Worst Nightmare
Chapter 5
After hearing the news that Tim was breathing on his own and being told to take the remainder of the weekend off, Tony had spent most of that free time at the hospital with McGee. Since he was still in the ICU visitors were limited, and Tony had shared the two visitor spaces with Gibbs, Abby, Ducky, or a member of McGee's family.
When his companion had been one of the team, he had done most of the talking as they tried to coax Tim back into the waking world, but when Tim's family had been present Tony had mostly remained silent. Penny had talked to him as well as her grandson, sharing stories from when he was young. None had been particularly embarrassing, as if she were aware that Tim might be able to hear and wanted to spare him that discomfort.
Mary had been a little stiff with Tony at first, but soon she had accepted his presence and he had listened to her read to her son from his favorite book. Tony hadn't been too interested in the story itself but her soft narration had stirred pleasant memories of his own mother and he had appreciated the experience in spite of himself.
Sarah had only been to visit once and she hadn't stayed long, the sight of her bruised and battered brother lying so still in a hospital bed too much for her to take for an extended period of time.
Tony hadn't joined the Admiral during his single visit, as the older man seemed to prefer Gibbs' company. Tony had spent those two hours talking to Abby and Penny in the waiting room, each trying to cheer the rest up as they talked about how they would prepare for Tim's homecoming, once he was awake and mobile again.
The doctors had assured Tony that McGee was showing signs of waking up, and that he needed to be patient, but the waiting had been difficult. Finally Gibbs decided that Tony needed something to take his mind off of his partner's situation and had ordered him to come in to work on Monday to start doing what he could to find the serial rapist that had started the whole thing.
Gibbs met him in the parking lot that morning and handed Tony a stack of folders to read as Gibbs drove to the home address of the first identified victim. Tony found her file and skimmed through it, frowning at both the description of the perpetrator and the thinness of the file itself.
"Boss, this report, it's…"
"Gotta start somewhere, DiNozzo."
"Right."
After an hour they arrived at a small bungalow at the end of a cul-de-sac. The property was well maintained, but the security windows, signs warning against trespassing and solicitation, and another for the security system gave it a clear 'strangers unwelcome' vibe.
Tony saw the curtains shift slightly as he and Gibbs approached the front door. They stopped a few feet from the small set of steps leading to it and carefully extracted their IDs before moving forward. Tony rang the doorbell and they waited for several moments before a voice called out from behind the closed door.
"What do you want?"
"Kara Danvers?"
"Who wants to know?"
"Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo, NCIS. We'd like to talk to you."
They heard a lock turn and the door opened slightly, stopped by a short chain across the opening.
"Let me see your ID."
Half of a face appeared behind the gap, with one brown eye nervously flicking back and forth as Gibbs and Tony held up their badges and identification cards for inspection. After a few moments the door closed and they heard the chain being released before the door opened again, this time widely enough to show the occupants entire face. It was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, with long straight hair the same shade as her eyes.
"What does the Navy want with me?"
"We found a connection between the case we're working and your case, Ms. Danvers."
Her eyes narrowed. "My case. You mean someone is actually going to investigate?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Don't call me ma'am. What do you need to know?"
"May we come in?"
"No. I don't trust cops, no matter who they work for."
"OK. We think we may have a lead on the man who assaulted you."
"Who raped me, you mean. Not that the D.C. cops believed me."
"They took your statement and you were examined. The evidence was analyzed."
"When was it analyzed? I called but they would never tell me anything."
Tony checked the file. "The DNA profile was entered into CODIS six months ago."
She snorted. "Two and a half years too late, then."
"We got a hit. A connection to another case. Several other cases."
"That bastard has been out there...hurting other women for three years and you're just getting to it now?" They remained silent. "So who is he?"
"We don't have a name, but we have a description. We were hoping to get your help in correcting that."
She stared at them in silence, clearly trying to decide whether or not they were telling the truth. Finally she let out a frustrated sigh.
"What do you have?"
"We have another victim who mistook someone else for the man who attacked her." Tony carefully pulled McGee's picture from the folder and showed it to her.
"It's not him," she replied after taking a look at the picture.
"Yes, we know, but the perpetrator looks something like him."
