The single chime from his phone indicating a text was a surprise. Everyone knew Gibbs considered texts an absolute last resort, otherwise limited to dire circumstances. Tim was dozing, so Gibbs let his curiosity take over and checked his phone. It was a text from Ducky of all people, telling him that he was five minutes away with lunch.

( Read more... )

Epilogue

Rob Dickerson slowly came down the stairs carrying the breakfast tray his wife had barely touched. There was a gentle knock on the door. He almost ignored it, but habit dragged him to the door. Convinced that it was a neighborhood kid, he flung the door open and gasped. "Bobby?"

( Read more... )

Two Marines and Dr. Jackson stayed behind with McGee while the rest went after the downed craft. From on top of the rock formation, Gibbs watched them, but his gut was telling him to stay close. Down below he watched as McGee studied the readings on his computer, leaning close as something apparently didn't add up. Gibbs had seen that ( Read more... )

 Okay, the deadline is in about 10 hours, so these last few chapters won't have a lot of editing.  There's one more chapter and an epilogue at the end, but I might have to split things due to length.

His internal clock was confused, but Gibbs woke as the first morning light touched his face. Jack was on watch and softly called out to him. " ( Read more... )

Tim sat next to Gibbs, watching as Carter bandaged his injured arm. She finished with a smile and moved on. Luckily, the injury count had been light and minor this time, but it was enough to keep her and the Marine medic busy for a little bit. Once they were alone, Tim scooted closer to Gibbs.

Hesitant fingers hovered over the bright ( Read more... )

Staying low in the underbrush, Daniel split his attention between a little boy near the edge of the cave and the drones flying overhead. He'd seen that look of fear before and knew the kid would likely bolt before long. Firing at one of the drones, Daniel started to edge closer to the child. Teal'c saw what he was doing and turned to fire ( Read more... )

"Wow." At ground level, the Stargate was even bigger and more impressive looking. Tim looked at it from this new angle while a six-wheeled transport rolled up to the base of the ramp.

Behind Tim, Gibbs was equally impressed. "We're really going to just walk through that thing and end up on another planet?" Despite the danger and ( Read more... )

Back in the briefing room next to Hammond's office, Jack loaded up the required footage. It was black and white and grainy, the image bouncing around and becoming overwhelmed by the bright sunlight on the planet surface.

"Is this the best there is?" Tim was leaning close, his nose almost touching the screen as he squinted to see the small ( Read more... )

"DiNozzo." The team was not scheduled, but Vance wasn't at all surprised to find him sitting at his desk. Before he could ask, the back elevator opened for Ziva, who was apparently delivering breakfast downstairs. "David."

"Sir." Now standing next to Tony, Ziva nodded her own greeting, but didn't say anything.

"Would I be correct in ( Read more... )

"McGee, wake up."

Tim's eyes snapped open, if nothing else but from the shock of the gentle request. The room was almost pitch black but Gibbs made no effort to turn on a light as he leaned close, whispering in Tim's ear.

"They're going to come for us, soon. If you are offered a deal to get out of this, I want you to take it."

"Boss, ( Read more... )