Chapter 19

Jamie looked around at everyone in the bullpen. "We're not gonna let him go alone are we?" she asked. Now her adrenaline was pumping and she was ready for action. Before anyone had a chance to respond Jamie was out the door and off to get geared up.

Olivia followed Jamie out the door. "Jamie wait up!" She called out.

Fin turned around and looked at the NCIS team. "Normally, I would say don't follow. But Jamie's right, we could use your help on this."

Munch looked at Fin. "Hey, let's go. We can't let Jamie and Liv follow him alone."

"Okay, let's go." Fin said with his eyebrows raised as he left.

Gibbs stood there, dumbfounded. He couldn't believe they actually wanted their help. Ziva looked at him. "Gibbs, let's go. They want our help."

Just then Cragen walked into the bullpen. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Gibbs and his team. "What are you doing here and where are my detectives?" he asked looking around at the empty room.

"They… They… they went to make the drop." McGee stammered out.

Cragen headed for the door and then turned around to face the group. "I take it you came to help?" Cragen asked.

"Yeah, we did." Tony replied, walking over to the door.

Cragen nodded and they all followed him out the door.

//Chung Chung//

Nicole tried to look away from her kidnapper. He was straddling her and holding her in a sitting position. "Looks like your lover Elliot has only thirty minutes to get the money."

He pushed her back onto the mattress. "But I don't wanna wait, I want to have some fun now." he said pulling his knife out again and pressing it to her throat.

Nicole tried to scream, and fight the bindings that were holding her hands together. No way in hell did she want to die at this point. Where the hell was Elliot anyways?

Her kidnapper moved the knife from her throat and traced a line down her body. As he was about to slice her shirt open he heard brakes squealing outside. He looked toward the door and then slowly got up. "Well, looks like he made it. But don't worry we're still going to have our fun."

Nicole fell back onto the mattress. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. He was gone for now. A thousand thoughts were running through her head, and they all just happen to be 'what if' thoughts.

Outside, Elliot got out of the car and grabbed the briefcase. He stood beside the car looking around. He didn't exactly know where to go, there were a dozen abandoned warehouses on the waterfront and the kidnapper didn't give an exact location. Elliot began to walk when caught movement out of the corner of his eye.

"Mr. Elliot Stabler. So nice of you to join us." The kidnapper yelled out from an open door.

Elliot turned toward the sound of the voice and headed in that direction, briefcase in hand. "I have your money, asshole, now let Nicole go!" he yelled.

The kidnapper laughed. "Did you honestly think that I would let her go that easily?"

"Listen, you sick fuck, I won't hesistate to put a bullet in your head. Let her go!"

"Ah the classic gun. Now if you do want her. I want you to set the briefcase down along with the gun, and walk back to your car." The kidnapper yelled. "I will kill her."

What Elliot didn't know was that his back up had arrived. Jamie and Olivia arrived in one car, while Fin, Munch and Cragen were in another. While Gibbs, Tony, Ziva and McGee arrived in Gibbs' car. They all got out and Fin couldn't help but laugh when he saw Jamie. "Jamie, what the hell are you doing? We're dealing with a hostage negotiation not going to war." Fin said.

While Fin, Olivia, Munch and Cragen were dressed in Kevlar vests and NYPD windbreakers, and the NCIS team had on Kevlar and NCIS windbreakers, Jamie was decked out in full SWAT gear and holding a sniper rifle. "I'm not taking any chances."

Cragen looked at Jamie. "Do you know how to use that?" he asked.

"Maybe you should let me do this." Ziva piped up.

"No, really, I know what I'm doing." Jamie smiled.

"Someone's a little hyperactive." Munch commented.

Tony looked at Munch and then Jamie. "You gotta be joking me right?"

Olivia chuckled. "Let's get into position before Jamie hurts herself."

Fin just shook his head.

As the rest of the team took their positions, Elliot was still dealing with the psycho. He placed the briefcase and his gun on the ground but he didn't walk away. The kidnapper saw that Elliot wasn't moving. "Now, go back to your car!" he yelled.

"Not without Nicole!" Elliot yelled back.

"You want her alive and in one piece?" The kidnapper asked.

"You know I do but you're even more insane than I thought if you think I'm walking away."

"Get back in your car, or I will send her to you one piece at a time."

Elliot decided to take a chance and moved toward the kidnapper. "Over my dead body. I'm not letting you touch her anymore."

"Take one more step, and she's a dead girl."

Elliot wasn't listening to him anymore. He just decided to lunge at the bastard. He made contact and knocked them both to the ground. Elliot ended up on top and started pummeling him. But not before the kidnapper got a swing of his own in and knocked Elliot back and off of him.

Jamie, along with Gibbs, was on the roof across from them. "Oh c'mon Elliot, get out of the damn way! I wanna shot at this prick!" She said as she watched the scene before her through the scope.

Just then she heard Cragen's voice over the comm. "Jamie, don't get ahead of yourself!"

"Don't worry, Captain, I won't shoot until I have a clear shot!"

"Just make sure it's the perp, not Elliot." Olivia commented.

"You can tell the difference right?" Munch asked.

