Well, here we are again with the next chapter. I have a few surprises in store for you and I hope you'll like. Thanks to all who have reviewed, etc. Please continue the reviewing; it's helping me to keep going! Thanks again!
-Kellz
Also, throwing in a disclaimer to make up for the ones I've neglected and future chapters.
Chapter Seven
Mallard Residence
Ducky wakes up to the sound of pounding coming from behind his front door. He grumbles incoherently as he gets up, making his way uneasily to the door. After checking the peephole, he opens the door, finding a very disheveled Tony and Ziva on his doorstep. Ziva is trying to catch her breath.
Tony's worried expression alarms him. "They found her at home."
"Oh Dear God," Ducky says, moving aside as he holds a hand out to usher them in. He takes the bag from Ziva as he shuts the door. She slides on to the bench next to the front door, the force and speed at which he flitted causing her to be unsteady. Ducky sets the bag beside the bench and leans over to get a better look at Ziva. "What did you do to her, Anthony?"
Tony bends down, placing one hand just above her knee and the other goes to her cheek. He smiles when she takes refuge in his hand's warmth. "I flitted. She's not used to that speed." Tony tells Ducky, looking at him before directing his attention back to Ziva, addressing her. "I'm so sorry, Ziva. I-I couldn't let them hurt you any more than they already have."
"It is okay, Tony." She whispers. "I am just glad you came."
He pulls her into a comforting hug. "You should know I'd come for you. I always will." He sighs, closing his eyes in relief.
"Okay, you two. Break it up." Ducky picks up Ziva's bag. They instantly pull away. "We need to formulate a plan. I'm going to call Gibbs and Abby."
Tony stands up, pulling out his cell phone. "I'll call McGoo and the Gremlin."
Meanwhile, Ziva is still wrapping her head around these last couple of days. Her world is coming to an end; it had to be. She feels like life has gotten away from her. She sits in the sitting room in one of Ducky's expensive-looking chairs, now catching her breath. Her eyes connect with Tony's while he talks with McGee first. They engage in their own silent conversation. He gives her a small smile as an apology. She returns it as if accepting the unspoken apology.
Ducky finishes his phone call to Gibbs and places his phone on its cradle, looking at her. "They'll be here shortly. Anthony?" Ducky looks to him just as he ends his phone.
"Yeah, Ducky?" Tony acknowledges, slipping his cell phone back in his pocket.
"I suggest getting a hold of Aaron and Eli. They need to be notified." Ducky checks on Ziva. "My dear, look at me." She does. He can see that she is calming down. Ducky knows she'll have a lot of questions and as soon as her world stabilizes she start questioning everything. "I'm glad you're calming down." He turns back to Tony, narrowing her eyes. "Next time, get her better prepare for flitting."
Tony looks at him, taken aback. "Didn't have time, Ducky."
Ziva stands up, now on more confident legs. Her heart and mind still race. Chiding herself for letting her thoughts roam all over the map, she tries to concentrate on the problem at hand.
Okay. My uncle is after me and wants me dead. My father is in danger too. Apparently, I can not defend myself, even though I can do it perfectly fine. Tony and Ducky are not normal. Pappa and I are not normal. What the hell? Ziva grows angry at the fact that it has been kept from her all her life.
Tony watches the facial expressions that pass over her face; and when it hits anger, he's concerned. He's at her side instantly, yanking her up and pulling her into a reassuring hug. Trying to give her the most comforting hug, he's caught by surprise when she refuses to relax, her body tensing and going straight as a board in his arms.
"This is a bunch of bullshit!" She yells in Hebrew.
"I'm sorry that you have to be dealt this. He was wrong to keep it from you, but you know now." Tony says in a soft voice. He remains holding her, smiling when she finally relaxes by wrapping her arms around him and burying her head in the crook of his neck. "I won't let you go." He whispers while looking at Ducky, who gives him a subtle nod. Telling the absolute truth, he can't hide behind the mask anymore.
"I know." She whispers back.
The sound of the door bell alerts the three inhabitants to the arrival of the others. Ducky heads to greet the arrivals while Tony and Ziva withdraw from each other, moving to sit on the couch and chair.
"Hey Duck," Gibbs greets with no emotion. He doesn't have a choice but to listen to their ideas, of course offering his own. Tony spots two suitcases that Gibbs is carrying. Abby follows with an additional smaller bag – most likely a makeup bag – as they both shuffle into the large house.
Tony quirks an eyebrow. Apparently, Ducky has suggested the team stay there for the time being. He's already started to formulate a plan; but if his team felt more comfortable being together, he'd be pleased that they thought it. Glancing over at Ziva, he deduces she hasn't seen the suitcases.
"Moving in, Boss?" Tony jokes, the corners of his mouth ghosting a smile. He jumps up from the seat to offer to help his boss.
"Just for the time being, DiNozzo." Gibbs deadpans, picking up the suitcases and hands one to Tony's outstretched hand. "No snooping."
"No problem, Boss." Tony responds, his mind and soul already focused on another woman. He doesn't need any other woman besides the one who still sits on the chair. Tony looks at Ducky. "Where are these going, Ducky?"
"Upstairs, to your left. Anthony, I assumed you would be staying in your old one. All rooms have been made up." He informs them. Tony takes Abby's smaller bag with him as he follows his boss.
