Chapter 18
Gone
A/n As promised here is chapter 18. 19 is almost done and should be up as soon as life allows. I am going to start on chapter 20 which should be the second to the last chapter. Thanks to everyone for sticking with me through all of the delays with this story. Your patience is very much appreciated. And as always thanks to Crokettsgirl for all her help and for the co writing and making this the wonderful chapter it has turned out to be. And please as always read and review- Sarah
The hospital in the hallway by Tony's room
The orderly discretely pushed the cart in an empty room after he was sure that Tony's friend wasn't following him. He quietly closed the door and he pulled out his cell phone. Quickly he dialed and listened as the cell rang several times before the gruff voice answered.
"Collins" he answered "Why the hell haven't you called. I'm beginning to believe that you're not needed anymore. You knew that I was expecting to hear from you two days ago and yet I'm just hearing from you now! You better have something good for me." The voice threatened through the ear piece.
"I was waiting for the young forensics expert to arrive. I had overheard Agent Gibbs mentioning that she may know where the flash drive is! They were talking about it earlier and I think she may have it. I just need a few more days. Now that I've become friends with Agent DiNozzo I'm hoping he'll just tell me if I can get him alone long enough to ask and on the pain meds. I have found he is off guard, the pain meds have a certain affect on him that will make him talkative." Collins laid out his plan to the voice on the cell.
"I need you to find that damn flash drive now!" The man hissed "I'm giving you two more days to find it and then get it to me. I'm warning you, if I don't get a call that you have the flash drive by the end of the two days and are on your way to give it to me," The voice became lower and more dangerous, "I will make sure that you don't leave that hospital and you will be a temporary guest in its morgue. Do I make myself clear?" He growled.
"It's not that easy." Collins stammered "That girl has not left DiNozzo's side since she got here. And that damned Agent Gibbs wouldn't let me anywhere near his room. Now there are guards posted at his door. Two damn F.B.I agents." The Petty Officer explained, fear etching his voice.
"No excuses! You find it!" The voice yelled "I've got Jensen on the run with false tips that will keep him away for a few days and then I can get out of the country. Little does he know it will take days to chase the leads my friends have passed on to him," He bragged before growing angry once more, "So, you, do what it takes to get rid of those FBI agents, drug them, kill them, I don't give a damn! If DiNozzo and that girl get in the way kill them too. Whatever it takes!" His voice loudly boomed, "I want that flash drive in my hand. I had planned to be in Bermuda with my family by now. Instead, I'm here waiting on you. Two days, Collins and if I have to come and take care of DiNozzo myself, it won't bode well for you. I already told you where I'll leave your body if I do have to visit that hospital. Now don't disappoint me!" The connection was cut off.
The cell connection having ended and the memory of what the man had threatened, no, had promised, terrified Collins as he leaned heavily against the wall of the room. He'd really started to like DiNozzo and found it harder than he thought to do his job. He had killed men before without a thought, the last one being two months ago. He knew what the problem was, he'd let his emotions get in the way with the agent. Now he'd just have to push those emotions aside and do whatever he needed to in order to get the job done.
Collins peeked out of the storage room and made sure no one was around before he pulled the cart out. He then pushed it a short way down the hall until it was in the right place for the staff. He then planted a smile on his face and walked back towards Tony's room. He found Abby talking to the F.B.I. agents. He knew he'd have to pick up some poison for those two in order to get rid of them quietly and make his move hopefully tomorrow night or the night after. He only had two days and that meant two more nights besides tonight. Everything would be fine he consoled himself as he tapped Abby on the shoulder to get her attention.
"Are you ready to go?" Collins asked.
"Yes I am." Abby exclaimed brightly "Tony just fell asleep and I was just talking to Agents Simon and Cross. I was just waiting for you so we could go." Abby said good-bye to the agents before following the orderly out the front of the hospital.
