This story is about events that have already aired and interviews regarding these episodes and where the Season Thirteen premiere will start from. If you have not seen these episodes or somehow have not seen any reference to the finale on the internet, leave now. Stay at your own risk. I will not be responsible for ruining the experience for you, you have been forewarned. Also, this is a TIVA story. Don't like, don't read.
The events of the Season Twelve finale provide for a plausible excuse for Ziva to show up. Cote has made it clear in her recent interviews that she was willing, so if she does not show up in the premiere it will be because she wasn't asked. Unfortunately, I feel this will probably be the case.
This is my take on how I could see Cote and Ziva returning. I do not own any of the characters or NCIS.
My other story, "In My Life" is on hold for the moment as I truly can't think of anything to write after the way these characters have been so screwed up lately.
Previously on NCIS: "Agent Gibbs?" Gibbs turned slowly around, the hot sun bearing down creating mirages. "Was that really Luke?" He saw the gun in the child's hand too late, fumbling at his own attempt to draw his weapon; as if he knew he would never use it against the brainwashed boy.
The first shot hit him in the left knee. Gibbs didn't know which hurt worse, the pain of the close range projectile shattering his patella or the shock of Luke actually pulling the trigger. He fell immediately to his knees, but struggled to an upright position. He stared at Luke, pleading at him with his eyes to not do this, to come to his senses, to….
The force of the second shot threw Gibbs backward. The world whirled around the Agent: the spray of blood as the bullet entered his chest; the searing pain followed almost immediately by a numbing inability to breathe, sand particles hanging in suspension in the sun rays about him.
As he gasped for air, he was vaguely aware of Luke quickly walking past him, his eyes averted in denial of his actions.
"Lost and Found"
"After all they are only children…" Tony was searching the high windows for the elusive Daniel Budd. Tony was becoming increasingly uncomfortable by this chatty fellow and started to search the market place for Gibbs. This felt wrong…
As the erupting gunfire caught Tony unawares, he reacted with shock and anger that he had purposely been distracted and he had fallen for it. Tony's eyes widened in horror as he watched Gibbs gunned down by the child they had come to rescue; the child they had been so sure had been taken against his will into the fold called "The Calling".
"Gibbs!" Tony yelled at the fallen agent, his hands pressing down hard on the wound to stem the blood flow. His head whipped around and he caught site of Joanna Teague, who was frantically making her way through the shrieking and cowering crowd. Her phone was pressed to her ear, her mouth barking urgent orders to…someone.
NCIS Headquarters, Washington DC- four days later
Director Leon Vance stared hard at Tony DiNozzo. Tony was pacing the office, alternating between feeling guilt for not protecting Gibbs and wanting to get back out there and seek revenge for his fallen team mate. His anger was justified but Vance was concerned. How many more people needed to die before this team understood that emotions had no place in the planning and execution of operations?
"I understand where you are coming from Agent DiNozzo, but the team has taken a hit, suffering two losses in less than four weeks. Internal Affairs is breathing down my neck and they will be investigating; not just this incident but the planning and execution of the op as well."
Vance looked grim. "The last thing NCIS needs right now is a reputation for hot-headed Agents not following protocol and allowing their emotions to dictate their actions." He took in a deep breath, reminded of the events of two years ago when his own emotions forced him to sanction a worldwide search for his wife's killer. He nodded at Tony, acknowledging the knowing look he was giving him.
"Understood, Agent DiNozzo. And we went through hell with that episode. I must do everything in my power to keep this Agency afloat and if that means we need to step back for a while, that's what we are going to do." Vance shifted in his chair, considering his next words.
"I want you to go home and recharge, DiNozzo. You'll get your chance to go after this bastard but right now you and everyone else on the team need to be recused from this investigation." He cast an appraising eye over the agent, noting the dark circles under his eyes, the wild hair and unshaven face.
Tony's clenched his jaw, his mouth tight. "You're benching me?" His tone was incredulous.
"I am telling you to go home and take a few days. Get some sleep, eat some decent food. I need you to be at the top of your game when the time comes for us to act." Tony pursed his lips, thinking about what the Director was saying, and what he wasn't saying.
