A/n All right. Got this chapter up quicker than I thought I would. Sorry for the delay. Going to try and keep the delays shorter so I can put this story to rest.
Thanks for sticking with me. And as always, thanks to crokettsgirl for all her help with the chapter. Hugs to you all. Well here is the next chapter!
GONE CHAPTER 20
Locker Room
Collins stood in front of his locker and grabbed the vial of poison along with the silencer for his gun. He slid both into his pocket where the gun already lay. Ready, he slipped out and went to the coffee machine to get two cups of coffee, he knew the agents drank it, he'd seen them. That's how he had made the plan with the poison. He'd simply pour it in two cups and give it to the men. Whether they died or lived wasn't a care to him right now, he only cared that he lived to see the next day. He was just about to put the poison into the two cups of coffee when a nurse approached him. She needed him to help with a difficult patient in another room.
"Damn it!" He said to himself as he tossed the now luke warm coffee into the nearest garbage. Now he'd have to take care of the patient instead of following the plan. Reynolds would be calling him again soon. He'd just say the truth that he had gotten busy with his duties. His job as an orderly was his cover and he couldn't risk his cover blown. When it slowed down he'd slip away without anyone noticing and take care of the contract.
Thankfully the situation was under control by the time he got there. He excused himself by claiming he had some things he had to finish up. He saw a nod and left. He grabbed a cart so no one would ask any questions and see he was busy. He looked around to make sure no one saw him and then slipped back to the coffee pot. A new pot had been made which he was glad for. Now with the two hot coffee cups and half a vial of the poison in each, he made his way over to the two agents.
The front of Tony's room
Now that it was later the halls were quiet. Doctor's rounds were done and nurses were busy charting. Collins saw the agents just sitting there talking. He poured an extra cup for himself and then found himself in front of the nurse's desk. He didn't want to be the one that had given the poisoned coffee to the men. Slowly, he came up with his head leaning down so the nurse couldn't make out his face. He put the hot cups on the counter and as briefly as he could he asked if the nurse would give the coffee to the agents and then left. He then mumbled that he had things he had to do.
"Hello Agent's Simon and Cross." The nurse said cheerfully. "One of the orderlies asked me to bring you some fresh and hot coffees." She told them as they took the steaming cups.
"Okay, thank you Nurse Ford," the younger agent said a little surprised. He looked at agent Simon who nodded his head and then started to sip the steaming cup. Agent Cross thought it was nice that someone had thought of them. He needed this caffeinated beverage to help keep him stay awake. Neither of them thought it strange nor did they think this late at night to follow protocol. They shouldn't have accepted the drink from an orderly who handed it off to a nurse that they knew, that was protocol. If they weren't so tired they might have thought about it and one would have gotten them fresh cups, but they didn't.
The Deli
Abby had just finished her sandwich, salad and swallowed the last of her third caf-pow. It was a nice break eating here and not the hospital cafeteria with there hard chairs that were also in Tony's room. She had intended to take the whole hour Tony had given her, but she decided to hurry back. Abby felt like spider man with her spider senses tingling, she giggled to herself over the thought. Still it was serious. Something hinky was going on and she couldn't shake it. She needed to get back to Tony. She needed to see that he was alright.
She paid and then waited for Tony's order to be ready to give him a break from the hospital food. The order was ready quickly. She gathered her refilled caf-pow jug, grabbed the bag with Tony's sandwich with the three extra pickles she knew he liked. Then Abby juggled them around along with her purse to fit the dessert bag in her hands that had two pints of chocolate marshmallow ice cream in it. With everything situated she then hailed a cab to quickly make her way back to the hospital.
Five minutes later in the hallway at the hospital
Collins was grateful that the nurse took the coffee over to the two agents and then left to do her rounds. The hallway was clear with the smaller night staff all busy. He watched as the poison took affect. First it knocked out agent Simons. Then as Agent Cross tried to figure out what was going on he passed out and slid to the floor along side of his partner. Collins looked down the hall to make sure that there was no one around. He then proceeded to move the two men into an empty room that was close by. He chuckled nervously to himself as he lugged the first agent down into the empty room. He started panicking when he thought that he heard one of the doors open. So he quickly dumped the agent into one of the corners of the room.
