Chapter 23:
Gibbs and Jim had been walking for a good few minutes now, the silence a welcome relief to the stress that had been brought on by Erikson and Myers. Neither man had had the chance until now to let things sink in. For Gibbs this was part of his job but Jim was a civilian who had come out here to spend time with his son.
When this whole thing had started Jim's first thoughts were 'What can I do to help get everyone out of this mess?' Jim was not the type out for himself, not by any means. So when he heard Gibbs was going to retrieve Myers he volunteered. He didn't doubt that Gibbs could handle himself, but seeing how insistent Tony had been, he thought it best to put the younger man at ease. He had been through enough already as it was and there was no need to add to it.
Gibbs was also thinking about Tony. The younger man's injuries were not to be taken lightly and now that he had time to reflect more on everything Gibbs couldn't help but be impressed. Tony had to be in a lot of pain and yet he still managed to push forward knowing that others needed his help. He just hoped that Tony didn't push himself too far.
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Jim said suddenly.
"I know, he's been through worse things than this," Gibbs replied.
"That sure was some performance the two of you did," Jim observed. "And don't give me 'It's part of the job' crap either. You may be his boss but I can tell there's more to it than that."
Gibbs couldn't help but smile at that. "That obvious, huh?"
"Just a bit," Jim replied.
"We've worked together for years," Gibbs said. "I've watched his back and he's watched mine. You can't go through some of the shit we've been through and not develop a bond."
Jim nodded. "So, Tony's your protégé then I guess."
"Yea, he is," Gibbs agreed with a smile. "Tony's the closest thing I have to a son."
"And what about Tony's real father, if you don't mind my asking?" Jim said.
"What about him?" Gibbs replied gruffly.
"Ah, I see what you mean," Jim said quietly.
They walked in silence for several minutes before they were able to spot the cabin in the distance. Turning to Jim, Gibbs pressed a finger to his lips, signaling Jim to be quiet. At his nod, Gibbs pulled out his gun and approached the cabin quietly.
As he reached the door, Gibbs strained to hear if there was any sound of movement from inside. Hearing nothing, he grasped the handle and opened the door. After stepping inside, Gibbs took a quick look around before his eyes settled on Myers. Sensing Jim move in behind him, Gibbs turned back to see the same amusement he felt reflected on the other man's face.
Myers was lying down on his stomach in a corner with no possible way to move. His arms and wrists were bound behind his back and his knees and ankles were also restrained from movement. His mouth and eyes were covered as well. The straps from the bag lying nearby on the floor had been used to further restrict Myers by attaching him to a pipe in the wall.
When Tony had told them that he had 'sort of' locked Myers in a cabin he wasn't kidding. Smirking, Gibbs approached Myers and grabbed his forearm to get his attention. Almost immediately he started to panic, and Gibbs suppressed the urge to laugh. Tony really had done a number on the guy.
"Enough!" Gibbs managed to shout abruptly. "I don't have time to deal with your crap."
Myers went still at Gibbs' harsh voice, but it was obvious that he was still nervous. Signaling Jim over, Gibbs began to untie the straps from the pipe. Jim held Myers down while Gibbs worked on the straps and tape binding his legs together. He made short work of it and soon Myers was hauled up onto his feet.
Neither Jim nor Gibbs said anything to Myers; they just started walking, dragging Myers along as they went. Myers was on the verge of panicking, having no idea who he was with or where he was going. Both Gibbs and Jim were enjoying the man's discomfort, secretly wishing they could do more. However, they were also anxious to get back to the camp before anything else happened, good or bad.
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Before Gibbs and Jim had even gotten out of sight Gary had started issuing orders and began a more thorough examination of Tony's condition. Gary considered Tony to be very lucky that he hadn't broken any of his ribs and had them puncture a lung. However, Tony's luck didn't extend much further. While he only received a graze from the bullet, it was still doing a lot of damage. He could see that an infection had developed from the way the wound was turning red and swelling. There was no way to be certain, but Gary was pretty sure that Tony had started to run a fever.
