A/N: Y'all are right, I certainly do seem to enjoy hurting our boys, don't I? They're tough, they can handle it! Still don't own NCIS or any of its characters, you know the spiel. Please read and review! I love reviews! -abby

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"Where in the HELL are DiNozzo and McGee?!" Gibbs was pissed. His agents had left for lunch just before 1100 hours and it was almost 0100 already. While it wouldn't have surprised him too much if DiNozzo decided to take a long lunch, it certainly wasn't like his junior agent to be gone for so long without checking in. Gibbs again tried to call both of his agents' cell phones. No answer, just like the last several times.

Ziva looked up from her desk. "I do not know, Gibbs, I have not heard from either of them. I think I heard Tim say that they were going to the bank?"

She had barely finished speaking when suddenly several things happened at once. Abby came dashing into the bullpen just as Gibbs' phone began to ring. The forensic scientist opened her mouth to talk but Gibbs held up his hand to silence her as he took the call.

While listening to the person on the other end of his phone, Gibbs' blue eyes widened and then narrowed almost imperceptibly. His face darkened as he pressed his lips together in a tight line. Abby and Ziva instantly became concerned. They knew that face. That was the face of a very worried Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Sure enough, as soon as he hung up Gibbs faced the two women. "They did go to the bank. It got held up. The suspects just released eighteen other people but kept Tony and Tim as leverage."

Ziva could not help but gasp and Abby's eyes immediately filled with tears. "Oh my God, Gibbs, what do we do? Oh my God oh my God-" Abby began to panic but Gibbs grabbed her by the shoulders carefully.

"Take it easy, Abbs. Ziva and I will go find out what's happening. I'll call you as soon as we know anything, okay?" The lead agent dropped a gentle kiss on the Goth's forehead before turning to Ziva and instructing her to grab her gear.

A terrified Abby watched them go, her lower lip trembling and tears streaming down her pale face. "Bring them home," she whispered to no one in particular.

When Gibbs and Ziva arrived in the parking lot of the First District Bank, they were greeted with chaos. It seemed that half of the Metro PD was set up in the tiny expanse of concrete. Gibbs immediately zeroed in on the officer in charge and stormed over, Ziva following close behind.

Gibbs flashed his badge. "Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS. This is Officer David. I received a call that two of my men are being held in there." He nodded toward the bank.

"I'm Lieutenant Keller. Thanks for coming. Unfortunately there's not much I can tell you beyond what you already know - eighteen hostages were released about 30 minutes ago, according to their statements there are six armed assailants. The gunmen are wearing ski masks and have no accents or otherwise remarkable traits." The lieutenant paused slightly before continuing. "Your men may be injured. Apparently they were punished for interfering when the suspects were harassing some of the other hostages."

"How bad?" Gibbs asked gruffly.

The lieutenant sighed. "I'm not sure. As far as I can tell from the various statements, one of them was kicked and the other was hit in the head with a gun and knocked out. Twice."

Gibbs didn't need to ask which one of his agents that was. No one could make himself a whipping boy better than Tony DiNozzo. The lead agent sighed and scrubbed his hands through his silver hair.

"What can we do?" he asked the Metro lieutenant.

Keller sighed. "I wish I knew. I can't figure out what this guy's game is. According to the hostages, one of them is clearly the leader and he swings back and forth between being reasonably friendly and incredibly cruel. His robbery has obviously gone horribly awry but he's refusing to give up. Our psychologist and negotiator have been trying to get him to pick up the phone so they can talk with him, but he has only answered once. He disclosed your agents' names and then disconnected the call. They have been unable to reestablish contact."

"Now what?" Ziva sounded impatient.

"For the moment we wait," Keller replied, "and hope that these guys give up soon and let your agents go. They released the others, maybe they'll do the same with your men."

Yeah, right. Nothing is ever that easy, especially when DiNozzo is involved, Gibbs thought grimly. He just hoped that Tony and Tim could keep themselves out of trouble long enough for the situation to be resolved.