Disclaimer in chapter 1.

A/N: For the sake of moving this story along, so I can finish it up and avoid more gaps I am moving the timeline up a few hours, and its long! Please review though so I know people out there still care, I love to get reviews.

Chapter 10

Cocina de Abuela

Mac watched as Harm sped the truck that they rented towards the Mexican border; it reminded her a lot of the time they spent in Afghanistan. She could see the border on the horizon, it took less then an hour for Harm and Mac to get off the plane and grab a rental. They could not take a military vehicle across the border, they also left everything behind that was military issue except their ID and gun, they didn't want the military to be connected with anything they did that wasn't by the book. The NCIS team was not waiting when they arrived at the airport and Harm and Mac did not wait for the team to arrive. Not even two minutes after they started to drive off in their rental did an agent from NCIS call them.

"Colonel Rabb this is Agent Latour of NCIS we are at the airport, where are you and the Captain?"

"I'm afraid Agent Latour that the captain and I are already on our way to Mexico, we can't afford to sit around and wait." Mac informed.

"Colonel if you would be so kind to pull over we will meet up with you as fast as we can." Agent Latour attempted to persuade.

"I can't do that Agent Latour you see I am not driving, and Captain Rabb and myself are not going to stop, we can't do that." Mac explained.

"Colonel I highly advise against this, it's against protocol…"

"With all do respect Agent Latour if the roles were reversed and it was your children you would not obey the protocol either, nor would you wait, I'm sorry." With that Mac hung up refusing to explain herself anymore and risk endangering their careers. She looked over at Harm, he had been silent since they arrived, and he was clearly occupied by his thoughts.

Harm slowed down as they approached the Mexican border, fortunately there wasn't that long of a line. He began tapping his hands on the steering wheel, he was anxious, he wanted to get to Palmer, he went to far kidnapping his daughters, and if he had gone so far to hurt the girls in anyway Harm doubted he would be able to contain himself. He looked over at Mac, she was right now looking out her window, Harm wondered how he could get Mac and the girls to safety, Palmer had already expressed interest in Mac, and Harm would not let Palmer to get the satisfaction of having his wife. No matter what happened to Harm, Mac and the girls had to be safe. He knew that Mac was capable of taking care of herself, but he still felt responsible for her, that Harm had to protect the women in his family. He wasn't sure what he was going to do once he crossed the border, he did not know where Palmer was holding his daughters, and he did not know where to go. It was their turn they pulled up to the border patrol officer, Harm and Mac both pulled gave their passports for the officer to check them.

"How long do you plan to stay in Mexico." The officer inquired.

"About three days." Harm lied; he honestly had no idea.

"And what is your business in Mexico Mr. and Mrs. Rabb?"

"Personal business." Harm answered, it was a satisfactory enough answer for the officer he handed back their passports.

"Have a safe stay, and enjoy your trip."

"Thank you." Harm put the vehicle in drive as he pulled away from the border, and into Mexico.

Palmer sat out on the patio under the cover of a table umbrella, he sipped his drink, and watched as the waves came crashing ashore, he was finishing his meal, it had been awhile since he found the time to relax like this.

"Senor Palmer." Carlos's voice interrupted Palmer's thoughts; he turned to see Carlos standing in the doorframe. "Senor Palmer, our San Diego contact just called. The Rabb's have already landed and rented a vehicle, they probably already crossed into Mexico by now." Palmer laughed as he finished his drink.

"Knowing Harm he is so anxious to get to me he probably is." Palmer moved from the table and went into the house, the old wood floors creaked under his feet, it was impossible to move about silently. He went to the monitors to check on the girls, both had finally fallen asleep, their exhaustion finally won, he would let them sleep for now he did not need them up yet. He picked up his pre-paid cell phone and dialed Harm's cell number.

"Rabb." Harm answered his phone.

"Harm so I hear you are in Mexico, I knew it wouldn't take you long to find me, tell me dear friend are you and Mac just loving the weather we are having today?"

"Where are you Palmer?" Harm snapped.

"Now it wouldn't be that easy now would it? Tell you what I am going to send one of my men, Carlos, out to get you, and to ensure his safety and mine I am going to send him out with one of your daughters. If he sees anyone other then you or Mac he will kill your daughter, and if you do not make it back here in time I will kill the other one." Palmer explained, knowing that he would have the upper hand.