It took some coaxing, but Gary managed to get Tony to eat a little bit as he attempted to clean out the bullet wound. Once Ray had started a fire, Gary had him boil water along with some pieces of cloth. After letting them cool a bit, he had placed them over the wound in order to try to keep the infection from getting worse.
Getting him to stay still was another matter entirely.
"Gibbs told you to follow my instructions!" argued Gary.
"He also told me to try and figure out a way to contact our team before they get here with their guns drawn," Tony replied calmly.
"And you'll do it sitting right where you are," countered Gary, whose tone broke no argument.
Tony sighed as he realized that Gary was not going to budge. 'Reminds me of Gibbs,' he thought to himself with a smirk.
"At least bring me the emergency radio. I might be able to fix it," Tony said.
"Fair enough. Just be sure you keep drinking water, you're dehydrated enough as it is," Gary compromised as he motioned for Jason to bring the radio over.
Tony examined the radio for several minutes. Erikson had done some damage to it, but it didn't seem entirely impossible to fix. Looking up at the rest of the group, he asked, "I don't suppose anyone has a Swiss Army Knife on them?"
Gary and Ray shook their heads no.
"I've got my glasses repair kit," offered Jason.
"I haven't seen you wearing any glasses," Ray said with a questioning look.
Jason rolled his eyes. "I've worn sunglasses. I always have bad luck with them breaking or something." He pulled out the small kit and handed it to Tony.
Examining the kit, Tony said, "Thanks, this will work perfectly."
"You really think you can fix it?" asked Gary as he removed the cloth from Tony's side and applied a fresh one.
Wincing in pain, Tony said, "Doesn't hurt to try."
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"We have to go now! There's no time to waste waiting for the rest of your minions!" shouted Ziva.
"So you want to go in undermanned?" questioned Fornell.
"At the very least we could be surveying the situation," Ziva snapped back.
"There's no telling how long they've been in trouble," McGee joined in. "The GPS trackers only show their location, not their status."
"For all we know Erikson and Myers could have called in help from their partners," Fornell argued. "We go in there now without more backup and we risk putting everyone in that tour group in more danger."
"And not giving Gibbs and Tony any kind of support is better how?" asked McGee.
"You wait all you want," Ziva said as she started walking away. "I'm heading out now."
McGee headed after Ziva, but turned and called out, "We'll contact you when we know what's going on."
Fornell sighed to himself before jogging to catch up to them. "I'll have my team meet us there. Gibbs will kill me if I let you two do all the work."
"You do that," Ziva said as she slid into the driver's seat.
"I'll keep monitoring the radio frequencies," McGee said from the back seat as he secured his own radio and laptop.
"If they're in trouble you really think they will have the opportunity to use the radio?" asked Fornell.
"Maybe. Or Erikson and Myers could be using it to get help to deal with whatever problems they are having," McGee replied back.
Fornell made no comment as Ziva hit the gas and tore out of the parking lot.
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Between the two of them Gibbs and Jim were able to make better time hiking back than Tony did by himself dealing with Myers. In almost no time at all they were in view of the camp. As they approached the camp they saw Gary, Ray and Jason sitting around Tony, who had his focus on the radio.
As they maneuvered Myers towards a tree Jim called out to the others, "Anyone want to give us a hand?"
Everyone looked up but Tony, who was still working on the radio.
"It didn't take you two long," Gary said as he stood up and went to gather the rope that had been tied around him not long ago. Jason moved to throw more wood into the fire as Ray started preparing more cloths.
"He's too scared to cause much trouble," Gibbs said with a snicker as he pushed Myers down to sit against the tree.
"Should be used to being tied up by now though," Jim said as he took the rope from Gary. "You should have seen him, all wrapped up like a Christmas present."
"Too bad you didn't have a camera," laughed Gary.
"So how's Tony doing?" Gibbs asked as he finished securing Myers to the tree.
"He's been tinkering with that damn radio for a while now," Gary said a little frustrated. "It's a fight every time I go to change the cloth for his side."
"I thought it was broken?" Jim asked.
