Gibbs' cell phone rang on the way back to the Naval Yard. He glanced at the caller ID briefly, not surprised that it was coming up on 1830 and Jenny was still at work.
He answered the call. "Hey," he said, his voice heavy and soft, something Jenny didn't pick up on right away.
"Jethro," she began bluntly, "do you want to tell me why Will and Aaron won't let me out of their sight? I'm being smothered by my security detail and I have a feeling you're behind it."
"Jen..." he started, but she wasn't done.
"And why am I grounded to the building? I had a tentative appointment two hours ago but Will firmly suggested that I plan to do it some other time."
"Tentative means it can be rescheduled, right?" Gibbs pointed out.
"Jethro." His name was the only thing she had to say to convey her annoyance.
Gibbs sighed. "Jen, the guy who took those girls is still out there. First a kidnapping to get my attention and then Abby gets a subtle threat?" He shook his head. "No way I was going to let him have a chance at getting to you."
"Oh." In one word he could hear the change in her attitude. "I'm sorry Jethro, I didn't think about that. I guess I can handle the babysitters for awhile then."
"Thank you," he breathed in relief, glad she wasn't going to fight him on this. He was silent for a moment. "How are you doing Jen?" Gibbs felt bad that he hadn't asked before. "With the case and all?"
Jenny took a deep breath. "The girls are safe, your team is tracking the man who did this, you're making sure I'm protected." She tried to smile. "I'm fine Jethro." She paused. "Yes...it brings up a few unwanted memories. But nothing I can't handle"
Gibbs could hear what she didn't say, the strain in her voice, the careful way she worded all her answers. "We're on our way back now. Call if you need me Jen."
"I will. Stay safe Jethro."
"Don't worry Jen." It was a hollow reassurance because he couldn't promise anything and he knew nothing could prevent her from worrying. But it was the best he could do for now.
McGee practically met them at the elevators when they got back. "Hey Boss," he began, "remember that specialty work boot print that Abby identified earlier?"
Gibbs nodded, though the revelation felt like days ago instead of merely hours.
"We were able to trace it to the manufacturer and then to the distributer. It turns out that they were purchased by a man named Craig Dean. And here's the best part," McGee smiled proudly. "He was doing some roof work for the Shorey's last week."
Gibbs' face hardened. "Get him in here!"
McGee stepped aside and gestured in the direction of the hallway. "He's pacing in Interrogation as we speak."
The nod he got from his boss was as good as a gold star to Tim. But the, "Good work Tim," was even better. All three agents and one currently under protective watch forensic scientist jumped up and followed their boss. This would be a show worth watching.
From the viewing room, the four teammates looked on as Gibbs walked in the door. Craig Dean turned around, an impatient look on his face.
"Finally. Will someone please tell me what's going on? I get dragged in here by armed federal agents and wait for an hour just for someone to show up - what do you think I did?"
Gibbs laid down pictures of the girls. "Jasmine and Gabriella Shorey. They look familiar to you?"
Craig stared at the pictures. "Yeah, of course. I did some work on their house last week. Cute kids." He looked up, startled. "Did something happen to them?"
Gibbs slammed his hand on the table and the man across from him jumped. "You tell me. We found your custom work boot prints at the crime scene this morning. You helped Sam Rush kidnap those little girls. Now you're going to tell me where he is."
Craig's eyes widened. "No way man, you got this all wrong. Sam who? I didn't do anything to those girls. What kind of person do you think I am? I remember seeing them in the yard with their parents, it was fun to watch them running around and playing. They look like the kind of family that really love each other, you know?"
The picture of the boot print was on the table next. "Care to explain that one?"
He was silent a minute and finally shrugged. "Look, I know it sounds like something everyone says, but my boots were stolen, about three days ago. I was really ticked off too, they're expensive. I don't know how someone got them out of my locker, I have the only key."
The hardness of Gibbs' stare was enough to make anyone squirm, but the man said nothing more. And Gibbs suddenly remembered how, caught or not, they never could figure out how Rush got his items on board the Navy ships. The man moved like a ghost and left no trace. He closed his eyes as the truth hit him. This man wasn't an accomplice, they were being set up. From the beginning this whole case had been one big game to Rush, no matter the consequences. And they were playing right into his hand.
He shook his head at the window and moved to leave. "You're free to go."
Ziva watched the two men for a brief second before they all hurried out to the bullpen. "That was one of our only leads. Craig is telling the truth. Now what?"
