Ok, so here's the next chapter. I'm really really really sorry for the long delay, there's not really any excuse. It's shorter than normal, and I'm sorry for that too. I hope this one is as good as the rest.
"Eric Vahgn."
Feeling his eyes widen, Alex quickly adjusted to hide his shock. That was the name of the man who led the fascist faction he and Ben were infiltrating.
Watching Alex's reaction to the name, Gibbs' first thought was, 'He's a professional.' The boy—who didn't truly act like a boy, though it was a close thing—showed next to no facial expression, only a slight widening of brown eyes, before responding. He paused just long enough to not sound suspicious. But he obviously knows the man.
"Never heard of him. Who was he?" Alex remarked casually—too casually for having seen the man's dead body.
"A marine, soon to be up for promotion. He had a wife and son; they deserve justice. Which is why I need too ask again—Why were you at his house? What do you know about how he died? Because I think you do know something, and I don't like being in the dark, Alex." Even though he's only a boy, it's not unheard of. After all, Ziva's father was training her as an assassin when she was a child younger than this kid.
"What, are you afraid, Agent Gibbs?" The boy's grin turned almost predatory as he leaned forward. "You should be." Alex leaned back once more, a vapid, airhead teenager once more, and a playful smirk appeared on his face. "Because there are monsters out there. But I'll tell you a secret—"
"—the scariest ones hide in plain sight," Gibbs interrupted, completing the sentence for him. "You don't do a job like mine without realizing that, Alex."
"Then you know more than most people do."
"Well then, between two people who know more than most, what the hell were you doing at my crime scene?" Gibbs demanded.
"Only God knows," replied Alex, with an entirely straight face.
As soon as Alex heard Vahgn's full name, he mentally slapped himself. They'd practically been shouting it at him for the last few hours. How could he be so stupid?
Alex avoided giving Agent Gibbs a single straight answer as he debated with himself about what to do next. Both Vahgn and the Executive Secretary of Defense were dead. Supposedly Vahgn was the head of Bellum Patriae; perhaps the group would disband now, but personally Alex doubted it. Political parties (public or underground) are extremely tenacious creatures and have the unfortunate ability to regenerate limbs. The fact that the Executive Secretary died after Vahgn suggested that Bellum Patriae was alive and kicking.
But why was Vahgn dead? Was there conflict within the group, or had someone from outside killed him? Deciding he didn't have enough information and needed to contact Ben was easy; doing it was another matter.
Finally, Alex answered one last question (The same one, really. No originality) with a sarcastic, "Only God knows," and proceeded to hum the tune to 'It's My Life' by Bon Jovi, ignoring all further questions.
At last, the door opened, and a younger man Alex hadn't seen earlier peered inside.
"Hey boss, Alexander's dad is here."
Waving a hand a McGee, Gibbs reopened fire on Alex.
"Here's the thing, Alex. We could arrest you three times over. We've got on armed and unarmed assault of multiple police officers and two NCIS agents, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice—do you want me to continue? You're looking at anywhere from two to five years in a juvenile detention center; if you're tried as an adult, it could be twenty." He paused for a moment, and then continued. "But you have something we want, and we have something you want. So let's make a trade. You tell us what we want to know—no holding back—and we can cut your sentence, maybe even drop charges. But it all depends on what you give us. It's your call, Alex. But I will get to the bottom of this, with or without you."
After that uncharacteristically long speech, Gibbs left the room, leaving the ultimatum and Alex.
Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva watched as Mr. Breyger entered the interrogation room and sat down across from his son.
"They don't look related," Tony commented. "I bet he's adopted."
"He could just look take after his mother," Ziva argued.
"Twenty bucks says he's adopted."
"Taken."
They focused on Alex and his father's conversation, which started out normal enough. Mr. Breyger sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Al, why are you here?"
"Because they found me in this house where some guy was killed and decided I was a suspect in a murder investigation," replied Alex candidly.
Obviously exasperated, Mr. Breyger said, "Well, why were you there?"
"There was a crowd of people staring at something and I was curious. So I went to check it out."
"He didn't say anything about the house, or the fight," whispered Ziva. Tony whispered back, "So he omits and lies. But we already knew that… Why are we whispering again?"
Suddenly, Alex spoke again—but not in any language they could understand.
"交換對漢語。我需要與您私下談話。"
Looking a bit surprised, Breyger responded, but in English. "Aw, come on Al, why not something else?" Those listening were a bit more shocked.
