew he was right, because she really didn't want to hear about 'it' either.
"Damn near pissed off! I'm so furious I could punch my way through this damn plane & not even care!" Myles vented, he so needed that punching bag again! "I'm actually hating him, and I'd never thought I'd feel that way about him. I can't get my head around it!"
"Don't try" Kelly said simply "don't try to understand it, just let yourself feel. If anyone, anyone knows what you're talking about, it's me. I've had plenty of things I couldn't get my head around & I would spiral out of control trying to understand but sometimes you just can't, especially in the short term. HELLO! Look at what we're dealing with right now, I have no damn clue what the hell is going on! None! I can't get my head around it one little bit, and I know if I tried before we have all the facts & before we've gotten squirt back my mind would collapse, utterly collapse. So I'm not trying, I'm just letting myself feel and doing my best to work myself through it, with everyone's support. The only person you hurt by trying when you can't is yourself. So don't try Myles"
Myles had listened to every word she'd said "you're right KAGy, I shouldn't let it get to me, especially now. I'll be ok, thanks" he took a breath as he closed the space between them "and we'll find him, I promise you Kells, we'll get squirt back! Won't rest until he's back. He owes me a jersey after all" he finished with a small smile.
Kelly let out a small smile "thanks"
"Mike was right" Marcus remarked
Kelly & Myles spun around quickly to find him standing just on the other side of the wing, resting his hands on it.
"About what?" Kelly asked curiously.
"You should be a counsellor" Marcus answered "you're too good with people and getting them to calm down"
"Those qualities are pretty good for lawyers too" Kelly smirked
"And she's got the nasty stare down pat for it too" Myles smirked
Marcus laughed, he'd arrived & was checking the plane when he heard everything Kelly had said, and like his brother it had calmed him down considerably "and maybe you can use it to help get everyone on these planes?"
Kelly had to smile at that, but there was one thing she knew "think dad'll be able to manage that quite easily as soon as they get here" even though she was beyond worried, confused and scared, she couldn't help but be glad for her few moments with her friend, it always helped. She wondered how her mum was doing though, because it was so much to take in!
Marcus could only agree as he went back to checking his plane for take-off, having finished it he decided to go to the other plane & saw his counter-part, along with that FBI Agent, but he couldn't remember his name.
Fornell saw Marcus approach "Major Marcus Bond, this is Major Stephanie Owen, she in charge of the Sec Nav's plane"
"Major Owen" Marcus greeted
"Major Bond" Owen greeted back "so we're going to Belfast, my Lieutenant is already plotting the course…"
"I'm on point, you're on my wing" Marcus said interrupting, he wouldn't let her take command, besides he had a few years on her at least.
Owen raised an eyebrow "am I?" she was the one in charge of Sec Nav's, the Sec Nav's, plane & he thought he could take command?
"Yes" Marcus asserted "does your bird have an extensive control centre to monitor transmissions, guidance's and radar telemetry? Does your bird have a defence warning systems? No, it's an air-capable lounge suite, and besides I'd say I have a few years on you"
"I've flown hundreds of hours of combat missions, and this lounge suite is owned by the Sec Nav" Owen retorted
Fornell could see this stand off lasting a while, so he'd intervene "and the Sec Nav's not here, Director Vance is in charge & he has authorised Major Bond to take command of the flight & both aircrafts & crew, ok?" he said as gently as possible but with enough force to show Major Owen he wouldn't take her lip. He also knew that Vance would be more than fine with Major Bond taking command, the guy was clearly an ace pilot & with all of his ties to the situation he would not deny this to him, besides he did have a few years of seniority on the lady.
Owen could do nothing but concede "yes sir" she answered Fornell.
"Glad its settled" Marcus remarked before continuing "make sure you're ready for take-off within 10 minutes, if you need assistance to meet the deadline I will send one of my team over to you"
"Ten minutes?!" Owen remarked, was he serious?
"Yes! I want both birds ready for take off within 10 minutes, we're on a clock! We'll be pushing the engines as fast as we can, so make sure you've got enough fuel. I will have back-up canteens in our cargo for wherever we need to go next" Marcus said crisply, but then he spotted one of his team "Airman Fletcher!"