Collins laughed to himself as he thought about how heavy the second agent was. He amused himself with the thought that he could have put the poison in a dozen jelly donuts. The other agent still lay in the room unconscious. He quickly pulled the second agent across the room and dropped him next to the first agent. That done he started back toward Tony's room.
In a Car driving towards the Hospital
Agent Jensen was finally on his way to the hospital to get the flash drive. He'd just finished speaking with Agent McGee. McGee verified that Collins was indeed not only an orderly but, he was also a Petty Officer. The problem was that he didn't exist under that name until two years ago. He couldn't find out who this Petty Officer really was. McGee had even checked out his social security number which also didn't exist until two years ago.
Agent Jensen then found out that Gibbs had already had the young agent run the name and prints Abby Scuito had e mailed through AFIS and other data bases, but there were no matching results.
After Jensen got off the phone with Gibbs and McGee he then quickly phoned Abby. He informed her of everything that he'd learned and advised her not to leave the hospital. Abby then panicked and spoke quickly to explain that Tony had talked her into leaving the hospital. That Tony and her knew there were two agents guarding him. She informed Agent Jensen that she was in a cab and just about at the hospital. Jensen shook his head to get rid of the run on quickly spoken words that buzzed in his head from Abby. She was nervous and freaking out. He hoped he had calmed her down a bit. Now he only had one thing on his mind and that was to get to the hospital. Jensen pressed his foot hard on the accelerator. The car jumped to the higher speed and raced forward towards his destination.
Inside Tony's room
Tony lay in bed mesmerized by the James Bond movie he was watching. He spoke the words in some of the scenes that he knew so well in his best Sean Connery voice. This helped to keep his mind occupied until Agent Jensen and Abby came back. Boy he was hungry and could just about taste that Steak sandwich and ice cream Abby was bringing back. The food he'd eaten in the hospital was like all hospital food, it tasted like crap. He smiled at the thought of real food and then at the thought of finally turning over the flash drive that he worked so hard to obtain.
Outside Tony's room Collins looked around to make sure no one was around or had seen anything. When he was sure no one was around he knocked softly on the door of Tony's room.
Tony was so engrossed in the film that he was startled by the knock on his door. Abby had been gone almost and hour and Agent Jensen was also due any minute so when he heard the knock on the door he figured it was Agent Jensen since Abby would just walk in. He called for the person to come in and was surprised when the door opened to allow Petty Officer Collins to enter the room.
"Where are the two guards?" Tony asked suspiciously. He knew what this man was after and suddenly felt that there were no longer any guards to call out to if something should happen.
"They got sick so I offered to stay with you till they could come back." The other man answered calmly.
"Are you sure?" Tony asked, suspecting that the man standing in front of him had something to do with it. "Because there are two other agents that are suppose to cover for them if need be. I think that you really need to leave and now!" Tony's voice lowered dangerously as he emphasized the three words and hoped he had made his point. He knew he wasn't up to a physical confrontation but he wouldn't just lay there and die if this guy was really after the flash drive.
"So did you ever find the flash drive?" The orderly asked as he started looking around the room hoping to find it without any trouble.
"What flash drive?" Tony lied. He realized that this man was really after it and appeared to become a little nervous. Tony had a feeling about what might happen. He had to stall for time and that was one thing he was very good at.
"Look, I know you have it and I need you to give it to me now." The orderly demanded as he started to slightly shake. "I heard you and your forensics friend of yours talking about it."
"I think you misunderstood something. Because I don't know anything about a flash drive." Tony answered as he observed the orderly slowly coming apart. He knew after so many years of being an agent and a cop that the ones that came undone were more unpredictable. This could make things go either way, he might be able to use it to his advantage or this guy could go the opposite way and just take him out. He wished his weapons were around but he wasn't allowed to have them in the hospital and the gun he did have had been confiscated along with the knife on his belt. Damn, he thought as his mind raced to think of what to do. He knew a physical fight would be hard for him with his arm and ribs still a hindrance with pain and not able to use the left arm much. But if he had to fight he would try his best, after all he had always been a scrappy street fighter. Gibbs training only added to that.
