April Challenge Entries

[Gibbsgirl]

I'm changing the challenge thread titles slightly. So, it really is no joke, get those April Challenges over here!!

[Tonyzgir]

I hope this is where this goes. And yay!!! I'm the first poster. As usual, read, review and etc. Oh yeah, I don't own NCIS, although I would like to borrow Tony from time to time......

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Condensation slowly slid down the sides of the glass, leaving a wet ring on the table top.

Tony watched the drop of water make its way down the side and add itself to the water already on the table. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip, absentmindedly playing with the water ring.

His focus should have been on the magazine in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere. He was still shaking, days later. It had been absolutely terrifying for him. He still saw it, like it was happening now, right in front of him again.

Gibbs was so worried about him he had sent him to a shrink. That’s where he was now. Sitting in the waiting room. He hated doctors. He really didn’t want to be here. But, Gibbs had asked him to come. There was a sense of concern in Gibbs’ voice. Tony had to come.

So, he waited to called in. Quietly. Shaking.

**********************************************

“I want to talk about the break-in.” The doctor said.

“Couple of neighborhood kids. Their parents made them apologize and replace anything they broke.”<br>
“It bothered you.”<br>
“Yeah. I felt vulnerable in my own home. I was just glad that Char and I weren’t home.”<br>
“Charisma is your fiancé right?”<br>
“Yes.”<br>
“Tell me about her.”<br>
“She is incredible. Smart, beautiful, funny. And so giving. She took a teaching job here just to be near me, her dad and her sister.”<br>
“Did that bother you?”<br>
“Kind of. I didn’t want her to feel obligated to stay here.”<br>
“Does she?”<br>
“No. She doesn’t.” Tony took a deep breath, fighting tears. His heart ached talking about her.

“So, tell me about the people you work with.”<br>
“They’re great. Wonderful people. I enjoy working with them.”<br>
“Even Agent Todd?”<br>
Tony sighed. “She’s difficult some times. But I don’t help either. Sometimes I can be an ass.”<br>
“Why?”<br>
“Why what?”<br>
“Why can you be an ass to Agent Todd?”<br>
“Mostly because I was intimidated by her when she first joined NCIS. She was this big shot Secret Service agent who is great at her job.”<br>
“Were you worried she was going to take your job?”<br>
“I think, deep down, maybe I was.”<br>
“And now?”<br>
“Now I’m not as worried.”<br>
“Why not?”<br>
“Because we’re partners, not enemies.”<br>
“What about Agent McGee?”<br>
“He’s a good agent. Smart, fast eager learner.”<br>
“You enjoy working with him?”<br>
“Yeah. He reminds me of me when I first started. Wide-eyed enthusiasm. I’m glad he’s here.”<br>
“Have you told him that?”<br>
“No.”<br>
“Are you going to?”<br>
“Eventually, maybe.”<br>
“Tell me about Abby Sciuto.”<br>
“She’s my best friend at NCIS. She’s smart, cute and funny. She’s also Charisma’s sister. Abby’s always been like a sister to me. I love her.”<br>
“Any romantic feelings towards her?”<br>
“Once, maybe. But not now.”<br>
“Dr. Mallard?”<br>
“Ducky is like the wise old uncle who tells longs, useless stories. He is also one of the smartest people I have ever met. He has this huge heart and is an incredibly kind man.”<br>
“Agent Gibbs?”<br>
“He terrifies me. He’s also my mentor. And Charisma’s father.”<br>
“Why does he terrify you?”<br>
“He’s an ex-marine and one of the only people who knows the real me. He’s my mentor because of those reasons too.”<br>
“The fact that he’s Charisma’s father?”<br>
“Scares me to death.”<br>
The doctor paused for a second and looked down at his notes. Then he looked back up at Tony. “Tell me about the nightmares.”<br>
Tony sighed and looked at his hands. “They started after the Jeffrey White case.”<br>
“The man you shot in self-defense?”<br>
“Yeah. They all end the same way----he slits Charisma’s throat.”<br>
“Why does he scare you so much?”<br>
“He was a sociopath. Capable of anything. He almost killed me. What really scares me is the fact that I believed he was an innocent person.”<br>
“Why did you believe that?”<br>
“Because he acted that way. He wanted me too. And maybe I felt sorry for him.”<br>
“Why?”<br>
“No one ever treated him like I did.”<br>
“What’s that?”<br>
“That’s what he said to me. Before…..”<br>
“Why do you think you’re having these nightmares?”<br>
“I wish I knew.”<br>
“Why did you come here?”<br>
“Gibbs was worried about me. He has every right to be, I guess.”<br>
“This is a traumatic time. He just wants you at your best performance.”<br>
Tony looked down at his hands. The doctor watched as Tony’s shoulders started to shake. The doctor waited patiently until Tony took a deep breath and looked back at him.