NCIS The next day
0700
Gibbs walked into the squad room. The flight back from Iraq was long and seeing Agent Carlson's casket was difficult on the team. He did manage to sleep on the plane, he always was able to, and so he wasn't tired from the long flight. He just hoped that Leon Vance hadn't arrived yet. He was sure that he'd be called up to the director's office for a full dressing down because he had blatantly disobeyed direct orders. He sat down at his desk and took a long drink of coffee and a bite of his breakfast burrito.
Gibbs thought about how he had watched the F.B.I. take the casket of Agent Carlson back with them. He now waited on word from them about when the funeral would be. He hoped that Tony would be back by then and able to make it. He hoped that being there would help with some of the misplaced guilt that Tony still felt. Gibbs reached for his cell phone when it started to ring. He glanced down and recognized the name that showed up on his caller I.D.
"Tobias?" Gibbs answered pleased to hear the familiar voice of his friend, "Agent Jensen told me we'd be working together. Do you have any news?"
"It's good to talk to you too." Fornell answered "And how is DiNozzo doing?" Fornell asked in order to get pleasantries out of the way, before talking shop.
"DiNozzo is strong." Gibbs replied "It's been tough for him but he'll come through all right. (I just hope they let him come home quickly. I don't like leaving him there with Reynolds' men around." He explained.
"Jethro, we have agents on DiNozzo." Fornell told him knowing how the stubborn agent was with his team. Then he went on to answer the question about the situation with Reynolds here, at home, "We also have agents at all the major airports and most of the small ones all down the east coast but no sign of Reynolds anywhere. But we'll catch the bastard in time."
Gibbs listened and then informed his friend of how things were in Iraq, "I know Jensen has told you this but it's the same thing in Iraq. There's been no sighting of him anywhere. I still have a gut feeling he'll try to get to Tony, guards or no guards. I still think he's in Iraq."
"Jethro, I know about that gut feeling of yours but we are covering things from both ends," Fornell replied hearing the concern in his friend's voice. "Agent Jensen is one of the best people that I have and I would trust him with my life. Also, I told you and so has he that there are two of his best agents outside DiNozzo's door. So trust me that we are doing the very best that we can for him."
"That's fine Tobias, but he's not safe until Reynolds is locked away in jail for the rest of his useless life." Gibbs explained filled with frustration.
Gibbs was about ready to continue to vent his frustrations on the F.B.I agent when he heard two young voices coming from the direction of the elevator. He watched as his two junior agents came in carrying their breakfasts and eased down at their respective desks.
"I'll check in with you later." Gibbs said "And call me if you have any news."
"I will, Jethro. I'll call later on when I know something about the funeral of Agent Carlson, damn shame that. Anyway, our directors should be talking to us soon about working together on this task force to find Reynolds." Fornell replied as he hung up the phone.
(Gibbs knew Fornell was right about their directors and that he'd tell Gibbs about the funeral arrangements when he knew something. He was still worried about Tony and frustrated that he couldn't do a thing to watch over both Tony and Abby. He pulled his attention away from his finished phone call and his thoughts. He concentrated for a moment on his other two agents.
He listened to both agents as they talked about the events over the last few weeks in Iraq. He hid his smile behind his coffee cup as the amusement hit him about what McGee was talking about. He heard McGee talk about his dog, Jethro and how the dog missed him so much that the dog had slept with him and tried to follow him to work. He normally didn't let them go on long about such matters but he felt they needed a few minutes to unwind together and eat. Things would get done quickly once he put his foot down, but what was five more minutes.
NCIS
Iraq hospital
Tony had found two movies that he and Abby enjoyed, plus he managed to locate his favorite Magnum DVD. Now he was waiting for Abby to come back and he hoped she'd bring him something to eat instead of the tasteless hospital food. She had to bring him back a pizza or something, anything as long as he didn't have to eat the slop they gave him.
Tony lay back and fought a yawn as his thoughts turned to home and hoping of news that Reynolds had been caught. That was the only way he'd get his life back. The affect of the medicine was finally too much for him. He decided to just give in to it and take a nap. He hoped Abby would wake him if he fell asleep.
