THE TANGLED WEB

CHAPTER 1

Ziva hadn't heard from Katia in over a week. The last text message had been just two words, "No news." What was going on with Ari? It had only been 3 months since her half-brother, Ari Haswari, had reappeared in her life. During that shocking time, Ziva had discovered that she was pregnant with Tony's baby, had a quick wedding at city hall, and had almost lost Ari again to a severe infection. She was now 5 months pregnant, starting to show, and being kicked night and day by the tiny baby growing inside of her.

She was day dreaming in from of the computer screen when a knock came at the logged off of the top secret computer files, booted down the computer, rose from her chair, and looked through the peephole. It was Gibbs. Great. What did she do now?

Ever since she had been reprimanded by Gibbs for checking on Katia's father, Oleg Pleshenko, Gibbs kept his eye on her like a hawk. If it hadn't been for a fire breaking out in a supply closet, she may have been arrested. It had been quite some time, and Gibbs had never brought it up again, but he was known to do a little checking on people on his own time, and Ziva knew that one day, he'd pull her away and grill her until she broke. Fortunately, she had answers for him that would steer him away from Oleg, Katia, and more importantly, Ari.

Ziva released the security locks and opened the door.

"We have to stop meeting like this, Gibbs. Tony will get jealous," she teased.

"We have to talk about something. Let me come in."

"What about the cameras and microphones?"

"They still aren't repaired from the fire. We're safe to talk in here," Gibbs remarked as he pushed himself into the room and relocked the three security locks.

Ziva felt instantly nervous, but didn't show it to GIbbs. She had been trained in the Israeli Army and as an agent of Mossad, to mask her emotions.

"Have a seat, Ziva. Take a load off."

"Thanks," Ziva said with an obviously annoyed look to Gibbs. It wasn't as if she were a cow. In fact, she had not really gained much weight, but her face was rounder, her breasts noticeably larger, and she now had a little belly.

"I didn't mean it that way," said Gibbs. "Pregnancy suits you, ZIva. Not every woman glows when she's preggers."

"You better watch it Gibbs, you're starting to sound like Tony."

Gibbs laughed. A split second later, his crystal blue eyes turned serious, and he started rubbing his face and itching his head. Ziva knew she was in for it.

"I've been avoiding talking to you about this, but, we never finished our discussion about why you were looking into Ivan Smith's background. What made you decide to investigate a man who is in the Witness Protection Program?"

Ziva knew it. Gibbs had been digging up information and doing his own research. She was prepared this time, and ready to stare Gibbs right in the eyes.

"Katia told me about some of her history after we met at yoga class. She noticed that I was of foreign descent, and after class, we got to talking, and ended up being friends. I thought it was strange that her last name was Smith, and asked her about it. She said that they had changed their name because her father had once been involved with some people that might try to hurt them. She said their family name was Pleshenko, like the ice skater. I never asked her too much, but when I finally met Ivan, and looked into his eyes, I knew he was KGB. His eyes were cold and evil, like my father's can be."

GIbbs stared right back into Ziva's eyes and was convinced she was telling the truth. He had no idea that she had practiced this story in front of a mirror for several weeks, until there was no variation in her pupils. She had to protect Ari, and didn't need Gibbs snooping around and finding out about Katia's fiance.

"Why did you tell Dr. Gregory Davis that this Jacob Bettencourt guy was your brother?"

Ziva was relieved that she had rehearsed this one as well.

"Gibbs, the man wouldn't let Katia see her fiance! He was in critical condition, and they had only been engaged for a couple of days. Dr. Davis was an ass. I lied to him, and when I spoke to Jacob in Hebrew, the doctor believed me. Katia had told me he was Jewish, and that he had lived in Israel during college. I had to help her. She was devastated."

"Ziva," replied Gibbs, "You need to be careful who you befriend now that you are in this probationary position. Vance doesn't know about this, and for now, I'm not telling him. Forget about this Ivan Smith/Oleg Pleshenko guy. He was a double agent, and is lucky he's still alive. You, of all people, should know about double agents."

"Yes, boss. I stopped looking around when I noticed that his files were all clean, tidy, and up to date. Someone is making sure he isn't flagged, and I'm not about to stick my nose into something that the CIA is involved with."

"Good. So, how did your friend's fiance make out?"

"He lived," was all Ziva said.

Gibbs gave a nod, and left the room. Ziva sat there and just stared at the wall. She had no idea what Ari was up to in Paris, but knew that is he wasn't staying in touch with Katia, he had to be up to no good, or in serious trouble.

"Wait, wait," Ari called out. "I'm sorry."

The woman dropped her son's hand and turned.

"Pardon me? Oh, it is you, isn't it, Eli!" She started to run towards Ari, but he held out his arms.

"No, no. I'm not him, I swear. I am his cousin, Jacob. I only met Eli once, and we did look amazingly alike. Like we were twins," replied Ari.

"Why did you act as if you didn't know him?"

"I didn't know he had vanished. I thought I was protecting him from you. Please, forgive me. Let me help you and your son. It's the least I can do," he replied tenderly.

"No, no, we are fine. I work, and we receive help from the State. My family lets us stay in their apartment for free. We can't accept anything from you."

