Chapter 10
Tony was mystified by Abby's find and Tim's news made little sense. Why had Zva gone back to Israel with Ari? And on family leave? It made no sense to him. Add to it that no report had been found; neither the FBI nor NCIS had any record of Ari's death. That would exclude both agencies involvement. That left the local LEO's, and there you had to file a report just to go to the john.
Had Gibbs had whatever report that was made suppressed for Ziva's sake? Tony didn't think that Gibbs had that kind of power, but Director Sheperd did. She and Gibbs had had a relationship in the past, and she had been the one to bring Ziva on board. There was a connection here, for sure. But wouldn't…? Then it hit him, Tim had been right! Gibbs life had been threatened by Ari, that was well known, even at the time. And Ziva had killed him, family or no, an assassin is an assassin, he guessed. And Gibbs…what? Out of some misguided loyalty to her just…? Something was missing, but what was it?
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It had gone better than Vance could have hoped. Gibbs had listened to what he had said. Vance had told Gibbs how Eli, in a moment of alcohol-induced boasting, had told him about Ziva's mission to kill her half-brother, to control a rogue agent. Vance didn't dare tell Gibbs the truth…that Eli had been stone-cold sober. Vance also didn't mention that Daddy David had been very happy that Ziva's mission had been such as success. And he hadn't dared mention how thrilled Eli was that Ziva had managed to gain Gibbs's favor.
Gibbs had listened. He had just nodded, slightly, at all the appropriate places. He had then just gotten up, without a word, and left the room.
Vance was deeply concerned by Gibbs's lack of emotion. Vance had expected Gibbs to go ballistic. He had expected him to yell. Vance had expected, in all honesty, a punch or two to be thrown. He had, at the very least, expected Gibbs to question him. Vance had expected Gibbs to call Eli a liar. He had expected Gibbs to be angry enough to call him a liar to his face. But, none of that happened. And Vance had no idea how to deal with this lack of emotion. Vance left his office in time enough to see Gibbs reach the bottom of the stairs. Gibbs then headed for the stairway. Vance breathed a sigh of relief, Ziva had been in the bullpen with Tim.
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Leroy Jethro Gibbs did not consider himself to be a gullible, ignorant man. But he felt that way now. It felt like his world had crashed down around him. He had believed Ziva David. He had trusted her. He had chosen her. And that was what bothered him the most. When faced with the choice, he had made the complete wrong one. He took a swallow of his bourbon, and then hurled the glass against the wall. The bottle followed seconds later.
His basement workshop was in shambles after he had taken his hurt, anger, and frustration out on his tools and his current boat project. He ran his finger through his hair, looking at the mess he had made. He heard someone coming down his stairs. He didn't have to look up, he knew her steps.
"You're not welcome here." Gibbs growled.
"I did not mean…." Ziva started.
"You didn't mean to get found out. I get it." Gibbs replied.
"I…it was a mission." Ziva stated.
"You need to leave!" Gibbs raised his head and glared at her. "Or I will shoot you." He said, emphasizing the word 'will.'
Ziva shook her head. "You do not mean…."
"I chose you over Tony! I sure as hell do!" Gibbs reached for his weapon. "GET OUT!"
TBC