AN- The first few chapters of this story have been rewritten and is repost of a story I had started then never finished when the NCIS muse deserted me. The muse has returned with a vengeance much to Tony's and Gibbs' dismay.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tony DiNozzo yawned as he stepped out of the elevator and into the semidarkness of the NCIS parking lot. It had been a long, stressful day investigating the accidental shooting death of a young sailor that turned out not to be the accident it first appeared to be. The long hours spent with Gibbs in interrogation attempting to get to the truth with the wife had been exhausting. The woman had at first denied everything, claiming her husband had accidentally shot himself. Tony smiled as he remembered the way that Gibbs had cornered the woman with her own lies, finally eliciting the truth.

The light touch of what he instantly recognized as the barrel of a gun pressed against his back snapped the young agent back to the present. "Ahhh, Agent DiNozzo, I thought Gibbs' would have trained his agents to be far more aware of their surroundings." A soft, male voice whispered into his ear as a hand reached around and removed his gun from its holster.

"What do you want?" Tony asked, raising his hands in a show of non-resistance, aware that the cameras located around the parking lot would be capturing his possible abduction and help was most likely on its way. All he needed to do was keep his attacker calm and stall for some time.

"All I want from you, DiNozzo, is to pass my message onto your Boss!" The soft voice chuckled in his ear.

The young agent felt more than heard a soft pop a split second before he felt something slam into his back, robbing him of his breath as he was thrown to the ground. He blinked in confusion, his mind had told him that he had just been shot but his body felt no pain. A shadow dropped across him blocking out most of the light as a dark figure knelt down into his slowly fading line of sight.

"Tell Gibbs, next time I won't just shoot to injure, I will shoot to kill! The hunt is on!"

Tony struggled to remain alert as the figure rose and walked calmly away. He heard the distant sounds of running feet and shouts as the darkness slowly claimed him.

Ignoring the co-coordinated frenzy of activity being carried out around him, Gibbs knelt on the cold concrete floor beside his wounded agent, unconsciously whispering quiet words of reassurance to the unresponsive man. His attention was divided between the wounded man and Ducky who was carrying out a hurried medical examination. "Well?" he demanded impatiently, wanting - no needing to know how serious his agent's injury was.

Ducky shook his head and sighed as he gently pressed his handkerchief down onto the bleeding wound. "Not good, Jethro," he whispered. "I think there is a high probability that young Anthony's spinal cord may be damaged, but I am far more concerned at the moment that the bullet has hit his lung. We need to get him to the hospital and into surgery as quickly as we can."

"McGee, where the HELL is that damn ambulance?" Gibbs shouted, as he turned partially towards his probationary agent who stood only a few feet away speaking to the security guard.

McGee jumped and quickly turned to his boss. "It…It's on its way. Do you want me to get an ETA?"

"No, McGee, I want you to cancel it! What the hell do you think? YES! I want an ETA and I want you to tell them to get here NOW!" Gibbs growled as his attention was diverted by a soft moan from the man on the ground.

Gibbs quickly turned and leaned close to the ground, trying to ensure he would be in Tony's line of sight should the agent open his eyes. "Tony, can you hear me? Tony? " He called softly, desperately hoping to get some reaction from the wounded man. He was rewarded for his efforts when Tony moaned again and slowly opened his eyes, blinking slowly as he attempted to focus on the face just inches away from his own.

"B…Boss?"

"I'm here, Tony," Gibbs softly whispered, "You are going to be fine. The ambulance is on its way."

Tony swallowed and licked his dry lips, trying to moisten them before he spoke. "S…Sorry B…Boss," he whispered weakly, "I..I really screwed…up. Was…wasn't paying …attent…attention."

"It's okay, Tony." Gibbs whispered, his chest tightening at the confession. "We all let our guard down a little while we are in the building. No one expects anything like this to happen." He tried to reassure the young agent, reaching for Tony's hand and giving it a light squeeze "Just rest, don't try and talk!"

Weakly grabbing the offered hand, Tony held it as tightly as he could. "B…Boss," The soft whispered ended in a choking cough and Gibbs felt the light hold Tony held on his fingers tighten.

"Don't try and talk, Tony." He again advised gently as he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket with his free hand and gently wiped away the small trickle of blood that snaked its way from the corner of Tony's mouth towards the ground, "You're going to be fine!"