He woke up an hour later to the sound of someone slurping down what sounded just like a Caf-Pow. He slowly opened his eyes to see a concerned face watching his. Tony lay there for a few moments to try and clear his head before he tried to find out what was wrong with his usually happy and bubbly friend.
"What's going on Abbs?" Tony asked wearily "You look kind of upset. You wanna come here and tell me about it?" Tony asked in concern.
Abby hesitated not wanting to think the worst of Tony's new friend. She'd been debating for the last hour whether or not to say anything. But she could not get rid of the hinky feeling that she felt. She hoped that Tony was still asleep so she could go to call Gibbs to express her concerns. She knew he'd be in the office, she'd checked the time difference enough. However, since Tony was awake and aware of something being wrong she was going to have to talk to him about what she felt.
"Tony" Abby asked cautiously as she sat down on the bed where he had patted, "How well do you know your friend Petty Officer Scott Collins?"
"What do you mean?" Tony asked trying to figure out where this conversation was heading.
"Well, I mean that there's something hinky about him." Abby answered fearful of Tony's reaction. She didn't want him to get angry with her, "I mean he walks in right after we were talking about where the flash drive is. And he hurried out of the room and when he thought that I wasn't looking he slipped down the hallway into an empty storage room. Tony, he was yelling into the phone and I could have sworn that I heard your name mentioned." She quickly told him as she remembered the incident. She had gone down the hall after Collin's had hid in the storage room but couldn't get close enough to really hear very well. Abby had thought she heard Tony's name, she wished she was sure of this. She remembered then going back to the agents and talking to them until Collins had found her.
"Abbs "Tony answered rubbing his eyes "I think you're just imagining things. He's just my friend. I've told him a lot about myself and you guys. There is nothing to be suspicious about." He tried to reassure his friend.
"Tony," Abby said not quite ready to drop this, "don't you think it's a bit strange that he also went to Ohio State?" She questioned and then changed to a soft cautious voice, "Now please don't get mad at me but I checked out the Ohio State website and there's no record of anyone with his name graduating when you said he did." She reasoned.
"Abby," Tony asked wearily "I'm really tired right now and my head is really starting to hurt again. So can you just drop it please?"
Tony just couldn't deal with this now. He knew somewhere in the back of his mind he should but his head just hurt too much. He was suspicious at first but the guy seemed friendly enough and knew certain things about the college. He was just tired of being hunted down or someone trying to kill him as they had in the last op and this one. He decided to press the call button to get something for his headache, after he did he lay there with his eyes closed, the lights were too bothersome.
"Tony," Abby said as she looked down at her friend with concern, "I'll let it go for now. But I have to tell Gibbs or Agent Jensen so that they can check him out. I'm sorry Tony, you know if you were thinking clearly you'd do the same. I care about you!" She pressed.
Abby looked up as the nurse came in. Tony asked for the meds for his head and she brought them back. After he took them Abby watched him lay down without a response to what she said. She knew he was hurting so she dropped it and lay down and spooned up next to him. She knew from experience that the close contact always relaxed Tony and he slept better. She smiled as she heard him sigh and at the slowed down and relaxed rhythm of his breathing. Finally he fell asleep. She stayed spooned against him but couldn't sleep herself. Her mind was racing until she made a decision, she would talk to Agent Jensen and have this orderly checked out. They'd be hearing from him in a few more hours anyway. Jensen had been stuck out in the field for two days, it couldn't be helped. She knew he'd call the second he got in even as tired as he would be and she could tell him about the flash drive and this orderly. And she would make sure she spoke to Jensen and Gibbs away from Tony. With that solved she fell right to sleep.
NCIS Headquarters
The next day
Gibbs sat at his desk in deep thought. Since he and his team were still going to work with the F.B.I. on finding Captain Reynolds and his cronies. The team had been removed from the regular work roster. He thought about how he had to talk to director Vance and then how he needed to talk to Ducky about Tony. Gibbs finished his coffee and stood up to look for Ziva and McGee. He'd been so wrapped up in his thoughts after he had spoken to Fornell that he had forgotten they had left to chase down a few leads. He decided that now was the best time to talk to Vance. He tossed his empty coffee cup away, stood up with his knees protesting him and made his way up to the director's office.