"You try telling him that. Jason gave him his glasses repair kit to use," Gary told them.
Laughing, Gibbs said, "Tony's stubborn, he won't believe it's broken until he spends a few hours trying to fix it."
"He can fool with it all he wants, it keeps him from moving around too much," Gary said. "Just as long as he stops ignoring me when I try to keep his side clean."
"I'll talk to him," Gibbs said as he made his way over to where Tony was sitting, who was so engrossed on fixing the radio that he didn't acknowledge Gibbs when he sat down next to him.
"How's it going?" Gibbs asked after a few minutes.
"I'm almost done," Tony answered. "Erikson didn't actually do that much damage. A few wires and such got loose is all."
"And you know how to fix it because it relates to a job you used to have at one point?" Gibbs teased.
Tony smiled but kept on working. "Something like that. Was Myers any trouble?"
"Hardly. Especially with the way you had him tied up," Gibbs said.
Tony shrugged. "Wasn't sure if it was enough to hold him or not. How much longer do you think we have before someone shows up?"
"Shouldn't be too much longer, I would hope," Gibbs said with a sigh.
As Tony continued to work on the radio, Gary came over with another cloth.
"It's too early for you to be back over here, you just changed it," Tony said.
"Who said it was for you?" Gary said as he held out the cloth to Gibbs. "You've got a broken nose along with a concussion now. Are the two of you in competition with each other or something?"
Tony actually paused to look up at that and laughed. "Hey, I thought it was my job to get hit on the head."
Gibbs glared at him as he took the cloth from Gary. "It would be a job for you to not get hit on the head. You got that radio fixed yet?"
"I think I almost have it," replied Tony with a snicker.
"What are you laughing at?" Gibbs asked.
"It's just nice knowing I won't be the only one this time," Tony said with a grin.
"The only one what?" Gibbs asked again, starting to get frustrated.
"The only one who gets a lecture from Abby on the consequences of causing her to worry and a lesson on why its not a good idea to get these types of injuries from Ducky," Tony answered, still grinning.
Gibbs eyed him closely. "There's no way around them?"
Tony shook his head. "Trust me on this one, boss. You don't even want to know what happens if you try."
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"Anything, McGee?" Ziva asked as she kept her foot pressed down on the gas pedal.
"Nothing on the radio, but according to the trackers, Gibbs is back at the camp now," replied McGee.
"Did he activate any of the other trackers?" Fornell inquired.
"No, he didn't," answered McGee. "Why would Gibbs leave the camp if he wasn't planning on trying to plant them?"
"Could be any number of reasons," Fornell said. "He might not have had an opportunity to put the GPS trackers in place without getting caught."
"Or he was caught while trying to plant them," Ziva added.
"You really think Gibbs is careless enough to get caught?" speculated Fornell.
"You have a point," admitted Ziva.
"I can't imagine that Erikson and Myers would wait until now to make the drop," McGee put in. "It's too risky."
"We have to consider the possibility that Gibbs' and Dinozzo's cover may have been blown," Fornell said.
"Which is all the more reason for us to get there as quickly as possible," Ziva said as she continued to speed down the road.
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"There! Let's hope that fixes everything," Tony said wearily. Gibbs held out his hands and Tony passed the radio over to him.
"Perfect timing," Gary said as he came over with another cloth. Gibbs watched as Gary removed the old cloth and there was no doubt that the wound had indeed become infected. The swelling had grown and the skin around the gash seemed to have started to blister. Tony really had to have been feeling bad since he was just sitting there quietly as Gary administered some ointment before replacing the cloth.
Gibbs turned his attention back to the radio. He had to get Tony to a hospital soon. Turning on the radio, he smiled with pride as he heard static. "Sounds like its working. Good job, Tony," Gibbs said.
"It's just static, boss," Tony said quietly. "We'll know when it works when we're talking to someone on the other end."
Looking back over at Tony, Gibbs could see the exhaustion written on his face. Wrapped up in a blanket, Tony was struggling to stay alert. Gary and the others had also noticed and were feeling helpless as there was not much that they could to do help at the moment.
