Haven't got a chance to reply to all reviews yet (and then the site went screwy). I will but maybe not this weekend. However, you have my sincerest thanks for all your kind words! :)
Hope you enjoy Chapter 15!
Tim hit the floor when the glass shattered. Pain shot through his arm and chest causing him to groan.
There was commotion all around him. The alarm from the shattered window blaring, people screaming and running, Gibbs on the phone ordering a lockdown. He was surprised that with all the noise that he could still make out the sound of someone moaning to his left.
McGee winced when he thought of Tony hitting the floor with his bad ribs. He propped himself up on his good elbow and looked around his desk. Ziva was now kneeling by Tony helping him slowly sit up.
McGee jumped when he felt a hand wrap around his arm.
"Hey, take it easy." He looked up to find Gibbs' worried face above him. The pressure around his good arm increased as Gibbs gently helped him up and into his chair. "You ok?" He asked studying him.
The pain had receded to a dull throb so McGee nodded. "Yeah Boss, I think so."
Gibbs nodded and looked over his shoulder. "You ok, DiNozzo?"
Tony, now sitting in his chair, was pale and trembling. Ziva's hand on his bicep, supporting him, was probably the only thing keeping him from keeling over. He looked ill, but managed to nod his head slightly. Ziva looked up at Gibbs and he shook his head reaching over to dial autopsy from McGee's phone.
"What the hell just happened?" Vance yelled from the top landing of the stairs.
"Shooter. I called for a lock down." Gibbs answered simply looking up before turning his attention back to the phone. "Hey Ducky, got two customers for you. Uh-huh. We'll bring 'em down." Vance had practically run down stairs and was now standing right in front of the broken window, staring and shaking his head. He grabbed two passing agent.
"The Yard is on lock-down. Find out what happened to this guy. I want him." Vance ordered. They nodded. Vance turned to survey the scene in the bullpen.
"Anybody hit?"
"No fresh injuries." Ziva reported. She pointed to the bullet hole in the wall. "There is where it ended up."
Gibbs grabbed an evidence jar and pulled out his knife. The bullet made a metallic clink as it landed in the jar. He narrowed his eyes before screwing the cap on and putting it in his pocket.
"I can drop this off to Abby after we get these two to Ducky. Leon how about a hand? I'll explain on the way down."
Vance nodded and supported one side of Tony while Ziva got the other.
"Are you gonna tell me now why there's a bullet hole in the front of my building?" Vance asked once they were in the elevator.
"Got a call, the guy wanted Josie Baird to be released and the whole thing forgotten, all charges against her dropped. Didn't seem surprised when I said no, obviously he was prepared for that reaction. He knew we were tracing the call too."
"Do you think he was trying to hit someone?" Ziva asked quietly.
"No." Gibbs succinctly recounted the brief conversation with the man. "He just wanted to introduce himself, make a point, hopes we'll cooperate in the future."
"How did he get on the Navy Yard with a high powered rifle?" Vance demanded
"Your guess is as good as mine."
Gibbs felt McGee beside him trembling slightly. Glancing over discreetly he observed how pale the younger man's face was before shifting his gaze to his senior agent. Tony was leaning heavily against the elevator wall, his eyes glazed over and his breathing shallow. Gibbs felt anger and a familiar paternal feeling well up inside of him. He kept it at bay, but let it build, knowing that anger would help motivate him later. The group exited the elevator and the door to autopsy swished open.
Ducky glanced up from his work and frowned as he called over his shoulder.
"Mr. Palmer, come help me clean off these tables and bring a box." Jimmy stuck his head in before disappearing for a moment and returning with a plastic mail bin.
"My apologies gentlemen." Ducky said quickly moving item from two of the tables into the bin Jimmy placed at the end of the table. "We were doing inventory. I didn't realize we would be needing the extra space. What on earth happened?"
"You did not hear the alarm?" Ziva asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No we didn't." He frowned and it only deepened as the situation was explained. Vance, Ziva and Jimmy got Tony up and lying down on one of the tables and Gibbs and Ducky helped McGee sit on the other. Ducky excused himself briefly to get his bag.