Tony sighed. "Now we go out there and do whatever Gibbs tells us to. It's going to be a long night."
NCIS
Gibbs was too agitated to sit. He stormed down the hallway, really wishing he could put their suspect's head on a bull's-eye. He hated being played. Looking towards the upper level, Gibbs sighed and decided to go update his wife/boss on the situation. Jenny met him just before he made it into her outer office.
"Jethro," her expression was relieved, "I just heard that the team got back. The girls are okay?"
He nodded. "Safe at home with happy parents and round the clock security until we end this."
Jenny glanced over her shoulder. Will hadn't followed her out of the office when he saw who was standing there, but from the other end of the hall, Aaron was still keeping a close watch on her. She took her husband's hands.
"Can I do anything?"
Gibbs shook his head, his thumbs caressing her fingers. "This guy is as slippery as an eel Jen. We're not going to have an easy time tracking him down, he had this planned out well before today. But no one goes home until we have him in cuffs." Or in Autopsy, he thought grimly. He definitely preferred that option right now.
Jenny looked at her watch. "I was thinking about heading home, it's been a busy day. I've been in MTAC for most of it and on the phone for the rest." She offered him a small smile. "But I can stay, if you'd like."
"No." Gibbs was adamant on that point. "Go home Jen. You'll be safe there. But I want the agents to stay with you. I don't want you alone until I come home."
Jenny thought about protesting but she understood why he was acting like this. The fear of something happening to someone else he loved was rooted deep in his experiences. There was no way she could talk him out of it and right now she didn't even want to. She agreed with a nod of her head.
"Thank you," he whispered, lean forward to kiss her cheek. Then he pulled open the outer office door. "Gregory," he motioned to the agent down the hall, "Samuels."
Both men joined him, standing just to the left of him and Jenny, waiting.
"The Director is going home shortly. Due to the increased threat level, I want one of you in the house and one on perimeter until I get there. Her regular nighttime detail will be across the street as usual in case you need back up." His eyes bored into each of theirs. "Keep her safe."
"Yes sir." What else could they say?
Gibbs looked at his wife and quickly hugged her. "Got a bad guy to catch. See you later Jen."
Jenny's hand briefly cupped his cheek. "I'll be waiting Jethro. I love you."
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "I love you too." Then he was down the stairs and back to ordering agents around as they hunted down their suspect.
Jenny watched him for a minute, then turned to the two men standing quietly behind her. "Take me home please," she requested softly, hoping her husband would join her there soon.
NCIS
The moment Gibbs' feet entered the bullpen again, McGee and Abby were ordered back down to the lab to recheck all evidence and start from scratch tracking Sam Rush's movements since he got out of jail, but specifically for the last month. Somewhere something would have to break and they would get him before he hurt anyone else.
Tony and Ziva were making phone calls and tapping away at their computers. As partners, they always had each other's backs, but Gibbs still decided to make that part mandatory.
"DiNozzo!"
"Boss?"
"Rush is on the loose and targeting me and those I work with. So until he is found, everyone is using the buddy system." His tone brooked no arguments. "If this guy isn't dead or in custody by dawn, we're going to have to take a break. But no matter what, you and Ziva don't leave each other's line of sight until I say so. I don't care what you're fighting about. Got it? And I want your weapons where you can reach them all night," he added like they didn't know the rules.
Tony and Ziva shared a look and both nodded. "Got it Boss," Tony answered for both of them. This was so unlike Gibbs. He was always cautious about his agents, but rarely to the point of being paranoid about everyone's safety. McGee was sticking to Abby like glue, and now he and Ziva were practically going to be attached at the hip for the foreseeable future. Clearly this case was affecting Gibbs more than most, if he didn't feel like any of them were safe. Tony knew Gibbs was never going to say he was worried, but all this protection stuff was the closest they were going to get to seeing how much he really cared about them.
After issuing the order, Gibbs dropped into his chair, wishing he could collapse on the desk for awhile, but there was too much to do. A minute later, he looked up again.
"You two, go to the prison and get those statements I mentioned earlier. Talk to anyone who might know something. I want you back here in two hours."
Tony gave Ziva a half-grin. "Gear up."
Ziva glared at him and Gibbs wished he was close enough to headslap his senior agent. But that was Tony and some days there just wasn't anything that could be done about him. For that, Gibbs was strangely grateful.
