Gibbs didn't want to completely wake, wanted to rage against the need to pull his eyes open and face reality once more. Kate remained tucked into his side, and she was so soft and warm, with her breath hot against the skin of his neck. He had no desire to shatter this moment, the embrace, certain she wouldn't allow him to hold her like this again. The thought made him exhale roughly against her hair, and pull her in closer, dropping a kiss against her head. Gibbs wanted to keep doing this, ignoring the creaking noise, even after the second time it reached his ears. It sounded so distant. Downstairs, maybe? Outside, he hoped. Either way, it called out to him, and Gibbs wasn't one to just ignore such a call.

Gibbs shifted, lifted his head, his heart speeding up while the fog of sleep rolled back away from him. He listened to the darkness, searching for the source of the noise, trying to fight the knee-jerk reaction that had him wanting to pull his weapon before need called for it. The house gave away nothing, silence the only answer to a host of questions.

Gibbs looked down at Kate. She looked so relaxed, all the worry and stress that came along with the lives that had chosen (largely stumbled into) had faded away with the peace offering of sleep. It would be so tempting to pretend that what he had heard had been nothing more than the product of an over active imagination. It'd be damn nice to trust the world.

Trust hadn't been an option for a long while, so Gibbs slowly slid his arm out from underneath Kate's body, and gave it a quick shake and rub. His fingers prickled as the blood started flowing again, and he shifted away from her with a small sigh. He heard her exhale behind him, grumble, and felt the blankets twist up as she rolled away. Gibbs smiled, despite everything, and reached out to pull his gun from the bedside drawer. He glanced back at Kate. He should wake her, make her come along as his back up. He'd never been any good at should.

Gibbs adjusted the gun in his hand, wrapping his fingers around it, leaving one near the trigger. He stood up, starting right for the door. Kate might kill him if she found out he did a check alone, but more than likely he would be back before she could wake up to find him out. This way she got the rest she needed, and he could hopefully settle his mind a little. Win- win.

"Gibbs," she said to his back, and he heard the small squeak of the bed as she sat up.

Gibbs sighed. So much for that idea.

"Kate I was just-" he started, turning to look at her. He probably owed her an explanation for why he was standing in the darkness, weapon in hand."Mighta heard something."

Her eyes ran down his form, his body just lit up by the moonlight falling across the floor, and she reached out for her own gun quickly.

Moonlight flashed across the metal of the gun, as she pulled it from the drawer, and shoved her blankets off with her free hand. Kate stood up, moving across the distance to him, before settling on the far side of the door frame, eyes on him. She drew herself up tall, strong, and every last bit of panic from earlier had been buried deep inside, or shed in her dreams. He was grateful, maybe not now (not for this, exactly) but Gibbs knew he needed her.

"You two hear me?" Gibbs asked, his eyes on Kate.

"We hear you, boss," McGee agreed. "I'm checking the cameras again, Tony's on standby."

Gibbs gave Kate a tight nod, before reaching out and turning the door knob. He took a breath and pushed the door open, swinging his body out into the hallway. Gibbs peered out into the darkness, gun aimed at blackness and anything that might be waiting in it. When nothing appeared, when squinting didn't reveal any danger, he reached out and flipped the light switch. Light poured over the space, he gave Kate another nod, and she stepped out blinking against the brightness.

He pointed them onward, and they moved without words until every room(and the doors and windows) had been checked. Gibbs couldn't bring himself to be surprised when nothing came up out of place. Annoyed, and very relieved, but not surprised in the least. The whole case had been this way.

"Okay, boss?" Tony asked, when they had settled into the kitchen.

"All clear," Gibbs said, wandering over to look out the back door and double check the lock. "Nothing on your cameras? On the audio?"

"Nothing," McGee agreed. "Watched it back twice."

"Probably something outside, Gibbs," Kate said, yawning off the end of her words. "Animal or something."