"No, it doesn't even look like him." She looked at the picture again and paused. "Well, the face, maybe, but the hair and eyes are wrong. Dark brown hair, chin length, and brown eyes." She looked at Tony. "He was your height and build...maybe a few pounds lighter." Tony winced slightly as he pulled out the black and white sketch that Anna Hayes had helped to provide. "What about this one?"
Kara flinched and closed her eyes for a moment before meeting Tony's gaze. "That's the bastard."
"Had you ever seen him before the night you were...raped?"
"No. It was my first time at that club and I didn't know him. He told me his name was Patrick, but I never got a last name. He mentioned being Irish on his mother's side, and German on his father's."
"Accent?"
"American. Nothing really obvious. He sounded well educated...rich."
"Any jewelry, a class ring or something like that?"
"No rings. He was wearing a necklace. Silver chain with a flat pendant, circular...I don't remember any writing on it, just a bunch of circles and curved lines. It wasn't anything familiar."
"Anything else you can tell us? Things he said or asked about?"
She considered the question. "He said he wanted to take me on an adventure." A flash of pain crossed her face. "I told him I wasn't interested, but…"
"We understand."
"I highly doubt that," she snapped. "Is there anything else?"
"Not at the moment." Gibbs held out a business card. "If there's anything else you can remember…"
She stared at the card, making no move to open the door and take it. "Will you let me know if you catch him?"
"We will."
"Good." She shut the door and they heard the locks being turned again. Gibbs stuck his card in the outer screen door and they headed back to the car.
"Well that was kind of a bust," Tony remarked as the headed back towards the highway. "Same first name given, but if he changed his appearance…"
"Gonna be harder to track him down. More information, better to narrow the search."
"Right," Tony replied as he thought to himself, this is gonna be a long day…
XXX
It was well past the end of the work day when Tony and Gibbs made it back to the Yard. Gibbs went down to the lab to check in with Abby while Tony headed up to the bullpen. When the elevator arrived at the correct floor he stepped off and headed for his desk, stopping at the sight that met his eyes. It looked like a file cabinet had exploded, with papers covering nearly every surface. In the center of the chaos sat Ellie, laptop resting on her knees and a bag of chips at her side. One of many that had been consumed over the course of her project, judging by the overflowing trash can next to her desk.
"What are you doing?"
She looked up at him and Tony winced. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair, pulled into a messy ponytail, looked like it hadn't been cared for in days. Her shirt and jeans had grease stains and there was a scattering of crumbs on both.
"Patterns, Tony, I'm looking for patterns. It's what I do...the only thing I can do." She gestured at the messy stacks of papers on the floor and desks. "I haven't found them yet, but I will…"
Tony sighed. It was time for and intervention. He gently plucked the laptop from her knees and set it on her desk before offering her a hand. She reluctantly took it and he hauled her to her feet, catching an unpleasant whiff in the process.
"Do you have your go bag?"
"Yes, but-"
"Grab it. Gym. Shower. Go."
"But-"
"You need a break...and a shower. Get cleaned up and we'll go see McGee."
A startled look crossed her face. "Is he awake?"
"Not yet, but he's getting there. Go on. I'll wait."
She retrieved her bag from under her desk and headed for the shower while Tony tried to make some sense of what she had been doing. Unfortunately he couldn't make heads or tails of it so he carefully stacked the papers and moved them off of the floor to clear a path. By the time he finished Ellie returned, dressed in clean clothes with her still-damp hair pulled into a tight ponytail at the base of her neck.
"You ready?"
She nodded and followed Tony to the elevator. The trip to the parking lot was silent and after they were in the car and headed to the hospital she finally spoke.
"I'm surprised you're still even speaking to me."
"You're part of the team. Of course I'm speaking to you." He heard a soft, rueful laugh.
"I didn't expect you to still consider me part of the team."
"Look, Ellie. You screwed up. You know you screwed up, but we've all been there."
"That's what Gibbs said."
"He is the boss. You should listen to him. And yeah, I'm mad at you, but you didn't do it on purpose...and I'd be willing to bet you'd never do it again. Am I right?" She nodded vigorously. "Good."
"Do you think… Do you think McGee will forgive me?"
"One thing that McGee is good at is forgiving people. I don't think he'll make an exception for you."
"I hope you're right."
