Chapter Five

Geordie, Damon and Rob enjoyed their breakfast and coffee and were just having a second cup when Sarah wandered downstairs. "Everyone ok? They get there yet?"

"Yes and yes. Have some breakfast, there's a plate in the oven for you."

"Thanks…who cooked?"

Damon raised his hand.

"You're my new favorite."

"Welcome." She sat down and ate ravenously, with an even more voracious appetite than her younger brother. She finally finished and looked up to find them watching her. "What? I was hungry."

She turned to Damon, "I don't know what you normally do for a living, but you should cook. These were the best pancakes I've ever had."

Rob hid his grin behind his coffee mug, his were normally the family favorite and he recognized Sarah's bid for another cook to add to her kitchen.

Damon smiled, "Thanks, Sarah. Maybe I'll look into that. Tried a bunch of other stuff that isn't half as much fun."

"Cooking, you think cooking is fun?"

"Yeah, I do."

Geordie slapped him on the back, "You should definitely look into that, my friend. And you can cook at La Casa de Gunny anytime."

Sarah's face brightened at that as Rob snorted into his mug.

XXX

When Tony woke, he was slumped into a corner of a couch in a strange house. He closed his eyes again and then heard footsteps, two sets of them, moving toward him. They stopped as he pulled his weapon and opened his eyes. He saw a guy he vaguely recognized from a case years ago involving a murdered Marine, stolen weapons and a corrupt, although hot ATF agent. This was the Pat Cooke they had expected to see, although not with a gash in his head or leaning on the kid who'd worn his handcuffs for a few minutes. He straightened up, wiped his face and saw the older man smile. "Hey DiNozzo, been awhile."

"Yes, Pat it has. Glad to see you up and around. "

He turned to the kid…Brian. "Hey Brian, sorry about the drama earlier, we couldn't take any chances."

"I understand Tony, I screwed up."

"Actually you did ok; just a few of the finer points need work."

Pat smiled at his son, "Yeah, considering you had five minutes of instruction, not bad, kiddo."

Brian smiled, "Thanks. Uh, Tony, we need to move your car into the garage."

"Ok, I'll come with you and get the bags."

"I already brought those in." Brian pointed to the neat row of three overnight bags.

Tony smiled at the kid again and resisted the urge to reach out and ruffle his hair. The kid was old enough he wouldn't tolerate that from anyone except his father.

Gibbs and Fornell were awake by that time. Tony went with Brian to get the SUV under cover and returned to find the three older men sitting at the dining room table. He joined them as Brian disappeared into the back of the house.

Fornell told his story once again, with Gibbs adding what little they'd had time to discover. They talked through their ideas and came up with a plan to discredit Gehob. Tony knew a big part of that would be electronic records and he stopped to consider how Tim would feel about his efforts being promised to clear the man who'd sought to bring him down. His worries were allayed when Gibbs revealed that Tim had volunteered his services, although they'd have to wait until he was out of the hospital. Since his discharge was planned for the following week, that didn't seem insurmountable.

Tony did raise the question of Tim's security. Without saying the words, Tony managed to remind his boss that Tim's hacking into other agencies' had always been with Gibbs and Vance's approval. Fornell nodded at that, he understood Tony's concern and had an answer.

"Don't worry, DiNozzo, Ron is so pissed off at what's happened that he offered to help any way he can, even if it means jeopardizing his own career. I'm sure that includes helping our resident genius."

Tony was impressed until he remembered his entire team had done that for Ziva without question when the Iranians had framed her. He had another question then.

"Do you know which crime family Gehob is tied to …and how?"

"I know the who, not the how." Fornell named one of the lesser groups, the Bomlundering family. They were not part of the top 10, which was good news as the family might not have the power to escape the net the group planned to drop around them. Their leverage would be Gehob. Gibbs outlined his plan, which was built along the lines of the op he'd run when the mole, FBI Agent Charles, was burned after Tobias' fake suicide. Pin the mob boss down for something and then offer him a deal to give up Gehob.

