CHAPTER 8

Jackson Gibbs hangs up the phone with a frown and turns his eyes towards the door as the bell sounded and a woman enters his store. She stops just inside the door, her eyes such a dark shade of brown that they were almost as black as her long dark hair. A chill runs down Jackson's spine at the cold look in her eyes and he knows instinctively this woman is not what she appears to be. He covers his nervousness as his son's concern comes to mind. He forces himself not to glance down at the shotgun under the counter.

He leans forward casually, resting his elbows on the counter as he usually did when a customer came in just to chat for a while. His hand was now within inches of the shotgun as he smiles innocently to his new guest. "Paloma, nice to see you... but thought we agreed on tomorrow morning?"

"We did, Mr. Gibbs... but something has come up. I'm afraid you won't be available tomorrow." And with a sly smile on her face, Paloma casually turns the cardboard sign on his door from 'open' to 'closed.' She takes her eyes off her prey, dropping them to the lock as her hand moves towards it. Her other hand snakes around behind her back, feeling for her pistol tucked into the back of her jeans.

She is caught off guard when she snaps the lock into place and looks up to see Agent Gibbs' father standing there with the shotgun in his hands, the barrel pointed squarely at her. Her hand grips her pistol, but she hesitates as she calculates her chances of pulling the gun and shooting the old man before he could kill her. The odds were against her and the glare in the old man's eyes tells her he won't hesitate to shoot. She releases the pistol, leaving it tucked into her back as she slowly brings her hand out to show him it is empty. Her other hand moves back to unlock the front door, but the cold smile never leaves her face.

"I see our deal is... no longer on the table."

"You got that right, lady... now get the hell out of my store." His voice is just as calm and quiet as hers, but no less deadly in its hidden message.

Paloma keeps her actions slow and controlled so as not to spook the old man into shooting her as she opens the door to leave. She hesitates a moment, then looks outside, before turning her eyes back to Jackson Gibbs with a smirk, "We shall see..."

When the door closes behind her, Jackson sags with relief, but doesn't put the shotgun down. Something about the way she glanced outside made him nervous... what, or who had she seen. Jackson glances out the front window to see four men step out of a black SUV across the street. They walk towards Paloma, all armed heavily with very nasty looking guns. Jackson knew what was about to happen and has only a few seconds to dive for safety before the barrage of bullets begin flying through the front of the store.

He may be old and slow from a bad hip, but that didn't mean he didn't remember his army combat training. He held his shotgun in both hands and dove to the floor, landing hard, but not taking the time to register the pain. The noise inside his shop was deafening as the rapid onslaught of bullets struck metal, wood and everything else in the store. He low crawled as fast as he could to the back storeroom before taking the risk of rising onto his hands and knees so he could move faster.

Jackson reaches for the back door, jerking the knob in his haste to escape his store, which had become a death trap. Just as he is rising to his feet he feels a sharp sting in his backside and cries out in pain as he falls to the ground just outside the door. He tries to get up, but has to discard the shotgun in order to struggle to his knees through the pain. Just when the world is beginning to grow fuzzy around the edges, his lungs burning from the unexpected exertion, Jackson feels hands latch onto him from behind, hauling him up. He tries to grab for the shotgun, but it is kicked out of his reach; leaving him defenseless.

He is jerked to his feet and half carried, half dragged by two sets of hands to a waiting vehicle. Jackson barely has time to glimpse the faces of the two men, before they toss him into the back seat and slam the door. He vaguely notices that they had much paler skin than those shooting the hell out of his shop out front. His world is getting darker by the minute as he sags down onto the seat, too weak suddenly to move as his chest squeezes like a vice and he can't catch his breath. He feels the car moving at a high rate of speed, but all Jackson can think about now is how angry Jethro is going to be that he insisted on waiting a day to get out of town.