Gibbs wanted to grumble, to insist that something didn't add up, but decided against it. It was far too late, or too early, and instead of fighting he just allowed himself to look at her. Kate leaned back against the counter, gun resting near her hip on the flat surface, arms dangling at her sides.

Her eyes blinked slowly at him, and she offered him a crooked smile that he found himself wondering if only sleep could draw out of her. Another time, another place (if they made it out of this okay) he thought he might like to figure out a list of things that caused something so beautiful. Gibbs shook himself, his gut screamed at him that they were missing something, while his mind and body battled with the desire to kiss her.

This right here, showed every reason that relationships in their line of work were stupid, dangerous. The line between his professional and personal life knotted up before him, and he sure as hell couldn't lose her, and he couldn't coddle her. The feelings, all jumbled up and insistent, made him exhale a growl in her direction. Kate's eyes widened slightly, but he knew it wasn't in fear. Kate didn't fear him, never had.

Gibbs knew he couldn't tell her about the battle he found himself losing, so he brushed by her instead, and busied himself with the coffee pot. The liquid would help, the heat would burn away something inside of him until he could finally relax a little. He'd pretend to let her go again, wondering if maybe someday it would finally work.

"Go back to bed, Kate," he said, when she continued to stand there, sagging against the counter as she waited him out.

That's a long and awful wait, sweetheart.

He didn't need to look at her, to know what flashed in her eyes. He could see her weight shift up off the counter, arms crossing over her chest. Gibbs willed her not to argue, not to fight him this one time. He needed the minutes alone to think.

"You're not coming?" she finally asked, and he looked over at her, his eyebrows raising sharply. He never would have figured Kate would have wanted him back in that bed, that she would ask so softly. "I just mean...it's still early, Gibbs. You should sleep."

He found a smile, watched her expression soften against it.

"Go to bed, Katie," he said, looking back at the coffee pot. "I'll be up in a bit."

Gibbs counted his heartbeats while he watched her think it over. He felt worried, more than worried, and if she fought him on this he had no doubt his fear would show itself in the form of anger. She grabbed her gun finally, gripping it in her hand and looking him over one last time. He'd won, it felt a hell of a lot like losing.

He watched her until he lost sight of her, listened while she climbed the stairs. With a sigh he filled a mug with coffee, took a burning sip and flipped off the pot again. He couldn't stay downstairs, needed to be near her even if he wouldn't allow himself to rest again just yet. He moved softly up the stairs, and into the room. Kate had returned to bed, curled up, breathing slow and even. Gibbs moved to the chair in the corner, sliding down into it and leaning back. He took a longer drink of the coffee, and glanced at her sleeping form as tension slowly released him.

Tony

Only a few hours remained before dawn, a team would relieve them for a much needed rest. Tony yawned, feeling more than ready, but also pleased that Gibbs wanted them here. He trusted them, knew that Tony and McGee would look after him and Kate when they were so vulnerable. It wasn't something Tony took lightly, he was honored that a man like Gibbs would put so much trust in him, even after all this time.

He blinked sleepily at the screens before him, heard the soft sounds of Gibbs still awake in the bedroom he and Kate were sharing. Tony would be lying it he said he wasn't a bit envious of Gibbs, that he wouldn't rather it was him sharing that bed with Kate, but he understood. He had understood for far longer than he would ever admit to, especially in front of Kate or Gibbs.

So he held his tongue, and did his job.

"Ajax is up," McGee said, eyes flickering over to him. "Muttering to himself and slamming stuff around."

Tony nodded an acknowledgment, kept his gaze on the screens before him, losing himself out in the darkness they held. Nothing moved, the night almost eerily still.

"Do you think Kate can do this?" McGee asked, watching the monitors in front of him.

Tony glanced at him finally, taking in his expression, his unwillingness to meet his eyes.

"Do what?" Tony asked, reaching out and grabbing his cup of coffee. He gave it a shake, the contents sloshing, but the cup now completely cold. He took a drink anyway, and grimaced before taking another.

"I just mean..." he started, and Tony shook his head quickly, catching up to what McGee was asking.

