Gone

Chapter 6

A/n Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I was struggling with really developing a good plot line but now I finally have some good ideas on a direction for the story. I wanted to say thanks for all of the reviews and alerts. I can't say how much they are appreciated. Sarah

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Base in Iraq

Gibbs woke up suddenly. He'd awoken with a very bad feeling that he just couldn't shake. He got up rubbing his eyes and decided that he needed a walk to clear his head. He walked around the perimeter of the base remembering his first time in Iraq. He was sure that Tony had felt the same way he did when he first arrived. Probably very nervous but excited at the very same time. He was incredibly proud of Tony. He was an excellent leader and from everything he was told, an excellent Marine. Gibbs checked his watch and realized that it was almost time to leave. Gibbs assumed that Ziva and McGee were waiting for him. Gibbs walked in to see them waiting for him.

"Grab your gear" Gibbs barked out "We're leaving in ten."

Ziva and McGee exchanged looks. They could tell that Gibbs hadn't had much sleep since Tony had disappeared. They both felt just as tired themselves even though they had finally gotten some rest. But what had concerned them the most was how hard Gibbs had been taking things over the last few days. Gibbs would never admit it but they knew how deeply he cared for Tony. When they both realized that Gibbs was behind them they both braced for head slaps that never came. Instead came the gruff voice again.

"Are you two going to stand here all day or are you going to get moving?"

"We're moving Boss." McGee replied as they were rushing out the door to keep up with Gibbs. Agent Jensen was waiting outside to take them into the city where the apartment was located at. They all climbed into the vehicle and made their way into the city after an hour drive.

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Apartment in Iraq

When they got there McGee and Ziva took in the building were the apartment was at. To both of them, it was like an Iraqi version of Tony's apartment. They followed Agent Jensen into the building and up the elevator. Finally they reached the floor where the apartment was at. Agent Jensen walked inside followed by the other agents. When they got inside they noticed that everything had been cleaned. They spread out to check each room noticing that it looked like someone had cleaned the whole place. All of the blood was gone from the floors and walls. The bullet holes in the walls were gone as was the furniture.

"Dam it" Gibbs yelled "All of the evidence is gone. How in the hell are we supposed find Tony now. Ziva and McGee, I need you to stay and search for any evidence that may tell us what happened or tell us where Tony went. Any blood splatter or fingerprints need sent back to Abby. And be sure to check all of the other rooms. Agent Jensen and I will go to the front desk to talk to the manager. We need to see if there is a record of everyone who comes into the building and in the apartment."

Ziva and McGee started their search while Agent Jensen and Gibbs went to see the manager.

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Downstairs

Gibbs and Jensen went down the elevator and into the lobby. Gibbs smiled to himself when he realized that this place looked just like Tony's place at home. Whoever set Tony up here must have known him quite well. This made him feel that Agent Keller was more involved by the moment. This worried him more than finding the empty apartment. Gibbs looked around and realized that Agent Jensen was already speaking to the manager.

"I am FBI Agent Jensen and this is NCIS Special agent Gibbs. We need to get some information about who rented this apartment. We also need to know if you keep a record of who goes in and out of each apartment. And if you do, we need copies of those records too."

"Let me check and see who rented the apartment if you give me a few minutes to check my records." The manager asked as he walked into another room. He came back a few minutes later with a file "The person who rented the apartment. Well, I don't see a name listed. All that I can see is that the apartment was paid for with cash and didn't sign a lease. Everyone who wants to go into one of the apartments must sign in to gain access to any of the apartments. Give me some time to check my logs to see who was in the apartment."

Gibbs thanked the manager for all of the information and left his cell phone number for the manager to call when he was able to pull up the logs for them. Gibbs and Agent Jensen finally made their way back up to the apartment. When they got back, McGee and Ziva were feverishly searching every inch of the apartment for any clue as to Tony's whereabouts. Ziva came out of the bedroom and asked for them to come inside. When they walked inside they all noticed that everything was still in place including some blood stains that had been missed.

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Apartment

"Gibbs" Ziva stated "They missed the bedroom. They were trying to hide evidence. Yes?"

"It does look like they cleaned the whole place to hide evidence" Gibbs confirmed "But why would they skip the bedroom and bathroom?"

"They must not have thought that it was necessary to clean in there" McGee answered "So they just skipped over it." McGee knelt down and saw that there was more blood on the side of the bed on the floor. On the side of the bed, there was a bloody handprint on the comforter.

"Boss" McGee said "There is blood on the floor and a bloody handprint on the comforter"

Gibbs walked around and shook his head when he saw the blood. He was thinking that if Tony was already injured that badly, they didn't have much time. Gibbs spoke up in a brusquer voice than he had intended to use.

"Ziva, I need you to collect the blood samples to send to Abby. McGee, I need you to bag up everything on and around the bed and check for anymore fingerprints."