The young man blinked, trying to will away the darkness that threatened to overcome his senses. He drew in a shallow breath and tried to speak again. "Does…doesn't hurt…Boss. I…I can't feel any…thing." He breathed as his eyes slid closed and his hand relaxed its grip.

Gibbs blinked back the tears that threatened to fall and took a deep, steadying breath before he spoke softly to the unconscious man, "Everything is going to be alright Tony. The docs at the hospital will have you back on your feet in no time." He was unsure if the whispered lies were more to reassure himself or to reassure the man who could no longer hear them, as he again squeezed the hand in his own.

Firm hands grasped his shoulders and began to lift him to his feet. "Jethro, the paramedics are here. Let's move out their way so they can help young Anthony!"

Looking up into Ducky's worried eyes, Gibbs nodded silently and rose to his feet, moving back to let the medical personal to attend Tony. He watched a moment before he turned away and forced himself to focus on the investigative activity that surrounded him.

Kate Todd stood near the stairwell with her sketchbook in hand as she studied the crime scene that was spread out in front of her. She tried hard to ignore the fact that the victim lying just yards from where she stood were a member of her own team. "Focus, Todd, focus!" She muttered to herself as she again found herself watching the activity surrounding Tony rather than sketching.

"What have we got so far?" Gibbs' voice behind her caused the female agent to jump and she turned spun quickly around to face him.

"So far, not much. Security saw Tony being accosted by a man with a gun as he reached his car. They responded immediately but by the time they reached the parking lot, Tony was already hit and the assailant had vanished. McGee has gone to collect the surveillance video now to take up to Abby. Not sure how much use it will be. Security says that the assailant kept his back to the camera at all times. They doubt that the camera even got a shot of his face."

"I want a full report from Abby as soon as she checks out the video. Whoever did this had to pass through the security checks either at the front door or at the parking lot entrance. I want a full list of everyone who has checked into the building in the last twenty four hours." Gibbs demanded.

"That's a lot of people to check, Gibbs." Kate answered and receiving a heated glare from the senior agent, quickly asked, "Do you think that the hit on Tony may have been done by someone employed with NCIS?"

Looking over the agent's shoulder, Gibbs watched as Tony was carefully lifted onto a waiting gurney. "Who ever made the hit on DiNozzo had to pass through security." He stated quietly, "And until we prove otherwise, everyone is a suspect! Also have McGee check through Tony's files for anyone who has threatened him recently or made threats against him in the past and are either recently paroled or waiting in the wings for an opportunity to make good their threat."

"Will do." Kate acknowledged as she turned back towards the crime scene and watched as Tony was wheeled towards the waiting ambulance. "How is he?"

"Critical!" Gibbs answered softly as he stepped around her. "I'm going to the hospital. I want to be informed immediately on any leads."

Kate nodded and watched as Gibbs ran to climb into the back of the ambulance before the doors shut tightly and the ambulance pulled away with its sirens and lights going. She sighed and turned to speak to an agent who waited for new orders.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Abby stared at the screen, her fingers tapping lightly over the keyboard as she sharpened the grainy image. She swallowed a sob as she watched the gun being placed against Tony's back and the man lean forward obviously whispering in the young agent's ear. The video showed Tony begin to turn in response before being gunned down in cold blood, his body thrown violently forward as the bullet slammed into his body.

Abby leaned closer, intently studying the dark figure of the gunman as he crouched down beside the wounded man. He spoke to Tony again before standing and carefully dropping the gun into his overcoat pocket, casually walked away leaving the wounded man bleeding on the floor.

Sighing in frustration and anger, the gothic forensic expert rewound the tape and began to study it again.

"Hey Abby, got anything for Gibbs?"

Abby jumped at the softly spoken question and spun around on her chair to face Kate and McGee as they entered the lab. She blew out a frustrated breath as she accepted the large cup of Cafpow that McGee offered her, taking a sip before she asked softly "Any word on Tony?"

"Ducky just rang with an update. Tony's just been taken into surgery. He's listed in critical condition. Gibbs is staying at the hospital till Tony is in recovery."

Abby nodded slowly and quickly turned back towards the screen, pressing the play button. "We have the shooting fully caught on the video. The gunman approached Tony near his car. I doubt Tony was even aware he was behind him until he spoke. The whole incident took less than ninety seconds. He speaks to Tony as he presses the gun into Tony's back then as Tony starts to turn -Bam! He shoots Tony in the back." Abby narrated as they watched the shooting and the man kneel down.

"What's he doing?" McGee asked, frowning.

