A/N: Ok folks, latest chapter. To my most recent followers & favourites, welcome! I love that so many people are enjoying this story! The reviews always give me a great feeling & spur me to write more!
Let's get straight into it!
Jimmy came into the lab "pizza's here"
Ducky helped him put them all down, he knew that Kelly & Nix had heard Jimmy, but neither had come out of the ballistics lab where they'd been held up for the last few hours, he'd already tried to get Gibbs to take a break from interrogating Barret to come see his kids, but he wasn't budging, saying that he had to get all the information he could & that they'd understand, because it was all to get information on helping their mum. He had however just sent Anthony up there demanding that Gibbs came down or else, he'd been a away from his kids for a good 5 hours & neither were taking it well.
Jimmy looked at Tim & Ducky "Should I take some stuff in there for them?"
Tim could see the others were just as unsure as he was, Abby was staying well away, but he put some slices onto a few paper plates & headed for them.
"Just some pizza for you two" Tim offered, as he put the plates down near them, along with some water.
Kelly looked up, her & Nix were just sitting on the floor, she had her brother nestled into her side under arm & his head was buried into her shoulder "Thanks" she said quietly.
Tim smiled "no worries, pizza's always better fresh & hot"
Tim stayed for a few minutes & was glad when both of them took a slice to eat, he settled himself not too far from them & helped himself as well, after a few minutes he thought he'd try his idea "you know, I just bought the new Super Mario Bro DS game, bet I could beat you" he said to Nix as he pulled out his Nintendo DS.
Kelly had to smile "think that's a challenge" she whispered to her brother, a distraction was more than welcomed. She was relieved to see her brother slowly take the DS from Tim and silently started playing it. Looking at Tim she mouthed 'thank you'.
Tim smiled & mouthed back 'you're welcome'.
"What's so damn important Ducky?" Gibbs demanded walking into the lab, he couldn't believe that Ducky had demanded his presence, he was making headway with Barret.
"Shh!" Ducky chastised him, Tim seemed to have cracked the tension & Kelly & Nix were finally relaxing, the last thing he wanted was for them to get worked up again.
Gibbs looked perplexed "what?"
Ducky huffed & led him out into the corridor "what have you been doing Jethro?"
Gibbs looked incensed "I've been trying to get vital information on the people trying to get my wife! I'm trying to work out what their game plan is to keep my family safe!"
"And did you consider the effect your absence has had on your children? The effect that knowing you were speaking to a man they clearly know & fear would have on them? You didn't even come down here before going into it! You've been absent for over 5 hours!" Ducky said, he was not happy.
Gibbs took a step back, 5 hours? He seriously didn't think it had been that long & had he really not come down to his kids before going into the interrogation? He banged his head back against the wall behind him, crap, crap, crap! He must have gotten too focused on Barret, shit!
Ducky could see how horrible his friend now felt & knew he'd said enough, so he went back into the lab to give him some space & time.
Gibbs kept his head against the wall & closed his eyes, he was feeling horrible, again. He took a few deep breaths, how could he have forgotten to come down & see them? How could he have been gone from them for 5 hours? It wasn't just him making sure he got answers anymore, he had to worry about keeping other people not only safe but calm & loved, he moved to the doorway. He smiled seeing the pair at the far end of the lab, Tim was with them & Nix had his head buried into something, all 3 seemed to be interesting in what was in his hands, taking another deep breath he headed for them.
Tim saw Gibbs approach & took that as a signal to leave, so he hopped up & headed back into the main area of the lab.
Kelly & Nix both looked up at Tim's departure & saw their dad approach, they kept their eyes on him as he sat down next to Nix, who allowed himself to be moved to his dad's other side.
Gibbs brought both his kids into him "I'm sorry" he said softly.
"you've been with him this whole time?" Nix asked shakily.
Gibbs felt the shiver run down his son's spine, he hated himself right now "yes, but only to try to get a lead on where Quinn & Mac are, I should have come to check on you both before & during, I'm sorry pal" he said rubbing his son's back, he really wondered just want the guy had done to his son "Not a single living soul will hurt either of you again, not while I'm around, none of them will ever touch you, hurt you again" he wanted to make them believe they were safe, and he would keep them safe, not just physically, but emotionally too.
That made Nix feel a little better.
"Are you going back?" Kelly asked.
"Not yet angel" Gibbs said reassuringly, Fornell was continuing the interrogation & Jenn had gone in to help him, he'd let them deal with it for now.
Gibbs held them for a little while, he saw the thing next to Nix that they'd obviously been concentrating on "what's this" he asked picking it up.
"Tim's Nintendo DS" Kelly answered.
"That's a video game thingy" Gibbs said.
Kelly finally looked up to him "video game thingy?"
"Yea, Nintendo is video game company, no? So this has to be something like that, like a Game Boy" Gibbs answered.
"It's much better than a Game Boy dad, this is the new Nintendo DS Lite, the graphics are awesome! and it has a touch screen to boot" Nix said as he took it from his dad.
