Author's Notes: Cliffhangers! Gotta love them. Lol. Well, the wait is over. The new chapter should be up soon.

But first, a thank you is in order. So, thanks to everyone who reviewed, favorited, or followed this story. Krikanalo: Thank you. I did that on purpose. Though maybe I should have done it another way. I dunno if it was the best way. Countrynciscatlover: Yeah, I agree. Guest appearences would be best. There could still be Tiva going on. I'm sure that the writers could still include it somehow. I'm personally getting sick of them killing off all the female agents. It is just a bit much to be honest. Celestrial Moon: Will do. The next chapter will be here shortly. Prince-Bishop: Thanks! Gingerstorm101: I'll have to check that out when I get the chance. Never been on live journal before.

Warning: Mild cursing. Read at your own risk.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Deliverance

An hour had passed since McGee had called his Treasury friend. Thirty more minutes passed before McGee received a phone call. Tony could barely hear the words that McGee was saying. The only thing that Tony understood was the end where they said their goodbyes. McGee placed the phone in his pocket. He looked over at Gibbs.

"I am going on a coffee run," he said, with a significant look at Gibbs.

"Be back soon," answered Gibbs, giving McGee a knowing look.

Without another word, McGee made his way to the elevator. Tony and Gibbs tried to pretend like nothing had happened. They went about their business doing paper work. Twenty minutes later, McGee came back. He had a coffee in his right hand. In his left, McGee held a navy blue duffel bag. McGee took a sip from his coffee mug before placing it on the desk. He sat the duffel bag beside his desk.

"Took longer than I expected," said McGee, giving Gibbs and Tony a look. "The barista must have been new. Did not know how to make a proper latte."

"Still don't know why you drink those things, McLatte," stated DiNozzo, shaking his head but giving McGee a look. "Not even real coffee."

"They do have quite a kick," retorted McGee. "A lot more than normal coffee. You sure that you don't want one?"

"No, thanks, McTim," answered Tony. "I'll stick to real coffee."

"If you call coffee with hazelnut syrup and cream real coffee, DiNozzo," replied Gibbs, sipping his own coffee.

McGee did not answer. Everyone in the office had gone back to their jobs. No one was paying the trio the least bit of attention. Numerous pairs of eyes were focused on their computer screens. That was when the trio met at McGee's desk. They sat in a circle around McGee.

"Everything is set up," whispered McGee. "The money cannot be retraced to my friend, Oscar. It is fake, but the kidnappers will not know that. It looks exactly like real money. There's only one difference but you cannot see it in normal light. That is all that I am authorized to say. Oscar could get into big trouble if it ever comes back to him."

"Don't worry, McWorrywart," said DiNozzo in a low tone. "Your McSneaky friend is safe."

"I really hope that you are right, Tony," whispered McGee. "Because our butts are on the line as well."

"We'll be okay. We are going to get Ziva back. I am determined to have my wife back," answered Tony. He looked over at Gibbs. "What is your plan, exactly?"

"You will soon see," said Gibbs.

"No preview?" questioned Tony, a little annoyed. "Boss, we can't just wing it. This is Ziva we are talking about!"

"I know, keep your voice down," hissed Gibbs, trying to placate Tony. "You'll have to follow my lead."

Tony looked a bit wary. McGee did not seem too calm himself. However, they knew that trusting Gibbs made all the difference. They would have to trust him again in order for this operation to work.

"Okay," said both McGee and Tony.

Gibbs clapped both men on the shoulder. He gave them both a gentle squeeze before letting go. McGee and Tony smiled grimly. The squeeze did not help them feel any better. Both had mixed feelings about the whole operation.

"We will get her back," Gibbs declared, looking both men straight in the eyes. "And put the bastards responsible in jail."

The fierce look in Gibbs' eyes seemed to reassure both special agents. An unsettling feeling still lingered in Tony's stomach, but it was less so. He was not going to go as far as saying that everything would be okay. Tony knew all too well how things could take a turn for the worse very easily.

Sundown came quicker than expected. Tony and Gibbs were busy gearing up. McGee was gearing up as well. He was going to patrol the perimeter and make sure that the kidnappers did not try to make a run for it. Tony's hands were shaking violently. In all the years as a field agent, Tony could not recall being this nervous. Not even on his first day on the job had he been so anxious. All he wanted was for this whole mess to be over. He wanted to hold Ziva in his arms. Tony wanted to tell her that she was safe from harm.

"Don't forget the duffel bag," Gibbs reminded DiNozzo.

