Part seven. Excited? Sorry about the delay...again, but it literally took me ages to decide how this chapter would go.
''All things considered, your open-door policy may be a little bit flawed, Mr Gibbs.'' The ice in Kaiser's tone matched the cold blue of his eyes.
Gibb's couldn't help but feel unnerved, but there was no way in hell he was about to let that show. ''It can bring me face to face with my enemies.'' He pointed out in a strong voice.
This particular enemy smiled back at him, though there was no real emotion in the action. ''Yes it can.'' The scarred man agreed with a nod. ''But is that a good thing?'' He stepped up to the work bench and confidently picked up his jar of bourbon. ''You're enemies tend to want you dead, do they not?''
Gibbs stood his ground as Kaiser took a small sip of his drink. ''Yeah, but I've gotta meet them if I wanna shoot them.''
He received a dark chuckle from his opponent after that veiled threat. ''You were a sniper. You have not met most of the people you've shot.''
''That was my job.''
Kaiser's chilling gaze left the glass in his hand and met the steely stare of the NCIS agent. ''And what about me? Am I just another job?''
He shook his head. ''You've made it personal.'' He said sternly. ''You've seen our file. You know what's happened to all the people who targeted my team before.''
''They are all dead.'' The foreign mastermind stated with a shrug. ''You erased them all from existence. Clearly just arresting them was not enough.'' He wore an aggravatingly mischievous smile by the end of his sentence.
Gibbs wouldn't let himself be riled up, though. ''Some of them gave me no choice.'' He stated calmly.
''Oh, I have no doubt.'' Kaiser agreed with raised eyebrows. ''But something tells me if they ever gave you one, they would still be dead.'' He added, before strutting slowly and casually around the latest basement carpentry project. ''I should find myself a hobby as well.'' He said with a furrowed brow. ''Something to distract me.''
''Why are you here?''
That question seemed to spark something in the terrorist's eyes, but his facial expression suggested he hadn't really considered the answer to it yet. ''Sometimes my enemies are worthy of respect.'' He stated as he ran a hand over the smooth wooden frame of what was eventually going to be another boat. ''And I respect you, Gibbs. I thought you deserve to see the face of the man who has beaten you.''
Gibbs almost smiled. ''You haven't beaten me.''
''I can see why you might think that.'' Kaiser affirmed as he turned back to his rival. ''You're not dead, for a start.'' He picked up a chisel and began inspecting it closely as he spoke. ''In your mind, I'm sure that counts as a good reason to still consider yourself a threat to me.''
''And in your mind?'' Gibbs asked with a slight narrowing of his eyes.
The cold gaze of his opponent never left the sharp tool he was suddenly so interested in. ''In my mind, I cannot help but agree with you.'' His monotonous tone sent an unpleasant shiver down the ex-marine's spine.
Clearly that was a veiled threat to Gibbs' life. He had a hunch that this guy rarely lets people see his face. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened to these people afterwards, either. ''So you're here to kill me.'' He half asked, half announced.
''You seem very relaxed about the idea.''
He did? It was nice to know that his poker face was still doing its job. Because, if he was honest with himself, relaxed was the last way he'd describe himself right now. His urge to go at this man with a knife was becoming increasingly hard to fight.
''The last man I killed was very calm- and very polite, for that matter- throughout our whole meeting.'' The evil blue eyes went distant as he seemingly remembered the occasion. ''Up until the end, anyway.''
Gibbs did some much needed dot-connecting in his experienced investigator brain. ''Mossad Officer Ben-Gidon.'' Again his tone was on the fence between a question and a statement.
Kaiser simply hummed in what could either have been agreement or disapproval. It was so hard to read this guy that the NCIS agent had to resist the urge to scream out in frustration.
''I never liked those spies in Tel-Aviv.'' The foreign foe announced with a hint of bitterness. ''Always sneaking. Always lying and scheming. But, in fairness to poor old Malachi, he did make a life for himself in the real world. The one outside of Mossad.'' He turned his head and locked his eyes on to the steely glare of Gibbs. ''Much like your agent has. Miss David has done well to escape from the clutches of that world.''
The Gibbs Gut was screaming. Mentioning Ziva by name was not just this guy's way of making conversation. It was another threat. This time it was to someone on his team- someone in his family. That was a far more effective way to get under his skin. If he was really about to killed, then he'd have to bring this bastard down with him somehow. He wouldn't hesitate to give his life if it meant his people were safe.
''I am surprised you haven't tried to attack me yet, Gibbs.'' Kaiser baited with a smile. ''Your reputation had me expecting a violent outburst by now.''
