References:

Moe, Larry and Curly - the three stooges. American comedy act from the mid-20th century

Typhoid Mary - woman in early 1900's that was a carrier of typhoid fever, infecting many

xxxxxxx

McGee ignored the woman bringing his attention to Tony…He was alive! "Tony?" His voice was weak and full of emotion. He restrained the short-lived happiness that consumed him. The fact that Tony's life hung in the balance, once again was a new, devastating realization. Tony was barely standing and McGee didn't like the vacant look in his eyes. What was he doing here? Did he have a plan? Tim believed if he did, his plan must have backfired to have let himself be pummeled senseless by one of these brainless Neanderthals. He was uncertain what to do, he felt so helpless lying there.

Tim struggled to raise himself, leaning on his elbows but the woman pressed her six-inch, metal heel deeper into his stomach with a contemptuous force. He almost cried out in pain so backed off. He hated being so vulnerable lying flat, so he straightened his arms, splaying them out by his sides for support so he could lift his head. Tim gaped at the small, menacing woman as she met his stare with a coy smile. She swayed her hips with a pompous swagger just before she straddled him then gingerly plopped herself down on his hips, the weight of her petite body forcing the breath from his stomach through his lips with a grunt.

"I wanna have some fun before we finish you all off. Can you blame me?" She grabbed the collar of McGee's shirt to pull him closer then began to passionately kiss him.

Tony was still dazed but able to comprehend what was happening to Tim. Shock emerged into his facial features.

Ellie's mouth hung open in disbelief, her eyebrows knit together.

Once McGee realized what the woman was doing, he pulled away from her kiss then bucked and arched his body, "Get off of me! I'm involved with someone, so you can forget it!" He was able to jostle the woman off his torso as she flew off and dropped onto her ass with a guttural snarl.

Steve whispered in Tony's ear, "Wow. Your friend has got a pair the size of coconuts...and he is so...dead."

XXXX

"What is wrong with you?!" Delilah yelled at Abby's computer, after she heard Tim reject his captor's sexual advance towards him. "Just kiss her back you dumb ass!" She cried, staring at the screen in disbelief, "I want to be able to see you again. Why is he behaving like that, Abby?"

Abby wrapped her arm around Delilah's shoulders and pulled her close. "He can't help it. That's the way he is." Delilah could only frown, tears in her eyes. "But, I'll tell you one thing...He sure loves you."

Delilah expelled a tired breath as her shoulders slumped. She closed her eyes as the hot tears slid down her cheeks.

xxxx

The room was silent as the small woman sat on the floor. She glared intently at McGee with an obvious hatred that reddened her face and flared her nostrils. Herb and Walter raced to her sides waiting for her signal to lift her but she ignored them. Her next move was impressive as she hopped from a sitting position into a crouched one then straightened, despite the extreme height of her heels. She concealed her rejection from the Special Agent with mumbled obscenities and details of how she would kill Tim...a slow and painful death.

Tony cringed, the images of what this small woman would order these large men do to McGee was disconcerting. He had to get them out of here...His breath hitched when he spotted something moving through a clear section of a window across the room where the black, concealing paint didn't entirely cover the glass. A flag. It was waving in the strong wind and difficult to decipher. There were multiple flags, full of strong, vibrant colors...it was difficult to contain his excitement when he could finally deduce their purpose...they were marine signal flags! He could even make out an image of a tuna on one of them. They must be located near a boat yard!

The little lady ignored McGee, her eyes now set on Tony.

McGee couldn't believe there was no instant retribution for his actions and sighed with a slight relief. He lay back, scrubbing his face with his hands, frustrated and exhausted. He draped an arm over his face then peered underneath it to watch what was unfolding next between Tony and the woman. He prayed that Tony would be quiet and not let his mouth get him into any kind of trouble.

McGee held his breath, watching as Tony worked his throat and mouth...only to produce a congestive, hacking cough as soon as she neared him.

"Oh, no you didn't…" Tim whispered to himself. He couldn't help when a corner of his mouth cracked a slight smile. The two men restraining Tony's arms on each side, winced, each taking a cautious step away while still holding him at arms' length. Tony tried to bury his mouth into the top of his shoulder as he continued to cough but it morphed into a dry heave. When the spasm eased he gave the woman a weak, innocent smile. She took a step towards him.

Tony eyed Tim, briefly with concern then jutted his jaw forward with a sudden coughing fit that sprayed over the woman's face. She quickly stepped closer to Tony as if she was going to punch him in the face but Tim, without thinking, bolted upright to stop her. His actions were sluggish and awkward from lack of sleep and he was quickly restrained by two other Neanderthals then socked in the stomach by one of them for his efforts. He would have dropped to his knees if they weren't holding him upright.

Tim had distracted the woman enough with his stunt, to cause her to forget that she was just about to physically punish Tony for his actions. "And, what the hell is your problem, Typhoid Mary?" She was exasperated and losing patience, addressing him with sarcasm.

"Oh, I get seasick on boats."

"Well…we are not on a boat, Einstein!"

"Oh, really? I could have sworn we were on a boat, I feel like the floor is rocking."

