Chapter 3

Fair warning, Tim's got a tough road ahead of him in this chapter

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"Tim, I'm sorry, I can't believe-" Ziva came back to the living room to see that McGee was no longer on the couch. Traces of his cologne still hung in the air. Ziva pouted, realizing his leather jacket wasn't draped over the chair where he had left it earlier. "Dammit." She grudgingly placed her hands on her hips looking around her apartment for more signs of his departure, annoyed with her previous hasty display of anger towards him. Why couldn't she have considered what he was going through? She had realized that he was stuck in the middle of this situation, worried over both her and Tony, and now he was gone before she could come to her senses and talk it through with him, rationally before making any decisions they might regret.

She darted to the window over looking the street where his car was parked.

She gasped, horrified when she spotted Tim with his hands cuffed behind his back, restrained by two police officers, all happening just three stories below her window. One of the policemen had a gun pointed to the back of his head as the other checked Tony for weapons.

She grabbed her service weapon, keys and phone off the table, leaving her apartment to enter the stairwell in the hallway. When she exited the lobby, out onto the sidewalk she found Tony lying in a heap, struggling to sit up and Tim gone.

"Tony!" Ziva crouched down by Tony's side, as Tony managed to lean on his elbows, rubbing his head. He pointed to where the car had been seconds before. "McGee! Dearing took him-"

Ziva bit her lip, noticing the blood running down the side of Tony's face. "He was disguised as a cop?"

Tony repeated the liscense plate number. "Black Sedan, heading South."

"We have to chase them." Ziva tried to pull Tony up. "Come on, Tony. We can still catch him-"

"No, Ziva, I don't even have my gun. Go!" Ziva hesitated for a second, then ran towards her car.

"Dearing has an accomplice with him!" Tony called after her.

"Are you sure you want me to leave you?" She called, glancing back at Tony, just before she entered her car.

Tony waved off Ziva trying to control his nausea. "I'll call Gibbs! Be careful!"

The red, Mini Cooper zoomed past him. Tony groaned, speed dialing Gibbs' phone number. "Uh, Gibbs?"

"Tony? Something wrong?"

"It's Dearing. He took McGee...he took Tim, boss."

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Ziva gunned it, concentrating on the road. "I'm coming for you, babe. Harper Dearing won't know what hit him."

She was pretty sure she saw the glimpse of a black sedan turn right onto Hoover Street. She cautiously sped up to reach the turn, then slowed as she rounded the corner, locating a sedan up ahead, pass under a streetlamp. She tried to make out the license plate number but was unsure because of its far-off distance. The car was travelling at a high speed but kept within the legal limits; nothing that would bring any attention to himself. The traffic was light, so she had to cunningly use other vehicles for cover as she tried to eliminate the distance between them. She wished she were driving a different car, one that wasn't so noticeable; the cherry red was liable to draw attention and that made her nervous. She didn't know what Dearing would do if he knew they were being tailed. Could she be endangering Tim's life even more?

It was very late and any fatigue she had been experiencing had instantly vanished when she had caught sight of Tim's abduction. Otherwise, her eyes burned from crying, earlier as she tried to rub away the grittiness, hoping to improve her blurry vision. She fought to keep more tears at bay from worrying over Tim.

What a long night...

She focused on Dearings' car, wishing she could see something...anything through the windows but the glass was tinted. Ziva did her best to concentrate on the matter at hand; if she let herself worry over Tim she could jeopardize her attempts in saving him.

Why would Dearing take Tim and leave Tony behind? Ziva was beginning to believe there was a lot more to this story because none of this made any sense. She had thought previously Gibbs might be Dearing's main target...but now, that didn't seem to be likely. All she knew was that Tim, was in a lot of danger. Dearing was going to die, it was just a matter of time before someone took him down, and now that someone might be her. Whatever it took to save Tim she would not think twice before pulling the trigger.

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Gibbs found Tony, checking his cellphone while standing against the wall of Ziva's apartment building. Gibbs slowed down to stop along the curb as Tony fumbled to the car. He leaned down to talk to Gibbs through the open passenger window, "Gibbs, sorry, I didn't have my weapon-"
"Tony, get in." Tony jumped into the seat as the car quickly resumed to its previous high speed.

"Are you okay?" Gibbs glanced at the side of Tony's face as he drove, noticing the dried blood.