"No I didn't misunderstand anything. You have the flash drive that is full of evidence against Captain Reynolds. Now I need you to hand it over right now." The orderly demanded again. He pulled his knife out and started over to Tony. He could feel himself shaking and for the first time with a contract, he wasn't sure if he could go through with it.
"Look Scott." Tony said using the man's first name to get a closeness, cop 101 in negotiations he thought. He also did this to try and buy some time while he attempted to text Abby under the blanket so Collins couldn't see, "There is no flash drive. I really don't know how to get through that thick skull of yours that there is No - flash drive. Reynolds is just afraid of getting caught so his paranoia has him thinking that there is a flash drive, which by the way is ridiculous. I would think he'd be able to come up with something…oh say a little better?" Tony told him in a cocky manner as he tilted his head with his brow raised at the Petty Officer.
Collins stared at Tony for a minute. He had to get a hold of the situation - take control. "I want to see your hands above the blanket." He told Tony. When the agent's hands came above the blanket the man looked at the lump under it, "What do we have under the blanket? Get it out, come on!" Collins pulled out the gun with the silencer on it and pointed it to the blanket and then at Tony's head.
"Ok, ok you don't have to be so pushy." Tony pulled the blanket down and Collins grabbed the phone before stepping back.
"I see you texted someone. Who?" He demanded.
"I didn't get a full message out to Abby to get me a pepperoni and sausage pizza, I think I'll be even hungrier in a little while." Tony sarcastically told him.
"I don't think you'll feel hunger once I'm done here. Now where is that flash drive DiNozzo?" Collins suddenly straightened his stance still pointing the gun at the agent.
"Again I'll say it so that maybe you'll understand this time. I. Don't. Know. About. A. Flash. Drive." Tony said pointedly and slowly like he was talking to a child.
The orderly put his gun away and then came around the right side of the bed with the knife in his hand. Tony saw the glint shine off the blade as the light hit it. He was grateful that he had at least one good arm and that Gibbs had always taught them to anticipate what could happen. He had done that while he had stalled the Petty Officer.
The orderly came around and held the blade against Tony's neck pressing hard enough for a tiny bit of blood to form and let the agent know he was serious about his intention.
Tony gathered up his strength and elbowed Collins, hard with his right arm. The blow was driven hard underneath and then up to push the arm away and the force of the blow knocked the man down. His hand banged against the table allowing the knife to slide across the room along with the gun that fell out of his pocket. Collins was mad that he hadn't expected DiNozzo to fight back. How could he have under estimated this agent? Now his knife was under the bed, his gun across the room. He'd have to fight the bastard and either win that way or fight just enough to get to the gun.
"Damn you DiNozzo!" The orderly shouted in pain "I know you have it so just hand the damn drive over now."
"I told you I don't have flash drive." Tony answered calmly as sat up on the bed and attempted to get in a better position to fight. Collins was blocking him so he couldn't stand up. He was very thankful for the pain meds they helped dull the pain that burned his whole left side. He knew he had to push that down and defend himself the best way he could. One of the bad things about pain meds was it made Tony's mind wonder and he really couldn't afford that now, but it slipped anyway for a moment anyway.
Collins pulled himself off of the hard floor in front of the bed. Clearly he had underestimated the strength of the injured man. Though from hearing the grunts of pain, knew he could get the upper hand and finish Tony off like Reynolds wanted. First he had to get that flash drive from him.
Tony watched the man he had previously called friend get up and ready to continue the fight. Plans ran around in Tony's head but he didn't have much time or options. Quickly he pulled the tray to his right side hoping he could get Collins on his right and hit him hard. He hoped that would knock the man out. He needed to get help and fast as he kept his eye on his opponent.
Collins had other plans deciding to use the weakness and wound on Tony's left side to bring the fight back in his favor. He quickly went to Tony who tried to turn to his right but wasn't fast enough. Collins shot out his arm and grabbed hold of the injured left shoulder, squeezing it until Tony howled in pain. A smile crossed Collins face as he held Tony tightly in the position. He watched Tony grit his teeth in pain and listened to his breath as the man panted He knew the agent was trying to think of how to escape.
