Hey guys! Thanks to everyone who is continuing to read and review this fic. I really appreciate it, especially as it it is not the typical happy heavy loaded Tiva fic but it will get there in the end. As usual, all reviews and feedback, good or bad, is welcomed.

Chapter 9

A few days later…

Sandino's Coffee Bar, Rota, Spain…0736

Arielle and Garrett were sitting outside the coffee bar, at a table. Arielle was dressed in a white sleeveless, button down top shirt and denim shorts. Her light brown, slightly curled hair, with golden highlights, was up in a ponytail, using a butterfly grip. She had a pair of sunglasses sitting on top of her head. She had a newspaper crossword in front of her and a cup of coffee in her left hand.

Garrett was dressed in jeans and a blue logo t-shirt. He had a camera in his hand, pretending to be trying to correct the settings, when he really had the camera focused on inside the café.

Inside the café stood Tucker Benton, purchasing a coffee. He was tall, extremely well built, with tan skin, a shaved head, defining jaw and smallish, grey eyes. He was wearing jeans and a grey, sleeveless t-shirt; his U.S. Navy SEALs logo tattoo clearly exposed on his right bicep.

He did not notice the clicking of the camera. To anyone around, it looked like a silly tourist, trying to figure out how to work his camera.

"This is so boring." Garrett muttered through his teeth. "I don't think we are getting anywhere with this."

"Patience Garrett, stakeouts take time." Arielle replied quietly, writing down notes of their observations. To a passer-by, it looked like she was completing a crossword.

"Maybe we should have someone in the club." Garrett sighed as he photographed Benton picking up a newspaper to read.

"For the last time Gar, you are not carrying out surveillance within the club." Arielle hissed between her teeth, a smile fixed on her lips.

"I didn't mean me." Garrett replied. "I meant sending in a female."

"The only female we have is Agent Hickey and if I remember correctly, you vetoed that idea." Arielle said.

"She's too inexperienced." Garrett quickly retorted, before taking a photo of Benton scribbling something onto the paper he was reading.

"You should really have more faith in Kendall, she's quite good at her job." Arielle stated.

"I know." Garrett muttered.

"So why don't you tell her?" Arielle asked.

"I give Ken praise when it's due." Garrett retorted.

"Of course you do." Arielle sighed. There was silence.

"When I was talking about putting a female in the club, I was actually thinking of you." Garrett spoke again, breaking the silence.

"Garrett, you're forgetting that the Nassif brothers are well aware of who I am." Arielle replied. "I have been on an undercover mission before, relating to them."

"But I'm sure you changed your appearance." Garrett said.

"Yes a girl can change her appearance but there are certain things a girl can't hide in a strip club." Arielle said.

"So your undercover mission with the Nassif brothers involved you and Ziva getting up close and personal then." Garrett summarized.

"You know, I really don't want to discuss this anymore." Arielle said, pulling the sunglasses down over her eyes.

"C'mon Arielle, any info you or Ziva have on the Nassif brothers could help us." Garrett said.

"Trust me, Hari got any information we obtained." Arielle pointed out.

"Why do I get the feeling something happened when you and Ziva were undercover?" Garrett stated.

"Let's just drop it." Arielle said.

"Why?" Garrett asked.

"Because our mark is making a move." Arielle replied.

Garrett looked into the café to find Tucker Benton leaving the newspaper he scribbled on behind as he left the table he was sitting at. Garrett quickly snapped a few photos. About a minute later, another man, slightly shorter and heavier, with tanned skin moved towards the table and collected the newspaper before leaving the café.

"Well, well…look who we have." Garrett said after he finished snapping the photos.

"Did you just get that on camera?" Arielle asked.

"Yep, I have one of the Nassif goons picking up Benton's paper on film." Garrett replied proudly.

The Bullpen…0819

Tony sat at his desk, catching up on his paperwork before his stakeout shift began with Ziva in a few hours. His desk phone began to ring. "Special Agent Dinozzo." He said automatically as he answered the phone.

"Morning baby." A familiar, sweet, seductive voice spoke.

"Carm, morning sweetie." He said, quickly registering who was on the other end of the phone line.

"You didn't waken me this morning." She sighed.

"Yeah, I had to leave early." Tony explained. "I had a lot of paperwork to catch up on."

"But I missed you…and your special wake up call." She softly whispered. He could tell she was pretending to pout.

"Yeah, and I certainly missed giving you your wake up call but you looked so peaceful sleeping." He replied.

"Well you can make it up to me now." She softly said. "Guess what I'm wearing?"

"Carmela." He nervously laughed.

"I'll give you a clue." She teased. "There's very little clothing involved…if any."

"Ugh, please don't do this to me." He groaned, which was met with a giggle. "I'm serious Carm, we can't do this right now."

"Why? It wouldn't be the first time." Carmela teased.

"Sweetie, I have a double murder to solve." He replied, his eyes catching Ziva upstairs, outside MTAC with Hari, deep in conversation. He could hear Carmela sigh deeply.

"Tony, I thought the sex was meant to stop after we got married, not before." She stated. "We haven't had sex in over a week."

