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Gibbs would never be able to recall how he got from the bullpen to MTAC. His heart was in his throat when he rushed into the room. Nothing Jenny said made a lick of sense to him. David Brody was imprisoned in a high-level security penitentiary. He was kept under lock and key in isolation from other prisoners, and his every move was monitored. Hell, the man couldn't even use the head without being watched. His imprisonment was vastly political, but in Gibbs' mind, the man was a psychopath.
Once Gibbs' gathered his wits about him enough to catch his breath, he was astounded to find himself standing in front of some of the most exceedingly influential people in the United States. That knowledge should have put him in a clearer, more professional state of mind but Gibbs found that he did not care in the least with whom he was speaking.
"Tell me. How the hell can you lose Brody in a level 5 maximum security prison? Hell, I wasn't even allowed in to talk to the bastard because I didn't have a high enough security clearance!" Gibbs was more than well aware that he was shouting. He didn't care. Jenny looked appalled.
"Gibbs!" Jenny put a firm hand on his forearm which he shook off angrily. Nothing anyone said would be able to pacify him now. He was past the point of no return. This was personal.
Gibbs glared at the two men sitting before him, larger than life on the MTAC video screens.
"Calm down, Agent Gibbs. Brody couldn't have gone far. I'm sure you will find that it is just a matter of a faulty electrical system at the facility," assured one of the men.
Gibbs felt his heart rate increase. "With all due respect, Mr. President, I get that David Brody is your friend and that all you political buffoons think that he is some kind of god who ended human trafficking with one hand tied behind his goddamned back…"
"Agent Gibbs!" admonished Jenny Shepard, aghast. "Kindly remember who you are addressing."
Gibbs took a deep breath and clenched his fists tightly together, ignoring Jenny's protests to play nicely, "My daughter is missing, Mr. President. She has a microchip embedded into the frontal cortex of her brain," Gibbs tapped the front of his head with his finger as emphasis, "and David Brody wants the information on that chip. He wants it more than he wants to live. Don't tell me to calm the hell down. I am way past the point of being pacified."
"Agent Gibbs! David Brody singlehandedly stopped MS-13, one of the largest and most violent transnational criminal organizations in the world. Brody stopped them dead in their tracks. All evidence of MS-13 in the United States is non-existent," shouted an equally irate man, not looking pleased with Gibbs at all.
Gibbs looked up, his face deadpan. "My daughter is nine years old, Vice President. Are you telling me that she is expendable?"
"Agent Gibbs, we don't even know if Brody has escaped Lee. We have agents combing the facility as we speak. There is no need to…"
"How long has he been unaccounted for?"
The room fell into a tomb-like silence as Gibbs stared at each of monitors in succession. Neither the President nor the Vice President appeared willing to answer the question and that made Gibbs blood run cold. It was roughly seven hours by car from USP Lee to D.C. No one had any idea where Aimee was being held captive. For all they knew, Aimee was closer to Lee than she was to D.C. Virginia was one hell of a big state. There was nothing saying that Aimee's captors had kept her local to them.
"Damn it! How the hell long?"
Jenny stood beside Gibbs, her face pale and her mouth agape.
The President rose to his feet and wandered off screen for several long seconds before returning to his desk with a grievous look on his face. Gibbs felt the colour drain from his face as the truth dawned on him.
"He's been missing for roughly 12 hours." The man's voice sounded contrite but that did not placate Gibbs in the least.
Gibbs threw his hands up in angry frustration. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. David Brody had disappeared without a trace for 12 hours and no one had bothered to inform him. His little girl was out there and he had no clue if she was alive or dead and the higher-ups had decided that Brody was more important than an innocent nine-year-old child. Gibbs was finished listening. "You better damned well find him, Mr. President, because if I get my hands on him first, and he's laid one finger on my daughter, I will kill him myself!" Gibbs spun on his heel and left MTAC, slamming the door as hard as he could behind him, leaving the two officials and Jenny staring at each other in silence.
xXx—NCIS—xXx
Rick Almeida gently laid Aimee down on the cot in the room. Perspiration marred his forehead as he looked at her small form. It had taken much longer than he'd anticipated for her to lose consciousness. In the few moments it took for him to gather her into his arms, he knew that he'd soon have company. Sure enough, the door behind him swung open. Rick looked up to see a grey-haired man 20 years his senior enter the room
"That took a lot longer than I speculated," the man stated quietly.
"She vomited up the soup, and I didn't use as much in the condiments. I thought the soup would be enough."
"The cards were a good diversion."
Rick brushed Aimee's blond hair from her eyes. "Geez, Russ, what the hell are we doing?"
The other man, Dr. Russell Mitchell, shrugged. "We're doing our jobs."
