Okay, the new chapter is a little late. Sorry I've been busy packing for the trip of a lifetime. But here it is, and this time, guess who has entered the story?

Special thanks to all of you who still follow my story, even though I am terrible to update. I am already on writing the next chapter, and with any luck, I will be finished with it before I travel.

PS: Beware of the spelling mistakes in this one, will try to make the next chapter better.

"I am sorry. Are you special agent Gibbs?"

A clearly accented female voice woke him up. He had been so far away, thinking about Kate, Ari and how to find her, that he had blanked out. A pair of brown eyes looked questionably at him through a mass of bushy brown curls. A young woman he had never seen before in his life stood before him. She was very pretty and could easily have been a quite the beauty, but it seemed as if she had covered up her good looks. With a pair of baggy formless pants, a tank top, a large green military jacket and no make-up, she reminded him of a girl he knew a long time ago. Soldier first, person second and woman last. She only showed other people what she wanted to show them, not the person within. Tucked her heart and soul, deep within herself, so that no one could hurt her. Her face was serious, like she had seen too much, too young, and now was hardened by the burden.

"Yeah, that's me. What can I do for you ms...?"

"David. Ziva David. Mossad"

His eyebrows shot up suspiciously, as she mentioned Mossad, but he said nothing about it. Only tilted his head and looked more closely at the young woman. Unlike most others, she didn't squirmed under his glare, only held up her identification papers and stared back at him.

"You are a long way from home Ms. David. What can I do to help you?"

"You can stop your pursuing of Mossad operative Ari Haswari. I am here stop you of framing him for the kidnapping of your agent. Every minute that goes by, that you chase him, you risk his cover inside Al Qaida. I do not think I need to remind you that he is our only active agent there. Your witch-hunt has caused me a great deal of trouble and I am here to correct you. I am to work here with you to make sure you do not blow his cover. Just give me a desk and all your papers on him, and I will start going through them. I will also monitor your investigation in everything regarding Haswari."

Eyeing her closely, he examined her. She seemed very confident, and he had no doubt that she could be very dangerous if she wanted to. She was arrogant, rude and looked conceited. Her face was completely blank, making it hard to read any emotion from it, but he supposed that was the way she wanted it. Looking irritated up at her, she didn't even flinch.

"I have direct orders from your director that you are to give me a place to work, and free access to all of your materials."

Abruptly, he stood up and walked past Ms. David. With long steps, he marched up to MTAC. If someone were going to stop him from chasing Ari one more time, he would kill them with his bare hands. How could the director be so stupid for the second time? He was a political beast, he knew that, but he had always respected the man despite it. Stop the investigation for a kidnapper, because of politics? It was absurd, to say the least. He was practically fuming when he slumped down in the chair, beside the director.

"Calm yourself agent Gibbs."

"Do you truly expect me to listen to that...that...Mossad person? She comes and tells me that she would be monitoring us? What will she do, restrain us from following up leads, because it "may" blow the cover of a terrorist? You know as well as I that Ari being "good" is bullshit. And for all we know she could be feeding the information right back to him. And you allowed her to stick her nose up MY investigation?"

"I said calm yourself agent Gibbs. I do not care to repeat myself. I understand your situation, and I promise that agent Todd is our number one priority at the moment."

"You say that, but it sounds like nothing more than pretty words. What are your guaranty that she won't be running off in the sunset after given everything useful to Ari and risk MY agents life!"

"She won't."

Only her voice could stop him now. The person sitting in front of him, stood up, and turned around to face him. Red hair, the most beautiful green eyes who always could look right through him. Since the last times he had seen her, the wrinkle between her eyes had deepened and he could see other fine lines across her face. Instead of them making her look older and more damaged, they beautified her delicate face. Like a map from her life, showing every concern and tragedy, she had experienced, but also the happy times, fine lines around her mouth that came from laughing so hard that she cried. Contrary to popular belief, wrinkles did not make you look unattractive; they showed you that you had lived. Memories flooded back. France. Paris. It was like being stricken by the lightning. For a moment, he stood there, only having the sense of closing his mouth so he wouldn't be gaping at her, but nothing more. Then he pulled himself together.

