Jen picked up the file and stood up. "Agent McGee, and I use the term Agent loosely at the moment, I suggest you keep quiet."
Tim didn't even hesitate. "In case you forgot, I quit two days ago, so the whole threat thing won't work as well as it did with Tony."
Gibbs and the rest slowly placed themselves around her. "What's in the file Director…" Gibbs began. "And I use the term Director loosely at the moment…" But before she even opened her mouth, he started for her. "The Frog…you masqueraded this whole thing for revenge? And you have the audacity to use DiNozzo as a pawn again? I can't decide if you're crazy or just suicidal…"
"Maybe a little bit of both." She countered and watched as Gibbs moved closer to her.
"If you want to pop her; I'll claim she swung first Probie." Mike added; watching the stare down unfold.
"Jen, let me be clear. If one hair on DiNozzo's head is out of place when we find him; God help you." He took in a short breath and looked back at his team. "You three, wait for me downstairs."
"Boss…" McGee started, before Ziva and Franks even had the chance.
"I said, wait for me downstairs." He watched as they reluctantly agreed; neither of them letting their gaze leave the Directors. He eased away from her; just as the door closed. "What happened to you Jenny?"
"I'm not doing anything you wouldn't do Jethro…"
He watched her step away towards the liquor shelf and followed. "Do you hear yourself? You've been dishing out so much BS over the years; you're starting to believe it..."
She picked up a single glass. "Spare me Jethro…you know damn well that if La Grenioulle had killed someone you loved…you would stop at nothing…"
"I may stop at nothing…but I'd sure as hell sacrifice no one but myself to see it happen." He pointed towards her. "You've changed Jen."
"Contrary to your many rules Gibbs; that can happen."
He kept his eyes fixed on hers. "I fell in a love with a different woman then; when you see her…tell her hello for me…" And without another word; he turned to leave; hearing only the shattering of glass as the door eased shut.
Gibbs arrived down stairs seeminly un-phased. "Tell me what you know McGee."
He did so without hesitation. "Sources revealed that a long lasting relationship between La Grenioulle and O'Shea ended a couple months ago when a shipment deal went south. O'Shea was desperate for the materials and this is where the Director saw her opening."
Ziva stepped in. "But how could she have known about Ducky's son…that is not simply a coincidence."
Tim started to continue but was interrupted.
"Sure am glad I didn't clock that ME…" Mike chimed in.
McGee continued. "She doctored the story; she and Barclay planned it for months. The Scotland ties were perfect…she knew that's the only way Tony would agree…she brought us coffee that night boss…I didn't realize it till now, but she had to of dosed me…"
Gibbs shifted his weight. "Just one thing she didn't plan on."
Ziva gestured towards McGee. "Him waking up."
Franks agreed. "You gotta hand it to her Probie, it's quite a plan."
"Yeah, just one hole in it Mike." He started towards the elevator; the mission at hand fresh in his mind. "She underestimated her opponent…"
Tim followed behind him. "Le Grenioulle boss?"
He shook his head. "No McGee…us."
Abby was taking down her fifth Caf Pow of the day when an unfamiliar face appeared in her lab. She stopped twirling in her chair to greet him; trying to not fixate on his limp.
"Um…can I help you?"
"Are you Miss Abby Scuito, Forensic Specialist extraordinaire?"
She almost smiled. "Well, that all depends on who's asking?"
He limped towards her, and watched her take a few steps back. "Are you always so suspicious of people who enter your lab?"
"Not usually…well really, not ever, till this one time this guy who worked with me tried to frame one of the guys who works here for murder and turned out to be a psycho path…and since everyone's gone off on a secret mission; leaving me behind to fend for myself…" She bit her lower lip in an attempt to quiet herself.
"Those sound like good enough reasons to be alarmed…" He began. "But you have no need to be afraid my dear…"
"You know, with that accent you could almost pass for our Medical Examiner…" Then slowly but surely she started to put the pieces together; but not fast enough. It wasn't long before her eyes closed and she slowly drifted out of consciousness.
Gibbs opened the car door. "McGee, call the hospital that admitted Barclay, get his whereabouts, I want to talk to him."
"On it boss."
"David, what'd you get on those two names?"
She recalled from memory. "Spotless records with accommodations. I spoke with a few of my contacts; and neither raised any suspicion."
"Good, they're the two officers that were attached to looking after DiNozzo. They're our contacts when we touch down." He stopped his rant as Tim closed his phone. "What's his status McGee…?"
"Not good boss, the two officers assigned to take him into custody lost him…they've been looking for him for the last four hours."
Mike got out of the car. "More than enough time to get in contact with your Director friend…"
Gibbs slammed his door and raced towards the stair case. "And more than enough time to get here…" He looked back as they raced up the floors, giving orders in step. "McGee, David…autopsy…" He peered behind him as Franks did his best to keep up; he arrived in Abby's lab more than a few steps behind.
Breathing hard; Mike came up behind him. "You trying to kill me Probie?" He took in a few deep breaths and followed his friends gaze to the floor. "You think Barclay would risk coming here? For what?"
Gibbs stared down at the spilled Caf Pow. "To get his insurance policy…"
"What's that have to do with your girlfriend?"
Gibbs once again ignored the title and concentrated on the next move. He quickly left back down the stairs; a reluctant Franks taking chase. Only McGee and Ziva met them half way.
"Let me guess, Ducky's gone?" Gibbs heart was racing.
"No sign of him." Ziva confirmed.
Tim then swallowed hard. "Boss you don't think Barclay….you don't think he…Abby…Ducky?"
But before he could answer, the three were following him back up the stairs; knowing all too well where they were headed.
--
AN: Okay, who saw that coming? looks around for show of hands