Rule 44
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS, I just use it as an excuse to avoid writing my thesis. ;P
Author's note: This came about from seeing pictures from the season 8 premiere where they were looking at a body and noticing Ziva wasn't in any of them. Just got a flash of a little exchange about why she might be absent. I don't plan on continuing it, but I liked the moment.
"Grab your gear," Gibbs barked, walking down the stairs from Vance's office and toward the elevator, breaking stride only slightly to grab his go bag. "Dead marine in the park."
The team scrambled to their feet and were on the move when Gibbs continued. "Not you, Ziva. You're staying here."
She froze, setting her bag back on the desk. "Why? What did I do?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do I have to stay? There's nothing to do here yet. We don't even have a name."
Gibbs stopped fully and walked back to the wall beside her desk. "Last time somebody went after me, they targeted the women I loved," he said quietly.
Ziva stared at him, his words sinking in and draining the indignant fight from her. She looked at him seriously and said softly, "I can take care of myself, Gibbs."
"So could Kate," he said simply, ending any further argument. "So you and Abby are not leaving this building until Reynosa is dealt with. You want to be useful, keep an eye on Abby and be ready when we call for information."
She nodded and Gibbs resumed his walk to the elevator where Tony and McGee had frozen awkwardly. "Well?"
They both scrambled to hit the button and hurried into the elevator when the doors opened. Gibbs joined them with one last glance at Vance, who watched from the balcony overhead. Then the doors closed.