NCIS
Just over an hour later down in the lab, Abby had reached the limits of her patience with her protection detail.
"McGee!" she exploded finally, as she was examining the evidence for fingerprints and fibers, "Stop hovering!" She waved her hand towards her office. "Go...play with Bert or something."
"Sorry Abbs," McGee looked apologetic, "I'm not going anywhere, Gibbs' orders. My butts on the line if you're further away than I can reach."
Abby might love this man, but right now he was in her personal space, she was trying to work and he was driving her crazy! "Your butts going to be on the line if you don't give me some space!" Abby muttered darkly at him. Finally she gave up when McGee didn't move. "I'm going to see Gibbs."
"Not without me," McGee insisted, not backing down at the glare she gave him. "Sorry Abby, but you're not Gibbs and that doesn't work."
Abby strode quickly towards the elevator. "When things are back to normal around here McGee.." she threatened, leaving it unfinished until she decided on an appropriate punishment.
Tim just leaned back against the wall of the elevator and watched her. He didn't like Abby's name being mentioned in anything related to a suspect anymore than Gibbs did. His order to not be more than two feet away from his girlfriend at all times was just fine with him. As long as she didn't kill him for the concern later.
NCIS
Everyone was gone, busy or just out of line of sight, which left Gibbs with a quiet moment alone in the darkened squadroom. His mind went back to the boat over and over again and it made him sick to think how close they'd come to being too late to save the girls. If they hadn't left when they did, if Ziva hadn't noticed the trip wire, if she hadn't known how to diffuse the bomb or it had taken longer...the girls might not have made it out alive. Rush clearly had intended for that bomb to cause their deaths, not expecting the NCIS agents to put the pieces together so quickly.
The truth that the girls were safe at home with their grateful parents did not wash away all the what ifs that were haunting his mind. Gibbs reached for his wallet, and slid a small, faded photo out of the back. It was Kelly in third grade, her last school picture before he'd fought in Desert Storm. He turned it over slowly and tried to smile. In large, childish letters, she'd printed a simple message. To Daddy, so you know I miss you when you're not at home. Love, Kelly. He sighed heavily. Some things in life were deeper than regret.
Abby watched quietly from the other side of the squadroom, not wanting to interrupt his moment until she saw the anguish in his face.
"Oh, Gibbs," she cried softly, walking over and leaning down to hug him tightly. "I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Gibbs patted the arm around his neck. "S'okay Abby." He could never tell her how much the memory of Kelly haunted him some days. Abby needed to be reassured that nothing affected his love for her. "I was given another 'little girl' to take care of. And I couldn't love her more if she was my own." He looked into her eyes as he said it, wanting her to know it was the truth. She smiled just a little and hugged him again.
No one noticed Jenny, who is watching the scene from the balcony. She'd been planning to go home awhile ago, but as she was packing her things, remembered a few last things that had to be done before she could leave. Jenny smiled, knowing Gibbs and Abby both needed this moment.
Out of necessity, they had become family. Out of love, and perhaps because with Abby, there was no other choice, Gibbs had allowed her to become another daughter to him. Jenny was sure that if his heart had healed at all after Shannon and Kelly had been taken from him, Abby's being there must've been part of it. Just like the rest of the team, they took care of each other. She captured the moment in her memory before turning and following her security detail out.
Gibbs looked around the dark room and frowned. "Where's McGee? I told him..."
"Right here Boss," McGee was quick to pipe up from a desk behind the partition. "I know it's a little more than arms reach, but I figured you didn't really need an audience."
Abby sighed. "I told him he didn't have to follow me around..."
McGee cut her off. "And I told her that you scare me more than she does Boss."
Gibbs had to smile. "Good. Don't forget that McGee." But inside he was thinking, that's only going to last until you're married, then your wife's opinion will always have to matter more than mine.
To Abby, he tried to explain. "Humour us for tonight, okay Abs? We just want to keep you safe."
Abby rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine, but don't make a habit of it."
Gibbs kissed her cheek. "Good girl. Now get back to work."
Abby grinned. "Aye, aye Cap'n." She waved her hand at McGee. "Come on Timmy." He jumped up to follow her and she linked her arm with his. "There's no way this guy is smarter than both of us. Let's find where he slipped up."
McGee leaned over and kissed her temple once he thought Gibbs couldn't see them anymore. "Whatever you say Abbs."
She patted his arm like he'd just given the right answer. "As it should be Tim, as it should be."