Author's Note…

Thank you for all the reviews and PM's for this story.

And apologies for the delay in updating.

Here's the next chapter…. Enjoy and let me know your thoughts….

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Gibbs wondered just what the hell Ziva and McGee were up to as he made his way home after dropping Fornell off. He had no mobile connection and hadn't been able to get in touch with either one of them or Abby. On top of that he was worried about Tony. He feared the damage the double pneumonia was causing his already scared lungs. And the nurse had said he'd had a seizure. Would Tony pull through this whole sordid ordeal intact?

Well, he just better.

Gibbs drove faster than normal replaying the events from the farmhouse in his mind. Dearing had crossed the line this time. He was killing for the sake of killing. The more he killed, the more he would want to kill. He would have to be stopped… permanently stopped and soon.

Gibbs was tired, his head ached and he was hungry. Arriving home he was relieved to find Abby's hearse blocking up his driveway. He parked his car along the curb, got out and jogged up to his front door. The first thing he noticed was the aroma of warm, spicy flavours in the air. It made his stomach growl. He made his way over to the dining area and frowned when he found it empty. He headed into his kitchen and it too was empty. Then he heard the voices floating up from his basement.

He recognized Ziva, McGee and Abby's voices. But there was another female voice he couldn't place. Relaxing now that he knew that the rest of his team was safe and sound in his house, he grabbed a bowl from the cupboard, filled it with noodles and chicken broth. He ate as he headed towards the basement.

"Abby, stay with Mrs Dearing and let Gibbs know what going on. McGee and I are going to speak to Charlotte." Ziva said.

"Ziva, you and McGee need to rest a while, please." Abby begged.

"We can't Abby." McGee said.

"But what if…" Abby was cut off as Gibbs made his way down the basement stairs.

"Gibbs!" Abby shrieked. "I can explain." She said running to meet him. She hugged his tightly and then drew back. "Are you okay?" she said looking into his eyes, hers filled with concern.

"We walked into a trap at the farmhouse." Gibbs said his arm around Abby as he walked further into the room. Mrs. Dearing stood up and wringed her hands in front of her chest.

"Was anyone hurt?" she asked.

"A few agents were killed, some badly injured." Gibbs stated matter of factly.

"Oh," Mrs. Dearing said, sitting down as if defeated.

"Agent Fornell?" McGee asked.

"He's okay, resting at home." Gibbs replied.

"You two, okay?" Gibbs asked looking from McGee to Ziva.

"Fine." Ziva said.

"Okay, Boss." McGee said.

"They made me, Gibbs…" Abby explained.

"I know." Gibbs said looking at McGee and Ziva.

"We brought Mrs. Dearing here..." McGee started.

"To force Dearing to come to us." Ziva finished.

"You understand," Gibbs said looking at Mrs. Dearing, "we are going to use you to trap your husband."

"Yes, I know." She said taking a shaky breath.

"Boss, we may not have to go so far just yet. "McGee said. "Mrs. Dearing's given us a possible lead on where Dearing may be hiding out." McGee filled Gibbs in on their findings about Charlotte Dearing, while Gibbs finished eating.

"McGee, you and Abby stay here with Mrs. Dearing. I'll make arrangements for you to have 24/7 protection. I don't want Dearing finding out we have his ex-wife until after we've checked Charlotte's place."

Gibbs turned to Ziva and she said, "I'm going with you."

Gibbs studied her face and knew that she would not be persuaded to stay behind. "You'd better gear up, then." He said.

"Boss, before you go, do you have any news about Tony?" McGee asked.

"Is he okay?" Ziva asked, a slight blush staining her face.

Gibbs filled them in on Tony's condition, watching Ziva closely.

They connected in that elevator in more than one way.

He knew it.

There goes Rule No. 12.

"Oh that's great news. Tony's going to be okay. And we're all okay." Abby sighed.

"Yeah, he will else he'll have me to answer to." Gibbs said heading for the stairs, Ziva following him.

"Just give me a few minutes to freshen up." Gibbs told Ziva, leaving the empty bowl on his dining room table.

"I'll contact Vance and make the arrangements." Ziva said going to the lounge as Gibbs made his way up to his bedroom.

By the time Gibbs got back to the lounge, having had a quick shower, he found Ziva briefing the Homeland Agents about the protection detail. Turning to Gibbs she said, "Swat, Homeland and the FBI have agents on route to Charlotte's place right now."

"Let's go." Gibbs stated heading out of the door.

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Ziva…

He remembered her scent, her hands on his skin, her lips against his…

She was on him, consuming him, taking him deep within herself, loving him…

Oh God… how long had they waited… how long … had they longed for each other like this…

But it should not have happened like this, in a dirty elevator…

She deserved so much more…

She deserved champagne and luxury and a king sized bed covered in satin sheets…

She deserved delicate, tender, sensual love making… the kind that lasted for hours and hours…

The kind that would make her ache in sweet, delicious ecstasy…

She deserved so much more…

But it had happened…

Tony remembered all of it… it made his body stir, despite the pain in his chest, despite the exhaustion in his muscles…

It had happened… they had made love… she had said she loved him…

Ziva loves me…

And he had told her he loved her…

But he had not seen her since…

"She's working the case, DiNozzo…" Tony admonished himself silently. "She'll be back as soon as she can… she will…"

Tony allowed his mind to drift… to plan their next time together… the intimacy… the connection… the sexual energy and the sensual foreplay… he would make it up to her… he would tell her and show her in as many ways possible just how much he loved her…

"Oh Baby," Tony sighed "I wish you were here. I miss you…"

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He stood outside the isolation ward, dressed in hospital scrubs, cap and coat, and wore a mask to obscure the lower half of his face. He was surprised at how easily he was able to make it past the various security teams around the hospital.

Peering through the small window on the isolation ward door, he whispered, "Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo."

He thought back to what he had witnessed earlier that evening.

"I'm sorry sir, but Agent DiNozzo is not allowed any visitors right now."

"I want to see him. I'm responsible for him."

"Like a father is responsible for his son?"

"Exactly. Now tell me where he is."

"Like a father is responsible for his son." Dearing whispered.

"How would you feel, Agent Gibbs, if Anthony died tonight?"

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