Gibbs opened his eyes, but he found that it was too dark to see much of anything. He tried to turn his head, but that simplest of tasks sent a wave of pain crashing over him that he immediately stilled and slammed his eyes shut once again. Gibbs allowed himself a moment… though a small one… to slow his breathing and take stock of his situation.
He had a myriad of injuries, that much was certain. He felt stiff, as though he hadn't moved in quite some time. His head was pounding, but even more concerning was the pain in his chest. He found it hard to breathe evenly, and taking a deep breath was completely out of the question.
A dull throbbing in his hand pulled his attention away from his chest, and he slowly opened his eyes again. He was lying awkwardly on his back, giving him an unobstructed view of the ceiling, though it was still too dark to see much of anything. Very carefully, he arched his neck to the right to look at his hands, which were once again handcuffed to the wall. He narrowed his eyes in the darkness and could just make out his left hand. Two fingers were bent at an awkward angle, very clearly broken.
Gibbs frowned. He didn't remember that happening. How had it happened?
Sighing, he closed his eyes again, trying to recall details of how he'd ended up in this position. Victor Guerrero. Though he'd never met the man, he was somewhat familiar with him… more so of his brother, Jorge Guerrero.
Gibbs had led the team that had tracked down Jorge after a several-month-long manhunt. He had been accused, and eventually convicted, of vehicular homicide. He had proclaimed his innocence throughout the trial, and it looked as though he was going to get away with it, before his wife finally fessed up and took the stand.
Her testimony outlined how Jorge had meticulously followed Lance Corporal Janeway for days, blaming him for his Other Than Honorable discharge from the service. Then one evening, he followed behind Janeway's Ford Escape and when they were away from the city, Guerrero forced the SUV off the road. The vehicle flipped several times before coming to a standstill at the bottom of a ditch.
Jorge's wife had wept on the stand when she relived her horror upon finding out that Lance Corporal Janeway had not even been in the car at the time. However, his wife and two sons were killed on impact. He was sentenced to life in prison, and died in a riot two years later.
Guerrero's brother, Victor, had been in prison himself for assault at the time of the trial, though clearly he had been recently released. Gibbs vaguely recalled Director Vance telling him that Guerrero came to visit him in NCIS one day to learn of his brother's case. His questions were innocent at first, and he seemed to have a genuine interest in what had happened. But Leon saw clearly through his façade, and it became clear that his true intention had been to find out where his sister-in-law had moved. When the director wouldn't reveal her location, Victor lost control of himself as he angrily spilled his intent on finding her and punishing her for turning on her husband.
Rachel Guerrero was placed into Witness Protection the following day.
Gibbs thought about that day as he lay on the unforgiving floor. He and his team had been out on another case, so he hadn't been there to witness Guerrero's visit, or subsequent outburst. Clearly he was intent on claiming revenge against those who put his brother in prison, and his sister-in-law was top on his list.
And now he and McGee were here to help him obtain that retribution.
McGee!
It hurt, but Gibbs opened his eyes and turned his head in an attempt to find McGee. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, the blackness faded into shadows, which then turned into shapes that Gibbs could finally put names to. Across the room, the white radiator began to take shape, and next to it sat an unmoving shadow.
"Are you okay, McGee?"
No response.
"McGee!"
"Yeah, boss."
Tim's voice was surprisingly strong, but Gibbs' knew the young man too well to know that something was wrong. His voice was strained and held back too much for him to believe that McGee was at 100%. Gibbs wasn't sure how long he'd been out for, but if the muted rays of sunshine breaking through the boarded window was anything to go by, he'd been unconscious for quite some time.
And not knowing what happened during his nap disturbed him.
Gibbs swallowed a moan as he rolled his body onto its side so he could better see McGee, but also to relieve the pain his ribs were causing. His hands were still cuffed to the bar, of course, so his movement was limited at best. Still, once he got situated, he was relatively comfortable… considering.
"You're a terrible liar, McGee," Gibbs said as he finally settled. "What time is it?"
"They took my watch."
"How long was I out?"
"All night."
"What happened?"
McGee shifted uncomfortably and sighed. Not for the first time, Gibbs wished he could see the younger man's face. But with the sun yet to peek over the horizon, and the bulb turned off in their room, the best he could see was McGee's hunched silhouette as he told his story.
"Guerrero… he told me why I'm here. What he wants me to do."
"Find his sister-in-law?"
"Yeah. I guess she's in WitSec. He wants me to hack in and find her."
Gibbs already knew this much. It was what McGee wasn't saying that he wanted to know.
"Did they hurt you?"
McGee looked at him. Through the dim shadows, Gibbs could see his brows furrow for a moment in confusion before he looked away again.
"No, boss. They didn't hurt me."
Gibbs felt some tension leave his body at that revelation. Being out of it for so long… there was no telling what they could have done to McGee.
"What else?"
"After you were… knocked out… they took me to an office. Set me down in front of a computer. Told me to get to work." He shrugged. "I, uh… refused."