Oh yeah, he wanted to get violent all right. This guy could do with another scar or two. But the seasoned federal agent knew better than to play this guy's little game, though. ''How long would it take your men outside to come in a shoot me?'' He asked arrogantly. He hadn't seen any of the men in question, but they were definitely present. He had seen Kaiser's earpiece almost straight away.
''Not long.'' The scarred anarchist replied calmly. Clearly he wasn't perturbed by his enemy's observational skills. ''Shorter than it would take for your back-up to arrive.'' He added with a smile. ''Our two little armies may even bump into each other.'' He hit his two fists together for emphasis.
Touché. Kaiser was clearly no idiot. Even if he didn't notice Gibbs speed dial Fornell as he entered the room, he still suspected some form of distress call. The cell phone had remained in the pocket of Gibbs' sports jacket, and hopefully the FBI agent will have listened in on this encounter and called in the cavalry. He knew the response time would be as quick as it gets, but was still praying that Tobias would burst in at any second.
''So what was your plan, Gibbs?'' Kaiser asked with a furrowed brow. ''To call in the SWAT team and have them raid your house and arrest me?''
''Was actually hoping you'd fight back.'' Gibbs responded with a steely glare. ''It would give me an excuse to kill you.''
That comment brought about a slight scoff from his fellow conversationalist. ''What would I fight them with? A hammer? Perhaps a chisel?'' Kaiser's tone suggested he was quite amused at the idea of getting into a scrap with armed men.
Gibbs needed to stall him for a bit longer. He knew the timing just wasn't right for him to spring into action. ''So you just came here to let yourself be arrested?'' He asked with a fake look of confusion.
His foe chuckled softly at that. ''No.'' He responded in a considerably darker tone than before. ''I came here to see you. I wanted to spend some quality time with my latest and greatest friend.'' He said, as he sent a look of mock affection in Gibbs' direction. ''It is rare that I get to share a drink with someone. I thought it would be a nice gesture.''
''You won't be getting any praise from me for it.''
He smiled again, but a chilling storm was brewing in his eyes. ''I didn't think I would. I still brought you a nice present, though. ''
That little piece of information made Gibbs' stomach drop. He didn't even want to know what kind of 'presents' this man gave his enemies, but he guessed they were probably fatal.
Before he could even begin to word his sudden influx of unanswered questions, the abrupt sound of loud gunfire erupted from outside the house. Clearly Team Kaiser had just come into contact with Team Gibbs. That was the NCIS team leader's cue to finally spring into action. As his enemy looked up and around the basement walls with curiosity and alarm, Gibbs threw himself at him. Kaiser had a knife drawn impossibly soon after he knew what was happening and, as they fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs, the sharp blade was almost thrust into Gibbs' chest. Fortunately, it only grazed his shoulder slightly. His luck ran out there, though, because Kaiser knew how to fight. He head-butted Gibbs in the face before throwing the older man to the side. The federal agent had the knife to his throat before he could even open his eyes again.
''Sounds like we're missing out on some fun.'' Kaiser said with a cold and loud voice. ''I think I'll clean up in here and then go join in.''
The terrorist's need for vocal torment only proved to buy Gibbs the time he needed. He grabbed a loose chunk of wood off the floor beside him and slammed it into Kaiser's head. The knife wielding maniac cried out in pain and fell back down to the floor. Gibbs used this opportunity to make a dash for the sniper rifle he had in the cupboard. He snatched it, loaded it and cocked it before spinning around and taking aim at his target. Said target was sprinting up the wooden stairs towards the exit, though. There was no time to fire at him, so Gibbs quickly set off in pursuit. He stormed up the steps and into his kitchen. Kaiser had shot out of the front door already, so obviously he was running to the assumed safety net his men provided.
Gibbs stepped out onto his porch with his rifle already raised. He now had multiple unnamed targets in his sights as an intense fire fight roared on in front of his house. He could see Fornell leading the federal assault. The black-clad men, who were presumably Kaiser's men, had heavy looking weaponry and seemed to have the upper hand. The silver haired sniper took out the nearest enemy with a single bullet to the head, before sprinting over to his truck. Fornell arrived to take cover at the exact same moment Gibbs did.
''How many are there?'' Gibbs asked his long time friend. There was never any need for pleasantries between them. This was definitely no exception.
''More than us.'' Fornell replied breathlessly as he reloaded his gun. ''Was that runner Kaiser?''
Gibbs nodded. ''Couldn't get a clean shot on him. Where'd he go?''
''I don't know, but my men are dropping like flies.''
The gunfire seemed to slow down and eventually stop. The two veteran agents moved out and looked down the street. There were still three men on their side, but there was also about six or seven still bodies littering the road, most of which were wearing FBI colors. At the end of the street was a black van. The back doors were open and there, standing in front of his now seated henchmen, was Kaiser.