By the next morning, when Gibbs comes barging into Director Vance's office, things are moving out of control and he knows he has to act fast. He hasn't been able to reach his father and his famous gut told him something was wrong. When he called his father's best friend, Frieda Newcomb who owned the flower store down the block, she told him about the hoodlums who had shot up his dad's store last night. When Frieda tells him that no one has seen Jackson since it happened, Gibbs has to fight down the panic. He just prays his dad took his advice and got away before the cartel thugs showed up there.

He had no doubt that riddling his dad's store had been a message meant for him. They wanted him to know that they knew where to find his family and what they would do if he didn't go along with their plan. A plan that Gibbs knew he couldn't pull off on his own, not when he had to deal with taking down the Reynosa cartel and the rogue special forces mercenary who'd killed Bell and taken over his operation. Gibbs had no doubt Jason Dean had full control of Bell's empire and was running things... and with those assets and money at his control, Dean was a very dangerous man.

Vance, as usual just sighs heavily at Gibbs' lack of protocol, but one look at his face tells him this is urgent. "Don't know why I even bother closing the door sometimes. Between you and DiNozzo barging in here making demands all the time. That boy's picked up some bad habits from you, Gibbs."

"Sounds to me like I've done my job, Leon. Senior field agents need to think for themselves and be assertive." He stops in front of Leon's desk as his boss takes in the bruising around his eye and ear.

Vance quickly recalls DiNozzo's meeting with him last night, his anger at being kept out of the loop and Vance's concession to reading him and Ziva into what was going on with Gibbs. He now feels justified in telling his team after he's seen Gibbs' condition; knowing things did not go well in Mexico.

"You got a report for me, Gibbs?"

"Yeah, got there, Franks and his family were gone. House burned to the ground. Found Colonel Bell face down in the sand dead."

"And?" Vance knows he is leaving a lot out because he's already heard from the Mexican Attorney General, Alejandro Garcia that Gibbs was 'out of control and being kicked out of their country.'

Gibbs glares at his boss, wondering how much he already knew and whether he should tell him of the truth. Gibbs errs on the side of caution and simply shrugs, "Nothin. Federalis found me there, didn't really want to listen to my version of things."

"They give you those love taps?" Leon stands up and comes around his desk to stand nose to nose with his antagonistic agent. Gibbs doesn't back down, glaring back at his boss as if daring him to call him a liar.

"Yep. Said they didn't like Americans littering their beaches with bodies. Told me... in not such nice words, to get the hell out of their country." He leaves out the whole portion about being kidnapped by the cartel, threatened with his life and those he loves if he didn't agree to mule a package back to the US for them. Gibbs knew it was a test and that if this first mission of theirs didn't go as expected, they would target his father, his team and maybe even Vance. He couldn't let that happen.

"What aren't you telling me, Agent Gibbs?" Vance holds his ground, trying to see past the cold blue stare into the mind of the best agent he's ever had. It wasn't an easy thing to intimidate Leroy Jethro Gibbs, so Vance is surprised when he suddenly backs down.

Gibbs rips his badge off his belt and holds it out to Vance, "You think I'm holdin' out on you, Leon? Then take my badge... know you've been wanting to take it for a while now."

When Vance refuses to take the badge from him, Gibbs slams it down on the desk and heads for the door. Vance realizes that whatever Gibbs is caught up in, he wasn't able to ask for help. Gibbs would never voluntarily walk away from NCIS. Vance decides to take a chance and grabs the badge, spinning around to call out to Gibbs before he reaches the door.

"Hey!" Gibbs stops with his hand on the knob to look back at his boss. "You may need this..." He unclips his own cell phone from his belt and tosses it and the badge to Gibbs, letting him know that he understands. Gibbs catches them, looks down at the phone and understands its meaning. Vance could track him as well as giving Gibbs a secure line to contact him if he needed help.

"Bell's corporate jet, Leon..." Gibbs wouldn't jeopardize himself or anyone else by telling Vance what was going on, but gives him a quick clue before hurrying out of the office. He has no doubt Vance will figure out what needs to be done.

