The dog whined then jumped onto the bed and curled into a small ball against Tim's blanket-covered legs. Tim had been shaking uncontrollably, but the presence of the small animal seemed to minimize his trembling, as his body calmed.

The woman stood next to the bed as she began to take off her winter clothes. As soon as she took off her scarf and hat, Tony's suspicions were confirmed. He stared at the woman, astounded. "So...it is you. Petty Officer Rachel Logan?"

Tony sensed a shift in her disposition, she refused to look at him, sitting by Tim's side on the bed, running her hand through his hair to calm him down. "There now. You'll be fine, Tim."

The Petty Officer finally spoke up, keeping her gaze on Tim. "I'm your investigation, aren't I?"

"Well, ..yes. There are a lot of people worried about you. We have been trying to locate you ever since you were reported missing by your colleagues."

Rachel turned to Tony, desperation in her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I panicked and was worried about the safety of the people I care for. I didn't know what he was capable of. If I hadn't owned Boozer-"

"This little guy?" Tony nodded toward the small dog.

"Yes. He saved my life. Mitch came into my apartment-"

"Did he break in?"

"No, well, yes. I answered the door and he barged in. He slammed the door shut then pushed me into the kitchen. Told me he knew that I knew that he had been selling drugs-"

"Drugs?"

"Yes. I caught him selling them to another Petty Officer at work. I was in an area I wasn't suppose to be in and caught them in the act."

"How do you know that was what he was doing?"

"I could see the product...weed, or, uh...marijuana, what ever you want to call it."

"Then what happened at your home?"

"He grabbed me, but Boozer attacked him and bit him."

"Boozer? That little thing?" The small dog stared at Tony, baring his teeth. Tony took a step back.

Rachel smiled. "Yes. He's a very brave dog, braver than a lot of people I know. Then Mitch ran. I think the sight of his own blood freaked him out, because,at first he started swaying; his steps were erratic and unsure. At first, I thought he was going to pass out."

"Hmmm. Too bad he didn't. It probably would have made our job a lot easier."

"Probably."

"Why didn't you go to the police?"

"He mentioned my friend's name-"

"You mean, Petty Officer Meghan-"

"Yes. She's my best friend. He also, mentioned my parents and brother. He had researched me and knew my family's names and where they live. I was afraid he would hurt someone I love before the police could find him. He had always given me the creeps. I always knew he was up to no good. He hung out with a lot of shady characters and he always stared at me. I needed time to figure out what I should do."

"Well, you don't have to worry anymore. I'm sure the rescue team will show up soon and we can straighten this all out."

"No! You don't understand. This man is crazy! Look what happened to you and Tim! We are in a lot of danger! He's going to figure out where we are!"

"Tony?" Tony brought his attention to his partner, moving to his side, pushing him back as he tried to sit up. "It's okay Tim. How are you feeling?"

Tim was disoriented. His slowly eyes scanned the room, unable to focus. "Uh, cold...and dizzy."

"Well, I want you to stay put. We're just waiting for Gibbs and Kate to find us now."

Rachel stepped closer to Tim. "Look who we found-" Tony smiled, raising his thumb towards Rachel, waiting for Tim's response.

"Petty Officer Logan? But..."

"See, we practically have this case solved. Good job probie."

Tony heard the sound of a chopper overhead, "That must be them now! I gotta go outside so I can flag them down."

Rachel grabbed Tony's arm. "If you head east there is an opening where they will be able to land. That's the nearest clearing I can think of."

Tony had his flashlight in his hand and zipped his jacket around his neck. He patted Tim's arm. "McGee, you wait here. I'll be right back with Kate and Gibbs."

"But, wait, Tony!"

"You'll be fine, Tim." Tony winked then quickly exited the camper.

Within moments, Rachel and McGee heard the door open, "Did they see...Mitch?" Rachel's expression became a look of terror as she stepped closer to McGee's side on the bed. McGee sat up, whipping off his blankets.

"Don't move!" Mitch aimed a gun at them. "What? Did you think I wouldn't finish what I had set out to do, Rachel?"

"Mitch? What are you doing here...how did you-"

"Now, I have my ticket out of here...hostages."

"What? You're only making this worse. This man is a Federal Agent!"

"Stand up Fed! Away from the bed!" Tim quickly rose from the bed, swaying as everything began to spin.

Rachel reached out and held Tim's arm to steady him. "He's not well, you shouldn't be doing this!" She yelled towards Mitch.

Mitch ignored her. "Now... I want you to get his handcuffs from his belt, slowly! And put them on him." Rachel kept her eyes on the crazed man as she slowly released the cuffs from Tim's belt.

She clicked one cuff on one of his wrists, "I want his arms behind his back!" Then she clicked the other. Mitch stepped forward, taking McGee's gun then frisking him for more weapons, finding the knife and putting it in his jacket. He waved the gun towards the other end of the camper. "Now both of you stand over there, in that corner of the camper where I can keep an eye on both of you." Mitch stood in front of them, nervous; sweat beading on his forehead. The presence of the nearby chopper was loud causing him to glance towards the door, repeatedly.

