Chapter 9

Gone

A/n Sorry that it took so long for the chapter to get up. I blame life as always. The next chapter should be up a lot quicker since it is already half written. Thanks also for all of the reviews and alerts. They are so much appreciated. And thanks to Crokettsgirl for helping with ideas for this chapter and for making it better. And now for the next chapter. Sarah

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Base in Iraq

Gibbs ran outside leaving the three people in the room shocked. He knew that there would be questions, but he needed to find out what was going on first. He jumped into the jeep and sped off to where he was supposed to meet the person that had been on the other end of the phone.

Gibbs was elated at the prospect of actually finding Tony. He felt guilty that he had allowed his Senior Field Agent to be a part of this blunder of an op. He wanted to kill this man. Gibbs knew he'd do anything in his power to force the location of his agent out of this man. Suddenly, he tugged at the steering wheel and pulled the jeep to the side of the road. Once the jeep had stopped he pulled out his cell. Quickly, he dialed the familiar number and hopped she wasn't gone for the day.

"Abby Scuito." the voice on the other end answered. "How can I help you?"

"Abby, I need you to get a GPS fix on the last call made to my cell phone now!" Gibbs growled out impatiently

"Ok, Gibbs" Abby answered quietly. She knew better than to talk to her boss when he was this intense. He wanted an answer and he wanted it as of yesterday. She was used to this and rapidly typed on her keyboard to find him that answer. A quick hit to the enter button and the answer came up on her monitor. "Gibbs, that call came from the same location that Tony's phone was found at. Why? What is going on? Is it about Tony? Who called you? They must know where he is." The forensic scientist rattled off several questions. She didn't know if she'd get an answer, but she had to try. After all, this was Tony and she couldn't take the suspense.

"Abby" Gibbs answered "The call came from Agent Carlson's cell. Apparently, he claims to know where Tony is. He asked for a meet, alone. He said Tony's been badly hurt and he's snuck around to make sure that Tony stays alive. When I meet him he'll tell me where to find Tony. I need you to keep this quiet. Don't say a word to Vance until I know if this is real or just a setup."

"I will" Abby answered quietly "I won't tell Vance. I promise….."

"I promise what, Miss. Scuito?" a voice asked as he made his way into Abby's lab "Put Agent Gibbs on now!"

Abby quickly hit the speakerphone so that Vance could talk to Gibbs. She just about dropped the phone and almost disconnected the line. "Ah sure Director" Abby said as she regained her composure, "Gibbs, the Director wants to talk to you."

Abby let out a big sigh of relief. She hated when the director showed up unexpectedly. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately for updates on this case. The director's visits made her nervous and she hoped with Tony's return that he'd stay up in his office and not come down to her lab. More than anything right now, Abby wanted Tony to return, she missed him. She knew that Gibbs and the other team members wanted the same thing. She let out a sigh and then looked hopefully to the door for Jimmy to show up with her third Caf-Paw of the day.

"Agent Gibbs" Vance barked out "What is this about Agent Carlson? Am I right to believe you've located him?"

"I have Leon" Gibbs answered. He knew instantly where this conversation was going. "And, I'm going to talk to him right now."

"Jethro" Vance questioned "I am waiting for the part where you're going to meet him so he can be arrested by the F.B.I. Am I correct there?"

"I am not going to arrest him, Leon." Gibbs snapped back.

"Oh yes you are, Jethro" Vance told him with stern authority, "Either you have Agent Carlson arrested now or I will personally see that it gets done. And if Sec Nav hears about this, your future with NCIS will be in serious jeopardy." Vance clipped and folded his arms against his chest. He hated to threaten a good agent, but Gibbs gave him no choice in the matter. He was the director and he was tired of not only being left out of the loop, but also being challenged constantly by his agent.

"I can't, Leon. He knows where Agent DiNozzo is. If I arrest him or even try to, he'll be gone and then we may never find DiNozzo. I won't let that happen. After I get what I need from him Agent Jensen will take him into custody. You have my word on that." Gibbs answered with determination.

Gibbs was in a hurry and didn't need this argument right now. He knew he should have explained everything to Vance, even his suspicions. He would do it but, only after he got what he wanted. However, he was wasting precious time with this battle, he needed to leave. Gibbs kicked the jeeps door in anger, but it didn't make him feel any better. He was half convinced that this was a trap. Still, if it led him to DiNozzo it would be worth it.

"Jethro" Vance yelled "Either he comes back to the base with you now or I will go to the Sec Nav immediately." He pressured.

Gibbs didn't hear a word Vance said. His phone was already off as he was sped down the dirt road and on to the arranged place of the meet.

