A/N: So this is the second to last to last chapter, and there is no space for argument on this matter. Enjoy, read and then review :)
"No, ah, I kinda want to dance a little more."
"Good, because I do to," she smiled up at him, before kissing him lightly on the lips and then leaning her head back on his chest.
The song ended soon after that and they moved back into a fast pace of dancing while still staying close to each other. They got through about six more songs, swaying, grinding and dancing near and around each other.
"I think I'm ready to go now," Belle panted as the next song came on. McGee stole a quick look at his watch as they walked back to the bar to pay for their drinks. It's been about twenty minutes, by the time we get back it should be enough time, he thought hopefully. McGee called for a cab as they stumbled down the ally.
"Where to?" the cabbie asked, turning in his seat to look at him.
"We should probably go to your place," McGee said. "We don't know where Tommy and Lisa went.
"Good idea," Belle nodded and told the diver the address of the condo she was staying in. She turned to look at McGee who instantly braced his hand behind her head, tangling his fingers in her dirty blond hair, and pressed his lips to her again. Belle gave a small moan and wrapped her arms around his neck. They stayed like this for the whole ride, pressed against each other.
"We're here," the driver said, all to soon. McGee and Belle broke apart, their breathing heavy. McGee pulled out his wallet and threw some random bills at the cabbie.
"Keep the change," he called as he pushed Belle out of the cab and up the walk. He kept his hand just above the swell of her ass as they walked quickly up the path to the front door.
"We're on," Tony whispered as the front door was pushed open. He and Ziva sat in a spacious closet on the first floor of the condo. Both had changed out of their bar clothes and put on something more opt acceptable. They had set up cameras and microphones in the entry area, the space leading up to the stairs, one at the top of the stairs, another in the up stairs hallway and multiple in each of the bedrooms. They watched on the first of the three computer screens in front of them as McGee and Belle practically ran through the entry through the kitchen area and up the stairs.
"Someone's excited," Ziva muttered, her eyes flicking to the forth frame as the other two appeared on it.
"Hey, cut the Probie some slack. This is probably the most action he's gotten in a long time," Tony whispered, letting out a small chuckle. Ziva looked over at him and slapped his shoulder before turning back to the screen.
"He probably just wants to get this over with."
"Yeah, so do I. Speaking of which looks like we're needed on stage." Tony stood and grabbed his gun and badge, not taking his eyes off the screen as Belle pushed McGee down on the bed.
"We have to wait for her to actually try to kill him, Tony," Ziva said placing her hand on his arm. He didn't say anything at first, his mind following Belle as she walked away from the bed and over to the dresser
"I know, but I told McGee we would be standing out side the room and to yell when it got to the 'I'm going to kill you' portion of the night."
"Go," Ziva said suddenly, pushing Tony towards the door. He looked back down at the screen as Belle turned around to face McGee again, a large, shiny bland in her hand.
"Now!" Ziva yelled, loud enough to snap Tony out of the trance that had taken over him, but not loud enough for the two upstairs to hear. Tony bolted out of the room, closely followed by Ziva, and bolted up the stairs.
"NCIS!" he yelled as he kick the bedroom door in. His eyes immediately went to McGee who was lying down on the bed, covered in blood.
"McGee," Tony gasped, running over to him.
"I'm fine, Tony, it's not my blood." McGee sat up slowly, his breathing very heavy.
"What happened?" Ziva asked as she walked towards Belle, who lay unconscious on the floor.
"She came at me with the knife, and when you guys didn't bust in right away I kicked her in the nose," McGee explained, whipping some of the blood from his face.
"I thought I had lost you for a second there buddy," Tony said, clapping his hand on McGee's back before helping him up.
"Why don't you go wash up while we wait for your friend to come around," Ziva said, pulling Belle into a sitting position and leaning her against the bed. "And bring another rag back for her."
"We got everything on film," Tony reported appearing in the doorway.
"When did you leave?" asked Ziva, sitting down on the floor in front of Belle.
"Right after I made sure McGoo was okay. What are you doing?"
