Ch. 6

"Oh my God! Beth!" Tim exclaimed in horror, watching as the paramedics began intubate his girlfriend. Tony had to physically restrain him to keep him out of the paramedics way while they worked on the injured woman.

"Ok, good breath sounds. We need to get her hooked up to the resuscitator," the dark haired paramedic said, breathing a sigh of relief as he hooked up oxygen to help the young woman breathe. He and his partner quickly began patching Beth up to stop the bleeding so they could transport her to the hospital.

"Is she going to be okay?" Gibbs asked, the question that was on all their minds.

"Its touch and go right now, so I can't really give you an answer. We have to go, now," the paramedic responded as they loaded Beth into the back of the ambulance.

"Boss? I need to go with her," Tim said, looking over at Gibbs. To him, Tim looked like a lost puppy, not sure of where to go or what to do.

"Go, we'll be behind you," Gibbs replied, propelling the young agent over to the ambulance. Gibbs sat him down in the front seat and closed the door as one of the paramedics slammed shut the rear doors and went to the driver's side. A moment later, the emergency vehicle sped away, sirens blaring and lights flashing.

Tony and Ziva were already in the car when Gibbs jogged back and got in. They were on the road a moment later. The silence was almost unbearable as Gibbs raced to the hospital, trying to stay behind the ambulance the whole way.

Anger was radiating off the three of them. Ziva was the first to break the silence. "If I get my hands on him..." She couldn't continue her thought, as it was too much for her.

"I know Ziva, I know," Gibbs replied, the tires squealing as he entered the parking lot at the hospital. The car was barely in park when Tony and Ziva jumped out, followed by Gibbs a moment later.

They hurried into the emergency entrance of the hospital, changing directions when they saw McGee standing near the entrance to the trauma rooms. He was staring at the doors, willing them to open so he could find out about Beth. His green eyes were beginning to cloud over with rage and worry. He could still feel the stickiness of Beth's blood on his hands as he unconsciously clenched his fists.

"McGee?"

Tim jumped, unaware that his co-workers had reached the hospital so quickly and were standing next to him. Gibbs and Tony steered the distraught agent to the closest chair, forcing him to sit.

"He's dead when I get a hold of him," Tim said softly, so softly that the others weren't sure they heard right.

"Did they tell you anything yet?" Ziva asked sitting next to Tim.

He shook his head no before dropping his head into his hands. "They just rushed her in there. She went into cardiac arrest once we got here." An anguished sob escaped his throat as the tears fell freely. "I can't lose her! I just can't!"

Gibbs kneeled in front of the agitated agent. "Tim! Look at me!" Tim looked up, tears still falling as Gibbs continued, "We are going to catch that son of a bitch. You hear me? We are going to catch him!"

A moment later, Tim's phone rang. He pulled it out of his coat pocket, anger clouding his face when he saw who was calling. "Who is it McGee?" Tony asked, his brows furrowing in suspicion.

"Its him. Its Matt," Tim replied as Gibbs snatched the phone out his hand and answered it.

"You son of a bitch," Gibbs spat out, hatred in his voice as he stood and began to pace.

"Ah, Agent Gibbs. I was hoping to talk to my friend Tim."

"Not on your life you bastard. What do you want?" Gibbs asked, pacing the waiting room. He noticed that his team was watching his every move.

"I just wanted to ask him how it feels to lose someone he loves."

"She isn't dead asshole. You screwed up. And a little word of advise Matt, you might want to run, because we are going to track you down. We will find you. You mess with one of my agents or their friends or family, you dirt bag, and you mess with me."

"I don't take kindly to threats, Agent Gibbs."

"That's okay, because we don't take kindly to killers targeting innocent people."

"I wouldn't get to comfy, Agent Gibbs, I am still free." The phone went dead when Matt hung up. Gibbs turned the phone off before walking back to his agents. He handed Tim his phone back as a doctor came out of the double doors, looking around.

"Is anyone here for Elizabeth Morgan?"

Tim leaped to his feet, the other three standing behind him. "I am. I'm her boyfriend, Tim McGee. How is she?"

"I'm Doctor Clark. Elizabeth in surgery right now. The knife wound to her chest punctured her lung, causing it to collapse. That is why at the scene she was having trouble breathing. The wound to her abdomen lacerated her spleen. They're going to repair both her lung and spleen. She's lost a lot of blood, but we are optimistic right now. As soon as she is out of surgery, we will let you know so you can visit her," the doctor replied.

"Thanks Doc," Gibbs said, as the doctor nodded before turning and heading back into the emergency rooms.

"Boss? What did Matt want?" Tim asked, after the four sat down.

Gibbs sighed before answering, "He wanted to know how you felt after losing someone." The emotions that began to play on Tim's face made Gibbs wish he hadn't phrased his words like he had. He continued, "Matt can go to hell, Tim. We will not let him near Beth or any of us. We will find him."