"Give me a break, Russ! This stopped being justifiable the moment we kidnapped her. She doesn't deserve this. She's just a kid!"
Russ walked around the cot and felt for Aimee's pulse. "Look, the plan goes forward. You can help me or get the hell out. I've got my orders." Russ' dark eyes darkened. His mind was made up. He was committed.
Rick heaved a heavy sigh. "What's the chance she'll survive?"
Russ headed towards the door. "I took an oath to save lives, not take them. I'll do everything I can to spare her life but we both know the outcome isn't good, Rick. Her chances are slim. I'm not going to apologise for doing my job." With those words, the older grey haired man opened the door and pulled in a cart.
"Wait? What?" Rick's face paled. "You're doing it here? Now? Is that even safe?"
"I'm a brain surgeon. I can work anywhere and besides, that chip is going to kill her one way or another if I don't get it out."
Rick frowned in disbelief. "If that were true, why hasn't Agent Gibbs tried to have it removed?"
Russ prepared his tools silently before disappearing from the room to put in more equipment, including an operating table and bright lights. Rick Almeida stood with his mouth agape as more people entered the room, setting the space up quickly and efficiently. How many people did it take to set up an operating room? The scene was surreal. As Rick watched, attendants moved Aimee from the cot to the table. Another group came in with portable sinks and washing stations while still more figured out lighting. The room was transformed before Almeida's eyes from a simple storage space into a hospital surgical room.
Dr. Russ Mitchell was suited up for the surgery and just before a mask was placed over his mouth, he said, "Simple, I have been Aimee's surgeon since the beginning. I was told to say and do anything I could to keep that chip safe, so I did."
Rick Almeida blinked. Things were more sinister than even he knew. He watched in silent horror as his fellow agent, someone who he'd thought was his trusted friend continued to make preparations to cut open a small child's brain.
xXx—NCIS—xXx
Riley awoke with a start, perspiration soaking his shirt thoroughly. He blinked his eyes, rapidly trying to clear the fog from his brain. Where was he? For the life of him, he couldn't remember. His entire body felt heavy from fatigue. It had been a long time since he'd fallen into such a deep sleep and the knowledge that he had let his defences down frightened him. The door to the room swung open suddenly causing him to jump to his feet. His heart rate picked up speed in his chest and he fought the sudden urge to bolt. There was no place to escape.
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry," said a blonde haired woman who appeared just as startled as he. "I didn't expect anyone to be here. I usually drop off some baked goods for people to enjoy…" The woman entered the room carrying a Tupperware container in one hand and an infant seat in the other. She stopped and awkwardly stared at Riley, trying to explain her intrusion.
"It's okay," managed Riley, trying to slow down his racing heart.
"Please forgive me. I didn't know anyone would be here so early. Did I wake you?"
Riley scrubbed a hand over his face. "Kind of but not really. What time is it?"
The sound of cooing baby filled the room. "Just past 7. My husband comes in early and I like to come along and drop off some freshly baked goodies for people to enjoy throughout the day. Just my way of giving back." The woman set the baby seat on the table and adjusted the blanket over the small infant.
"Wasn't there anyone at the door?" asked Riley, still trying to shake the sleep from his brain.
The woman smiled with a confused expression on her face. "No, should there be? Would you like me to get someone for you?"
Riley waved his hand. "No, no, that's okay. It was a crazy night so I crashed here."
The woman smiled warmly at him. "You're a marine I see. Tough job. Thanks for your service." She opened the Tupperware container and the room filled with the aroma of freshly baked muffins.
Riley glanced down at his filthy Marine fatigue pants. He hardly looked like a presentable Marine but the woman would have no reason to fear him being he was in a conference room, rather than an interrogation room which she'd have no access to anyway. His face reddened when he realised he was unclothed from the waist up. Suddenly he felt thankful that he'd fallen asleep half-clothed at least.
"They smell amazing Ma'am."
The woman held the container out towards him, not seemingly bothered by his state of undress. "Help yourself."
Riley smiled and did just that. After such a deep sleep, feeling warm and somewhat clean for the first time in ages, he found that he was famished. He took a large bit of the freshly baked muffins and closed his eyes, unconsciously savouring the homemade treat.
The woman laughed pleasantly. "You could do with some fattening up."
Riley felt his face redden further. He turned his back to her and reached to grab his shirt, pulling it on quickly. His clothing was way past the point of needing to be washed. He knew he smelled less than pleasant but mentally, he felt better than he had in a long time. Riley turned to see the woman had set out her baked goods and was making her way to leave once more. The baby continued to coo happily in its infant seat. The sound was so normal and ordinary in his ears, he almost didn't want the woman to leave.
"Thank you," he said suddenly.
