I know its been like a week since I updated last, and its not my fault this time! The messenger who gives me charlie's notebook on the bus every day decided to be a huge derp and leave it at school. But after almost two days of spazzing out, charlie finally found it. So that's why I haven't updated in a week.

I don't own NCIS. Sadly, I never will.

Tony stared at the slab of rotten meat in his hand. Just the sight of it made him want to puke up the acid in his empty stomach. Without the food, he would die of starvation. He wouldn't make it to the next feeding day if he didn't eat now. Tony morbidly wondered if it would be best that he died. Selfishly he wanted to. Gibbs was dead and if he were to get out alive he would always have Gibbs's death hanging over his head. But he couldn't leave Xhail; the poor girl had already lost so much.

"It's not that bad," Xhail told him, finishing her portion.

In the month he had stayed there, the only food he had gotten was aged cabbage. This was the first of the rotten meat he had been given to eat. Tony raised it to his mouth and ate. It tasted better than the cabbage, but that wasn't saying much.

Xhail smiled. She loved Tony, his eyes were the same shade of brilliant green as her brother's. Ethan, she missed him terribly. Tony cringed as the food slid down his throat, but it did tame his hunger just a little. Xhail climbed onto Tony's lap and hugged him around the neck.

"I think I need a bath," Xhail joked.

"I think we could all use a bath," Tony replied. "If we jumped in a lake it may make some improvement."

They both smiled, but they were a long way off from laughter. Tony briefly wondered if he'd ever laugh again. Happiness was a foreign word to him now, hope was quickly becoming extinct. Most of Tony's hope flew out the window when he was given word that Gibbs had been killed. Together the two could have escaped, but minus one from the equation and there goes their chances of getting out.

Xhail got off Tony's lap and joined two other kids, Daniel and a nine year old named Katrina. The group played tic-tac-toe with the dust on the floor. Tony watched slightly amazed that their childish spirits had yet to be broken. Xhail whooped in delight and stood up, twirling around in her dirty sundress, which had probably been white in another life. It flared around her, making her look like a springtime flower, announcing her victory.

Tony, in a strange way, felt responsible for Xhail. She had been there for him in his time of need, he wanted to be there for her.

The door swung open and hit the wall with a bang. Lisa and Don stepped in and grabbed Xhail, while Gary watched from the doorway. Tony grabbed Don's arm and squeezed hard. Don tried to punch him, but found Tony's arm around his neck.

"What do you think you're doing?" Tony growled in his ear.

"Landon wants her?" Don exclaimed, terrified.

"Well, he's going to have to settle for me."

"But he wants her?" Don insisted.

"Quit yer bickerin'," Gary interrupted. "We'll take both of them."

Tony felt a prick on his arm and the world swirled before his eyes. He felt himself falling, but the ground never met him. Someone must have caught him. Tony was vaguely aware of Xhail calling his name, but he was unable to answer. A grey blur flew past his eyes so quick, he almost threw up. When the scenery stopped moving, he saw Landon's face. Tony took a look around and found he was no longer in his cell. Xhail sat in the corner of the room looking terrified.

"Tony?" Xhail squeaked.

"Shut it!" Landon snapped.

Xhail quieted and seemed to shrink. Tony was once again consumed with an overwhelming urge to end Landon's life. In his dreams that weren't nightmares, Tony fantasized about killing Landon.

"Leave her alone," Tony growled.

Landon laughed. He loved to see his victims frustrated. It gave him that little thrill that makes everything worth while.

"That's what your boss said."

"What?"

Landon smiled. "He told me to leave you alone. He pleaded with me to spare your worthless life."

"That doesn't sound like Gibbs," Tony said, getting angry.

"Trust me, Mr. DiNozzo, after being beaten to a pulp, you find yourself a changed man. At some point, your boss even begged for death."

"You're lying," Tony barked.

Tony had seen the video tap of Gibbs's death and he imagined a lot was cut out because all they wanted him to see was Gibbs dying. Gibbs knew he couldn't let Landon see he cared for Tony. And Tony knew Gibbs wasn't one to plead for anything.

"At one point your boss took me gun and instead of pointing it at me, he put it to his own head," Landon continued.

A picture of Gibbs with a gun to his head flashed through Tony's mind. The image sent shivers down the agent's spine. Tony had to remind himself that Gibbs had not committed suicide; he had been murdered by Landon.

"But to save his good name, I killed him."

"Don't talk about him!" Tony snarled.

"Stop it!" Xhail shrieked.

Tony's attention focused on the little girl again. Xhail had tears running down her dirty face, leaving flesh pink lines in their trails. Sobs wracked her body and she hugged her knees tightly. Tony wanted to take Xhail in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. Landon kneeled in front of Xhail. Taking her arm, he poked her with a syringe.

Tony was on Landon in a second, pounding his fists into every spot that would hurt the most. The sadist returned blows, unfazed by Tony's assault. Landon kicked Tony in the chest, sending him sprawling onto the floor.

"Don't cross me," Landon warned.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Tony replied sarcastically.

That witty remark earned Tony a slap to the face. He allowed Lisa and Don to drag him and Xhail back to the cell. Hours later, Xhail fell asleep in Tony's arms after crying herself out. Tony knew they had to get out soon or they would not get out at all.

So this is chapter six, which means I have like ten more chapters to type. And possibly an alternate ending...charlie's only writing it because I basically threatened to kill her in her sleep if she didn't. Either that, or stick her in a box and send her to Cuba...or a colony of cannibals...or a colony of cannibals in Cuba.

Okay, so ya know how I said that Landon was my favorite character that charlie's ever created, aside from the fact that he kidnapped and tortured Tony and Gibbs? Well, now my favorite OC is either Xhail or Spencer. But Landon's still in the top five.

I should have the next chapter up around Monday...maybe. So again, I am very sorry for the week long gap in updating, even though its not my fault.