"I think he is talking to Tony." Abby answered as they watched the man rise and walk away. "He makes sure that his face is away from the camera at all times. There is not one frame where there is a shot of his face."

Kate studied the tape carefully watching the man's movements. "So he is familiar enough with the building that he knows where the security cameras are located." she observed.

"Yep." Abby answered.

"So Gibbs may be right, the shooter could be one of our own!"

"I can run a program where we can run the try and match up basic description we have of the shooter with NCIS personal." McGee suggested.

"Do it, Tim." Kate agreed, "Have you anything else Abby?"

"I'm running some hair and fibers found on the clothes Gibbs sent from the hospital that Tony was wearing at the time he was shot but it is going to take some time. I'll call you with the results."

"Reach me on my cell phone." Kate instructed, "I'm going to the hospital to check on Tony's condition and to update Gibbs. Call me as soon as we have anything."

"Will do." The two voices floated to her as the NCIS agent turned and left the lab.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Taking a sip of the lukewarm, black syrup tentatively called coffee, Gibbs grimaced and swallowed. Placing the Styrofoam cup back down on the coffee table in front of him, Gibbs glanced up at the wall clock and sighed impatiently. "What the Hell is taking them so long? Tony has been in surgery for hours!"

"Patience, Jethro." Ducky quietly admonished, ignoring the angry glare he received from the younger man. "Young Anthony is in the best of hands. I have been told that Dr. Willis is the top Neuro-surgeon in the state and Dr Pitt is assisting him. I'm sure that Dr. Willis will be in to update as soon as the surgery is finished."

Gibbs sighed impatiently again and picked up the cup of black sludge that he had only moments before put down. Raising it back to his lips, he muttered, "Somebody better update us soon or I am going into that operating room and getting an update personally!"

Any response to the muttered comment that Ducky may have had was quickly forgotten as the waiting room door opened and a doctor still dressed in surgical garb entered. Gibbs did not wait for the exhausted man to approach as he quickly jumped to his feet and crossed the room to meet the man near the door. "How is he, Doctor?" Gibbs snapped anxiously.

"He's alive." The doctor announced succinctly. "If he can make it through the next forty-eight hours then he has a good chance of recovery. The bullet damaged two vertebrae before it lodged in his left lung causing the lung to collapse. We managed to repair the lung and stop the bleeding."

"What about his spinal injury, Doctor?" Ducky asked softly.

The surgeon shrugged his shoulders. "I'm afraid at the moment it is too early to really ascertain just how severe the injury is. There is too much swelling and bleeding around the spinal cord for us to be able to make any definite diagnosis or prognosis for recovery. Both the X-rays and the MRI we performed on Agent Dinozzo's admission to the E.R are inconclusive regarding injury. There is just too much bleeding around the site to see."

"I would appreciate having a look at the X-Rays later if I may." Ducky requested, "But is it possible for us to see young Anthony?"

Dr. Willis glanced down at his watch and nodded. "They should have him settled into Surgical ICU by now. I'm afraid that there is strict visiting policy enforced in the unit, so your visit will be restricted to 5 minutes, hourly. He is heavily sedated to prevent him from moving, so I doubt that he will be aware of your presence." The doctor began to explain as he led the two men towards the elevator. "Only Next of Kin are allowed to remain with the patient for longer periods."

"We're the only family Agent DiNozzo has." Gibbs stated firmly.

Confused, the surgeon turned to the lead agent. "I'm sorry but I thought that Agent DiNozzo Next of Kin is his father."

"His father is still alive but you will find my name listed on Agent DiNozzo's medical records as Next Of Kin." Gibbs informed the doctor, "Tony has requested that his father not be given the status of Next Of kin and any medical decisions made on his behalf are to be made by me."

Stepping into the elevator, Dr. Willis surreptitiously glanced across at the lead agent. The man's demeanor warned the doctor whatever reason his patient had refused his father to be listed as Next Of Kin was justified and that the staff should be warned to note the Next Of Kin listing. He would definitely not enjoy being the one who would have to explain to Agent Gibbs if an error was made in regards to the Next of Kin status.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Swallowing hard to stop the bile that rose in the back of his throat, Gibbs stepped closer to the side of the bed. He tried hard to ignore the many machines, wires and tubes that were connected or inserted into his agent but found it almost impossible. He had never seen Tony so still or looking so vulnerable.

