Disclaimer : I own nothing, but the typos. Oh and the OCs.
Warnings : Rated T for language.
Author's Note : Thanks to everyone who read, favorited and followed so far. Extra, extra thanks to everyone who's left a review. The glitches are back, but I am getting e-mails. I love hearing what you think as we go!
Enjoy.
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"Really, Tali? That couldn't have waited until we got home?" Tony says as he pushes the stroller out of the men's bathroom.
With the balance of power in the relationship restored once again—because who just wiped who's ass?—Tali snuggles back in her stroller. One hand clutches her horse to her chest while the other thumb is jammed firmly in her mouth. Her sleepy eyes struggle to soak up every detail of the mall.
She mumbles something that comes out like, "Maggie?"
Tony half-smiles. "We're going to find McGee right now."
And with that, her tiny head lolls to the side. A piece of sushi slips off her tray table, only to be flattened by the fat stroller tires. Tony steps around the fishy roadkill.
They end up at the edge of the food court. Most of the restaurants are still open, but the crowds have thinned to almost nothing. As closing time looms, shoppers have started to head home to get ready for the workweek. Tony tries not to remember what that used to feel like.
Instead, he sets his sight on the jewelry store. The lights are still set to their ethereal, inviting glow, but the security gate blocks the entrance. Only a few feet are open at the bottom; just enough for someone to wriggle through in a pinch.
Tony presses his lips together.
Damn it McGee. Now, I really am going to have to shoot you.
He checks his phone, but there's nothing from Tim. He scans the food court, peers down both hallways to the department stores to their ends.
But Tim isn't anywhere to be found.
A strange sensation niggles deep in Tony's gut. Almost forgotten, but still familiar. Like the wispy smoke of a long-lost lover who returns for just one last hurrah before marries someone else.
Something is hinky.
Pulling Tali's stroller along with him, Tony moves to a table with a view of the jewelry store and the rest of the food court. He keeps one protective hand on it as though someone might swoop past and rip her from his grasp. Even though he has no idea what is going on, he can't ignore those raging alarm bells that used to propel him as an agent.
Maybe his Gibbs'SP—as Tony always called it—is going haywire.
But he seriously doubts it. Seventeen years in law enforcement tends to hone that Spidey-sense to perfection, not make it more apt to malfunction.
Tony's watchful eyes absorb the scene in the food court. Teenage girls with barely enough clothes to keep them from a prostitution charge lasciviously eat ice cream in front of boys who aren't old enough to have driver's license. A mother feeds French Fries to twin boys in a stroller like they are baby birds. An elderly couple, oblivious to everything around them, giggle as though they're in high-school.
"Chicken?" someone asks suddenly.
Tony nearly leaps out of his skin. He turns to find a greying man who is looks like a fire hydrant thanks to his bright red uniform and stout, thick build. He holds out a plate of a fried chicken as though they're fancy appetizers.
"Try my chicken?" he repeats like Tony is an idiot.
"No, thanks," Tony says. "I just ate."
The man's light eyes darken. "Chicken."
When Tony lets out a defeated sigh, he takes the closest piece. He pops the flavorless, rubbery meat into his mouth while the man prattles on the daily specials and coupons. After Tony promises to jump up and buy something right this freaking minute, the man smiles like a self-satisfied slug and lumbers to bother the next table.
Instead of moving, Tony turns his attention back to the jewelry store. Inside, two men in grey suits are busy looking over the display cases. To the untrained eye, they might appear to be taking an inventory.
Tony's heart seizes in his chest.
Shit, it's a heist! And McGee is in there!
He pulls out his cell phone and sends Tim a quick text, Sit-rep, McGee. How many hostiles?
After a few minutes, Tony gives up on getting a response. The pit in his stomach sinks deeper, turns blacker as he comes to realize that his friend really is inside. He's been taken as a hostage or—no, there isn't another option.
Adrenaline courses through Tony's veins. He feels that familiar sensation like he is floating outside of his body, somewhere up in the rafters and watching the world beneath him. Before he has a chance to think about it, he is on his feet and pulling the stroller towards the jewelry store.
He only gets a few feet before his mind catches up to him.
What the hell am I doing? I can't take Tali in there.
Tony retreats to his table like a coward.
But I can't leave McGee.
Damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.
He fiddles with his cell phone as he debates about calling the police. But the last thing the mall needs is for the place to turn into a three ring circus with Metro and NCIS and the clowns—oh wait, the Feebees. Tim and the store's employees deserve better than to be caught in the crossfire.
Lost in thought, Tony absently taps his phone on the table.
A security guard with an overstarched uniform and an overinflated ego ambles over. The rent-a-cop's gold badge gleams next to a nametag that reads, Rick.
Rick offers Tony a smarmy smile. "Time to move on, sir. The mall is about to close."
When he meets Rick's gaze, alarm bells echo louder in Tony's head. Something about the man sets Tony's teeth on edge like every suspect in interrogation that ends up being guilty ever did.
This guy is in on it.
"I just got her to sleep," Tony says casually, eyeing Tali. "Mind if I wait a few more minutes? She's been screaming her head off all day. I guess that's what I get for not buying the Barbie she wanted."
"I've got a boy of my own about the same age." Rick's smile flashes genuine. "Tough, ain't it?"
"Yeah, especially when I'm doing it by myself."
"Sorry to hear that, sir. Take your time, but remember that the mall will be closing in a little bit."
"A few minutes of peace and quiet is I need." Smiling, Tony settles in his seat. "Thanks, Rick. You're a good guy."
Rick gives Tony a mock salute before he heads back to patrolling the area in front of the store. Keeping an eye on Rick, Tony checks his cell phone for a message from Tim. But there isn't anything.
So Tony calls the only other person who will always answer.
His dad picks up on the first right. "Hiya Junior. Everything alright?"
"Yeah, it's just…" Tony swallows hard, certain he'll regret this later. "Dad, where are you?"
"At home with a friend." There's a muffled conversation. "We're playing bridge. Yeah, bridge."
Tony shakes his head. "Can you do me a favor and meet me at the mall?"
"When?"
"Right now." Even though Tony tries to hide it, anxiety creeps into his voice.
Senior gives a low exhale. "Is everything okay?"
Tony closes his eyes. "Yes and no."
"Did something happen to Tali?" Senior asks, his tone on edge.
"No, no. Tali's fine. She's sleeping. It's just that…" Tony's eyes skirt towards the jewelry store. "Look Dad, I can't really explain right now. Can you just get here and bring Veronica with you?"
There's a gasp. "Are you sure, son? Do you really need her?"
Tony keeps his gaze fixed on the jewelry store. "Absolutely."