“Feel better?” the doctor asked.

Tony grinned slightly. “A little.”<br>
“Anything else you want to talk about?”<br>
“Just how long till I’m back to normal?”<br>
“These things take time. You can’t rush science.”<br>
**************************************************

The End

[Gibbsgirl]

Good job! And kudos for being the first to post in the new challege thread!

I see you've got a series going here as well, good for you. Good luck and we look forward to seeing more from you!!

[mel1975]

I like it Tonyzgir!

I like how we got little snapshots of all the Tony/NCIS characters relationships. Well done!

[Tonyzgir]

Thanks guys. I was so nervous about posting this. Thanks for the kind words....

[jtbwriter]

;D
Good story, TZ!

I like how IC Tony was, very quiet at first, then he opened up a bit. I could really hear him talk about Gibbs, and I like your "backstory" on Abby and Gibbs and your org character.

Look forward to more of your stuff!

[jtbwriter]

NCIS April 1st Challenge- No “I” In Goodbye

Hard to stay within 1000 words-let me know what you think!


Condensation slowly slid down the sides of the glass, leaving a wet ring on the table top.

Kate ignored it, listening to the rain splashing against the windows of her apartment.

Another Saturday home alone, the loneliness of her life only magnified by yet another broken date.

When the phone rang suddenly, she dived for it, anything to break her empty mood.

“Hello?”<br>
“Hey, Abbs, don’t forget that I’m going to be late tomorrow, okay?” Kate snickered, Tony was having way too good a time from the noise in the background, with someone yelling, “Hang up!”.

“Tony, it’s Kate, you must have mis-dialed.” She smirked, then caught her breath as he rushed on.

“I have to go, just remember to water the plant on my desk, next to my files, ..uh, I have to go, bye!”<br>
The dial tone sounded in her ear.

Something was wrong. Tony was in trouble. She had to call Gibbs.

Snatching up her umbrella, Kate grabbed her cell phone and headed for the door.

As she headed for her car, she rang Gibbs, worried when he didn’t pick up.

“Come on, how far can that damn boat be from your phone?” she groused, pulling out of her parking structure, then stopping to let an old man cross in front of her.

Suddenly he stumbled, and Kate hurriedly got out of her car, absent-mindedly stuffing her phone in her pocket.

“Are you all right?” She called, coming up to him as he leaned against the bumper of her car.

“Yes, Agent Todd.” The voice was familiar, then she gasped as the “old man” straightened up, then pointed a gun at her. Kate took a step back.

“Just open the back door of your car and lay face down on the seat. I don’t want to have to shoot you.”<br>
Pretending to comply, Kate opened the rear door then turned, saying, “Look, don’t do this to her..”

Kate’s attempt to dissuade her attacker was halted by being pushed off-balance onto the car seat, then being tied down with the seat belts.

Before she could call out, a piece of cloth was thrust into her mouth, then the door was closed. A moment later the car jerked forward.

Kate felt her phone vibrating against her leg, and hoped Gibbs had seen the id and was trying to call her back.

Suddenly the car stopped, then the rear door opened.

