Disclaimer on chapter one.
AN: This was written almost a week ago! It wouldn't let me post it! But here you go. Sorry bout the delay, not my fault...this time :-D. Let me know...dark rolling sea.
Chapter Nineteen
Levi felt himself fading from consciousness. He had been alone on the mountain for quite some time. He had lost track how long it had been since Gibbs had tried to slow the blood loss, not sure how long it had been since Storm and undone it. His mind wandered between the real world and the darkness in his mind. He knew he was slowly bleeding to death.
He blinked his eyes a couple times to clear his mind, watching as the world spun and tossed in front of him. He swallowed back the urge to vomit and rolled onto his stomach. He glanced around, and saw no other bodies and began to wonder what had happened to the NCIS agents.
He tried to push himself up to his knees but his left arm exploded in an eruption of pain and gave way, slamming his body back down onto his stomach. He let out a low moan before he felt his stomach revolt. He rolled himself slightly and threw up on the rock face. He rolled away from the vomit and winced as his body thrummed in agony. He got onto his right side and pushed with his good arm, bringing himself into a sitting position.
He looked around in a circle, and realized he truly was alone at the top of the mountain. It was full on dark and he knew Dusty wouldn't come charging up, not under these conditions. He was on his own unless the NCIS agents were reckless.
He looked down at his left shoulder and shook his head. He had lost quite a bit of blood. He flexed his hand a couple times and wavered with the flood of pain. Levi looked down at his leg and felt a jolt of anger flood him. His leg was covered in blood and was numb from the knee down. He didn't think he could walk, but knew he had to do something.
Levi attempted to roll onto his side and push up to his knees again, using only his right arm. He managed to get his weight on his right leg and hopped to his feet. Levi stood for a moment before a wave of dizziness washed over him and he tumbled over. He hit the ground hard, landing on his left side.
After letting out a grunt of pain he tried again and this time managed to get to his feet and lean against the cave face for support. Levi held on tight as his legs buckled and his head swam, fighting the dizziness that was threatening to take over.
The black was taking over and Levi fought to keep consciousness. The world spun, titled, and whirled around him, his stomach sloshing around. He tried to take a step away from the rock face and lost his balance, collapsing on the ground. His eyes slipped closed as he drifted into the blackness of unconsciousness.
Kate woke with a start, disoriented in her surroundings. The warmth coming from the body next to her made her tense for a moment. Then the events of the day unfolded in her mind and she remembered where she was. She didn't know how long she had been asleep but she didn't feel rested and figured it hadn't been long.
Her dream had been dark and cold, that was all she really remembered. Her leg throbbed with pain and she shifted it slightly to make herself more comfortable. In doing so she was forced to push her shoulder closer into Gibbs' chest. His head lolled to the side and his nose landed in her hair on the side of her head.
She could hear him mumbling something but she couldn't understand what. He shifted, drawing his arms around her more securely effectively pushing both of them to the ground. Kate winced as pain crept through her leg. She turned slightly and stared into his sleeping face, but she could tell it wasn't a peaceful sleep.
She reached out and put a gentle hand along his jaw and he seemed to turn into her hand. Then his face changed and she could tell something was happening in his dream. Then his shoulder gave a small jolt, and his head snapped from side to side briefly. Gibbs' eyes rolled violently behind his lids as he grunted and mumbled.
Kate wasn't sure what she should do. His arms then clamped tightly on her shoulders and she let out a startled cry. She needed to wake him, or at least calm him. Kate struggled to release his hold but failed. She then put her hand against his face and leaned in close to his ear.
"Gibbs," she said softly. He didn't respond so she tried again with more force. "Gibbs!"
He still didn't wake, his eyes rolling and bouncing in their sockets, his face contorted in anger and pain, his arms gripping her more and more. She licked her lips and tried to reposition herself in his grasp.
"GIBBS!" she yelled at him and his arms seemed to loosen slightly. His eyes came to a stop and his face relaxed slightly. He twisted a little and she felt him inhale sharply. She closed her eyes briefly before looking at him again. He slowly blinked his eyes open and looked into her eyes confused.
"You're beautiful," he slurred slightly and closed his eyes again. Kate stared at him shocked, unable to respond. His arms relaxed enough for her to pull away from him and she sat against the rock face. She watched him sleep for a few more moments before he slowly came out of his slumber. He looked around orienting himself. Gibbs finally looked up at Kate.
Kate continued to stare at Gibbs. He became slightly uncomfortable under her gaze and wondered what had happened. He sat up and stretched his sore shoulder carefully wincing with the pain. He then grabbed a hold of his leg and pulled it straight. He looked up at Kate again, and wondered why she was still studying him so intently.
"What?" he asked quietly, not entirely sure he wanted to know the answer. Kate took a deep breath and bit nervously at her lower lip, working up the courage.
"You had a nightmare," Kate said first, not ready to ask him about his sleepy confession. Gibbs eyed her closely.
"I didn't hurt you did I?" Gibbs asked concerned. He rubbed a hand over his face. Kate took another deep breath and looked at her hands.
"No, not really."
"Not really? Kate," he replied with guilt in his voice. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the rock. Kate scooted herself so she was next to him, her hand gripped his lightly. He looked down surprised by the contact.
"When you woke up…" Kate started but then faltered.
She didn't know how to continue. She looked at his face and saw the confusion on it. She watched him as something slowly dawned on him and she was slightly surprised so the see the red creep into his cheeks for the briefest of moments. He looked away. Kate finally found the courage to continue.
"You've been…different," she finally said. Gibbs looked up at her and nodded, keeping his face void of emotion. Kate felt compelled to explain her statement. "I mean out here, lately. I don't know, you just…seem…different"
Gibbs looked down at his legs and creased his brow. He needed to think of something quick to tell her. She was watching him intensely, and he could feel his nerves starting to tingle. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing would come out so he closed it again. Kate watched in amazement as he struggled to form words.
