DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters (if I did, I wouldn't be sat here, now, would I !). My first fan fic, so please, read, review and enjoy!

Gibbs waited until the door had shut quietly behind DiNozzo and Ziva, before turning back to the Director. There was a look of disbelief and anger on his face.

'Seriously, Leon?'

'No other choice, Gibbs'. Leon Vance did at least have the grace to look a little unhappy himself. 'I wouldn't be giving these orders if I didn't think she – and DiNozzo – were up to the job'.

'You're sending Ziva back to Israel'. It was a statement, not a question. There was an undercurrent of fury in Gibbs' tone that he couldn't be bothered to hide. 'Without even consulting with me first? My team, Leon.'

'It's three days, Gibbs. Max. Fly in. Pick up the suspect at the Embassy in Tel Aviv. Fly back to DC.'

Gibbs sighed in exasperation. It wasn't just the fact that this mission had been arranged between Leon and SecNav without his knowledge. It was the fact they were wanting to send Ziva to carry it out. As far as he was concerned, it was like sending her back into the lion's den. She wouldn't be able to avoid seeing her father again, and he had no wish to open that particular can of worms at the present time. The team had been through enough as it was.

'Why Ziva? Why not McGee?'

Vance studied Gibbs for a minute, as if wondering how much to say. Finally he seemed to come to a decision.

'The suspect is an Israeli national. Ehud Shalev. A Captain in the IDF. The Israelis suspected that he was selling information about Israel's missile defence prototype to Hamas in Gaza. And probably, indirectly, to Iran. Shin Bet kept him under surveillance, but never had enough evidence to do anything more until last week.'

Gibbs looked impassive. 'So why is NCIS involved?'

'Whenever an exchange took place – information for money – the US Sixth Fleet was in town at Haifa. Shin Bet don't believe in coincidences. They brought in Mossad, who've agreed to let us bring Shalev here for questioning, see if we can find out who was helping him'.

Gibbs nodded. 'Fine. But you still haven't answered my question. Why Ziva and not McGee?'

For the first time since Ziva and DiNozzo had left the room, he became aware of the man sitting in the corner. Secretary Jarvis leaned forward, and studied Gibbs for a moment before speaking.

'Shalev's first language is Hebrew. He speaks English but I'd rather have a native speaker there. I don't want there being any …ah…misunderstandings'.

'Misunderstandings, ?' Gibbs didn't like where this conversation was going.

Jarvis's expression became intense, determined. 'I need Agent David to go over the case files held by Shin Bet and Mossad before we bring him back here. I also want her to talk to him. I want to know exactly what we're dealing with before he lands on US soil, and obviously the files are in Hebrew. I don't want the wool pulled over our eyes on this one. If someone in the US Navy has been aiding a terrorist, I need to know without trying to compete for jurisdiction'.

Gibbs looked at Jarvis long and hard. The meaning behind his words was starting to sink in.

'You don't trust Mossad', he said slowly. 'Or the Shin Bet. You don't trust Eli David not to screw us over'.

Jarvis raised one eyebrow. 'Would you?'

Gibbs breathed deeply. This one might not be such a beaurocratic idiot after all. He looked at Vance, wondering about his Director's past history with Eli David, Director of Mossad and – unfortunately – Ziva's father. But if Vance was concerned at Jarvis's words, he didn't let it show.

'So they leave tomorrow?'

It was Vance who answered. 'Tomorrow. An El Al flight leaves Dulles at 06.30. They'll go to the Embassy on Wednesday, see Shalev, and get the files. Fly back – with Shalev – on Thursday. There'll be two air marshalls aboard the return flight in case of any security problems'.

Gibbs nodded slowly, although he knew he didn't really have a choice.

'On one condition'.

This time Vance was the one to raise an eyebrow.

'Which is, Agent Gibbs?'

'I go with Ziva instead of DiNozzo.'

Vance looked at Gibbs for a long moment, but the request didn't seem to come as too much of a surprise to him. He had guessed that Gibbs would want to be there in case of problems with Eli. Slowly he nodded.

Gibbs nodded back. He turned to Jarvis. 'Mr Secretary'. Jarvis nodded. 'Gibbs'. And with that, Gibbs turned and left the room.