"What the hell did he just say?" Gibbs demanded to Ziva.
"Wait a moment. I need to hear him speak again." Falling silent, they all listened intently to whatever Alex was saying.
"很难说與 Mossad," he said cryptically.
"He said Mossad. Does he know?" Ziva worried.
"Ziva, what else did he say?" Gibbs asked urgently.
"I… I do not know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"It is not a language I understand. Though, it sounds Asian."
"Make sure this is being recorded. Send a copy of the dialogue to Abbey for analysis."
"Gibbs, are we just going to let them keep talking? We have no idea what they're saying! For all we know, they could be plotting to blow up NCIS headquarters," Tony protested, tacking on a bit of sarcasm.
"We'll give them two more minutes."
"… That's what's important. We need to make this fast. I'm guessing the feds are going to intervene soon," Alex finished off his explanation, having briefed Ben in roughly forty seconds. The language switch enabled them to talk privately, but it might not last long. It was likely that the agents would put a stop the conversation in a minute or two.
"Since Vahgn is dead, I think our job is done. The U.S. government can clean this up; we'll watch from the sidelines. Just push NCIS in the right direction. Although, I should probably keep my cover in Bellum Patriae," Ben concluded.
"You run the risk of being arrested."
"Don't worry, I've got it covered."
"Good. Now pretend you're angry with me. You know what to do."
Ben flicked his fingers once in acknowledgement and let his face darken into a scowl.
"Alexander, I can't believe you went looking for trouble like this. Scratch that, I can." Raising his voice, he continued. "Your teachers say you've been skipping school, your grades are dropping, you've been getting into fights—and now this? You need discipline, Al, and apparently I haven't been able to give it." He was silent for a moment, and then stood and said quietly, "I can't help you now, Alexander."
With that, he turned and marched to the door, which Gibbs opened for him. As he brushed past, Gibbs said, "I'd like to talk to you, Mr. Breyger."
After slipping quietly into the interrogation room, Ziva stopped and leaned back against the door, watching Alex. He was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, and didn't move when she entered. Both were silent for a few moments; Alex spoke first.
"Are you just going to stand there?" he questioned, eyes unopened.
Walking forward, Ziva ignored his question and said, dangerously sweet, "That's an interesting language you were speaking with your father. I did not recognize it. Would you like to tell me what it was?"
"What makes you think you know every language out there? And what the hell is your name anyways? You people sure are rude. I have to ask just for some common courtesy," Alexander retorted.
"My name is Ziva David. But I think what is more important is a word I heard you say earlier—Mossad. Why would you mention them?"
"I think you must be mistaken. Language pronunciation can be confusing to those who are not familiar with them," he smirked. "And, I might be wrong, but aren't you foreign? You have a funny accent."
"You're right. I'm Israeli. However, I am now a citizen of the United States." Ziva wondered why he was pointing this out.
"Then I suppose you're a Mossad agent, if you were so worried about it."
"And what would you know about Mossad?"
"Don't be stupid, I watch T.V."
Deciding to drop the subject, she asked another question. "So, are you adopted, Alexander?" As she watched his face darken and he nodded sharply, Ziva concluded this might be the point of tension between him and his father. "It doesn't sound like he'd be very likely to post bail for you."
Alex laughed. "No, he'd say a stay in jail would straighten me out. Or that it builds character."
"Well, in your situation, perhaps he is right."
"Hmph."
"Are you going to tell me why you were at Mr. Vahgn's house now?" she tried again; perhaps the talk with his father would make him change his mind. Furrowing his brow, Alex seemed to be debating something with himself. Finally, he spoke.
"You know what, screw it. I'm not protecting him anymore."
"So you will tell me?"
"Yeah, I'll tell you."
Waiting patiently for him to begin, Ziva watched as the emotion slowly leaked out of his face, a blank expression taking its place.
"My father hasn't been working for a little while now; but he's gone during the day. I skipped school today, and I saw him leave the house. So I followed him. I wanted to know where he was always going. He didn't take a car; he jogged the whole way."
"Where did he go?"
"Near the river, not far from that guy's house, there is a private office building. Didn't look any different than anything else down there. I went inside and looked around. There was some sort of meeting going on in one of the larger rooms, but I went downstairs. There was a tunnel, which I followed, and I ended up in that closet," he ended simply.