“All right, Agent Todd. I’m going to bring you in to see a friend of yours. Not a sound now.” The voice warned.

Kate felt the seat belts come off, then something being wound around her wrists.

Abruptly she was pulled upright, and found herself being led through a garage.

“Just a few more steps, Ms. Todd.” As she was led down a flight of stairs, fear engulfed her. Halting at a wooden door, she watched the door unlocked. It swung open, then she was pulled forward.

In the faint light of the room was a person in a chair, arms tied behind his back. Tony.

Gibbs was having a bad time. He’d been awakened by the ringing of his cell phone, hearing Kate’s voice only for a moment before he knew there was trouble.

The whole exchange was muffled, but he understood enough to know she was being abducted. He alerted the police, but by the time he reached her apartment complex, she was gone.

“Agent Gibbs.” A policeman ran up to him as he got out of his car.

“Did anyone see anything?” Gibbs asked tersely, then was surprised by a “Yes” from the officer.

“One of Ms. Todd’s neighbors was about to turn in when she heard the sound of a car and saw an person, perhaps an old man or woman stop the car. Mrs. Sandoval saw Ms. Todd being made to get in the back of her car, which drove off.” The policeman continued.

“Thank you, Officer. I’d like to have one of my agents speak with Mrs. Sandoval, did anyone see the assailant arriving?” Gibbs wondered.

“Yes, the security guard. He confirms seeing someone park a small sports car at the curb, then stand in the rain until Ms. Todd started to drive up the ramp. We’ve secured the car for your forensics team. Here’s what we recovered from it so far.” The officer handed him a plastic bag.

Gibbs thanked the policeman, then saw McGee drive the NCIS truck up. As he got out, he turned to someone, and the head agent was surprised to see Abby follow him out of the van.

“Yo, McGee. Where’s DiNozzo, and why did you bring Abby?”<br>
The nervous agent trotted up to him, then breathlessly responded. “Sorry boss, I couldn’t get a hold of him. Abby, uh, Abby..”<br>
“Just happened to be there, so I volunteered to help find Kate.” she added somberly, then Gibbs put a hand on her shoulder.

“I appreciate it, Abbs, but I’m going to need you to take what ever we find back to the lab. Starting with this.” He said, handing her the bagged registration info. “McGee, keep trying to locate DiNozzo, so I can kick his butt. I’m going to Kate’s apartment, try to find out where she was going in the weather.

As he started toward the assailant’s car, Abby suddenly called after him, “Gibbs?”<br>
He turned, then went back to her seeing her frightened expression.

“It’s Tony, Tony’s car was the one used by Kate’s kidnapper.” Abby used the plastic bag to open up the leather holdall, displaying Dinozzo’s car information.

Gibbs swore, then said “Abby, take that back to the lab and see if there are any prints on it. McGee, go meet Mrs. Sandoval, see if there’s anything else she remembers.”<br>
As the agents started to scatter, Gibbs whirled around.

“Abby, how long will it be before I get what you pull up?”
Abby sighed, “Gibbs, these things take time. You can't rush science.”<br>
TBC?

[littlecate]

thats so great please write more.

[Gibbsgirl]

jtb, beautiful start to what I hope will be a fab series!!!

Intriguing lead in, I can't wait to see where you go from here!!

I hope our May lines fit your plans for what you have in mind, or do you write like me... we'll figure it out when we get there and not before...

[jtbwriter]

[glow=red,2,300]
Thanks for the feedback, agents!!

GG, you got it! All I need is a jumping off place or a Plot bunny ....and I'm gone!

So without further ado-here's part 2![/glow]

“DiNozzo, you are a slob.”

Gibbs disgustedly surveyed the back seat full of empty coffee cups, candy bar wrappers and other assorted trash as he looked for clues to his agent’s whereabouts.

“Boss, can I give you a hand?” McGee nervously appeared at Gibbs’ elbow.

“Ya think, McGee?” the older man was snappish as he raised his worried gaze and stared down the probie.

