Summery: Halsten takes action against NCIS
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS
Halsten wasn't one to sit and wait. He couldn't stand being idol. So while he talked and thought and dreamt of waiting for the coming storm to blow over the simple reality was he couldn't just sit idly by and wait. Patience in his mind was a virtue of fools. It was better to take action.
In the end he really didn't care about the Grandmothers petty grudge against Jensen. Her thirst for revenge and impatience would destroy her. In that they were very similar. But Halsten was different in at least one aspect. He knew how to cover his trail. So while their end goal may be similar the methods of reaching it were different. He rather enjoyed putting his personal touch on things. Instead of sending someone else to do the dirty work for him, he did it himself. There was less room for mistakes that way. Because, as the Grandmother was rapidly learning, to trust someone was to allow room for weakness, it was to expose oneself to chance and risk mistakes. Risk, failure. Threat of punishment was powerful incentive for most people. But unfortunately the mere threat wasn't enough to protect her from human stupidity. There would always be errors when other people become your hands, and ears, and eyes; when you let someone do your work for you. He vowed right then and there that he would never be so foolhardy. That he would never let other people be responsible for his failures or his victories. That way when he took the reins and ruled the Family, if he fell, it would be no one's fault but his own and he would only have himself to blame. But he wasn't worried about that, because he never made mistakes.
He sat on the rooftop of a building across the way from Bethesda and watched as Johnston was wheeled into his room. The man may have been captured, and may have already told the fed's what he knew about the Family. If he had it would mean a sure end to the secret organization. But in the end what Johnston had done and what he had said matter little to Halsten. He represented a threat to Halsten's dream of power. As such he was a loose end, and loose ends needed to be tied up. More importantly than that though was the reward Halsten would gain from killing him.
Halsten had doubted at first, doubted that killing Johnston would benefit him. However after some reflection he had concluded that it would be worth it. Killing Johnston would toe up a loose end for the Family and put them in his debt. It would remind them who they could trust. Even though they couldn't trust him at all.
Conveniently enough, Agent Ziva DiNozzo husband was also located at Bethesda. He represented a very convenient opportunity for Halsten. He could eliminate Johnston and DiNozzo in one fatal run. He could kill two birds with one stone and have his revenge on Ziva DiNozzo at the same time. Now, was a perfect time for him to strike. Neither man had visitors, and was the hospital itself was rather quiet. It would be easy picking. Tony DiNozzo would serve as his message to the Family and to the world that he was serious. That he would no longer be subservient. That he was powerful, and capable and dangerous.
In theory he could have picked them off from where he sat. He had a clear view into both rooms from where he was positioned and he had the high-powered rifle with him. It would have been an easy shot for a man of his caliber in marksmanship. But he wanted to put a personal touch on this one.
Standing he slid his rifle behind and air duct on top of the roof and, checking to make sure his silencer was on, slid his pistol into his shoulder holster. It was risky bringing the weapon into Bethesda, but as a rule he never went anywhere without his pistol. It was an extension of him, a part of him and his primary weapon. Leaving it behind was unthinkable.
With his weapons secure and hidden beneath zip up hoodie he made his way down towards the hospital.
Ziva was tired, in fact she couldn't remember the last time she had been this tired. The case that had started with the investigation of the death of Jacob Jensen had spiraled out of control. It had turned into an all-out war against The Family and the Family certainly wasn't pulling any punches.
Thankfully now they had Johnston who was more than willing to tell them all he knew for the right price. That price had been his life. Johnston would walk away from this a free man in return for his testimony, a written statement, and all the knowledge he had about the family. He had gotten a pretty good deal.
Sighing she pushed the thoughts of the case away and resolved to enjoy the few hours she had off. She was going to visit her husband who was due to come home from the hospital sometime next week. Maybe once he came home, his constant complaints about the hospital food and attempts to convince her to bring him contraband from the outside world, would stop. But then maybe that was just wishful thinking. Smiling in site of herself she pulled into a Krispy Kreme to pick up his favorite donuts and coffee.
