Disclaimers disclaimed.
Chapter XXXVI - This Ends Today!
The news hit them both like a ton of bricks. When McGee called to give a sitrep, the last thing Tony and Ziva expected to hear was that Yaniv Bodnar had been the one take make the newest threats against their family. Even after sitting with the new for a few hours, it was still doing something internally to both of them. Tony, on one hand, was mentally shocked and a little nervous about what Ziva would now do. Despite last night's drunken episode, his nervousness came from what he felt she'd want in a situation like this.
Rightly so, his nerves proved to be warranted as she spoke what the news was doing to her. "I feel like we need to go back home. Being here is not helping us or the team. Especially after what McGee told us earlier."
"From where I'm standing, it's better that we're here. So, why do you want to go home Zi? For another Bodnar revenge mission? What, you want to tie up the loose end?"
"He is in NCIS custody Tony", she spoke harshly as his comment pissed her off. "I am not trying to go tie up any loose ends. I just want closure."
He shook his head 'no' adamantly, "I know that glint in your eye. It's the exact same one you had for big brother Bodnar. You think I'd forget what that looks like?"
"You do not know what you are talking about", she huffed as she turned away from his gaze.
"Yeah, I do. That's why you can't look me in the eye now and that's exactly why we are staying here until McGee closes the case. So, you better get comfortable because it could take another few days."
"What could take a few more days", came a questioning voice at their bedroom door.
Tony looked over while Ziva turned around to see both DiNozzo children standing at the threshold. Tali waiting with a raised eyebrow for either parent to answer her question.
Both sighed and Tony motioned for the kids to enter the room and sit on the bed as he answered, "it could take a few more days for Uncle Tim to wrap up the case."
"And then we can go home?" Tali seemed eager at the news.
Anthony, though, was at all happy. "Awe man, do we have to leave? This place is so awesome!"
Tony chuckled as he tussled his namesake's hair, "It is definitely awesome bud, but you've both been out of school long enough. And there's a pretty DiNozzo princess who has prom in a few weeks and a high school graduation, so we've gotta go back home. We can come back in a month and a half for summer vacation though, how's that sound?"
"Sounds like a good plan, I guess. As long as we stay for the whole summer!"
"Deal bud", Tony smiled and turned his attention to Tali, "how about you princess? Ready to go back home?"
"I've been ready to go home since we left home", Tali responded sarcastically.
"Hmph, I bet", Ziva partly joked as she chimed in. "By the way, Uncle Tim told me to tell you that Hunter asked for you."
"He did?" The teen stared off into space with a goofy love struck grin.
Both DiNozzo men rolled their eyes and Ziva chuckled before getting serious. "While your father wants to stay until the case is closed, I would like to return home immediately."
"As much as I'd love to go home, I want to know why the sudden change? You swore up and down that we needed to be here until the threat is neutralized and it's not." Tali tried to keep her tone as respectful as possible, not wanting to bring back angry Ziva as she saw the glare in her mother's eyes. "I mean, you said you made a judgment call to keep us safe. Wouldn't going back before the case is closed put us in danger?"
"You are right motek, I did make a judgment call when the circumstances were different. The circumstances, however, have now changed and I believe it is in our best interest to return."
"But why? What kind of circumstances?"
"There has been an update in the ca ..."
"Zi, we don't need to tell them about that", Tony objected immediately overruled.
"Yes we do. If I have learned anything from last night, it is that we shelter both of them too much. I am done with keeping our work from them. Past or present." Ziva took a seat on the bed with the rest of her family and Tony finally gave an understanding nod before she explained her desire to leave. "As I was saying, there has been an update in the case. Uncle Tim informed us a few hours ago that another man from my past is the one who made the threat that caused your father and I to bring you here. His name is Yaniv. I practically grew up with him. His older brother, Ilan, was a Mossad Officer under my father's authority. Years down the line, my father decided to change the way Mossad handles their relations with the rest of the world. This is something Ilan did not like and he ordered a hit on my father. Needless to say, your grandfather Eli was killed and I sought revenge for his death. Eventually, I got that revenge by killing Ilan while Yaniv sat in prison for trying to help Ilan evade capture. All these years, Yaniv has wanted revenge for me killing his brother and putting him in prison. He tried to get that revenge before Uncle Tim arrested him yesterday. Now, Yaniv is a very vital piece in solving this entire terrorist case but he refuses to talk unless it is to me. So, I want to do my job and go back to DC so that I may interrogate him, get the answers we've all needed, and end this once and for all. I have a duty to protect our nation and our family. I cannot do that if I am just sitting here while there is still a threat on the US and, most importantly, on my family."
A silence fell over the room when she finished speaking. It lasted a few minutes before Anthony jokingly asked, "so, like, how many people have you actually killed Ima?"
