CHAPTER 4

Ziva and Tony were standing in line, waiting for her to get checked into her flight and check he larger bag. She also had a small carry-on with her computer, a book to read, and a few emergency supplies and snacks. Safety regulations were very tight at Washington Dulles International Airport, and the lines were all moving very slowly.

"I would love to sit down for a few," sighed Ziva.

"Maybe you shouldn't go," replied Tony.

Ziva David DiNozzo, as her new American Passport read, just glared at Tony. She was going to Paris, and that was that. Tony just grimaced and shrugged his shoulders. It was finally Ziva's turn, and Tony lugged her bag and put it on the scale.

"So, why are things moving so slowly today?" Tony had no problem asking the flustered ticket agent.

"There was an incident in Tel Aviv. Not sure what, but security is up again," she replied.

"I'll have to check into this, Ziva. If there's something brewing, you're not going."

"Oh, Tony. It's probably nothing. Things happen in Tel Aviv once a week. I'm sure that the government is just over-reacting, as usual."

"Just the same, I'm calling Gibbs."

Tony stepped out of the line, leaving Ziva to finish up on her own. In the back of her mind, she wondered exactly what was going on over in Tel Aviv. There hadn't been any chatter about attacks, so maybe it was something else. She had a strange feeling that Ari was behind this. He was always the type to sneak around and do things to scare people. She hoped that this was one of his pranks, and not something serious. Regardless of how he claimed to be a changed man, Ziva knew that Ari would always have revenge in his heart against their father. She had reason to feel the same way, but somehow, she understood that her father was not entirely sane, and in many ways, she pitied the man. It was not her place to judge him.

Ziva was instructed to get in line to go through security, and that her computer would be examined, along with her cell phone and any other electronic devices she was carrying. She had made sure to clear all texts and calls from her International phone, and had instructed Ari not to contact her. Everything was moving so slowly today. She hoped she wouldn't end up missing her flight.

"Well, Gibbs checked into the issues for me, and it appears that there was an attempted terrorist attack at an outdoor cafe, and because two Mossad agents were there having breakfast, all flights are on alert," stated Tony in his most concerned voice.

"Meaning what?" Ziva was getting annoyed. "Did anyone die?"

"No, but the two Mossad agents were your dear friends, Malachi Ben-Gidon and Liat Tuvia.

"My friends? You are the one who was drooling all over Liat. Malachi is not my friend, he left me to die. I'd say they are more your friends than mine."

"Liat..." Tony was staring off into space thinking about that sexy little blonde, when he felt a sharp elbow hit him right between the ribs.

"Wake up, Daddy. Your lady chasing days are over. Remember?"

Tony winced, but then smiled at Ziva.

"I was only teasing you, Ziva. Besides, she and Malachi have a thing going, and I've got my own hot Israeli babe."

Tony took Ziva in his arms and kissed her passionately. Ziva blushed. She was not a fan of "PDA".

"I take it they survived?" Ziva was curious what had happened.

"Yes. They were never in any real danger. The guy botched the job and blew himself up in the parking lot across the street. He screamed something about airplanes, so everyone's on high alert again. Fortunately, nobody was around him. A few cars were totaled, but Malachi and Liat were spared. Gibbs didn't seem concerned. He said to have a safe trip," replied Tony.

"Well, that's good for them. They are good agents, despite their self-centered attitudes. I have never seen two more power hungry individuals. Papa adores them, but I think he needs to watch his back with both of them," Ziva remarked.

"Yeah," answered Tony. "I tend to think that they sleep together to keep an eye on what the other is doing. Your father is a smart man. I'm sure he has them watched."

"Maybe," said Ziva. "Papa is smart, but, he is also getting older, and he speaks often of mortality. I think he is getting tired of everything. He may be ready to step down soon."

Tony was a bit shocked at what Ziva had just said. Eli David, the Director of Mossad, the Israeli equivalent to the CIA, did not seem to be losing his drive. He kept his mouth shut. Ziva was preggers, and very emotional. He didn't want to piss her off before she left for the long weekend.

Ziva and Tony kissed good-bye at the security check point. He stepped back, and watched his pregnant wife remove her shoes, get scanned, and proceed through without incident. GIbbs was making sure that the security cameras would track her to the gate, and make sure that she arrived safely onto the plane. After that, she was on her own. Besides, he was certain that Mossad would track her. After all, she was the daughter of the head of the organization.

What Tony didn't know, was that Ari had also had a virus planted into the computer system at the airport in Tel Aviv, and everyone going to or leaving Israel would soon be diverted to another airport. He wasn't taking any chances on Ziva being followed. It all felt like a terrible child's prank, but Ari found it amusing. Nobody was getting hurt by it, and both Ziva and Katia would be able to travel without being shadowed. His father would be very distracted by the event. After all, Malachi and Liat were Eli's favorites. How the man could favor his agents over his own children had always been the source of a lot of pain for both Ari and Ziva.

Little Eli and Simone were both excited to meet Ziva and Katia. Eli had drawn them both a big "Welcome" sign, and SImone had insisted on having them over for dinner one night. Ari had made reservations for them all to eat at one of the most luxurious restaurants in Paris, Le Pre Catelan. It was housed at the Napoleon III Pavilion, in the private wood of Bois de Boulogne.

Ari had reserved a private dining room and worked with the chef to prepare the perfect menu for this family reunion. He had even arranged for a harpist to come and play while they dined, and the chef would make special treats for Eli, who may not enjoy some of the adult food being served. He had the entire evening orchestrated. Nothing was too good for little Eli and the three women in his life, and of course, it was the night he would propose to Katia formally, and present her with the beautiful ring he had purchased for her.