"I don't know, it's pretty dark down there." Gibbs replied.

"Now, boss, you don't need your glasses now do you?" Tony asked over the comm.

"I think it would help," Jamie said. "I'm having a hard time telling who's who."

"But... but... guys." McGee stuttered. "You... gotta get... the perp."

"Don't worry, we won't shoot until we're sure." Jamie replied.

"Maybe." Gibbs mumbled.

Jamie turned and looked at Gibbs. "Okay, how about this? There's two of them and two of us. Let's each take one."

"Hey, guys, would you just take out the perp." Ziva said over the comm. "We can deal with Elliot later."

Nicole was lying on the mattress. She had no idea just what was happening. She could hear muffled yelling but that was it. The thought of what could be happening made her try and get out of the bindings, but only cause them to get tighter then they all ready were. She still had the gag in her mouth, which made things a little more worse. Where the hell was Munch and what was going on out there?

Elliot and the kidnapper were still rolling around on the ground and Elliot was succeeding at getting some good shots. But the kidnapper ended up giving back as good as he got. He connected with Elliot's mouth and blood started to spill out of the split in his lip. When Elliot tasted the blood he got more pissed off and started punching the asshole full force.

Jamie and Gibbs were still on the roof looking through the scope of their rifles. "Oh, come on, I feel like I'm watching the WWE."

"And that means you're the ref?" Olivia asked.

"I won't be for long, if Elliot would get his ass out of the way." Jamie replied.

"Okay that's it." Fin stated. "Shoot the bastard anywhere. Just get us enough time to get to Nicole. Doesn't have to be a kill shot."

Elliot and the kidnapper were finally on their feet. When there was a little distance between them the kidnapper took the opportunity to pull his knife. Elliot saw the glint of the blade and went for his backup piece. But before he had a chance to drawn down on the kidnapper, the psycho fell to his knees. Elliot stood there shocked, then he saw crimson red blood oozing out from the bullet hole in the guy's forehead.

Elliot looked around frowning. "What the hell?" He mumbled. That's when he saw Jamie and Gibbs stand up on the roof and Jamie waved. Elliot couldn't believe that Gibbs showed up. But he didn't have time to deal with him now, he had to get to Nicole.

Elliot ran through the door and looked around the empty warehouse. He couldn't see anything but he did hear movement on his left side. He took off running in the direction of the sound and when he got closer he saw Nicole struggling on the mattress.

She had her back to him as she was struggling with the bounds on her wrist. Her hands were behind her back, and when she felt the suddenly go lose due to the fact they were cut. She spun around with out thinking and threw a punch. The next thing she knew a hand was holding her fist.

She tried throwing a punch with her other hand but then stopped when she heard a familiar voice. "Hey, Nic, it's okay. I got you. You're safe now." Elliot said pulling her to him and wrapping his arms securely around her.

She wrapped hers around and pulled the gag out. "Elliot. Oh my god I am so glad to see you." She said before tears started to form.

Elliot pulled her tighter to him and whispered in her ear. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you Nic." As he said that the team entered the warehouse and approached them.

"I thought I would never see any of you again." Nicole said. Finally she felt safe.

The five members of the SVU team and the four members of the NCIS team stopped and watched Elliot and Nicole on the mattress. Jamie looked from them to Munch and saw the look on his face. She walked over to him. "Hey, you okay?" she asked.

Munch just looked at her and walked away, back out of the warehouse.

Jamie handed her rifle to Fin and followed Munch out. Olivia walked over to Elliot and Nicole. "Hey, Nic, are you okay?" she asked.

Nicole pulled away from Elliot. "Yeah…where's John?" she asked..

As Jamie was walking out of the warehouse she had heard what Nicole asked.

Cragen walked up to them. "Okay, Nicole, I want you to go to the hospital and get checked out. I got Warner coming to pick up the body."

"Yeah. But where's John?" Nicole asked as Elliot cut the bindings around her ankles.

"I... I saw... him head outside." McGee stammered.

Nicole looked shocked when she saw the NCIS crew. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked standing up.

"We heard what happened and wanted to help get you back safe." Gibbs replied.

"Thanks. I appreciate that but I want to see John."

"Nic, we should really get you to the hospital." Olivia stated.

"No, I want to see John first."

Elliot looked at Nicole. Now, he knew he'd never have a chance with her. She was definitely in love with Munch.

Just then Fin called out. "Hey, Captain, I got bones over here!"

"And don't forget the rats." Nicole mumbled.

"Come on, we'll take you outside." Tony said walking up to her.

"Get your hands off of her." Elliot screamed. "We'll take her."

Cragen walked over to the group. "They can take her. I need you and Olivia to stay here and help out CSU."

Fin saw Nicole leaving and heading out with her and the NCIS team.

//Chung Chung//

Jamie found Munch leaning on the car. "How you doing?" she asked.

Munch looked at her. "I've had better days. By the way, that was a hell of a shot. Where did you learn that?" he asked curiously.

