In their damp, filthy prison, Ziva and Tony sit quietly, each pondering their predicament and wondering whether they would get out of this alive. Tony shivers and notices the cold for the first time. He is only wearing his t-shirt and boxer shorts, his night wear. Ziva fared a little better in the clothing stakes, as she had been sleeping in a sweat pants and t-shirt. As they contemplate their fate, the lock on the door starts moving. They jump to their feet as the door opens and in walk two masked and armed men.
"Come," they order with heavy accents, ushering the two to the door using their weapons.
The two agents co-operate, they know the drill by now. No point giving them an excuse to kill them. They walk into what appears to be an old factory or warehouse. Daylight streams in through skylights and hurts their eyes. In one area they see two chairs and an old table laid out. Leaning against the table is a third, unmasked man. They recognise him from the photo Gibbs had showm them to be Tariq Zamir. As they draw closer his grin gives Tony a chill down his spine. Ziva and Tony are shoved roughly onto the chairs, facing Zamir. Their hands are tied behind the chair backs. Ziva is the first to break the silence.
"What do you want from us?" she demands in her usual fearless fashion.
"From you, nothing," Zamir laughs. "But you will help us get what we want," he says leaning in to Ziva's face. She turns her head away. "Oh, you will co-operate. Trust me, you will," he says placing his hand on her head and turning it back towards him. Zamir calls one of his compatriots over to him. He brings with him a camcorder and a tripod and begins to set it up in front of Ziva. Zamir hands her a sheet of type written paper.
"You will read this. And when your father does as he is told, you will be released," Zamir promises.
Ziva quickly glances over the paper. It was a written statement, a ransom demand of sorts. It was addressed to her father. It is an instruction for him to release 6 named HAMAS prisoners in exchange for her life.
"I will not do it," Ziva decides on the spot.
"You will," Zamir says angrily before smashing the butt of his pistol into an unsuspecting Tony's face. Ziva screams angrily and struggles against her binds, cursing him in her native tongue. Tony hangs his head forward, fighting to stay conscious as blood flows freely from the gash that has opened on his cheek.
"You see, Agent David, we have no intention in harming you. You are our bargaining chip. So instead, everytime you piss me off, he'll pay," Zamir threatens as he grabs Tony's hair and pulls his head right back. Tony groans loudly before he unexpectedly starts to laugh aloud, much to Zamirs surprise.
"One small problem with that plan," he says, still laughing. "You didn't sount on the fact that she can't stand me. In fact I'd go as far as saying that she'd probably get more enjoyment from watching you beat on me than you will."
"I don't think so, Agent DiNozzo. You didn't see the way she reacted just now," Zamir says, grabbing Tony's throat and squeezing. "Read it!" he shouts. Ziva looks at the statement on her lap. She says nothing.
"I can't hear you," Zamir shouts before landing a bone crushing punch into Tony's ribcage. Tony yelps in pain and struggles to catch his breath, coughing and breathing heavily. Zamir laughs callously.
"We will continue this until you begin reading. I won't ask again," he says as he swings around and smashes his fist into Tony's face again.
Ziva feels sick to her stomach. She desperately wants to save Tony further pain but she can't bring herself to beg for her life and read their statement. It goes against everything she was ever taught. As she contemplates her next move, Zamir strolls behind the battered figure and grabs one of his hands, still bound behind his back. With one sudden and swift movement he wrenches and breaks Tony's index finger. Tony's screams are chilling and more than Ziva can bear. Despite her best efforts to the contrary she starts to cry. She knows she has to stop this. She looks over at Tony. His blood covered face is beginning to swell. He barely has the strength to lift his head, but when he does, their eyes meet. His eyes are tortured with pain. Blood drips from his split lip onto his bare legs. He coughs slightly and winces as fire rages within his chest.
Ziva looks at the sheet on her lap and begins to read. Zamir slowly steps away from Tony towards the video camera. She continues to read the statement, clearly and deliberately, but without emotion. It demands the release of 6 dissident HAMAS militia being held by the Israeli government. Mossad Assistant Director David must ensure they get safe passage to a neutral destination. He must arrange for this to take place within 48 hours of receipt of the video message or his daughter would be executed. Ziva finishes reading and sits quietly.
"Very touching," Zamir sneers. "I think Daddy will get the message, don't you?"
"He will never do as you ask. He will not treat me any different to any other Mossad agent. If I must die for my country, then so be it," she tells him fearlessly. She wasn't afraid of dying. Secretly, she was surprised that she had managed to survive as long as she had, given the profession she had chosen.
"We'll see," he replies, as he calls one of the guards over. He wanted the video file e-mailed to Mossad immediately. "As for you," he says, kicking Tony's feet, "you're no longer of any use to me. Get rid of him," he orders.
"No, don't," Ziva pleads. "He's a federal agent. He's a valuable bargaining tool."
"We don't want anything from the Americans," Zamir laughs.
"What about money?" Ziva replies, trying to think fast.
"Our organisation is very well funded," Zamir informs her.
"Information then. Access to the right kind of information can be more valuable than anything," she suggests. "NCIS have access to highly classified information. I know someone who would help you out in exchange for Tony's life," Ziva tells him.
"What you say may be worth considering. Take them both back to the room while I think about it," he orders his fellow countrymen. Two of them drag Tony by the elbows while Ziva walks ahead of them.
