Warnings: Spoilers for "Rule Fifty-One"

A/N: I keep saying only a few more chapters left, but closing up the Reynosa arc is taking a lot more than I thought... so who knows how much more is left in this story lol. Feedback is always appreciated :)

Jackson was sitting at Gibbs' desk, smiling and watching Tony and Natalie as they stepped off the elevator and entered the bullpen. "You finally take my advice, son, when I was here for Christmas and told you to take this beautiful girl on date?"

McGee watched as both Tony and Natalie nervously shuffled around the issue. He dropped his head and chuckled, silently. At some point they weren't going to be able to dance around the topic… well… they really couldn't dance around the topic now because everyone knew that they were sleeping together. It was the worst kept secret in NCIS since Jimmy had been fooling around with Michelle Lee.

Gibbs strode into the bullpen and sighed, "Dad, can you let my agents do their jobs please?"

"Listen, Leroy, I'm not getting any younger," Jackson quipped. "Can't you let me live vicariously through a younger man?"

"Ah, boss," Tony said, directing the conversation away from the topic at hand, "Natalie and I found out a few interesting things while you were away."

"Go on, DiNozzo, I'm listening."

Tony shifted his green eyes to gaze at his partner. "We spoke to Ms. Hart. She claims that she went to see Kaylen Burrows for her friend… the lawyer that is representing Tyler Hammond… it was that lawyer that told her about Special Agent Macy being back in the States."

Natalie crossed her arms over her chest. "We were going to pull her phone records and see if she had any contact with Colonel Bell in the last few weeks. Hart claims that Macy wanted to meet with her and that Bell saw her name on her calendar when he was in town. She's certainly trying her best to wipe her hands clean from all of this."

Gibbs saw her stiff posture and eyed Tony for a moment. The senior field agent gave him a look that told the lead agent all he needed to know—that this case was having a negative effect on Natalie. He wasn't surprised by that… after all the young woman had been forced to watch another woman be raped over and over again. "See what you can dig up."

"Digging up dirt on Miss Hart is going to have to wait. We have another problem. Colonel Bell's body was found," Vance reported, striding into the bullpen.

"Paloma cleaning up shop?" Tony guessed.

"Appears that way. He was killed with the same kind of knife as Macy. Same kind that was used to cut your brake lines, DiNozzo," Vance said, eyeing the team.

McGee looked up and cocked an eyebrow. "J.P Dean."

Vance nodded. "Appears that way."

"Wait, who's J.P Dean?" Tony questioned. McGee put a photograph up on the plasma and he shivered.

"Do you recognize him, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked, softly.

"Yeah. He's one of the bastards that beat me during my little visit with Ms. Reynosa," Tony ground out, fighting his own demons.

Vance frowned. "Looks like we have even more reasons to bring him in, Gibbs. Dean is your top priority. Bring him before he kills someone else."

Gibbs watched the director leave before he started to give out orders to his team. "McGee, trace all of Dean's phones, credit cards—you know what include Bell's too, Dean was his right hand man… Tony—you and Natalie stay with the Burrows case. Get that girl to talk. It was the last thing Macy was working on, the least we can do is bring the one responsible to justice."

Tony eyed Natalie and saw her shoulders tense. "Got it, boss," he said, softly. "But I think I can close this out without Natalie's help."

Natalie shot him a glare. "I'm fine, Tony."

He wasn't sure if she was fine, but Gibbs needed her on that case. She had demonstrated a calm, and gently approach with rape victims in the past—she was the better choice to interview Burrows over Tony. "Nothing else for her to do until McGee finds something, DiNozzo." I'm just as worried about her as you are, Tony, Gibbs told him with one simple look.

"Alright, we'll go interview Burrows," Tony said, softly, gesturing for Natalie to follow him. He glanced once back at Gibbs and just like the boss before him, transmitted what he wanted to say with one simple look, I hope this doesn't blow up in our faces, boss.

Natalie sat across the table from Kaylen Burrows, her hands folded in front of her, easing her posture so she didn't frighten the young woman. "Why don't you tell us what happened in France? Nothing you say here has to leave this room."

Burrows looked away. "No offense ma'am, I've been in the Navy long enough. I know better."

Tony, who was sitting in the shadows in the corner, leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You had a twenty-four hour liberty while you were in France."

"Look, I partied, met someone… I'm as responsible as they are in this whole matter."

"You're shipmates were on liberty as well. Why didn't they want us talking to you?"

Burrows shook her head. "What I did was my own business."

Natalie sighed, softly, glanced over her shoulder at Tony briefly, before looking back at the rattled Petty Officer. "Kaylen, you are not responsible for what happened. You were attacked. A man forced you to have sex with him… help us put him away… let us help you."

Tony could see that Kaylen was closing up to them once again, even as she whimpered that she was not pressing charges and that she told Agent Macy the same thing. She then requested to go back to her ship. "You can't go back. You're a witness in a murder investigation."

"Murder?" Burrows repeated, looking shocked.