Officer Purcell yawned sleepily watching his partner as she paced the hallway outside the hospital room vigilantly. Her diligence and enthusiasm for her job annoyed him. She made him look bad to the higher ups. He was senior officer for heaven's sake he should be up and pacing and she should be lounging in the single chair provided them. However the situation was reversed he was slumped in the chair and bored out of his skull and she was doing her job.
"Sit down Dawson your wearing me out with your back and forth and back and forth…." he quipped, annoyed.
She glanced at him, hesitated then resumed pacing, meeting a male nurse as he turned into the hall with a lunch cart. He shrugged and closed his eyes quite happy to nap while she worked.
"Hold it. This is a restricted area" she commanded authoritatively, holding up a hand to stop him.
The man froze, looking from her to him in open confusion, "I have to bring the patients their lunch," the man replied finally his voice thick with a foreign accent.
"We'll take it from here….' Dawson said grabbing the cart. The man stiffened and tightened his grip resisting her when she tried to take the cart from him.
"No you do not understand. I must do it. It is my job." He argued looking terrified at the idea of her taking his cart away from him.
"Please release the cart sir," she replied adopting her more authoritative cop voice that she used when about ready to make an arrest.
Annoyed with the commotion that was interrupting his siesta Purcell cracked open one eye, so he could glare at the two of them. "Got any coffee on that cart?" he demanded obnoxiously.
"Coffee? Yes, why?" The foreign nurse replied still holding firmly to the cart.
"Let 'im pass Dawson" Purcell replied not bothering to explain himself.
"But sir…" she argued looking torn.
"I said let 'im pass….Unless you want t' be stuck behind a desk for the rest of your career…." He grumbled, anger and annoyance coloring his tone.
She hesitated for half a beat than reluctantly released the cart and stepped aside so the man could pass.
Slowly he wheeled the cart past watching her warily until he pulled abreast of the door.
"Hold it." Purcell snapped stopping him cold just as he was about to push the door open.
Pushing himself up Purcell reached over and lifted the tray cover, taking the coffee, cream and sugar, before carefully setting the lid back down.
"Go ahead" he said sitting back down.
The man opened his mouth to argue but at Purcell's warning look thought better of it and pushing the door open proceeded into the room. His partner was right behind him, pausing briefly next to Purcell long enough to fix him with a withering glare and say "I'm putting in to change trainers. Even working in evidence would be better than being partner with you." Than without waiting to hear his response, she followed after the man into the room.
Stupid, overly enthusiastic junior officers always made older more experienced cops like him look bad. Well if she wanted to transfer that was fine with him as long as he didn't have to put up with her anymore. With a sigh he sank back into his chair and took a contented sip of his coffee.
Halsten couldn't believe it had been so easy to slip past the cops guarding Johnston's room. The fat lazy one in the chair had been almost laughable. The woman on the other hand, young, green, and clearly inexperienced would be more of a problem. She at least was vigilant in her duty. She stood by the door, watching him warily hands loose and ready by her side as he pushed the cart over to Johnston's bed. Thankfully the man was asleep or he may have alerted the guards to Halsten's true identity. Still he took his time wanting to keep up the ruse as long as possible. Still the female cop didn't leave. What a shame, she would have made a good officer.
With the food properly transfer and set up he moved towards the IV tree next to Johnston's bed. With a few deft movements he adjusted the flow of Morphine into his system, increasing it dramatically. He increased it enough to stop the man's heart.
"What are you doing?" the officer demanded, crossing the room in two strides and resting a hand on his shoulder.
That was her first mistake. Halsten reached up and grabbed her hand, pinning it to his shoulder he spun and in a few rapid movements snapped her arm. She opened her mouth to scream in pain but Halsten was faster, he dropped her now useless arm, stepped in and slammed his hand against her throat, cutting off the scream and effectively breaking her trachea. She opened her mouth ineffectively, trying to make some kind of noise, staggering backwards until her knees bumped into Johnston's bed. She glanced back her eyes wide with alarm; another foolish mistake. By the time she looked back Halsten had closed the distance with her, using her imbalance against her he pulled her around into a sleeper hold and calmly waited for her struggling to stop. It didn't take long. She was already half dead when he had come up behind her anyway. She wouldn't have lived much longer with the damage to her trachea.