"uh huh & what game are you playing?" Gibbs asked, he was glad for the distraction.
"Mario Bros" Nix said, he then smirked "and Tim thinks he can beat me, pfft!"
Gibbs smiled "well, let's see how you go, cause I know McGee is pretty good"
"pretty good wont beat me!" Nix said immediately dismissing his dad's silly notion that he could be beat.
Kelly had to chuckle, but she reached for a slice of pizza, she looked at her dad "hungry? We couldn't wait"
Gibbs smiled "it's ok angel, glad you got some grub" he saw a new pizza being put down on the floor "thanks Palmer"
Jimmy just nodded & headed back out.
Gibbs reached for a slice & looked down at what his son was doing, he was pretty good "not bad pal"
Tony was shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth when the line that held Gibbs house number started ringing "Boss!" he yelled nearly choking.
Gibbs, along with his kids & the others all came out of the woodwork.
"What?" Gibbs demanded.
"It's your house line, I got it diverted here... it's ringing!" Tony finished almost at a yell, pointing to the handset.
"McGee trace, now!" Gibbs ordered as he picked up the phone "hello?"
"Jethro, it's Martha" Martha said, she didn't have his cell number, if he hadn't picked up she'd have called her husband.
Gibbs sagged & waved McGee off "hi Martha"
Kelly's eyes widened, she saw some strange looks "Martha, Martha Taylor, Ted's wife" she saw nods of understanding amongst the group.
"Listen, I've been speaking with Ted, I..." Martha just didn't know what to say.
Gibbs moved away from everyone else "I know, you don't have to say anything"
"Ok, look I was going to call you a little later on, but I just had the strangest call" Martha explained.
Gibbs stopped his pacing instantly "what call Martha?"
"Well, It was a lovely man & after confirming my address, he said he that he'd been asked to call me & say that he'd dropped off a parcel at 742 Evergreen Terrace, I really don't know what to make of it, but I got the impression maybe it was do with Shannon" Martha explained.
"742 Evergreen Terrace?" Gibbs asked confused, what on earth was that?
"The Simpsons!" Kelly, Nix, Abby & Jimmy all said at once.
Gibbs looked at them all "the what?"
"She's in Springfield!" Abby said, immediately going to her maps, she scanned for Springfield's that would be in range of the time it would take from the last contact "she's in Springfield, Missouri!" she reported confidently, it matched the distance & length of time it would take to get there from Shreveport pretty well.
"Make's sense" Kelly agreed.
"Calling Taylor boss" Tony said, not even waiting for the ok he dialled.
"Apparently, it's something to do with The Simpsons & she's in Springfield?" Gibbs said confused to Martha.
"of course, I thought that was familiar, The Simpsons family home address" Martha agreed "yes, that makes sense, she'd be in a Springfield then"
Gibbs was somehow comforted that Martha agreed with the logic "did he say anything else?"
"That the parcel was fine, and hoped the parcel's partner was understanding the path the yellow brick road was taking, I didn't really understand it" Martha admitted, she much preferred it when Shannon had let her in on her puzzle clues & they'd do it to their men together.
"That means she's hoping I am understanding the clues she's been leaving me & the answer's no" Gibbs admitted, he moved into the ballistics lab for some privacy.
"Well, you don't have to remind me how good her treasure hunting clues were" Martha smiled "Jethro, I'm so sorry, what else can I do? What can we do?" she was feeling horrible about it all & just wanted to help.
Gibbs ran his hands down his face, maybe he did need a familiar face as backup "any chance you could bring some dinner by later on? I'm at the navy yard, the kids have had takeout all day"
Martha smiled "Of course Jethro, I just made some spaghetti bolognese, so I'll pack it up & bring it over, I have to wait until my mum gets here though to watch Stacey, so it wont be until 8ish?"
"That's fine, they've just eaten now" Gibbs replied.
"Good, I will see you then then & Jethro, congratulations on Phoenix" Martha finished with a smile.
Gibbs smiled "Thanks, he's... he's something special"
"I have no doubt" Martha agreed "do you want me to bring Harry with me? He'll be off shift by then"
Gibbs considered it "only if he's comfortable with it"
"Ok, I will speak to him & let him decide" Martha said, she was already concerned about how his son would take the news.
"I have to go, but call me if you get another call" Gibbs said.
"Of course Jethro" Martha agreed.
As Gibbs came back into the lab he saw Ziva enter as well, it looked like she had something "what?"
"Had a call from Missouri State Police, they've picked up Johnson & Bardon at a truck stop on the way to Kansas City, Lt Dayle is on his way, he's an hour away" Ziva reported glad that they'd finally found some of them!
Kelly & Nix both stared at Ziva.
Gibbs nodded "that's good work" he beckoned her closer "go tell Fornell, tell him that we can use them against Barret, if he talks before Dayle gets to them, then we may give him a deal, otherwise, they may get the deal"
Ziva gave a smirk of agreement "with pleasure" and headed off.