"On it, boss," said Tony, grabbing the duffel bag.

They made their way silently to the elevator. Not a word was said all the way to the Golden Hydra. When they were less than a block away, Gibbs let McGee out of the car. Then, he drove the rest of the way to the Golden Hydra.

Tony spotted a white van in the parking lot. There were a few other cars in the parking lot as well. Probably belonged to the workers at the Golden Hydra. Tony and Gibbs parked beside the van. Gibbs shut off the engine. The two men got out of the car and waited. A tall black man with mutton chops greeted them.

"Didn't think that you would show up," the man said.

"Of course we would," answered Gibbs, while Tony glared at the man.

"You got our money?" asked the black man.

"You got our girl?" retorted Tony, eyeing the man and trying to size him up.

"That remains to be seen," replied the black man. He raised a gun. "Hand over the money."

"How do we know that you didn't kill her?" questioned Tony, not backing down.

The black man pointed the gun at Tony. He was about to shoot when another man intervened. This man was Middle-Eastern. He was holding onto someone who had a bag over their head. Muffled cries could be heard from the bag.

"She's right here," said the Middle-Eastern man. "You can have her once we get our money."

"Why did you kidnap her if you just wanted money?" questioned Gibbs.

"Not only is she a federal agent, but she is also the daughter of a Mossad director," answered the man, smiling wickedly.

"Eli David is dead," replied Gibbs. "Orli is the new director of Mossad."

"I did not know," responded the man, smile fading. "But from what I hear, Orli has a special interest with this one here. As well as your young field agent, Gibbs." The Middle-eastern man nodded towards Tony. "Either one would pay a hefty price to get her back, would you not?"

"We do not negotiate with terrorists," growled Tony, pointing his gun at the Middle-Eastern guy. The man laughed.

"Oh, I am not a terrorist," said the man.

"That's what they all say," Gibbs replied. "It kind of gets old hearing that excuse so much."

"But I am really not a terrorist," explained the Middle-Eastern man. "Your government are the terrorists. Killing innocent people just because some of my people believe that Westerners should be eradicated. I saw so many innocent people lose their lives in this so called war, and I intend on ending it."

"By kidnapping a federal agent?" inquired Gibbs, incredulously. "Not a smart plan."

"This is just the beginning," responded the man. "The guardians of light will rise. Once they do, all of the terrorism in the world will be gone. This is the first step towards that bright future."

"Yeah, and you're not going to kill us once we get Ziva back," stated Tony, rolling his eyes.

"I have no intention of killing you. If I can avoid it," exclaimed the Middle-Eastern man. "The guardians of the light do not kill innocent people."

"Enough of this bullshit!" shouted the black man. "Give us the money or the girl gets blown to smithereens!"

"Let's do a trade," suggested Gibbs, hands raised in front of him. "At the same time. We will hand over the money. You will hand us Ziva."

The black man and the Middle-Eastern man agreed. At the count of three, they would trade. They were already at two. When the countdown was completed, a squadron of FBI burst onto the scene. The black and Middle-Eastern men were surrounded. Tony was clutching Ziva to his chest. He was practically sobbing. The two terrorists were being stuffed into a black van. Fornell was holding onto the duffel bag of money. He approached Gibbs and his team.

"I really should not give you this back," he told them. "I should turn you all in for possessing it. But I won't."

"Well, thank you for that, Tobias," answered Gibbs, smirking.

Tobias smiled. He then turned to Tony and Ziva.

"Glad to see that you are safe, David. Keep her that way, DiNozzo," Fornell said.

After handing McGee the duffel bag, Fornell walked back over to his FBI agents. Gibbs smiled at Tony, Ziva, and McGee. This was how it was supposed to be. They were all back together. They were a team.

"Let's go," said Gibbs. "The FBI can take it from here."

The three special agents nodded their assent. McGee got into the front seat of the car. Tony and Ziva climbed into the back seat together. They were still holding hands. Gibbs grinned at the two newlyweds. It reminded him of Shannon. He would have done anything to keep her and Kelly safe. Unfortunately, he was unable to do that and lost them forever. But he was hopeful that the same fate would not be bestowed upon Tony and Ziva. Eyes back on the road, Gibbs drove back to NCIS headquarters. They had paperwork to do, but Abby, Ducky, and Palmer were eagerly awaiting their return.

There we have it. It was the guardians of the light. Quite a twist, huh? Let me know what you think. In the meanwhile, I will write the next chapter.