Journey Series: Ellick

Utterly Stupid, Reckless, and Crazy

Note: Yeah... this is rather unrealistic...

Ellie Bishop had never been one to act irrationally. At least not under normal circumstances. A case like Qassim's had been one of those "out of the blue scenarios." The experience definitely had been a trigger to release the more impulsive, jump before you look side of her. But it rarely showed unless the situation was dire. Well, this situation was about as dire as any damn situation could be. Years following this incident, McGee still could not formulate comprehensible words to describe it. Though Gibbs was already a man of few, it shocked those who heard of it to learn Gibbs himself provided no opinion.

A local had approached them discreetly and disclosed to them information of possible cartel activities at an abandoned business center. He claimed that he had approached the area, wanting to know if any pieces of hardware were still salvageable for his restaurant which was in need of a few repairs. But stopped cold when he heard screams coming from the building. I knew from customer go-gossip that tres americanos were look-look-looking for someone, un hombre, si? Yes, they told him. Muchos mujeres screams came from building, pero I swear I heard uno tiempo the scream of un hombre. They had thanked him profusely, and Gibbs of all people handed him just about all the money in the nation's currency he had brought along for his repairs. Gracias, senor, muchas gracias!

They had staked out the compound that night, concealed in shrubbery about twenty yards away. Muffled screams emitted periodically. Ellie had shivered. Given the details from the General, she was able to do a little more than just imagine why they were screaming. This lead was a reach, for sure. Was Torres even there? Either way, they sure were in a promising environment. The three sets of eyelids grew heavy but remained vigilant. At around five in the morning, they perceived what was absolutely the yells of a man. Ellie's hopes lifted. Now they just had to confirm visually. Their wait was not in vain. Sometime around eight, the door to one building opened. A few had passed in and out in the night, but nothing like this. A man with a gun led a small procession of seven. Directly behind him was Torres, stumbling along. Tears pricked Ellie's eyes as soon as she landed on his red-green-purple-black discolored face. Retaining her agent instincts, she crouched with McGee and Gibbs. But what they said was disheartening. To many to take all at once... can't call for backup... might have to leave... That decided it in Ellie's mind. She had not grovelled with limited intelligence for the past three months to give up and leave. She quickly stripped herself of her vest, gun, and badge, let down her hair, gave it a quick toss, and set off running toward the procession. She was gone before Gibbs and McGee even realized what had happened. And by the time they did, there was absolutely nothing they could do.

As Ellie approached the group, the man in the lead noticed her and turned his gun on her. Nick saw her too, his face registering immediate shock. Ellie ignored the gun and went straight to Nick. She cupped his face with tears streaming down her cheeks and said, "Diego, mi amor, ¿qué está pasando?" Diego, my love, what's going on? Nick's eyes widened as he realized what she had said. At her words the other men looked puzzled. Was this not an NCIS agent? The man with the gun said harshly, "¿Quién eres tú? ¿Qué relación tienes con este traidor?" Who are you? What relation have you with this traitor? Ellie straightened and looked the man boldly in the eye. In a haughty tone, she said, "Soy Sophia Iglesia. Este hombre ante ti es mi prometido, y no es un traidor como dices. ¡Cómo te atreves a insultarlo así! ¡Cómo te atreves a juzgarlo mal y afligirlo de una manera tan horrible!" I am Sophia Iglesia. This man before you is my fiance, and is no traitor as you say. How dare you insult him so! How dare you misjudge and afflict him in such a horrific manner! Her proclamation seemed to astound the men. (Torres appeared to be having a difficult time schooling his features). 