"Steve...Walt, tie them back to back and sit them over there in the corner, I've had it with them. But first I want you to find a way to remove the briefcase from the fruitcake's wrist. We'll have the scared little mouse here get the info off it that we need." She swung her head in Ellie's direction. "And if you don't! They die!"

Xxx

Gibbs had joined Abby and Delilah. All three stared at the screen listening to Tony's shenanigans, bewildered. "What is he up too?" Gibbs whispered. "They're both going to get themselves killed."

Abby stared at the screen then looked at Delilah. "Boat? Boat...boat...boat." Abby typed frantically, "I recorded the amount of time it took Tony to reach where McGee and Ellie are being held...It took approximately one hour from the North Virginia Savings and Trust...the one on the north end of Virginia...which would put you precisely at... the...Buzzard Point Boat Yard in DC!"

Gibbs was already running towards the door of the lab to leave. "Abby! Call the local LEOs in Virginia for me! I'll alert Special Agent Matoff's team for fill-in! We need as many agents as we can get on this!"

xxxxx

"I can't believe my drawers are still clean after that little adventure." Tony exhaled with a whoosh of air escaping through his lips. Who was he kidding...'little adventure?' It was terrifying. it was an endured trauma he would never forget. Three guys of the group, 'Moe, Larry and Curly' haphazardly aimed an ax, which one of them just happened to have in possession of, close to his wrist to break the chain of the handcuff attached to the laptop.

"Good thing for all of us ...since you go commando." Tim could hear Tony snicker.

They were both now tied back to back, their wrists bound behind their backs then a big, thick rope was wrapped multiple times around their chests and stomachs. Tony leaned his back against Tim's but to Tony that wasn't enough. He wanted to feel the entire weight of McGee against him; his head, his arms, shoulders...and his back, he needed that closeness. He squirmed and adjusted his position until he was satisfied. He could now feel Tim's thundering heartbeat and the expansion of his chest from his erratic breathing caused from the fear that gripped him. He figured Tim was now undergoing the same sensations from his own body against his. Tony needed the security of his physical presence for strength. This ordeal they were experiencing together only strengthened his bond with Tim, helping him realize how close they were and how much he cared for him. He would fight for all it was worth to get them out alive.

Tim was too quiet.."Tim? Are you still awake?" Tony was cautious, even though the mob's attention was settled over Ellie's shoulders as she typed on the confiscated laptop. The dead body of the Petty Officer was on the floor next to them so they were able to use his fingerprints for access to his files. They relentlessly threatened her with ways they would kill Tim or himself if she didn't hurry. He knew Ellie was stalling, typing in anything to make them think she would eventually reveal its information. She must have had a hunch that the sign of Tony showing up was a good one and maybe Gibbs was not far along.

Hopefully, Abby was able to decipher his clue and figure out the exact area to where they were being held captive. It would just be a matter of time. Tony knew it hadn't taken too long for his captors to transport him to McGee and Ellie.

"Yeah, Tony. Uh...I hate to say this...But, I'm so relieved to see you...I thought-"

"Probie, It's all good. We're going to get out of this. I'm wearing an earpiece...Abby figured out where we are-"

"You mean they're coming? Did you see that we're located near a boat yard?"

"Hey...you saw that, too? Yeah...I rigged this so I would find you...And, Delilah came in from-"

"She...came?"

Tony could feel Tim lean forward. He knew he was choked up as he felt his body tremble against his. "Tim, I want you to stay upright...lean against me for support. I got you. We need to lean against each other. I need to know you're still with me and you're okay."

Tim did as Tony asked and Tony felt his panic ease away slightly.

"I'm good. Just tired...and... bad headache...but I'm good. How is she...is she...good? " Said Tim, his voice cracking.

"She's good, but maybe pissed at you for the moment. I did hear hear the 'dumb ass' remark-"

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Tim. You've got to behave so you can get out of this alive...we all do. No more stupid moves. I know this chick is past... psycho but accept all sexual advances..and don't play the hero-"

"Tony-"

"Hey! Shut up over there!" Herb yelled. Tony and Tim became silent, glaring back at the group huddled around Ellie.

"Hurry up, missy. I have a pedicure in an hour!" The one-hundred and ten pound ring leader was drumming her fingers on the table next to Ellie, staring at her. Ellie looked at Tony biting her bottom lip.

"How was Ellie?" Tony now talked to Tim as if he was a ventriloquist, his voice directed through the side of his mouth.

They both looked at her,"She's tougher than you think...but...hey, we gotta do something-" Tim pulled at his bonds, "-she looks terrified and I don't like the way Herb has his hands all over her."

"What did I just say about playin' hero? Gibbs will be here-"

"Will this quicken the progress, missy?!" The woman swung her arm around and aimed a firearm at Tony.

"Tony!" Tim screamed as a shot rang out and Tim felt something wet and warm hit the back of his neck...what must have been Tony's blood. Tony's head dropped forward as his body leaned away from his and he felt his world spin into an intangible chaos.

"Tony?...Tony!" He couldn't keep the strong emotions from his voice. He strained against his bonds with attempts to get a look at his friend's condition. "Tony? Please answer me." Black spots filled his vision when he noticed Ellie's horrified expression then the wicked smile on the woman's.