"Sweetie, I will make it up to you." He apologised. "Once I solve this case, I promise."

"Whatever!" Carmela muttered, before hanging up.

Tony put down the phone, groaned and shook his hands and head with frustration. He knew he was in trouble when he got home. They already had an argument when he never took her call when he was with Ziva.

The only thing that ever bothered him about his future wife was her unrealistic demands. Her father had spoilt her rotten, made her the centre of his world, and because of that, she demanded the same from Tony. Most of the time he could manage it, but she had to realise he was a federal agent and his job would have to come first at times.

"Problems with the future Mrs Dinozzo?" He heard McGee's familiar voice asked. His head shot up to look at him, wondering how he knew about Carmela. He hadn't even seen or heard McGee entering the bullpen. "Abby told me." McGee automatically explained, as if reading his mind. "We're married which means there are no secrets between us…something I think you and your fiancée need to learn."

"We don't have secrets." Tony replied defensively.

"So she knows you're working a case with your ex?" McGee asked.

"Well no…but I can't discuss the case with her." Tony answered.

"Of course you can't." McGee quietly laughed, perching himself on Tony's desk. "And I guess you haven't told Ziva about your impending marriage because…"

"It's complicated Probie." Tony muttered.

"It always was when it came to you two." McGee stated. "But she still needs to know."

"Why? It would only hurt her and jeopardise the case." Tony pointed out.

"Yeah, it might." McGee agreed. "But at least she'd know where she stands with you."

"She already does." Tony retorted. "She knows we're just working a case together, nothing else."

"Really? So why does she have that 'look' in her eyes?" McGee asked.

"What 'look'?" Tony asked.

"You know the 'look', she gave it to you throughout your partnership." McGee replied.

Tony nodded. He knew the 'look', he had tried to ignore it for so many years, especially when he was Jeanne, but he couldn't ignore any longer and he finally gave in and broke rule number 12. Now, he had seen the 'look' again, especially when they were on stakeouts over the last few days. He had told himself to ignore it; that it was wishful thinking; that things hadn't changed, even though they had.

"Look, I'm just saying this 'cause Ziva's had a tough time lately." McGee said. "I don't think she could take any more hurt."

"And I don't plan on hurting her." Tony retorted. "We're partners, that's all."

"Fine, if that's what you say." McGee stated.

"Look, is there another reason why you came over here?" Tony snapped. He was getting a little pissed off by everyone telling him that Ziva had a tough time but no one would actually tell him why.

"Yeah actually, I just wanted to tell you that Agent Hickey is a pretty good agent." McGee said.

"Yep, she's good alright." Tony replied, taking a little pride in McGee's compliment.

"So good, Gibbs and I were considering offering her a job in D.C." McGee stated.

"What?" Tony exclaimed.

"C'mon Tony, anyone can see she is wasted here." McGee replied. "She'd be great in D.C."

"She's great here in Rota!" Tony argued.

"Oh yeah, solving petty crimes is really bringing out her best." McGee muttered sarcastically. "C'mon Tony, do the right thing…put her career, rather than the team, first for once."

"Without Ken, I don't have much of a team." Tony retorted. "I would need three agents to cover all her skills."

"Well, you wouldn't lose her forever." McGee countered.

"What do you mean?" Tony snapped. "You'd take her to D.C., show her the bright lights then dump her back here? She'd never be happy back here after being in D.C.!"

"Actually, I was thinking you could join her back in D.C. in a year or two." McGee replied.

"What? Tony asked, confused.

"Between you and me, Gibbs will be retiring soon." McGee explained. "Vance has been making some noise that I may have to step up to replace him but I know I'm not ready…I don't want it. I have a wife, a kid and another one on the way. I want to leave my work at work…I don't live and breathe for work like you and Gibbs. I think when Gibbs retires, you'd be perfect to take over the D.C. team."

"I'm happy with my life here in Spain Probie." Tony replied. "My days in D.C. are over."

"Tony…" McGee began to argue but Tony stood up.

"You can ask Kendall, but I know she'll turn you down." He said and walked away.

The conference room…1023

Hari and Ziva were standing in the conference room, with papers spread out over the conference table. Hari was dressed in navy blue combats and a light blue button down shirt with short sleeves. Ziva was wearing white Capri pants and a lemon sleeveless button down shirt. Her long dark hair was straightened and hanging down, with a silver Alice band keeping her hair out of her face.

"So this is all the intel we have gathered so far? She asked Hari. "After three days of stakeouts, this is all we have to show?"

"Arielle and Garrett's photos are a step in the right direction Zee." Hari argued.

"But they are not enough!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. She could feel her eyes beginning to fill with tears. She lowered her head, trying to regain her composure.

"Ziva, I promise…" Hari replied, taking her in his arms for a hug, "…we will get what we need, even if we have to play dirty. The Nassif brothers will not get away this time. We will get them and the terrorist ring."

"I really hope so Hari." Ziva softly sighed, lifting her head to look him in the eye. Her tears were now gone but Hari's strong arms were still wrapped around her waist.

"Ziva, this will end…we're not going to give up." Hari softly stated, before pressing his lips against her forehead.