Vance turns back to his desk with a sigh and then presses the intercom button, "Linda... get me Agent DiNozzo, please."

While Gibbs is down at autopsy, removing the hidden package from the side panel of the crate containing Bell's remains, his mind is racing as to how he's going to keep his family safe while not complying with the cartel's demands to transfer this package of drugs to their contact here. His task becomes easier when he pulls the package out and notices a piece of paper strapped to it with his name on it. When he opens it, he reads a quickly scrawled note from Carmen Reynosa telling him this was just a test and the package contains nothing more dangerous than candy.

He sighs and contemplates his next move. She had to know once he saw this note that he would know he was being watched to see how he acted upon his return. That meant they were still watching him and he couldn't risk any suspicions until he met with Alejandro this afternoon to deliver this supposed package of drugs. He quickly pounds the side panel back onto the crate and slips the package into his jacket pocket before leaving the morgue before Ducky returns from lunch.

While Gibbs is busy getting his hands on the package and then waiting to be contacted by Alejandro, Vance has his team in high gear. All he had to do was give DiNozzo the information on Bell's jet and the plan quickly formed. DiNozzo knew the jet had last logged a flight to Mexico, so if Gibbs felt the need to mention it that meant it would soon be coming back to the USA. Tony had McGee work his geek magic on the FAA's computer and was able to identify Bell's jet on an incoming flight from Mexico. It was due to arrive in DC just before midnight.

Vance gave DiNozzo the authority to intercept the jet when it landed at Dulles and take Jason Dean into custody on suspicion of murder. He gave him a brief explanation of the call girl murder five years ago and that Dean's prints had been found on an envelope used to pay off a witness. Vance left Holly's name out of it... at least for now. Her information was valid and she had given the information about the murder to Arthur McKesson, the assistant director of Homeland Defense. Vance didn't know why McKesson failed to act on that information, but he'd already put that investigation in motion with Fornell taking the lead with it.

Gibbs knew the trap had already been set for Jason Dean for Bell's murder when he landed in his jet, but he wasn't aware of Holly's information on the previous murder. So, when he got the text on the phone provided to him by the cartel which simply said, "Am I safe?" Gibbs simply replied with one word, "yes", knowing he was sending Dean and his crew into a trap.

He'd finally gotten a call from his dad, not his normal cell number but relief had still flooded through him. Jackson hadn't said much, only that he was safe and had gotten out before the store got shot to hell. Jackson knew his son had a lot on him mind and wasn't about to worry him with the details about him being shot in the ass or having a mild heart attack in the process. Gibbs had been too distracted to ask where Jackson was or who's phone he was using; just assuming he was out at his buddy's fishing cabin. Gibbs promised to call soon and Jackson let him go, knowing the time for explanations would come later.

He was more focused on his meeting with Alejandro, who had also texted him to give him the location for the meeting. Gibbs wasn't sure how Garcia got into the country, but with his diplomatic connections, he surely just flew in first class as he always did under the pretense of official government business. So, Gibbs sat here on this public park bench, exactly where Garcia told him they would meet and waited.

He could feel eyes on him and slowly scanned the area, but didn't see anyone paying any attention to him. A few people were jogging, two more on bicycles on the other side of the playground where a handful of kids screamed and played while their mothers watched from the shade. Then as his eyes scan the area once more he sees Garcia walking towards him from a dark sedan. He could just make out a man behind the wheel and considered it a good sign that Garcia didn't feel the need to bring the man with him into the park for protection. That meant Garcia wasn't expecting a trap.

Gibbs waits until the other man stops in front of him and gives a quick glance down to the package sitting on the bench beside Gibbs. Gibbs allows his eyes to do the same, knowing Garcia recognizes the duct tape wrapped package. After a quick scan of the area, Garcia smiles and sits down beside Gibbs on the bench, placing the package between them.

"I trust you trip home was uneventful?"

"Except for a headache... pretty much." Gibbs is not amused at his attempt at small talk. He knows the real question is... did Gibbs follows their instructions. "Got your package, don't I?"