Still wary of her, the lead man said, attempting an authoritative tone, "Tu mientes. Este hombre es Nicholas Torres. Es un agente del NCIS e intentó socavar nuestra operación. ¡Y tú, la inmundicia de sangre americana, no eres más que una ayuda!" You lie. This man is Nicholas Torres. He is an NCIS agent and attempted to undermine our operation. And you, American-blooded filth are nothing but an aid! She again retorted, "Está usted equivocado. Sé de un Nicholas Torres. Sí, se parecía mucho a mi prometido Diego. Pero hay una razón para eso. Conoces su historia, ¿no?" You are wrong. I know of a Nicholas Torres. Yes, he did look a great deal like my fiance, Diego. But there is a reason for that. You know his story, yes? He nodded, apprehensively. "Había otro bebé en esa playa. Su hermano gemelo. Por qué fueron separados, no lo sabemos. Lo que sí descubrimos fue que su extraño parecido era un peligro para Diego. Vino a ti con el propósito de buscar refugio hasta que Nicholas ya no fuera un problema mientras viviera." There was another baby on that beach. His twin brother. Why they were separated, we don't know. What we did find out was that their uncanny likeness was a danger to Diego. He came to you with the purpose to seek shelter until Nicholas would no longer be a problem so long as he lived. The man relaxed. He plastered a cruel smile on his face and approached her. "Entonces, si esto es cierto, ¿será Nicholas Torres un problema para su prometido?" So, if this is true, will Nicholas Torres be a problem for your fiance? Matching his own cruel expression, Ellie purred, "Ya que está muerto ahora, no veo cómo..." Since he's dead now, I don't see how... "Ahh," the man said, "¿Y quién tuvo el honor de quitarle la vida a este fastidio de Nicolás Torres?" And who had the honor of taking the life of this nuisance Nicholas Torres? Ellie leaned in very, very close to the man's face. In an almost sultry like tone, she said, "Yo hice." I did. 

Then she slapped him in the face. "Pero luego, aparecer en un condominio desolado no fue la bienvenida que esperaba. Será mejor que haya una explicación válida para esta mierda." But then to show up to a desolate condo was not the welcoming I was expecting. There had better be a valid explanation for this shit. The man was speechless. Head held high, Ellie declared, "Bueno, si no tienes excusa, es posible que desees inventar una hermosa disculpa si alguna vez esperas obtener algo de mi respeto. Ahora, ¿puedo llevar a mi prometido a casa? Parece la muerte misma." Well if you have no excuse, you may want to concoct a beautiful apology if you ever expect to get any of my respect. Now, may I take my fiance home? He looks like death itself. Stunned, he said, "Deje que uno de nosotros la acompañe, señora." Let one of us escort you ma'am. She scoffed. "Llegué vivo aquí, estoy seguro de que puedo regresar con mi prometido sin tu ayuda, gracias. Diego regresará para reanudar el trabajo tan pronto como pueda ver lo suficientemente bien con ambos ojos. Ahora adios." I made it here alive, I'm sure I can make it back with my fiance just fine without any of your help, thank you. Diego will be back to resume work as soon as he can see well enough out of both eyes. Now goodbye.

Ellie guided Nick as quick as she could back down the dirt road she had run so quickly only minutes ago. It felt like a lifetime. He tried to say something but she whispered, "No, not now. Save your strength and tell me later."

Gibbs and McGee had watched the scenario transpire as best as they could from such a distance. They both held their breath as they saw Bishop apparently reaming the man with the gun out. They didn't dare to breathe until she began to pass their hiding spot. She didn't stop though. "Gibbs I can't stop," she whispered as they passed. "Meet us after the curve when we are out of their line of sight." They met after said curve and immediately prepared to transport Torres in the most efficient way possible. He could walk, but he was exhausted and bleeding. Since Bishop had basically carried him halfway back to their motel, McGee and Gibbs each took an arm and supported him the rest of the way.

At the motel, after they had cleaned the wounds of the fevered Torres and got him into a bed, Ellie sat close by and watched him pretend to sleep. Every twitch of his body pricked her heart with sorrow knowing that what had happened had only damaged him even more. Gibbs and McGee sat nearby. Silence, that old familiar friend surrounded them. But it wasn't cold or uncertain. It was warm and comforting. Just them all once again being within near proximity to one another was all that mattered.

There was, however, a massive elephant in the room. McGee broke the silence and began by saying, "Bishop, what you did back there was utter-" "Stupid, reckless, and crazy," Gibbs finished. Bishop reflected on what she had done. It felt like a dream. "It was," she conceded. Then she looked at Torres's discolored face. "But it was utterly worth it."