This has not gone the way I original planned it. This chapter could be better but I wanted to get another one out there before too much time had passed since the last one. My eyes are giving me problems at the moment so that may reflect more than usual in my writing. It happens from time to time. Sometimes I cannot even sit by the computer because of it.

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Tony hurried inside after having showed his badge to the man on guard outside Kate's apartment. He winced when he saw the blood on the door. He proceeded to glance around the hall and when he heard Gibbs' voice he made his way to the living room. He took one quick look. "What the hell happened?"

Gibb responded to Tony's voice without turning around. "Kate witnessed a murder and the killer chased her back here."

Tony heard the thick emotion in Gibbs' voice. "I'll get to work then."

At that moment Gibbs was grateful Tony had not asked anything more. He turned and watched his agent do just that. Get to work.

Tim entered the apartment and took a deep sigh as he continued inside. "Boss, Tony." Tim simply nodded to the unknown man in the room with Gibbs. He noticed that his boss seemed to have aged since the last time Tim saw him.

Gibbs watched as Tim kneeled down next to Tony. They had both composed themselves better then Gibbs had himself earlier.

"Tony?" Tim waited as Tony looked at him "What happened?

"Kate saw someone getting killed and the murdered chased after her. God knows where she is now so we have to get moving McGee."

That was all Tim needed to know as he moved out to start with the front door.

Neither man would know about the pride Gibbs was feeling at that moment. He knew both men were concerned about Kate but they didn't let that get in the way of working so they could find her.

Darkness. It was darkness all around her. Her head was pounding to such an extent she had trouble focusing. She blinked slowly but still darkness. Slowly she tried to sit up only to fall back against the hard surface. There was a hand on her shoulder and she jerked to get away.

"I don't want to hurt you Kate."

She opened her eyes to see him sitting on the floor next to her. "It's too late for that David."

"Couldn't you just have left it alone?"

She shrugged slightly. "I heard a noise. A scream and I had to investigate. You know me."

"Yeah, I am afraid I do. I don't know what to do now Kate. I don't want to kill you."

She snorted at that. "You've already killed so why not?" Why the hell had she just said that? There was no response from his this time. "Why did you kill him?"

"He knew I am the one who killed Ruby and Sam."

Kate froze. It was him? Damn it! Where were her profiling skills? "Why did you kill them?" It was a mere whisper. She heard a deep sigh.

"Sam knew the truth about me and well he told Ruby. You know they used to hook up?"

What had she missed? "What truth is that?" Her voice continued in a low tone.

"I am not a vampire."

Kate thought for a moment he was joking. When she saw he was serious she sat up although her head protested when she did so. "That's why you killed them? Because they knew you weren't vampire?" Her tone was hard and loud. She watched as he got up and started pacing.

"You don't understand. It meant everything to me. Besides it wasn't just that. Sam and Ruby did not deserve to live. They were drug users and they even sold it. They needed to be punished. Finding out I was not who I said I was just an extra motivation to actually kill them."

She was not sure if it was because of the pounding of her head that she didn't quite understand him. Then again she was not surprised. This man was not the David she had known.

"Karl just found out I killed them so I had to kill him. Besides I never liked him so no biggie."

Kate just stared at him. She really had not known this man at all. He stopped pacing to look at her.

"I really do not want to kill you. You are a good person and I know you would never tell anyone that I wasn't a vampire."

She blinked as she studied his face. The way he kept jumping between motives for his killings made Kate so unsure what to believe. With a swift move he walked away from her and soon she heard a door slammed shut.

Kate fell back on the floor and closed her eyes. There had been determination in David's eyes. He might not want to but he was going to kill her. She just hoped she would be found before that.

….

Gibbs made his way to the bullpen as Abby came rushing into his arms. "We will find her Abby." He knew very well what was on her mind.

Hearing those words made Abby withdraw and she nodded as she did so. "I know. We will. I just had to hear you say it." Ever since she found out about Kate she had nervously waited for him to return. Knowing his words, as always, would calm her down. Well, at least calm her down a little bit.

Gibbs patted her back. "Go to your lab. McGee will be there shortly with evidence for you."

Abby sniffled. "I will not let Kate down." She would not let one of her best friend's down. That was not an option.

