Gibbs walked into the bullpen and first thing he saw was McGee's backpack at his desk and his computer on. Sitting at his desk he buried himself in the reports of the case and trying to finish up the loose ends so Stephenson's team could do the rest of the work. Just as Tony and Ziva exited the elevator Gibbs phone rang.
“Gibbs”
“Is this Special Agent Gibbs of NCIS?” the mysterious caller asked.
“ Yes it is. What can I help you with?”
“ If you want to find your agent come alone to the field off of I-75 near the junction of Hwy 112. Gibbs please come alone for his sake.” the caller said as he hung up.
Without a word to his agents, Gibbs grabbed his jacket, badge, and gun and running towards the stairs. Hitting the door without stopping Gibbs raced down the stairs and to his car. Driving like a madman Gibbs reached the field just as the ambulance left the scene. He stopped and ran to the officer that was standing next to his car.
“Special Agent Gibbs. I was told one of my team was here. Was that him in the ambulance” Gibbs glared at the officer at the scene.
“Did you say Special Agent?” The officer asked paling a little as he took in Gibbs glare.
“Yes! I did. Now tell me where they are taking him?” Gibbs yelled.
“ The local hospital about ten minutes away.”
“What happened to him?” Gibbs queried.
“From what we could determine Agent Gibbs he was raped,tortured, and beaten.”
the officer said. A slight smirk touching his lips.
Gibbs had been watching the young officer all the while they were speaking. He noticed the slight smirk and the contempt in his voice. He didn't like this man for some reason he had the gut feeling that this guy was involved somehow with what happened to McGee. Gibbs anger at what was done to McGee was rising and this guys attitude was not helping. This should never have happened to McGee. He didn't deserve this, no one deserved this. Especially not McGee he was to kind hearted for something like this to happen.
“Any man that would get himself raped isn't a man in my book. Hell he must be some kinda fag. Didn't know that fags could be government agents...Hell I bet he even enjoyed it.” Laughing he didn't see Gibbs expression slightly change as instead of anger filling him rage took over. Without warning Gibbs decked the bastard.
“That man is one hell of an agent and he deserves your respect not your contempt. If I ever hear you or anyone else say something like that again about my agent I won't hesitate to kill you. Do you understand me.” Gibbs yelled.
“What the hell!” The officer yelled.” Why did you hit me? You can't do that. I'm going to file charges against you with you boss.”
“ You do that and when I tell him what you said about one of the best agents we have you'll be lucky he doesn't lock you up.” Gibbs snarled as he got back into his car and headed towards the hospital. Lucky that Gibbs didn't see the expression of satisfaction on the cops face. If he had of he might just have killed him then and there.
“Well well well. Isn't that a kick in the pants. We got to have ourselves some fun with a fed. Now that's payback for all their interference with us.” He thought to himself.
“That kid had one hell of a nice ass. Glad I got to get a piece of his ass. Man was he good. I can't wait to tell the other that this guy was a fed. They will get a kick out it. Can't wait to get that vid out on the net.”
Gibbs drove like a maniac to get to the hospital and to McGee. Without hesitation he flipped open his phone and dialed Ducky. Just as Ducky answered Gibbs pulled into the emergency room entrance. “Duck I need you to come to the Willard Hospital. McGee's been seriously hurt. No questions asked and tell no one where your going or who is involved.” Gibbs said leaving no room for question as he hung up on his old friend.
“That was a strange call.”Ducky thought as he picked up his bag and hurried out. Leaving Palmer astonished and full of questions. Ducky drove as quick as he could to the hospital.
Gibbs rushed in “Where is the young man they just brought in?” yelling at the startled nurse at the desk. Not waiting for an answer he just followed where she was pointing. Gibbs raced down the hall bursting thru the door to the room where McGee was being examined. The doctors and the nurses turned to look at the older man as he burst thru the door.
“Sir you can't be in here.” The good looking young doctor said.
“I'm his boss Special Agent Gibbs.”
“I don't give a dam who you are your not allowed in here. Until we are finished. When were done then I might allow you to see this young man but until then leave. If you don't I won't hesitate to call security and have you removed.” The young doctor just glared right back at Gibbs his look telling Gibbs that he wasn't going to be detered.
Just as Gibbs started to say something he felt a hand on his shoulder. “ Jethroe let's let the doctor and the nurses do their job.” Ducky said gently.
As the doctor turned to go back to tend to McGee,Gibbs saw the young man curled up on the bed. Gasping “ My God what the hell happened to you McGee.” Gibbs asked softly. Gibbs glance over the doctors shoulder he saw McGee's bruised and battered body laying there.
Gibbs soft gasp and words reached Ducky's ears. Looking past both he saw the shape the young agent was in.
Taking Gibbs shoulder he steered his old friend friend out into the hallway and down to the visitors area.
“Ducky did you see McGee? My God what happened to him. Who could have done this to him?” Gibbs asked.
“ Yes I saw him but I don't know the rest of the answers to your questions. Let me talk to the doctors. I will be back as soon as I know something Jethroe.”
Turning he left Gibbs sitting in the waiting room. Walking into McGee's room he was addressed by Stephenson.
“I told you that your not allowed in here.” the doctor growled.
“Dr.Stephenson, my name is Dr. Mallard. I am this young man's medical proxie as well as his friend and physician and I demand to know what his injuries and condition are?” Ducky glared at the young doctor.