Someone clearing their throat interrupted them. They both turned to face Tony. "Sorry to interrupt but we have to let Arielle and Garrett off their shift." Tony stated, his voice cold, with a hint of jealousy.

"Of course." Hari replied, he squeezed Ziva's hand as he left, which was met with a smile from Ziva.

"Are you ready?" Tony asked and turned on his heels to leave. His voice was still cold and guarded.

"Hey, what is wrong with you today?" Ziva asked, placing a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to turn and face her.

"Nothing…I just didn't want to interrupt you and Hari." Tony retorted. "After all, you seemed quite close…for a director and her control agent."

"We are quite close." Ziva agreed.

"Obviously!" Tony scoffed, making no attempt to hide his jealousy, which did not go unnoticed by Ziva.

"Hari and I have shared a lot, our childhood…our Mossad training…our first Mossad mission…boyfriends…"

"Boyfriends?" Tony questioned.

"Yes, Hari is gay." Ziva replied and watched as the jealousy was instantly replaced with relief. "Although, it is not common knowledge in Mossad so please…"

"Of course, I will say no more." Tony replied, a slow smile creeping across his lips.

"Anyway, why did it matter if I was close to my control agent?" Ziva asked, crossing her arms. "It should not have been your concern…unless you of course were jealous?" Although her lips were not smiling, her eyes were.

"Me? Jealous?" He scoffed. "Hardly!"

Ziva gave a small smile and nodded. She knew the truth. "Of course Tony." She stated. She could still see in his eyes that something else was bothering him. "Are you sure there is nothing else bothering you?"

"What?" Tony nervously laughed. There was so much he could tell her. He was bothered that he was jealous of Hari, despite the fact he had a gorgeous fiancée at home and the fact Hari was gay. All because Hari knew Ziva so well and was so close to her and able to hold her when Tony knew he couldn't.

It bothered him that McGee and Abby knew about Carmela and that the truth would have to come out because, although Kendall and Garrett knew of her existence, they knew not to speak of her in front of Ziva.

It bothered him that McGee was trying to steal his best agent and was trying to entice him back to Washington with Kendall, but more importantly, it bothered him that he was actually considering returning to D.C.

However, the one thing that bothered him more than any other was the fact he still got jealous when he saw another man with Ziva, that he still wanted to be the man she was with, making other men jealous. He had a fiancée back at home…he was meant to be over her. He had to be over her, for his and Carmela's sake.

"So, do you have anything you want to tell me?" Ziva asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"Nope, I just want to get this shift over." He quickly answered. "So can we go?"

"Of course." Ziva as she followed him out of the conference room. She knew herself that he wasn't being honest but she had to let it go, after all, there were things she could still not tell him. Correction, she didn't want to tell him.

The Bullpen…1456

Kendall Hickey walked towards the coffee vending machine. She was dressed in a grey pencil skirt and a black short-sleeved button down shirt with a ruffled front panel. Her long red hair was pinned up, with a few curls framing her face. She slipped some money into the machine and selected her drink. As she waited for her drink, she spotted Milo exiting the elevator, with a file in his hands.

"Hey Milo, what brings you to the bullpen?" She asked as he approached her. "Don't tell me, Abby is down there, driving you insane."

"Yes but that is not why I'm here." Milo replied. "Is the boss about?"

"Nope, he's on a stakeout." Kendall replied. "Why?" She lifted her cup of coffee out of the machine.

"Oh, never mind." Milo replied, a nervous twitch in his voice.

"C'mon Milo, what's up?" Kendall asked. "Can I help? Because you sound kinda stressed and that is freaking me out because you don't do stressed."

"Yeah well I didn't until I meet Abby Sciuto McGee." Milo muttered.

"So, what's wrong?" Kendall asked as they headed towards Kendall's desk.

"A few days ago the boss asked me to look over some of the autopsies and evidence records of some unsolved cases around Europe that were connected to the Nassif brothers." Milo began to explain.

"Yeah, that would be within procedures." Kendall said as she sat behind her desk.

"Well, I was looking at a case from Sicily and something didn't check out so I did some of my own investigating and well, I found this." Milo stated and handed Kendall over the file he was holding.

"One of the Nassif brothers was murdered?" Kendall asked, looking up from the file.

"Yeah, their kid brother Jamal which isn't really surprising considering their line of work but here's the interesting part." Milo replied. He flicked over a few pages of the report to reveal some photos.

"Wow!" Kendall sighed as her eyes took in the images in front of her. The photos included Ziva, with Jamal, talking to him, hugging him, and kissing him. "I guess that was Ziva's undercover mission with the Nassifs."

"But look closer Ken." Milo said. "Look at Ziva."

"Oh my God! She's…" Kendall trailed off, in shock.

"Yep, she's pregnant!" Milo stated. "At least in the second trimester…and it said in the report, under the name of Sophia Danano, she was his girlfriend for nearly a year so the baby is obviously his."

"Which begs the question…what happened the baby?" Kendall finished off.

"Exactly." Milo stated. Kendall said nothing, overcome by the shock and her thoughts.

To be continued…

Next Chapter Preview…Arielle and Hari try to speed up the investigation while Ziva finally opens up to Tony.