Swallowing hard, McGee stood his ground. “Yes, boss. I can help process the car. I spoke to Mrs. Sandoval already.”<br>
Refraining from showing surprise at his efficiency, Gibbs held his gaze. “Okay, what did she say?”<br>
“Uh, Mrs. Sandoval was getting ready for bed when she heard someone going downstairs, then about a minute later she looked out the window and saw Kate’s car coming up the ramp. She says it caught her attention because Kate apparently doesn’t go out much.”

That gave Gibbs pause. Kate, whose looks made almost every man at NCIS stop in their tracks, including him, alone on a Saturday night?

“Boss, that doesn’t sound right, does it?” Gibbs sighed at the sympathetic tone in McGee’s voice.

“No, it doesn’t, have to do something about that.” He muttered, then louder, “And?”<br>
“Right.” McGee went on. “Mrs. Sandoval says that an old man or woman, she says it was hard to tell, came out of the shadows near the driveway just as Kate drove up, then stumbled. She thought the person was going to fall, then Kate got out of the car as if to help. She looked away for just a moment, then she saw the person grab Kate and push her into the back of the car, then do something to her. Mrs. Sandoval said she reached for her phone, thinking something was wrong, then saw the person get in the car and turn north, just as the security guard came into view.”<br>
Gibbs winced inwardly, what did the kidnapper do to make Kate go with him or her?

“I also spoke to Tom Jennings, the security guard. He confirms what Mrs. Sandoval said, as a matter of fact his 911 call pre-dates Mrs. Sandoval’s. When he saw what happened on his surveillance camera, he ran over, but was too late to get more then a glimpse of the car driving off.”<br>
Gibbs nodded. “Okay, I want you to finish processing the area around the car, wait a minute….”<br>
He spotted something white on the wet pavement near the driveway, and going over to the area where the assailant had apparently waited, stooped and picked up a soggy white paper.

“McGee, where did this come from?” he asked sternly, then squinted at the almost blank page as McGee shook his head.

“I don’t know, boss, never seen it before. What’s it say?”<br>
Frowning, Gibbs turned it over and over in his hand, absent-mindedly running his fingers over the damp paper. It had a strange texture, reminded him of something.....

“Some kind of note, the printing is all smeared but, hey….” Gibbs saw what looked like an address in Georgetown.

Suddenly it clicked.

“McGee, take this to Abby. I’ve got a hunch who’s got Kate and Tony.”<br>
Puzzled, the agent hazarded a look at Gibbs. “You do, boss?”<br>
“Yep, just got to find out where, and more importantly, why?”

TBC?

[ryuurichan]

what a great story jtbwriter please contiunue it !!

[jtbwriter]

[glow=red,2,300]Thanks for the encouragement!

Now, can you guess which 2nd season epi inspired this story ? ;D[

Here's Part 3-[/glow]

Tony gazed worriedly at Kate as she was forced into a chair next to him. Watching mutely as a rope was looped around both of them, he felt her arms bound against his.

Abruptly he realized her fingers pressed against his for a moment, and he grinned inwardly.

“We’ll get out of this.” He thought, putting his hand around hers and squeezing back.

“I’m sorry to put you through this, but it’s the only way to get my life back.”

The grey-haired woman’s voice was regretful, then hardened in tone.

“If Agent Gibbs cares as much for you as he does in solving cases…well, you’ll be home in no time. All he has to do is make one phone call. If not….then we all suffer.”

Tony heard Kate make a muffled noise, then he saw a small figure in the shadows.

“What are you doing down here?” Her voice was angry, then immediately softened.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to yell. Please go back to bed, I’ll be up in a minute.”<br>
The figure retreated, then both agents heard a door close.

“See! See what I’ve done? I’ve never even raised a hand, let alone, well never mind.”

Their abductor calmed down, then pulled out a cell phone and hit a number.

“NCIS”.