"I know you won't." He kissed her forehead before heading to his desk. Abby had actually made Gibbs feel a little bit better and more resolved, if that had been possible, to concentrate on finding Kate. He sat down in his chair and closed his eyes. "Where are you Kate?"

'Where am I?' Kate wondered as she looked around. She still had trouble seeing in the darkness so for now she gave up trying. She put hand to her forehead wishing the ache to go away. Then a door opened and then there he was again. When he didn't say anything but just continued to stand there next to her Kate decided to speak.

"I want to say goodbye." She opened her eyes to see his reaction and as predicted he looked confused. "You say you don't want to kill me, you like me so at least you could do for me as let me say good bye to my friends." Without a word he left her again.

She studied her healed arm. It hurt a bit. Must have been when he restrained her. She saw the red markings on her wrists. She tried sitting up and although with a still heavy ache in her head she managed. She blinked heavily as she then tried to stand up. She fell back a bit and steadied herself with something in front of her. Where the hell was she? There was a very empty basement she was now looking at. At least she thought it was empty. It was dark and her eyes still had trouble focusing. Wherever she was she knew she didn't have much time.

…..

"The blood on the front door came from the murder victim Karl Groser. The handprint was a bit smudged and the killer was wearing gloves. I might be able to get an ID from it but don't bet on it."

Gibbs sighed as Abby continued.

She turned around to face both Gibbs and Tim. "The blood in the hall came from Kate."

Gibbs had suspected as much but he hated being right at this time.

Tim closed his eyes briefly reminding him that there had not been that much blood.

"However, it was not a big amount so she most likely is not badly injured." She knew the two men would already know that but she wanted to be sure they knew. Also she wanted to say it one more time to convince herself.

"I am afraid that's all I got for now." She returned to work on her computer knowing time was important.

Tim looked at his boss. "So is Tony is still questioning witnesses to get a sketch of the killer?"

"Yeah." That was all Gibbs said as he made his way out of the lab. He almost crashed right in to Ducky.

"Jethro, is there anything I can do? I feel so helpless doing nothing." Ducky noticed his friend's face. Gibbs was taking this hard.

Gibbs put a hand on his old friend's shoulder. "I know how you feel Duck, but right now there is nothing you can do. Just be ready, when we find Kate she might need you." Gibbs may have said it but he hoped he was wrong.

"Yes, of course." He watched as Gibbs headed to the elevator. Ducky hoped whatever powers were at work they would keep Kate safe.

She was once again seated on the floor. She still couldn't get over the fact that she had totally misjudged David. He was a killer. Her head was pounding less now but it still hurt. She heard some noise and was soon joined by David once again. "That was quick."

"You wanted to say goodbye?"

"Yes." Something in his voice made Kate cringe. It was hard and cold. He was clearly putting a distance between them. She realized it was so he could kill her easier. For the first time since she had been abducted Kate started to fear him.

Tony was in a bad mood as he strode into the bullpen. "Nothing boss, I got nothing." He spit out angrily as he reached Gibbs' desk.

Gibbs did not want to hear that. "What do you mean? You have to have something?"

"No, I have several different versions of how the killer could look like. None matches the other. They all gave me different ideas of how they thought he looked like. I don't think anyone of them really saw him." He threw the notes on Gibbs desk and not waiting for a response headed to his own desk.

Gibbs took the notes and glanced over to Tony. He did not like the defeat that had come with Tony's voice. "We can't give up Tony."

"Did I say I was giving up?" Tony knew he sounded angry but he didn't care. He knew Gibbs wouldn't take it personally.

Gibbs decided to look at Tony's notes. It would do no good in arguing now. He knew why Tony was angry as he himself felt the very same.

She was alone again. She wondered why he had not killed her yet. Because he said he liked her? Still that did not help. She knew too much so he had to kill her. Kate shook her head. It did no good in thinking like this. She thought of Leo and Marcy. They would be ok. They were strong kids. If nothing else she knew her friends would be there for them if they needed it. She was certain Gibbs would look after them. Not that they really needed it. "Damn it Kate!" Why was she thinking like this? She couldn't give up. Maybe, just maybe Gibbs or someone would pick up on what she had done. If not, then perhaps this was the last hours of her life.