Chapter Nine
Haifa, Israel.
In the home that her father left her, Ziva played with her son in the backyard. This was Eli's special getaway. Once upon a time it was the home he wanted to share with his family, but they were all day now, except her. Tali and Ari would have loved it here, she thought. It was beautiful, roomy, and secure. The house possessed the best security system in Israel, as well as was on the watch list with Mossad. Orli kept an eye on her and Matan.
She came back from America and decided to take a leave of absence. Since money was an issue, as Eli left her everything, she wanted to take the time after being away to spoil her son. Nettie joined her at the house and Hannah visited on weekends. Ziva for her part spent her time playing amongst the olive trees in the backyard with Matan.
"Ziva, lunch is ready," called Nettie from the patio.
Nettie could hear Matan's giggle as Ziva chased him towards the house. She smiled as she saw them coming towards the patio. Lunch consisted of zucchini-chickpea patties with cucumber sauce, glazed carrots, and couscous salad along with ice tea. Nettie had the food setup in the dining room. Ziva and Matan headed to the first floor bathroom to clean up, while Nettie sat down at the table and waited for them.
Five minutes later, Matan was seated in his booster seat and playing with his food instead of eating it. Ziva smiled as she watched him make faces at the pattie.
"His taste buds must take after his father," said Nettie. "You loved this for lunch."
"He prefers pizza," grinned Ziva.
Nettie shook her head then asked, "When is he coming to see his son?"
Ziva sighed. So far they had avoided conversations about Tony since she came home, but she knew it was only temporary. Nettie was in favor of Tony knowing from the beginning. She was upset when Ziva decided to keep it a secret.
"He is angry with me and his job has him looking for a terrorist," said Ziva. "When he is done with his job, I suspect he will contact me about seeing Matan."
"Really, he is angry with you," stated Nettie with a hint of I told you so.
"Mama, yuck. I want something good to eat," said Matan.
Ziva chuckled as Nettie looked at the little boy with a withering stare. Matan noticed this and smiled. Ziva laughed because it was Tony's charming smile. Nettie's stare faded and she nodded her head.
"What do you want to eat?" she asked him.
"Peanut butter and jelly," he said.
"Okay, I'll make you a sandwich," said Nettie.
"I'll make it for him," said Ziva.
"No, I'll do it," said Nettie. "You get him to eat the carrots at least. He needs healthy food," she said.
Nettie stood up and left the dining room. Ziva took her fork and forked a carrot and eat it. Matan laughed. She did it to another one and he laughed even harder. Keeping it up she ate all the carrots for him and he clapped and laughed.
"I love you, Ima," he said.
"I love you, too," smiled Ziva.
Ziva started to eat her own meal. She didn't want Nettie angry with her because she didn't eat the nice healthy meal.
NCIS
Tony sat at Gibbs' desk eating a meatball submarine sandwich, while Bishop and McGee ate the lunches at their desks. The final member of the team had been temporarily reassigned as Tony didn't need him at the moment.
"Bishop, what does the NSA have to tell us about Faisal and his whereabouts?" he asked her.
She bit into her turkey and Munster cheese sandwich as she went through her computer for the information Tony wanted. McGee looked over at Tony and smiled. He then took another mouthful of his chicken noodle soup.
"Any day now, Bishop," said Tony.
"I'm finding the right information," she said as she continued her search and took another bit of her sandwich.
Tony looked over at McGee and asked, "Does Gibbs still give head slaps?"
"Not really. He sort of retired them when you left," answered McGee.
Tony grinned. He liked the fact that Gibbs retired the head slap when he left. Although Ziva and McGee got some head slap, on the whole the head slap was the purview of Tony. It was part get your head in the game and part affection.
"Lebanon or Sudan," stated Bishop.
"Huh?" said Tony, as she roused him from his thoughts.
"NSA believes he is either in Lebanon or the Sudan," she repeated.
Tony too a bit of his meatball sub then put it down and wiped his mouth. He stood up and looked at McGee.
"I'm going to talk to Vance," he told him.
"You've got an idea," said McGee.
Tony smiled and took off up the stairs to the mezzanine. Within minutes he was standing in front of Vance's desk. Vance heard his choices of Lebanon or the Sudan and fell into deep thought. Tony kept quiet. His gut was telling him that Vance had the same idea.
"Israel would want him dead, too," said Vance. "Maybe even more than us. Even if SecNav, the SecDef and the DOD want Faisal, it would be easier for all if Mossad took him out for us."
"We can supply them with all our intel either official or under the table. We don't have to official do a joint op, but we can unofficial give them a great deal of support. It's your choice," said Tony.
"SecNav and Secretary of Defense want us to keep control of this and they want Faisal. The DOD and CIA are just waiting to send a drone to blow him up. I want the son of bitch but we are never going to get him with a drone. To take him out it is going to take a single man or woman to walk up to him and put a bullet in in between his eyes. It would be the best way to get rid of him. I need to talk to Director Elbaz. Let's meet back here around six," said Vance.
"Yes, sir," said Tony.
He exited the director's office.
NCIS
Tony showed up back at Vance's office at six. He went in to find Vance on the phone with his kids. Standing back he gave the director a few minutes to talk to his son and daughter. Tony couldn't help but notice how happy Vance seemed talking to his kids. After a few minutes, Vance hung up.