“Agent Gibbs, please.”<br>
A moment, then a response. “Agent Gibbs is not at his desk, may I take a message?”<br>
Pause. “No message, I’ll call back.”<br>
As she closed the cellphone, the woman let out a deep breath. “Well, I guess you’ll be here longer than I thought. That’s okay, though. I’ve got all the time in the world.”<br>
As their assailant turned, Tony tried to get her attention. “Hmfph.”<br>
“Yes, Agent DiNozzo?” she came back to them, then untied his gag.

Coughing, Tony managed to clear his throat. “Could I have a drink of water, if we’re going to be here all night..”<br>
The woman shook her head, frowning. “I’m not that dumb, mister. You can have something to drink later. If you promise not to yell, I’ll leave your gags off. One sound though, and I’ll have to silence both of you.”<br>
Both Kate and Tony nodded, then watched as she turned to Kate and pulled the cloth from her mouth.

As his partner gasped for air, Tony watched their captor vanish into the shadows, then heard a key turn in the lock.

“Kate, you okay?”

Tony felt rather then saw her nod. “Yeah, you?”<br>
“Well, other then having a great evening out with the guys ruined by being kidnapped….” He heard Kate quietly groan…”Tony….”<br>
“Okay, so it was a rented movie and a pizza.” He admitted, heartened to hear her chuckle.

“That’s what I thought. Wait a minute…” Kate started wriggling her arms, then kept stretching against the ropes. Finally she loosened their bonds enough for her to get her hands near her pocket.

“What are you doing?” Tony wondered, then Kate whispered, “My cell phone, if I can just reach it…”

“Sorry, Kate, but you’re wrong. “Casablanca is not the greatest movie of all time.” Kate tensed, realizing Tony was letting her know their abductor was returning.

“Well, “Laura” is a good movie, but it’s hardly a classic.” She replied sarcastically, then stopped as the woman reappeared, this time sans grey hair and glasses.

Now Tony recognized her, and unfortunately, it all made sense.

“Let’s try Agent Gibbs again, shall we?” She said, then hit the redial on her cell phone.

This time a familiar voice sounded. “Agent Gibbs.”<br>
“Agent Gibbs, I have two of your people. I like them, I don’t want to see them hurt, do you?”<br>
“Depends. Who do you have?” Kate almost grinned at Gibbs snarky tone.

“This isn’t a game, Agent Gibbs. I’m going to hang up now.” The woman huffed, then Gibbs interrupted her. “No, don’t….are Agent DiNozzo and Agent Todd all right?” Tony heard the worry in his voice, and his stomach tightened.

“Hear for yourself.” She held out the phone to Tony first. “Boss, it’s Tony, I’m okay.” He replied calmly, then watched as their captor pulled the mouthpiece away and put it in front of Kate’s mouth.

“It’s Kate, Gibbs. As you can see, I’m fine.” She responded, then had the phone jerked away from her.

“Satisfied, Gibbs?” the woman said coolly.

“For now. Okay, what do you want?” Gibbs asked, anger in his voice.

“I want a truck at the back gate of the McHenry Stockade, filled with gas, at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

The vendors dock is to be cleared, and no guards or police are to be in the vicinity. A prisoner will exit the loading area and no one is to interfere with him. He will climb in the truck and drive away with no homing devices or tails. One hour after he leaves, I will call with the wearabouts of your agents.” She added. “If anything goes wrong or if you double cross me, I will kill your agents.”<br>
“The government does not do prisoner exchanges when it comes to the military.” Gibbs informed her. “There is no way my boss or any official will let me trade for my people.”<br>
Kate saw the cold smile on their captor’s face. “They will, Gibbs. Especially if I promise to put each of them to death, very slowly, so you can hear them beg. I will call back in two hours.”<br>
She ended the connection, then stared at the two agents.

“I’m sorry, if he doesn’t do this, I’ll have to make other arrangements.” The woman quietly responded, then left the room, locking the door behind her.

Gibbs stared at his phone. He knew who their kidnapper was.

“Damn.”<br>
He also knew there was no way he could trade for them. Just then Abby came into the bullpen, McGee trailing after her.