"That's not really important right now III", Tony intervened when he saw the look on his wife's face. He grabbed her hand and squeezed gently while locking eyes with her, "What is important is that we took an oath as NCIS Special Agents to serve and protect the United States, and our Navy and Marine Core across global boundaries. We recognize our badges as symbols of authority and public trust. We live our lives above reproach, with an understanding the our actions reflect upon our fellow Special Agents and our agency." He paused to kiss Ziva's forehead and then looked at his children, "when we became parents, we took another oath. To always do what we have to do for our family. By any means necessary. And sometimes that means being brave enough to do the thing that seems like the wrong decision and trusting your judgement enough until it turns out to be the right one. Your Ima just reminded me of those oaths and that truth. So, we are going to enjoy being on this beautiful island for the remainder of the day and then, tomorrow morning, we will fly back home."
"I get it dad", the youngest DiNozzo spoke seriously this time. "Going back seems wrong because we're still like a target, but it's actually the right choice because Uncle Tim can't solve the case without you guys, especially Ima. Right?"
"Exactly bud. So, what do you and your sister say .. are we gonna trust Ima's judgment on this and follow her lead?"
"I'm down", Anthony said without hesitation.
"How about you Talikins."
The teen looked pensive for a moment then smiled, "Yeah, I trust her. As long as you guys promise to finish this case in the next few days so our lives can finally be normal again."
"That is a promise motek", Ziva kissed both her children on their foreheads than turned to Tony and sweetly kissed his lips to show her gratitude in always having her back.
The kiss, however, lasted a little longer that either DiNozzo child could stomach. Eliciting a harmonized expression of, "ewwwww. So not cool!" Both parents pulled away and laughed before chasing them out the room.
For the rest of the day, they did as Tony suggested and spent it on the beach having fun as a family. Finally taking a moment to just breathe and be free.
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Two days later, Tony and Ziva walked into NCIS headquarters and went straight to Tony's office to find McGee.
"Hey McSubstitute!"
McGee rolled his eyes as he laughed and stood to hug his best friend. "Hey Tony, when you said you were coming back I thought you were kidding." He paused to hug Ziva. "What drew you back?"
"As if you really have to ask", Tony spoke while pointing to Ziva, "you have Yaniv in custody and he wants to talk to this one."
"And I want to talk to him", Ziva added.
"Not surprised, I guess", McGee commented. "Where's Tali and III?"
"School, we've kept them out long enough."
"You feel safe about that?"
"We do", Tony chimed in. "We came back to get our lives back. Threat or no threat, we have to start getting things back to normal. So McTemp, sitrep?"
"Sure, but after you both sign those", he pointed to two documents for return from leave. "While I thought you were kidding about coming back, I still took the liberty of drafting those just in case."
"Always covering us Probie, thanks."
They both signed the forms and McGee began updating them on the events of the last two days that they missed. "Abby took the bomb found at the hospital apart and found an electronic signature that allowed us to trace another bomb that the other members of The Tribe had set. We have deactivated and dismantled it. The only issue is that, Amadi confessed to there still being three more. He claims that the other three are not from him and implicated the other South African. The guy, Kwanele. So, he pissed me off since apparently does speak English. I went back to Hunter about him and he gave me more intel. After that Bishop pressed him and he gave up the reason behind his involvement."
"Did it match your theory of everything coming back to Ziva?"
"Kind of. So, against my theory, Amadi did not recruit him to be here while he was carrying out this plan to bring war to our soil. As his front man, Amadi told him that he needed him to stay in South Africa to make it look better for The Tribe so they wouldn't be implicated in anything before the time came to take credit. Obviously, that backfired since Amadi told on his own self. Now apparently, Yaniv is who recruited Kwanele and paid the fees to get him here. Yaniv convinced Amadi to let his front man do some dirty work for him."
"And how did Yaniv get involved with Amadi and The Tribe at all?" Ziva now questioned.
"We still don't know. Kwanele did not know Yaniv until he was recruited with Amadi's permission. Amadi only calls him an old acquaintance, but hasn't told us how they got connected. And Yaniv still refuses to speak. He hasn't said anything since Ellie baited him the other night."
"Well that's about to change. Get transport to bring him in and put him in Interrogation 3."
The order was clear from Ziva and McGee didn't protest, nor did Tony. Both men knew the look of determination in the native Israeli's eyes. It was about to go down and no one would dare stand in her way. As the call was made to bring Yaniv back to headquarters, both men thought about how this could either go really good or really bad. They trusted Ziva enough, though, to handle it the right way. They all wanted this to be over, but no one as much as her. And she too had similar thoughts as the anticipation hit her heavy.
This ends today!
Bwahahaha! Cliffy ... LoL
Ziva vs Yaniv — interrogation showdown: NEXT!
We're down to four more chapters.
After this end, I will begin posting the prequel to the story ...
Hope you guys will enjoy that one. =)
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PS - as previously stated, back in school, going for a master's is no joke soooo don't be surprised if the remaining chapters are posted at this crazy late/early hour ... have to balance out fanfic with actual study time and paper writing.
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Anyhoo, REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
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LATER!
- Chide