The woman stopped as she went to leave the room. She turned and smiled at him warmly before slipping out the door, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Riley smiled as he stood watching where she had stood. A simple act of kindness and suddenly he felt human again. Out on the streets, he'd stopped feeling like he was human and worthy of kindness from anyone. He'd stopped living and had only been merely surviving. One good night sleep without nightmares, some food and some simple human kindness had renewed him more than he thought possible.
Riley looked at the open door and he felt his heart rate pick up once more. There wasn't anyone standing guard? Did that mean he was free to go? Riley highly doubted that was the case. Agent Gibbs had made it more than obvious that he was being detained. But why did he allow him to crash in a comfortable conference room rather than the Brig? Riley suddenly had a lot more questions about this Agent Gibbs. He still didn't trust him and a part of him wasn't so sure that Aimee wasn't running from the man because he'd hurt her.
Aimee.
Riley's blood ran cold. Aimee was in danger. She had been very roughly ripped from his presence and obviously not by the good guys. Only Riley wasn't sure who the good guys were anymore. He thought the good guys were the Marines until he joined them. His DA had proven to be anything but good. Riley squinted his eyes when a flash of memory hit him square in the gut. He groaned audibly as the memory enveloped him before he could stop it.
"Get on your feet, Janssen!" screamed his Drill Instructor, Adams.
Riley stood shakily to his feet. His eyes darted around looking for someone who might be able to help him but it was no use. There was no one. Everyone was asleep, thoroughly exhausted from the day's events. Nothing short of physically shaking each recruit would rouse them from their slumbers. Adams was more than intelligent enough to know that and he was good at what he did. He'd been a D.I. for longer than Riley had been alive. There was no way the guy was going to let one stupid kid tarnish his reputation. Riley should have known better.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" The man's face was beat red from screaming at the top of his lungs. His voice was hoarse after so much abuse during the day. Every D.I. had all but lost their voices as they spurred the recruits on during the day.
Riley wiped his bloodied mouth with the back of his hand, visibly shaken as he stood facing his judge and jury.
"A Marine, sir!" Riley shouted back, his own voice raspy.
Adams jeered at him in disgust. "You're not a Marine. You're not even close to being a Marine!' Adams backhanded Riley in the face once again but this time the kid only staggered a little managing to keep his footing. Riley was weak from the lack of food and sleep. His team was trying to finish the Crucible. The hardest part of marine training…and Riley was already more than 40 hours into it. He was past the point of exhaustion and his thinking was far from coherent.
"You're a gawddamned failure, Janssen. You're an insignificant piece of crap. You're not even worthy to be on the bottom of my boot."
Riley felt tears burn his eyes. Adams was not saying anything he hadn't already heard a thousand times in his life. His old man had said worse to him.
"What do you say when I'm speaking to you?"
"Aye, sir," screamed Riley like the well-trained and obedient dog he felt like.
Adams scoffed, punching Riley square in the gut. Riley doubled over but amazingly kept his balance. He tried to catch his breath only to be shoved to the ground and felt Adams boot connect with his ribs several times.
"You're finished, Janssen. You hear me? You washed out! You failed like the idiotic loser you are!"
Riley covered his head and lay still as his Drill instructor screamed at him and kicked him. He tried to keep his head clear and tell himself it was not his father hurling the insults at him. But his mind was foggy and he felt something deep inside him snap. Riley was on his feet before he even realised it and his fists flew relentlessly at Adams' face. Riley didn't say a word as the man in front of him dropped to the ground much more effortlessly than he thought possible. Part of Riley felt like he was watching some kind of horrific horror flick. He didn't want to believe that it was his own self that continued to inflict punishment on his D.I. Tears streamed down Riley's face as his fists kept locked on their target. He didn't want to be a ruthless person but now he knew he was. He was worse than that, he was evil.
Riley might have kept the upper hand had he not been so weak from lack of sustenance and foggy from less than five hours sleep in the past 40 hours. He should have been sleeping now, resting for the final part of crucible…the nine-mile hike that led to victory with his teammates and the end of the crucible. Not one of them was any more deserving than another. They had all worked hard. Maybe Riley had even fought harder because he had something to prove to himself, and he'd battled harder because he was pushed past the point of no return. Riley's temper waned as his fatigue overwhelmed him. He staggered and that gave Adams the upper hand to retake control. The older man outweighed Riley by 100 pounds easy. Riley didn't stand a chance against him in such an unfair battle.
Adams pistol whipped Riley hard enough to send him flying to the ground. He breathed hard overtop of the young recruit and Riley could see the bloody mess he'd made of his D.I.'s face. Riley blinked back tears of horror.