“Gibbs, we’ve got Kate’s GPS signal. And,” she beamed, “I know who’s holding Kate and Tony.”<br>
"So do I." He growled. "Let's go get them."

TBC?J

[littlecate]

please you have to keep on going i have to know who has them. this story is so great

[jtbwriter]

[glow=red,2,300]Okay, due to popular request, (thanks, littlecate!) here's part 3! [/glow]
“There, got it.” Kate let out a breath then palmed her cell phone open.

To her’s and Tony’s astonishment, there was a text message:

“On the way, sit tight.”<br>
“All right, Kate.” Tony grinned, then tensed as a soft footfall sounded near the locked door.

“K-ate, Tony?” a soft voice called to them.

Kate stared into the shadows, “Sandy?”<br>
Out stepped a pajama-clad girl, and Tony groaned. Not this, how could the mother do this to her?

“Honey, do you know where we are?”<br>
“Yes, we moved last month, but I remember the address, 145 South Lake Pond. I asked Mom if there was a pond, but she doesn’t know.” The child moved toward them, only her outstretched hand belieing her sightlessness.

“Sandy, where’s your mom now.” Kate carefully weighed how much she should tell her, remembering how perceptive she was.

“I think she’s on the phone. This is about Dad, isn’t it?” Sandy whispered, sadness evident in her voice.

Kate took a chance.


“I’m afraid so, sweetie. You see, your mom thinks she can get your Dad home by exchanging Tony and I for him, you know, like a swap?”

“Dad’s in jail though.” Sandy sniffed, causing Tony’s eyes to mist over. “They won’t let him out for a long time.”<br>
“I know, but your mom, she thinks Agent Gibbs, you remember him?” Kate saw her nod and smile.

“Well, she thinks he’ll get your father out to get us back, otherwise she might, not let him see us again.”<br>
There was silence, then Sandy’s head lowered. “She wouldn’t hurt you.”<br>
Tony tried to sound positive. “I know, honey, but she might forget, you know, that she shouldn’t…”

“Shouldn’t what, Agent DiNozzo?”<br>
An angry Julie Watson stood in the open doorway, a gun in one hand.

Tony gulped as Kate gazed calmly at the woman’s face. “Why don’t you explain it to Sandy, Mrs. Watson. She knows you’d never do anything to risk her being taken away from you.”<br>
At once her expression changed to one of shame as the girl turned toward the sound of her mother’s voice.

“Sandy, go upstairs and get dressed, we’re going to be leaving in a little while.”

“Mom, you’re not going to hurt Tony and Kate, are you? Please don’t, I don’t want you to go away too!”
Sandy tried to hug her mother, and as the woman bent down to comfort her, the child felt the gun in her hand.

“Nooooo!” she cried, then made her way out of the room.

Mrs. Watson stared sadly after her daughter for a moment, then turned toward the two agents, putting her gun in her pocket. Kate stealthly tried to free her hands, managing to tear the tape holding her wrists. At the same time Tony slipped one of his arms free, then froze as the woman spoke to them.

“I have to go now, there’s nothing left for me to do but take Sandy and disappear. I’m sorry.”<br>
From her pocket she brought out a rag and a bottle, then shaking some liquid onto the rag, came toward Tony. “You won’t feel a thing, I promise.”<br>
As she brought the rag near his face, he sprung up, twisting out of the ropes holding him to his chair. Kate tried to follow suit, only to have Mrs. Watson wheel around and backhand her, knocking her back into her seat.

Dropping the bottle of chloroform on the ground, she evaded Tony’s lunge then ran toward the door.

As Tony started toward her, the frantic woman pulled her gun from her pocket and fired at the broken bottle, causing it to immediately ignite and driving both agents back against the wall.

As the flames started to spread, fumes from the fire caused Kate to drop to her knees. “Tony, cover your mouth!” she gasped, then collapsed.

TBC:)

[Gibbsgirl]

You're doing such a fab job with this story!! Can't wait to see where it's going to go from here. Don't keep us in suspense for too long!!