Illusionist

Chicago

Gibbs pulled into a motel on route eighty, just outside Chicago. Something niggled inside his gut that they still weren't on their own. He'd tossed Vance's cell and watch, gone over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb searching for any tracking devices planted inside and underneath, back in D.C. He had come up with nothing, but he wasn't sure they were in the clear. It was his gut feeling, the one that gave him the direction when it came to solving cases that told him something wasn't right.

He turned to his companions, all three were fast asleep. He wondered whether he should just keep on driving, but his eyes were tired. He needed some much needed shut eye. "We're staying here the night," he announced before exiting the black SUV. He scanned the area, but nothing unusual stood out.

Leon Vance opened his eyes, surprised to find themselves in civilisation. "Where are we?" he inquired, still in the dark over their destination.

"Chicago," Gibbs replied. "Going to check us in. Back in ten." Gibbs left him with his kids as he walked into the motel's reception. He pulled out an alias' drivers licence and paid in cash for their night's stay.

"Where you heading?" The woman on the other side of the counter inquired, being friendly as she normally was with her guests.

"North into Canada. Thought it would be great to head up there for some fishing." Although Gibbs would normally not give such details, it was false information he provided, incase someone came looking and asked the woman.

"Good time of year for it. Plenty of fish too, I hear."

Gibbs nodded as he exited, holding the key for the family motel room in his hand. He continued to scan his surroundings, incase something was amiss. Vance, Kayla and Jared were standing beside the vehicle as he approached them.

"Room 16." He opened the boot and grabbed his bag, following them to the door and unlocked it.

"Do they have cable?" Jared was more interested in what he could watch on television than sleeping.

"Of course they do, son." Vance eyed Gibbs and waited for the nod, before he relaxed. He had found the situation a little unnerving not knowing where Gibbs was taking them, but he trusted the man.

Gibbs pulled the curtains back a smidgen to look outside again.

"Are you expecting someone?" Vance noticed the many glances Gibbs made around the motel and wondered if they were going to meet someone at this location.

"Nope!" Gibbs curtailed reply came.

Vance pulled Gibbs away from the window. "Are we being followed?" Vance whispered low to him, not wanting to place any fear into his children.

"Not sure," Gibbs honestly replied.

Vance raised one brow. "You don't know?"

Gibbs shook his head. "I cannot see anyone suspicious following us, but my gut tells me otherwise.

"Oh good," Vance replied. "Because for a moment I thought we were being followed." His sarcastic remark caused Gibbs to tense his jaw.

"This is not something to joke about, Leon. Lives are at stake if anyone follows us to our destination." Gibbs' spoke in a harsh whisper.

"I'm not joking around with you, Gibbs. But if you haven't seen anyone suspicious, I believe that we are safe. You've checked the vehicle over, discarded my cell and watch, rummaged through our belongings. But you say that your gut is telling you that we are not alone?" Vance was fed up with the paranoia his team lead was displaying.