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Abby's Lab

Vance was fuming as he slammed the phone down in anger and frustration. The noise made Abby jump and caused Jimmy to jump as he laid the Caw-Pow on the table. Jimmy was so scared that he nearly tripped and fell, when he quickly made his escape out of the lab. Abby felt so uncomfortable and nervous at Vance's show of anger along with being in her lab that she didn't notice his reaction to the ME's assistant. Vance's back was to Abby as he smiled and then let out a small laugh at the fact that Jimmy tripped and nearly fell to get away from him. When he turned and they came face to face, the smile was completely gone and replaced with a frown.

"Miss Scuito" Vance asked as kindly as he could "Get Agent Gibbs back on the phone now!"

"I will" Abby answered as she looked longingly at the Caf-Pow Palmer had left for her. She was so thirsty, but was afraid of what Vance would do if she took a drink right now. Abby grabbed her cell phone and dialed Gibbs number. She tried several times only to reach his voice mail. She left a hurried message that said he needed to call Director Vance right away. She even left a message with McGee that he needed to find Gibbs immediately or there would be hell to pay with Vance. She watched quietly as Vance stormed out of the room. She finally felt some relief when the director left. She eyed the drink on the table and) was able to take a huge gulp of the long anticipated Caf-Pow. She swallowed and thought how much better it tasted when it came from either Gibbs or Tony. She hoped Jimmy or Ducky would come back soon. Now she was not only worried for Tony but also for Gibbs. She missed them both so much. "I hope McGee can talk to Gibbs." Abby said to herself as she turned back to her babies.

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The Meeting Place

Thirty minutes later the lead agent arrived at the place they arranged to meet. He saw a nervous man about DiNozzo's age waiting impatiently for him next to a fancy truck. Gibbs hopped out of the jeep and proceeded over to where the other man was at. Carlson jumped up and went over to shake Agent Gibbs hand. Carlson was surprised when Gibbs grabbed him and threw him up against the truck.

"Hey" Carlson said "I'm trying to help you out here. So what is the deal with you shoving me around?"

"Shut up" Gibbs hissed "You're lucky that I don't call the FBI and have you arrested right now."

The other man stepped back as Gibbs started to approach him again. "Hey Agent Gibbs, please let me help. It's my fault that Agent DiNozzo is in trouble and all I want to do is help."

Gibbs saw the frustration and despair in the other man's eyes and decided to back off in order to give him a chance to talk. "So where is DiNozzo? We searched every part of the building that was open and he wasn't there. Or did the bastard move him to a place where we wouldn't be able to find him?" Gibbs glared at Carlson.

"He moved him to the other side of the building" Carlson answered as he looked around nervously. He was paranoid that Reynolds would show up and kill him before he could do what he needed to. First he had to make sure his family would be taken care of and kept safe.

"You probably didn't find the area that Tony was in because it was kept locked by Reynolds. Captain Reynolds uses that part of the building for meetings and other business deals."

"Okay" Gibbs said a little more patiently "Can you show me where he is or at least tell me exactly where Tony is? We're running out of time here."

"I know Agent Gibbs" Carlson said wearily "But I can tell you where he is. You have to go around to the other side of the building past what used to be offices. There is a door there that is unlocked. When you go inside you have to turn right and continue on until you see the first door to your left. The door is open. Turn to your left and keep going till you see another closed door. Before I left Tony, I unlocked all of the doors so he would be able to find his way out. Go through the next three doors and then keep going until you can't go anymore. There is a room directly to the left of it. DiNozzo's is in there. Or at least he was where I left him."

Gibbs frustration level climbed higher. Right now all he wanted to do was demand that the other man take him to his Senior Agent, immediately. He studied the man's body language and sensed he was afraid. He didn't want to scare the man off before he was told everything that he needed to know. So he decided to take a calmer approach.

"Agent Carlson" Gibbs asked "Was DiNozzo okay when you left him? Was he hurt?"

"Tony was hurt pretty bad but, he was as okay as he could be under the circumstances" Carlson answered, "I went back and gave him the best first aid that I could. But I don't know how long he'll stay that way. I'm so sorry, Agent Gibbs. I should have stopped Reynolds. Now, DiNozzo for all I know could already be dead. And, it's entirely my fault." The man turned to walk away when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He jumped at first but turned around to see Agent Gibbs standing next to him.

"Thank you so much for meeting me," Gibbs stated calmly, he still saw how jumpy the other man was. "I will talk to my director and see what can be done about a lighter sentence. You've cooperated, which will help. I can't guarantee anything, but I will certainly try."