Garcia gives Gibbs a long assessment, then nods and picks up the package. The note has been reattached by Gibbs, and he watches now as Garcia opens it to read. A smile and a slight chuckle creases his face as he realizes his older sister didn't even trust him with the full truth. "My sister... she is a cagey one, yes?"

"It was a test run. Smart move... that's why she's running things." Gibbs intentionally antagonizes Garcia, knowing he is not the leader of the Reynosa Cartel. The expression on his face told Gibbs he hadn't known about the test run.

Garcia sits quietly for a moment, wondering if he was somehow being set up by his own sister... or more likely Agent Gibbs. He was a suspicious man by nature and never really trusted anyone... not even family. He decides to play it safe and lays the package back down between them before he answers. "My sister... she has always had our family interests at heart. I am sure she would be upset if you did not keep her gift."

"Not really much on candy... especially the homemade kind."

"It is really very good... and if you enjoy it there will be more for you." Garcia is about to say more, but when he looks back down the sidewalk he sees Leon Vance, the Director of NCIS strolling towards them.

Leon stops in front of the pair, showing no surprise that they are together. He glares from one to the other, but both men sit silently before him. In that moment, Alejandro Garcia knows his has been discovered and that his life and safety are in jeopardy. He waits to see if Vance is about to tell him he is under arrest or whether he should signal his man to come out of the car shooting.

"Nice day for a walk in the park."

"Yes, Director Vance. We were just discussing as much." Garcia tries to charm the director as he assesses his chances of getting out of there.

Vance looks at the package between them, which causes both Gibbs and Garcia to do the same. It was a small package, wrapped in silver duct tape, but to the three men, it was the proverbial elephant in the room. Gibbs is the first to speak, breaking the tension as he grabs the package and hands it to Vance, "Want some, Leon?"

Vance examines the package, reads the note and then tears open a corner of the tape to look inside. He sniffs the contents and frowns as Garcia stands up to nervously add, "Homemade candy from my sister."

"Isn't that thoughtful... and here I thought Gibbs left Mexico under less than friendly terms."

"You misunderstand, Director. In my country, I must put on the proper airs of indignity over that situation. In reality, my intervention in Agent Gibbs' activities saved his life and we were merely helping him. The candy was an apology... of sorts, for any misunderstanding."

Gibbs gives a snort of disbelief at the bold-faced lie, but he doesn't say more. Vance catches it and gives a hard look from Gibbs to Garcia before he hands the package back to Garcia. He would like nothing better than to arrest the slimy Mexican government official right now, but he knows they don't have enough to make a case... not yet. So, he merely gives him a hard stare as he dismisses him.

"No misunderstandings, Senor Garcia... have a nice day."

"Of course not. Agent Gibbs... Director Vance. Adios." Garcia begins to walk away, then turns back to give Gibbs one more hidden message about keeping what he knows to himself. "By the way, I am still waiting anxiously for that report from Miss. Sciuto."

Vance gives him a puzzled look, "I turned that report over to your liaison two weeks ago. You should have had it by now."

"Hhmm, I am sure it is nothing more than more red tape between our countries." And with that, Garcia turns to hurry back to his car. He is now more worried than ever that he hasn't gotten that ballistics report from Abby. The liaison was Miss Allison Hart, who was supposed to deliver the report to Colonel Bell... who has been dead for a week. This was quickly falling apart and he needed to report back to Carmen and find out what the hell was going on!

After Garcia and his man drove off, Vance sits down beside Gibbs in silence for a moment. He looks over as Gibbs pulls out a pocket recorder and hands it to him. Vance listens long enough to know it was his conversation with Garcia.

"He's a cagey one, Leon." Gibbs glances at his boss for the first time, waiting for the lecture he is sure to follow.

"Not enough to grab him." Vance knew that from Gibbs' expression. He sighs and decides to level with his agent. "I knew you were into something deep when you threw your badge on my desk."

