DiNozzo's call to his boss was short, sweet and to the point, " Safe house raided, McGee missing."

No other words were necessary to get Gibbs moving. He relayed the message to Vance and left the director's office, not even waiting for the dismissal from his boss.

DiNozzo's words rang in his head over and over again "McGee missing."

All the questions those words caused bouncing around the simple words McGee missing.

Gibbs got to the safe house in record time, "What the hell happened?"

"Armed gunmen entered the front and back we were able to stop the progress in the front and provide cover for the witness and the agents escorting her to escape and then prevent the remaining assailants from following by damaging the vehicle they were trying to leave in. McGee was in the back of the house collecting the belongings of the witness. The last I heard, he yell for me to get the witness out. When I returned to the house after disarming the men in the van McGee was missing."

DiNozzo now looked directly into the eyes of Gibbs, his hazel eyes saying everything he couldn't say out loud "I'm sorry. We'll get him back. I know how much he means to you."

Vance pulled up to the crime scene with Ducky and the city ME right behind him.

"Anthony, I think the first order of business is to look at your arm.", Ducky said grabbing DiNozzo's shirt sleeve to expose a ugly gash.

DiNozzo was shocked to see the wound not realizing he had been injured in the attack until the doctor had started treating the wound.

"Apparently I was grazed by a bullet." DiNozzo said with a sheepish grin.

Vance had approached the group having got the sit rep from Balboa's men. "Any idea where they've taken Agent McGee?"

He realized he would have to quickly take over the investigation to make sure it stayed professional. Gibbs would lose his focus quickly with McGee being involved. The relationship between the two agents was the best kept non-secret at the yard. Vance had been worried at first and installed certain safe fails to avoid problems such as having DiNozzo oversee McGee's performance reviews and act has his direct supervisor, but he was pleasantly surprised when none of the issues he has worried over had appeared.

Before anyone could respond to the Director's question Gibbs' cell rang, "Gibbs"
"B..bo...boss."

"McGee, are you alright?"

"I'm fine.", the reply brought about the sound of flesh hitting flesh and a new voice, "Tim you really shouldn't lie to your boss.
"Hello, Agent Gibbs."
"Who is this?" was the growled response.

"Just a concerned older brother looking out for his sister."

"Scaletti, release my agent now."
"Now, now, why don't you ask after your agent's health again? I'll give him the phone back and you can chat for a little bit, by the way, is there an Agent DiNozzo nearby?"
"Yes, he's here. Why?"

"You may want to answer his phone. Now I'll let you talk to Tim."

"Tim, are you okay?" Gibbs' voice was laced with fear.

"Don't lie" was heard muffled in the background.

"Boss," his voice was very weak, "I think I have a few broken ribs and my lower left leg is definitely

shattered. They also gave me some kind of injection and I'm starting to feel very tired."

"Tell him not to hang up." came the muffled voice in the background again.

"Don't hang up." , Tim's voice was starting to slur.

Just then DiNozzo's phone rang and both Gibbs and Vance reached out for it.

Vance got to it first since Gibbs was already talking to McGee.

"Director Vance speaking."

"Give the phone to Agent Gibbs." was the short reply.

Gibbs handed his phone to Tony, "Keep him talking."

"Gibbs"

"If you hang up with Tim, I'm not sure he'll be able to answer it again and I so want you hear his voice for the next few hours."

"Don't hang up what ever you do, DiNozzo.", Gibbs frantically called to his senior agent.

"Good, now I'll be giving you directions to his location and you will bring my sister and we'll do a little exchange."
"Not going to happen." was the tense answer.

"Well then Agent McGee will suffer the consequences of your inaction."

"Hurt him and I'll put a bullet between your eyes."

"Funny that was the same fate I had planned for him. See you are not getting your agent back alive, but how quickly he dies is totally up to you. I can make this very long and very painful for him. See, that shot I gave him is a sedative it will prevent him from bleeding out to quickly. Enough chit chat I assume you have traced my location. Bring my sister with you to the docks or else."

AN: Please review. All feed back is welcomed. :)