One the one hand, they weren't going to let Budd get away with what he did. But on the other hand, Tony knew that the longer they waited the colder the trail would get. The Agent in him was of a mind to start right this minute but he knew Vance would really bench him if he bucked his authority.
Tony opened his mouth to argue the point but Vance held up his hand. "Go home, DiNozzo. Don't have me make it an order." The threat had been verbalized and heard, the meaning clear. "Go home or I will bench you!"
Tony turned on his heel and stormed from the office. McGee and Bishop looked up at the pounding of his feet on the stairs the anger was coming off of him in waves. Tony felt impotent and useless and without a word to the others, he grabbed his bag. McGee looked at Bishop in alarm.
"Tony, it wasn't your fault! I'm sure Vance doesn't blame you…"
"Save it, McGee." Tony cut in tersely, his long stride already halfway to the elevator.
"Tony!" McGee called out to him and started after him, but Bishop put her hand on his arm, stopping his headway.
They both looked up as Vance came down the stairs. Gulping, they turned together to hear what the Director had to say to them, about Gibbs, about Tony; about the team.
NW Washington DC
Tony sat for a few moments in his car. He was so angry he wanted to scream, but he knew it would serve no useful purpose. And Vance bringing up Eli, Jackie and Bodnar had sent him into a tailspin. Just another reminder of how he had screwed up, he thought to himself bitterly, thinking of Ziva and how he had failed to bring her home with him.
He had accepted her explanation but he hadn't understood it, not really. How could she think so badly of herself? Tony was at a loss as he had tried to convince her that her perception of herself was skewed and that others, especially Tony, saw her in a completely different light. But it was all to no avail. There wasn't anything Tony could do to change her mind, once it was made up.
Tony let his head drop to that back of the seat, closing his eyes to will away his thoughts. Grabbing his things he finally got out of his car and crossed the street to his apartment.
The figure watched him look both ways, stepping back slightly into the shadows to avoid detection. As Tony took the steps two at a time and entered the apartment building, the dark clad figure made their way in the same direction, following the Agent's footsteps.
Tony threw his jacket onto the sofa and marched into the kitchen. He grabbed the first bottle within his reach and poured himself a healthy slug of the amber liquid. He took a large gulp, grimacing as the fluid burned its way down his esophagus. As he prepared to refill his tumbler, there came a tentative knock on his door. Tony's head turned in the direction of the offensive noise, frowning at the unwelcome interruption.
"Go home. McGee. I'm fine!" Tony snarled, thinking it was just like the younger Agent to feel it was his duty to look after Tony and try to make him feel better. Like that was ever going to happen…
The second knock made Tony slam his glass down on the island counter top. As he strode to the front door, he made his feelings loud and clear. "Dammit McGee, I told you I was fine!" Tony said the last words as he flung the door to his apartment open.
He stared dumbfounded at his uninvited guest, totally shocked and momentarily rendered speechless. He opened his mouth as he stared at the brown eyes regarding him with such sorrow and worry, her curly hair shorter than he remembered but everything else about her as vivid as if they had just seen each other that morning, and not seventeen months ago.
Ziva David took a step forward, watching Tony closely as she closed the gap between them. "I'm fine." Tony choked out, his voice barely a whisper, the slight tremor betraying the uncertainty of his feelings.
Ziva stood directly in front of him and, with a slight hesitation, cupped his cheek with her right hand and placed her left hand on his arm. Tony looked at her, feeling her touch and was suddenly tired. He put his head down and leaned forward so that their foreheads touched.
"I'm fine…" He couldn't finish; his voice cracking as he held back the catch in his voice, his emotions finally betraying him. He felt Ziva put her arms around him and listened as she spoke softly to him, speaking a language only the two of them could understand.
Well, what do you think? Is it worth continuing? I don't like writing to the wind, so let me know your thoughts. Does Gibbs die? I frankly find it hard to believe that he will be killed off on the show, but stranger things have happened. The only things that have come out in interviews is that the premiere will take off where things were left from the last moments of the finale and that because Tony was on the phone with Budd he would be taking lead on finding him. Enjoy.