I am so sorry that I haven't updated this story. My muse for it has been stubborn, but hopefully she'll be nice and let me update more often. Enjoy!
-Kellz
Chapter Ten
Tony threw a balled up piece of a paper into the small waste can in his living room. Smiling, he looked over at Ziva, who was not impressed. In her hands was a copy of the file folder with all its contents. With crossed legs underneath her body, she looked very at home in his apartment.
Ever since the bombing and waking up in the hospital, they had started seeing each other. At first, Gibbs hadn't been thrilled – repeatedly mentioning something about Rule 12 and handing out a few additional head slaps to Tony – but he let up, satisfied when Tony and Ziva kept it out of the office. It really came to no surprise; it was, after all, inevitable.
Another thrown balled paper caused Ziva to react. "Tony! Will you stop?" She snapped, glaring at him.
Tony's eyes went wide. "Oohh, do I detect my ninja chick getting her feathers ruffled?" He teased.
"Now is not the time to play games! We need to focus." She stated, gesturing to the file in her hands.
Tony had other plans, though. He leaned forward, arms open to encircle her. "Oh, sweet cheeks. We're home. Play time!"
She allowed him to love on her, even give her a kiss before she grew serious again. "Nuh-uh, my little hairy butt. Play time later. Someone is after the Director, possibly us."
Tony frowned, disappointed. Pulling away, he pouted. "Zee-vah!"
But Ziva stayed strong, shaking her head. "Later. Now..." Looking back down at the file, she pointed to something. "I know this man, Ishmael Jarrah. He worked with me during our undercover op four years ago."
Tony leaned in to get a better look at the man. "You mean when we were split up?"
"Yes." Ziva highlighted the name with a bright yellow marker. She had plans to get intel on this man with her contacts tomorrow.
Months ago, Tony may have gotten jealous but now that they were in a relationship, that jealousy had long left his system. "We need to call Gibbs and Vance." He reached for his phone, starting to dial the familiar number before a hand on his forearm stopped him.
"No, Tony. Let me call my contacts in the morning before letting them know. Besides, Gibbs is out with the family. Do not disturb them right now." Ziva closed the file. "I am ready for bed. Are you?"
Tony cleared the phone and rose, slipping it in his pants pocket. "Sure." He held out his hands for her to take. Pleased that she didn't bat them away, he pulled her up, pressing their bodies flush against each other. "Are you ready for bed bed or just bed?" He wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.
Ziva flashed him a seductive smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
He beamed. "Yes, I would."
She kissed him before taking his hand and leading him to the bedroom.
The sandy-haired man stepped out of his shack, slamming the door after him. Taking a bite out of a piece of bacon, he looked around the base. Members of the camp were just now waking. They were mobilizing, preparing for the next step.
He saw the Headmaster, stepping out of the annex with one of his advisors. They were in deep discussion. As the sandy-haired man approached them, he finished eating the piece of bacon and heard bits of the conversation.
"Master?" He stood at attention, waiting for his boss to acknowledge him. With a subtle nod, he relaxed, waiting until the discussion was finished. He began speaking when the Headmaster gave him his undivided attention. "I am getting people in place. You just give us the go ahead and we can head out."
"Remember, Ishmael, do not kill him. I want to be given that opportunity." The Headmaster pointed at him.
"Definitely, sir." Ishmael nodded in affirmation.
"Now, however, if you happen to get in a sticky situation, do what you must." The headmaster lowered his hand, taking a deep breath. "You smell that, Ishmael?"
Ishmael nodded, despite not actually smelling anything other than the dusty land.
"That is the smell of Leon Vance's blood." The Headmaster laughed, evilly. "He's mine!"
So the plot has found some direction...or has it?