She slumped against him, now nothing more than dead weight. He dragged her into the attached bathroom and dumped her in the shower, than turned on the water. The water would help erase any traces he may have inadvertently left behind on the officer. It was a pity her uniform was getting wet. Reaching down he reverently closed her eyes with the backs of his knuckles, she at least deserved that much respect. Unlike her partner who was probably snoring in the chair outside the door. At least she had tried to do her job.
The moment passed and he headed back into the main room, being careful to lock the bathroom door beforehand. That and the sound of the water running would serve as deterrents to anyone who came looking for her; at least for a little while.
Purposeful and business like now, Halsten walked over to Jacobsen and checked his pulse. He was already gone. The Morphine had stopped his heart. Satisfied his task was complete he wiped down the tray of food and equipment with an alcoholic prep pad he had acquired from one of the operating rooms. Pushing the cart, which concealed his pistol, he headed towards his next target. The other officer in the chair didn't even bother to look up. He didn't question his missing partner. He just sat, long legs stretched out into the hall, sipping his coffee and reading a sports magazine.
Tony was sitting up in bed, idly flipping through the channels of the small TV fixed in the corner of his room, when the male nurse entered pushing the lunch cart.
"Hello Mr. DiNozzo," he greeted his thick accent doing little to hide the fact that he wasn't actually happy to see Tony.
"Hello Mr. Glorified-Bedpan-Changer… or do you prefer Mr. Scrubs instead?" Tony quipped, with good natured humor. Something about the man set off warning bells but he wasn't sure what. The nurse looked familiar somehow but for some reason Tony couldn't place where he had seen him before.
The man did not look amused. In fact he fixed Tony with an icy stare that could have sunk the Titanic. Tony swallowed nervously, giving the guy a once over. He was certainly intimidating for a nurse, the scrubs doing little to hide the swell of his muscles or the tightly coiled power with which he held himself. Tony swallowed wondering vaguely if they now hired nurses based on their ability to bench press cows. Because this guy certainly looked like he would qualify.
"What happened to Jessica, the other nurse? She was cute…. Listen if this is about the compliment I gave her, you should know, I meant nothing by it….in fact I'm married…." Tony stammered his unease growing as the man approached the side of his bed with the cart. Something about the way he moved and the intensity of his gaze warned him that the man was dangerous.
"You didn't happen to play for the Wildcats did you? Listen if I ever stole a shot from you in basketball I'm really sorry. But it was just a game man…." Tony continued trying to get the man to talk, trying to figure out why he looked so familiar.
The man said nothing he just worked silently and efficiently setting up Tony's food for him.
"Oh I get it…This is about my old pop's huh? Old man probably owes you money. He was in Cabo San Lucas last time I spoke to him…."
Still the nurse said nothing and his movements were now so precise and calculated that Tony had no doubt this man was not what he seemed to be. He walked around Tony's bed towards the machines that slowly fed antibiotics, vitamins, and painkillers into his system and started messing with the settings. That was when it hit him. That was when he remembered who the man was. Seen from a state of half-consciousness, delirious from blood loss, and pain it had taken him a minute to remember. Now it was hard to believe that he had ever forgotten. This man was the same man that had attempted to kill Chiara Jensen and his wife. This was the same man that they had run from for over five miles. This was the same man that had shot him.
"I know who you are now." Tony said softly. He could already feel the effects of whatever the man was doing to him.
The man didn't even bother looking at him, he just kept pushing buttons. He was increasing Tony's Morphine and disengaging his heart monitor. It would take them hours before they found out he was dead. Summoning his strength against the effects of the drug he reached over, attempting to pull the IV out.
The man turned and seeing what Tony was trying to do he clamped down hard on his hand, stopping him, just as the needle was coming lose.
"Now…now Mr. DiNozzo, none of that…." He chided quietly and almost gently returned Tony's hand to his stomach.
Tony didn't have the strength to respond. It was hard enough to keep his eyes open, and it was growing more and more difficult to breath.
"Sleep Anthony DiNozzo….your wife will join you soon." The man reassured gently and using a cloth he forced Tony's eyes closed.
The last thought Tony had before he passed out was of his wife.