Ziva was getting the blood samples when she got down on her knees to lift up the mattress. A few seconds later she pulled out what looked to be a watch. "This is the watch that Abby gave to Tony?"

"Yeah it is" McGee answered "Abby will be happy that we found it."

Gibbs replied with a "Good job" as they got started bagging everything up. Just as they were getting ready to leave, his phone rang. Gibbs took the call just to hear Abby's frantic voice on the other end.

"Abby, calm down" Gibbs said soothingly "Just tell me what you need."

"Gibbs" Abby exclaimed as she shouted over the phone "I got a hit. I was finally able to get a GPS fix on Tony's cell phone. I've triangulated a location that is about fifteen miles southeast of the airfield that Tony was supposed to have been picked up at."

Thank you Abby" Gibbs answered "I should tell you that Ziva found the watch that you gave to Tony. I think that tony would want it returned to you. I think that's why he left it where we would find it. Just in case something didn't allow him to make it back."

"Gibbs" Abby said matter of factly while trying to fight back tears "Don't you dare talk like that. You will bring Tony back. I know you will bring him back safely."

"We will Abby." Gibbs said in reply to Abby. Gibbs hung up his phone and turned to Ziva and McGee.

"That was Abby "Gibbs announced "She was able to triangulate Tony's location by using the GPS on his cell phone. Let's go bring him home."

For the first time since they had gotten the bad news about Tony, Gibbs finally felt relieved. Now, time was of the essence. Everyone hurried outside with the evidence. The evidence could wait until that had Tony back safely. Gibbs was positive that Abby would tell Ducky the good news. And Ducky would in turn share it with Director Vance. No one said anything, but it was obvious that the atmosphere was considerably lighter since the news from Abby came. Gibbs wanted nothing more that to be able to make the call to say that Tony was safe and that he was on his way home. An hour later they drove by the airfield and were close to the place where Abby said Tony was at. They finally reached the location and got out of the vehicle. They pulled on their vests and put in their ear wigs.

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GPS Location

Gibbs went in first, followed by Ziva and McGee. Agent Jensen came in right behind them. They split up so that they could search room by room searching for Tony. They had made it through half of the rooms when Agent Jensen called out.

"I found some blood on the floor and bloody footprints that look like they lead away from here and down the hallway and over to the other hallway on the other side."

Everyone pulled out their weapons and slowly made their way down the hallway. As they turned the corner they found more blood on the ground and all over the wall. Lying in a pool of blood. Pulling out a pair of gloves, Gibbs picked up the phone. He quickly picked up his own phone and dialed a number. When the other phone rang Gibbs felt the frustration increasing. Gibbs ran his hand through his hair and shook his head.

"I found Tony's cell phone."

Gibbs turned around and started to pound his fist against the wall in frustration. He would have broken his hand had Ziva not stopped him in time.

"Dang it Ziva" Gibbs said softly "We missed him again. We were to late again. And now there is a good chance that he is dead or seriously injured and there is nothing we can do about it."

Gibbs turned around to face Ziva. He was frustrated and Ziva couldn't remember the last time she had seen him so upset and sad. He usually only got this way when Tony was involved. She felt the same way that Gibbs did. She was sure that McGee and the rest of the team including Agent Jensen felt the very same way.

"Gibbs" Ziva said "We will find Tony. He is very strong. And I have a feeling that he is alive." Ziva came over and stood next to Gibbs so she could put her hand on his arm. He smiled and nodded a thank you for the support. Gibbs walked away so he could compose himself as Ziva left to go and stand by McGee. Ziva and McGee exchanged looks of understanding. They both knew that Gibbs thought of Tony as a son. They knew that he must be devastated right now. A few minutes later, Gibbs came walking back.

"McGee" Gibbs barked out "I need you to bag Tony's cell phone and blood samples to be sent with what we found back to Abby. And make sure that Abby sends us everything that she has on Agent Keller and Captain Reynolds."

Gibbs turned around to leave. The others followed Gibbs out so they could pursue or find any new leads.

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Unknown location (One hour later)

Tony woke up again to another throbbing headache. He felt that his hands were tied and that he was blindfolded. He tried to move his feet but they were also tied up. His head was pounding so he was sure that he had another concussion. He something dripping down his face. He was sure that it was blood. He realized that he was in a whole hell of a lot of trouble now. He was wondering if Gibbs was even looking for him. He was hoping that his cell phone was still in his pocket. He was sure that Abby was tracking his location right now and that help was on the way. Tony stopped moving because he had heard the same familiar footsteps that he heard the last time everything went dark. He felt a blow to his head and two more to his side. He stifled a yell so that they wouldn't know he was in agony,

"Agent DiNozzo" The voice said "I was wondering when you would wake up. Don't you know who I am?"

Tony closed his eyes in panic. He was an idiot to not have suspected Agent Keller. Now he had taken Tony and probably would kill him. He just needed to wait till he was alone so that he could get his phone out to call for help.

To be continued……….