"Good," Gibbs replied. "Don't give him what he wants, McGee."
He didn't respond, and eventually the two men fell into a comfortable silence, though Gibbs was sure McGee fell asleep on and off over the next few hours. Gibbs felt he'd already slept enough, so even though his own body was longing for unconsciousness, he couldn't leave McGee alone again.
Though the cracks in the boarded window weren't enough to provide the sun's warmth, it was enough to slowly fill the room with a soft light as the sun arced higher and higher in the sky. Gibbs may not have shown it at the time, but McGee's stoic telling of what had happened worried him. The younger man couldn't lie worth a damn, but one of the many things that had surprised Gibbs over the years about his agent, it was that he could keep a secret.
The idea that McGee was hiding something important took root and sprouted. Gibbs simply could not shake the thought that there was more to the story than McGee was letting on, and it threatened to devour him from the inside. He couldn't bear to make the connection between what his gut was feeling and what McGee's capabilities under torture could be.
He wasn't a rookie anymore, and had proven himself time and time again. And yet…
The extra light finally allowed Gibbs to see McGee a bit better. He was exhausted, that much was clear, but other than that, he looked okay. Gibbs could see the livid bruising on McGee's face, courtesy of the punch he'd received when he'd first arrived. He was relieved to see no other signs that the men had turned on McGee once Gibbs had passed out. He was secured to the radiator with a handcuff around his right wrist, while his left hand…
"I thought you said you weren't hurt!"
McGee started at Gibbs' voice, but quickly settled back against the radiator.
"I'm fine, boss."
"You're left hand is bleeding."
"It's dried."
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
"McGee…"
Tim recognized the warning, and he sighed.
"It's just a cut. They didn't even do it to me. It's fine, boss, really."
Tim knew his lie wouldn't have fooled anyone, let alone Gibbs, but nothing more was said, and they were quiet once again. Tim bit on the inside of his lip to prevent himself from speaking. There was so much he wanted to say…
The fact that Gibbs couldn't remember was probably a good thing. Tim wasn't sure if he could face that right now. He was already struggling to hold in his guilt… his desire to appear strong just barely overriding the urge to unload his burden.
He figured that was what Gibbs would want. So it's what Tim struggled to do.
"Boss, I… there's something you should know…"
Tim hesitated, not sure how to continue. He wanted to explain how hard it was to watch as his boss was beaten. To listen to the taunting words and serious threats. He wanted to say how many times he'd almost consented to helping each time he'd heard Gibbs struggle to take a single breath. Especially after he'd refused to help them that first time… and Gibbs… his fingers…
Gibbs misunderstood McGee's hesitation, however, and threw an incredulous look at his agent.
"You already hacked in and found her, didn't you."
It almost wasn't a question, and Tim's eyes snapped to Gibbs' as his voice cracked with exhaustion and anger.
"No!"
A look of pain and betrayal so profound flashed across Tim's face that Gibbs felt his breath hitch and it stung. Tim no longer maintained eye contact, and Gibbs felt slightly sick as he stared at the hardwood floor and the abyss that now separated the two agents.
"Then what is it? What are you hiding?"
Tim's eyes narrowed as he looked back at his boss, but he didn't immediately reply.
"I need to know, McGee…"
A creak of a floorboard had both men's gaze turning toward the door.
"Listen to me," Gibbs whispered urgently, and Tim could hear every ounce of authority that the other man was trying to slip in. "No matter what happens, do not give in. Do you understand me? Under no circumstances will you hack into that site."
There was no time to respond to the command as the tumblers on the locked door fell away and the door swung open.
Guerrero walked in with one of his thugs close behind him. Gibbs straightened as much as he could, which really wasn't much considering he was fairly certain he had a few broken ribs. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see McGee doing the same. Neither man was willing to show weakness.
Victor eyed Gibbs warily before turning to look at McGee. Gibbs didn't like the scrutinizing look, and he watched as McGee resolutely held the other man's gaze for a moment. The battle of wills was short lived as McGee broke eye contact to look nervously over at Gibbs. Guerrero, however, didn't waver as he finally spoke, walking slowly over to stand directly above the younger agent.
"Your little stunt cost me quite a bit of money, Fed." McGee's eyes flicked back up. "Money I don't exactly have lying around."
McGee shrugged, and Gibbs was stunned at how easily the young man was able to replace his nervousness with determination.
"Sorry about that," he replied with no trace of remorse, and Guerrero laughed.
"I underestimated you, Agent McGee."
A little of McGee's boldness fell away, and Gibbs would have missed it entirely had he not been looking.
"You're not the first," he stated so quietly that Gibbs almost didn't hear it, and he frowned at the accusation in McGee's eyes when he caught his gaze. The young agent blanched, but recovered quickly, the moment of bitterness gone and the mask of determination returned.
"Well," Guerrero bent at the waist and rested his hands on his knees, his face inches away from McGee's, "I won't do that again."