"Yeah, just a bit woozy. Not bad."

"There's an ice pack in the first aide." Gibbs nodded towards the floor of the car. "Thanks boss." Tony popped the bag, smiling as he pressed it against his temple, leaning back into the seat. Gibbs obviously, already had a destination in mind, checking his GPS coordinates.

"Where are you heading, boss? How do you know where to go?"

"Tim had found some evidence tonight, that may have revealed Dearing's location; a former home where he raised his son, Evan with his wife before they were divorced. I have a gut feeling that Tim was suppose to find that proof. I planned to make a visit to Dearing's privately, this evening; Leon gave me the go-ahead. But, apparently the bastard made other plans, because...well, now he's got Tim. This is not how I wanted this to go down...I did not want to involve the team. He may have a plan and it may involve taking Tim and me with him."

"Maybe Tim is bait...an assurance that you show tonight." Tony suggested.

"Could be."

"But, why Tim, boss?"
"I have a theory but it's a long story that is not relevant in rescuing him right now."

"I, uh, he said something, I didn't understand. He called Tim... someone special and dear to you?" Tony saw Gibbs' face drain of all color. "Does that mean something boss?"

"Yeah...it does DiNozzo, but...its a long story... probably not what you might be thinking. I will explain all that later but, right for now all that is important is we get Tim safely outta there, then we take down that son-of-a-bitch."

Tony closed his eyes leaning his head back against the head cushion. They drove in silence for a few moments.

"Can I ask what you were doing there, DiNozzo? And why don't you have your weapon?"

"Uuhh...story for another time, boss?"

"I'll know by then." Tony replied with a weak smile. Gibbs shrugged as he speed dialed Ziva's number.

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Ziva's cell rang, "Ziva."

"Ziva? Where are you?"

"I'm heading South on Govern."

"Ziva. Tim conveyed some new information to me tonight on Dearing. He has a good idea where he is now hiding out. The evidence wasn't conclusive, yet but judging by your location, it is a good chance that, that is where he is headed."

"Then I will take a different route so he will not see me pursuing him. I do not know how he would react if he found out I was. Gibbs, what is the address?" Gibbs repeated the location to Ziva.

"Ziva. Tony brought me up to speed on what happened in front of your building. I'm on my way to meet Dearing, so we're right behind you. I want you to know; Tim was hit on the head then they knocked him out with a hit of chloroform, so he may not be coherent when you find him. Keep us updated."

"Yes, Gibbs-"
"And, Ziva?"

"Gibbs?"

"Watch out for any signs of explosives; tripwires, booby traps, you know...his mo."
"Of course."

Ziva disconnected then set the coordinates into her GPS. She fell back a bit then detoured, hoping they were estimating correctly.

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McGee woke with a start, instantly wincing from the extreme pounding behind his eyes. He longed to rub his head for some relief but his wrists were tied so he just squeezed his eyes shut, finding some relief from the pressure he created.
A noise, like someone was doing... something nearby, fearfully forced him to squint his eyes open. A lit-lantern that was too bright for his sensitive eyes, hung nearby from a beam. He recognized the back of the other police officer that assisted Dearing, doing something over a bench, concentrating as he ignored Tim's waking presence.
Tim looked around; he was in a horse barn. Old hay was scattered over a dirt floor and old horse supplies still hung on walls and sat on shelves covered in layers of dust. There was a few stacks of old hay bails and large, cracked, plastic buckets throughout the building.
Tim's jacket had been removed, alerting him to the strong chill in the air. His hands were tied together over his head with a thick rope that was draped over a beam in the ceiling that crossed the length of the barn. He was hanging so that he was kneeling, his knees barely touching the ground's surface. He placed a foot on the ground to stand. His legs showed signs of weakness, as he struggled to stay upright but the fear of the vulnerability his body was positioned in, was stronger. He could now hopefully use his arms and legs to defend himself.

The man turned to face Tim with a sadistic looking blade in his hand, one that would stop, even Ziva in her tracks with awe.
"That's want I wanted to see. That terrified look in your eyes. I find it very pleasing."
"I just want to know what would possess you to work for that whack job, Dearing?"
"I'm being paid to do what I do best, and that is torture, Agent McGee. He is paying me well."

"Special Agent." Tim mumbled. "I hope you were paid in advance because Dearing doesn't have long for this world. He's a dead man walking."

