Previously:
Grinning at his colleague, Tony picked up the evidence and loaded it into the truck.
"Why don't you say so, McProbie."
They had just shut the door of the van when a shot rung out...
(Bullpen)
Ziva was hunched over the Mossad report once again when a notepad went flying across her desk.
"Victim's name is on the first page."
"Yes, Gibbs," she replied, reluctantly putting the report aside.
Gibbs who had observed her reactions, sighed before leaning down, his hands flat on her desk for support.
"We'll talk about the other thing tonight. See what we can come up with," stated the gray-haired agent, hoping to reassure the young Israeli somewhat.
"Yes, Gibbs."
"The dead Petty Officer needs your attention right now," ordered the team leader in a unlikely friendly tone of voice.
Upon her nod he made his way to get some coffee. He was a few meters away from his agent's desk when she called him.
As she got the attention of her boss she continued, "Where are Tony and McGee?"
"Finishing up the scene. Should be back soon."
(Vance Office)
Lost in thought, the Director of NCIS, Leon Vance, stared at his phone. He hadn't heard from his friend since two and a half weeks, too long for his liking.
Has his friend gotten caught or worse, was he dead? Vance pulled his desk drawer open and searched for a tooth pick. After his wife's last trip into his office, all his tooth picks had been confiscated.
Grumbling to himself, he gave up and called Cynthia.
"Yes, Director?"
"Do you know where my wife put them?"
He was pretty sure that his secretary knew what he was talking about. After all his beloved other half has taken them out with her for everyone to see. Which had lead to a mayor discussion at home. 'Stealing' his stress relievers was one thing, undermining his authority in front of his staff was another story.
"I'm sorry, Sir. But she put them into the trash can."
"Alright."
"If you want I could organize you new ones, Sir." Cynthia offered. She may didn't liked her new boss very but without those picks he was going to be much moodier. Not that she didn't laughed inwardly as his wife came out with her arms full of them.
"That would be very nice of you."
"You'll have them tomorrow, Director."
"Thanks," answered Leon before he cut the connection. At least one loyal employee. Or so he thought.
Tapping with his pen on the file in front of him, his mind drifted of to his friend once again.
The plan he had came up with his friend, months ago, was taking awful long to proceed.
Vance was about to return to work when his computer alerted him of a new e-mail.
'5 pm. Usual location. Do not be late.'
(Bullpen an hour later)
"Should they not be back by now?"
Looking up from his paperwork, he thought for a moment before picking up the phone, "Abs?"
'Gibbsman!'
"You got the evidence yet?"
'Evidence? We got...'
Before she could have finished the sentence Gibbs had hung up.
"Try Tony's," he told Ziva as he dialed McGee's number.
"It is ringing but he does not answers," she reported.
"Same here," said Gibbs as he took his gun and badge out of the desk drawer, "Come on."
Together they went to the car park.
(MTAC)
After dismissing everyone out of the video conference room, Vance locked the door and went over to type something into the controls. A few seconds later the rainbow screen was replaced.
"Hello, my friend," a mysterious man greeted him.
"Hello," Vance replied, an evil smirk making its way on his face.
"You got any news for me?" The man asked.
"I'm afraid it's not very much I can tell you. Except that everyone seems to have gone back to normal."
"No one expects anything?"
"No," laughed Leon, "They seem pretty obvious and have started to go on."
"Ziva, too?" the man checked.
"Yes, my friend. Like I told you last time, she is a probationary agent now. Her injuries have healed well and she'll be back into field work very soon. Under Gibbs' lead, once again."
"Those are great news."
"Indeed."
"What about this DiNozzo?"
"Still a pain in the ass. Maybe bigger than Gibbs."
"Leon."
"There's nothing I can do at the moment. If I would forbid them to be together it would surely arouse suspicion. And a suspicious Agent Gibbs could bring an end to our plan."
"I understand," sighed the man.
"We'll get rid of DiNozzo and Gibbs soon enough."
"I hope so my friend. I hope so."
After a few seconds of silence the mysterious man changed the conversation to their main objective.
"I suppose we can start with phase two then?"
"I'm not sure. I heard SecNav had ordered an investigation of the heads of the Navy."
"As have I. Do not worry my friend, we will clean your slate before they reach you."
"Thank you."
"Afterward you shall bring your men into position."
"Of course."
TBC...
