A/N: This is what I think should happen in S8. I have not seen any promos or read anything about s8 so it'd be way off.
FRACTURED! The Year it all goes to Hell
Anticipating 8 Challenge Entry
When he went into Mexico to kill the man who killed Shannon and Kelly, Gibbs wasn't in the frame of mind to think about the consequences all these years down the track. Now he had put his father in jeopardy, his team… Basically anyone he knew had been threatened. And it would've been stupid for him to think that Paloma didn't have the resources to carry out her threats.
Gibbs knew there was a time in everyone's life where they had to take responsibility for what they had done. Twenty years later it was his turn. If Hart was right, then perhaps it was time to face the dire consequences. Gibbs stood up and put the box back onto the top of the wardrobe.
Xxxxxxx
Celebratory Drinks
Ziva raised her glass as Ducky, Abby and McGee toasted her triumph at becoming a US citizen. But her celebrations were dulled by the absence of Gibbs and Tony. Though she wasn't too surprised that Tony wasn't there. Their relationship had been strained for quite some time and whenever they got to the point of almost talking it out there were interruptions or invisible barriers blocking them. Perhaps their chance for reconciliation had passed.
She knew Gibbs would probably never show since he seemed to have a natural aversion to ceremonies. But still it hurt her. "I am sure they will come by later and join the celebrations," it was as if Ducky was reading her mind.
"I do not know what you are talking about," Ziva hid the fact that she was lying.
Ducky gave her a knowing nod. There would be plenty of time to worry about it.
"So… How does it feel to be American?" McGee asked to lighten up the somber mood.
"Well I do not feel the sudden urge to go to a baseball game and pig out on hot dogs," Ziva laughed. It felt good to get all the studying out of the way and now could concentrate on her new life.
"Oh," Abby said sadly as she came out of the kitchen. "Just when I made hotdogs as well," she put the plate on the middle of the table. "Your first American food as an American… Hotdog with bacon and mustard… Of course if you don't want one," Abby told her.
"Usually, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone but since it's a special occasion I'll forgo my usual dietary lecture," Ducky said as he grabbed one.
"Alright," McGee said. "Tony's going to pissed he missed this," he joked as they all began biting into their hotdogs. For a moment there was silence as they enjoyed the peaceful time and how things were right.
Xxxxxxxxx
Mexico
Tony couldn't figure out the reason why Gibbs' Boss would be calling him Probie but there was one thing that was clear. Franks was out to kill Alejandro… Right out in the open. The man was bold but this course of action would be deadly and that could mean dire consequences for US/Mexico relationship.
He watched Franks approach Alejandro. That was when Tony thought it was stupid for the target to be so out in the open like he was. Either stupid or he had protection. Tony scanned the area. Nobody looked out of place and that was the worry.
Franks had his hand on the firearm and saw Alejandro in sight. This was to finish up Gibbs' mess and protect his Probie from a horrible outcome. Something that he him self was responsible for starting.
Tony saw (a) man reacting to Franks approaching Alejandro. The man reached around his back. That was enough to kick his body into action. He managed to avoid running into someone as he tackled the man to the ground and rested his knee into the man's back and pulled out the pistol.
Gunshots rung out, it was hard to tell if they were from Franks or not. But there were more than one type of gun. Tony returned fire. "Get out of here," Tony heard Franks call out.
There wasn't enough time to think about where to run… That would come later. Right now he had to put some distance between him and those doing the shooting. "Mike!" Even with the problems they had in the past with each other, Tony still felt an obligation to make sure he did what he could.
After all… Franks was the boss' boss.
Amidst the confusion of people running and screaming, Tony felt someone pull his arm to get him moving in the desired direction. There was a breath of slight relief as he realized it was Franks. There was no time to look back to see how many men were after them.
Xxxxxxxx
Mallard Estate
McGee couldn't help but laugh as Ziva made another mistake with an American idiom and received a lighthearted punch in the arm from Abby. "Just being made an American citizen does not mean my English would suddenly improve," Ziva defended her self.
"Luckily they didn't put American idioms on the test," McGee responded. After the last few weeks it was good to finally be able to relax and joke around.
"That won't be entirely fair, Timothy. Considering that even some natural born Americans don't have a good grasp of the English language," Ducky said as he poured another drink.
"Thank you, Ducky," Ziva said.
"In our defense… We speak American," Abby joined in the argument. She found it funny since now they had two on two about speaking English. "So, in two days you'll be officially going to work as an American for the first time," Abby joked. There was no way they were going to let her down so easily.
"Actually, I'm taking the day off and going where… Surfing? That is it?" Ziva chuckled. "How is it said? Taking a sickie," she smirked.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Mexico
Tony and Franks ran into the large crowd where they lost each other. Tony didn't want to risk looking back. "How many people have guns?" He asked to nobody. There were only one or two at first but there numbers seem to be growing.
Unfortunately, the direction he was running to took him into open ground. "Stop!" Tony heard one of the chasers call out. Like hell, Tony thought. The sound of automatic gunfire caused Tony to freeze. He ducked, as if it would help, and held his arms skyward.
"Hey," Tony said cheerfully. It was more nerves than anything. "Are you going to kill me? Because I hate waiting… Anticipation's a -," Tony was hit in the stomach. That soon wiped the cocky grin from his face and in its place was a grimace of pain.
"Lift him up," the man who hit him ordered the others.
Tony felt safer doubled over in pain. Perhaps it was because he was a smaller target doubled over. The man had a look of anger on his face and knocked Tony unconscious with the gun's butt.
Xxxxxxxxx
STILLWATER
Paloma Reynosa always believed in swift justice. That allowed her to rise up in the drug cartel without much opposition. On the outside, Paloma looked seasoned but also didn't look like a murderer. But this mask hid the analytical and deadly mind. She knew that outright murder wouldn't get her what she wanted but having Gibbs believe she would murder those around him should serve her purpose.
"Can I help you?" Jackson Gibbs had asked.
"I was traveling through and I'm getting my car serviced because it was making some real weird noises," Paloma was in an old fashioned town, talking with an old fashioned man. No old fashioned man could resist a damsel in distress.
"What can I do for you in the mean time?" Jackson asked as he stood behind the counter. He had received the message from his son loud and clear. And his rifle was now in arm's length.
"I wanted to get a bottle of water," Paloma answered.
"They're kept just over there," Jackson pointed to the fridges. He turned his head upwards to watch the woman go to the fridge. Great! Jackson thought. His son had made him suspicious of everybody.
"Can you tell me if there are any good places to eat around here?" Paloma asked. "Since I have to be here until tomorrow," she told him. "Forgive my rudeness, Sir… But it looks like you were born, raised and bred here," she continued.
"Not rude at all… I was always here and the town was built around me," Jackson laughed. "There's a place on Lewis Avenue that has a plate sized steak that's to die for," he said animatedly and gave her directions.
"Thank you," Paloma smiled at the older man's charms. He was so unlike his coldhearted son who murdered her father. It's a shame that she'd have to respond in kind. But some things could never be laid to rest.