"Special Agent Macy was found dead two weeks ago," Tony informed her. "Chances are she was killed trying to bring the one that did this to you to justice."

"I swear to God, Speical Agent DiNozzo," Burrows said, tears gathering in her eyes, "I had no idea that Special Agent Macy was dead."

Natalie slid some tissues across the table towards her and let her wipe her eyes before continuing. "Don't you owe it to her… to see this through?" she asked, softly. "She came all the way to the States to arrest the man that did this to you and she was murdered while here. She died trying to help you, Kaylen."

Burrows balled the tissue up in her hand and shakily nodded her head.

Tony quietly sent a text to Abby to find the rape kit and stood, straightening his suit coat. "Listen, if it was those two sailors, we understand why you wanted to keep it quiet… if a woman cries rape who's going to trust her in the line of duty?" He went to stand behind Natalie and placed his hand on the back of her chair. "Who did it Kaylen? Was it the two sailors that didn't want us talking to you? The ones that went and beat up Tyler Hammond today?"

Natalie notice her chin tremble and something flickered in the young woman's eyes. "They were just trying to stick up for you… weren't they… protecting their own. You could tell them what happened… why couldn't you tell Agent Macy?"

"I just wanted the whole thing to go away."

"It doesn't go away, Kaylen. No matter how much we wish it."

Burrows looked at her in surprise. She didn't say anything but Natalie knew the younger woman was wondering if perhaps the NCIS agent had been raped as well. Physically, Natalie had not been raped, but emotionally, watching as those men violated Ziva in captivity… she might as well have been. Burrows wiped her eyes again, her posture softening just a little as spoke, finally beginning to trust the two agents. "It was Tyler Hammond… but he… he wasn't alone."

Tony saw his partner clench her fists at this revelation. It wasn't the same, Natalie, he thought, gently reaching out and placing his hand on her shoulder, Kaylen wasn't their prisoner for months. He took a deep breath and inquired, "Who was with him?"

Natalie saw that Kaylen was reluctant. "Petty Officer Burrows, who was the second person with Tyler?"

"His… his father."

"Randall Hammond?"

"Yes."

Tony sucked in a sharp hiss and straightened his tall frame. Briskly he walked to the door and exited the interrogation room. Kaylen looked at Natalie, confused by the other agent's abrupt departure. "Was it something I said?" she questioned, timidly.

Natalie shook her head and gently placed a comforting hand over one of the Petty Officer's. "No. It was nothing you said. You did good, Kaylen." She stood, said someone would bring her something to eat, and Natalie followed Tony, closing the door behind her quietly.

He was waiting for her in the hall, leaning against the orange wall, arms over his chest. "What kind of sick bastard rapes a woman with their son?"

She saw his anger, swirling in his green eyes. "If he did it, the rape kit will prove it."

"Come on," Tony said, pushing himself off the wall, "Let's go pick those bastards up."

"Boss," McGee said, meeting Gibbs as he strode off the elevator from a coffee run. "There's been some activity on Colonel Bell's credit cards."

"Someone is using them?" Gibbs inquired.

"Yeah. Also, they're using his cellphone," McGee replied. "I think its Dean. Bell's private jet was scheduled to depart Mexico in an hour. According to Rivera… he says he can't stop it."

Gibbs chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. He wasn't surprised that Rivera was still trying to play nice with them, to pass on the appearance that he was being friendly and cooperative when in reality he wanted the agents on Gibbs' team dead just as much as his sister. "Where was the plane headed?"

McGee looked at the coffee for a moment, knowing that his answer was going to give the team a long night at NCIS. "Washington. Should be here in about five hours. I have the flight plans, and the hanger number that the plane will be taxied too."

He sighed and took a sip of his coffee. Gibbs knew that this case was not going to wrap up that easily. "Where are Tony and Natalie? I want the three of you there when Dean's plane lands. I'm gonna track Ms. Reynosa in MTAC."

The junior agent chewed on his lower lip. McGee glanced over his shoulder at the empty desks and then back to his boss. "They just got back from picking up Randall and Tyler Hammond for raping Petty Officer Burrows."

"Both of them?"

"Natalie took Kaylen's statement herself and left it on your desk, boss."

"Did we get any DNA results on the rape kit yet?"

McGee shook his head. "No. Both Hammonds refused to give us a sample. Tony and Natalie are waiting for the warrant."

Gibbs looked at the empty bullpen again. He had brought his dad back to his house and left him there with a couple of agents to watch him, still not convinced that his father was safe from Reynosa. "Where are they again?" he questioned, and saw the fleeting look in McGee's eyes. He silently laughed. Of course. They had probably found some dark corner in NCIS… "Never mind, just tell them to be ready to roll to go pick up Dean."

He headed off in the opposite direction of McGee and towards the elevator. Slapping the button he wasn't surprised when the doors slid open and there was Tony and Natalie, making out like a couple of teenagers who scattered apart when they saw their boss standing there. Gibbs eyed them, slightly bemused. "Thought we talked about this staying out of the workplace?"