Placing a hand lightly on Tony's bare shoulder, Gibbs was careful not to knock the I.V tubing that had been inserted beneath a small dressing at the junction of Tony's neck and shoulder. He gently squeezed the shoulder as he leaned forward and whispered. "You are going to be fine, Tony. You are going to walk away from this do you hear me? That is not a request DiNozzo, this is an order! I want you to concentrate on getting better and not worry about anything else. You're safe! There will be a guard outside your door."

He paused a moment studying the pale face, half covered by an oxygen mask. Tony's complexion was gray from shock and trauma. Reaching up, Gibbs allowed his hand to gently rest on the top of Tony's head as he stared intently into Tony's face. "I promise you we will get who ever did this! They will not get away with it!' He whispered. "I will NOT give up looking for this bastard, Tony, I WILL find him! He will NOT get away with this."

Straightening abruptly, Gibbs murmured, "I'll be back in a couple of hours DiNozzo and I expect to be told that you are improving!" He ordered gruffly before he turned towards the two doctors standing silently behind him. "I am posting a guard at the door, Doctor. Only authorized medical staff or people I have pre approved will be allowed into the room."

Doctor Willis nodded, unsurprised with the security measures.

Turning to Ducky Gibbs ordered, "I need a full report of Tony's injuries, Duck, also I want to be kept fully updated with his condition. If you need me to return to the hospital, I will be back at NCIS."

"Of Course, Jethro." Ducky called as he watched the agent turn and walk away.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tommy Salina turned and watched the elevator doors slide open. Spotting the man he was waiting to speak to, he hurried across the hospital lobby. "Excuse me, Agent Gibbs. " he called.

Gibbs turned towards the voice and frowned in annoyance as a young, heavy set man hurried towards him.

Panting from exertion from the brief sprint to catch up with the NCIS agent, Tommy drew a breathless gasp of air into his lungs. "I was wondering how Agent DiNozzo is doing?"

Studying the man more closely, Gibbs asked, "Who are you and why do you want to know about my agent?"

Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, Tommy quickly wiped the sweat from his face before tucking the piece of material back into his pocket. "I'm a security officer at NCIS. I've known Tony- I mean Agent Dinozzo for a couple of months now. He's always treated me fairly decent. Never been like some to ignore me. I couldn't believe it this morning when I saw that guy shoot Tony in the parking lot. I tried to get down there when I saw what was going on but I was to slow to stop it.'

"You saw what happened?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes Sir, I was manning the video surveillance. I called it in as soon as I realized what was going down and I tried to get to the scene myself but by the time I made it down to the parking lot, it was too late. I already told that Agent McGee all of this. I didn't get a real good look at the guy. The parking lot ain't lit well enough. Makes it kinda hard to make out people's faces, know what I mean?" Gibbs nodded as Tommy continued, "I heard that Tony was rushed here after the shooting, so I just thought I would come and see if he's gunna be okay?"

"Agent DiNozzo's condition is still critical at the moment." Gibbs answered softly.

"Do you think that they will let me in to see him? I promise I won't stay long."

A small smile tugged at his lips at the younger man's eagerness. "I'm afraid that Tony is in the ICU. No visitors for a couple of days but I'll let him know you were asking after him." Gibbs assured Tommy with a small pat on the shoulder. "Now if you will excuse me." He said quietly before he turned and walked away.

Tommy smiled as he watched the agent disappear through the doorway before he turned and hurried to the elevator. The ICU was on the third floor.

NCIS NCIS NCIS

Getting off the elevator, the young man looked around and spotted an unmarked door. Hurrying to it, he turned the handle to slip inside the dark room. Just a few minutes later, he walked out again but this time not resembling anything like he did when he first went in. The slight paunch he had sported earlier was gone as was the pale coloring and light, hay-colored hair. In their places was now his normal appearance - the dark, closely-cropped hair and complexion to match. Trim figure and almost hard lines. His facial expressions had morphed as well to those of a killer a man with revenge burning in his soul. Gone was the naive innocence that had stared at the NCIS senior agent minutes ago.

Inhaling and exhaling deeply, he clamped down on the burning rage inside and headed for the ICU unit door. Upon entering the cool stillness, he moved purposefully towards the whiteout board on the large wall near the nurses' desk, knowing that he'd be able to find his quarry there. Grateful for the genes that gave him excellent eyesight, he spotted the room number he wanted before he got too close and moved off towards it.

"Sir, sir, it's not time for visitors yet. Sir!"