Collins squeezed harder and harder on the incision using the pain and weakness to get the answer he needed. He had to have that flash drive and kill the man he was causing so much pain to. His life was worth more than going to jail or getting killed by Reynolds. He wanted this over with so he could finish this mission and then live his life doing something else.
"I need you to tell me where the flash drive is. I'm not going to ask you again. The next time I'll slit your throat but not until you give me what I want." Collins asked trying to hide his panic as he squeezed down even harder. Again he thought of Reynolds coming to kill him and his body left in the morgue. He'd heard stories about the cold Captain and how he had not only killed the enemy but once he went into busy, anyone that crossed him was fair game.
"Actually Collins, now that I think about it I did have a flash drive." Tony goaded, knowing that Collins wouldn't kill him right away until he got the flash drive. He needed to buy more time until Jensen or Abby, anyone for that matter could help him.
Collins stood by the agent's side letting up just a bit on his shoulder but not enough so that DiNozzo could again get the upper hand. He felt a rush go through him when he thought that the flash drive would be handed over so easily, or that's what his mind had hoped on, anyway.
"Well, where is it?" He asked with impatience only a man running for his life would sound like.
"Oh, it's in my desk at NCIS. You must have heard me wrong. It's evidence in another case. So sorry." Tony answered; knowing that to get the other man angry would through him off his game. Tony needed him off his game if he was going to get out of this.
"You're lying, DiNozzo!" Collins yelled, his hands quickly came up and wrapped around Tony's throat as he squeeze hard, cutting off any oxygen that would allow the agent to live.
Tony had to think of a way out of this. He found it hard to defend himself between his shoulder, ribs and now his lung that wasn't healed all the way yet, not to forget that he was being strangled. He saw the discarded tray from the corner of his eye; it had fallen next to him, on the bed with in his reach. He grabbed it with his right hand and hit Collins as hard as he could on the side of the head. He was surprised when it did nothing but make the hands squeeze tighter and finally no air going was going into his lungs.
Tony was suffocating, his bad lung making matters worse. His plan was not to take his watch off so he had baited the guy. He couldn't allow Reynolds to have the watch and find the flash drive that would put the captain away for a long time. Tony wanted to see this done and for him to pay for killing Agent Carlson. So first he'd have to get out of this. His lungs were starved for air. He needed to breath and fast. After he got out he would take it from there.
DiNozzo's vision was starting to get fuzzy and narrowing. He knew he didn't have long before he passed out and damn it, a DiNozzo shouldn't pass out. He had when he was hurt but he would not let it happen again. Quickly he thought about how he couldn't free himself in all the ways he knew how. He couldn't so; he'd have to do it the scrappy street fighting way. Tony fed on all the reserve strength he had and then as powerfully as he could, drew his knee up and then out, hard, so that it hit Collins in the groin. Collins instantly let go and rolled off the bed dropping to the floor. He drew into a ball as Tony rolled away and gasped for the oxygen his deprived lungs need so badly.
Tony struggled to get up. He was still gasping for the air his burning lungs needed, his side throbbed and his shoulder was useless now, the pain was too great to describe. He was high on adrenaline and knew when he came down he'd be in a world of pain. First he had to get out of there. He got himself into a sitting position but then had to rest for a minute. He saw Collins was still on the ground and the pain seemed to be lessening for the Petty Officer. Tony knew he was running out of time. He used all his strength and relied on his adrenaline as he pulled himself up from the bed and stood. His legs wobbled, he slid his left arm into his pajama top to hold it still and to lessen the pain a little. His ribs protested along with his body. He felt himself get steadier. He needed to get out of this room and now.
He finally started to take a few steps towards the door when suddenly he was knocked to the ground with a painful thud. He looked up to see Collins standing over him with the gun. Evidentially, while on the floor, Collins must have retrieved it from by the bed.
"Tell me where the flash drive is!" Collins yelled "I know you have it. That Abby said you have it somewhere. I'm going to find it even if it means eliminating you in the process. If you want to live you'll tell me where it is." He threatened.