"I'm trained in sniper fire." she replied. When Munch didn't say anything she continued. "Back in Chicago, my hometown, my brother Nathan was a hostage negotiator. They have trained snipers on their team and I always wanted to work side by side with Nate, so I trained, proved myself worthy and Nate found a place for me on his team."

"Why did you move to New York if you wanted to work with your brother?" Munch asked.

"I decided to move after Nate got killed." Jamie said glumly and looked down at her feet.

Munch placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Jamie."

Jamie looked at him. "It was a long time ago. Anyway I came out here to tell you that Nic is asking for you."

Munch looked at Jamie. "Yeah, right. She has Elliot with her, she doesn't need me." he sighed.

"Bullshit, John, she does need you. She was asking for you."

"You really expect me to believe that when I saw how happy she was to see Elliot."

"John, think about what she has just been through. She was happy to see anyone at that point. But hey, if she didn't want you, she never would have asked for you."

Before Munch could reply, Fin walked over to them. "Hey, guys, they're loading Nic into the bus now."

"How's Nic doing anyway?" Jamie asked.

"She's a little shaken but she'll be okay." Fin replied and turned to Munch. "She's been asking for you. You should go in the bus with her."

Jamie looked at Munch. "I told you she was asking for you. And Fin's right you should go with her in the bus and talk to her."

Munch shook his head. "No, I'll drive my own car to the hospital. I need time to think."

"Okay, man, we'll meet you there." Fin stated.

"Okay." Munch said and got into the car that he had been leaning on. Before he left he stuck his head out the window. "You want me to take that for you?" he asked, indicating the rifle that Fin had handed back to Jamie.

"No, thanks, I'll manage." she smiled.

Munch smiled back and then drove off.

//Chung Chung//

Nicole was in the back of the bus. Gibbs was there with her. The fact that she was shaking wasn't his only worry. She was blacking out. "Hey, hey, Nic. Speak to me." He said with worry in his voice.

"Mm? John." Was all that came out of her. .

"Come on, Nic, it's Gibbs. Stay with me here. You have to stay awake." Gibbs pleaded.

"I don't wanna stay awake, John." She said as the shaking seemed to subside a little. "I'm too tired."

"No, you can't sleep Nic. Talk to me, come on." he felt like he was getting nowhere. "Come on, hurry up and get us to the hospital."

"Talk about what?" Nicole asked sleepily.

"Anything. You just gotta stay with me. Okay?" Gibbs said just as the bus was pulling up to the hospital.

"John, I'm tired. I just want to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." She said with her eyes closed.

The paramedics opened the door and then rushed Nicole into the hospital. Gibbs stood outside watching.

//Chung Chung//

Fin looked at Jamie as they walked back to the car. "Hey, I'm sorry I laughed at you before. You know about the SWAT gear."

"Yeah, like I took that personally, Fin." Jamie laughed.

"Well, I gotta say you kicked ass, baby. And shocked the hell out of everyone too."

Jamie smiled at Fin. "Thanks. But I only did what I had to do. Although the look on Elliot's face when that psycho went down was priceless."

Fin laughed as they got in the car. "Let's get to the hospital and see how Nic is." he said.

//Chung Chung//

Munch walked down the hall and saw Gibbs in the waiting room. "How is she?" he asked.

"The doctor's checking her out now." Gibbs replied.

Just as he said that the doctor approached them. "Detective Green is fine. She's awake but I want to keep an eye on her. She was blacking out due to repercussions of the concussion that she received. Also she has some cuts on her wrists and ankles and she's still a little shocked but other than that she's okay. Oh, and there was no sign of sexual assault."

"Thank God. Can we see her?" Munch asked.

"Sure thing."

As Gibbs started to walk down the hall, Munch stopped him. "Can I see her first? I have to talk to her."

Gibbs looked at Munch. He wanted to see Nicole now but the look on Munch's face made him reconsider that. "Okay, go ahead."

"Thanks." Munch said and made his way down the hall to Nicole's room.

//Chung Chung//

Munch knocked on the door and then entered. He saw Nicole sitting on the bed fidgeting with her bandages. "Hey." he said.

Nicole looked up and saw Munch standing in the doorway. "Hi."

He shut the door and walked over to the bed. "Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine." she replied.

Munch nodded. "Nic, I think we need to talk."

"Yeah, we do."

"I need to know something... Are you in love with Elliot?" Munch asked sitting in the chair across from her.

Nicole looked at Munch and was shocked at his question. "No. Why would you think that?"

Munch felt a lump in his throat. "You're not? I assumed because of everything that was said and the way you reacted when you saw Elliot in the warehouse..."

Nicole looked at him with tears in her eyes. "No. I was just happy that I was finally getting out of that nightmare. I wanted you the whole time, John."

Munch stood up from the chair and walked over to her. He placed his hand on her face and looked into her eyes. "I really love you, Nic."

Nicole slowly nodded her head. "I love you, too, John." But as she looked at him she started to cry. "I'm sorry I made you doubt me."

Munch pulled her into a hug. "Hey, it's okay. At least now I know I was wrong. But I just want you to be happy. Although, that's kind of hard when you're crying." he said and smiled at her.

That made her laugh a little. "Thanks, John."

TBC...