A/N: Just a quick thank-you to anyone who has read and reviewed so far, I appreciate the support and really hope you've enjoyed reading this fic. The next chapter is the finale and will be posted later this evening, because I want to get this story posted before exam season kicks in, wish me luck with those! :D Please review and let me know what you think... Please also remember that lynching is illegal :)
Gibbs surveyed the crime scene. A niggling feeling in his gut telling him that something wasn't quite right.
Ducky was lost in a reminiscence of some long ago adventure as he loaded the body of the young petty officer into the truck, Jimmy Palmer by his side obediently paying attention absorbing the story a fascinated look of childlike wonder spreading his face.
His team were over by the van storing the evidence and kit into the back. Joking and tormenting each other as usual. Their sounds of laughter flowed in the breeze towards him. He watched as Ziva placed a hand on Tony's arm and in return received a wide smiled thanks. He heard the disgruntled voice of McGee as the others teased him only to be followed up by the younger agents own chortle.
He continued to watch his team, comfortable in each others presence, fully aware that they were in the company of friends, of family. He figured he knew what Tony's dream had been about, the look in his eyes that morning had plainly stated it all and he allowed his thoughts to drift to Tony's earlier words do I make you proud? It had been an exceptionally trying year for all of them. They had gone through so much. Had been wrapped up in a blanket of lies, loss, pain and anger, but they had prevailed and here they were. He saw Tony turn around and catch his eye and he smiled yes was the simple undeniable answer he was proud of them all.
*
"Shut up Probie" Tony teased playfully punching his team mate on the arm, he heard the laughter spill from Ziva, a beautiful rich sound mingled with the boyish chuckles from McGee.
He turned to find his Boss watching them. In a second that lasted an eternity, understanding flashed before his eyes.
*
Gibbs watched as Tony suddenly lurched forward a look of sheer panic in his eyes. He saw a movement in his peripheral vision and that niggling feeling in his gut rocketed through him in a single second of painful regret.
*
Ziva saw the black clad gunman too late to do anything about it. As the shot rang out she jumped forward but McGee's strong hands stopped her and pulled her in close, as she turned her face away from the sight and into his warm beating chest.
*
His dream flashed through his mind as he made it to Gibbs's side.
*
McGee heard the first shot ring out, reverberating through his body ringing in his ears. The shots that followed fired in its echo. Everything happened in slow motion, he had the insight to pull Ziva in flush with his own body, knowing instinctively that it was too late. It was all over.
*
Gibbs pulled his own gun as he saw Tony do the same. He didn't know who fired first. Them or the gunman?
*
Ducky gasped in horror and pulled Palmer down to the ground as the scene unfolded before them, slowed down to an agonizing rate, every emotion etched clearly on his friends faces, every sound amplified to a painful decibel.
*
Tony heard the firing of the bullet shatter the quiet that had enveloped around them. The whistle of the bullets shuttling through the air before they met their target.
*
Gibbs felt the sharp pain penetrate his heart in the moment of impact and he fell to the ground.