"Boss I really need to be upstairs running his phone to see if I can trace." He protested.
"You need to stay here McGee. There'll be time for that. Abby's gonna run the bullet first." Gibbs said overruling him.
"Agents are out looking for the SOB now." Vance assured.
"Are you expecting to find him Director?" Ducky asked entering the room again and sitting down his bag.
"Not really. He got into the Navy Yard with a high powered rifle. I'm betting he had a plan to get back out." He glanced at Gibbs. "Especially if this was only a warning. I just want all my bases covered. Don't need anyone saying I'm not even trying." He finished somewhat bitterly.
Gibbs grunted. "I'm going to Abby's lab but I'll be right back Ducky." Ducky nodded not looking up.
"Take your time, I doubt these two will go anywhere."
"They'd better not try." Gibbs said leaving.
"Ok," Vance sighed heavily, "I'll go run damage control upstairs." Ducky shot him a sympatric look as he walked out.
Gibbs got to Abby's door and was not surprised to find it locked. He slapped his open palm against the metal a couple of times.
"Abby! Abby, open up. Ab-."
Suddenly the door was yanked open and a black streak flew into his arms knocking him back a couple of feet.
"Gibbs! Oh my gosh, are you ok? What happened! All the sirens were blaring."
He held her for a few moments before prying her off and leading her back into the lab. She started talking again, at her usual rate whenever she was stressed or agitated.
"I knew this wasn't a drill, Gibbs, because I'm friends with the lady who coordinates the drills and she always lets me know when they're going to be so I know not to panic and so I don't have to actually quit working when I hear the sirens. But she didn't say anything this time so I knew it wasn't-."
"No Abby, it wasn't a drill." Gibbs interrupted. He pulled the glass jar out of his pocket and held it up.
"There was a very real bullet shot through the window upstairs."
"Oh my gosh! Was anybody hurt? Not McGee! Or Tony, or oh Ziva. Who Gibbs? Who was hurt? I will hunt them down and-."
"Abby! No one was hurt." He took her by the shoulders and led her to her chair. "No one was hurt but I need you to run that bullet as fast as you can."
She paused for a moment before vigorously nodding her head.
"Oh I will be fast Gibbs. You'll have it in no time!"
Gibbs took a seat, determined to stay with Abby a few more minutes to make sure she was fine and to give Ducky some time with Tony and McGee. Moments later an agent came in carrying an evidence bag.
"Abby-." He started. Abby held up her finger in a wait sign.
"You're going to have to wait JJ this is priority one." She said not looking up.
The agent glanced nervously at Gibbs before focusing back on the goth. "Abby this is from the Director; he said to bring it to you right away." He extended the package again and this time Gibbs could see there was a cell phone in it.
"Burn phone." He commented.
"Yes sir. Found on top of one of the buildings. Perfect shot into the building." He looked at Gibbs again.
Gibbs took the phone and studied it.
"Made the call and dropped it." Gibbs mused.
"Looks like." JJ said. "Director wanted anything you could get from it, Abby."
"I'll get this bullet running and then get on that." She promised.
JJ nodded and left. Gibbs gave Abby a kiss on the temple, then headed back to autopsy.
Tony was laying on one of the autopsy tables with his eyes closed. Tim was sitting on the other one, looking exhausted.
"Where's Ziva?" Gibbs frowned looking around.
"She went upstairs to see if she could do anything." McGee said. Gibbs grunted and turned to Ducky.
"What's the damage?"
"Well Anthony aggravated his ribs. I think it would be best if he went home."
"I'm not leaving." Tony said without opening his eyes or moving.
Ducky clicked his tongue. "And Timothy jolted his arm, and shoulder. I also think it would be best if he took it easy at home today."
"If Tony gets to stay I'm staying too." Tim protested. "I'm not even really hurt."
"Oh yes?" Ducky lightly touched Tim's arm drawing a hiss of pain.
"McGee I picked you up off the floor." Gibbs said rolling his eyes. He tapped Tony lightly on the forehead, just enough to get his attention, his eyes opened to slits. "Ducky is in charge of you two today. I don't want to hear any complaints." Tony nodded slightly, blinking heavily.
