Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS.

5/30/12 – Repost – I just re-read this today and discovered several errors. I hate errors, so I'm reposting.

A/N: Shout out and many, many thanks for all the reviews. A special "Boy Howdy" and some freshly baked virtual chocolate chip cookies go to moira4eku for being my 100th reviewer. I was so excited for my first 100 review story. Thanks!

And a virtual latte of her choice to Ibinkeybella for making me laugh out loud with her comment in her review about breaking all the coffee pots so Gibbs will stay "bare." You all rock my world.

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Twisted Brother

Chapter Thirteen

"Introducing Ziva McGee"

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NCIS Headquarters: Gibbs was totally silent for a moment following the sound of the gunshot. Mehi had hung up as soon as the reverberations of the shot had ended. The last thing both Gibbs and Ziva David had heard was his laughter in the background.

Ziva's eyes were huge as she looked at Gibbs. "He did not just? I mean; tell me Gibbs—that was not Tony or Tim he shot, was it?"

Gibbs shook his head and seemed to get his bearings. "Doesn't matter David. Let's get down to Abby's lab. We have a job to do and we have to be ready in an hour."

Gibbs would not let himself dwell on what they had heard. Just because he'd heard a shot did not mean one of his agents was dead. He had dealt with this kind of person before and knew they got off on the anguish they inflicted, whether it was physical, mental or emotional. Usually they liked it best when it was all three. He was not ready to face the possibility either of his agents was gone. He simply would not allow that.

"Ziva, I don't think we need to share this latest with Abby. I'll analyze the tape of our conversation; Mallory or Jenkins can help me if needed." Jenkins was on permanent loan from Balboa's team and he had a great deal of experience with computers. In fact, Tony often called him a "McMini-McGee" whenever the two teams had to work together.

Gibbs was already at the elevator and motioned for her to hurry up. Ziva shook off her shock and once again became the very efficient agent she was. "So, Gibbs, I am guessing that I am going to become Sarah McGee, yes?"

Gibbs managed a slight grin as the doors shut and he punched the button for the basement. "Yup. Good thing the two of you are close in size. I doubt this Mehi has ever seen her, so I think you'll do just fine."

The next hour and 10 minutes was spent turning Ziva into Sarah. Abby was only told that Mehi had called and wanted to exchange Sarah for an agent. Sarah herself was brought in and added several helpful ideas. Ziva's biggest challenge was her hair. She hated to cut it, and really did not like the idea of dying it to match Sarah's dark auburn color, but agreed. Inside her head, she told herself that it was for her partners and would be worth it. Fortunately, her hair was only about 4 inches longer than Sarah's. Abby enjoyed playing hairdresser and managed to work magic. When she was finished, and Ziva stepped out of her "salon," the results were really quite astounding.

Sarah McGee was about 2 inches taller than Ziva, so she wore shoes with lifts in the heels. Her clothing was quite different than the college student, but Sarah gave advice and they managed to come up with clothes that were similar to what Sarah wore, and that had the added advantage of a hidden seam in the cargo pants where Ziva was able to conceal a small, but deadly knife. By adding a pair of glasses which also had a hidden transmitter in them, allowing NCIS to see whatever Ziva was looking at, she suddenly looked the part of McGee's sister. Not satisfied with the one transmitter, however, Abby worked some more and to Ziva's astonishment ordered her to strip. But before the startled agent could protest too much, Abby held up a very special bra, with a very small tracking device inserted carefully in one of the straps. "That way, even if you break your glasses, or the creep takes them away, we'll at least be able to find you, Ziva." Abby suddenly drew the smaller woman into a fierce hug. "I'm not losing someone else!"

Meanwhile, Gibbs and Jenkins had been working on analyzing the tape of the phone conversation. Gibbs had hoped to identify something in the background that would give them a clue as to where his missing agents were being held, but there was only silence in the background. Silence and the sound of Tim's voice as he cried "No!" just before the gunshot rang out. So at least now Gibbs knew which agent may have been killed. He also decided to keep that information to himself; though he knew he would have to share it with Ziva. He prayed he would never have to share it with Sarah or Abby.