"Couldn't tell you, Leon. My family was at risk... still don't think this is over yet."

"We're set to take off Dean when he lands tonight at Dulles... DiNozzo is handling it and will charge him with that girl's murder."

"What girl? I only know he killed Bell... on orders from the Reynosa cartel."

"We got intel from Holly Snow about a girl Bell and/or Dean killed five years ago. Dean was an accomplice in the least and probably disposed of the body for Bell. His prints were on the bribe money envelope when he threatened Ms. Snow to keep her mouth shut."

Gibbs smirks and shakes his head, wondering how much more to this puzzle there was to discover. He looks over to his boss, knowing there was still more unsaid between them, but finally believing Vance had his back. Vance stands up, pockets the recorder and then gives Gibbs a last bit of advice.

"Franks?"

"My house, safe with the Leila and Emira."

"You let us handle Dean. Get some rest... drink some Jack... do whatever you need to do to get your game on, Gibbs. Then you take care of business... I'll make sure it's sanctioned... you just put an end to Alejandro Garcia and his Reynosa family."

Gibbs just nods, understanding that he's been given the green light for another trip to Mexico with his sniper rifle if necessary. Gibbs doesn't tell his boss that he has another plan in mind... one that will resolve the problem here on American soil with much more satisfaction than a few sniper shots south of the border. He watches Vance walk away before his mind scans back over their conversation. It was the first time he's allowed himself to think about Holly Snow since he left her standing in his house four days ago.

DiNozzo sits crouched beside his car, night vision goggles perched atop his head as he waits for the Bell corporate jet to taxi off the runway. They had just been notified that it landed as scheduled and was making its way towards Bell's hanger. He flips his goggles down into position to watch the jet pull slowly to a stop as he checks in with the rest of his team.

"Target approaching... check ready..." Several other agents respond that they are ready and in position. "Ziva, you got the eye."

"I have the eye, copy." She lowers her eye to the scope of her sniper rifle and watches from the rooftop of a nearby building. She is tasked with keeping Dean in sight and taking out any threats to the team if they should arise. None of them have any doubts that this group of hardened mercenaries will try to fight their way out when confronted.

They all watch as the plane's door finally opens and a the stairs are let down so the passengers can get off. A black SUV has pulled up by the jet and one team member gives the rest of them a heads up. "Vehicle approaching... two occupants in front seat."

Tony watches as two men emerge from the SUV with semiautomatic weapons in plain view. They look around suspiciously, then turn to greet their boss as Jason Dean gets off the plane with two others. Dean was in flight most of the day and has not heard that the delivery went badly today.

They begin to head for the vehicle when Tony gives the command to move in. The area is suddenly flooded with lights from various vehicles and Tony's loud voice on the megaphone stops them in their tracks. "NCIS. JASON DEAN, STOP WHERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE UNDER ARREST."

For a fraction of a second, no one moves. Then all hell breaks out as Dean and his men make a dash for the SUV, trying to make their escape as their guns come out and they begin randomly firing at the headlights surrounding them. The NCIS agents all return fire and quickly Dean's men begin to drop one by one. Ziva keeps Dean in her sights and as he makes a quick dash to get back on the plane, she calls out, "Dean is going for the jet!"

"Take the shot!" Tony quickly responds, knowing none of the agents on the ground can get to him before he makes it back onto the jet and takes off.

Ziva doesn't hesitate with slight smile on her face as she hits her target squarely in the ass; recalling Gibbs' takedown of the park ranger last year in the same manner. Dean jerks and falls face first onto the stairs, then slithers down to the ground as he cries out in agony. It is suddenly quiet as the last of Dean's men throws down his gun and assumes a prone position on the tarmac. Dean is trying to crawl up the stairs to the jet, but the pilot suddenly appears from inside with his hands raised in the air. Agents rush in from all sides and secure their prisoners; ignoring Dean's angry ranting about how Gibbs will pay for this.