"I'm certainly not going to tell you were it is." Tony goaded again"But you're more than welcome to search the room. I certainly won't stop you even though you're wasting your time. Agent Jensen and the FBI are going to be here before you have a chance to tear apart the room." Tony told him with narrowed eyes and a scowl on his face.
Tony was rewarded for his sarcastic remarks with a hard whack to the head. The hit was hard enough to get a hiss out of the agent. His vision swam along with his thoughts for a moment before they came back. He felt his head pulled backwards by his hair only to see the gun pointed at his temple. Tony kicked out so that he caught the back of the man's leg. The leg buckled just like Tony had wanted and he watched Collins lose his balance and fall. He crawled out of the way of the gun that was held outward and swinging toward him.
Collins slowly got up still holding the gun at Tony, "I should kill you now for that little trick. But I need that flash drive!" He then started tearing apart the room in search of the flash drive. He dumped out a draw and then two bags and rummaged through what fell out and the bags themselves. He found nothing and cursed before he went over to the closet. He threw open the closet only to find it empty. Now his mind was racing worse as the death threat of Reynolds haunted him.
Collins started to search the room for the Goth's bags while he muttered over and over again the words Reynolds had threatened him with. He was so intent on finding the flash drive and the threat that he had lost track of DiNozzo.
Tony listened to the mumbled words as he slowly work his way up and over to the bed. He knew that Collins was spinning out of control which he hoped would work in his favor. He took advantage of this and grabbed the man's left arm. He slammed it against the side of the bed on the metal frame. Thankfully the plan worked as Tony watched the gun drop. Before Collins
could do anything Tony had gotten to the gun. The pain of moving so hard and so fast washed over him as he panted but held strong in order to save his life and keep the flash drive safe. He could give into the pain later even though it made him slower. Tony had his fingers holding the gun and was trying to bring it into position with only the use of his one hand when Collins dove at him. Collins and DiNozzo wrestle each tried to get the gun as it volleyed between them. They were on the floor several minutes later when the door opened.
ABBY
Abby stepped out of the cab anxious to see if Agent Jensen had arrived. She was worried for Tony's safety and was anxious to get back to her friend. He'd reluctantly agreed to watch her movies all tonight and the sandwich was her thanks for his willingness. She managed to get everything into her grasp, she felt like she was juggling it all and hoped it wouldn't fall as she carried it all inside.
Abby walked down the hall but didn't see the two agent's Simon and Cross. She wondered why both were away from their posts. She should have listened to her instincts but instead was anxious to get to Tony and would ask him about where they were when she got into the room. She placed the bags down by the door except for the sandwich and innocently walked inside.
"Hey Tony where are the guards?" Abby asked as he walked into the room.
When Collins heard the noise of Abby calling to Tony he pushed the agent away and quickly got up. He waited for Abby to step into the room before he placed the barrel of the silencer to her head. He saw her freeze when he did this and gave a vengeful smile. She would get him the flash drive, he thought.
Tony felt the shove that Collins gave him and heard Abby come through the door. He had to act as fast as he could to save her. He saw Collin's feral grin as he started to push the silencer against Abby's head. Tony had one choice. That damn tray again there was nothing else close enough for him to grab and use to get the man away from Abby. Still laying on the floor gave him some benefits. He took the edge of the tray and swung it into the crease of the back of the man's knees. Tony didn't realize the strength he had pulled out to do this. The hit was so hard the man fell to the floor once again in a heap. Tony quickly motioned for Abby to slide under the bed as he motioned to her. Abby understood and slid quickly under the bed as she watched and bit her lower lip in fear for her friend.
Tony crawled over using his legs and one arm to take the gun away before Collins could try and use it after he got himself up. However, Collins got to him first. Again the man used Tony's injury against him and pinned him down to the ground as he reached for the gun.
Tony yelled, he couldn't help it this time as the man put his full weight on the injured shoulder. He took several deep breaths to try and push down the pain. The orderly grabbed him by the back of his hair again and spit in his face.
"How does that feel?" Collins hissed as he pulled Tony up into a standing position. "I think now is the right time to tell me where the flash drive is before I kill your friend. Now I know she's under the bed or hiding in the closet. So if you want her to live you'll hand it right over." He growled as he used Abby as his leverage.
