Ziva David smiled as she looked across the street. Tali David waved to her, delight evident in her eyes. Ziva turned to the right and began to cross the street to meet her sister. Halfway there, Ziva felt a strange prickling sensation at the base of neck. Suddenly on alert, she glanced around the street. Nothing was out of ordinary. Scolding herself for being so paranoid, Ziva smiled again at her sister and continued on her way.
Before she was even able to take two steps, Ziva found herself flat on her back, ears ringing and eyes filled with smoke. Shockwaves of pain rocked her body as debris fell on top of her, crushing her between the sheets of metal and the scalding street beneath her.
~*~
"Tali!" Ziva flew out of bed, SIG already in her hand, safety off and loaded. Breathing heavily, she dropped her gun, realization flooding over her.
"Nightmare," she whispered to herself, "just a nightmare."
But it wasn't just a nightmare, and she knew it.
~*~
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo stumbled out of the elevator, shirt un-tucked, hair in disarray, and his suit jacket slung over his shoulder. He let out a loud yawn as he sauntered into the bullpen. Smirking, he plopped onto his chair and gazed at McGee, who was sitting rigidly in his chair, eyes straining at the computer screen, fingers typing frantically across the keyboard.
Checking his watch, he grinned. Fifteen minutes late and only McGee to catch him.
Without looking up, McGee spoke. "Late night Tony?"
Tony leaned back in his chair and smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know? Where is our almighty leader and Israeli assassin?"
"Up in MTAC; been up there all morning."
Tony's face developed a look of curiosity. "Really?"
Tim just grunted in response. Bored, Tony began to drum out the beat in his head with his fingers. It took the overwhelming scent of coffee and the sharp "smack" on the back of his head to make him stop.
"You're late, DiNozzo." Gibbs strode by with his ever present coffee in his hand. He sat on his chair and turned to his computer.
"Sorry, Boss. Traffic was terrible."
Gibbs didn't answerer. Tony once again glanced at his partner's desk.
"Where's Ziva, Boss?"
Tony followed Gibb's gaze up to MTAC after a moment's hesitation.
~*~
Ziva growled with frustration and barely restrained anger.
"You tell me this now? After how many years, you decide to throw this on me now!"
"Agent David, restrain yourself!" Eli David ordered through the video feed.
Ziva let out a harsh laugh. "Restrain myself? How do you expect me to restrain myself when I just learned that the man that killed my sister is still alive? May I add to the fact that my so called father blatantly lied to me about it for years!"
Eli suddenly looked very tired. He dragged his hand down his face. "I was trying to protect you."
Ziva glared at the man before her. "I provide my own protection."
Eli leaned back in his chair. When had they grown so far apart? His one and only living child hated him. Ah, well. Such the price of working in the Mossad.
Ziva watched as her father tensed. Suddenly he was in Mossad mode. Through gritted teeth he began to speak again. "Once more information is gathered, I will send for you. I assume you want to be apart of this operation?"
Ziva didn't answer; she didn't have to. "Good." He continued. "At that time you will be temporarily recalled back to Israel until the operation is completed."
Ziva continued to stand rigid, staring straight ahead. Eli paused, as if waiting for his estranged daughter to say something. Shaking his head, he cut off the feed without as much as a goodbye.
Even after the screen had turned black, Ziva found herself in the same exact position she had been in for the past ten minutes. Anger, loneliness, and grief attacked her all at once. Once, a long time ago, she had suppressed these feelings. Tali's death had left her crippled. Throwing herself into her training, Ziva had managed to numb the stinging pain that the thought of her sister brought. And now, just from a simple call from her father, she felt all those emotions rising up again.
Ziva shook her head and willed for the emotions to go down. She could deal with them later. Now was not the time. She turned walked out of MTAC. Sitting down at her desk, she chose to ignore the questioning looks she was getting from her teammates.
~~*~~
Hey guys, its been a while since I have written a story, so please bear with me. Just a plot bunny that wouldn't leave my head. I hope you enjoy. Reviews, I love. Even if they tell me my story sucks. :)