"Should try talking, boss," Tony said slowly as he gave a small wave at the radio.
"I know how to use a radio, Dinozzo," Gibbs said, voice lacking the usual gruffness.
"Never said you didn't," Tony replied with a small smile.
Returning his attention once again to the radio, Gibbs spoke, "Anyone out there? Emergency situation. Please respond."
Everyone stayed quiet, waiting and hoping that someone would hear their transmission.
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"Hey! I think I've got something!" shouted McGee. Ziva had just parked the car on the side of the road and they were preparing to set off on foot since there were no roads leading down to the river.
He had been transferring the GPS signals to his palm pilot when he had noticed a lot of static coming from the radio. Fornell and Ziva came over to listen in as McGee turned up the volume.
"Anyone…Emergency…spond."
The message wasn't very clear, but it was more than obvious whose voice it was on the radio.
"Anyway you can clear it up?" Fornell asked.
"We are probably are on different channels. If we get on the right one there shouldn't be as much static," answered McGee as he adjusted the radio.
"Boss? You're breaking up. Switch to channel 5," McGee spoke into the radio.
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"oss…breaking up…," McGee's voice came through the radio. Everyone sighed in relief when someone responded to Gibbs' message. Tony especially looked relieved.
"See, told you that you fixed it," Gibbs said to Tony before answering McGee.
"Say again, McGee."
"itch…five," McGee's voice came through again.
"What the hell is he trying to say?" Gibbs asked frustrated. Tony reached over and switched a knob on the radio.
"More than one channel. Try it now," he said as he leaned back.
"McGee, you still there?" Gibbs asked.
"Boss! We hear you loud and clear. What's going on?" McGee came back clearly, worry and relief evident in his voice.
"Long story. Right now I need you to get an ambulance and medical crew here fast," Gibbs ordered.
"How about the short version, Gibbs?" Fornell's voice replaced McGee's.
"Erikson's dead, Myers is tied to a tree. And I need an ambulance here, not trigger happy Fed's!" shouted Gibbs in frustration.
"Ziva, McGee and myself are almost at your location. More help is on the way," Fornell replied, recognizing Gibbs' anger and concern when he heard it.
"Good. We'll be waiting," Gibbs said as he set down the radio and looked at Tony.
"Feel better now, Gibbs?" Tony asked.
"Not until I can yell at him in person," Gibbs answered with a smirk.
"Naturally," Tony said as he shifted, trying to find a more comfortable position. Gibbs moved closer to his right side and positioned himself so Tony could lean against his shoulder.
"I thought Gary told you to sit still," Gibbs said as he felt Tony's forehead. He frowned; Tony was burning up. He looked over at Gary, who nodded and retrieved a cloth and drenched it with cool water before handing it over to Gibbs.
"Ok," Tony muttered as he settled down and closed his eyes, exhaustion finally pulling him into a light sleep.
"He'll be ok, Tony's a tough kid," Jim said in an effort to decrease Gibbs' worry.
Gibbs smiled in thanks at Jim as he placed the cloth on Tony's forehead and said, "Yea, I know he is."
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Meanwhile, McGee, Ziva and Fornell had started making their way towards the camp. Before leaving Fornell had contacted his team to advise them of the situation and to get a medical unit on its way. Ziva had contacted the director, who promised to update Ducky and Abby on the situation.
"He didn't say anything about Tony," Ziva said as she moved along the trail.
"He'll be ok," McGee told her. "When is he not ok?" Looking at her face, he then said, "Yea, I'm worried too."
"I went ahead and had a chopper get put on stand-by," Fornell said. "If Tony's injuries are too severe, they'll have to fly him out. There's no way they're bringing a stretcher down this path."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Ziva said.
They continued their trek in silence, no one wanting to voice their worry any more than they already had. Everyone kept a brisk pace, eager to get to the camp and find out what really had happened to their teammates.
Chapter End Notes:
Sorry for the long wait but I hope you all enjoy! Please review!