Tony nervously glanced at Natalie. "We did, boss… just we've been here for almost twenty four hours… I never said will power was my strongest suit."

"Clearly. McGee's covering for you, ya know?"

"He is? Never even told him that we're... seeing each other."

"He's smart, DiNozzo. He knows what your disappearing act meant…"

Natalie's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, "We're sorry, Gibbs…" she trailed off when he shot her a look, "I know, I know, never apologize!"

Gibbs sipped his coffee. "Especially about this, Callahan. The job takes so much out of all of us… it's fine to seek out a little physical comfort… release… maybe next time you two find a more private place than the elevator… or least throw the switch… that always worked for me."

Tony blinked rapidly, curious about any encounters his boss would have had in this elevator and with whom. He quickly wiped the smirk on his face when he saw Gibbs glare at him. "Sure thing, boss, we um… we were just going to go issue the court order to the Hammonds and get their DNA for Abby to test."

He watched as the pair of agents left the elevator and scooted down the hall. Gibbs grabbed Natalie gently by the arm and turned her to face him. "You okay?" he asked, making sure that this case wasn't bringing up too many bad memories for her. The team couldn't afford to have her needing some more time to get her head back on straight. And he appreciated that Tony was there for her, that he cared for her… but there was something in her eyes that was telling him that she wasn't listening to Tony.

She looked down the hall where Tony had gone too. "Fine," she whispered. "At least I'll be able to help Kaylen."

"You couldn't help Ziva, Saleem made sure of that."

"I know."

"Do you?"

Natalie turned to look at him, one tear making a path down her cheek. "I do now, Gibbs. Tony was right… it wasn't my fault."

Gibbs wiped the tear away and smiled at her. "About time you started listening to him." His cell phone buzzed and he looked down at it, noticing that it was Vance, probably wants an update on both cases. He went to give it to the Director. If they arrested Dean that evening then things were going well for the team. Three scumbags put away in one day—not a bad day's work in the slightest.

Tony stayed low, watching as the private jet taxied to a stop. "Ok, this is our bird," he said into the radio. "Stay sharp."

McGee knew that the warning was probably meant more for Natalie on the roof with the sniper rifle, but he appreciated the sentiment as well. He observed the group getting off the plane, J.P Dean in the front. His hair stood on end. This man had tried to kill him… tried to kill Tony—twice. There was no way this was going to end well.

"Natalie you might want to switch off night vision, things are about to get bright," Tony told her on the radio, waited for her to acknowledge him and flicked the headlights on.

Immediately the group of men departing the plane, startled, looking around for the source of the headlights and grew agitated when Tony spoke over the megaphone, "NCIS, put down your weapons! James Paul Dean… you're under arrest!"

Tony wasn't surprised when the men started to fire at them. Natalie quickly took out two of the men with her sniper rifle, and McGee easily got the third while the two agents remained hidden behind the open doors of the car. Tony only stood up when he noticed that Dean was trying to make a break for it. The former Army Ranger turned his weapon on Tony and the SFA fired—five rounds, making sure of the kill. He gripped his weapon for a second, frowning. Would he have liked to see Dean rot in jail for the rest of his life for what he had done—sure—but this wasn't such a bad outcome either. Reynosa could no longer use Dean to hurt any of them.

"Did you get Dean?" Gibbs asked, quietly as Tony sat down next to him in MTAC.

"Put five rounds in him myself, boss," Tony answered, just as quietly. He looked at the screen. "Where's Ms. Reynosa right now?"

Gibbs took a deep breath. "In either one of two places. Miami or Canada. I need to stay here, oversee my dad's protection detail. Been thinking about sending the three of you on a field trip… just don't know where yet."

Tony leaned back in the seat he was in and folded his hands in front of his chest. "Paloma is trying to expand her business into the Great White North, eh?" He looked away sheepishly when Gibbs glared at him. "Sorry, boss, couldn't resist. With the heavy mood around here… I was just trying to lighten it a bit."

"Vance won't clear an Op until you're healed."

"I'm fine, boss."

Gibbs threw him a glare.

Tony frowned. "Okay, so my ribs are still tender and hurt like hell. Ducky gave me some Advil. I've been taking it I swear."

"It's late, DiNozzo. Go home."

"On it, boss."

Gibbs watched as Tony dragged himself to his feet, wincing in pain as he did so. Taking those Advil my ass, the team leader thought. "Tony," he said, stopping the younger man from exiting, "Either you take those painkillers yourself, or I'm going to send Callahan home with you and have her shove them down your throat."

Tony grinned cheekily and waggled his eyebrows. "Are you encouraging us to have intimate relations, Gibbs? Because, really, you should know me better by now… I don't need any encouragement. See ya, tomorrow, boss!"

He couldn't help it, Gibbs grinned from ear to ear as Tony left MTAC. Ducky was right—DiNozzo did have a way of charming anyone, even a war hardened marine.