AN: I got the sense the last chapter was just too short. So let's start to rock and roll shall we? Thank you to those who review and thank you to those who choose not to. I hope you are enjoying the read as we count down to our next new episode….

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Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David shot their heads up at the sound of the gun fire and slowly moved towards their doors.

"Gibbs."

"Boss."

Were the two words that came out of their mouths as they awaited the next sound. Moments later, more gun fire rang out and all either of them could do was wait…

Tony flinched as he watched his door fly open beside him. Gibbs knelt down quickly and examined his wounds. "Thank God." He uttered under his breath as he lifted his Agent up off the ground and wrapped his arm around his back. "We're gonna be alright…"

Tony only nodded as he dragged his feet along side his boss. "Ziva?" He questioned before Gibbs set him up against the wall and slipped the key into the lock. He saw her body was battered more so than Tony's. He reached for her and noticed she barely had the strength to hold her head up. "Alright, I got you." He lifted her over his left shoulder and exited the room slowly. He saw DiNozzo starting to slide down towards the floor and reached his right arm around his back once more. "Come on Tony…hold on. I'm getting us to the car."

Gibbs face cringed as he took each step, taking in short breaths to conserve his energy. He tried to remember where they'd park the car, but had been knocked out cold so his proximity was off. "Tony?" He looked to his left and nudged his Agent softly. "Which way to the car?"

Tony looked up and lifted his arm to point. "That way…at least a couple miles boss." He shifted his weight. "I can walk." He tried to stand but fell like a ton of bricks back onto Gibbs for balance. "Sorry boss."

Gibbs lifted him up and adjusted Ziva's weight on his shoulder. "No apologies Tony…." He held his pistol in his right hand and began taking steps in the direction Tony indicated. He peered around constantly, expecting more of Steeples men to be prowling around. He kept his focus on three people he was determined on making it back to…Abby, Ducky and his fallen agent, Timothy McGee…

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"Yes, I do understand, thank you." Ducky closed the phone and sighed deeply. "Abigail…" He hollered from the kitchen into the living room. "Lunch is ready."

She set down her hippo and made her way in his direction. "I'm really not that hungry..."

He set the plate down. "You must eat something…besides I just got a phone call from the Director, it seems Timothy's sister and Parents will be arriving to claim his body in an hour. I'd imagine you'd like to be there?"

She sighed and began to poke at her food. "Yeah…but they don't even know me duck man, I'd feel weird."

He patted her on the shoulder softly. "If I know Timothy, he's already told them all about you my dear…"

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Gibbs decided to take the more scenic route to the car, to avoid any open areas, which made it even more difficult on him. The terrain was choppy and full of obstacles, but it was nothing Leroy Jethro Gibbs couldn't handle. He found his mind wandering to his Combat days and suddenly realized he truly was stronger for having been there.

His head snapped up as he heard a curious sound behind him. Just as he snapped his head, DiNozzo followed suit. "Boss….?"

"Shh." He whispered softly to his Agent as he stopped momentarily. "We gotta keep moving…" He replied but mostly to himself. He took a few large steps as he continued down the trail, gripping the weapon in his hand tighter than he had ever before…

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The woman dressed in a business suit fell into her husbands arms when Ducky removed the sheet from McGee's body. "I am truly sorry."

The husband began to direct her out of the autopsy room, when she pulled away from his embrace and paced toward her son. She stroked his cold face with her hand. "Tim…why?"

Abby Scuito chose this time to step forward. "Me."

The woman looked up at her confused and angry. "Who are you?"

Her husband stepped in behind her and sighed. "You're the forensic scientist he told us about. He said you were the best."

She nodded. "My name is Abby…and I loved your son a lot."

Mrs. McGee nodded her head up and down slowly. "So did we."

It was silent for a few moments before Tim's sister spoke up. "What really happened? They told us he was in a shootout in the line of duty, but that's all…can you tell us anything else?" She sighed. "I tried calling Agent Gibbs but he hasn't called me back…"

Ducky stepped forward. "I'm afraid we can't divulge anymore then you've already been told…"

Abby cut him off. "He went into that compound for me…" she fought back the urge to cry and took a few steps toward McGee's body. "He thought the men there had killed me…he didn't know…he didn't know…" She couldn't fight back the urge for long and fell into a bit of tears. "I'm so sorry."

Tim's family could do nothing but join Abby in her tears. He was gone and it didn't matter why. All that mattered now was the grief.

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Gibbs heard a groan from Ziva and slowed up to set her down. "Easy Ziva…" He noticed the blood still streaming down her neck and quickly made a fresh bandage. "I'm gonna take care of you." He looked over at Tony who was doubled over in pain. "Ribs Tony?"

He nodded his head up and down. "Gotta be boss…hurts bad. But I'm okay." He motioned towards Ziva and Gibbs picked up on it.

"She's gonna make it DiNozzo…."

Tony agreed. "Of course she is boss. It's Ziva."

They exchanged a short smile, before they started out again. After a while, Gibbs had the car in his sights, and sighed. Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. He thought. That was until he found himself face to face with the ground as they began to take fire…