"Really," Ziva said skeptically. If he's telling the truth…
"Yes, really. You can go check for yourself. Although, you might need help finding the door in the closet."
"Well then. Thank you very much for your cooperation, Alexander. I just hope, for your own sake, that you aren't pulling my shirt over my eyes."
Opening the door, Ziva heard him call after her, "Don't you mean 'pull the wool over your eyes'?"
McGee stopped Gibbs before he entered the interrogation room.
"Boss, about the second body found today—it's the Executive Secretary of Defense. We're keeping the press off it for now but the FBI is beginning to dig its claws into it."
"Have Ducky do an autopsy and let them e'm have it. But make sure they pass all information along to us. Keep yourself there, if you have to," Gibbs ordered.
"Yes, sir."
"And check in with Abbey every once in a while. She's going to need you later," Gibbs called over his shoulder.
McGee watched him leave. Does he know something I don't?
Don't be stupid; of course he does.
"Mr. Breyger, it doesn't seem like you are on good terms with your son." Gibbs stated the obvious, beginning the interrogation. "How long has it been like that?"
"Since his mother's death," he replied, meeting Gibbs' eyes.
"Is he adopted?"
"Yes. I married his mother and legally adopted him. He was never very accepting of me. It makes it hard now."
"Mr. Breyger, I was wondering if you knew anything about this man," Gibbs continued, placing a picture of Eric Vahgn in front of him. Breyger glanced down at the photograph.
"No. I've never seen him before."
"Your son was found at the scene of his murder this morning."
"Special Agent Gibbs, my son will have to answer your questions himself. I will be happy to tell you about him—he did seem rather upset tonight—but I do not know anything about this man, Vahgn."
"I can get all the information I need about Alex. Your attitude tells me a lot. I need to know about this man," Gibbs said, jabbing his finger at the picture.
"I told you I don't know anything. I think we're done here, Agent Gibbs." Breyger stood up abruptly and exited the room, leaving Gibbs sitting at the table. He didn't make a move to stop him.
Tony was reclining at his desk when Abbey rushed out of the elevator and stomped towards him. Puzzled, he considered what might have her so upset. Gibbs had already given her Café-Pow! today, so that couldn't be it. Maybe she noticed that the chocolate in her lab was missing… He slowly sunk down in his chair, but it was too late. Having spotted him, Abbey made a beeline for his desk.
Deciding to tough it out, he greeted her with a nonchalant, "What's up, Abs?"
"You know perfectly well, Tony," she scowled, obviously frustrated.
"Look Abs, I didn't mean to, really. You just left it sitting out in the open, and it was so tempting—"
"It wasn't just you Tony, no one told me! I had to find out from Ducky—"
"Wait, how does Ducky know I ate your chocolate?"
"What? Wait—That was you! I thought for sure it was McGee! How could you?" Abbey was now completely distracted from her earlier vexation. Oops.
Tony hurried to stop this tangent of the conversation. "Sorry, sorry! What were you saying about us not telling you something?"
Glaring at him, Abbey burst out, "No one told me that you caught the kid! I wanted to see him!"
"Relax, Abs. He's still here. I don't see why you're so excited. He's not much. I don't like him."
"Well, I like him." Abbey's head whipped around to where Ziva was standing. She walked over to Tony's desk. "But I do not trust him. You just don't like him because he made you look like a fool in interrogation. Personally, I think he's rather funny. But he does seem to have undergone a complete personality change from when we last saw him."
"Aww, I wanted to see that!" Abbey whined.
"You can. In fact, I have the recording right here." Ziva waved a DVD in the air before sliding it into the player beneath the big screen.
"Hey! Not cool, Ziva. Come on," Tony protested. "I won't call in the twenty bucks from our bet if you give that to me."
"Oh? And how do you know that you won?" Ziva questioned.
"Gibbs got it out of Breyger in interrogation. Wasn't hard," he said off-handedly. "Now hand it over."
"Aha, but Tony," Ziva taunted him, waving a finger. "This is quality entertainment, and worth much more than a measly twenty dollars. I think I will be keeping it."
Before they started the show, Abbey turned to Tony and said smugly, "Oh, and by the way Tony, you owe me two pounds of the highest quality chocolate."
So there it is.
Alex was speaking in traditional Chinese. I needed a language Ziva doesn't speak (They are few and far between). For the part actually typed in Chinese, Alex is basically saying that they need to switch to a different language. The other line is "You never know with the Mossad."
