Chapter Nine

Findings

Ziva's face held a soft smile of affection at the movements of her partner, he was slowly pulling away from his dreams not coming back to her but not that far away either. She had been using the water attained from the guard to try and keep his body cool. Her index finger drug over his dry lips, slowly and deliberately as she moistened them with water. She couldn't help it, she had a nuturing side beneath all those levels of Mossad training. She smiled at the thought of Tony's words at the gentleness she was showing him. Her head turned quickly, the sound of heavy and uneven footsteps coming to her ears. Slowly she'd move herself to stand, her body before Tony's in an defensive way as she awaited the familiar metal on metal noise.

She didn't have to wait long, the dark piercing eyes of Atalo immediately upon the dark fires of Ziva's as he walked into the room. A score of men followed him, too many of them for her to try and do much and keep Tony safe. She decided she would comply with what they wished, for now but there was no promise for the future in her eyes. Atalo's eyes darted to the two men next to him before walking into the room, his fingers gripping something at his waist.

Ziva concentrated her gaze at the movement at Atalo's waist even as the two men he had gazed at grabbed her shoulders and forced her forward. She growled roughly at them, her body too tired to fight back with the force she wanted to but at the same time she was conserving her strength for a time she thought she might need it. She noticed another of the men going around back and grabbing the dead FBI agent, she glared at Atalo. Cruelty meeting her enraged gaze even as she felt the riot stick strike the back of her neck. Her body stumbled forward, her head tossing back with the force of the riot stick before the two men let her hit the ground.

Her palms slammed against the wet concrete and she crouched there upon her knees for some time, her breathing hard as she felt the riot stick once more strike her body. This time it made her full body slam into the ground, she gasped her chin catching the concrete hard as she felt her jaw snap under the pressure. She groaned when the hands wrapped around her shoulders and began to drag her out of the room.

Tony could hear the on goings in the room, and when he heard her pitiful and weakened groan it sparked life into his immobile limbs. He lurched to his side, his body flipping pathetically like a broken rag doll and then he had no strength left to move again. His fingers breezed by the cuff of her pants and he tried to speak but only made a soft gurgling noise. Ziva's eyes glanced back, there was nothing reassuring about that glance as their eyes met for the briefest of moments.

One of the other men grabbed the corpse and slung it over his shoulder before walking out, Tony watched unable to do anything as he was left completely alone. Metal on metal sounded the closing of the door to the room he was in, the light being completely removed. Tony tried to grip at the damp floor remembering a scene similar to this in the serial murder series, Saw. The fear of being alone swelled within him and he shivered as the blood left his features, he was a very passionate man yes but he was also a very fearful man indeed.

Ziva's dark eyes laid sight upon the opened trunk of what looked like a black mercury, that was until she was unceremoniously thrown inside the midnight depths. She landed upon the cushioned dead man from the warehouse, before the lid was slammed closed above her. Growling softly her hands limply moved to the back of her neck, the touch stung and she cursed under her breath. She didn't know where they were taking her, but she knew she would need to be prepared. When the car began to move she placed her ear to the trunk and listened closely to the road noises. If she could get to Abby, perhaps she could help them find Tony.

Gibbs' hand rested on the slender shoulders of Abby as she typed away at her computer, he found himself hiding out down here from the emptiness in the bullpen. Those fierce blue eyes masking the emotion that rested within his soul. He watched as Abby brought up pictures of Atalo's known accomplices and hits, image after image running along the screen before him. Some of the most grisly scenes he could imagine flopped before him one after another, a man that had been electrocuted to death after having his skin rubbed raw. Another one was a man that had been beaten beyond all recognition by riot sticks, and the last was an Italian man that was very similar to Tony in features and build. Gibbs' fingers squeezed a bit harder upon Abby's shoulder as his eyes scanned the scene. The man had been chained to a wall for days, beaten with riot sticks until his broken bones protruded from his body, he had been dehydrated for so long that what was probably an athletically driven man had been reduced to mere bones.

Gibbs feared for his agent at that sight, he didn't know if Tony could sustain that kind of torture, but he did know that he would do everything he could to ensure the safety of Ziva. A soft voice echoed from behind him and Gibbs turned to see Ducky with a most solemn face.

"What is it Duck?"

"Jethro, our young Anthony is in grave danger."

"Why?" Gibbs asked releasing Abby's shoulder and folding his arms, a moment of worry registered in his eyes before fading away.

"Atalo, is after him alone. His father became a banker again, and started to embezzle money from the Baldasarre millions. Atalo found out about it but can't locate a one, Cirocco DiNozzi. My source at NSA told me that the last known address for Cirocco was located just outside of the U.S. and in international waters. She also said that if Cirocco was involved he had a fall guy, and that would more than likely be our young Anthony."

