So after a long break from writing here's something that came into my head. Will be a multi chapter, so let me know what you think. WARNING later chapters may contain difficult subjects, rated M!
The bullpen was buzzing with quiet productivity, with no new cases it was back to the boring lull of never ending paperwork. Gibbs was at his desk sipping his coffee, McGee seemed to be embroiled in whatever was on his computer screen and Tony was loudly eating his breakfast as usual. Ziva was sat at her desk completing possibly the most mind-numbing part of her job; sorting and filing all the witness reports and statements from their last case ready to be sent off. To her relief, half an hour later she violently pushed the stapler through the last stack on her desk and shoved it into the box with all the others.
"We'll have to put that stapler in witness protection the way you've been treating it all morning" droned Tony, looking smugly over his computer screen at Ziva.
"Really Tony" she replied with equal sarcasm "Better a staple then say, a paperclip yes?"
Letting out a low chuckle Tony tipped his head to the side and smiled "You got me there Ziva"
Gibbs put a stop their exchange as he loudly dropped his empty coffee cup into the bin by Ziva's desk "Finished your paper work yet David?"
"Yes Gibbs, all done and…" She paused for a moment with a searching look then continued with a smile "Dusted!"
Rolling his eyes, although clearly amused Gibbs replied "Good, it seems we have a visitor, and I might need your help on this one…"
Ziva almost jumped out of her chair with enthusiasm "Anything to get away from this desk, who is it?" As Gibbs opened his mouth to reply he was interrupted by Tony.
"No fair, why does Ziva get a special job? I've finished my paperwork too!"
"Quiet down DiNozzo, I have a special job in mind for you too" Gibbs said with a smile, Tony rose from his seat looking triumphant.
"Cool, what is it?"
"I noticed that some of the bags in the evidence locker aren't properly labelled, thanks for volunteering DiNozzo"
Tony sat back down with a thump. He sighed loudly. McGee, who had been quiet all morning broke out into laughter as Ziva and Gibbs strode towards the elevator.
Once the elevator doors had slid closed Gibbs wasted no time in flicking the stop switch and turning to Ziva with a look of apprehension.
"W-what is it Gibbs?" Ziva asked confused.
"I just wanted to warn you, the man who has come to talk to us is a Mossad officer, and he asked for you. He has not given me any more information, other than it is urgent. Do you know what this might be about?"
Ziva looked at him blankly; it was very unusual that a Mossad officer would come to NCIS headquarters instead of contacting them via M-TAC. In fact the last time an old Mossad 'friend' came to pay her a visit it did not end well at all, she looked Gibbs and said with all honesty "I do not know why anyone from Mossad would come here, I don't talk to anyone from back home anymore, no one that has anything to do with Mossad anyway, only my father."
"I thought that might be the case, well it certainly isn't Eli, his name is Officer Achim Efraim" Gibbs looked expectantly at Ziva and he didn't have to wait for any vocal affirmation that Ziva knew this man. The look on her face, although quickly hidden told Gibbs that she and this man were most likely not friends.
"Achim? I don't know what possible reason that man would have to come here, least of all to see me…"
"Who is this man to you Ziver?" He asked with quiet suspicion.
"He trains Mossad officers; or he used to. He taught me since the age of eight, I learnt almost everything I know from him. But I have not seen him since I turned 16."
"Why do I get the impression that you would not welcome seeing him again? Anything I need to know David?"
"Hmm, I rather hoped I would never have to see him again" Ziva said gently, with a vague smile she continued "But still, he is here and I suppose we must go and see why he has come. Don't worry about me Gibbs, I can handle myself"
Giving her a smile that crept to the edge of his tired eyes Gibbs flicked the stop switch back on, he leaned slightly towards her and said stoically "I never doubted that for one second."
Gibbs entered interrogation room 1, and after a steadying breath he was closely followed by Ziva.
A sharply dressed man with tanned skin and short black hair was stood facing away from them when they entered, Gibbs immediately settled himself onto one of the chairs, looking calm but observing the man closely. Officer Efraim did not turn around until Ziva spoke.
"Shalom Achim."
Upon hearing Ziva's voice, Achim did indeed turn around. A tall man, slim but clearly physically powerful. He had strong features and looked to be in his mid to late forties.
"Ahhhhh little Zivalah. My best student, my how you've grown… Become quite the little woman haven't we?" He spoke wistfully.
Ziva bit her words out, agitated by his comments "What is it that you came for Achim? I assume you're here on official business?"
Officer Efraim pulled out a chair and sat comfortably, ignoring the presence of Gibbs entirely he smiled up at Ziva.
"Official business, yes." He said with a shrug "But personal also… Come now Ziva, sit. We have much to catch up on" He motioned to the chair next to him but Ziva stood resolutely with her arms across her chest looking defiant. Achim tutted "My, such coldness and from one of my own, this I did not expect, not from you my little protégé."
"I am not your protégé any more" Ziva spat angrily.
"Yes, You have made that quite clear, although you've not lost any of your fire I see…"
After having watched this exchange silently, Gibbs now lent forward across the table into Achim's space and said sternly. "So what, Officer Efraim is it that you have come to tell us so urgently?"
Achim's demeanour changed instantly as he took his eyes off Ziva and turned them onto Gibbs, his face split into a wide grin. "And you must be the formidable Agent Gibbs" He extended his hand across the table "I have heard much about you" Gibbs took Achim's hand and with a firmer hold than necessary shook it.
"And yet regrettably I have heard nothing of you" Gibbs retorted unemotionally.
Realising that Gibbs clearly taken a disliking to him, Achim continued in a more clipped fashion. "Yes, well I am as you say on official business, the Director has sent me to keep a close eye on a possible terrorist cell we have been monitoring, although no action is to be taken immediately the Director thought it would be prudent to make you aware. I will be staying locally for the foreseeable future and I hope we can count on your co-operation during this time."
Gibbs studied the man for a brief moment, sizing him up. "If you want a team on this I will need clearance from the Director of NCIS and all of the intel you have."
"But of course, like I say I do not believe action will be imminent but it does not harm to be prepared. I have all the relevant information with me and the Director has given me strict instructions to only contact him via M-TAC, he will be available to discuss the details this afternoon. Once your Director has given permission of course."
Ziva who was still standing asked impatiently "But why didn't the Director contact NCIS to discuss it before you arrived on our doorstep?"
"Ah, your mind is still as sharp as it was… As I'm sure Agent Gibbs here is aware, there has been no communications via satellite or internet this week due to a, what is it you American's say… A bug in the system yes? It has only come back into use within" Achim looked at his watch "the last several hours".
Ziva didn't get the time to decide whether she was satisfied with his answer, Gibbs was already out of his seat and escorting Achim to the door to go and talk to Director Vance. Achim stopped on his way past, and with an altogether too friendly smile he grasped Ziva's arm, leaned in slightly and said softly "I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again very soon, for a little catch up…" Leaning back out he gave her arm an uncomfortably tight squeeze before letting it go "Won't that be nice Miss David?"
Ziva was left stood quite shocked, and not at all enjoying the feelings that had come flooding back with this man. He was not her superior anymore she reminded herself, he has no authority here. With a deep breath Ziva straightened up and marched back to the bullpen determined to stay focused.
Thanks for readin'! :)