"I know Boss. I just can't believe it was him. Matt was my best friend when we were kids. I can't believe he is doing this."

A heavy silence fell of over them as they sat, waiting on the young woman who was in surgery fighting for her life.

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS

He was furious. He was sure he had killed Tim's girl in that alley. To find out she was alive was fueling his rage. Agent Gibb's threat was still floating through his mind as he began pacing the floor of his hotel room.

He began to formulate a plan, one that would get Tim out of his life forever.

It was then he realized that he needed to leave, as he had paid with credit card for the room. He packed quickly, before leaving the room and checking out.

He placed his bags in the car and drove out of the hotel lot and began to drive around the city. He stopped at a pizza place for dinner. He was in the middle of a slice of pizza when another idea hit him. He smiled as he finished eating. He paid for dinner in cash then left, heading to the location he thought was perfect for him to stay and executethe next part of his next plan.

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS* NCIS

The doctor came out, noticing the four people that were waiting for news on his patient. They were sitting along the far wall, one asleep as the others kept watch.

Once they saw the doctor, Gibbs stood up, waking McGee in the process. "How is she?" Gibbs asked as the others stood as well.

"She's resting. She's doing a lot better now. We repaired the damage to her lung and spleen. She is resting. You can go up to see her, but only for a few minutes."

"Thanks Doc. But one of us is going to stay with her and she is going to have around the clock protection. This was done by a serial killer, who is still on the loose." Gibbs said.

The doctor sighed before replying, "Okay. Like I said, you can go up and see her now. Then one can stay with her. If you want to follow me, I'll take you up."

The four agents followed the doctor upstairs to Beth's room. He smiled before saying, "Remember just a few minutes."

Tim was the first into the room, emotions running high in his heart as he took in the still form of his girlfriend . He walked over to the bed and sat down in the nearest chair. He took her hand in his, holding on for dear life. The others walked over, standing on the opposite side of the bed.

"She looks a lot better," Ziva said quietly.

"Yeah she does," Tim replied, his eyes never leaving Beth's still form.

"She's going to be okay Tim," Tony said, glancing at his partner.

"I know Tony. I was just so worried, and for Matt to have done it, it's a lot to take in."

"We will get him McGee. Until then, we will make sure she is protected. One of us will bring your car here so you can get some rest after you stay with her tonight."

"Thanks Boss."

It was that moment that Beth chose to wake up. She stirred slightly, tightening her grip on Tim's hand. Her eyes opened slightly, beginning to look around.

"Beth?"

She turned when she heard the familiar voice. She gave Tim a small smile when she saw him. "Hey," she replied quietly.

"I'm so glad you're awake."

"I couldn't disobey." When the other looked at her with confusion, she continued, "Gibbs told me I couldn't die. It was an order."

The others laughed, causing her to look in their direction. "I'm glad you listened," Gibbs said, smiling at the young woman.

"Yeah, no one disobeys Gibbs and gets away with it," Tony said, smirking, just as Gibbs head slapped him. "Thank you Boss."

"I am glad you are awake Beth. We were all worried about you," Ziva said. It was then Beth let out a yawn, causing the others to smile.

"We'd better go. Beth, Tim is staying with you tonight. Ziva will be here in the morning to sit with you. And Tony and I will check on you too."

"Thank you," Beth replied, sincerely touched by the kindness Tim's workmates were showing her. They smiled before leaving the room for the night.

Beth looked back over to Tim, seeing his eyes clouding with emotion. "Thank you Tim. You found me."

"I am so sorry this happened to you. I did not know that Matt was capable of this. "

"It is not your fault Tim. You couldn't have known. It'll be okay. We'll be okay." She yawned again, the exertion of talking wearing her out.

"I know. You sleep okay? I'll be here," Tim said, squeezing her hand to reassure her.

She smiled, sleepily saying, "I love you Tim," before she fell asleep. He smiled, the first real smile he had on his face since Beth had gone missing.

He sat watching her most of the night, thinking about his future, their future. Before long, it was morning. Beth didn't wake up when he slipped out of the room to meet Ziva, who handed him the keys to his car. He thanked her before he left the hospital, knowing that Beth would be okay with Ziva sitting with her. He was thankful that Tony and Ziva had brought his car to the hospital so he didn't have to rely on anyone to drive him home. He pulled into his parking spot almost twenty minutes later, turning the engine off.

He grabbed his pack and got out of the car, locking it as he entered his building. He walked up the stairs to his apartment, slowly as the day's events were starting to catch up with him. He found his key and unlocked his door. He had just walked in and shut the door when something crashed down hard on the back of his skull. He was unconscious before he even hit the floor.