Broken
- Chapter 2: She's A Fighter -
"Damn it McGee, what's taking so long?" Gibbs snapped, pacing in front of his desk. McGee bit back the urge to defend himself, telling Gibbs that is had only been 10 seconds at the most, instead he continued to type furiously on his keyboard, willing the machine to work faster.
"Got it...She's just outside Germanstown on the Washington National Pike." McGee sounded relieved and grabbed his bag just as Tony and Ziva did the same, they all sprinted after Gibbs, McGee slipped into the elevator just as the doors were closing, earning himself a silent arm squeeze from Ziva and a tentative smile from Tony.
Gibbs's jaw muscles rippled in double time as they sped towards the co-ordinates McGee was reading out. Hold on Jenny, he silently pleaded, praying that her agent skills would have kicked in by now and that she had found somewhere dry to hide.
The crash site appeared out of nowhere and Gibbs slammed on the brakes, the tires squealed across the tarmac and he ignored the strangled gasped that came from Tony. He bolted from the truck, switching on his flashlight, he glanced at McGee.
"If the car is like that," He pointed down to the mangled heap still burning in the ditch, "is there anyway her cell would be transmitting her co-ordinates if she was...in it?" He asked, dreading the answer.
"No, she must have got out." He glanced down at his PDA, "She's 20 feet...that way." He pointed to his right and Gibbs took off at a speed that his team rarely saw and they followed. Gibbs pulled out his cell and dialed Jens number, listening out for her ring tone. He heard it off to his left and saw a pale hand, smeared with blood protruding out from under a bush. He fell to his knees and clasped the wrist, relief flooding over him as he felt the light pulse under his fingers. He gently pulled her free from the undergrowth, his breath catching in his throat as he took in the blood around her temple and the fierce bruise already forming on her cheek.
"Tony...get Ducky." Tony sped off, back to the truck, hoping that Palmer had been able to keep up and that for once he hadn't got lost. His relief at seeing Ducky was obviously evident on his face.
"Show me." Ducky said simply, hoping that he wouldn't be performing an autopsy of Jen.
"She's got a pulse, Ducky." Tony informed him as they raced back to Gibbs.
"Thank heavens for small mercies. Anthony, call
---
"And you are absolutely sure?" The voice on the end of the phone hissed.
"As sure as I can be right now...listen Boss, if, by some miracle, she did survive, I will make sure that she wont for much longer." He gripped the phone tighter as he waited for the response.
"Well, I guess that will have to do for now...but if you fail this time..." He left the threat open as he hung up. Oh lord, yes he knew full well what would happen if she managed to survive.
---
"Sir? Sir, you're gonna have to let her go...we need to take her to surgery." The Doctor pulled Jen's hand out of Gibbs's and rushed off down the corridor. Ducky placed a hand on Gibbs's shoulder.
"Have faith, Jethro. She is a fighter and in one of the best hospitals around." Gibbs nodded silently and pulled out his cell phone.
"DiNozzo, you finished at the crime scene?" He snapped as soon as the phone was answered.
"Yeah Boss, we're heading back to the building, gonna give Abby everything...is the Director ok?" He asked tentatively. Gibbs sighed.
"She's in surgery." Was all he replied before he hung up, leaving Tony staring at his phone.
"Jethro, do we even know it's a crime scene yet?" Ducky asked. Gibbs whipped around, his blue eyes burning with anger, anger at himself for letting Jen get hurt.
"Hell yes Duck, contrary to movies, cars don't just explode...and Jen is a careful driver, we've gotta get the car back to the garage, get Abby to process everything." He said, starting to pace. Ducky stopped him.
"Why don't you go home, get some rest, she won't be out for hours." Gibbs raised an eyebrow at him, "Right, of course, I didn't really think you would go home but it was worth a shot." Ducky sat down, defeated. He looked at his old friend, wishing there was some way to help him, but he knew he was only going to be happy if...when Jen woke up.
"There was nothing you could have done Jethro." Ducky said, knowing that Gibbs would be feeling guilt.
"I'm staying here Ducky."