However, after Tony and Pat heard everything that had been done to Fornell's family, both thought the head of the family was not involved, that it was some underlying who owed Gehob for something. Although it had been years since he'd brought down the mob boss in Baltimore, Tony still understood the organization of a crime family. "It sounds like the guy working with Gehob is an underlying Fornell; one who has the authority to harass, cause property damage, but not kill. Kidnapping Emily was probably a real stretch of the guy's authority; that should make it easier to pin the tail on the right donkey. "

Pat agreed, "DiNozzo's right, if this had been the head of the family, the damage would have been a lot worse, Tobias. You know that yourself from your RICO work."

Fornell nodded, "I remember thinking that at some point, but the harassment and kidnapping of my daughter was enough for me, put that knowledge right out of my head."

The group chewed over their options and ideas well into the evening and finally came up with a firm plan. It would take effort from each of them, plus some of Pat and Gibbs' former Marine buddies who knew Tobias and wanted to help.

Gibbs and DiNozzo decided to get a few hours of sleep and then start for home around midnight rather than wait for daylight. They sent a text to Joe, the owner of the SUV and he agreed to meet them earlier than originally planned to once again switch vehicles. Gibbs also sent a text to Geordie and Tim, telling them they'd be home before dawn, rather than later in the day. The brothers each gave a sigh of relief when they received the text.

Gibbs woke at 23:00 and padded out to the kitchen to make coffee. He found the coffeemaker just beginning to brew, with a note from Pat, "Knew you'd need a fix. Help yourselves to showers – please – and breakfast before you go. Bagels in the cupboard. "

Chuckling to himself, Gibbs poured a cup and took it with him to the hall bathroom. The hot shower felt good and he admitted that he was very glad to be heading home. Fornell would be safe here; they could put their plan into action without having to worry about him. Toweling off, he dressed, finished his coffee and then went back to the room he'd shared with DiNozzo to wake him up.

"DiNozzo, wake up, time to get up and moving."

"Uremfda, 5 more minutes."

"No, now or you'll miss breakfast." Tony's eyes opened. "Breakfast, Boss? What are we having?"

"French toast, eggs and bacon, DiNozzo."

"Ok, I'm up." He tried to slump down into the pillow again but his mean ol' boss grabbed his shoulder.

"DiNozzo, go take a shower, then meet me in the kitchen to eat. Got that?"

"Yeah Boss. Shower, then food."

"UP, NOW."

"Oh, now…ok." DiNozzo climbed out of bed stark naked as usual and stumbled through the room, looking for the door. Gibbs grabbed Tony's arm and go bag and escorted him to the bathroom, making sure to turn the very bright lights on. He waited until he heard the water turn on and then went to the kitchen to toast the bagels. He found cream cheese and butter in the fridge, got those out and then whipped up some scrambled eggs for the two of them. Better to have some protein in them. He fished his travel mug out of his bag and made another pot of coffee, DiNozzo could heat his up when he showed up.

Tony finally found his way into the kitchen and took the reheated coffee Gibbs handed him. He steered him to a chair and stuck a plate of eggs and bagel in front of him. "Hey, this isn't French toast and there's no bacon."

"Glad you noticed. Had to get you out of bed somehow."

"Boss, is there any…" Gibbs grabbed the sugar bowl and put it in front of DiNozzo, then retrieved the half and half he'd spotted in the fridge and gave him that too.

"Thanks, Boss."

"I'm driving, DiNozzo."

"Yeah Boss, that's good."

"We're leaving in 5 minutes, so eat your food, wash your dishes and let's go." DiNozzo nodded as he stuffed his eggs into his mouth.

