Chapter 9
The team, except for McGee, is on the streets in Alexandria, Virginia to keep an eye on the remaining Crow members. The gang members are residing in a local shop which is allegedly linked to illegal gun sales; though nothing has ever been proven. Due to the remaining gang members being in a public area, they need to be watched, especially if Mr. Benson's people try attacking. Since this is a very busy street with tons of shops, a shootout in this area would end in the causality of many innocent lives. Any attacks must be prevented at all costs.
Gibbs and Tony are in a parked car at one end of the block. Ziva is in another parked car at the other end of the block. Both sides of the street are covered by NCIS. They're trying to remain under the radar while keeping up surveillance of the area. The radio station in the car Gibbs and Tony are in, changes. Seconds later, the radio station is changed once again. Then it's changed again.
"Pick a station or turn the damn radio off already." Gibbs stated in a firm tone.
"Sorry." Tony turns the radio off and pulls his hand back.
"And don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness."
There's a moment of silence; silence which Gibbs likes and Tony dislikes.
"So, umm..." Tony thinks of what to talk about because the silence is killing him. "Next week you'll have your house back. I'm sure you're more than happy about that."
"And I bet you're thrilled about living right next door to me." Gibbs responded.
"Living right next door will make Jamie really happy. With Jamie happy, I'm happy. Besides, living next to you won't be so bad. Maybe we can even carpool to work." Tony said. Gibbs turns and gives him a look. Tony immediately gets the hint. "Or not…" He unwraps a snack; a burrito. He takes a bite and begins chewing on it. "You want some?" He asked. Gibbs watches in disgust at Tony's eating habits; especially chewing with his mouth open.
"No thanks." Gibbs looks away.
A couple darkened vehicles approach from Ziva's side. She quickly gets on the radio to give the word to Gibbs. Gibbs presses the on the gas pedal as the darkened vehicles pass Ziva's car. Ziva presses the gas pedal too.
The darkened vehicles stop in front of the shop where the Crows are. Gibbs and Ziva stop their cars nearby and exit; each with their sidearm drawn. The masked men exit from the darkened vehicles and are heavily armed. A couple undercover police within the area drawn their weapons and take aim.
"Freeze! Put the weapons down!" Gibbs shouted from behind the cover of the NCIS car. Tony is using the passenger side door as his cover. And Ziva is on the other side of the darkened vehicles.
"We have you surrounded!" An undercover cop yelled.
The Crows stupidly exit from the shop and take aim with what firearms they have. The Crows are in more than enough trouble with the FBI, so a last stand shootout is something they don't fear.
"Crows, don't shoot!" Gibbs yelled. "Go back in the shop!"
Unfortunately, the Crows aren't going to back down from a fight; especially against people who have been hunting them like a pack of dogs. There's a brief standoff before the first shots are taken.
With guns blazing, Benson's people shoot back. The undercover police officers shoot their weapons too. As do NCIS. The shootout in a public area is underway.
Bullets race through the air in all different directions. The chaos of bullets, screaming people and the loud noise of gunfire ring through the street.
With the shootout afoot, Ziva's weapon jams; rendering it useless. She reaches for her backup but it's not there. For the first time in history she forgot her backup. Ziva draws the knife from her belt.
Ziva takes an opportunity to move toward the closest vehicle where a masked man is shooting from. She dashes in and quickly approaches the man from behind. Before Ziva can do anything, she's immediately thrown against the van. The person Ziva thought she could easily disarm actually got the drop on her. The man proves to be stronger than she thought. Her knife is taken away. The man's knee crashes into her stomach. Then an elbow bashes into her face. The man tries to stab her with her own knife, but she manages to block the attack and the knife falls to the ground. Her quick-thinking saved herself from being stabbed, but hasn't saved her from continuing to take a beating as the man overpowers her with kicks and punches. The man is faster, smarter and excellent at anticipating what she'll do next; almost as if he knows her style. The masked man is actually Gibbs' brother Jared, which Ziva has no idea about. So she continues to struggle with trying to fight back against the masked man.
Benson's people retreat. The remaining Crow members retreat into the shop and out the back.
The causalities of this firefight include: some of Benson's people, some of the Crows, a couple undercover cops and some innocent bystanders. The one thing NCIS tried to prevent from happening is the one thing they were powerless to stop.
As Gibbs calls 9-1-1 for medical assistance for the injured, Tony runs to Ziva's aids because she's lying on the ground.
"Ziva, are you hurt?" Tony asked in concern for his colleague.
"The only thing hurt is my pride." Ziva said as Tony helps her to stand.
NCIS remains at the crime-scene for the paramedics and to help any injured people left behind from the vicious onslaught of bullets.
Almost an hour later, Jared enters into the Benson residence. He walks to Mr. Benson's office.
"I heard NCIS interfered." Mr. Benson stated as Jared enters into the room.
"I guess it's time to take them out." Jared said.
"Perhaps…" Mr. Benson said as he stands up and walks to the window. While looking outside, he thinks to himself. "But I have a better idea in mind. We can use their interference to our benefit."
"The plan…?"
"Yes… We'll proceed with the plan."
Mr. Benson dismisses Jared so he can think in peace and quiet. Jared leaves the mansion with knowing the long-term plan on how to deal with his brother is pushed into full affect.
