Ellie trotted to keep up with Ziva, who seemed to have an impeccable sense of direction in the back alleys of Madrid. "How did you get here?"
"Malachi has a friend who has a friend. That friend patched me up well enough and flew me here, a day ahead of Liat and Malachi, before anyone knew that I did not die in the fire."
"What are you going to do?"
"Take Liat down before she has a chance to take me down. I will be doing myself and Mossad a favor."
"True enough. But how are you going to do that?"
Ziva's shoulders slumped, and she stopped on a side street to look at Ellie. "I do not know," she admitted. "Before, when I was a Mossad officer, I would have not even thought twice about killing her. But now?"
Ellie smiled. "Then it's a good thing you have me."
"Why is that, Agent Bishop?"
"Because I happen to be a US agent, who is perfectly justified to take out a threat to the daughter of another US agent. If I get the chance, I'll take it."
"You are not a killer," Ziva said, holding her gaze. "You are not as confident as you think you are."
"I'm here, aren't I?"
Ziva looked at her for a moment longer, then shook her head and smiled back. "You are here, indeed."
Their plan came together in a few short minutes. Liat knew that Ziva was here, although she wasn't yet sure how she survived the attack on the farmhouse. That was good, Ziva said; it meant she hadn't made Malachi. They could use Malachi to get close to her, then Ellie would draw her into conversation, distracting her enough to allow Ziva to take a shot.
"I'll shoot to disarm, first," Ziva said. Then she added, "Unless it's necessary for me to shoot to kill." Ellie nodded grimly.
"One more thing," the Israeli said. "If push comes to shove and you have a shot, do not wait to shoot until I am clear. If you must put me at risk to take out Liat, do it."
Ellie thought of Tony and Tali. "Are you sure?"
"I would rather die than let that woman threaten my child again. Yes, I am sure."
"Okay." Ellie paused, trying to think of how to phrase her next thought. "Agent David–"
"I am no longer an agent. Call me Ziva."
"Then call me Ellie. Ziva, the same applies to me. If you must put me at risk–"
Ziva was shaking her head. "It is not the same."
"I'm here because it is," Ellie said flatly. "So if I'm at risk, you take that shot."
Ooh, serious Ellie. Thanks to everyone for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing! Just a few chapters to go.