They left precisely 5 minutes later, dishes washed, dried and left neatly stacked on the counter. The coffee pot was refilled and set for 6 AM. The sugar bowl and half and half had been put away. They'd grabbed their go bags and were halfway across the yard to the barn/garage when the front door opened and Fornell stepped out and jogged over to them. He thanked them again for their help and asked them to be careful and to take care of each other. Gibbs gave him a one-armed hug and Tony shook his hand. Then they slid the barn door open, threw their bags in the car, checked their weapons and drove out. Tobias closed the barn door after them and headed back inside.

Gibbs let Tony sleep while he kept to the back roads but when he headed for the freeway, he stopped and woke him up. "DiNozzo, wake up, need you to watch for bogies." DiNozzo snapped awake and took the long mirror from Gibbs and attached it to the rear view mirror. The rest of the drive was uneventful and they pulled in 5 minutes early to the meet with Joe. He was there already, being a good Marine and the exchange was done quickly and without much conversation. Gibbs tried to give him money for gas, but was turned down. Slapping his friend on the back, Gibbs took the wheel, dropping Tony off at his place and waited until the man went in, cleared the place and came back out, waving him off home.

Gibbs pulled into the alley in back of his house at 0330 and sat there for a few minutes, exhaustion settling into his bones and very happy to be home. He smiled when he saw a small light flickering in the backyard, knowing either Geordie or Damon had spotted the car and was coming to bring him in. It was Geordie and he pulled his dad into a warm hug. "Welcome home, Gunny! Good job."

"Thanks Geordie. Can't tell you how glad I am to be here. Thought of going by the hospital but I need my bed, just for a few hours."

"I already texted Tim and Ziva to let them know you were home and would be by in early afternoon."

"Helluva good job you did here, Geo, thanks for taking such good care of your sister and brother – and the house. You're a good son."

"Wow, I haven't heard that in a long time!"

His dad ruffled his hair, "You better get used to hearing it. C'mon let's get inside."

They walked inside the house, Geordie carrying his bag, to be met by two flying figures, Sarah and Rob who grabbed on and didn't let go. Gibbs nuzzled both of them, "Thanks; I'm thankful to Damon and Geo that you've been safe and I'm really glad to be home."

Damon stood at parade rest and Gibbs grabbed his hand, "Thanks Damon, tell you the same thing I told Geordie, you did a helluva good job."

"You're welcome Gunny, happy to do it."

"You stay put and get some sleep."

"Won't argue with that Gibbs."

"Good man." Gibbs gave the back of Damon's neck an affectionate squeeze. He shooed the two youngest back to bed, then stood looking at the other two.

"Dad, we're going to remain on guard until dawn at least. Just a precaution."

Gibbs shook his head, "Yeah, probably a good idea, I can…"

"No Gunny, you need sleep!" Too tired to argue, he patted both young men on their shoulders as he dragged himself up the stairs. He managed to toe his shoes off before he collapsed on his bed.

He woke at 11 AM and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. He wanted to see Tim. Following his morning routine, he headed down to the kitchen for his first cup of coffee. The coffee was just brewing, one of his kids must have heard him, and there was a note that breakfast was in the oven. He found a plate of pancakes and eggs and did his best not to inhale them. The pancakes had a slightly different flavor and he really liked them. Looking back at the note, he saw that Damon had made breakfast, damn the kid could cook. The house was quiet, although the washing machine was going so someone else was home. Looking out back, he saw his kids and Damon sitting at the table playing cards. He poured himself another cup of coffee and wandered outside. "Good Morning again." They smiled up at him.

"The rest of the morning was quiet?"

"Yes, Gunny, uneventful."

"Good, anyone mind if I go see Tim, catch up with you all later?"

Sarah reached out and grabbed him, "No Dad, that's what we thought you'd do. "

"Ziva still there?"

"Yes, says she won't leave until you give her the order."

"My god, she's been on duty…"

"No, Dad, someone named Ron Sacks showed up last night and she slept while he stood guard. Last text I had from Tim, about an hour ago, he's still there."

"That's Fornell's Senior…Tony's counterpart on Fornell's team. I'll be damned."

