A/N: I am apologizing for how long the hiatus was with this story. I had a horribly busy semester at school. So, welcome back to those who ventured and hello to the new ones!
Disclaimer: I own nothing pertaining to NCIS.
The Flight
He sprints through Heathrow faster than he has ever run before. He has to catch his next commercial flight to Frankfurt. His connection flight is in 30min. It will take at least that long to find the terminal he needs. He doesn't have to worry about luggage because he had the foresight to only bring a carry-on with him. One change of clothes is enough for him. Everything else in the bag is for her.
"DiNozzo!" he hears. He comes to a sudden stop. He glances around to see who might be talking to him, but recognizes no one. He doesn't have time for this.
"Agent Dinozzo, I have been assigned to take you to your next flight," an airport guard says as he approaches. The thick English accent makes Tony raise an eyebrow. The man laughs at Tony's expression and pulls out a badge from his pocket. "Agent Carter at your service, Agent DiNozzo," he introduces himself with a handshake.
"Your accent is terrible," Tony quips as he follows his fellow agent to the cart.
"It's supposed to be. I'm an American after all," the man chuckles as he starts the cart. They speed off using every trick Agent Carter knows. They make it to the terminal in record time. Agent Carter begins to bark into his radio, but Tony doesn't pay attention. He sprints to the gate as the attendant checks his ticket. She smiles and tells him the plane is waiting for him. He thanks her, waves at Agent Carter, and walks up the terminal.
The flight attendant frowns at him. He can see the tense lines on her face as she forces a smile. His seat is on the aisle next to a blue-eyed kid of about ten. The boy smiles at him as he sits down. He can't help it; he smiles back. The woman beside the boy talks to him in rapid German as the boy looks sheepish. Tony can tell from the tone the best thing he can do for the rest of the flight is ignore the boy beside him.
He lands in Frankfurt and has the opportunity to take his time walking to the car waiting for him. Agent Karlson is tapping his fingers on the steering wheel when Tony finally gets to him. Tony looks in the window of the black BMW, when Agent Karlson doesn't turn around he raps his knuckles against the glass. The window rolls down on cue.
"Get in," Agent Karlson says with a hint of annoyance. Almost as if he catches his mistake Agent Karlson winces. Tony ignores both the tone and the wince. Karlson is smart enough to not apologize.
"I'm taking you to Ramstein Air Force Base. You'll pick up a flight straight to Tel-Aviv from there. Get comfortable, it's going to be a long drive," Karlson says moments later. Tony grunts to affirm that he heard. His mind is elsewhere.
"Why Ramstein?" Tony finally asks. Agent Karlson looks over at him. Tony can see the apprehension in the man's eyes. Something happened, something bad has happened and Karlson doesn't want to tell him what it is. Tony sighs and closes his eyes to count to ten. He can't threaten the man that is driving him through the German countryside.
"There has been an unforeseen complication," Karlson says cryptically.
"What happened to her?" Tony asks barely leashing his concern.
"I don't know and even if I did I would not be at liberty to say, Agent DiNozzo. I know what you're going through. She's your partner. I get that," Karlson offers.
Tony laughs at the absurdity of that statement. Ziva isn't just his partner. She hasn't been for months. Gibbs has kept it hidden for them underneath mounds of paperwork and time apart at work. They figured it out faster than McGee thought could be possible. The solution? Easy. They simply did the same thing as before. Most of the flippant flirting takes place at work, while the more serious conversations are spoken behind closed doors. It works out well enough that much of the Navy Yard doesn't know they are together.
They arrive at Ramstien late that night. Karlson flashes his badge and drives onto the airfield. The car sputters to a stop as they both exit the vehicle. Tony grabs his bag from the back seat and follows Karlson into one of the waiting hangers. Unsurprisingly, there are three men waiting in the hanger.
"Agent DiNozzo, a situation has arisen in Israel. We have yet to get confirmation on the whereabouts of Agent David. You are going in to find her. From what I have gathered you are the best Agent to send in. Agent Gibbs will meet you in Israel a few hours after you land," he hears. He's staring into a computer screen. His face remains blank as Vance fills him in on the rest of the details. He nods because he is supposed to and they cut off the feed.
"Are you ready Agent DiNozzo?" the pilot asks. He doesn't hear him. He's already walking toward the plane.
A/N: Thoughts?