His voice echoed through the air as he appeared to be amplifying his voice with some kind of loud-speaker. ''Thank you for this megaphone Mr dead FBI person. Most kind of you.''
Gibbs was trying to line up a shot on this cocky mad-man, but then the target's words made him stop in his tracks.
''And I hope you like my present, Agent Gibbs. I'm afraid it cannot be returned.''
Fornell turned to meet his companion's eyes with a shocked look of curiosity. ''What the hell's he talking about?''
Gibbs' already rabbit-fast heart rate somehow increased in speed even more. Before he could even open his mouth to confess that he had no idea what Kaiser was talking to about, a loud boom went off and sent all the federal agents to the floor. Behind them, the front of his house had just exploded in a cloud of flames and debris. After he was sure no flying fragments of his home were going to collide with him, he looked up at the carnage. The whole face of the building was a complete and utter devastation of fire and rubble.
''Son of a bitch.'' Fornell shouted in disbelief.
The van load of enemies had since sped off, and all that was left on the street were the dead bodies, the screams of distant civilians and the overall sense of horror.
...
''Ziva, don't you think locking me up in my own apartment is a bit drastic?''
Tony was restless and frustrated. It had been hours since he dropped the pill that apparently contained another batch of the Crazy Disease he'd just shaken off. He was still feeling perfectly normal, and had tried his best to let his partner know that, but she was having none of it. Ziva insisted on watching him closely, and in a safe location. She was apparently taking no chances after his last drugged-up adventure.
''If you are about to go crazy again, then I am not letting you out of my sight.'' She replied with a stern point of her finger.
''But I'm bored!'' He whined like a petulant child. ''We should be trying to catch this Kaiser guy, not sitting here doing nothing.''
Her sigh coincided with a familiar rolling of her eyes. ''Perhaps you should try and find a way to entertain yourself.'' She suggested vaguely as she made her way over to his shelves where he kept his movie collection.
The view he got as she bent down and rummaged through the items near the bottom temporarily distracted him from his boredom. That was entertainment all right. ''I could certainly think of one way for us to...entertain ourselves.'' He said quietly as he continued to stare at her derriere.
She turned her head and caught him in the act. She never minded what part of her body his gaze wandered towards, though. She always reacted with teasing and playful flirtation. And sure enough, today was no different. She chuckled huskily as a naughty smile tugged at her lips. ''I am guessing it involves your bedroom.''
''Not necessarily.'' He shot back with a trademark grin.
Her eyebrows rose up in playful surprise. ''Is it reading then? I was actually trying to find that book I left here ages ago.''
She turned back and continued looking for the book in question. Only now, her back arched as she raised her backside higher into the air. He nearly growled at the action. She knew exactly what she was doing. His mind was now well and truly fixated on the idea of reuniting himself with her familiar and perfect body. Would she reject any advances he would make? Was their discussion and subsequent kiss in the break room the signed permission slip he needed to finally have her? Could he try and really be with her on a permanent basis? His racing heart and the burning desire in his gut certainly seemed to think so. He couldn't help but feel hesitancy, though. He would have to seek clarification before he could make any move.
''We're gonna talk about it this time, right?'' He asked as he got to his feet and made his way over to her tantalizing form.
She didn't turn away from her rummaging activities as she replied in a bright but curious tone. ''Talk about what?''
''Earlier.'' He vaguely elaborated.
She jumped at his suddenly close proximity, before getting back to her feet and turning to him with a furrowed brow. ''You told me that a random man gave you the painkillers.'' She said carefully. ''But was there-''
''Not about that.'' He interrupted, holding her gaze with a heavy look. ''The break room.''
Realization seemed to dawn on her face as her eyes softened. Her breath almost seemed to catch before she had decided how to respond. ''I…'' She cleared her throat in an attempt to strengthen her thick voice. ''I was not aware there was anything to talk about.''
What did that mean? Was she saying that he was allowed to kiss her on regular basis now, or that the incident was meaningless? He didn't know what she thought about the whole thing, but he definitely thought their earlier kiss spoke volumes. Had he been mistaken? ''You told me we need to be more honest with each other.'' He said softly. She simply nodded slowly in confirmation. ''Well, I say we start now. We've got time to kill, apparently.''
''What do you want me to say?'' She asked in a voice so quiet it was almost a whisper.
He smiled lovingly at her. ''Tell me that it meant something to you too.''
''The kiss?''