"Sir?" Fletcher asked promptly jogging over
"Assist Major Owen & her team with their pre-flight prep, 10 minutes Fletcher!" Marcus commanded before heading back to his bird
"Yes sir!" Fletcher responded
Marcus headed straight for his bird & saw 2 of Myles men & one of his own sorting things out in the rear cargo hold "Sanchez! I want everything sorted with 7 minutes! You need more hands, find them! There are plenty of bodies around! We're taking off in 10 minutes or when Gibbs gets here!"
"Yes sir!" Sanchez replied, but he shared a look with Sargent Fisher, they had a lot to sort out.
Sgt Fisher looked around the plane towards a few people congregating "we need bodies to pack the gear!" he suddenly saw 5 people move towards him & he was glad.
Marcus entered his bird & took stock "Lewis! Place the systems on flight-ready! We'll re-connect once airborne! Make sure all seating is set to optimum for high speed & get me some sick bags. We can hold 20 passengers, the rest will have to go on the Sec Nav's, arrange who goes on which plane, but the Gibbs's will be on this plane!" he really didn't care who went on which plane, except for the Gibbs's, they would be on his plane, he wouldn't let that Major Owen take them! He had to protect them & as such he had to have them with him!
"Yes sir!" Lewis was nodding, but her eyes widened at the last request, sick bags?
"I'll sort out who's flying on which plane Sargent" Kruse offered, she had enough to do & they couldn't do any more tracking until they were airborne anyway.
Marcus entered the cockpit "Anderson?"
"We'll be flight ready in 8 minutes sir" Anderson replied, he'd ensured the plane was at a state of almost ready since they got here "Also arranged extra loads of fuel for the Sec Nav's bird in our hold as their cargo hold can't store fuel. I've alerted the tower & gotten a flight path already mapped out"
Marcus nodded "thanks" he started his own pre-flight, he looked over the initial flight plan that Anderson had surmised & was liking what he was seeing, except "I don't want us going over mainland England, let's fly out over & then up the channel" he'd prefer to fly over the ocean than land.
"Right" Anderson nodded & then relayed the change request to the tower as he saw his Major leave his seat.
"The bags sir" Lewis remarked handing them to him
"Thank you" Marcus nodded before moving towards the seats.
Gibbs pulled his wife into his side, nice & tight, he didn't say anything, he just held her. He knew she was more than off kilter. He was furious at what he'd heard & when they got through this current situation he would definitely look into speaking with that Marvin Bond!
Gibbs felt his wife pull back slightly & could see something in her eyes "let's just go & get our boy babe, everything else we deal with later. One step at a time, one problem a time, we'll get through it all together and I will never leave your side"
Shannon swallowed as she nodded, she really couldn't think clearly, she had too much going on, she felt like she was getting it from all sides!
Gibbs started them towards the lift as he searched for his dad, and he was right there "ready dad?"
Jack took a breath "I think I'll stay here Jethro, I want to come more than anything, but I'm not sure I'm up to galavanting around and I don't want to be slowing you down." While he was desperate to go, he knew his limitations & it wouldn't do any good for him to be out there & slowing everyone else down.
Gibbs wished his dad wouldn't have been so selfless, having him around was a calming influence, but he knew he was right, still.. "you sure?"
"Yes Jethro I'm sure. I look forward to see you two back here, with my grandson, you'll find him, I have no doubt, the rest can be dealt with later" Jack answered placing a hand on both his son's & Shannon's shoulders.
Shannon just gave him a sad smile in return.
"We wont be coming back without him dad" Gibbs remarked, as he clasped his dad's shoulder "just stay inside this building please"
"Won't be going anywhere" Jack nodded
Gibbs caught Vella's eye & saw him give him a nod, he'd keep an eye on him. He then shifted focus Vance, Ted, Tristan, Col Marks & Lt Col Morris were all having a hushed discussion just past the lifts, he also noted that Mike had come back up from interrogation & Hollis was with him too. He wasn't sure what it was about, but he needed to get going "ready to go" he remarked towards the group.
Tristan turned & decided to speak for the group "Gibbs, Franks thinks it might be an idea to take Delilah with you"
"She knows these people, she could prove useful" Franks commented, the woman had seemed genuinely sorry for what her cousins had done, but wasn't really helping with anything new, but she could still provide something useful.
"You want to cart her around like a felon? Her family might be involved but she knows nothing" Hollis remarked, whilst she was shocked at what Delilah's family had done, she knew her analyst had no part in it & hated that she was being treated so forcefully, especially by someone she learnt wasn't even an NCIS Agent anymore! How he was given access and permission to undertake what he was doing was a mystery to her.