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DiNozzo: Tony had hoped he would never have to wake up and face the truth—that Tim, his partner and friend, was dead. Though Tony knew they all faced death every day, and logically, somewhere deep inside himself, he understood he was no more responsible for this than he had been for Kate's death; it didn't feel like that. When Kate had died, they had been together on that rooftop and any one of them could have taken that bullet. But in this case, he and Tim had been alone and somehow Tony felt he should have been able to protect his probie. Now he wouldn't ever have the chance to tell him how proud he was to have the younger man as his partner, and how much he admired him. He regretted that most of all.

If Tony hadn't been so sick and if his fever hadn't reached a new high, he would have been able to think more clearly and realize that as cruel as Mehi was, he was just as likely to try and make him think McGee was dead, just for the added suffering it brought. But his fever had continued to climb while he was unconscious and he was unable to form his thoughts as coherently as he usually did. His own coughing had brought him awake and now he was in the corner of the stall, having pushed himself up to a sitting position. He kept Tim's bloodied shirt next to him; not knowing if it was somehow bringing him comfort, or if he just felt the need to look at it and remember how he'd let his partner down.

An hour or so after he had wakened, he heard the door being unlocked again. He barely raised his head, being too sick and too sick at heart to care what was going to happen next. But when he heard Mehi's voice, he managed to compose himself and raise weary eyes to look his persecutor in the face.

"Just thought you would want to know. Gibbs is sending Sarah to me now. I'll let her spend a little time with you before I kill her, so you can explain to her how her brother got killed in your place. Gibbs might think he's getting you in exchange, but it's not going to happen." Mehi came over, followed by one of the men who worked for him. "On your feet, DiNozzo. We're moving you. Sarah will join you later."

Tony continued to stare balefully up at the man, but made no effort whatsoever to try and rise. He knew he didn't have the strength and he had no intention of making anything easier for the murderer.

However, Mehi wasn't deterred. Both he and the other man reached down, grabbing one of Tony's arms. When they yanked him to his feet, Tony thought he'd pass out from the pain, but unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect. He felt his senses sharpening and though he tried to keep his lips tightly sealed, he could not stop the grunt that escaped his lips.

After that things were a bit of a blur for the wounded and sick agent. He remembered being hauled out to the van and thrown in the back. He must have passed out, because when he came to, he was being dragged into another building. This one seemed to be some kind of a deserted ammo bunker or some other type of concrete building. He wondered briefly why he was being moved, but didn't have much time to reflect on it before he was dumped on a hard, cold floor and heard a door being closed and locked. Wishing this would all just be over, as another round of coughing rocked him with knife-like pain and brought up more blood, he huddled in a corner, trying to prop himself up. He could not remember ever being more miserable in his life. And he missed Tim; gods how he missed his partner and friend.

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NCIS Headquarters/Abby's lab: Gibbs returned to Abby's domain, and even he did a double take as he saw Sarah McGee standing in front of him. And next to her, was what looked like her twin sister. However, it was impossible for anyone who knew her to mistake Ziva David for anyone but Ziva David. Her attitude was unmistakable.

"Abs," Gibbs turned toward the excited forensic scientist who was beaming at him. "You did great. I almost can't tell them apart." Turning toward his agent, he motioned with his head for her to follow him. "With me, David." But before he got two steps, he heard Abby's angry voice behind him. "And where, exactly, do you think you are taking my creation, Agent Gibbs?" she demanded. "If you think I'm letting you leave without me this time, think again!" Abby's voice was strong but he could hear a hint of tears in it.

Turning toward the young woman who could be his daughter, he held his arms out, and she rushed into them, all anger now gone. He rested his chin on the top of her head. "I promise you, you'll be there, waiting. I need you in the surveillance van, to get everything set up. But for this exchange, it has to be just Ziva and me. Trust me, Abs."

As if on cue, his cell phone rang, and he gently released her. "Gibbs," his voice barked into the phone. "Where do I meet you?"

Mehi's voice sounded almost amused. "Anxious, aren't you Gibbs. Seems a bit odd to me, that you're willing to trade a lovely young woman like Sarah McGee for the likes of him." Gibbs heard what sounded like a scuffle, followed by a grunt of pain. He closed his eyes; he would recognize Tony's voice anywhere. Glad he had not put the phone on speaker, he refused to rise to the obvious bait.