He walked into the office and was greeted by Cynthia. Gibbs noticed that Vance's office door was open so he showed himself inside.
"I've been wondering when you were going to show up." Vance said as Gibbs walked through the door.
"I would have been here last night" Gibbs answered with a smirk on his face "But I heard that you left early. Makes me almost think you were trying to avoid me, Leon."
"Jethro" Vance said fuming "Why the heck would I avoid you. I left early because my wife had to fly back to San Diego because her father was ill. I had to pick my children up from the neighbor's house. That is why I left early. Besides that, you agreed to return my phone calls and keep me updated. You haven't returned them nor have you kept me as updated as I needed to be. The director of the F.B.I. has done that without knowing it." Vance huffed again at having Gibbs challenge his authority. Also he didn't like to be made to play the F.B.I. director in order to get the information he needed.
"Leon, I needed to deal with some things." Gibbs answered as he sat down in one of the chairs," I thought I'd talk to you more in-depth when I got back."
"What is more important than keeping me apprised to what is going on, Jethro!" Vance demanded as he locked eyes with Gibbs, "Besides, did you ever think I could help you?" He reasoned.
"Damn it, Leon." Gibbs growled "I couldn't call you back because like I told you at the hospital DiNozzo was having some problems." Gibbs voiced, "I needed to be there with him. He's in a very vulnerable state, emotionally right now. I'm beginning to think it was a mistake to come back!" Gibbs tried to show his desperation about how he felt, but it was etched in his voice. Worst of all he knew that Vance could hear it and that didn't make him happy.
"Why is that, Jethro?" Vance asked calmly after he settled down in the chair behind his desk. He could hear the desperation in his lead agent's voice. Now that he had the man's attention he was going to find out why that feeling was there.
"Because, I got a call from Abby this morning." Gibbs answered as he rubbed his eyes wearily. "Apparently there is an orderly that DiNozzo has become friends with. And she thinks that he may not be the person he claims to be. While Tony was sleeping she ran a background check on him and found no record of anyone, in the Navy with that name. DiNozzo also said that the orderly had graduated from Ohio State several years after him. Abby couldn't find any record of anyone with that name, during the time that he had claimed to have been at Ohio State. When she questioned Tony he became very defensive and got a little angry with her. She's concerned that this guy is one of Reynolds' men and right now in DiNozzo's condition he isn't sharp enough or able enough to pick up on this right now. I think that Reynolds is using this condition with Tony so this guy can kill him." Gibbs shook his head at the thought.
"I'm sorry Jethro" Vance answered before he inquired any further, "I didn't know what was going on. Have you talked to Agent Jensen about her concerns? I must say that from what you just told me that I agree with Miss Scuito."
"She called me because she can't get Jensen. Evidently he is chasing some pretty solid leads and will be in the field for a few days. She found this out when DiNozzo remembered he put all the information from Reynolds laptop on a flash drive. The flash drive is hidden in his watch that Abby had made it for him." Gibbs replied in frustration.
"Damn, are those F.B.I. agents still stationed at DiNozzo's door?" Vance questioned. He pulled out a newly packaged toothpick, opened it and popped it into his mouth.
"Yes they are, Leon but, you know as well as I do that Reynolds wants this flash drive and Tony as a witness dead. He isn't going to let two F.B.I. agents stop him." Gibbs curtly stated.
"No, I suppose not. I'll call the base station and have the guard notified to be on the look out for an orderly. If this orderly truly isn't who he claims to be, I want him apprehended immediately. He may know the current whereabouts of Reynolds. DiNozzo's safety is the most important thing right now." Vance said matter of factly "I trust Agent DiNozzo, Jethro. That's why I had him pulled to handle this case. He is in excellent hands with Jensen's men watching him. Plus I know he won't let the flash drive get into the wrong hands. I will see what I can do about getting that flash drive back to the base to the Cyber unit there and then see if they can copy it to McGee. I don't want Miss Scutio uploading the flashdrive to McGee; it could be intercepted on an unprotected wireless. Once McGee has it and the F.B.I. we will all be able to see what is going on and be ready for Reynolds' plans." Vance watched his agent as he told him. There was nothing more either could do about the situation.