He turned and immediately put on the dazzling smile that always seemed to work with the ladies he encountered. Reaching into a pocket, he removed a black billfold and flashed the gold badge held within. "Sorry, m'am. Should have checked in with you I know but I didn't want to waste time getting to my post. Andrew Martinow, sent by Special Agent Gibbs to keep an eye on the agent who was gunned down." He winked slightly as he spoke his name, confident of the effect it would have and was not mistaken.

A flush colored her cheeks and she ducked her head in embarrassment. "Of course, Sir, can I show you to the room or do you need anything extra or special?"

Tommy grinned, allowing the smile to reach his eyes and crinkle his laugh lines sure of the reaction it would bring and was not disappointed again. He made an effort to read the name tag on her trim, wrinkle-free printed scrub shirt. "Actually Jessica I'm familiar with the layout here so I know where he is and no, I don't require anything additional from you, at least not for my job." He winked again and watch as the plain looking, slightly overweight young woman quickly excused herself.

Moving to the room, he pushed the door open and entered, waiting as it snicked closed before jamming a chair against it to ensure several minutes of privacy. He walked to the bed and eyed the various tubes and machines that surrounded the injured agent. Smirking as his eyes lit on just the tube he needed.

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Gibbs strode purposefully through the front entrance of the building paying nearly no attention to the guards as he automatically emptied his pockets and headed through the scanner. His non-acknowledgment was nothing new and garnered nearly no reaction from the men. He was almost to the elevator when one dared to speak to him. "How's DiNozzo, Agent Gibbs?"

The reply was brusque and brief, normal for the senior agent, and gave little actual information. Gibbs' mind was already working on the issue of finding out who had targeted and hurt a member of his team, finding them and making them pay. Reaching the bullpen, he glanced at the empty desks, growling under his breath before heading back to the elevator and stabbing at the button that would take him to the forensic lab.

"What've we got?" The senior agent demanded as he pushed past the doors that never slid open fast enough for him.

"Anything new on Tony, Boss?"

Gibbs shook his head wordlessly, the scowl still present. The condition of his senior field agent was not something he wanted to dwell on at the moment. Back in his power base, his equilibrium had returned and would hopefully carry him throughout the investigation into what had happened in the parking garage. He needed to find this man before he hurt more of his people and worrying about DiNozzo would not be in his best interest at the moment. Besides although he would never admit to it out loud and didn't even really want to think about it, in the back of his mind lurked the fear that there would be permanent damage to his agent from the incident. On a continual feedback loop in his head was the moment in the garage when DiNozzo had briefly regained consciousness and proceeded to tell him that he felt no pain or really anything at all. What if...?

His deeply rooted stubbornness took hold and slammed the door shut on the uncomfortable thought. "Well?" he barked, his tone more of a reaction to the inner turmoil than the lack of external action.

"Not really a lot left behind here, Gibbs. No physical evidence that can be attributed to the shooter. Tapes show only what happened. It's as if he was really careful to not be picked up until he was behind Tony." Kate's reported, her face wore a mask of pure professionalism but Gibbs could see the fear and anguish that haunted her eyes.

Gibbs glanced over at Abby. The Goth lab tech was jumpier than normal, arms twitching as she stood by one of her many computers, occasionally entering data. Upon closer examination the older agent realized she was minutely shivering. No doubt a reaction to all that had happened so far. "Abs?"

"I just got Tony's...shirt... or...what's left of ...it...from the hos...hospital," she sniffed audibly, never afraid to reveal her emotional side to the man she alone called 'bossman'. He indulged her as well and now she wished he'd do just that. She needed a hug and no one did that better than Gibbs.

"Let me know if there's anything there, Abby." His words were gruff but his tone was gentler than he normally used. It was all he could give her at the moment although he knew she wanted more from him. He also knew that she wouldn't push him to do what he wasn't able to do.

NCISNCISNCIS

Tommy leaned against the wall closest to the door in the dimly lit room. He knew he was severely pushing his luck by remaining in there as long as he had and knew the whole situation had become a game to him. When would they figure out he wasn't who he had claimed he was to that nurse? When would they realize he was still in the room and shouldn't be? When would Gibbs realize how close he'd come to grabbing him when they'd talked in the lobby? He chuckled quietly over how easily he had fooled the agent before he looked across at the unconscious man in the bed.