Tony hissed again at the pain in his left shoulder and panted from it. He was also having trouble breathing from his sore ribs as well his one lung not being fully healed. He had to get that damn gun and get Abby out of the room no matter what it did to him now. He knew as he had the whole time that it was all about getting the gun away and into his hands. He saw Abby under that bed like Collins did. Thankfully, Collins couldn't see Tony mouth to Abby, who he knew read lips, to get out from under the bed and run to get help as soon as he made a diversion. She nodded to him that she understood.
The other man held on to Tony trying to figure out how to handle this situation. He could feel himself coming unglued which had never happened to him before. "This is your fault!' he yelled passed Tony's ear as he still held him. The man scowled at Abby and then hissed at her too, "And your fault. You know where the drive is. GIVE IT TO ME!" He yelled as if his life depended on it, as if his sanity depended on it and it did as far as Reynolds was concerned.
Coming so unglued he unknowingly let go of his hostage and banged his one hand against the closet. Tony used the distraction to make a grab at the gun hanging loosely in his other hand. However, just as he made the reach for the gun the other man came to his senses and kicked him to the ground. Collins again had Tony back down on the ground with him and once again was using the injured shoulder to keep the man in place.
Tony let out another yell of pain, not just from the feel of it but to give Abby a window to escape the room. This worked as Collins looked down with another feral grin. Tony used his good arm and with his finger, out of sight of the man, motioned for Abby to escape. He watched as she silently crawled out from the other side. While she did that Tony moved his body so he could kick the other man's knee as hard as he could. He noticed there was a clear path to the door for Abby to get out. This was a relief that helped him in his fight.
However, he hadn't seen her go through the door as he kept looking back and forth while he struggled. Then he saw her as she hide behind a chair with the small empty drawer she could use to help him. This was a bad idea, Tony's mind screamed.
"Get out of here" Tony mouthed to her as he waited for her to leave and run to safety.
"No Tony I can't" Abby mouthed back with a stern look in her eyes.
Tony needed Abby to get out safely, he felt responsible for her even though for a moment he remembered Chip and her old stalking boyfriend, what a number she did on both. He remembered how proud he was, but he was brought back quickly to the present and the situation at hand. He saw the hard drawer from the night stand in her hand and maybe that would work if she hit Collins. Doing that he could get the gun and subdue the man, finally. He was so tired and he was having trouble breathing but again had to push it down to live and keep them both safe.
Tony then made reach for the gun trying to get it back again only to get pistol whipped in the head. He fell backwards in a daze and his vision swam for a moment, that moment was all Collins needed to focus the gun right at his forehead, a kill shot if the trigger was pulled.
Abby wanted to help Tony, she feared for his life. Any minute this crazy man could pull the trigger and kill her friend. She whimpered at the thought and quickly covered her mouth. She knew that Tony heard her but didn't make any movement that he had. She knew he wouldn't, he'd keep the focus on him to save her. Thankfully, Collins was to intent on Tony to even bother to hear her. She had to think of something, her mind raced like her computers in the lab.
Tony eyed the situation, he wasn't about to go out this way, the pain he felt was gone once again by the force of even more adrenaline. He shot his good arm up and grabbed Collins gun arm pulling the gun away from his head. He almost got it into his hand by the act of surprise when the orderly used the upper hand of his health against Tony and started to pull the gun back. Tony knew it was now or never and pushed himself at Collins to regain the grip on the gun. They wrestled for the weapon and it fired twice. Abby yelled but didn't get an answer. She didn't expect to since Tony was using everything he had in him to save his life and also hers.
Collins yelled out in frustration and then rose up enough to ram his knee into Tony's shoulder forcing the gun out of the agent's hand. Tony yelled out in pain but then quickly dismissed it the best he could, he had to get this gun. God he wished this was over, he was just so tired and hurt so much, but he wanted to live and had to keep Abby safe.
