Advantages and Abilities
Chapter 5
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Ducky turned his head to look at the visitor to his autopsy bay. "Kate, what brings you here my dear?" He then noticed the symptoms of mild shock; he went to her side and guided her to a chair. "Kate, what's wrong?"

Kate took a breath, "Ducky, Abby has been kidnapped."

"Good Lord." Ducky gasped, concerned for the young girl he thought of like a daughter, someone that he could pass his stories and experiences to knowing that they would be passed on to another generation of crime fighters after he was gone. As he liked to joke with Jethro, she had Jethro's caffeine habit and attitude at times and his own penchant for telling stories. She was their perfect successor.

"We just found out. Gibbs wants you to join us in conference three to go over the tape. Abby was signing and tapping. McGee is isolating the sounds from each of her hands. Hopefully we will have something to go on from that." Kate said as she stood back up and looked to Ducky.

"Yes, one moment Kate." Ducky said as he started removing his scrubs, "Mr. Palmer," Ducky addressed his young assistant. "You are in charge until I return. Kate lets go."

Ducky and Kate reached conference room three just in time to catch the end of a kiss between Tony and Gibbs. "Ahem, boys." Ducky said clearing his throat. "Young Timothy doesn't know about you two yet." 

Gibbs and Tony parted reluctantly, the two men gazing a moment into each other's eyes before they returned to focus on work. "We know Ducky." Gibbs told his friend.

"Ducky, you coming to Vegas with us?" Tony asked still standing close offering silent support to his lover. 

"The kidnappers want me to be alone. So if you could keep an eye on the youngsters that would be great." Gibbs lightly joked ignoring Tony's muttered "Hey." 

"Yes, I believe that would be best Anthony. Someone has to keep you three in line." Ducky smiled, understanding what Tony was really asking for, wanting Ducky there in case Gibbs went off the deep end; if, heaven forbid the worst should happen.

"Cool I'll make the reservations for us at the Gold Coast. It's the closest hotel to the Palms." Tony said leaving to arrange transport. 

"Kate, see if McGee needs any help in Abby's lab. We will all meet there in an hour." Gibbs ordered as he strode to the elevators. Ducky followed Kate to the lab to watch the tape.

Half an hour later

Ducky wandered up from Abby's labs to Jethro's bullpen to see the younger man growling into the telephone, with five composition books at his elbow. Ducky knew these books contained information about various criminals that the ex-marine had put in jail in the past. It was a very complex system from what Ducky had seen in times past.

"I don't care if you say that never has happened, Sergeant. Fax the list of released and escaped prisoners to me now!" Jethro shouted into the phone before slamming the handset into the phone.

"Jethro, that won't solve anything." Ducky said walking up to sit on the corner of Jethro's desk.

"Ducky, not now." Gibbs said making more notes in the composition book in front of him.

"No, Jethro, listen to me. Abby is counting on you keeping your head. This bull in the china shop routine of yours will get her killed." Ducky said as Gibbs held his head in his hands. 

"Someone took her because of me, Ducky." Jethro retorted heatedly.

Ducky placed his hand on the younger man's shoulder, "Jethro you know that this is a harsh reality of the life you have chosen to lead. Abby has had the risks of her chosen career shown to her last year, need I remind you, and still she chooses to stay by our side. Remember, Jethro, even though you will physically alone we are all with you in spirit, including Abby."

"I'll remember." Jethro said looking at his old friend. 

"Good, I believe I hear your fax coming in now. I'll meet you in Abby's lab shortly." Ducky said as he left the room.

Abby's Lab -- One hour later

"Jethro, you were correct." Ducky began, handing Gibbs a piece of paper, "Abby did leave a Morse Code message on the tape. Not much in the way of location details but we should have a place to start. She describes where she is being held as old school military, and remote. There was also a message to a friend of her companion, a Nick Stokes with the LVCL, Las Vegas Crime Lab."

McGee walked over to Abby's computer and pulled up her address book. "Ahhh, Greg's work number. I'll try and contact this Nick and see if he knows what's going on."

"Good idea Timothy, we might be working two different ends of the same case. Which means Jethro you will have to play nice." Ducky looked warningly to Gibbs.

Gibbs grimaced, "I know Abby's signed message said pretty much the same thing. Plus the play nice with Greg's friends bit."

Ducky also started making a call, "Jethro continue please I'm going to also try and contact an associate I have in Las Vegas, I'll let you know if I get anything."

Gibbs nodded, "Tony my travel plans?"

"Okay Boss, I called in a favor and got you a military transport to Nellis leaving in 2 hours and your reservations for the Palms are confirmed." Tony said handing his lover a packet of info.

"Gibbs, we have copies of all the info from the tape you wanted." Kate said as she handed him the converted tapes.

"Boss, you have to be in position as soon as possible. As soon as you check into the Palms you will probably be watched. We will be staying at the Gold Coast across the street." Tony said to his lover.

"I know that DiNozzo." Gibbs said sharply, while handing Kate a folder. "I need you guys in the mean time to help me cross-reference this list of prisoners, and find out where they are now."

"Will do Boss." Kate said taking the folder.

"Interesting," Ducky said after ending his phone call, "I just spoke with my counterpart in Las Vegas. Apparently, Greg is missing but no foul play is suspected, except by Mr. Stokes who is now suspended due to mouthing off to a temporary supervisor."

McGee looked at Ducky in stunned awe, "Wow, Ducky all I was able to get out of the lady I spoke with is that Nick Stokes wasn't working today and to try back later."

"So Stokes is probably looking into this on his own with no back up." Tony mused. "We need his number."

"One step ahead of you Tony." Ducky said handing one of two slips of paper to Gibbs, the other to Tony "Al gave me Mr. Stokes cell phone number." 

"Good, what are your travel plans, then?" Gibbs asked pocketing the slip of paper 

Tony got a devilish gleam in his eyes; "I managed to score us a three bedroom suite at the Gold Coast under the surname Rouen."

"Ahh, clever play on my name Tony." Ducky approved.

"I thought so." Tony preened.

"Ahh wait a minute, all of us under the same surname? What's the cover story, Tony?" Kate said looking ready to pounce and harm Tony.

"Aww don't you trust me Kate?" Tony said with his best 'I'm cute don't hurt me' smile.

"No I don't. What's the cover, and I'm not playing your wife." Kate said crossing her arms.

"Well that was one option. Would you rather be McGee's wife or Ducky's?"  Tony slyly challenged.

"Actually, Anthony," Ducky interrupted before Kate could mess up Abby's lab with Tony's blood, "It might be easier for all involved to stick with a story that is as close to the truth as possible. You, Caitlyn, and Timothy will be my children who have taken pity on their poor widowed father and are taking him to see the sights and sounds of Las Vegas."

"Good, I'll see you guys in Vegas." Gibbs said, "Ducky, a moment." The two men walked off to the side of the lab. "I know I don't need to tell you to keep an eye on them and to be careful, but I'd like you to take McGee under your wing and start teaching him." Gibbs looked over at the sibling-like agents. Kate and Tony were browbeating Tim into creating the right fake ID's. "They are our family, Ducky. The only one I'm ever going to have."

Ducky gripped Gibbs' shoulder in comfort, "I know, Jethro. Now go so we can bring our lost lamb home, I'll keep the others in line."

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