They didn't have the line open to Gibbs, but Tony was taking no risks. Gibbs would know, he always knew. And anyway, McGee hadn't been here all that long. He didn't know Kate well enough, a few more months and the question would never even cross his mind. This was Kate, after all. She could do anything.

"'Course she can," Tony said, nodding. "She'll be fine."

McGee let out a breath and smiled, looking relieved. Tony felt himself smiling in return. He had to admit he was growing fond of McGee, who was a little awkward and a lot nerdy, but pretty likable in the end. He fit in, was making his place slowly, had already started stealing their affection in the various forms that they offered it to those allowed in their hearts.

Welcome to the family, kid.

Tony finished his coffee, leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head. Gibbs had fallen silent, still, and he hoped that he had fallen asleep in his chair. The man didn't sleep enough.

He had nearly made it to dawn, was close to nodding off when the first crash came through the headset. He jerked his head up, his arms down, and searched out the screens. They all went to static before his eyes, and he yanked off the headset and jumped out of his seat, knocking his head against the top of the van.

"Boss?" Tony called out, switching the channel. "Talk to me! Kate?!"

"Kate!" Gibbs screamed out into his ear, before he heard the sound of crunching followed by nothing.

"McGee!" Tony said, yanking his gun out. "Call for back."

Screw caution, nothing would stop him from finding out what was happening in that house. Tony shoved the van door open, jumped out and took off down the street. Behind him the van door slammed shut, and a second set of feet raced after him. He could hear McGee calling for back up, for help, and they were going to wake the whole damn neighborhood and Tony couldn't stop to think about anything but his friends.

Brake lights flashed once on their street as Tony rounded the corner, then tires squealed, launching a large black van away from him-them.

"Try to get a plate!" Tony yelled back at McGee, shifting his direction back for the house.

He raced up the front path, stopping at the front door. It didn't budge under his touch. He landed two solid kicks near the handle and the door gave with a loud splintering noise. Tony pushed it open, stepped in and yanked out his flashlight. The downstairs was still, nothing seemed out of place. He cleared the living room, then the kitchen where the back door stood open in front of him.

He wanted to call out, but couldn't risk the extra noise. Instead, he headed for the stairs. He'd made it halfway up when his foot sunk down into wet carpet. Tony drew in a sharp breath, trying to pretend he only imagined the sickening smell of iron that filled his nose when he did so. He pointed his flashlight beam down, onto the stairs, stared with an out-of-body detachment at the blood surrounding his foot.

Behind him something moved, and reality snapped back on him. He spun, finger flicking towards the trigger, mouth too dry to swallow. McGee stood there before him, pale faced and wide-eyed, before his gaze dropped down to the blood.

"Tony," he whispered.

Tony drew in a breath, lowered his gun slightly.

He had to be the strong one, the leader. McGee was still so new, still needed a guiding hand, and no one would care at all if he didn't feel ready to offer it.

"Upstairs," Tony whispered, nodding and pressing them on.

They moved through the guest bedroom, silent and still as a stone. The bathroom was untouched as well, leaving only the room Tony dreaded going into. He and McGee looked at each other and Tony stepped forward into the room. There was no one in it, and he couldn't begin to come to terms with how relieved he felt to not find their bodies lying there in wait.

He flipped the light on, looking around. The dresser closest to them was flipped onto its side, blood staining the corner of it, too fresh to be dry. The sheets were half ripped off the bed, tangled up with an apparent struggle. Tony moved closer to the bed, spotted the only pillow remaining on it. Blood was soaking into the fabric of the pillow case, and the sight threatened to tear Tony apart.

This is my fault. If he hadn't rested his eyes, if he had been listening better, or watching more, nothing like this could have happened.

Sirens sounded in the distance, and help was coming, but he was in charge. This was his case now-no one would be able to tell him otherwise. His eyes moved to McGee who had started to look around only to stop at the sight of two guns laying side by side on the bed side table- clips removed. Whatever had happened, they hadn't had a chance to fire.

