Chapter 7- Decisions

Sergeant Christopher LaFaye was confused and dizzy. He was on duty at the Tomb. All was quiet until about six o clock. Out of the darkness it seemed, he'd been surrounded by a large group of fierce looking men. Before he had the opportunity to respond, he'd been knocked out with some kind of tranquilizer dart. When he came to, he was bound and gagged being supported on his feet by a man who held a gun to his head. His senses still muddled by the tranquilizer, he dimly registered that there were three men and a woman standing about fifty feet in front of him. Suddenly his captor began to yell.

"You are not playing by the rules NCIS! You were late. I get Leroy. There is no room for cheating in my game. So, you have one chance to do the right thing. Leroy comes with me and in exchange you get the soldier. What will it be?" Abdul was furious at his men's incompetence and NCIS' persistence. He wanted nothing more than to kill them all. No, thought Abdul. I will not kill them now, but there deaths will be very painful when they come.

Before Tony McGee or Ziva could respond, they heard the clear firm voice of Gibbs talking to Abdul.

"Okay. I'll come. But I need to know that soldier is alright first. On my honor, I swear I will go to you as soon as he reaches us."

"Fine Leroy. I trust your honor. Just remember, you shoot me and we all go up." Replied Abdul in a voice that was boarder line hysterical. With his words, he lifted up his shirt to reveal his chest, upon which wires were wrapped around and seemed to be stemming from a central pad over his heart.

Ziva swore aloud. Abdul smiled at Ziva's anger.

"Yes dear Ziva. You recognize this, yes? Go on tell your friends." Ziva remained silent, glaring at Abdul. "Tell them!" he yelled. He pressed the muzzle of the gun into the soldiers head, causing the poor man to whimper.

"It is a dead man switch. Connected to his heart. If his heart stops, the bombs whose keys are programed into the receiver go off." replied Ziva, disgust dripping from her voice as she continued to glare at Abdul.

"Very good, David. Now, give me Leroy or this man dies. Go on discuss, I will allow that much"

The team huddled up to discuss Abdul's terms. The three younger looked at Gibbs for direction as they had been trained to do.

"Well team. I'm proud of you. You've all done a fantastic job. But I have to go. That soldier cannot die because of this." Said Gibbs, offering his smirk of a smile at his team.

"No, boss, we can figure this out. We have to, we just got you back." Replied Tony rapidly.

"No, DiNozzo we are not thinking this out. That soldier cannot die. Now, give me your phone Tony." Tony looked surprised at Gibbs' request and did not react immediately. "Now Dinozzo! As soon as the coast is clear, McGee, you track this thing. Got it?"

"Y-Yes boss." replied McGee shakily. Gibbs' back was to Abdul and so DiNozzo slipped Gibbs the phone with no response from Abdul. The team took a step back and looked at each other for what like the last time. To everyone's surprise, Gibbs stepped forward and wrapped Ziva in his arms in a fatherly hug.

"Don't let him get to you. Not ever. You are stronger than he can ever hope to be. You just keep your head on straight. You'll make it." Whispered Gibbs into Ziva's ears. Ziva hugged him tightly and whispered back, " Toda, Gibbs."

Gibbs stepped back and gave his team another one of his smirks and turned to face Abdul.

"Send him back Abdul! I'm coming." Abdul told the the soldier to walk towards the group of people across the open plaza. He stumbled most of the way and eventually his knees gave way. He never hit the ground as he expected to. Strong arms caught him on the way down. When he looked up he saw the blurry image of the silver haired man holding him, wearing a smile that exuded warmth.

"You did good son. Rest now." Said the man. Christopher LaFaye lost his fight for consciousness as the silver haired man laid him on the ground.