"And how would you know that, Jen?"

"Ziva David is an excellent agent, and I have had the pleasure of working with her before. She is professional, does her job and is a superb asset. She will be able to do her job along side with you doing yours, without causing any harm."

He turned and faced the director again.

"And what about Ari? Am I to leave him alone, because agent Shepherd and her little friend say so?"

"You will have to ask your director that question, agent Gibbs. I got a job offer, deputy director for Homeland Security. Agent Shepherd is from now on the new director of NCIS."

"Wait? What?"

There were very few things in the world that could un-balance him, but now he felt like fate was pulling an evil prank at him. Confused he turned to see Jen again. Her face was blank for emotions, hands were crossed and in an instant, he could tell she was pissed off at him.

"No, you will not stop your investigations against Haswari, but you will use caution. You will not jeopardize his cover, but if he is guilty, then you have my permission to take him in."

"Well, I see that you have this under control Director. Gibbs, working with you has been an... experience, I wish you good luck. I truly hope that you find agent Todd, she was a great agent."

His use of past term did not go un-noticed by Gibbs, but he chose to ignore it. Turning back to Jen, he looked at her expectantly.

"Shall we drop the crap about not having changed anything at all?"

"Why start lying to each other now, Jen?"

"I hope this won't be a problem for you, working under me?"

"Not unless you make it a problem, director..."

"Good. You're dismissed."

Slower than usual, he went down to the bullpen. Hardly noticing the people who passed, he was consumed by his own thoughts. It was like someone had placed him in a alternative reality. Jen was his boss ,Kate , who he just discovered he loved, was taken by his nemesis. A strange Mossad girl had been assigned to his team, and would be going through everything. The next thing that happened, would probably be that DiNozzo came up to him and asked him abolish rule twelve, because he loved McGee and wanted to carry his children.

As he entered the corner, he could see that McGee and DiNozzo was back. McGee was sitting at his desk, looking like he wanted to be anywhere, but there, while DiNozzo was flirting with Ms. David. Slowly he approached them, waiting for the right moment to enter. Tony's load voice could be heard all over the room, three years together, and he still hadn't learned... By his tone of voice it was obvious that he was flirting with the her. It itched in his hand slap his head back into focus.

"Mm-hmm. We never let other people know what we're thinking"

He watched a seductive smile on her face as she approached him, and he almost missed what she was saying.

"Right now you're thinking on doing page fifty seven with me"

By the look of his younger agents face, it was time to interfere.

"Miss David, if you please. Special Agent McGee over here will prepare the useful information to you and then you can sit here. He dragged the chair to the desk beside McGee. And work quietly, do not disturb my team, if you need anything, ask me. Are we clear?"

"Like crystal"

"Good. Now the rest of you, you know what to do"

They both nodded and went back to their desks. Soon the clicking from the keyboard could once again be heard and the usual buzz from people around them followed. Taking up his notepad, getting ready to write down everything about the case so far, he was interrupted by the phone. The ID was hidden, which was strange. Questionably he opened the phone and said:

"Yeah. Gibbs."

Both McGee and DiNozzo watched him carefully, and he felt the blood disappear from his face. He looked like he had seen a ghost and only one word came out;

"Kate?

Then the world started spinning. Indicating with his fingers that McGee was to trace the call. Tony jumped up and down like a little child, unsure what to do with himself. He then ran behind McGee, hanging over his shoulder like a hawk.

"Where are you? Are you alright?... Yeah McGee's already on it!"

He barely noticed the young woman who followed his conversation; his only focus was on the voice from the phone. She sounded so fragile, he wanted nothing more than to hold her and never let her go. But she wasn't fragile, he thought. She had fought them; she had found a way out when her opportunity came, just like he had taught her. She was his girl.

"What's the problem Probie? Why are you taking so long to trace this? You used to do this in seconds only, come one, come on!"