"McGee," he said, moving in front of him, blocking his sight of anything more to discover in the room. McGee blinked at him, swallowed hard a couple times. Tony didn't know if this was the time to go gruff, or soft, and it had always been Gibbs' job to know which was needed in a moment. "Get the gear, McGee."

It lacked any bite, sounded like the failure Tony felt, but somehow it still prompted action. McGee gave a tight nod, turned and hurried off back down the stairs. Tony looked around the room, unwilling to touch anything else without gloves, had already added himself to enough to of the crime scene. Oh, God. This was never supposed to be a crime scene.

He'd find them. He'd get them back. Tony could only hope it would be before it was too late.

Abby

This wasn't the first nightmare that Abby had been tormented with, somewhere over the years she had lost count of how many she'd had. They had become old news, just another part of her that she had learned to accept-for the most part. However, they usually didn't star Gibbs or Kate, and never had it ever been the two of them getting twisted up in some awful dream of hers. Haunting her.

She had woken up a few minutes ago, gasping for air, hand reaching up to rub at her chest while her heart pounded inside it. Their lifeless bodies still hung there in her mind, her sleep coated brain recalling every detail until she felt panic prickling at the edges of her.

Abby sat up as much as the counter over her allowed, pushing the blankets off and scooting out. She needed reassurance, from the one place she knew she would find it absolute. Gibbs would answer, she didn't even need to look at the clock to know that while she might find him tired and annoyed, she would find him. He'd help her, in his way. Not tonight though, she reminded herself. She looked around the lab slowly, remembering her days, why she had stayed the night.

She stood up slowly, making her way passed the sliding glass door that separated her office and the lab. She made a slow circle in the dim lighting, checking her babies for new results, anything that would allow them to come home sooner. It was too early though, and Gibbs wasn't here to ask for miracles, and smile and press a kiss to her cheek when she produced them on his schedule. Instead, she had the hum of the machines and the images from the dream that wouldn't quit.

She had talked to Tony a few hours ago, a short conversation and now it felt like it had been days since she'd had an update. She'd wanted to talk to Gibbs, missed his voice terribly, and his grumpy sort of affection. Abby wished she could have asked Kate about the party, what she wore, anything to make this feel less like they were playing bait for a serial killer. She and Kate would have to have a night out when she got back...if she got back.

Don't go there, Abby.

It felt too early to run out and start her borderline overdosing of caffeine, so she walked back into the office and settled down into her chair. Abby flipped on the computer, huffing out a breath and reaching for the phone on her desk. She wanted (needed) to hear that they were safe, wanted the dream to just be a dream again. Nothing would stop the worry from taking over if she didn't hear it from someone who actually knew.

Tony answered after two rings.

She could feel the tension across the line, and her stomach dropped.

"Abby?" he asked, and she heard voices in the background. "Hold on a second."

She heard Tim in the background, offering out orders like he'd been doing it his whole life. Abby knew, somewhere deep inside, that something awful had happened. Tony would come back on the line, and he'd have to break it to her, and Abby would somehow have to push on, no matter what he said. She waited for him to come back, heard him exhale into the phone.

"I'm here, Abs,' he said. "I'm here."

There was shuffling, Tony's muffled voice, and then nothing for a moment. She squeezed Bert harder, waited again.

"Abby," Tony said, clearing his throat. "Something has happened."

"Tony, tell me they're okay," Abby said, pleaded.

"Someone took them," he said. "We're working on it. We'll find them, I promise."

This couldn't be happening.

"I'm coming down there, Tony," she said, shutting the computer screen off again.

He could argue, should argue, but she felt intense relief when he offered a quiet 'okay'. Gibbs would have kept her out, but he was lost somewhere along with Kate and the machines were still running, and tears were forming and she had to move or she'd lose herself in the feelings.

She hung up the phone, dropped the hippo and picked up her keys. She'd never let Gibbs down before, something she was proud of to no end. Abby wasn't about to start now.