Ari was anxious about Ziva, and didn't want her to have any issues with her pregnancy while traveling. He hoped that she would not be angry with him for changing her travel plans. Katia had agreed that it was probably best that they come under extreme cover, as Ivan was worried that Ziva would lead either Mossad, or some US Agent, right to Ari. Regardless of Ari's new identity, anyone that Ziva David DiNozzo would meet in Paris, would be of interest to either group.

Ari was resting in his bed when his cellphone vibrated and woke him from his light slumber. It was Katia.

"I just wanted you to know that I am here at Dulles, and Alexander is about to get Ziva. I hope she doesn't cause a scene," said Katia.

"She won't," replied Ari.

"What's wrong, Jacob? You sound terse."

"Nothing is wrong. I was resting. I just finished another IV of that antibiotic cocktail that I take for the TB. It really makes me tired. I will be happy when this treatment is finally over," he sighed.

"My poor, love. I promise to take care of you every day I am there. I hope you are improving."

"You will be happy when you see me. I look much better, and Simone has fattened me up quite well. She is a fabulous cook."

"I hope that's all she's been doing," cautioned Katia.

Ari laughed. "No worries, Katia. Simone can't wait to get rid of me. I think I am cramping her style."

"How so?"

"She has met someone, and I think he won't come around if I'm here."

"What about the boy?"

"Well, Simone is very conservative, so I think she will be discreet. I am not concerned."

"I have to go, my other phone just signaled me. I'll call you from the plane. I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied with a smile. Ari had to admit, Katia stirred something in him even when she was thousands of miles away. No woman had ever had that effect on him.

"Mrs. DiNozzo?" A large Russian man approached Ziva just as she was approaching the end of the jetway.

"Yes," she replied.

"Please come with me. It's regarding Katia," he said as he took her by the arm and led her through an unmarked door.

"Where are you taking me?" Ziva started to panic.

"Please do not cause a fuss, Ziva. This is for your own safety," he cautioned.

Ziva didn't argue. She was too worried about what might happen next. What if the U.S. Government was finally bringing her in for snooping around about Katia and her father? Tony wouldn't understand, and Gibbs would probably fire her. She wondered if they would throw her into jail?

"Here we are," said the man with a big smile. "Have a nice trip."

He opened the door and motioned for her to enter. Ziva took a deep breath and walked in.

"Ziva! So glad you are here!" It was Katia. Ziva dropped he purse and computer bag, and sat down.

"You have sufficiently scared me, Katia. What is this all about?"

"Safety, my dear. Safety. Oh, look, here's Alexander. He managed to get your big bag. Thank you so much."

You're welcome, Miss Katia. Are you ready to drive out to the plane?"

"In a minute. Let my guest rest . She is with child," replied Katia.

"That's fine. I will let the pilot know we will be there shortly."

Alexander went to the other side of the room and made his call. Katia then explained to Ziva that Jacob had insisted that they take Ivan's private jet to Orly. It was the safest way for them to arrive in Paris. Ziva was not sure if Tony would have any way of checking on her, but at this point, she was not going to worry about it. She would call him as soon as she landed.

The two woman were escorted down a stairway, and left the building through a private entrance. Ziva had been through one of these doorways when she and Gibbs met a foreign leader who was testifying in an NCIS case. She had been there for Mossad. It felt eerie to be swept into a limo and taken out to a private jet. Katia seemed so at home with the arrangement. No wonder Ari was so "in love." This was just the sort of lifestyle he enjoyed.

The pilot gave them a nod and Alexander helped Ziva up the stairs. Once they were settled in, the pilot boarded and Alex closed the door. He was not only their body guard, he was also the co-pilot. Katia and Ziva had their own large seats, and their sleeping quarters had been prepared in advanced.

"I thought we should get a bit of sleep. You mustn't get over tired, Ziva. Jacob worries so much about you. He would prefer you left NCIS, but would never tell you that. I think that it is sweet of him to care so much for his baby sister."

"Katia, I'm not a baby anymore, and my brother has never cared about my health until recently, so you'll have to forgive me if I'm not that enchanted with his sweetness. That's just not how the men in the David family act."

"Now, now," Katia said in her sweetest British accent, "You must give Jacob another chance. He cares about you, and is very excited about you having a child. He is also thrilled to have little Eli in his life. He says the boy looks exactly like he did as a child."

"Yes, it's true. There aren't many photos of Ar... Jacob left, but I could have sworn that Eli was him."

"It was very nice of your father to allow us to use his plane," said Ziva.

"Oh. It's not a problem. He rarely uses it, and he didn't want anyone to follow either of us to Paris. Besides, I am taking care of some family business while I am there. He's getting older, and doesn't like to travel. I think he still is afraid of being assassinated," replied Katia.

"Well, I guess our father's have more in common than anyone would ever know," Ziva remarked.

"That may well be true," said Katia with a sigh.

Ziva yawned, and Katia helped her to her bed. Ziva could not believe how comfortable it was. She was actually looking forward to some sleep. Tony's snoring often kept her awake, and she swore that the baby kicked her more on the nights he snored loudly.

"I'll turn the lights down so you can rest. When you wake, we'll have a snack. I made sure that Alex stocked the refrigerator. Here is some water for you. It's purified."

"Thank you, Katia. You are very kind," said Ziva.

"Get some rest. It's a long flight."

Katia slipped off her shoes and put on a pair of Ugg slippers. She walked quietly back to her seat, lowered the lights, and placed her call to Jacob. Everything was going perfectly. She hoped it stayed that way.