Ari gave her his coyest look and said, "No, I insist. After all, this young man is my cousin, and it is part of my culture to help family. Please, tell me your name and how I can reach you. I need to get to my meeting soon, but promise I will call."

The woman looked at him intently, while the boy just ran back and forth from one bench to the next.

"My name is Simone. This is my business card. My cell phone number is on it. You can reach me on it anytime before 8 PM. I turn it off when Eli goes to sleep. Our place is very small. Thank you for stopping us. You said your name was Jacob, right?"

"Yes, Simone, I am Jacob Bettencourt. I will call you tomorrow. Be careful now, Eli!"

"Au revoir, Jacob," waved SImone.

"Au revoir," said Ari as they turned and walked away. He waved his hand, and suddenly felt better about himself. Now, he must retrieve his cash, and make plans for SImone and Eli. He felt alive again. In all of his excitement, he forgot about Katia.

Ziva decided to give Katia a call. She was not a big fan of texting, and she was starting to feel panicky about Ari.

"Hi, Ziva. Still no word. I can take a hint. My father is royally pissed at your brother, and I have decided to take a teaching job at Duke. I've had it. I'm leaving this Friday. I'm replacing a professor who's wife just died suddenly, and left him with a set of triplet boys. I understand it is beautiful there."

Katia sounded emotionless. Ziva was at a loss for words. How could Ari do this to her? Ziva had hoped that he was finally going to settle down and behave himself, and even though she didn't trust Katia and her father, she had hoped that things would work out.

"Katia, I am so worried for both of you. I haven't heard a thing from him. Do you know for certain that he got to Paris?"

"Yes. The pilot confirmed that he arrived safely and took a limo into Paris. I received just the one text from him after he checked in at the hotel. He checked out the next afternoon, and I have not heard from him since."

Katia was starting to show emotion, and Ziva knew that at any moment, Katia would burst into tears.

"I am worried about him too," was all Ziva could manage.

"Why would he propose and then leave me? And now, that Dr. Davis has called me asking why Jacob has not been in for a check up. He has T.B., Ziva. He wasn't supposed to travel. "

"I'll do what I can to find him, Katia. He won't give anyone T.B.. He traveled alone. Do you know what sort of passport he was using?"

Katia started to cry. "No, I don't. But, I do know that the man he got it from was found dead the same afternoon that Jacob visited him. Why is he so terrible, Ziva? Why?"

Ziva sat and listened as Katia wept on and on. After several minutes went by, Katia said, "I have to go." With that, she hung up on Ziva.

"Wow, what have you done now, my dear brother?"

Now, Ziva would have to infiltrate Washington Hospital Center and get a copy of Jacob Bettencourt's identification. It was the only way she would be able to locate Ari.

Ari was starting to feel better every day, and was faithful about taking his medications. Tuberculosis was nothing to laugh at, and he had brought enough pills to last him for several months. He hadn't intended to stay in Paris for more than 3 weeks, but meeting SImone and Eli had stirred a certain something inside of him that he had never experienced before.

He knew he should contact Katia, but didn't know what to say to her. She would be hurt, but, family came first, and little Eli was the only connection to his family that he could openly experience. Katia would have to understand. Besides, she didn't know that Ivan had only agreed to allow their marriage if Ari helped him with his gun smuggling. If she really wasn't in on the action, that knowledge would kill her, and their relationship, and Ari wasn't ready to throw that away. Not yet.

"Uncle Jacob, are you here?" LIttle Eli woke Ari from his day dreaming.

"In here, Eli. Just finishing up putting your new bedroom together. Don't come in yet. I want to surprise you," called out Ari.

Ari hurried to put Eli's books and toys on the shelves he had just installed. Simone had forbidden him to touch her new bedroom, but Ari had managed to turn Eli's room into an 8-year old's paradise. It had taken him only a few days to find the apartment, and pay for it in cash. Because it was vacant, the seller allowed him to take occupancy immediately after they had signed the agreement to purchase, and Ari had handed him over a suitcase of cash. He'd gotten the place for a steal. It certainly paid off to still have a few old connections in Paris.

"Okay, Eli. I'm coming out to get you."

Ari walked into the living room and picked the boy up.

"Now, cover your eyes. I want to see your face when you see your new room."

"Do I have to," whined Eli.

"Yes, you must."

A voice came from the kitchen, surprising Ari.

"What about me? Don't I get to see too?" It was Simone. She had returned early today. He wondered why he hadn't heard her come in.

Ari smiled, answering, "Of course. Follow me."

SImone followed Ari down the hall. The bedroom door was closed. Ari opened the door and SImone gasped. Eli opened his eyes and jumped from Ari's arms, running into his new room like a jack rabbit.

"I guess he likes it," remarked Ari.

Simone put her arms around Ari and hugged him. Ari could not believe how that made him feel. He hugged her back and relished in the moment, as an intense feeling of warmth and love filled his body. This wasn't lust, this was love. For a moment, he felt as if they were a family. A real family.

"Thank you, Jacob. Eli and I will never forget your generosity, will we, my son?"

Eli was jumping up and down with excitement.

"Please Uncle, play this Wii game with me. I love you, Uncle Jacob!"

And with that, he ran over to Ari, and gave him a huge hug. Ari smiled and picked him up, whispering,

"I love you too, mon chere."