He nodded his head as his plan solidified in his mind. But before he could take any kind of action, the door quietly swooshed open and a trim figure entered. This one, unlike the previous one he had encountered was dressed in all white and not the colorful, printed scrubs from before. She had not seemed to notice him until he cleared his throat and she jumped, startled by his presence.

"I'm sorry, miss." He spoke quietly, not wanting to alarm her. "My name is Agent Martinow, I'm Agent DiNozzo's guard for the day."

"Oh! No, no. It's no problem. I mean, it's not like you don't have permission to be here. I'll only be a few minutes. I need to check on Agent DiNozzo's condition."

"Take your time. I'm in no hurry. After all it's not like I can leave or go anywhere exciting."

He watched as she moved about the bed, checking the tubes and lines, the monitors and various other bags and equipment that were there, all the while murmuring quietly to the patient. She had a quiet calm about her and Tommy knew that it was something he'd want to experience if he was ever in a hospital bed. He silently chided himself for letting her pull him into her presence as it had distracted him from the task he would begin as soon as she left the room. When she turned away from the bed, he once again resembled the cool, professional agent on the job he was pretending to be. She smiled quietly at him as she moved from the bed and exited the room as soundlessly as she originally entered.

As the door clicked shut, Tommy grinned with an almost feral like baring of his teeth and moved closer to the bed.

Entering the lab, McGee froze in his tracks like a deer caught in headlights as Gibbs turned quickly towards him and demanded, "Well, McGee, what do you have? "

"I talked to the guards, Boss, the…the … ones in security who were watching the cameras and the one at the parking lot entrance." McGee paused and took a deep breath as he glanced nervously across to Kate and Abb before returning his attention back to his boss. "The guys who were watching the video and said it all happened so fast that they barely realized what was happening before it was all over. By the time they raised the alarm and made it down to the parking lot, Tony was down and his attacker had already escaped. The guard at the entrance claims that nobody came by him."

"I already know that McGee." Gibbs growled impatiently, "Now tell me something I don't know."

"You do, Boss?" The younger agent asked in confusion. Seeing the angry scowl appear on Gibbs' face, he quickly added, "I…I just spoke to the guys in security…I mean…"

"Then you didn't talk to all of them McGee." Gibbs growled, "Because I just spoke to one of the agents who were manning the cameras at the hospital."

"Ahhh, Jethro, here you are, I've been looking for you." Ducky announced as he entered the lab, interrupting McGee's report and silencing the confused young agent. "I just phoned the hospital and thought you might like to know what was said."

"Any change?" Gibbs asked as he turned quickly towards the Medical Examiner.

"No, Anthony is still heavily sedated, I'm afraid. He is still listed as critical but his vital signs are stable."

"How long do they expect him to be unconscious, Ducky?"

"Hard to tell, Jethro. The nurse did not indicate whether or not they had reduced his pain medication at all. I am assuming that they are intending to keep young Anthony sedated, thus immobilized, until some of the swelling around his spinal cord has subsided." Ducky answered quietly before adding, "The nurse also asked me to tell you the guard you sent over has arrived and is guarding Anthony in his room."

"What guard?" Gibbs demanded as he turned towards his two agents only to see the same confusion he felt mirrored in their eyes.

"She wasn't sure of his name but said he was clear about how he was sent by you."

"Ducky, I never sent a guard to keep watch on DiNozzo!"

"Gibbs!" Abby whispered in horror as Gibbs turned and hurried towards the lab door. "You don't think…"

"Ducky, get that hospital on the phone! I don't want that guard to leave!" He ordered over his shoulder as Kate and McGee turned and hurried after him. "Todd, McGee, you're with me!"

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Leaning over the motionless patient, Tommy sighed, "I am so disappointed in you DiNozzo. You forgot to give Gibbs my message. I guess if I want something done- I just have to do it myself!" He chuckled as he looked down and re-read the note he had written again, making sure that it was phrased the way he wanted. Folding it carefully, he placed it in the agent's palm and closed his fingers around the paper. He lowered his face closer to the unconscious man's ear as he fingered one of the tubes and whispered. "Don't worry DiNozzo, I am sure one of the nurses will find you before you have time to bleed out." As he straightened up, his fingers moved quickly, pulling out the tubing and needle to the central line. Dropping it off the bed to drip onto the tile, he watched for a few moments as the blood bubbled and quickly oozed out of the small opening, the flow growing faster as alarms began to echo through the room. He grinned and then turned, moving to the door. Opening it a bit, he looked around before slipping out of the room and leaving the unit.