Carlson had gone back to his truck and started to draw something on a large piece of paper. When he was done, he turned around and spoke. "I sketched out a map so you can find the place a little better. And I untied him and slipped my spare cell phone in his back pocket. I charged it so he'll be able to call for help if he needs it. I appreciate the help Gibbs, but I am more than willing to take what is coming to me. I just need to know that you'll take my family and kept them safe. Can you do that for me, agent Gibbs?" Carlson pleaded with his eyes.

"Agent Jensen has already made arrangements to make sure your family is safe. Now, why don't you come in with me?" Gibbs explained and then pleaded. He knew Jensen would call the right people to keep this man's family safe. Now he needed this man to come with him so he also would be safe. "At least I can get you to a safe place where Captain Reynolds can't find you."

Carlson was about to answer when his cell phone rang. He took one look at the caller I.D. and knew he was in trouble. "I have to leave Agent Gibbs. Captain Reynolds knows where I am. He'll come after both of us and I can't let that happen to you. I have a place that I can go and hide at. I promise that I'll be safe there."

Gibbs tried to stop Agent Carlson from leaving, but the man had already gotten into his truck and started to drive off. He shook his head hoped that wherever Carlson went that it would be safe. There was nothing he could do at the moment but go get Tony. Gibbs jumped into his jeep and took to Tony's location. He wanted to be certain that the location this time was the right one.

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Tony's location?

Thirty minutes later he pulled up to the large building and parked the jeep so he could check for any signs of trouble. When he didn't see any signs of trouble, he pulled out the map to see where the right entrance was. Gibbs hopped back into the vehicle and drove around to the other side of the building. He then quickly found the door that Carlson had identified on the map. Gibbs drove around the corner and parked. He sat there and studied the map for a few minutes. He was about ready to go inside when his cell rang. He was ready to ignore the call until he saw McGee's name on his caller ID. Gibbs quickly answered his phone.

"Gibbs." He answered gruffly.

"Uh Boss" McGee stammered "Director Vance and Abby have been trying to reach your for over an hour. And Boss, Vance sounded very angry. He said that you were to call him right away."

"I will McGee" Gibbs answered "And I know what he wants. If he calls again or if Abby does tell them that I'll have to call him back later."

"Are you sure Boss?" McGee questioned "Vance sounds furious."

"Do I stutter, McGee?" Gibbs said impatiently

"Ah, no boss." McGee answer cautiously.

"Good, because I know where DiNozzo is. Agent Carlson called and we met. He told me that DiNozzo is in the building where we found his cell phone. They moved him before we could get to him. I need you, Ziva, and Agent Jensen to meet me here now! I'll be waiting for you. I'll call Abby and let her know what is going on while I wait. Now get a move on!" Gibbs felt the agent needed to know some of what was going on and so did Abby.

Gibbs had heard sighs of relief in the background as he informed the others of the latest development. He smiled for only a moment as he hung up. He felt anxious to get to Tony. For the first time in several days all he wanted to do was let out a sigh of relief like his team. But he wouldn't until they had Tony and he was safe. Gibbs mood ran with too many emotions and he needed to find Tony, now. He didn't want to wait for the other's to get here and berated himself for not calling them on the way. He didn't want to go in without back up in case Reynolds and his associates were there. Well, he'd wait and see if he went in alone or not, it would all depend on the danger that surrounded him and DiNozzo. He took a drink of his luke warm coffee and dialed another number.

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ABBEY'S LAB

"Abby Scuito" She answered brightly "How may I help you?"

"Abby" Gibbs answered with a smile "I need you to get Ducky so I can talk to the both of you at once. Now Abby!"

"I will Gibbs" Abby questioned "I'll call him up right now."

Gibbs listened to the conversation between his forensics expert and M.E. Abby was quiet for a couple of minutes until he heard Ducky's voice.

"Gibbs" Abby said "I am going to put you on the speakerphone so we all can talk."

"I think we've found DiNozzo" Gibbs announced "Agent Carlson told me where he is. I am at the building now; I have to wait for backup before going in. I'll call you and Vance as soon as we have Tony back safe."

Gibbs could hear Abby also Bert the Hippo making that farting noise in the background.

"Jethro" Ducky asked "Are you sure that it is Anthony? I mean the last time you thought that you had found him he wasn't there."

"I'm sure. Carlson wasn't lying to me this time I could tell. But I won't rest until I see for myself and get DiNozzo the hell out of there, alive." He stated adamantly.

Gibbs abruptly closed his phone with out a good-bye which was usual for him. He had seen the three people he was waiting for drive up. Now it was time to get DiNozzo and finish up this part of the mess. Afterwards they'd find Reynolds, if he wasn't already in there and then get Carlson. Then they'd close up this case at home.