Sarah giggled, "Is that the guy he calls Slacks?"

"Yeah, they're not the friendliest. Some bad blood there."

"A good reason?"

"Yeah, but its Tony's story or stories to tell."

Sarah gave him an exasperated look, "Finally there's something not classified and we have to wait for Tony to tell us?"

"Yep, Sweet Pea, you do. Just like I'd refer anyone to you if they asked me about your case."

"Ugh, please don't, Dad."

He gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Damon, you make those pancakes?"

"Yes Gibbs."

"Those are great, you should be a cook."

"That's what your family's been telling me."

"I know a diner, one I go to a lot that's looking for a cook, I can talk with them, give you a reference."

"I…don't have any commercial experience, Gibbs, just cooking for friends."

"Talk with Elaine, she's a friend, I'll stop by on my way to the hospital and talk with her. Can't hurt to try, every cook's got to start somewhere, right? "

Damon's eyes opened wide and he had a big smile on his face. "Thanks Gibbs."

"Get cleaned up first, you sleep at all?"

"A couple hours."

Gibbs grunted, "Get some more, need to have your wits about you in a job interview. You got any other clothes with you?"

"Ah, no Gunny, not clean."

Geordie spoke up, "We'll get him cleaned up and over there, Dad. Is it the one by the overpass?"

"Yeah, Geo, that's it."

"We'll make sure he gets there when they want to see him, no worries, Dad."

Damon's grin hadn't let up, "Thanks Gibbs, Gibbses!"

Gibbs chuckled, reached over and ruffled Rob's hair, "How you doing Doc? You're awfully quiet this morning."

Rob grinned at him, "Just glad you're home, Dad. Really glad." Gibbs gently pulled his youngest son's head toward him and gave him a kiss. "How could I not come home to all of you?"

They talked for a few minutes and then Gibbs, feeling the pull to see Tim, popped back upstairs for a quick shower and clean clothes. Feeling much better, he gathered his Sig and whistling ran down the stairs, calling out the back, "Hey Geordie, I'm taking the truck."

Not hearing a response, and feeling a tug in his gut, Gibbs drew his weapon and peeked out the den window to the back yard. There were two nasty looking characters back there, one with his hands on Sarah and the other one holding Rob back.

Damon was nowhere in sight, hopefully he'd gotten away so he could circle back. Gibbs looked out the front, seeing no car or additional visitors he called 911 and requested back up with no sirens, mentioning his children were being held hostage.

Peeking out again, he saw that Geordie was negotiating or pretending to negotiate with them. He drew his backup weapon from the safe, and went out the front and around the side. The thugs never knew what hit them. He took out the one holding Sarah, knocking him on the head with the butt of his Sig. Damon had been waiting for him, crouched in the alley and he got the other one at the same time. Both kids collapsed into Gibbs' arms as the Metro PD came pouring in. They'd had two 911 calls, Damon had managed to get a call in shortly before his own call. Gibbs thought fast. He needed his family safe; they needed to move the timeline up. He also realized Vance would be notified and it would be better if he did the telling. While the LEOs were getting statements from Sarah, Rob and Damon, Gibbs pulled Geordie aside.

"You ok?"

"Yes, but no. What are we going to do, Dad? They've identified us."

"Yeah, this is going down now, no waiting, no more planning. When the LEO's, that's local Law Enforcement, when they're done, lock up the house and head over to the hospital. I'm going to ask Vance to meet us there; I'm going to have to bring him in on this. They attacked. Now NCIS is involved. I'll call Tony on the way to the hospital."

"I'll call him, Dad; you have other people to call, don't you?"

"Geordie, I'm sorry about this mess, but I can't begin to tell you how much it means to know you're here."

"Didn't help just now."

"Yeah it did son, you followed your training, didn't lose your head, and kept your sister and brother from harm."

"Would they have killed them?"

"Don't think so, we have a theory about the authority level of the mob guy, I'll fill you in at the hospital."