"Nope, you won't, so why don't you let the kid go?" Gibbs said with annoyance, trying to pull Guerrero's attention away from McGee. Once again he found himself in the dark, and he didn't like it. Perhaps antagonizing Guerrero would shed some light on what had happened. "He's not going to help you."
It worked. Guerrero straightened and turned to look at Gibbs.
"Of course he is. He already has."
Gibbs' eyes immediately flicked back to McGee, who must have sensed the gaze and stared, doubly determined, at the back of Guerrero's head. Gibbs didn't think it possible in such a small space, but McGee was actually avoiding him.
The sinking feeling in his gut returned, and Gibbs felt himself being pulled back into that hole of doubt.
It's not that he didn't think McGee was competent. Hell, if that were the case, the agent would never have been put on his team to begin with. But the truth was… McGee was a bit of a wild card. A dark horse. Gibbs knew exactly what to expect from Tony and Ziva in a situation such as this, but not Tim.
Somalia had been a huge turning point for his agent, and Gibbs had never been more proud. Yet Gibbs also knew that suffering for a teammate… a friend… was entirely different than suffering for a complete stranger. Would McGee be able to hold out? Had he refused, as he'd insisted? The look of guilt currently set in his features stated otherwise.
"Look, you have me. I'm the one that put your brother away. McGee had nothing to do with it. He can't help you."
"You keep saying that," Guerrero smiled. "But he can. And he will. That's why you're here, Gibbs. To make sure that your guy does what he's told."
"Dammit, Guerrero!" Gibbs swore as his frustration mounted. "I'm not telling McGee to do anything for you."
"You don't have to!" Gibbs didn't think it was possible, but Guerrero looked even more elated. "How are your fingers, Gibbs?"
Gibbs' frown deepened as he remembered his broken fingers. Guerrero spun around so he was once again facing McGee.
"Your man here, Gibbs, decided to be brave. Busted up my computer the minute he sat in front of it."
Gibbs smiled. Way to go, McGee…
"Hurt himself a bit in the process," Guerrero continued, and he suddenly strode forward so he was once again face to face with McGee. He reached out and grabbed the injured hand, and McGee hissed at the pain.
"I'm having the computer replaced, but we both knew he'd just try it again." Another squeeze, and Tim clenched his jaw so tightly he was sure his teeth would shatter.
Guerrero released McGee's hand and once again addressed Gibbs, though he didn't turn around.
"He needs his fingers." Guerrero's icy tone pierced through him. "You do not. Your agent here gave in after the second bone was snapped. Agreed to help me out once the new computer arrives. Didn't you, Agent McGee?"
McGee closed his eyes, and Gibbs sighed. So that's what his agent had been so torn up over. The burden in Gibbs' gut eased slightly, knowing that McGee had been telling the truth… he hadn't broken in to WitSec. McGee's capitulation, though only verbal at the moment, did not bode well for the future. The two of them had to get out of here, and soon.
"So you see, Gibbs… you don't need to tell him to do anything. Hell, you don't even need to be conscious!"
"He can't do it."
"Do you think I'm stupid? Don't you think I did my homework before bringing you here?"
"No, Gibbs is right. I can't do it. I can't find her." Tim lied, latching onto the hope that… that what, exactly? That Guerrero would believe him and let him go to find another geek? The idea was absurd, of course, but he couldn't help himself. He had already foolishly hoped that Gibbs would never find out about how his fingers had been broken, just as he'd foolishly believed his boss would have faith in him to not give in to Guerrero's demands.
So why not latch onto one more crazy fantasy?
"I know exactly what you are capable of, Fed, and I've put up with your lies long enough!" Victor's calm exterior shattered, and he shouted at his man to take Gibbs out of the room.
"You're right, Agent Gibbs. You were the one who found Jorge and put him in prison. And we seem to have some time to kill before your man can get back to work on finding my sister-in-law."
Tim pulled against his restraints, but it was no use. What could he possibly do, anyway? It had already been established that he wasn't going to help Victor find his sister-in-law. He was in no position to help Gibbs, and prevent what was going to happen next.
And he knew what was going to happen next. He could see it in Victor's eyes. But more unnerving was that he could see it in Gibbs' eyes too.
Tim's fear must have finally given him away, because Victor was smiling and Gibbs was fighting against the man pushing him out of the room, and all Tim could do was watch and beg his body to stop shaking.
"Tim…"
He locked eyes with Gibbs, and the command, though unspoken this time, was reissued.
"No matter what happens, do not give in. Do you understand me? Under no circumstances will you hack into that site."
Tim didn't want to obey. He wasn't sure if he could bear Gibbs suffering for his own lack of cooperation. But did anyone? Was there ever an agent in the history of agents that enjoyed watching the deliberate pain and torment of a loved one in order to save a complete stranger?
Of course not.
But it had to be done.
Tim set his jaw and nodded, just as Gibbs disappeared from sight and the door was slammed shut behind him.
TBC...