McGee and Rachel exchanged a quick glance. Tim gulped, unable to hide the fear he was experiencing as he swayed, tired and weak.

xxxxx

Tony briefly waved his arms as the chopper landed in a small clearing not too far from Rachel's camper. Gibbs and Kate exited the chopper, crouching as they ran towards him.

"Tony are you okay?" Gibbs grabbed Tony's shoulder, holding on to him, giving him a look over.

"Where's McGee?" Kate stood by Gibbs' side, as she held her cap, tightly, securing it from the strong force of the moving, helicopter's blades.

"He's in rough shape, boss. He's back at the campground. We found Petty Officer Logan. She was hiding out in a camper."

"No kidding."

Tony had to grin at Gibbs' subtle, surprised reaction.

A shot rang out and all three of them looked towards the woods, in unison. They took off running, drawing their weapons. Their response time was frustratingly slow as they ran with difficulty through the rough terrain and snow, following Tony towards the camper.

As soon as they neared, the door opened and Rachel emerged from the camper, holding her dog. She ran down the steps waving them towards her, "Help! Please, it's Mitch! He found us, he's in the camper! He shot Tim! Tim saved my life!"

"McGee!" Tony yelled. Kate instructed Rachel to wait outside. They automatically crouched down and closed in around the door, trying to peer in through a window or the cracked opening of the entrance. The interior of the camper was silent; Gibbs was the first to enter, using extreme caution.

McGee lay on the floor, motionless, his wrists handcuffed behind his back. Petty Officer Mitch Tomaselli also, lay still, a few feet away from Tim.

Gibbs checked the Officer for a pulse then handcuffed him and securing all of his weapons. "He's alive but unconscious. Looks like he bumped his head; his forehead is bleeding."

"McGee...Tim?" Kate checked McGee's vitals while Tony kneeled on the other side of him, shaking his shoulder, trying to rouse him. Gibbs joined them and sighed with relief when he heard a moan escape McGee's lips. Kate smiled, almost laughing out loud with relief. Tony exhaled, his body slumping as the tension he held, dissipated.

"Uh...Tony? Oh, boss and...Kate. You found us." Tony squeezed Tim's shoulder and looked into his eyes. "I'm so glad you're okay, probie."

"McGee, what happened?" Gibbs grabbed his face, tenderly, so he could look into his eyes.

Tim's eyes squinted as he bit his bottom lip, "Um, I ...dunno."

"Don't worry, take your time." Gibbs had to smile with the pride he felt for his youngest agent, but his mood changed quickly when he noticed the blood on Tim's arm. "Tim...your arm is bleeding. Kate, Tony, I need something-"

"Here Gibbs." Tony handed Gibbs a handkerchief.

Gibbs applied pressure to Tim's bicep as his subordinate cried out in pain causing Gibbs to grimace, ruefully. "Sorry, kid. But, you're bleeding pretty bad."

Tim squirmed,as he tried to roll away to release Gibbs' hand on his arm. "I was okay until you had to go and touch my gunshot wound... boss." Gibbs detected a strong annoyance in McGee's voice and had to chuckle at his candor. McGee's disposition shifted to regret as the pain he was feeling, subsided minimally. "Uh...I'm...sorry, boss. It's really not too bad." Gibbs appreciated his attempts of fortitude. Tony took off his jacket and folded it under Tim's head for support.

"McGee?"

"Uh...yeah, Kate?"

"I don't understand." She unlocked his cuffs then gently rubbed his wrists for him as he still lay on the floor in pain. "We find you bound and unconscious, yet Tomaselli is just laying there; out cold. You're...pretty much... fine, Logan is fine, even the dog is fine. How did you pull this one off on your own?"

McGee's eyes darted around the closed confines of the camper in confusion. "Um...I don't remember, I-" He looked at each of them and then looked at Tomaselli's unconscious form as his memories slowly crept back; Tomaselli telling them he was going to hold them hostage then demanding Rachel to cuff his wrists behind his back. Tomaselli shooting him when he charged at him with attempts to disarm him. Tomaselli fainting once he saw the blood appear on Tim's wounded arm.

He wanted to tell them a story that would be ...impressive and memorable, leading them to believe his actions were heroic. They looked at him eagerly, imagining the death-defying measures he took to save Rachel and her dog, Boozer.

He sighed, "I remember now, but, it's not anything exciting."

"So...what was it?" Tony asked, eagerly.

"Uh...he ...fainted."

"Fainted?" Asked Tony.

"I think he saw my arm bleeding after he shot me and it freaked him out."

"But, why did he shoot you?" asked Kate.

"Well...I uh, charged him."

"You what?" Tim had never seen his subdued boss look so shocked. Tim, feeling like he had handled the whole situation incorrectly, avoided their eyes then lay his head back while squeezing his eyes shut and rubbing them with his hand.

His eyes opened when he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder. "You did good Tim." He was surprised to see Gibbs smiling down at him, beaming.

"But-"

"I'm impressed. I owe you a pizza, my friend." Tony appeared sincere.

Kate winked at him, a beautiful smile growing on her face.

That was all Tim needed; their favorable acknowledgment and respect. He sighed, relaxing, as he lay back down, closing his eyes.