"What's wrong, Gibbs?"
His eyes came slowly up to meet hers, and he gave her a small smile. She saw through it instantly and felt the pang in her stomach. She was reviewing his actions in her head. Kate's brow creased and she dipped her head slightly to the side. Gibbs swallowed and idly picked at a hole in his pants.
"You're…it's almost like…you're…jealous," she said with uncertainty. Gibbs' eyes snapped back up to hers as he judged the sincerity behind her words. He could tell she wasn't simply joking; there was some backing in her mind. He cleared his throat and sucked in another deep breath as he thought about what to say. He was still struggling to come up with something that would pacify her.
"I don't mean to be," he finally said ducking his eyes once again. Kate couldn't stop the shock that spread over her features. She held her breath slightly as she stared at him in utter disbelief. Had he just admitted he was jealous? But of what?
"What are you jealous of, Gibbs?" she asked reaching a hand out and placing it softly on his shoulder. He could feel the warmth from her hand.
"I didn't mean to…" Gibbs fumbled and Kate was impressed that he had lost his tough exterior. His eyes were shining and she could see there was something there that he was desperately trying to hide. She smiled at him and moved her hand from his shoulder to his jaw.
"Why are you jealous then?"
Gibbs took a moment to settle his jangling stomach. "I don't know, Kate. I've tried hard to ignore it. I've tried hard to push it away."
"What?"
"It just simply wouldn't work. I know that. It just simply…I couldn't make it work. I'm a failure…"
"Gibbs, you're not making sense," Kate said gently and he stopped. He nodded and suddenly Kate thought she had an inkling of what he was talking about. She pulled her hand back and stared at him a moment.
"What?" he asked hesitantly. Kate smiled.
"You, you're talking about us, aren't you?"
"Kate, I…yes."
Kate didn't answer him; she was a little too stunned. Instead she leaned over towards him and brought her face very close to his. She watched his eyes and realized what it was that he was hiding, and she couldn't stop the smile. She leaned in quickly before her bravery escaped and brushed her lips to his.
Dusty felt his stomach tightening even more. He had a bad feeling something was going to happen. He pushed the accelerator closer to the floor and the vehicle sped up over the gravel road.
The car skidded to a stop in front of the house and he was quickly out and up the porch steps. He banged through the door with his gun in hand and scanned the room quickly. Nothing. He closed his eyes and strained his ears to hear anything, but again nothing.
"Grady," he said flatly looking around in a circle again. He went outside and around the back of the house. He licked at his lips and shook his head. One of his ATVs was missing. He took a deep breath and followed the tracks the machine left in the dirt.
He frowned when the tracks headed up the road. He thought about what was around and decided he would need to check the cabins in the area again. There were a couple around that would be useful to Storm. He went back into the house and noticed Grayson's crutches still on the floor. He closed his eyes and calmed himself before he went back to the car. He drove up the road towards the next cabin.
Zack killed the motor on the ATV they were riding on when Grayson told him too. He sat waiting for his brother to take the led. Grayson slid from the back of the vehicle and moved slowly on his leg. They were still in the cover of some trees and he didn't want to give Storm a clean shot at either of them. Zack pulled the key from the ATV and then came up beside Grayson, waiting.
"He's in that house, or is going to be soon," Grayson said pointing towards a cabin. Zack nodded.
"What's your plan?" Zack asked. Grayson didn't answer and Zack glanced at his brother. "You do have one, right?"
"My plan is to kill him. However that happens is fine with me."
"Grayson, you can't just…"
"Zack, be quiet. Let me think," Grayson said as he surveyed the area. He took in the surroundings. There were plenty of places for Jonas to set up and ambush them, but he knew that was not the most likely way that Jonas would play this.
Grayson knew Jonas wanted to be face to face. He wanted to watch the fear and pain in Grayson's eyes, it was how Jonas was. There was no doubt in Grayson's mind that Jonas was waiting in the cabin. Most likely, the other man was simply sitting at the kitchen table. Grayson took a deep breath and looked at his younger brother.
"Here's the plan. I'm going up there and knocking on the door. You stay outside; find a spot you can see in. Once I got him distracted make the shot."
"You want me to do it?"
"Yes," Grayson said flatly.
Zack swallowed and then nodded he checked the weapon Grayson had given him. Grayson stepped closer and put his hand on Zack's shoulder. The younger brother looked up and Grayson smiled at him.
"It'll be ok. Just squeeze the trigger when you have the shot."
Zack nodded once more and then the two headed for the cabin. Zack split from Grayson once they hit the tree line. Grayson headed for the front door while Zack stayed under the cover of the forest and rock.
Once on the porch Grayson took one last deep breath and checked the weapon he was carrying. He knew he most likely wouldn't have it much longer, but it helped calm him to check it. He then put it away and reached out, knocking on the cabin door.
"This doesn't feel right, Probie," Tony said as he paced by the windows again. McGee looked up at him and frowned.
"What do you suggest?"
"I can't leave Kate and Gibbs up there all night, Probie. We need to do something."
"How are we supposed to find them, and not get shot?"
"For all we know they're laying up there bleeding to death," Tony said with anger. He took a deep breath.
"So what do we do?"
Tony looked at McGee then out the window again. He had a feeling that they needed to go up the mountain. He put his hand against the cool glass of the window and sighed. Dusty had said he wouldn't go in after whoever was up there, but that was taking the chance that that person was still there. He looked at McGee.
"Let's go up that mountain," Tony said and started for the door. McGee hesitated a moment before he hurried to catch up. The two set off up the mountain in the dark.
TBC…