Gibbs moved towards his kids, taking them back towards the ballistics lab. He was glad they'd found 2 more, that's 2 less people chasing his wife, 2 less people chasing their mum, it brought him relief "BOLO's are working, we'll get them, mum's going to be fine" he finished bringing them both into his embrace.
Knowing that there were 2 fewer men looking for her mum made Kelly feel better "can we duck home now?"
"Not yet angel, I need to speak with those 2 men first but we'll go as we can" Gibbs replied, he knew she really wanted to go home, but he had to see what these men had, he also needed to make sure it was safe to do so, so he'd send some agents over to make sure the place wasn't being watched.
Kelly sighed, she hated this waiting around, she needed to do something, she wanted to get supplies for them.
"Soon Kells, but right now let's finish this pizza" Gibbs said, as he sat down "come on you two, or shall I finish this pizza myself?"
Nix sat himself down promptly, Kelly followed a little slower, she wasn't used to so much oily, takeout food.
Gibbs let out an internal sigh of relief, another bullet averted, distractions were the name of the game right now, but he knew he'd have to take them sooner rather than later, so he decided as soon as he's spoken to the men, he'd take them.
Tony hung up with Taylor "ok, he's 3 hours away from Springfield" he announced, he turned to Abby & Tim "traffic cam's in Springfield, truck stops, now!"
"Already on it Tony" Tim reported.
It was close to an hour later that Ziva returned, she headed for Gibbs who was still with his kids, she just gave a nod.
Gibbs knew the signal, he had his son on one side, who was still engrossed in his game, his girl was on his other side, just resting "I have to go, but I'll come back down soon, you need anything, you ask & they'll come get me straight away, ok?"
Nix looked up at his dad "ok"
"Yea" Kelly agreed.
"stay here ok, I've asked Abby to get you some cushions & stuff, just incase you want to have a rest" Gibbs added.
Kelly & Nix both nodded.
Gibbs hopped up, but not before giving them both a hug & kiss.
Ziva followed him into the lift "Barret has refused to say anything, still thinks Mac will get him out"
Gibbs smirked "then he'll be waiting for a very long time"
Kelly headed back into the lab having just popped out to the bathroom & was greeted by the director.
"Your keys Kelly, the car's in the car park" Jenn said handing them over, she was glad to have been able to help.
"Thank you" Kelly replied, she suddenly got an idea, she knew it might be pushing it, but she had to do something "any chance of going outside, just for some fresh air? Happy to have Tim escort me"
"Of course Kelly" Jenn replied, she could understand her request, she'd been in here for a long time, she turned to McGee "Agent McGee, could you please take Kelly outside for some fresh air, stay on the navy yard only" she ordered.
Tim smiled "Of course ma'am, we'll stay on the navy yard" he had to admit getting some fresh air would be welcomed & he part of him couldn't help but look forward to be able to speak to Kelly, she intrigued him.
Kelly smiled & headed back to her brother, sitting down next to him, she spoke gently "I'm going to get some air, Tim's going to come with me, stay here huh"
Nix looked at his sister suspiciously "where you going?"
"For some air" Kelly answered.
"and where exactly is the air you're going to be sampling?" Nix asked again.
"huh?" Kelly asked confused.
Nix rolled his eyes "I know your looks dearest big sister, you're up to something, you've got the same look on your face as whenever you said you were 'going for a swim' only to have Mac realise later that you'd actually mysteriously disappeared"
Kelly eyed her brother, he knew? Hmmm.. she'd have to work on that "don't worry about it"
"where you going?" Nix asked again.
"I don't want you in trouble, so don't ask & I won't tell, but I'll be back before you know it" Kelly said reassuringly.
"Trouble? Me?" Nix asked "I'm not the one considering going AWOL Kells, what do you think dad will do to you when he realises, cause I won't lie" he definitely couldn't lie to their dad.
"and that's why I'm not telling you where I'm going, so you can't get into trouble with dad" Kelly replied "but please, I need a head start, so don't tell the others either & let me handle Tim"
Nix sighed "I don't want anything to happen to you Kelly, maybe dad's right that it's too dangerous for us to be out there on our own"
"I'll be fine squirt, I promise you" Kelly said reassuringly "and when I'm back, you'll understand why I had to go & you'll be glad for it"
Nix just got more confused "huh?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad, it's good, I'll be fine, ok? back soon" Kelly finished giving him a squeeze & kiss.
Nix just sat there & watched her leave, he had a bad feeling about this. Either something was going to happen to her or nothing was & then she'd come back & then get into trouble.. neither were all that appealing prospects.
A/N: Good thing Tim was able to distract Kelly & Nix! Gibbs kinda got too focused. But Shannon's in Springfield! At least she's getting closer & they've now got 2 of Mac's men too, that'll help!
But what on earth is Kelly up to? Will Quinn get to her? What on earth will be Gibbs's reaction? Me thinks it will be bad...
More up soon, you know I love hearing your thoughts, so review away!