A/N: Well, ladies and gents, its official. I got my first totally negative review today, and it was for a story I'd already completed. Just made me realize I should be thankful for all of you that continue to read my stories and send me encouraging messages. To my number one NCIS fans, Aserene, Hope06 and Lady Aracne, thanks for your continued and unwavering support.

Chp. 21

Lee and Palmer had been flown back to Washington and were now at headquarters. Gibbs had dropped Mike at the airport, and he was on his way back to Mexico. Jen had insisted that interrogating the two traitors could wait and that they all go home and try to get a few hours sleep in their own beds. It had been along week. She also sent to a security detail with Terry and Ziva, at Terry's request. After making sure his wife and son were comfortable, Terry tried to sleep, but there was simply too much to be done before he could allow himself to rest. He turned over and watched the two most important people in his life sleep. And in that moment, a part of him wanted to stay here and enjoy this moment. But then he saw tear stains on both his son's and wife's faces and he scowled. Most of the people who'd caused their pain were dead. Except two.

Terry gently lifted Ziva's outstretched arm off him and placed it around Collin, who was sleeping between them. She pulled Collin to her and he buried his face in her chest, but neither stirred. After grabbing his .45 from the nightstand, he went into the bathroom, shaved and showered. Then he dressed in a two button charcoal grey suit, dark blue shirt, and black shoes. He then searched his ties, selected a generic solid black one and put it on. After checking himself in the mirror and leaving a note for Ziva incase she woke to find him gone, he left the house and went to headquarters.

000

Terry arrived at headquarters to five his father and McGee already there. He grabbed a cup of coffee and went to the bullpen. "So, how to you wanna play this?" Terry asked, taking a sip.

"Good cop, bad cop?" McGee suggested.

"Sounds good." Gibbs said. McGee went to MTAC and Gibbs started to leave when he realized Terry hadn't moved.

"You coming?"

"Yeah. But, I've got a new plan."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow at his eldest son. "And that is?"

"You be bad cop. I'll be the cop from hell."

000

Palmer was sweating now. He'd read Terry's file before giving it to Nazeem Hussein. The elder agent Gibbs had always intimidated him. The man was just plain scary. But Terry… He would kill you as soon as look at you if you messed with him. Doctor Mallard had told him once that Terry lived by a code. You did NOT mess with his family, his friends or his money, in that order. But, the medical examiner had told his assistant once that Terry had said someone could rob him blind as long as his family was unharmed. Jimmy didn't want to think about what the man would do to him, or his wife. The door opened and Palmer jumped, startled.

"Hello, Jimmy." But was not one he'd expected.

Palmer looked up, shock on his face. "Doc…doctor Mallard." But he wasn't looking at his boss. His eyes were looked on the Walther PPK in the M.E.'s left hand.

"Did you come here to kill me?"

Ducky laughed bitter. "Mr. Palmer, if I'd wanted you dead, I would have given Terrence my blessing to kill you. No, I would much rather see you and agent Lee suffer for you crimes." Before Palmer could answer, the doctor closed the distance between them and pistol whipped his former assistant. Then he left the room. He went into the viewing room and found Terry and Gibbs. Ducky looked at his two friends with the saddest expression they had ever seen from him. "He's all yours, gentlemen."

"Duck," Gibbs said as the older man was leaving. The M.E. turned to his friend. "I'm sorry."

Ducky nodded sadly. "So am I, Jethro. So am I."

000

Sorry this chapter kinda short, but I thought this was a good place to end it. I will say this, this chapter does have some of my favorite lines.