"Tony! Stop stressing me will you! If you want me to find her, back off!"

An angry stare made them both shut up.

"Kate! Kate! Listen to me. You have to stay calm. I will find you. I promise I will find you and bring you home. Now is there any place you can hide? I need you to stay as safe as you can, until I come to get you."

"Bassam wants me dead"

The mention of the scumbag who once had dared to punch her, made his blood freeze to ice. He was going to kill him this time.

"Kate? Kate? Talk to me!"

"I love you"

"KATE! Don't hang up the phone, KATE!"

In the distant, he could hear her voice warning whoever had entered the room. The faint noises of a struggle could be heard, but the bullpen was way to load to hear anything.

"OY! Oy! Everyone! Just shut the hell up! Thank you."

He shot a grateful glance at DiNozzo who was now standing on his desk, waving his arms to make them be quiet. The entire room froze, all stood still, just watching him. Once again he turned his attention to the faint noises that where coming from the phone. Kate. It couldn't have passed more than a few minutes, but it felt like a lifetime. Clinging on to the phone, trying desperately to make sense of the noises, cheering her forward. Come on Kate! Then. There was nothing. Complete silence. The only noise in the entire room was the fanatic clicking from McGee's keyboard, which could barely be heard over the massive thunder his heart was making. Then he heard the one thing he hoped he would never hear. Her scream.

"KATE!"

He couldn't help himself. The moment he heard her scream, he screamed back to her. Dear god, I can't lose her too!.

"KATE! KATE! TALK TO ME GOD DAMIT!"

For ages, he clung on to the phone, holding it so hard his knuckles went white. Then he could hear the sound of someone picking up the phone.

"Kate!"

"Don't worry Gibbs; I assure you she is enjoying my company tremendously."

Ari...His blood froze to ice. That fucking bastard.

"I warn you. If you so much as touch her with your stinking hands, I will rip you apart."

The only response was a low chuckle, before the phone was turned off. Looking angry at it, wanting to crush something, he was interrupted by McGee's load scream.

"BOSS! I got her! It's a two hours drive, but you can probably get there faster if you avoid traffic."

"Stay here McGee! DiNozzo! Grab your gear!"

"On your six, boss!"

"I am coming as well!"

Ziva´s demanding voice was load and clear, and made them both turn and look at her.

"WHAT! Not gonna happen, you're staying behind ms. David. We do not need your expertise with us. "

"Look, you can either stay here arguing with me, loosing valuable time and risk your agent. Or you can save time, possible your agent and let me tag along. Your call."

She looked at him expectantly.

Never in his whole life had he driven so fast. His foot was planted on the gas pedal; if it could speak it would probably be squealing with pain. McGee was back in the bullpen giving directions, and DiNozzo was clinging to the car door. As soon as they were out of the city and other cars couldn't block their passage anymore, Gibbs stomped harder on the pedal. Trees flew by, like an ocean of green. It didn't take long until they were by the sea. It was a beautiful day, sun was shining and the weather was warm. But he barely noticed the blue sky, all he could think of was that would happen if he got there too late.

"How long until we get there McGee, he barked"

"Not too long now, by your speed you should reach it in 20 minutes."

"Kate don't have 20 minutes! Shortcut?"

"You are driving the fastest route now"

"Not fast enough!"

"Perhaps I should drive Gibbs?"

Ziva's commanding voice from the backseat almost made him jump.

He chose to ignore her, but like before, she interpreted his silence as permission to speak.

"I can get there faster than you, I drive very fast. Then you can get time to calm down, so you do not march off and kill my man, if he even is there. "

By her words, Gibbs stomped harder on the pedal and they flew forward. Ignoring her completely, he focused entirely at the driving.

"How far away now McGee?"

"7 minutes now boss!"

A large, grey concrete building came into view. Seagulls were screaming around them, just like Kate had said, and it smelled heavily of ocean. With their Sig Sauer's raised, the three of them formatted and made their way toward the building. The noise from an open door, slamming in the wind, could be heard, but apart from that, there were no unnatural noises.

