DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

Ch 9

Sarah spent her time in the dark trying to accustom herself to her situation and surroundings. The chair apparently was out of reach and must be where 'he' would sit and watch her. It creeped her out how much he seemed to enjoy watching her. She didn't really want to even know what twisted thought ran through his mind. Yet, with nothing but the darkness surrounding her she found her thought drifting to the horrors that awaited her.

How long would it be before anyone would find her? She knew Tim was searching, but it seemed impossible that he could find her. Never a believer in the supernatural she wished she or Tim possessed telepathic powers. In order to block the images she spent what seemed like hours trying to send messages to Tim, hoping he could save her.

After pacing what little area she could over and over, hr body begged for rest. Deciding to give in and hopefully gain enough energy to fight if need be she crawled into the bed holding herself tightly for both warmth and comfort.

She heard him coming but remained still, hoping if he thought she was asleep he'd leave her be. The door opened casting that faint light into the room. She squeezed her eyes shut praying that he would leave again without coming too close. She heard his voice almost like an unwanted caress, "Sarah, I'm so glad to see you."

She wanted to scream. She could actually hear herself screaming in her head. Another voice broke off the internal screams. "NCIS. Get down." Gibbs? Was that him? Could it be possible? If he's really here than Tim must be too. Tears filled her eyes as she sat up arms around her knees. Figures moved in the doorway.

Two men fell to the floor as another figure approached her. Sarah pulled herself tighter until she heard the familiar voice of her brother's teammate, "It's over. We got him. He won't hurt you."

"Ziva?" Sarah questioned, still not believing it was real. All her hopes had seemed impossible to come true.

"Yes," Ziva answered, her hand resting on Sarah's head. Another figure came into the room as Ziva told her "It's okay, Sarah. Tim is here."

They saw Tony and Sacks pull the man out into the hallway and Tim came rushing to hold her.

Sarah clung to her brother sobbing as he told her again and again that it was over. She felt the binds on her ankles and wrists fall away and allowed Tim to lift her and carry her out of her dungeon.

She sat on the hospital bed with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The exam had been thankfully brief. She had been lucky, she knew that. He hadn't had time to violate her.

"Hey Sar," Tim greeted softly entering her room and sitting beside her. Putting his arm around her shoulders he held her to his side rubbing his hand up and down her arm. He kissed her temple. "How are you?" he asked his fear not quite hidden from his voice.

She leaned into his side taking all the comfort he offered. "I'm okay Tim. You found me before anything really terrible could happen. The worst was not knowing what he planned to do."

"I don't think any of us really want to know," Tim answered quietly. His eyes misted with tears of gratitude that his sister was safe and unharmed. He had no plans to tell her some of the horrors that they had uncovered in their search of the room and the suspect's home.

The room hadn't contained much, but on the table they had found a book filled with pictures of various women being tortured. It seemed to be an inspiration to the suspect whom they finally identified as Jason Carson.

In his home he had his own collection of photographs. Dozens of women dating back almost fifteen years. How Carson had managed to get away for so long they hadn't figured out, but he'd lived in seven different communities in that stretch of time.

His first apparent victim had been a girl from his high school that was very popular. He didn't stand out in school. He wasn't popular or involved in any groups. He'd had a handful of friends, but mostly he was barely remembered. When she had gone missing and was found a few days later, Jason wasn't even on the list of witnesses, let alone a suspect. As far as everyone was concerned he'd hardly existed.

By staying mostly to himself, but not overtly so, he was able to gain employment and move about in society as a 'normal' person. He was thought about little by his neighbors who considered him a quiet guy who kept his place neat and lent an occasional hand when they asked. Knowing he worked the night shift they didn't see him very often. Hearing reports of what he'd been arrested for was shocking and unexpected. None of his neighbors could believe it.

The evidence in his home though painted a picture that could inspire nightmares. Besides the photographs he had kept journals that depicted all his plotting, kidnapping, observing, torturing, violating and killing experiences. If there was ever a market for a 'how-to' manual for deviants he'd have made his fortune publishing it.

The FBI had taken control of the case and with Abby's help had sent out enough forensic markers to match his DNA to almost all his victims. Some victims had yet to be found and some had been dumped in places that had tainted any possible samples. Still having the photographs and his journals would be enough to connect him.

Regardless Jason Carson was going away for a long time. He refused to plead any defense of insanity. No one lacking mental capacity could've pulled off such atrocities for so long and not have left any trail.

He'd still be going about his old ways if it hadn't been for the fact he'd taken someone that had connections to law enforcement and that that connection had been NCIS who worked, from time to time with the FBI. As much as they all had hated for Sarah to have gone through the whole ordeal; they were all glad to have finally stopped the monster that roamed for too long among society.

Helping Sarah to her feet Tim held his arm around her as they walked out of the hospital to his car.

"Tim," Sarah said timidly as they were driving, "I'm really sorry."

"For what?" Tim looked sideways at her surprised by her apology.

"I didn't listen to you when you told me not to walk alone. If only I had," she sniffed as tears came to claim her again.

"Oh Sarah," he put his hand on her head which she rested on his shoulder.

"No, Tim," she shook her head wiping her tears. She sat erect again in her seat, "As glad as I am he's never going to hurt anyone else, I should've listened to you. I promise from now on I will." She looked at him willing him to see her determination.

"Okay I believe you," he gave her a smile. "Right now I'd like to get you home, so you can clean up." He knew he wouldn't hold her to that promise, but knew in her heart it was her way of trying to keep him from worrying about her.

Sarah nodded. Tim wouldn't hold it against her or blame her for what happened. She only had to find a way to forgive herself. Somehow with Tim's help she'd find a way. He was someone she could count on to always be there for her.