AN: Okay everyone, I'm going to run through a quick recap of where everyone is etc. As of the last chapter… McGee is at NCIS, Jenny is at NCIS. Gibbs, Mike, Ziva are in Scotland in search of La Grenioulle & Tony in order to meet the demands of Barclay; who is in DC holding Abby and Ducky hostage. Tony is being held hostage by O'Shea in Scotland. That said; please don't hesitate to ask questions if you're confused at any point. Also, this wont be Gabby; and will stay canon. I'm just using the girlfriend banter for humor...:)... Now…let the madness commence…

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Having Mike around always seemed to ease Gibbs spirits. And considering the situation they found themselves in; Gibbs could use all the easing he could get. He had to keep his mind focused; he had to be the leader Mike had taught him to be; he had to be the hero. Three people he had grown close to were counting on him; and he would rather die than face the consequence of letting even one of them down.

After stepping aside to allow Mike and Ziva exit from the plan; he reached for his phone.

Tim was jolted awake at his desk and reached for it. "Special Agent McGee…"

Gibbs sensed the strain in Tim's voice. "Morning, have a nice chat with Jenny?"

McGee looked around as if Gibbs hadn't really left. "Um…"

"It's okay McGee…as long as she's still alive."

"She is boss. I swear." He sat up and placed his fingers on his keyboard anticipating an order.

"Any contact from Barclay?"

Tim shook his head; then realized Gibbs couldn't see him. "No boss; should there have been?"

"Well, he said he'd be in touch. I want you to pull up his number and do whatever you do to find us a lead. This little shindig may take a bit more than 48 hours."

"On it boss." He set down the phone and quickly began to type away. He glanced at the corner of the screen and realized how long he'd slept. He had a lot of time to make up for.

Abby opened her eyes after being awakened by some commotion. She noticed her captors were absent from her view and began an internal debate on whether to escape. Gibbs had always told her to plan before the chance presents itself; and right now was one of those times. She knew where the closest exit was; the only question was whether it was worth the risk. It was in that moment, she made her decision…

Jenny arrived near the balcony and gazed down at the bull pen. She watched as McGee worked diligently; no doubt completing a task from Gibbs. She fixated momentarily on Tony's desk; then slowly moved to Ziva's and finally Gibbs. In a moment of clarity she began to feel a sense of guilt. Maybe she had gone too far? Maybe Le Grenioulle wasn't worth the lives of people who had trusted her? But as the moment passed; she realized the answers to those questions didn't matter. Her decision had already cost one life; and many others hung in the balance… As she continued her stare at Gibbs empty desk; she hoped that for one final time he'd save her from a mess she'd created…

Tony's contacts were quick to anticipate Gibbs and the rest of his team. They approached them near the terminal without hesitation.

"I'm Officer Clayton, this is Officer Samuelsson. Welcome to Scotland."

Mike spoke up first. "Skip the pleasantries fellas; we don't plan on staying long."

Clayton nodded at his statement. "Yes, well, do follow me. Our cars will transport us to our department."

Gibbs eyed them with a bit of skepticism. "In the US we use badges; do you people assume people know you by those silly hats…?"

Samuelsson cleared his throat to defend his attire; when Clayton put a hand up to quiet him. "Do you question our identities Agent Gibbs?"

"After the last 24 hours, I question everything."

Clayton obliged as did Samuelsson. Gibbs handed them to Ziva who examined them briefly. "Standard issue. Look authentic." She gave them back with a smile as if to say 'no hard feelings.'

"Now that that's settled; shall we?" Clayton gestured towards the cars and the three followed.

"You people drive on the left side the road here right?" Franks questioned before a stranger reached for his bag. "What in the hell do you think you're doing son?"

"I was taking your bag for you sir."

"Well hell; announce yourself or something. You're liable to get shot where I come from."

The attendant swallowed hard and became a bit frightened. "I do apologize sir; will you be needing assistance with your bag?"

"What? I look incapable of putting my own bag in a trunk?"

"Well no sir...I uh…I was just…"

It was then Mike tossed the bag towards the man's chest. "Oh take it; before you wet yourself." He slipped into the back seat; and noticed Gibbs hadn't gotten in. "You coming Probie?"

Gibbs nodded. "No Mike; I changed my mind and I'm going back to Washington; yeah I'm coming, just hold your horses." He pulled Clayton aside as the occupants waited.

"What now Agent Gibbs? Is there some secret code word I'm supposed to give?"

Gibbs didn't smile. "I just want to be clear who's running this little operation."

"I was informed that you would take the torch…I am here only to assist."