"I'm the senior agent. I'm always right...Probie." He flashed her a grin and she managed a weak smile in return. They remained silent the rest of the way and when they arrived she followed him to McGee's room. Ducky and Penny were sitting with him and they both turned and smiled when they saw the two agents in the doorway.
"Ah, Anthony, Eleanor. Penelope and I were just discussing you."
"Knew my ears were burning for a reason, Ducky," Tony replied with a grin. "How is he?"
"He opened his eyes a couple of times, but that's all...so far." Penny gently squeezed his fingers. "He's getting there. Maybe a certain Very Special Agent can convince him to make it all the way back to consciousness."
"I'll do my best."
"Good. Donald and I are going to try and find something edible in the cafeteria. Can we get you anything?"
"I'm good. Ellie?"
She shook her head. "I'm fine. Thank you, Mrs. Langston."
"Call me Penny. Come along, Donald. Let's allow these kids some quality time with Timothy."
Ducky just nodded and followed her out into the hallway, giving Ellie and Tony's shoulders each a squeeze as he passed.
"Hey there, McSleeping Beauty." Tony walked up to his friend's bed and gently wrapped his hand around Tim's fingers. "Look who's here. Our new Probie needs you to wake up and tell her you're going to be OK."
Tim's fingers contracted slightly beneath Tony's hand and he grinned. "That's it, Tim. Rise and shine." His grin broadened when he saw Tim's forehead crinkle in response and his eyes twitched beneath the lids. "Come on, let's see those baby greens."
"Come on Tim, you can do it."
Slowly Tim's eyelids began to open and after several attempts they opened all the way to reveal glazed, bloodshot eyes. Those eyes began to move from side to side but McGee didn't seem to be able to focus his gaze on either of the people leaning over him.
"Tim? Can you hear me?"
A puzzled look appeared on his face and his lips started to move. His eyes widened and a panicked expression appeared on his face. His fingers tightened on Tony's as he blinked several times and his eyes flicked back and forth in obvious terror.
"Easy, Tim, easy. You're OK. It's me, Tony." The heart monitor started to beep rapidly as Tim tried to sit up, pain flooding his face as he did so.
"Calm down, Tim, You're OK. You're safe! Look at me!"
His eyes were rolling wildly in their sockets as the sound of running feet approached.
"What happened?"
"I don't know! He woke up, and…"
"Step out and let us work."
Tony and Ellie backed away as the doctors and nurses swarmed around Tim's bed, working to calm his galloping heartbeat. Tony caught one last glimpse of Tim's face and he knew from his expression that if his partner could have made any sound at all, he would have been screaming…
XXX
He could hear voices…
Time passed. The darkness remained but the silence was broken by voices and other, unfamiliar sounds. Some of the voices he knew. Some he did not. Some were confusing. Others were comforting. But one thing was constant and that was when the darkness seemed to be a little less, he could hear voices.
They asked him questions. They offered encouragement. He was never really sure what they were asking him, exactly, or what words of comfort they offered but he could tell by the tone of those voices.
Sometimes he even wished he could answer.
Can you hear me?
Squeeze me hand…
Come on...open your eyes...you can do it…
I'm...trying…
Rise and shine...let's see those baby greens…
Come on, Tim, open your eyes...you can do it...
With Herculean effort he managed to comply with the request, finally opening his eyes to see who has asked so much of him.
He saw nothing but darkness.
Tim? Can you hear me?
I...know that voice...where…
He tried to find the source but there was nothing. No familiar face. Just darkness. He felt the panic starting to rise as he moved his gaze back and forth. He tried to call out, to ask for help, but when he tried to speak his jaw wouldn't move, it was locked in place, and no sound emerged from his throat.
Easy, Tim, easy. You're OK. It's me, Tony.
He could hear a beeping. It got faster and faster, but he couldn't identify the source of any of the sounds that assaulted his hearing.
Calm down, Tim, You're OK. You're safe! Look at me!
He tried to move and his body erupted in pain. He could feel things forcing him down, holding him in place, and try as he might he couldn't fight them.
Help me... I can't move...I can't talk...
What happened?
I don't know! He woke up, and…
Step out and let us work.
He felt hands on him and more pain. He tried to cry for help, to beg someone to stop his torment.
Help me!
And as the pain faded and a deeper darkness crept in, he had one last, terrifying thought.
I can't see…
TBC…