The man smirked as he slowly walked closer to Tim, focusing on the point of the blade as he lightly touched it. "What do you know. He has an escape plan all worked out. You're...the one who isn't going to survive this, never mind Dearing."

"Yeah, right. If you really think you are going to get out of this alive you're a bigger idiot-" Tim tried to move out of the way of his captor's sudden kick to his stomach, but his reflexes were slow.

Tim struggled to catch his breath but his lungs were paralyzed, reminding him of when he fell off the monkey bars onto his back when he was small and he thought he was going to die,unable to catch his breath. He dropped to his knees, too weak to stand, letting the rope hold him up.

Now, he knew he could chalk up sarcasm as an unhelpful tactic to plea bargaining.

"You're kidding me! Wimping out already? I'm just beginning." The man pulled back his arm delivering a straight punch to Tim's face. Tim hung, dazed then spit blood, looking at the man with disdain in his eyes.

"Where's your team? Where's Gibbs? Doesn't he even care?" The man punched him in the face, again. Blackness fought to overcome him.

The stranger unbuckled his belt then whipped it out of the loops of his pants. He quickly wrapped it in his hands then whipped Tim with it, the buckle stinging his chest. "Bet I had you there, for a moment. But, that's one thing you don't have to worry about...I like women."

"Shh...yeah. Bet they're really in to you, too." Tim mumbled.

The man circled, as Tim desperately tried to keep him in his sights, adjusting his knees to follow him. He struck Tim's back a few times, not giving him a chance to catch his breath. Tim could feel the cool air becoming stronger as his shirt ripped open, tearing more with each blow. When there was a pause, Tim tried to get his breathing under control, his head hung from exhaustion.

Tim placed a foot on the floor but was punched in his side for his efforts, staying on his knees. The man came up from behind slowly and quietly. "You must hate not knowing what I have planned next."

Tim turned his head and received a warning kick in the leg. He felt the back of his collar tugged down then a sharp pain as his back was pierced followed by the warm flow of his blood. Tim tried to stop himself from trembling, the combination of the cool air and the fear overcoming him.

The man grabbed Tim from behind, placing the blade, inches from his eyes, so he could see its point in his peripheral vision. "I could carve your eyes out so this would be the last you ever see before you die." He dragged the point down his cheek as Tim shook. "Or, I could just stab you in the belly and let you bleed to death, slowly." Tim felt a sharp pain in his stomach as he closed his eyes shut, with a grunt; praying for his team to save him.

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Ziva turned off her headlights as the car rolled to a stop on the side of the road just before the driveway of Harper's estate. It was a ranch, situated out in the woods and isolated from neighbors. She did her best to conceal the car in the thick of the trees that lined the forest. She grabbed her cell phone and Sig. She traveled through the edge of the woods; the moon and the interior lights of Dearing's house guiding her the rest of the way to his property, as she scanned the area while quietly approaching. When she neared a fence boarding the property she stopped to get a good look.

Dearing's car was parked in front of a large ranch house. There was a good-sized horse barn, situated about 40 yards from the home. The lights were on and she could see movement through the dusty windows.

A porch wrapped around the front of the house and it had a big yard with trees scattered throughout. She hid behind a post, a part of the white fence that bordered the property.

She dialed Gibbs' number for an update. "Gibbs where are you?"

"Five minutes away. Sitrep?"
"I am within view of his home, surveilling from the fence that borders his yard. I parked in the woods, on the side of the road, at the beginning of his driveway. The farmhouse is lit up as well as the barn located on the property. I see action in the barn but not in the house. I do not know yet, where they are keeping, McGee. I will investigate the barn first."

"Ziver, be careful. He won't think twice about taking everyone out with him." Ziva disconnected then proceeded towards the barn.

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When Gibbs and Tony neared the estate, Gibbs dropped Tony off by the side of the road before pulling into the long driveway.

"Boss are you sure this is something you have to do alone?"

Gibbs ignored the plea in Tony's eyes. "Ziva said she was going to check out the barn first because she saw movement. I have a feeling Tim is locked up in there. You get Ziva and Tim out of here! Don't worry about me! Got it?"
"Yeah, boss I got it." They nodded towards each other then Gibbs watched Tony take cover. Tony waited until he entered the home before he proceeded .