"Do you want to do this thing or not? I can still change my mind if you don't really want her." He let the coldness of his anger seep through. It must have gotten Mehi's attention, for the man was suddenly all business.

"Don't bother trying to trace this call. I throw these cell phones away as soon as I'm finished with them. You and Miss McGee, only, meet me in exactly two hours and 10 minutes at the coordinates I'm sending to your email account. I will search the car and if anyone else is with you, or I see any other vehicle anywhere in the distance, I'll simply kill your agent on the spot. Do you understand?"

"Got it," Gibbs voice was equally business like voice. He hung up as he heard Mehi's laughter, followed by the simple words, "Don't be late."

"Abby, log onto my email account. He's sending coordinates. I need the fastest route there. I have a feeling he won't have left any room to spare."

Mallory had come into the lab, and exchanged a look with Gibbs. At Gibbs' nod, he turned on his heel, calling back as he jogged toward the elevator, "I'll have your car brought out front." He and Gibbs had already discussed the likelihood of how the exchange would go down. Mallory had been working with Balboa and they had installed a tracker inside the headrest of the passenger seat, in case Mehi decided to destroy the GPS system.

Abby quickly logged onto Gibbs' email and they all stood watching it anxiously for close to 10 minutes before a new message popped up. Vance, alerted by Mallory, had come down to the lab and he and Gibbs were quietly conferring as they waited, planning for how close the van with the surveillance equipment could safely get. Ziva found herself once more in the role of comforter to Sarah McGee, hoping the young woman would not ask her what she thought her brother's chances were. But Sarah seemed to have a sixth sense about all of it, and asked nothing. Or maybe, she simply was not ready to hear an answer to her unspoken question.

As soon as humanly possible, Abby accessed the email, printed it out and simultaneously sent directions to both Ziva and Gibbs' phones, as well as the GPS in the car. She turned and looked Gibbs' in the eye, handing him the printed instructions. "You promise me? You'll bring my boys home?"

Gibbs took the paper, handing it off to Ziva. He hugged Abby once more; then gently pushed her toward Sarah. "I promise, Abs. Now, get everything ready, make sure someone takes care of Sarah until we get back, ok?" He lifted her chin and she could not miss the determination in his eyes. With a wave at Vance and another nod, he followed Ziva, and they hurried to the car. Gibbs got into the driver's seat without a word to her; he knew what he was asking of her. And he knew she'd give her life to get her partners back. She was that kind of agent; and she also still felt she owed Tony and Tim something more for coming after her in Somalia.

Mallory stood and watched as the car tore out of the parking lot; wishing he was going with them. But he held fast to the promise Gibbs had given him earlier. "You'll be there when we bring him down. I'm counting on you Bryce. I need to know you can do this." Bryce had not hesitated; even knowing what Gibbs was asking of him. "I won't let you down, boss. If I have to kill the bastard with my own two hands." Then he hurried to join the team that was already getting into the surveillance van, planning to follow as closely as they dared.

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DiNozzo: Tony had been surprised when Mehi had returned not long after he'd closed the door. He'd been even more surprised when he saw that the man had a cell phone out. Mehi's two henchmen had gotten him to his feet, and helped him outside. Apparently, the cell coverage wasn't too great inside the bunker. Tony made himself stay silent as he listened to the one sided conversation. He knew without even thinking about it that Gibbs was on the other line. And suddenly, he also knew with a fresh clarity that Gibbs would not endanger Sarah McGee. He couldn't quite make his brain understand exactly what was going to happen, but he trusted Gibbs. As he concentrated, listening, trying to hear his mentor's voice, he heard what he needed to hear. Confidence. Defiance. He continued to listen and trust as he was forced to his knees and as a kick was administered to his already abused ribs. He couldn't stop his grunt of pain, but he figured at least Gibbs would know one of them was still alive. Though he still believed Tim was dead, he knew now that he had to do everything he could to live. Tim would be angry if he thought he was just going give up. And Tony knew that if it was the last thing he did, he'd avenge Tim's death.