Gibbs stood up frustrated. He knew that was all Vance could do and hoped that things would happen as Vance had said. Yet as he started to walk to the door and open it, his gut told him something different. He now felt more concerned about his Senior Field Agent and Forensics expert then he did before he had this conversation. He nodded his thanks and left the office, there was nothing more to say. He felt he'd accomplished nothing. His gut still told him that Abby was right and no one could protect his people like he could. He quickly walked past Cynthia and out the door to head down to autopsy.
NCIS Autopsy
Gibbs walked out of the office and over to the elevator. He pressed the down button and quickly walked inside. After pressing the familiar button that would take him to Ducky's office he rubbed his head and took a deep breath. He had needed to talk with his old friend for some time. He missed talking things over with the one person that knew him so well. The one person who would understand and know when to dig deeper or just listen. Now Jethro needed to talk even more about the fears he worried about with Tony and now Abby. He hoped that Jensen's other agents that sat at Tony's door were as good as Vance, Jensen and Fornell had all claimed.
Gibbs stepped out of the elevator and walked down the familiar hallway to autopsy. He walked inside and saw no bodies on the tables or Ducky and Palmer inside. He didn't know where they could be so he turned to leave. When he got to the doors and they whooshed open he heard his name called.
"Jethro!" Ducky called out "Sorry, I didn't hear you. I was in my office catching up on some paper work. Did you need something?" Ducky asked as he watched his old friend turn around. Before Gibbs could say anything Ducky could read on his face that something was wrong and he bet he knew what it was.
"I don't know. I'll come back after I think, you look busy anyway." Gibbs answered as he walked again to the door.
Usually the ME would let his old friend speak his mind first, but that wouldn't be true for today. Today he'd have to start the conversation that would be hard on Gibbs, "Jethro" Ducky called out sternly "You turn around and come back here this instant. You and I both know that you think a lot better when we talk things over. Now, if I might make a guess, your famous gut is telling you that something isn't right with Abigail and Anthony. Am I correct?" Ducky knew by the look on Gibbs face that he had been right in his assumption. He also knew it wouldn't take long before his friend told him what was on his mind.
"Damn it Duck!" Gibbs let his annoyance at himself come out, "It was a mistake to leave DiNozzo alone. Then I make it worse and send Abby out there. I should be there to protect him and Abby shouldn't be there at all. They're in danger and there is nothing that I can do!" Gibbs slammed his hand in frustration on one of the metal autopsy tables.
"This actually reminds me of a time in Dublin." Ducky started to say
"Not now Duck!" Gibbs interrupted, using the name that only he was allowed to use. Everyone else was only allowed to use the nickname of Ducky.
"Yes," Ducky answered, "you are quite right, we'll save that story for another time perhaps. My dear Jethro, I know you are very concerned about Anthony and Abigail, but you need to trust that Agent Jensen is doing his best to guard them," Ducky let out a sigh and took out a bottle of scotch he kept hidden in his desk. He pour two fingers in each glass and handed one to Jethro as he continued his train of thought, " I know you are used to taking care and guarding your own team and especially Abigail. I know you think you are the only one who is the best suited to do that. But right now you are not over there and it's hard to trust anyone else to do guard them," Ducky watched Gibbs finish his drink. He knew that Jethro wasn't convinced and probably wouldn't be by his next words.
"Jethro," The older man said kindly, "You are here and not in Iraq. You need to focus on the duties that are here. You need to allow Agent Jensen to watch over young Abigail and our boy, Anthony." Ducky finished his drink and then poured another for himself and Gibbs.
"I can't do that Duck," Gibbs replied back "I got a call from Abby earlier today. Tony has apparently become friends with a young orderly who has been assigned to take care of him. She says that they have a lot in common. Tony told her the orderly's name is Petty Officer Scott Collins." Gibbs told Ducky and then took a sip of the scotch as he paced the floor of autopsy.