The door to the room slammed suddenly pulling Riley back to the present. He spun on his heel to see a young teen girl leaning against the door, breathing heavily. Her back was to him, having slammed the door and was leaning against it. Her face was buried in her arms as she attempted to catch her breath. Riley ran a shaky, sweaty hand through his hair and softly cleared his throat as a curtesy to his new intruder. NCIS was definitely a hopping place at 0700 hours.
The girl spun around and let out a small shriek before she quickly covered her mouth.
"Oh, my gosh! You scared me! I didn't know anyone would be in this conference room this time of the morning," sputtered the auburn headed girl.
Riley opened his mouth to say something but the girl rambled on as she took in his state of dress and the room around her. "Oh, wait one minute…you must be that Marine dude that found Aimee. Is that right? Abby said that Tony said that Gibbs was letting you get some shuteye after being U.A for so long."
Riley blinked. He would have laughed at how the kid rambled if he wasn't so confused by her utterings.
"You could be in some big trouble for running away from the Marines. Why would you even want to do that anyway? I thought being a Marine was one of the most honourable jobs in the military. They are like the Black Ops people."
Riley licked his lips, not even knowing how to answer her. He always used to think the same thing, about the Marines that is. It was why he wanted to become a Marine. He wanted to make a difference in the world and maybe, somewhere along the way, make his father proud. The teenager's reference to the Black Ops made him smirk a little. She must have been playing too many Call of Duty games.
"I think you watch too much T.V., kid." He managed to say with a straight face.
"Is Aimee okay?" The girl asked just as quickly, ignoring his subtle reprimand.
Riley shrugged. "I'm afraid I don't know."
A shadow fell over the girl's young face. She looked around the room but didn't move from her position by the door.
"Who were you running from?" asked Riley, taking in the girl's dishevelled appearance.
"My aunt. She's the director here and…" The girl stopped talking and narrowed her eyes at Riley. "What's your name anyway?"
"Riley Janssen."
"I'm Makayla Wallace. So, why did you run away from the Marines?"
Riley scrubbed a hand over his face and turned to look out the window. "That's complicated, kid." He wasn't going to explain himself to some little girl. Hell, he didn't even plan to explain himself to the Agents who questioned him. His plan was to escape as soon as he could.
Makayla walked over and stood to stare out the window too. "Can you find Aimee? Do you know where she is?"
Riley shook his head. "All I know is she's in a lot of trouble."
Tears swam in Makayla's eyes. "It's my fault she's gone. I was so busy thinking about my own problems that I never stopped to see how much danger she was in."
Riley heaved a sigh. He knew the feeling. He had focussed too much on his troubles and wasn't as proactive as he should have been. He might have been able to keep the girl safe had he been more on his game.
"Listen, do you think you could help me get out of here, Makayla?"
Makayla frowned, lifted her arms up in defeat and stepped away. "Hell, no. There is no way I want to piss off Agent Gibbs any more than I already have. Take some advice from me, Riley, don't mess with him."
Makayla's reaction almost made Riley laugh. The girl didn't look much older than 13 years old and she was a tiny little thing at that. It was obvious to Riley that Gibbs had already made a significant impression on the teenager and in actuality, Gibbs had made an impression on him as well. Gibbs had been kind-hearted. It had been a long time since he had felt that.
"You didn't hear it from me, but things are pretty dead around here this time of day so maybe no one would notice if you slipped downstairs and out the emergency exit."
"Won't that set off alarms?"
"Probably but I might be able to cover for you but you're gonna owe me big time!"
Riley looked at her for several moments. "What's the catch?"
Tears escaped down the girl's cheeks. "Promise me you'll find Aimee. Marines are supposed to be the best of the military…our best line of defence. No one knows where Aimee is, not even Gibbs, and he's like the best Marine there ever was. Abby said so. Marines are supposed to be trained to improvise, adapt and overcome anything no matter what the situation." Makayla stopped talking and choked back a sob. "Tony said that Marines only have one mission in life and that's to fight and win, no matter the cost. Aimee needs you, Riley."
Riley's mouth was dry. He had no clue where to even start to look for Aimee. He had no Intel whatsoever. He couldn't make any assurances. A part of him just wanted to promise her anything so she'd help him escape but he knew his integrity would never allow him do that.
"Aw, kid, I'm not God. I have no intel and no way of getting any…"
Makayla chewed her lip, a renewed look of determination on her face. "Abby could help you with Intel I bet."
"Who's Abby?"
"She's a forensic scientist." Makayla suddenly bolted to the door, stopping to address him once more. "Stay here and I'll get her."
Riley opened his mouth to protest but it was too late; Makayla disappeared out the door, softly closing it behind her. Riley stood staring at the door feeling overwhelmed. What had he gotten himself into?