"Survival rate for nonessential captives Abs." Gibbs bellowed turning around and moving forward back to the terminal.

"100 percent Gibbs, they usually release nonessential captives, most of the time they are critically injured but of the five that he has released none have died. That's good right?"

"For Ziva, Abigail." Ducky spoke softly before looking back at Gibbs. "Jethro, the odds are against Anthony. We have to find him before Atalo leaves the country."

"I know Ducky, but what in the hell do I have to go on!" Gibbs growled out, his fingernails digging into his palms causing blood to trickle from them.

"Gibbs...calm down...we'll find Tony." Abby spoke softly placing her hands on his shoulders. He winced them off and then moved forward, his strides intent and angered.

After exiting the lab he hopped in the elevator, his fingers pressing the button for the bullpen. After it had moved for a bit he pressed the stop button. As soon as the elevator came to a stop he collapsed upon his knees, his fingers gripping the carpet as he struggled to control the scream that wished to erupt forth. He was throwing a fit yes, but it was a fit of frustration at not knowing anything. He felt so useless to help his people, and even Tobias had given him little hope. Now Ducky? It had struck a few heartstrings, and has he pushed himself once more composed and cold he couldn't help but wipe away a strained tear of fear before pressing the start button once more.

Gibbs came out of the elevator and into the bustling bullpen, his body moving to its roost before he'd gaze at the three empty desks. McGee was doing better, he had come out of shock and was responding normally once more. Gibbs made a mental note to be easier on him when he was released, the kid had gone through a lot and Gibbs had the feeling that if he had been the probie and McGee the senior agent he would have shut down as well with that sight. He'd work with Tim when he was released, that he promised the young man.

His eyes continued to sweep until the fell upon the other two desks, the one that Agent Caitlyn Todd had once occupied stood empty again awaiting the return of the new agent that had laid claim to it, Agent Ziva David. The other one though...had always been occupied by the smiling face of Agent Anthony DiNozzo. And for once in Tony's career other than the incident where he had been kidnaped before and when he had Y-Pestis it had never sat empty. Now though, the fear that it would forever sit empty sent a mild shiver down the spine of Gibbs. He lowered himself into his seat before closing his eyes, his fingers running through his hair in frustration before he heard the elevator doors open. There were three people, well four actually, but one was being helped in.

Gibbs' eyes narrowed, examining them with intent they weren't the normal walkers in the bullpen they were different. The two were very large men, what appeared to be muscle while the one that was being aided was a bit too stiff for Gibbs' liking. The other one, was being led, not leading which seemed out of place for the gait they contained. All appeared male though, and all were headed towards him. He stood slowly, his fingers wrapping around the grip of his gun as he waited for them.

The one that was being led was flung forward, their body sliding across the carpeted floor to land before Gibbs. The hat and the jacket that had covered this unnamed form moved away, and for the first time Gibbs' rested his eyes on Ziva. He looked down at her, her dark eyes were weak and pained as she tried to crawl away from the two men and the one that was being carried.

In an instant Gibbs raised his gun from it's holster and narrowed it down upon the two. "Drop him." Gibbs commanded, his body moving to step over Ziva carefully. The elevator dinged and out from it walked Tobias, his eyes narrowing on Gibbs and the men. He too pulled his gun coming up behind them.

"I suggest you listen to Jethro there, if you want to keep all your body parts."

"We delivery boys." The one spoke up in broken English dropping the body to the floor with a dull thud. Tobias moved forward, his fingers moving back the hat before he leapt back in disgust.

"Where is Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo?" Tobias spoke, pressing the barrel of his gun to the neck of the nearest man. His voice would be near the ear of this man, his breath caressing it in malcontent as he controlled the urge to shoot him dead.

"It's not Tony?"

"No...it's my man Jethro. They must have discovered him..." Tobias spoke just above a whisper as he stood there, gun against the man's neck. He was waiting for an answer, his finger pulled back the hammer of the gun and he growled. "Tell me now!"

"Gibbs...they are just drivers." Ziva spoke up, her voice as weak as her eyes as she moved to grab the corner of a desk to pull herself up.

"Stay down Ziva, you aren't strong enough..."

"Jethro with all due respect, let the woman talk." Tobias received a glare from Gibbs but he complied with the thought as he glanced at Ziva.

"Gibbs...Atalo is gone. He left before these two grabbed me and the dead guy. They left Tony behind, when I saw him last he was still alive. But he's not in good condition, they tortured him Gibbs...worse than I would torture anyone." Ziva's gaze met Gibbs' eyes and she looked down. "I can find him though, I listened to the road noises and I think I know where he is but I need Abby's help."

"Tobias can you handle them?"

"Of course, go on Jethro."

TBC