"You hacked in yet, McFBI?" Tony leaned in to peek over McGee's shoulder.
"Back off Tony, I'm almost done. Just give me some room."
"Relax Tony, we are all worried," Ziva paced slowly behind the two other agents. Director Vance has subtly let the agents know that MTAC would be empty Friday night, and that with a little creative thinking perhaps the chatter over at the FBI could be hacked.
The team had stayed silent as they watched Gibbs retrieve a garment bag from the coat hook in autopsy and then head to his car. They knew he hadn't been invited to the FBI event that Abby and Fornell were attending, but with Gibbs they knew he didn't need an invite to attend. Abby's safety was potentially on the line. There was nothing Gibbs wouldn't do to protect her.
As soon as the elevator doors had shut behind Gibbs, Tony, McGee and Ziva had grabbed their bags and scrambled up the stairs to MTAC.
"Alright, I think we're in." McGee flipped a switch and the sound of FBI security echoed through the room. The majority of what they heard was various agents on guard, noting their position, and suspicious activity and then confirming that all was indeed well.
Once they hacked into the FBI communication channel, Tony had McGee pull the Ohio State game up on the large screen and mute the volume. Ziva opened her backpack and pulled out a bag of chips, pouring them into a bowl she found in the staff lounge, while McGee went in search of coffee.
The game ended just before nine and all three agents were nearly dozing off when the first bit of interesting news came over the line.
Does anyone on the floor have a visual on Miss Sciuto and Agent Fornell?
No sir, no visual from position one. The first answer crackled in over the radio.
I saw them step into the hall just a moment ago, looked like they needed a minute alone. A second voice answered.
Give them a few minutes then. Keep an eye on the clock.
"Alone time with Fornell?" McGee chuckled. "Something must be wrong if she needs alone time with him. Maybe she had to split up another Gibbs-Fornell spat."
"Did you see Fornell's split lip? Gibbs must have gotten him good." Tony smirked.
Ziva nodded in agreement. They chatted on a while longer, nothing new coming across the radio feed until a frantic voice made all three agents jump from their seats.
Shots fired in the storage room off the back hall. Send a call through to FBI headquarters. Initial report, two people shot. Back up requested for crowd control. Ambulance already en-route; Potential life-threatening injuries.
When the radio line disconnected, Tony swore and dug his cell phone from his pocket, dialing Gibbs' number as he paced. Gibbs' phone rang and then switched to voicemail. Tony left a frantic message for Gibbs to call back immediately.
As Tony dialed and redialed Gibbs, Ziva dialed Abby's phone, but when it went right to voicemail she knew the phone had been turned off for the dinner.
"We've got to get over there." McGee gathered his bag and stood by the door waiting for the others.
"We do not know if they are there, or if they are on their way to the hospital. Gibbs will call us as soon as he can. We have to wait for him." Ziva took control of the situation.
----
Gibbs' gut was uneasy about the man following Fornell and Abby around the corner. He was confident his friend would have the situation, should one arise, under control, but with Abby involved, he needed to be sure. He was down the steps from the balcony when Marie grabbed his arm.
"Wanna dance?"
"No." Gibbs shrugged off her arm.
"Oh, you know, I think you might be the man that this woman Abby was looking for earlier. She asked if I had seen someone, and you fit the description pretty close. She didn't say anything about you being so cranky."
"I saw her."
"I think she's with her date. You sure you don't want to dance until she gets back?"
Gibbs ignored her and wove through the crowd before ducking around the same corner he saw Abby and Tobias disappear around.
----
Marie frowned when Gibbs shrugged her off and turned back to the tables. She couldn't help herself but flirt with him, even though Abby had shown obvious interest, there was no harm in asking him to dance. Abby was with Fornell anyway, wasn't she?
She moved over to where Agent Cunningham was sitting, spinning the salt shaker on the table. He smiled at her as she sat beside him. He was about to say something when a voice cut through in the ear pieces they were both wearing.
Does anyone on the floor have a visual on Miss Sciuto and Agent Fornell?
"No sir, no visual from position one". Donny answered after a sweeping glance around the room.
"I saw them step into the hall just a moment ago, looked like they needed a minute alone." Marie added.
----
The force of the bullet caused Fornell to stagger backwards a few steps. He gripped his shoulder, trying to slow the blood that was soaking through his jacket. He wasn't sure if Vincent had meant to only slow him down or if he was just a bad shot.
Abby reached out to grab his uninjured arm and steady him. "You okay?" Abby pushed aside the fear that Vincent was still standing only feet from them with his gun.
"Yeah, went right through. I'll be fine."
"See!" Vincent shouted. "You care! You do love him. But he's right. He'll be fine; it's not him I'm here for. It's you."
"What did I ever do to you?" Abby snapped.
"Nothing. Pain will be quick for you, don't worry. I won't let you suffer. It's him that needs to suffer. He'll suffer through his grief the rest of his life. There is no escape from that. But for you, my dear, it will be quick. Don't be scared." Vincent took aim again.
Abby squeezed her eyes shut, letting out a soft cry as another gunshot sounded around her. She clutched her hands to her chest and fell hard to her knees.
----
Tbc..
I know how you kids like cliffhangers :P