Gibbs agreed. "You serious?"

Clayton nodded. "I'm afraid I am. Someone higher up must think very highly of your Agency. This directive came from the top down."

Gibbs then gestured towards their car. "Well then, in that case; after you."

McGee removed his jacket as sweat started to pour from his forehead. He felt like he was running a marathon; despite the fact that he was sitting still. "Come on McGee, you're better than this...find something…" He spoke out loud to himself which made the reality of being alone even more evident. "Come on, come on…"

In a matter of seconds he found himself staring wide eyed at his screen; and the process of reaching for his weapon and leaving suddenly became trivial. He raced towards the stairwell; peeled out of the NCIS garage; and all without realizing, he'd forgotten his phone.

"Damnit McGee…" Gibbs closed his phone for the tenth time.

"Did you try his desk number?" Ziva questioned; trying to help.

"You know David; that hadn't occurred to me…" His sarcasm came across loud and clear.

"Perhaps he stepped out for a moment; simply forgot his phone." Samuelsson offered from the front seat.

"Half my team has been kidnapped; and he stepped out without his phone? I'd like to think my Agents aren't that stupid…"

He tried not to smile. "Your Agent DiNozzo stepped out without his phone one evening; we had to send out a search party to locate him; turned out he was at a…well…I'd rather not say in front of the lady."

Ziva stifled a laugh and Mike responded for her. "Uh she's the exception to the rule." Gibbs snapped his head towards him as if sticking up for her. "Easy Probie; she your girlfriend too?"

Gibbs shook his head in frustration and opened his phone to try McGee again. And after another three failed attempts; he resisted the urge to throw it out the window.

O'Shea was all smiles as he joined La Grenioulle for breakfast on his terrace. "Morning Rene."

"Frederick." Grenioulle tried to examine his friends delight. "Well you do seem quite happy this morning, was the transport of DiNozzo successful?"

"A couple of my men are en route with his body now." He reached for an apple and bit into it with a smile. "These apples are simply delicious, do try one."

Grenioulle hid any reaction he may have wanted to show. "His body? You didn't Frederick?"

He shrugged and took another bite. "Now Rene, you can't honestly think I would let it get out that a man who infiltrated my organization was simply let free? You are sadly mistaken."

"You will regret this Frederick."

He shook his head. "O contraire my friend," he reached under the table and came back out with a weapon aimed at his counterpart. "You are the only one who should be regretful. After all; not many men who double cross me live to tell about it."

Grenioulle threw his arms out in his defense; but remained calm. "Double cross you? Non-sense. Who told you such a lie?"

O'Shea nodded his head towards the man walking towards them. "I believe you two know each other?"

McGee arrived at the destination and patted down his pockets in search of his phone. "Ah, are you kidding me?" He head slapped himself before taking in a breath. "It's okay McGee; you got this…save Abby and Ducky…" He ran through calculations in his head of the room dimensions in the building against the number of people Barclay would've needed to pull off the kidnappings. After a minute of reassuring himself; he removed his side arm and headed towards the building…

Clayton pulled a few images up on the computer. "This is O'Shea's estate; according to Intel Grenioulle was last seen entering it yesterday afternoon." He punched at the keys. "Well I'll be…"

Gibbs peered over his shoulder. "What is it?"

"Surveillance suspects he may have been the occupant of a limo that entered the premises less than an hour ago…."

"May have been?" Mike commented; hinting that he elaborate.

"It is not the same limousine he is known to travel in."

Ziva shrugged. "In Mossad it is not uncommon to change vehicles if you believe you are under surveillance."

Gibbs tapped Mike and Ziva on the shoulder. "Let's roll."

Samuelsson stepped forward. "You cannot simply waltz up to the gate and ring the doorbell."

Mike managed a smile. "Who said anything about ringing the door bell?"

"Ah yes, I have seen this in your American movies…you drive a large vehicle through the gate and after a long gun battle you escaped unscathed…"

Gibbs agreed. "You forgot the part where we arrest the bad guy."

Mike followed up. "And get the girl."

"There is no girl to rescue here." Clayton replied; starting to become un-easy with the look in Gibbs eyes.

Mike shook his head and motioned towards Gibbs with a wink. "There is back in DC."

Abby had arrived at NCIS on auto pilot. She knew if she just got to Gibbs everything would be okay. Only she arrived in the bull pen to find it empty. She hurried to a phone and stared to dial…but before she could finish the Director appeared behind her.

"Abby? Thank God you're alright…How did you escape?"

Abby didn't turn around and continued to dial, until Jenny placed a finger on the cradle and ended the call.