As soon as Mehi finished the conversation and snapped the phone shut, Tony was taken back to the locked room. But he had a purpose now. Mehi would pay; one way or another, he would pay for what he'd done.

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Gibbs and David: Gibbs said very little to Ziva on the drive. He knew the agent already understood what she had to do, and he knew she was aware she would have as much back up as he could provide. As much as Gibbs trusted anyone, he trusted Ziva. She had proven herself, first when she had killed Ari, and then finally, when she had defied her own father and officially joined his team. And he suspected her relationship with DiNozzo, was at the least, complicated. He doubted if either of them completely understood it, but he knew they would each die for the other.

Gibbs drove like the demons from hell were pursuing him. Perhaps in a way, they were. They arrived at the appointed meeting place a good five minutes early. Both got out of the car, leaving their doors open. Ziva popped the trunk and sauntered a few yards away. She had her head down, trying to get into character. Inside she was seething and wanted to take someone apart, piece by piece. But she knew she had to appear docile and frightened. A few deep breaths and she managed to convert the shaking her anger was causing her into what would look like fear. Nodding once at Gibbs when he lifted a questioning brow in her direction, she knew she was ready.

Gibbs deliberately drew his service weapon, leaning nonchalantly against the back of the car. They did not have long to wait. A dark van with no plates and no identifying marks on it approached, and came to a stop about 50 yards away.

For the space of a few heart beats, nothing happened. Then the drivers' door opened and a man got out. "You Gibbs?" he shouted, shading his eyes to look their direction. "I am." Gibbs was calm, and made no move to approach.

"Got something for you. But first, send the woman this way." The man was sullen, insolent. But somehow, Gibbs knew it wasn't Mehi.

Gibbs nodded at Ziva, who began trudging toward the van, glancing back repeatedly, as if reluctant to go. "Go on, Sarah. It's for Tim." Gibbs' voice carried to the man waiting at the van. As Ziva got closer, the henchman held up a hand, then got back into the van. Pulling it forward, he drove the remaining 20 feet until he was beside her.

The cargo doors on the side of the van opened, and a body was rolled out. At the same time, another man jumped out behind him, gun trained on the apparently shaking and frightened young woman in front of him.

Ziva needed no prompting now. "Tim!" she called, making sure her voice carried back to Gibbs. "Tim, no!" She fell to her knees beside him, ostensibly pulling him close to hug him. In reality she was checking to see if he had a pulse. As she pulled his head onto her lap, she was incredibly relieved to see that he was warm and pliable, not stiff and cold. There was an obvious head wound, which had bled freely, but he was very much alive. Before she could do more, she was yanked to her feet and pulled backward into the van.

Screaming and struggling, she fought to go back to her supposed brother. But the doors closed on her and she allowed herself to fall back, and dissolve into helpless sounding sobs as the van sped away.

Gibbs quickly closed the doors and trunk lid, cursing himself that he hadn't realized Mehi would not be the one making the exchange. He got into the car and drove to the man who was lying so still on the ground. As he got to him, jumping out and dropping down to check for himself if his agent was alive, his phone rang. "Nicely done, Jethro." Mehi's voice rang with insanity. "You've just exchanged a dying man for his living sister. And you'll never see her or DiNozzo again. Unless you count the pieces I plan to have delivered."

Gibbs didn't bother to respond, instead snapping the phone shut and checking McGee with practiced ease. He could see he had suffered a severe beating and had been shot. A head wound, one that looked damn serious. McGee might be alive now, but he had no idea how long that would last. Gathering the man up, he carefully placed him in the back seat, then sped away toward help. Calling 911, he ordered an ambulance to meet them and called in life flight as well. As soon as that call was finished, he glanced once more into the back seat, gratified to see that the blood still sluggishly oozed from the graze across the side of Tim's head. "Dead men don't bleed Tim. You just keep on making a mess; that's an order."

His next call was to the team waiting 10 miles away. "Ducky. Got a patient for you. Ambulance should be arriving about the same time I am."

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A/N: Okay, this chapter is a little shorter than I had hoped, but I wanted to get something posted tonight. You have all been very patient. Hope to have the next chapter up in a few days. Thanks for reading and reviewing.