"I talked to Orli, or Director Elbaz to you. She wants Faisal dead. He's too dangerous because he can meld into western society and he understands our weaknesses all too well. We discussed a joint operation, which entails me sending a liaison to Mossad," said Vance. "I need that liaison and I want it to be you."
"I don't speak Hebrew and I have difficult background with the Mossad having killed one of their agents and pissed off one of their directors," said Tony.
"You don't have to speak Hebrew," smiled Vance, "and the rest of that has been forgiven. Eli grew to like you, even if he never told you."
"That's hard to believe," said Tony.
"Believe it," Vance said.
"What if I told you I don't want the job?" asked Tony.
"I'd understand. I'm asking you to go outside of your comfort zone. It won't be an easy job for you," said Vance then he paused. "I chose you, Tony, because I trust you. I know you can do this job and Director Elbaz has faith in you, too. She was impressed at how you wouldn't stop until you found Ziva. It left a good impression. I want you to take this assignment, but if you don't want it then I can find someone else. I think Agent McGee might be a good replacement for you."
Tony thought about McGee going to Israel instead of him. He didn't like the idea because McGee would have to deal some shit that Tony caused, but he wasn't ready yet to face Ziva and his son. The thought of being forced into this angered him. Yet, he knew Vance was right. He was the best suited for this.
"I need time to think about this, sir," he said.
"Take 24 hours, Tony. Now call it a night. Get yourself some dinner," said Vance.
"Yes, sir," said Tony.
NCIS
Tony entered Gibbs' room holding a brown bag under his arm. Gibbs was sitting up staring at the TV without the sound on. He looked at Tony then turned off the TV.
"What's in the bag?" he asked.
Tony grabbed a chair and brought it over to the bed then placed the bag on the moveable table in front of Gibbs. He took out two submarine sandwiches and two large coffees. Gibbs smiled.
"Steak and cheese subs and coffee. The dinner of champions," Tony said to Gibbs.
"I always said you were my best SFA," said Gibbs.
He took one of the sandwiches unwrapped it and bit into the sandwich. Tony smiled when he saw Gibbs' reaction to the food. Next Gibbs attacked the coffee by ripping the lid off and taking a long sip.
"Now I feel better," said Gibbs.
"How long are you going to be stuck in here?" Tony asked.
"At least two more weeks. I start rehab in another week," said Gibbs.
"Vance wants me to go to Israel to act as liaison in finding Faisal. Faisal is either in the Sudan or Lebanon," Tony told him.
He took a bit of his sandwich and waited for Gibbs to react.
"Ziva went back to Israel. She feels it is safer there because of all the enemies she made working for Mossad. With her father dead, those enemies feel empowered. She's not wrong, but we could keep her and Matan safe," said Gibbs. "She needs convincing."
"I don't want to talk about this," he said.
"You have to. You have a son waiting to meet you and a woman who does love you," Gibbs said.
"Gibbs," Tony warned him, "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Too bad," said Gibbs. "There is nothing more important than your child, Tony."
"I bet my father doesn't agree with you," Tony said.
"You aren't your father and you don't want to be your father," said Gibbs.
"She didn't tell me. She had the child and didn't even tell me," Tony said.
Glaring at him, Gibbs motioned Tony over to him. Tony stood up and leaned over thinking he was in distress. As he leaned in, Gibbs slapped the back of his head hard.
"Ouch," said Tony.
"Fix this," said Gibbs. "Do what is right and fix this."
Tony sat back down. He had missed those head slaps because they really did put him back on the right track. Tony chuckled to himself. It would take something as simple as a smack to the back of his head to get him to think straight.
"I expect to meet your son someday soon," said Gibbs.
"I guess I'll give my answer to Vance in the morning," said Tony.
"You do that," said Gibbs, who sipped more of his coffee. "Tell McGee it will be his job to bring me good coffee from now on."
"I'll tell him," said Tony.
"Now eat up and tell me about Faisal," said Gibbs, who then took a bit of his steak and cheese sub.
"I think he's in Beirut," said Tony. "I don't see Faisal as the kind of rough it in the Sudan terrorist. He grew up in Queens and went to Columbia University. He is a city boy. If he was going to hide it would be in a city."
"Find him. Let the Mossad take care of him, but find him," said Gibbs.
"Yes, Boss," he said.
NCIS
Vance was drinking his morning coffee when Tony barged into his office. He took one look at the man and knew that he had him for his liaison position.
"Yes, Agent DiNozzo, can I help you?" he asked.
"Sir, about that position we discussed with Mossad," Tony started, "I want to accept the liaison job to find Faisal."
"What changed your mind?" asked Vance.
"Gibbs. We had a talk last night and he changed my mind," answered Tony.
Vance smiled then said, "Remind me to visit Gibbs and thank him. I was hoping you take this gig."
"I'm yours," said Tony.
"I'll call Mossad later and make arrangements for you," said Vance. "I don't know how long this will last, Tony."
"LeGault can handle my job until I'm back," he said.
"Can she handle it permanently?" asked Vance.
"If she had to," he answered. "Are you replacing me, sir?"
"You are being wasted in New Orleans," Vance said. "When you get back from Israel then we can discuss what your future is with NCIS."
"I might be a while before I come back from Israel," said Tony.
Vance chuckled then said, "Don't take too long."