Collins yelled out again not caring anymore who heard him he was beyond the point of thinking straight. He held the gun firmly and pointed it at DiNozzo's head, ready to fire. Finally he'd get rid of the trouble this man had causes him. Suddenly, something hard hit the Petty Officer's head twice. He dropped on top of DiNozzo. The injured agent let out a humph, as the gun skidded away. Abby had knocked Collins out. She pushed at him to make sure he was unconscious. Tony was so exhausted and so grateful for whatever happened to knock this guy out that he just laid there for a moment trying to figure out what happened. Abby saw this and slowly started to roll the man off of her friend. When Tony saw Abby he realized what happened, what she did to help save them both. And he gave her a tired wiry smile.
"Remind me not to piss you off, but I'm sure glad you're on my side." He told her in a whispered pant and just laid there.
Abby smiled at him, "I told you I could take care of myself." She winked, "Now rest until help gets here." She stroked his hair off of his forehead.
"Yeah," he sighed, "I remember Chipper." Tony's eyes closed to listen to what she had told him to do. His eyes blinked open wide. He knew what he heard was real. He wasn't imagining any thing.
They both heard the shouting coming down the hall yelling their names. They were safe and Tony could now relax as the adrenaline wore off and he felt not only the exhaustion but the pain that went with the long fight. He closed his eyes and waited for help, he couldn't move anymore. Abby just sat next to him still stroking his hair and waited for the help.
A few minutes earlier
Agent Jensen was driving down the road to the hospital. It had taken him longer than he had thought to get away. An hour later he managed to grab his things and disappear out the door and into the waiting jeep. Thirty minutes later he arrived at the base. He had an agent waiting outside the hospital doors for the flash drive so it could be hand delivered to DC. He had a terrible feeling though that something had gone wrong.
He'd just gotten back the third back round check on Petty Officer Collins and found that the man they thought to be him was indeed not Petty Officer Scott Collins. Intelligence had been slow on this one and he knew he'd hear it from Gibbs. But Gibbs couldn't make him feel worse than he did himself. This Petty Officer was actually Petty Officer Scott Farrell and was supposed to have died in action a year ago. They now had the pictures and the finger print scans to prove that Farrell faked his death and was now claiming Collins identity. , What made it worse was that there was a connection between him and Captain Reynolds; they served together a year earlier. For some reason and Jensen didn't know why yet, he'd taken on the identity of a now known dead marine by using his social security number. So Jensen and his people surmised that Petty Officer Collins burned up body with only dog tags on it was used to stage the switch. This was very dangerous and again Jensen kicked himself for not finding this out sooner. He had left messages for Agent Fornell to call him back immediately about a situation when he got the voice mail. He didn't go into it in the voice mail he'd talk to him when he called back.
He jumped out of the jeep while securing his weapon and extra ammo. He then ran through the doors and down several hallways until he got to Agent DiNozzo's wing. Right away he noticed that the guards were missing. Something was up and it sure wasn't good. He quickly called over to the nurse to make sure, but if one left the other agent always by protocol had to stay. Jensen knew both Agent's Simons and Cross. These were good men and would never do something like both leave their assigned post.
"Where are the two agents that are supposed to be outside Agent DiNozzo's doorway?" Jensen demanded as he shifted his gun and took out his cell phone.
"I don't know sir." The nurse answered "They were gone when I got here. I thought maybe they were inside. But then again I just got done with rounds so I was away for a while. Matter of fact I just sat down and no one has been around here but the orderly, maybe he would know."
Jensen thanked the nurse and proceeded to call the agents to find out where they were. When he didn't get an answer he started running toward the door to DiNozzo's room. Half way down the hallway he heard two shots go off. He immediately turned back to the desk.
"Call for security to Agent DiNozzo's room. Now!" Jensen yelled as he continued to run towards the room and hit a number on his cell. He called for extra back up to help secure the scene, a scene that he feared not knowing what he'd find. Jensen called out to Agent DiNozzo and Miss. Scuito's hoping they would answer him. He only did that once. When there was no answer he stopped and readied himself for what he would find once he pushed open the half opened door.
A/n Yeah, I know, another cliffhanger. Just a few chapters left until the ending. Then I can focus on the new story I've been sitting on forever. TBC!
Another thing. I need a good name for a bad guy for Tony to get close to. A mob family and the son being close to Tony's age. Any suggestions would be so helpful!