Secrets Have Consequences

Chapter 28

A/N: Sorry for the long update, just finished the art exam and I now have to revise for RS so going to be busy this month. Thank you to Athenalarissa for the scene with Tony and Ziva at the beginning, I really love your work!

Tony was leaning against the sink, his eyes shut. Being for a decade Ziva David's partner he learnt to keep his reflexes in alert, that's why he didn't flinch when he heard the men's room door open.

"Now, I know pretty well how it feels." Tony said, still his eyes shut. He would recognize everywhere that steps much more aura of his visitor. Only one person could have the scent of jasmine and vanilla in the building and that was Ziva.

"And that is?" she trailed off leaning against the door after closing it behind her. She really didn't know what her boyfriend meant with his words but she willing to find out. She was desperate to help him, get away from that vicious circle that he had gotten into. She had been there all her life that's why she knew what might happen next. Shutting out people proved self-destructive for her and she didn't want that to happen to Tony.

"Please Tony talk to me." she begged. "Don't do the same mistake like I did for years. Don't shut me out, my love."

Tony turned to look at her "Being weak." he answered "He has my father Ziva, he has my father-"

"Hey," Ziva cut him off and pushed herself from the door. "We are going to catch him." She almost ran into him. "You were the one who told me that we are going to catch him and save your father. I believe it, and I have faith in it, my love. I have faith in you." she didn't believe all the words she was uttering at that moment. Alex was a ruthless criminal who had proved that in many ways and frankly she believe that Senior will get out of him alive. However, she had to say something to Tony so she could comfort him, so she would give him a reason to fight.

"I feel helpless." he confessed his voice cracking and he buried his face in her shoulder. She could feel his hot tears against her skin with, wishing at that moment she had the power to take Tony's pain and she hugged him, being careful of his arm..

"You shouldn't feel helpless my love." Ziva told him and kissed the top of his head. "Alex should. He has nobody. You have your mother, Gibbs, the team, me. Ata lo levad," she whispered into his ear and Tony pulled away from her looking into her eyes full of love. "And you shouldn't feel weak." she went on wiping with her thumbs the tears from Tony's cheeks. "Because you have me. Me, who is willing to fight for you, on your side as long as I live. Let me give you the strength you need Tony. Let me give it to you." she pleaded. "Just like you have given to me." she completed kissing his head once more.

Tony pulled away and looked into her eyes. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was, not only outer but also inner beauty. Whenever he needed her she was there through thick and thin, just like she was now. Tony bent to kiss Ziva but the woman pushed herself hard away from him rushing for the stall.

"Zi?" Tony asked and ran right behind her. He found her bending over the toilet. "Ziva?" he repeated his question the worry obvious on his eyes and voice. "Are you alright?" he leaned next to her and caught her hair in a ponytail, rubbing her back slowly at the same time.

"I'm fine." she sat up and wiped her mouth with a toilet paper. "Probably something I ate and in combination with the stress disturbed my stomach." she replied and tried to exit the stall like nothing happened. Tony grabbed her from her arm.

"You are not fine. You look pale and-"

"I'm fine Tony, don't worry." Ziva patted his cheek smiling him slightly. "shall we go now before the others worry?"

"Okay" he said simply still concerned. Kissing Ziva on the forehead they turned and went out the men's room and back to the bullpen.

Gibbs Street (Where Tony was shot):

McGee and Bishop arrived at the scene and grabbed the gear they needed.

"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Bishop asked as they walked under the crime scene tape.

"Any evidence that will lead us to Alex" McGee answered, pulling his camera from around his neck.

They had spent the last thirty minutes searching, when Bishop came across something small and bronze in a bush across the street from where the car exploded. She leant down and picked it up. It was a bullet shell. It looked around the right size for one the bullet that they had recovered from Tony's arm.

"McGee" she called and he came over. "Look what I found" she said, showing him the bullet casing.

"Looks like the right size as the one that Tony got shot with" he said, examining it.

"That's what I thought" Bishop said, putting the bullet into an evidence bag and into her pocket.

"Alex was probably watching the house from here and when he saw Tony walk out, he found his chance to make a shot" McGee said, scanning the area.

Bishop frowned "But why did he shoot the car's? Why not just shoot Tony and end it all and hide again, like he did before".

McGee frowned, also confused by Alex's way of doing things. "Maybe he wants to make him suffer. Or Olivia by hurting him".

"Or maybe he has plans for Tony" Bishop added looking at McGee.

"Either way I don't like it" McGee said.

"Me neither".

McGee shook off the horrible thoughts and possibilities of what could happen to his friend and said "We should probably head back now" and Bishop nodded in agreement.

Just as they started to walk towards the car they both heard a twig snap behind them. They grabbed their guns and were about to turn to the source of the noise, but it was too late. They were both knocked out by someone whacking them on the back of the head.

Two men stood over them, wearing black trousers, coats and caps. They both searched McGee and Bishop and grabbed their guns, badges, phones, ID's and wallets/purse, and laid them on the side of the path, then dragged them away into a black van and drove off.

TBC...

A/N: Please review, I like them. Thanks, Haylee!