A/N - Sorry for the delay in posting new chapters but Life got in the way. This chapter is basically a filler to connect to cannon. It was part of the next chapter but it became too long, so it's posted separately. I promise so juiciness follows this. Hopefully, you'll enjoy. Thanks for all of the reviews and follows. Please keep letting me know what you think about this story. Writing dialogue is not my strong suit, so comments are helpful.
Although she had been assigned to Egypt for several years now, the freshness of this redhead made it all seem new again. Jenny Shepherd was a kindred spirit. The joint missions, of Mossad and NCS in Cairo were a perfect storm. It had brought together two women who desperately needed the connection this assignment afforded them. Jenny was on a hunt for revenge and this was a hunt she, herself knew too well. Although her pursuit was over, she found herself understanding and empathizing with the young woman. They'd spent hours talking about their lives. Her about her parents and how she needed revenge for her father's death, and she about her daughter and how she needed revenge for the hell her daughters' father had put her through. They'd bonded over wishes of death and suffering. Each one seeing in the other the darkness that they'd never dare to tell anyone else.
The redheaded European American and the dark-haired Israeli Mossad officer. An odd choice for confidantes but one that bonded the two women in ways not imagined. It felt good to be able to talk freely about Schmeil, Eli, and Ziva. To say that she was unsure if Schmeil was really her friend, that Eli was the love of her life, but she wanted him dead and that Ziva was the purpose for her being, even if she must never know of her existence. To have someone say they understood and could relate to her situation was equivalent to finding gold. She listened as the young woman talked of her father's murder and how it was ruled suicide. She heard the hatred in her voice when she gave voice to her bloodlust by vowing to kill Le Grenouille, the man she held responsible for her father's death. She also heard the need in her, as her breath would catch, when she spoke of her longing and insatiable love for Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Yes, Jenny Shepherd was a kindred soul and they'd vowed on many nights to always help each other in any way they could. They both swore that from behind the scenes, Jenny would always lookout for Ziva and Orli would always lookout for Jethro. Thinking of Jenny, Orli smiled as she thanked the God of Israel for finally granting her the true friend, she'd prayed for, to help her protect her daughter.
Amsterdam was as boring as usual, and another green American agent was just another aggravation. How many NCS agents would they send to their deaths? Each one greener than the last and just as dead as the last. If it wasn't for the aggravation of working with then and trying to keep them from getting themselves killed, the thought of them or their deaths wouldn't even cross his mind.
But somehow, Leon Vance was different. Something about the African American agent crept under his skin. He found himself, trying a little harder to teach this one the necessary lessons to keep him alive.
When they talked, it was as if they'd known each other forever. The hardships and discriminations the young man faced growing up resonated within him as he remembered the obstacles and racism he'd endured as a young Israeli. While waiting for the other operatives, of the mission, to contact them they would talk for hours. He couldn't believe the things he found himself telling this man. He spoke openly about Orli, Ari, Ziva, Rivka, and Tali as if it were perfectly normal to have a wife, a mistress, a son conceived during an Op by a third woman, and your wife raising your mistress's daughter as her own. It felt good to speak openly and be himself. To let go and talk about the things that mattered to him. Perhaps the fact that this American had no family, friends or ties was the thing that endeared him to Leon. That and the fact he had no one to blab the sordid information to, allowed him to speak freely.
Leon Vance was his confidante and Schmeil was the only other person who knew him that well. However, Schmeil hated him, thought he was a screwup and only tolerated him because of Mossad's higher ups. Leon on the other hand, was really his friend. He accepted him for who he was, didn't judge his decisions and appreciated the things he taught him. For two men who seemed polar opposites, the deadliness of their mission, bound them together with both promising to be there for the other. Leon to lookout for Orli and Ziva and Eli to do whatever he could to help Leon advance his career in NCS. Thinking of Leon, Eli smiled and thanked the God of Israel for finally granting him the true friend he'd prayed for to help him protect Orli and his daughter.
She sighed as she gazed at the delicate landscape portrait. Remembering that hanging the painting was the first thing she did after Eli left. He'd always hated that painting, and no sooner had he gotten into his car to leave had she pulled it from the back of her closet and hung it over the sofa. Ziva and Tali had gasped in amazement as she'd gone around the apartment boxing up Eli's memento's and replacing them with her won cherished possessions she'd kept hidden away. They'd even gone so far as to ask if she was ok. All she could do, in response was to laugh and say she was better than she had been in almost 20 years. Although the painting took her back to memories of independence, the sadness of her reality weighed heavily on her. Although Eli provided for them quite handsomely monetarily, she was still struggling emotionally. They'd always lived in a tight knit community, and the gossip of Eli and Orli was becoming a lot to bear. Lately, Ziva had been getting into fights because of street gossip, and Tali had taken to coming home and going straight to her room. Poor Ari missed her father to the point he had become surly and distant and started not coming home on his IDF furloughs. She missed her home being filled with the laughter of a happy family and she missed the bliss that ignorance of Eli's love for Orli had brought her.
Fortunately, Schmeil was coming to town. She always felt better when he came and they talked through her issues. He had a way of making things seem so simple and easy. His love and experience was her only constant during these years of heartache with Eli, and this time she would need his wisdom and guidance more than ever.
Since Ziva had received her Tzav Rishon, medical history was required and Schmeil was the only one who could give her that information. Thinking of how a potential medical disaster could be averted Rivka silently thanked the God of Israel for Schmeil being able to provide her with the only way to protect her daughter in case of a medical emergency during her conscription.