Abby heads into the living room, approaching Ziva. They engage in small conversation. She sits on the foot stool, facing Ziva who's more alert and willing to talk. "So these creatures found your home?" Abby prompted.
"Yes. They busted my door in and started coming at me. I looked down to the street and more were actually climbing up the side of the apartment building. I was thinking about Tony and he was right there, eliminating those creatures. He ordered me to pack a bag and we headed over here. Not sure what we are doing next though." Ziva explains.
Abby is shocked and slightly scared. Ziva can see the reaction perfectly clear on Abby's face. Finally, after what seemed several minutes, Abby responds. "Wow! You must've been scared?" Her wide-eyed expression still remains. "So Tony's been using those sculpted abs for good?" A knowing, teasing smile breaks her expression.
Ziva has to laugh at that. She's always known Abby to make suggestive comments. Soon, Abby joins in, causing McGee to investigate.
"What's going on?" He asks with a smile, looking back and forth between the women.
"Just having a laugh, Timmy." Abby answers, glancing over at Ziva.
McGee looks suspiciously at Abby then at Ziva, having caught Abby's glance. He decides to leave it alone, figuring if he remains quiet, they'll reveal themselves soon enough. "Okay." McGee draws out, once again glancing at the women before returning to the kitchen where Ducky and Jimmy are making everyone a night time snack.
"We can fight back, Tony." The women hear Gibbs tell Tony. "You don't have to do this alone."
"I won't be, Boss. I have Eli, Aaron, and Ducky by my side. When Ziva's trained, she'll be with us." Tony brushed Gibbs off. "I don't want you, Tim, Abby, or Jimmy getting hurt."
Gibbs sticks his arm out, effectively ceasing Tony's movements. Tony receives Gibbs' glare. "Tony, you can teach us the basics. We aren't afraid to help. You and Ziva are family, and we don't like family getting hurt." The glare disappears and his voice softens, raw and honesty lacing it.
Tony takes in Gibbs' raw, honest voice. He releases a deep breath he hasn't realized he'd taken. "Okay, Boss, I'll see what I can do." He responds before heading to the living room.
"That's all I ask." Gibbs comments, following him.
Axlin Planet
Many Plants Away From Earth
The sound of a glass smashing against something solid is hard, following with an angry yelling. Entering into a grand dining room, clad in fancy, expensive decorations, three men stand near a rectangular glass table with eight complimentary, comfortable chairs in a heated discussion. The seats match the design of the walls. A fireplace is placed, lit and quietly crackling, behind the men with two small, tall bookshelf on either side of the fireplace. Two matching chairs sit in front of the fireplace with a small glass table in between the chairs and small light on top. On the mantle are little decorations. The room had dark, red wallpaper, giving it a fire-like glow to it.
A water splatter against one wall is sliding down, collecting at the foot of the wall. The glass cup which has held the water lays in the pool of water, broken.
"This human male has killed twenty of our men. Bjork, gather twenty soldiers and send them to Earth." A man who looks quite a bit like Eli David addresses the man to his right. He turns to the other man once Bjork nods and leaves to complete his task. "It's time to destroy my brother. He'll surrender to me if his remaining child is dead. Prepare the ship. It's time I pay my brother a visit."
"Yes, sir." The other man acknowledges the King with a curt nod before heading off toward the ship container.
The man turns to his left to look out the window, seeing a bustling commotion downstairs. His people are going about their daily tasks, waiting for a savior to rid them of their ungrateful master.
3:47 AM
Tony lays on the guest bed with his back propped up against the headboard while looking at the TV flicking silently on some paid program. His eyes may be watching the screen, but his mind is a millions miles away. As Ziva lays in a deep slumber curled up against him with his arm securely around her back and her resting on his heart, he worries about her safety the most, the safety of his team who have made it their mission to stand by their stand no matter what, and leaving his safety to be the last thought.
He glances down at her, a soft smile lacing his face at her soft snores. His worries momentarily forgotten, her scent calms him, beckoning him to sleep. That mixture of chemicals on top of her own natural scent always seems to calm him.
Sliding down until his head hits the pillows, he chides himself when Ziva rouses from her sleep. "It's okay, sweetheart. I was just getting comfortable. Go back to sleep." He whispers, lighting running his fingers up and down her arm in hopes to soothe her. It works as she settles back down, instantly falling back to sleep. Her even breathing soon lulls him to sleep, joining the whole household.
By eight o'clock, McGee and Jimmy have arrived; everyone is awake and downstands in the dining room, armed with breakfast plates filled with food, utensils, and cups of either coffee, tea, or milk. They chatter about setting a plan until Gibbs notices Abby's lack of caffeine.
"Honey, something wrong?" Gibbs asks with a concerned look on his face, drawing everyone's attention from the plan-making. Abby looks a little embarrassed with everyone looking at her expectantly.
She leans closer to Gibbs. "Uh, sweetie, I had plans to tell you later."
"Just tell me now. You know they're family." Gibbs points out, not quite understanding why Abby's lost her outspokenness.
She looks at him with pleading eyes, hoping he'll get the drift that this matter is more private, but Gibbs doesn't catch it. Taking a deep breath, she releases it before announcing their news. "I know this comes at the worst time possible." She looks at each member as if she was speaking one-on-one with them before settling her eyes on her boyfriend. "But I'm pregnant."
What do you think about that? Bet you didn't see that coming...
'Til next time...