"DiNozzo, David, cover me."

A nod indicated that they had understood, and they went in.

The whole building was deserted. It didn't take long until they found out that what looked like a large building with many floors, was more an illusion. It was an extremely large storage facility, and they entered one large room, which seemed to be the entire building. It was completely empty, with nothing more than salty smell of the ocean.

"Gibbs. Over here"

Ziva's voice came from the other corner and as he approached her, the faint contours of a door could be seen. Obviously constructed so that it would not be easily discovered, built for a quick hide-away.

Quietly he opened the door and was greeted by a strong light. They came out to a large staircase, looking down it was around three floors down. With quiet moves, he indicated that they were to follow his lead and silently they snuck down.

The further down they went, the more quiet it got. Isolated by the thick walls, and the fact that they were underground, made it feel like entering a large bubble. The first door revealed a hallway, packed with doors on each side. Just as she said. One after one they opened the doors, just to see small rooms that had been left in a hurry. Most of them were empty, as if they had never been used, but others you could easily see that people had lived in. In the very few rooms that had beds in them, the sheets were tucked up, military style, except two that still were rumpled. One room turned out to be a food facility, packed with tinned food etc. Others had a couple of chairs and a table. The only thing the rooms had in common was the lack of people.

The next floor looked just the same. A long hallway packed with doors, only visible difference was the bad light. Here it was flickering, making it harder to see anything proper.

"Tony, you check out downstairs. Any sound at all, or suspicious noises and you report to me, are we clear? Ms David, you are with me."

The first door they opened was bull's-eye. On the floor, dirty and rumpled together lay a pink sweater. Kate. After clearing the room, he gently swept it up in his arms, holding it carefully and examining it.

"This belong to agent Todd", he said out load.

"Are you sure?"

A meaningful glance made her shut up, and after putting the sweater down, they continued down the hall. The other rooms seemed as empty as the ones up-stairs, some showed signs off being used, but most of them were empty, with a thick dust layer on the ground.

"Gibbs"

He turned around and saw Ziva standing in a doorway, holding her gun raised.

"Come and have a look"

Raising his own gun, he silently walked over to her and looked inside. The room was a mess. There was blood on the floor, ceiling, walls, everything. There were bloody shoeprints and there clearly indication that something, or someone, had been dragged upon a sheet and carried away. In the corner was a knife, bloody and gory. Carefully, so not disturb the crime scene he closed the door.

"We'll have the crime techs check it out. Come on, let's check out how DiNozzo is doing"

Just as they entered the staircase again, Tony came sprinting up.

"Status DiNozzo?"

"Basement, dungeon hole thingy. It seems as all have been left in a hurry. Just a whole bunch of interrogation rooms downstairs. On, or two empty rooms, one had some ropes lying around, but nothing more. There was one bedroom though, with ropes tied to each bed pole. It was also a toilet inside, looked like a cell to me. I think that's where they kept her. But here is no sign of her. However there is one door that is locked. I don't expect any of you know how to pick a lock?."

"Just show me the door"

Together they went down in the basement, Tony leading the way, while Ziva was examining her key-change. By the look of it she was fully prepared for most situations and the key-pick equipment she carried with her was first class.

"This is it, the only door I couldn't open."

"Okay, just stand back and I take it."

In a matter of seconds, she had picked the lock, and silently opened the door. With their guns raised, the three of them stared into a completely dark room. The silent noise of someone sleeping could be heard and his heart flickered. Kate?

"Flashlight"

Tony grabbed his flashlight and lit the room. In the far corner the contours of a small bed could be seen. A very small person lay on the bed, lying completely still and barely breathing.

"Grace?"

*Please note that I tried writing Ziva's speech with errors on purpose. Don't go yelling at me because of the mistakes.

And I just want to know. Do you want shorter chapters? Or is it okay with this length? A little bird asked me write more often, but with shorter chapters. Yey or Ney?