Being Part of the NCIS Family

Eighteen

McGee POV

Gibbs pounded on the door.

"NCIS!" No answer. "FEDERAL AGENTS, OPEN UP!" Gibbs pounded on the door again.Still nothing. He motioned for Liv to kick the door in. She used her good leg and smashed the door with no problem. She teetered a little, and I reached out an arm to steady her. She glared at me and we followed Gibbs, Ziva,and Tony into the house. We split like always, working seamlessly to clear the whole house. Except it wasn't clear. I heard footsteps running in the back of the house. Liv was already on the case, racing to the back as fast as she could, which was as fast as the rest of us. Considering her prosthetic, that was pretty impressive.

Liv threw open the back door and raced after the figure running to the fence. Whoever it was leapt up and grabbed the top of the fence, hoisting themself over with no problem. Liv was close behind, leaping and pulling herself up and over after the runner. Ziva and Gibbs were close behind, and then Tony and I leapt over together. When we dropped down, Liv had gained on the fugitive, and would be able to lunge for him soon. I had decided our runner was a he and not a she because the figure was far too tall and muscular.

My guess was confirmed when his hood fell down, revealing a military haircut. He was fast, but so was Liv. The chase continued down the middle of the street for another thirty seconds until Liv got in range and leapt for his legs. The full force of an airborne Liv smashed into his legs, sending both of them toppling to the ground. I heard Liv yell in pain, and Tony and I threw each other looks and put on bursts of speed to catch up to Liv. When we pulled up, Ziva was cuffing our runner and Gibbs was seeing if Liv was okay. Tony went over to Ziva while I went and squatted next to Gibbs.

"-just a phantom pain when I hit the ground." Liv was telling Gibbs. "I'm fine." Then she winced and twisted her arm to look at her elbow. "Road burn. Ouch." she said. I winced in sympathy. I had gotten plenty of those as a kid. "Otherwise, I'm good." she said, hoisting herself up. Gibbs and I stood up with Liv as Ziva and Tony yanked our runner up. He was screaming obscenities, ignoring Ziva's demands to tell us who he was. "Ugh. Gibbs, you want to pull out your Marine voice or should I?" Liv asked.

"I'll let you do the honors." Gibbs said. Liv grinned and motioned for Ziva and Tony to stop. They pulled the man to a stop, and Liv got in his face.

"ARE YOU CURRENTLY SERVING FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY?" Liv yelled.

"YES MA'AM." the man barked.

"WHAT BRANCH?"

"THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS MA'AM." Liv motioned for Tony and Ziva to let go of the Marine. They looked at her doubtfully, but did as she asked.

"OORAH, MARINE!" Liv said,saluting.

"OORAH!" came the reply.

"WHAT'S YOUR NAME, MARINE?" Liv asked.

"PETTY OFFICER GARRET BARNES, MA'AM."

"Now was that so hard?" Liv asked, a smile playing on her lips. She gestured to Tony and Ziva, who grabbed Barnes, and turned on her heel, walking towards the car. Tony and Ziva followed with Barnes, and shoved him into the backseat as Liv slid into the driver's seat. Ziva got into the passenger seat, and Gibbs, Tony, and I got into the other car.

Ziva POV

"That was impressive." I said to Liv as she stepped on the gas. I'll never understand why the guys think Liv's driving is so bad. I think it's just fine, if a little fast.

"Thanks." Liv said, grinning. "I learned a thing or two from my time in the military." I smiled. Then came a screeching of tires and lots of honking from Liv and another car. I saw Liv's knuckles go white, and she pulled over next to the curb as soon as she got an opening. She was breathing hard, her eyes wide with terror.