TOML chp. 18

One of many Russian curses died on Terry's lips. He stared at the two men in front of him, silently wondering who they were behind the masks. He had a few guesses, and he prayed he wasn't wrong. Terry watched as both men removed their masks and stared at him, silently waiting for him to speak.

"Hey, dad, Mike. How'd you find me?"

"Not hard. Alamo's a big tourist attraction."

"How're the kids?"

"They'll be fine." Gibbs said, in a tone that said don't ask again.

"So, what's your plan?" Terry asked.

Both men fixed him with identical glares. Mike spoke first. "What gives you the right to know?"

"You ever consider that I did what I because it's better to lose one man than an entire team?"

"How noble." Mike said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

All three men lapsed into silence. Gibbs phone rang and he left the room. Mike and Terry continued to stare at each other. Mike knelt in front of the chair, which Terry was chained to. "You really messed up this time, son. You had them worried. Ziva could've lost the baby. You really want that little one's death on your conscience?"

Terry looked away. "Mike?"

"Yeah, kid?"

"Do me a favor and shut up."

Mike's fist connected with Terry's jaw.

000

Jenny busied herself, checking her e-mail, while keeping a watchful eye on her sleeping brood. Abby had, on more than one occasion, referred to her and Jethro as mommy and daddy. At first it had been a bit off putting and too imformal sounding, but she had grown to enjoy her role as team matriarch; as specially in light of the past year. Adopting Sam and Terry marrying Ziva had given the director a new lease on life, even if her son could be a little head strong at times. But it wasn't anything Jethro and Mike couldn't handle. After all, they were who Terry got it from, although Gibbs tended to blame her side of the family just as much. Her phone rang, bring her back to present.

"Sheppard."

"We got him, Jen."

Four words, eleven letters, three spaces. It sounded simple, but she knew it wasn't.

"Jen, you there?"

Her husband's words brought Jenny back to the present. "Yeah, I'm here. Where are you?" Gibbs gave her the address.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes. Wait for me."

"Bring Ducky with you."

"Why should…" Jenny started to ask but the line was dead.

Jenny left the suites living room and checked on her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson in turn. She left and note for Ziva and grabbed her purse. She left her Sig, instead choosing a Walther PPK. It had been a birthday present from Terry several years before. She made her way down the hall to elevator and stairwells. She debated which route to take, as both had their own inherent dangers. Finally, she decided to take the stairs, went down one flight, and found the doctor's room. She knocked once and waited until the door opened. Ducky looked surprised to see her. "Jennifer, come in, please."

"Sorry to bother you, Ducky." She said, entering the room. "You manage any rest?"

The older man smiled wearily. "A little. What can I do for you?"

"Jethro called."

"Ah. I take it young Terrence has been located?"

"Yes. I need you to come with me."

The M.E. looked concerned. "Is he injured?"

Jen looked away. "I hope not."

The doctor nodded. "I'll get my bag."

000