“Well excuse me Dr. Mallard but this young man has been seriously injured as well as being beaten, tortured and he also appears to have been raped multiple times. We have done a rape kit on him but who ever did this left no evidence behind. They cleaned him inside as well as out. He has two broken ribs, a punctured lung, severe lacerations all over his body, he is servirely beaten and bruised. His left hand was broken but can be repaired. But its his mind and spirit that has taken the worst beating and abused. We have him under heavy sedation and its going to take a lot of work on his part to even get thru this. For now we need to keep him isolated and let his injuries heal.” Stephenson told Ducky.
“Thank you Doctor. I will let Agent Gibbs know. I know you will take good care of him. I do want to be appraised of his condition and kept informed. I will also be participating in his care as well.” Ducky's voice left no room for argument.
Ducky left the room and returned to the waiting room to let Gibbs know what the doctor had told him. Walking down the hall he wondered how and how much to tell Jethroe. He knew the man cared a great deal about his team members yet he also knew that McGee being the youngest member was special to Jethroe. He just wasn't certain how special McGee had become or if his friend had acknowledged how special he was to Gibbs. They both were very private people. He know how much Timothy cared about Jethroe. He had watched the two men dance around each other in a dizzying waltz. They both cared a great deal about each other and yet neither man would admit it to himself or the other. He knew that the news he was about to give his friend would send him over the edge. For all his faults Jethroe blamed himself when something happened to someone he cares about especially his team. They are his family. This was going to devastate him. Steeling himself Ducky entered the waiting room. As ready as he could be to face Gibbs anger not only at himself but at the people that did this to Timothy.
“How is he Ducky? Is he going to be alright? He looks like someone beat the hell out of him? Who could have done this? Why would they do this to McGee? Was it revenge? Tell me why my youngest, brightest agent is laying in there looking like someones punching bag?” Gibbs demanded the anger and hurt coming thru his voice as he yelled at his oldest and dearest friend.
“Jethroe!” Ducky commanded his voice brokering no arguments. “Sit down and calm down and I will tell you what the doctors know. But first Jethroe look at me!” Ducky demanded. “ I don't want you going off half cocked right now. Timothy needs you more than ever and what I am going to tell you isn't easy!” Ducky said doing his best to control his voice.
“Just tell me Duck.”
“ First Jethroe he has two cracked ribs, numerous cuts and abrasions, his left hand was broken. He has multiple bruises covering his body. His throat was damaged and but he didn't suffer any permanent damage. He does have a punchered lung.”
“Oh my.....” Ducky how did this happen was he in an accident he asked before Ducky could continue.
“No Jethroe this was no accident. Everything that was done to that young man was done on purpose. Whoever did this was a sadistic animal.” Ducky stopped as he looked into Gibbs eyes and saw the man had murder in his eyes. Ducky hesitated until Gibbs said “ What is the rest of it Duck?” The look he gave his old friend told him that he already knew the worst. But that he had to hear Ducky say it. The glare he gave Ducky told him not to try and dodge the question.
“Jethroe I am not sure how to say this but...”
“Just say it Ducky” Gibbs yelled. “ That animal raped my agent didn't he?”
At a loss for words. He just nodded. Looking into Gibbs eyes he knew that his friend was blaming himself for what happened to Timothy. He had no words of comfort for him this time. He had heard what Gibbs had said to the young agent just before he went missing. Try as he might he couldn't help but blame Gibbs for this. He couldn't help but feel a little responsibility at what happened. He didn't stand up for McGee when he had the chance. He didn't tell Jethroe to back off that what happened wasn't McGee's fault.
“This is all my fault Ducky.” Gibbs croaked. “If I had just listened to my gut and went after him none of this would have happened. If I hadn't been so hard on him. If I hadn't said those things to him. How am I ever going to make this up to him, make it right. He's never going to forgive me. I didn't even try to find him when we all knew he wasn't home. I should have done more. He shouldn't be laying in there. This is all my fault. What am I going to do now?”
“Well for starters you can stop blaming yourself and tell that young man exactly how you feel about him. Stop dancing around the subject Jethroe and tell him how you feel. Then be there for him thru this. Let him know it wasn't his fault. Don't let him blame himself for what happened. None of this was his fault or yours. I do suggest you contact Director Vance and let him know what happened but under no circumstances do not let anyone on the team know what has happened. Especially Tony and Abby. They will only make him feel worse.”
“ How am I going to look him in the eyes now. He's going to think I(we) abandoned him. Even if I tell him will he even want me after this. After all he has gone thru?” Gibbs voice cracked as he tried to control his emotions that threatened to break thru his walls.
“You will never know unless you tell him now will you? You have to give him time but you must be there for him now. It will mean a lot to him for you to be there when he wakes up. They have him heavily sedated. Jethroe how did you know he was here?”
“ I got an anonymous call that told me where to find him but the LEO's had already gotten there before I did. Why do you ask Ducky?” Gibbs queried.
“Well either someone knew who Timothy was or he told them to call you and maybe we can use that to trace the call back to the source and find who did this to Timothy. If we can that means someone helped him and kept his identity hidden and they know who did this.”
“Ducky I should have thought of that myself. I was just worried and relieved that I didn't think about it. But in order to do the trace I'm going to have to ask Abby to do it. If you don't want her involved I can't ask her to do it without her picking up on the fact that McGee might be involved. But if I ask Fornell to do it he wouldn't use Abby and he could help us catch this bastard without the whole team knowing and Fornell likes McGee and would help.” Gibbs said the last to himself not realizing that he had spoken outloud until he looked at Ducky's smiling face.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Tim is hurt by Gibbs words leaving him open to a nightmare that he only hopes he will wake from.