AN: Thank you, thank you, thank you, for the wonderful support and reviews.
"Why are you trying so hard? They're not coming for you. They don't know where you are, and they're not going to try all that hard to find you. Not after your actions killed your partner."
McGee's head was bowed. He drew in a deep breath through his nose, trying his best to keep his emotions under control.
"They're planning his funeral."
Tim flinched at the words, his mind filling with the awful images of Tony lying in a casket.
"They'll be able to have an open casket, since the bullet didn't go through his head."
McGee swallowed back a wave of nausea at the words and then scrunched his face in confusion at the tiny drop of water that landed on his leg. He hadn't even realized he was crying. But there it was…proof.
Ah, Probie. I knew you'd miss me.
"Help us, and we'll find a way to let you see his service…You can say goodbye."
McGee watched as another little drop landed on his leg. He took a deep breath once more and blinked away the moisture in his eyes before looking up at Tom and speaking.
"You know, Tony was…a good man, a good agent. And he was brave. It was easy to underestimate him, but that was what he wanted." His voice was low; rough from his yells, but still steady. He studied Tom's face, which showed frustration and impatience. A grim smile crossed McGee's face for a split second before he continued. "If he were in my shoes, Tony would never give in to your demands…I am not Tony. And I know that you did not expect me to last this long."
Tom leaned forward, eagerness entering his expression.
"The reason for that is, since Tony is...is dead, I feel like I must honor his memory." McGee's mouth twisted up on one side, "Which means I will not give in. I will not help you. Ever."
McGee watched as Tom's face darkened. The punch to his jaw knocked his head to the side and rocked the chair with its force. Then Tom spun back around to the table, his hands hovering over the little console McGee had come to hate. He twisted a dial and McGee felt his stomach drop in fear.
"If you won't help, then maybe we'll just end this now!"
He pressed the button and McGee screamed louder than he ever had. Tom didn't make it last long, just a few seconds, but it was more than enough time for McGee to realize this was it. Tom was done messing around. The voltage was too high and his body would simply not be able to last.
Tom waited until McGee was able to meet his eyes. "One…last…time…Will you get us the files?"
It was strange. Little snippets of McGee's life were flashing in front of his eyes. His parents, his little sister, Gibbs, Kate, Ziva, Tony, Abby…His mind lingered on her longer than the rest before he came back to that dark room, to the pain, to Tom and his question.
This really was it.
"I will not."
"Very well. Goodbye, Agent McGee."
His hand lowered and he pressed the button.
AN: Hi...that was short and had a little bit of a cliffhanger, I think. I was going to put up a second chapter, but realized I had written myself into a corner. I'll get the next chapter up as soon as I can, which means it may come before next weekend, if you all don't mind. Let me know what you thought!