"No, that won't be necessary, Mac and I will come alone, and I swear Palmer if you hurt either of my daughters…"

"I am tired of your threats Harm, now listen closely because I will only say this once. You are going to drive to Rosarito, there is a family owned restaurant called 'Cocina de Abuela', go to the back room, Carlos will meet you there. Remember he may have one girl, but I have the other one and you are on a strict timeline, totally alone, and on time!" On that note Palmer hung up, he looked over at Carlos.

"Take whatever men you want, and take Lucy, you know what to do." Palmer instructed Carlos nodded and went into the living room where some of the men waiting for instructions.

"Let's move out." He ordered the five men assembled in the room, the men proceeded out to the jeeps and Carlos went to the room where they were holding the twins. Palmer was standing in the doorframe; the light must have not bothered the twins, as they were still fast asleep. Both twins were curled up under their blankets he could not tell which one was which, so he decided to wake them up.

"LUCY." Carlos yelled, both girls jumped but only Lucy sat straight up, Carlos did not allow time for her to gain her bearings, he grabbed her and pulled her out the door.

"Nat!" She screamed Natalie sat straight up and a look of horror came across her face as she witnessed her sister being dragged out of the room.

"Where are you taking her!" Natalie demanded, in two swift movements she was across the room trying to intercept Carlos, but Palmer moved faster and was able to stop her.

"Lucy is going to go on a little trips to get your parents, you are going to stay with me." Palmer pulled Natalie close to him as he stroked her hair, Natalie pulled back and tried to run again, this time Palmer hit her, causing her to fall to the ground.

"NATALIE!" Lucy screamed as Carlos was forced to literally drag her out of the room. Palmer watched as Natalie tried to get up again, she was stubborn and independent just like her parents.

"You don't give up do you?" Palmer quipped; Natalie glared at him, as she moved again for the door, this time Palmer delivered a punch to the abdomen, Natalie collapsed to the ground, out of breath in extreme pain. Lucy continued to resist being taken, terrified of where she was going, and out of concern of being separated from her sister who was struggling to breath. "If she continues to resist you can do the same, but don't kill her!" Palmer instructed, Lucy heard this and discontinued her fight long enough to allow Carlos to pull her out.

"I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have too, so cooperate and I won't have too." Carlos instructed. Lucy was loaded into one of the jeeps where her arms were tied back and she was blindfolded, as they drove off towards the town.

Carlos and his men arrived at the restaurant before the Rabb's, Carlos had done a lot of business at the restaurant, and he paid off the family that owned it to pay no attention and ask no questions. He temporarily untied Lucy but was held tight between two men to prevent attracting attention. Carlos instructed the owner, Ramon, in Spanish if an American couple came looking for him that if they were alone to come to the back room and knock five times. Ramon nodded; he was a man in his early 60s that had seen enough in his life to know better then to question anything. He looked at the young girl between two of Carlos's men; she must have been American. She had brown hair; a sun kissed complexion, an European facial features. Carlos and his men and the young girl moved to the back room, and Ramon returned to the few customers that remained from the dinner crowd. Twenty minutes later a couple entered; the young girl was the spitting image of the two, who were no doubt her parents. The man was very tall, well built, with a pale complexion and brown hair and European features, while the women was slightly shorter, clearly in shape, tan complexion, and appeared to have slight middle eastern facial features; Ramon approached the couple.

"You looking for Carlos?" He inquired in broken English, he could see the couple was hesitant to respond. "I take you." Ramon led the couple to the back of the restaurant, his daughter and niece watched him as the cleared off the tables, they knew better then to question any business here, but normally they did not get Americans here. Ramon knocked on the door five times; he turned to address the couple.

"Carlos come." He informed as he stepped out of the way.

Carlos stood in the center of the room that was dimly light with a gun trained on Lucy; Lucy was tied to a chair and gagged with what was originally her blindfold. The five men were against the wall and hidden out of view as the Rabb's entered.

"Lucy!" Mac cried as she saw her daughter with a gun pointed at her, Lucy's eyes clearly showed fear as her eyes darted between her parents and the men hidden throughout the room. Mac and Harm noticed their daughter's eyes, but not in enough time as the five men emerged from the darkness they grabbed each of them. They tried to resist but heard Carlos cough, without a word spoken he gestured to the gun in his hand trained on Lucy. They both gave up as the men searched them, finding both of their guns.

"So nice of you two too join us, lets go have our reunion." Carlos laughed as his men led the family out of the restaurant. Carlos paid Ramon and followed his party out the door, as they got into the jeeps and left for the house.