"Jethro" Ducky said again "Might I ask what your concerns about this Petty Officer are? He must be a nice fellow and Tony and he must have a lot in common. And if you think about it Jethro, the boy needs friends. I know he has Abigail, but we both know how social Anthony can be." Ducky stated as he watched his friend paced. He knew there was more going on than what Jethro had confided in him.
"I'm sure that he does. And he probably seems like a great friend." Gibbs answered, "When Abby called she said that she had a real hinky feeling about this guy….."
Ducky cut Jethro off, "Well then if Abigail has a hinky feeling about this young man she is usually right, just like the famous Gibbs gut." Ducky chuckled.
Gibbs took up where he left of before Ducky agreed with what Jethro had said about Abby, "Well yeah, Duck. Why do you think I'm so worried," Gibbs gruffly stated before he continued now that he had Ducky's undivided attention, "Anyway she said that DiNozzo told her that they were talking and this Petty Officer Collins mentioned that he graduated from Ohio State a few years after Tony did. Abby didn't take any chances, she ran a back round check on this Petty Officer. She found that there was no one who graduated from there with his name. The only one to graduate with that name was in 1984 which would make the person in his late forties. And this man according to Abby is maybe a few years younger than Tony is." Gibbs said with agitation.
"Well yes Jethro, I can see why this has you so concerned," Ducky answered his friend, "I know how Abigail is at sussing someone out. But suppose the lad changed his name for some odd reason? I once knew a lad who did that just to get away from his family. Of course he couldn't run too far, you see they found him…."
"Duck!" Gibbs harshly called to stop his friend from going on with his story.
"I am terribly sorry Jethro. I was merely stating that there is a possibility that he changed his name for some reason in order to get into University or perhaps even the Navy. I'm only pointing out the possibilities." Ducky sighed as he looked at his friend, "Jethro, I am sure that you will find the answer to your question. Remember my boy you are an investigator and if your famous gut is troubling you and Abby believes this is hinky, well than, you should look into this. Only then can you see if this Petty Officer is who he says he is." The M.E. slid the desk draw opened and put his bottle away while he waited for Jethro to comment.
"Or he joined the Navy and is using a false name." Gibbs snapped back in thought, "He is probably working for Captain Reynolds." Gibbs stopped pacing at the realization that he was probably right, "I think he's pretending to be an orderly as a way to get to kill Tony and get the flash drive. Abby could be in the way and he'll kill them both!" Gibbs straightened up and gave an alarmed look at Ducky.
"Now Jethro" Ducky replied calmly "Don't you think you're overreacting just a bit?"
"No, I'm not" Gibbs growled "I'm gonna go to Vance again so he can call the FBI director and then to MTAC to get a hold of Jensen. I want him to look into this guy right away" Jethro turned to Ducky and said with conviction, "I'm right Ducky, I know I am and this Jensen better get this guy. He better now screw the pooch on this one, not with Tony and Abby's lives at stake!"
"Jethro" Ducky pleaded "Calm down or you will have an embolism!"
"Duck, I can't calm down and you know it!" Gibbs yelled as he started to leave.
"Jethro" Ducky asked in exasperation, "Do be careful with that temper of yours."
"I am going to grab a quick cup of coffee to calm me down a bit. But first I'm calling Fornell to make sure this Agent Jensen is at the top of his game." Gibbs announced as he walked out the door and to the elevator. He quickly pulled out his cell and hit the button for the number that he new very well. The doors opened to the elevator and he got in as he greeted the person on the other end of the phone.
Ducky watched as the doors to autopsy closed behind him. He sat there quietly for a few moments.
"Oh my, this has become quite a mess!" he thought "I do hope that Agent Jensen can handle the task at hand. But there is nothing I can do at this point."
Ducky shook his head "I hope they'll be alright. Well, I better get this work done first whilst I wait and then I'll go see what is happening.
He opened the previously discarded file and settled back down to work.