"Any news, Jethro?" Ducky asked putting away his things.
"Abby's running the bullet. They found a burn phone on the roof. Mostly likely the one he called me on."
"Hmm, I see. He certainly didn't waste any time getting rid of anything that could be traced to him." Ducky said thoughtfully.
"He left a bullet here, Ducky. Those are pretty traceable."
"Hmm…" Ducky didn't look convinced.
"What are you thinking? Is it too early to profile this guy?"
"A full profile? Yes, too early, but a little glimpse of himself…" Ducky trailed off thinking.
The ME had the full attention of the room. Even Tony had opened his eyes fully to focus.
"You said he suggested you run the bullet." Ducky clarified. Gibbs nodded. "He was proud of it, as though that bullet would speak for itself. I won't be surprised if this is his calling card or at least something by which he is recognized."
"You think he's a professional." Tony asked quietly.
"Well as the director said. He gained access to the Navy Yard in a post 9/11 world, with a sniper rifle. I doubt very seriously he is an amateur." Ducky smiled grimly. "Now the question I would really like the answer too is…"
When Gibbs looked expectant Ducky finished. "Are you going to let her go?"
Now it was Gibbs' turn for a humorless smile.
"I want to see what we're dealing with first."
"Be careful what you wish for Jethro. If this lady means anything to him, and today was any indication of his skill and determination, he will not likely be an enjoyable partner to spar with."
"Yeah well, neither am I."
The doors to autopsy swished opened again and Ziva strode in. "There is nothing else upstairs to help us." She said the frustration evident in her voice.
Gibbs nodded his head toward the door. "Go pay a visit to Josie Baird. Find out who the hell she called." Ziva gave a curt nod and turned on her heels to leave.
"Hey." Gibbs stopped her by grabbing her arm. "Be careful."
She nodded again and left.
"What do you want me to do, Boss?" McGee asked. Gibbs phone started ringing and he flipped it open as he answered.
"You do whatever Ducky says. Neither of you are any good, if your hurt. Yeah. Gibbs."
"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!" Abby yelled into the phone. "You have to see this!"
"I'm on my way Abby."
A few minutes later Gibbs walked into the lab to find Abby bouncing up and down excitedly. It was times like these she reminded him of a puppy.
"What ya got for me Abby?"
"Ok Gibbs, I haven't had a change to run the phone yet but the bullet….wow!"
Gibbs had rarely seen the forensic scientist speechless, she usually expressed her awe with a constant barrage of fact and observations, but all she was doing now was shaking her head.
"Wow, what Abby?"
"Gibbs! There are more flags attached to this bullet than there are at the Olympics. I mean…everybody is looking for this guy, just waiting for him to show up on the radar."
"CIA? FBI?"
"It would almost be easier for me to tell you who isn't trying to find him." Abby retorted.
"If that's what it takes to get the information from you." Gibbs said dryly raising his eyebrow.
Abby cleared her throat. "Ok, moving on. Thirteen countries, 21 different groups, CIA, FBI, even Mossad's involved and actively looking for him."
"Who is he?" Gibbs asked his brow knitting together in frustration.
"Don't know, it's all blocked." She said shrugging helplessly. "All I can see are the different agencies that want him." She turned back to her screen. "This guy is serious. The director is going to be dealing with a diplomatic nightmare probably," she looked at her clock, "starting now and then that super slimy Sec Nav will jump in and Kort is probably going to show up and maybe Fornell who actually isn't bad at all, and boy Gibbs, you are in for a lot of fun." She spun around and threw her arms around Gibbs.
"You're gonna need this." She said her voice muffled into his shoulder.
Gibbs smiled and hugged her back, untangling himself when his phone rang.
"Gibbs."
"Agent Gibbs." The voice sounded almost chipper, as if talking to an old friend. "I hope now you'll be a little more receptive to my offer."
Not a fan of the Sec Nav so I am letting Abby rag on him for me because that's what passive aggressive people do... :)
Thanks everyone so much for reading. Your kind reviews absolutely make my day.