He reached up and brushed a few wild curls out of her now nervous looking face. ''The kiss, the sex a few weeks ago and basically any time you've spent in my company outside of work recently.'' He clarified in a sure voice that hid the fact he was truly petrified.
She made a shocked face, as she tried to find it within her to reply honestly. Did it mean something? Of course it did. Every second spent with him in private brought about a deep and fuzzy feeling of love and joy in her chest. That definitely meant something. He meant everything to her. Could she tell him that? He clearly wanted to hear something along those lines.
''If it helps, every time you're here- in my apartment, it just feels right.'' He confessed with open and raw honesty. ''It feels like you belong with me, you know? Like, all the time.'' Her heart suddenly erupted into life, and she raised her arms and cupped both sides of his face with her hands as he leaned down and rested his forehead against hers. ''And whenever you're not here, it feels empty. I feel empty.''
She knew exactly where he was coming from. ''I know what you mean.'' She announced softly. And she really did. Whenever she found herself at home and all alone in the evenings, she spent the whole time longing for his company so much that it was almost painful. Somehow she never felt at home unless he was present.
''Do you have any idea how hard it is not to kiss you all the time?'' He asked her then, and that particular question injected an unexpected amount of hopeful adrenaline into her veins.
''What is stopping you?'' She whispered her question, and met his eyes with an inviting look.
Tony always knew how to read her facial messages, and he seemed to receive the message loud and clear because his mouth spread into a wide grin before he dipped his head again and met her lips. The kiss was, again, earth-shattering. It was longing and loving and…perfect. It didn't take long for it to get heated, though. The lust levels rapidly increased as they started running their hands all over each other. He backed her up against the wall and slid his knee between her legs. They continued to lose themselves in each other's touch until they both pulled back for a second to catch their wayward breaths. ''On second thoughts,'' Tony said breathlessly. ''I think the bedroom will be involved.''
She chuckled throatily, but then his mouth was at her neck. He kissed the sensitive spot below her jaw and she couldn't hold back the deep moan that escaped her mouth. Her hands raked through his hair as he started exploring her golden skin with his lips. He paused for a moment, only so he could remove her cardigan and toss it aimlessly behind him. She started unbuttoning his shirt, but didn't get far before he unexpectedly lifted her off her feet. She squealed in surprise and wrapped her legs around his hips. He then carried her through the hallway and, indeed, into his bedroom.
She removed her shirt just before he dropped her down on the bed and he practically moaned at the sight of her in just her bra. As she sent him a longing look full of love, silent begging and lust, he ridded himself of his pants and t-shirt. He covered her body and locked his mouth to hers again as they began kissing each other without restraint, and with increasing desperation. He had just ran his hand down her smooth stomach to the hem of her pants, when her cell phone started buzzing and ringing in her pocket. She reached in and pulled the invasive device into the air to inspect it. Tony continued kissing his way around her half naked torso as she decided whether or not to accept the call.
''Who is it?'' He asked her, before moving up to kiss the corner of her mouth.
''Gibbs.''
He sighed heavily, and their gazes met as the heated lust in their eyes started to simmer down and slowly be replaced with curious concern. ''You should answer it then.'' He stated calmly, despite being unbelievably irritated by his boss' timing.
She nodded and let out a sigh of her own, before flipping the cell phone open and answering in a strong a voice as possible. Her hand, which was softly running through Tony's sandy hair, abruptly dropped to grip his arm with astonishing force. He looked back to her face and saw a look of pure terror marring her gorgeous features. Clearly the news wasn't good. ''We will be right there.'' She assured Gibbs in a shaky tone. She was immediately rolling away from Tony and jumping to her feet after she slammed the phone shut again.
His eyes widened with a look of curious expectation as he watched her gather up her previously abandoned clothing. She seemed to be very much rattled. He would even go as far as saying she was panicking about whatever was going on. ''What was that about?'' He queried, his level of worry rising by the second.
''He came to Gibb's house, Tony.'' She stated sharply. Her hands were shaking, and her breaths were becoming increasingly short.
He stood up and placed a hand on her shoulder. It always grounded her to point where she could actually start talking properly. ''Ziva, take a breath.''
She did as he said, and took in a slow lungful of air. After breathing it out she closed her eyes and visibly tried to calm herself. ''He bombed it.''
''What?!''
There were tears in her eyes when she reopened them. ''Kaiser.'' She elaborated. ''He has destroyed Gibbs' home. We have to go.'' She then span away and shot off down the hallway. Tony simply stood there in shock. He could acknowledge only the feeling of sheer shock, and the dark twisting of his gut. This was bad. This was really, really bad.
Bit of a short chapter I'm afraid. But I hope you enjoyed the...developments. Thanks for reading this far, guys.
