So sorry for not updating sooner. School just started and I've been focusing on my other stories, but I haven't forgotten this one. So, on with the story.

TOML chp. 20

Terry stared off into space for five long minutes, contemplating what his father had just told him. Part of him couldn't believe that Lee and Palmer were the traitors and part of him didn't want to. In truth, He'd expected the traitor or traitors to be some one unknown to him or his family. Then it would have been a simple matter of hunting them down and doing what he did best. Finally Gibbs asked the question both men wanted to answer. "What do you wanna do?"

Terry rubbed the day old stubble on face and thought about the question. "Arrest them. Make them pay for what they did." He said with finality.

Gibbs looked surprised at his son's answer and said so. "You didn't want to when we were in Mexico."

"That was different."

"How so?"

"All I could think about was seeing Ziva in the bar, lying there, helpless and…." His voice trailed off. But Gibbs knew what he was saying. Because he'd thought the same thing.

Gibbs nodded. Nearly every federal agency or military unit had endured traitors. The CIA had Aldrich Aimes, the FBI Robert Hansen. The most notable of traitor's was, of course, Benedict Arnold, at the country's inception. The desire to kill was strong within both men. After all, their family's had been threatened. But still…

Finally he turned and faced his son. "You sure?"

Terry nodded. "Yeah. Now, hurry up and tell the director before I change my mind and take them out myself."

000

"And you promise not to kill them?" Abby asked for the fifth time.

"Only if they come quietly." Terry said. In truth, he hoped they resisted.

McGee walked in, carrying a folder. The team, and Mike, looked at him. "What is it, Tim?" Jenny asked.

"I have there address and addresses for both parents. Palmer also has a sister in Philadelpia."

"Name and address?" Terry asked. The director shot him a glare.

"Jennifer Nelson, 111 5th Street."

"Anyway to confirm that?" Jenny asked.

This time Ducky spoke. "Mr. Palmer gave me a copy of his address book, should I ever need to locate him." He left the room and returned five minutes later with a black book. Terry moved to take the book, but the medical examiner stopped him. "Let's make one thing clear, Terrance. If I give you this book, you will bring Mr. Palmer and agent Lee back, alive." Ducky said, his eyes telling Terry what would happen if Palmer and/or Lee were killed.

"You have my word, Duck."

"All right, then."

000

"So, what's your plan, probie?" Mike asked, thirty minutes into the drive from D.C. to Philadelphia. After McGee told them about Palmer's sister and Ducky gave them her address, Terry called a former Army Ranger he knew who was now a P. I. in Philly. The man, Joe Vasquez, had been a P.O.W in Iraq. Terry and his team were sent in to rescue him. After they were back on U.S. held Iraqi soil, Joe told the Special Forces operators to call if they ever needed anything. So, when Terry called, he was only too happy to help.

Vasquez and several of his employees had begun staking out the sister's residence within hours of Terry's call. Twenty-four hours later, Vasquez had confirmed that Palmer and Lee were in residence. Gibbs gave McGee and Mike the option to remain behind. Tim accepted because he knew Abby would never forgive him if anything happened to Palmer or Lee. She still hadn't accepted that they were traitors, and he couldn't blame her. After all, Palmer was afraid of Tony.

"Ask him." Gibbs said, jerking his head in Terry direction, not taking his eyes off the road. Which was a good thing, because he was going twenty miles over the speed limit.

Mike turned and looked at Terry. He was snoring softly in the back seat. Mike reached back and nudged him. Terry grunted, opened one eye and glared at Mike.

"Is there any reason you felt it necessary to disturb my God given rest, Mike?"

The older man only grinned. "You are the only person I know who can sleep while he drives. What's your plan, junior?"

Terry sat up and rubbed his face. "I haven't really thought that far ahead. Depends on a lot of things, really."

"Such as?"

"Number of hostiles, houses layout, that sort of thing."

"Tell me again, why are bringing them in alive."

Terry looked out the window and didn't answer for a moment. "I made a promise."

000

An hour later, the group arrived at a diner on the outskirts of the city. Terry left Mike and his father in the car, entered the diner and went to a booth occupied by Joe Vasquez. At 5'10'' and 165 lbs., the man hadn't lost any of the hardness instilled in him by the U. S. Army Rangers. When the group entered the establishment he stood and hugged Terry. "I'm glad you called. I was beginning to wonder if you took my offer seriously."

"Of course I did. I never turn down an offer for help."

"Here's a little more information, hope it helps."

Terry opened the file and scanned it. Then he looked up and grinned. "Yeah, it does."

"What these guys to do you anyway?"

"Tried to kill my wife and kid."

Vasquez nodded, that would do it. "Let me know how it turns out." He said, standing up. "Good luck." He extended his hand and Terry shook it.

"Give me a call if you ever need anything, Joe. I mean it."

"I will. Keep in touch." He said, turning to leave.

"I will." Terry said. He waited ten minutes, ordered two coffees to go and left.

"Where to?" Gibbs asked, as Terry settled into the back seat once again.

"111 5th street."

000

They parked a block from the house and disconnected the cars interior lights. According to Vasquez's intelligence, Palmer's sister worked nights at a local hospital.

"How do you wanna play this?"

"Mike and I'll go in the back, You take the front. We secure them, then we'll call the local office."

"Sounds good."

The three men were wearing bullet proof vest with NCIS emblazoned on the front, more to look official than for protection. Gibbs and Mike went through the backyard and Terry went to the front door. Terry waited five minutes and picked the lock. He moved through the house and they met in the living room. Terry pointed to a hallway and Gibbs nodded telling him to take the lead. There was an open door, a bathroom on one wall and a closed down across from it. Terry stopped in front of the door, raised his left hand and made a first, the signal for freeze. He listened and turned to the other men and held a hand to his eye and then two fingers, meaning her heard two people inside. Terry pointed to his sidearm and Gibbs nodded. He and Mike got out of the way and Terry opened the door, slowly so as to minimize noise. Inside the room, they saw Lee and Palmer sleeping, her head on his chest. Terry blood boiled at the fact that the people who'd almost killed his wife and son could sleep so soundly. He moved to the right, going to Palmer's side of the bed. Gibbs and Mike automatically moved to left. Terry extended his .45 and placed the weapon next to Palmer temple.

The autopsy gremlin stirred, then he saw a man standing over him, holding a large handgun. "Ahh!" He sat up and put his hands up simultaneously. "Please, don't hurt us! I'll give you whatever you want!"

"Lights!" Terry said, harshly. His eyes were adjusted to the darkness and he saw the recognition in Palmer's eyes. And the fear. The lights came on and Palmer's mouth opened and closed, much like a goldfish. Mike and Gibbs grabbed Lee, as she awoke, and pulled her out of the bed and cuffed her.

"I thought…I thought…."

"I was dead?" Terry asked coldly, "No such luck." Then, before Palmer could react, Terry pistol whipped him and his world went black.

000

Ha, ha! Take that geeks! Hope you like it!