"Waiting to interrogate Belle," Ziva said as if it was obvious. They both turned at McGee walked back into the room. His face was clean, but his shirt still had spots of blood on it. "Thank you, McGee," she said, taking the towel that hung loosely in his hand. "There are some extra clothes in the closet down stairs for you, and make sure to put that shirt in an evidence bag."
"I know, and thanks," he muttered walking out of the room again. The other two turned back to Belle as she began to stir.
"Wha?" she mumbled, lifting her head up and blinking her eyes.
"Hello again," Ziva said, holding to towel out to her.
"Lisa?" Belle tried to rub her head but stopped when she realized her hands were cuffed together. "What did you do?"
"Sorry about your nose, but that was McGee- I mean Richard."
"Who are you people?"
"NCIS," Tony said, holding out his badge. "I'm Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, this is Special Agent Ziva David. And you already had the pleasure of meeting Agent McGee, or at least the bottom of his shoe."
"What do you want?" she asked as she began to dab at her bloody nose. It had stopped flowing and the blood was beginning to dry on her face.
"You," Ziva said shortly. "We know what you have been doing. Picking up Marines in bar and bringing them home to slaughter them." Belle thought for a second before opening her mouth to answer.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"We have you on film," Tony informed. "Wave hi to the camera." He pointed above the door to the nearest camera, which was no bigger then the lens on a pair of glasses.
"I'm not talking without a lawyer."
"Okay, looks like we're going back to DC then. Come on, up you go," Tony said, grabbing under Belle's arm and lifting her off the ground. She stumbled a bit before obediently following Ziva down stairs. Tony kept his hand firmly on her shoulder, making sure she didn't try anything.
"I promise to be a good girl," Belle pouted, trying to shy away from Tony's touch.
"Well that's good," Tony said, tightening his grip on her.
"Yes, Boss, we got her. Here they come now," McGee said, watching the other three descend the stairs. "Will do, Boss," he said a second later before hanging up the phone.
"What'd the Boss man want, Probie?" Tony asked, directing Belle into one of the living room chairs.
"Our flight departs in five hours, and it's your lucky day, DiNozzo, we're not flying commercial this time."
"Ziva, you want to watch our friend here while McGee and I go pack?" Tony asked, ignoring McGee's insult.
"Okay," she nodded.
"See you in a bit." He gave her a small peck on the cheek as he passed her on his way out. She waited until the door closed before lowering herself into the chair across from Belle.
"So I take it that part of your act, wasn't really an act," Belle said suddenly, breaking the silence.
"No," Ziva said softly, not looking away from the door.
"How long have you two been a couple?"
"Why does it matter to you?"
"Just passing time. It's not like we can talk about what you want to."
"Officially, about two days. But I have loved him for much longer."
"What took you so long to tell him? In this line of work you must face death daily, you never know when the last time you will see the other will be." Ziva shrugged and looked away from the door. She reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small seashell, gently rubbing it with her thumb. Tony had given it to her the night before after they had made love on the soft sand of the beach.
'Here,' Tony said, placing the shell in the palm of her hand. 'The perfect shell, for a perfect woman.'
'How can you tell it is perfect?' Ziva asked. The candles had long ago burnt out and the crescent moon showed just the outlines of their bare bodies.
'Because, perfect does not mean it's never been broken, never been swept under the waves and tumbled around. It means that it's strong and never gave up. It didn't abandon hope and let itself be crumbled up into little bits of sand. It pushed forward, knowing somehow it would make it, and everything would be okay.'
Ziva looked up from the shell. Belle was watching her intently.
"I really do not know," Ziva answered slowly. She brushed her thumb over the jagged edge of the shell before placing it back in her pocket. They were quiet for another minute before Belle smoke up again.
"I did it," she said.
"What?" Ziva asked, Belle's words pulling her out of her thoughts.
"I did it," she repeated. "I killed those men. I killed them because they thought that they could find something worthwhile in a bar. They were all just throwing their lives away. Chances were next time they left US soil they would never return to it. I was doing them a favor if you ask me." Ziva said nothing; she just pulled out her phone and texted Tony.
She just confessed. |Ziva|
good makes our lives easier |Tony|
I love you, Tony. |Ziva|
I love you too, Ziva |Tony|