Chapter 1

The boy's hand twitched towards the gun.

He wasn't going to shoot.

Ziva knew that.

The boy was shaking. His eyes skiting back to the only exit. Then to Ziva.

His gun was sitting on the table beside him. Safety off. Loaded.

But he wasn't going to shoot.

Still, where was McGee?

And Gibbs?

"Last chance," the boy said. His voice shook.

"And then?" Ziva asked.

"I make the call."

"And kill your own sister?"

"She's not my sister," the boy spat.

"Yes. She is. You grew up with her. You love her."

"But she's not my real sister."

"Genetically, no. But she's still your family."

"My father lied!" the boy cried out.

"You'd be surprised how often that happens," Ziva told the boy. "Ever heard of Santa?"

"What?" The boy was anxious. "Of course."

"See, fathers often lie. It's to protect you and your sister."

"She's not my sister!" the boy yelled. He was becoming edgy. Rash. Not a good position to put someone as inexperienced as the kid was in.

And where was McGee?

The boy's hand twitched again. Ziva tensed. He wasn't going to do it.

Then, Ziva heard a click. She froze, stiffening.

A gun, point blank range, to the back of her head. But the boy was standing a few metres away.

"Drop the weapon," Ziva heard DiNozzo say in her ear.

Her gun slipped from her grip, cluttering to the ground.

"Now," DiNozzo continued, "You, kid, get over in the corner. And don't even think about touching that gun."

The boy nodded, moving away slowly.

"Who are you with?" Ziva asked.

DiNozzo laughed. "Ahh, Ziva. Why don't you guess?"

"Apart from N.C.I.S.?" she spat coldly.

"Nah, got sick of that gig." Ziva could almost see the smug smile.

"Yes. I remember." Her voice was acid.

"Good times," DiNozzo muttered in a tone suggesting he was reminiscing. Ziva shivered with anger. And she'd trusted him. For so long. She'd never forgive herself.

"Hardly," she breathed.

"Well," DiNozzo continued. "Shall we get this show on the road?"

Ziva didn't answer. She heard the click of cuffs and the cool metal around her skin. The boy was standing in the corner. Well and truly over his head, and completely aware. Fear was plastered all over his face.

"Oh, the irony," DiNozzo laughed.

McGee kicked in the door, the gun by his side. The sight that fell upon him almos made him drop said gun.

"Tony?" he asked. The picture was one he never thought he'd see. Tony with his gun pointing at the back of Ziva's head, her kneeling on the ground before him, hands bound. The kid was in the corner, looking terrified.

"Looks like you were just too late," Tony said with a grin. "As always McGee. Shame. I always sorta liked you. Even with your geek mannerisms."

"Mannerisms?" McGee said. "Oh, Tony, you've picked up a book haven't you. I'm so proud." The venom in his voice hurt.

"Well, I admit, I tried to read Deep Six but couldn't get past… well, any of it. Where did you learn to write?" Tony looked smug.

McGee wanted to kill him. He'd learnt his lesson the hard way. And he'd never trust anyone again.

Gibbs stopped at the door. He'd heard the conversation. He'd heard the name. The voice. Tony DiNozzo. Two years too late. And Vance had still played him. Played them all.

Gibbs walked into the apartment.

"Boss," Tony said immediately. They shared eye contact. Gibbs didn't answer.

"We take the boy and Ziva," he said.

"I get the apartment," Tony told him.

"Deal," Gibbs said. Tony nodded. He removed the gun from Ziva's head. She stood slowly, back stiff. He took the handcuffs off carefully. "Ziva get the kid," Gibbs ordered.

She didn't turn to DiNozzo. Instead, she cuffed the kid and left the apartment. McGee's hand stayed white knuckled on his gun.

"Out, McGee," Gibbs told him. He didn't even get a stiff nod. McGee also left without a glance at DiNozzo.

Finally, it was just Tony and Gibbs.

"I will get you one day," Gibbs promised.

DiNozzo nodded, no smile on his face. "I know."

Is Tony really the bad guy? And is there a past between him and Ziva?