"Until we are convinced she had no part in any of this, we will treat her accordingly" Gibbs remarked briskly eyeing her off "bring her with us, but she goes on the other plane"
Franks nodded "I'll go escort her"
Lt Col Morris shared a look with Col Marks before following him "I'll arrange your transport escort Franks" he'd use the same marines that he took before to the abandoned air-strip to provide the detail.
"I've got vehicles ready & waiting downstairs to take you over to the planes" Col Marks remarked, he had plenty of them ready & he would drive them over himself
Gibbs just nodded & pressed for the lift.
"I'll keep everything going, we'll be in touch & I'll keep an eye on Jack, we'll be right here waiting for you all to come home" Tristan remarked towards two people she really considered friends more than anything.
Gibbs knew his wife was beyond being able to speak right now, she was trying to process too much "Be in touch" he merely said, he couldn't say more because he just couldn't manage it. He just needed to get going, get them both going.
Marcus headed out of the cockpit & that's when he saw Gibbs enter "sir"
"How long until we're ready for take off?" Gibbs asked entering the plane.
"Within 10 minutes sir" Marcus answered, the man was looking really tense & he was wondering if the conversation with his dad had given the man reservations about himself & his brother?
Gibbs couldn't help but be impressed, he was about to walk to towards his girls when he considered something "you're your own person" he said simply.
Marcus's eyes widened, the relief flooded him like nothing, draining the sudden nerves that had crept in "thank you, and these are just in case" he finished handing the sick bags over to him. He knew that the man would know what they were for.
"Thanks" Gibbs nodded, his girl didn't usually have issues with flying, but this plane was the smallest one they'd been on, so maybe it might be needed. He turned to look at his girl, she was sitting in the second row & his wife had already joined her.
Gibbs sat himself down between his girls "we'll be taking off in a few minutes" he said quietly as he brought them into his hold.
"Where's gramps?" Kelly asked quietly.
"He's staying here angel, doesn't think he's up to coming" Gibbs answered "he'll stay at NCIS until we get back. Megan & Ian will keep him safe"
Marcus was with his brother just outside the plane, they were overseeing all the gear & final dividing up of personel. It looked like DiNozzo's team, the two SWAT officers, who he now knew were Ted & Harry Taylor, the Gibbs neighbours from DC, Myles' team, along with that FBI Agent Fornell & Dr Mallard were on his bird, the rest were going on the SecNav's bird. He gave his brother a glance and saw him trying to refocus, they had so much to talk about but now wasn't the time, there was only one thing left to say "I've barred him from the hospital, he wont come within 100 feet of the place"
"Good" Myles bit out.
Marcus saw his fellow pilot head across "ready Owen?" he asked
"Yes, we're loaded & all personnel are on board Major" Owen replied formally.
"Good, follow us up, and stay on my right wing, our radar will be ample to see what's going on around us" Marcus remarked
"You expecting trouble up there?" Owen asked, she didn't think that should be a concern.
"I always expect trouble, and right now more so that ever" Marcus replied "let's go" he saw Fletcher "close it up Airman!"
"Already on it sir!" Fletcher replied.
Marcus followed his airman to ensure the rear cargo was secured, before promptly entering the plane "we're leaving, everyone buckle up" he panned the room "I hope to have us there within 3 hours, once we're at the right altitude we'll reconnect with your facility as well as Agent Pride"
Gibbs just nodded, he looked to his left across the aisle where Tony was sitting "Pride wont let anything happen to her Tony, we'll be there soon, we'll work it all out for all of us, we're in this together"
"I know boss" Tony nodded, he was so thankful that Gibbs had taken a moment to check on him, I mean the guy had so much to deal with himself, but he still cared enough to connect with him & that meant the world to Tony. It's no wonder he felt like a father, no, not a father, Gibbs was his dad. And he had faith in his dad, he trusted his dad, more than himself sometimes & this was no different. But thinking about everything they'd discovered, was there more of a connection that what they felt? Were they somehow connected more? He didn't know, it was just one of the things that they had to figure out, but as his dad just told him, they'd do it together & that was the biggest relief for him right in this moment.
A/N: So they're on their way to Belfast! Just what will they discover? Can they find Phoenix, Alexander & Jake before its too late? And could Tony's musing be right, is there a greater connection between them?
I promise to not leave the next chapter for too long, but next on my agenda is getting ACE back out of mothballs! Updates will be soon.
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