Sarah and Rob finished with their statements and headed into his arms, "Love you both, you did really well, so proud of you." He held them tight. Geordie looked at him and he nodded, "Got it, son. Don't be too long; want all my kids with me."

Geordie was led away for his statement and Gibbs, still holding onto his kids, managed to call Vance.

When the man answered, he told him there had been an incident at his home, his children held hostage and threatened by two suspected members of a local mob, now in custody of the Metro PD. Vance expressed concern and asked what steps he wanted to take. He asked him to meet them at Bethesda; they would need a large private room where he could bring everyone up to date. Vance agreed wondering what the man had gotten into now.

Before he left with the kids, Gibbs pulled Damon aside. "You're staying with us until this is resolved, Damon, I'm not putting you out there, they know your face now."

"I can…"

"No, you cannot, you will stay with us, got it?"

"Yes Gibbs."

"Ok, when Geordie's done, you come with him to the hospital. We're going to gather everyone together and put this out on the table. NCIS is now involved."

"That's kind of a relief, isn't it Gunny? I mean not the way it happened, but not to have to carry this yourself and with your buddies."

"I guess, hadn't gotten that far yet. Ok, you're set; stick with Geordie and both of you bring those temporary badges I gave you, that's the only way you'll be allowed to carry at Bethesda. Tell them you are protection detail for Timothy Gibbs."

Damon nodded and turned, waiting for Geordie. When one of the LEO's approached Gibbs, he shook his head. "Be happy to give you a statement later, have to get to Bethesda, my son's a patient and I don't know if they'll try for him there."

"They have really strict security there, Agent Gibbs."

"I know and he's got a protection detail, but I need to be there and so do his sister and brothers."

"All right, here's my card, if you could give me a call and let me know when you can do your statement."

"Will do and thank you for your quick response; that was a good job."

"Just doing our jobs, although you three did most of it for us."

Gibbs turned and gathering his two youngest to him, he just held onto them for a few more seconds. "All right, let's go. Need to make sure Tim is ok and then we're going to update Vance."

"Will we be able to stay with you, Dad?"

"Yep, not letting you out of my sight Robbie."

They piled into the truck and Gibbs sat there, having a horrible thought. He pulled his cell and called Geordie. "Yeah Dad?"

"Don't take the Challenger Geordie; it's too easy a target. Take Damon's car, it's parked on the street, right?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, so they probably didn't bother. "

"Dad, you need to check the truck."

"Yep, going to do that now." Disconnecting the call, the three of them climbed back out of the truck and he had Rob and Sarah move toward the back deck. Geordie and Damon came out from the house, Damon stayed with the kids while Geordie went to help his dad. He slid underneath the truck and picked off a tracker but there were no explosive devices. Gibbs looked under the hood, but found nothing. Geordie climbed out from under and handed him the tracker. "Betting they just placed that Dad. If it had been on before, your buddy Joe would likely have had problems while you were gone."

Gibbs nodded, "Think you're right son. All right, check Damon's car just in case, we'll check the Challenger later. "

"I called Tony, Dad. He'll meet you there."

Geordie looked at him and Gibbs pulled him in for a hug. "We'll get through this, Geo."

"Yeah we will."

"Don't be long."

"Won't, just going to clean up a bit and we'll be on our way."

The kids joined him again and they piled into the truck, Gibbs' gut was silent. He had Rob send Tim a text that they were on their way. He got a text back that Vance was there and wondering where they were. Rob sent a message back that the truck had been searched and a device found. Tim's next text was brief: "Get yourselves here NOW."

Pulling out on the highway, Gibbs was amused and relieved to find that they had a police escort. Passing out of Arlington, the State Police picked them up and stayed with them to the Maryland border where the MD State Patrol met them and took them to Bethesda. Gibbs hoped Geordie and Damon would have the same escort, two minutes later Rob's phone buzzed with a text from Geordie that they were being escorted.