A/N: Since the case is complicated, here's a recap of the major players.
Patterson Angel – three to six month old infant found dead in Patterson Park; confirmed to be Lt. Thaddeus Bryant's granddaughter most likely through his fifteen year old daughter, Taylor
Darius Reed (Dare) – eighteen year old former street kid and now Marine private who has just completed basic training and has been assigned to Camp Lejeune
Rosie Sanchez – Darius's seventeen year old girlfriend who is currently missing
Trinity Reed – Rosie's and Darius's five month old daughter who is also missing
Taylor Bryant – fifteen year old runaway who hasn't been seen in six months; she was pregnant and close to delivering the last time she was seen
Lt. Thaddeus Bryant (Thad) – Navy lieutenant assigned to a Navy/Marine recruiting office near Patterson Park; racist bigot is a kind description of him; he is the recruiter who assisted Darius in joining the Marines; he claims his daughter ran away and he has not seen her in a year nor did he know she was pregnant
Walt McFarlin – former professional baseball player who runs an outreach program for homeless youth near Patterson Park; the program is named Holly's Haven after his daughter who died of leukemia; he helped Rosie and Darius get off the streets and tried to help Taylor Bryant before she disappeared; dislikes Lt. Bryant but works with him anyway to get street kids into the Marine Core or Navy
Nakeisha Hawkins – the director of an outreach program for women called Hope for Healing located near Patterson Park. The program provides counseling, shelter, and physical assistance for women in need or women who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse; Rosie and Trinity stayed at Hope for Healing while Darius completed his basic training
Ashlynn Cooper – She is a familiar character but to understand her actions and reactions in this chapter it might be helpful to reread chapter 28.
From what I've learned in my research, human trafficking is a very real problem in every city in the U.S. It takes many forms from selling babies to forcing someone into slave labor or prostitution. It is not uncommon to read about victims being kidnapped or lured from third world countries but there are domestic victims as well. Homeless children and teenagers are at great risk of being forced into pornography or prostitution. One article I read suggested that the finder of a sex slave sold into the most sadistic forms of pornography could net up to a quarter of a million dollars from the sale of just one teenage girl.
"This approach won't work with her, sir," James Cooper told Gibbs emphatically, "You can't be the one to question her. Just let me talk to her while you watch. Believe me; I want to know what is going on as much as you do."
James, Gibbs, Tony, and Ziva stood in the observation room as Ashlynn Cooper sat nervously at the table inside interrogation. The young woman looked terrified. She had remained silent on the drive to NCIS and had grown even more fearful when Gibbs entered the picture. James, on the other hand, had been the epitome of calm while in Ashlynn's presence. That had changed now that she could no longer see him. It became clear very quickly that the young husband was not afraid to stand up to Gibbs in order to protect his wife.
When Tony and Ziva had arrived at the Cooper's house to question them, Ashlynn had quickly admitted that she was the one they were seeking. She'd remained adamant that James knew nothing of the missing woman and baby. Rather than answering James's questions, she'd insisted that he get her laptop. Tony and Ziva had anticipated bringing both James and Ashlynn back to NCIS and had enlisted Lucy's help to watch the couple's children. As always, Lucy had been more than ready to step in and assist.
"You telling me how to do my job?" Gibbs barked at James while staring intently through the glass at Ashlynn.
"Her father was abusive. She has a difficult time with authoritative men. You'll intimidate her and she'll shut down," James insisted passionately refusing to be intimidated himself.
"Boss, maybe it would be better if Ziva or I…" Tony started.
"Get McGee down here," Gibbs ordered as he continued to watch Ashlynn.
"Hi, Ashlynn, do you remember me? I'm Tim," McGee said a few minutes later as he entered the interrogation room, "Uh…sorry you're stuck in here. The director took all the conference rooms for some pow wow he's having. We have to have a room with a camera since this is part of an investigation. I hope that's not too weird, uh, being on camera and all."
"No, it's fine. I understand," Ashlynn said beginning to relax a little.
"So, it sounds like maybe you already know what this is about," Tim prompted gently.
"The woman and baby I transported last week," Ashlynn guessed.
"Is this the woman?" Tim asked showing Ashlynn Rosie's yearbook photo.
"I think so. She looks a lot older now. And maybe a little heavier too. Like she probably hasn't quite lost all her baby weight. That takes a while. I've been there," Ashlynn said finally relaxing enough to joke a little.
"You said you transported her. What does that mean?" Tim asked sounding only mildly curious rather than questioning her aggressively.
Ashlynn sighed and stared over Tim's shoulder at the glass behind him. She knew her husband was most likely on the other side. He had no idea what she was about to admit. Worse still, she was going to have to confess to blatantly lying to him last week.
"During my husband's last tour in Afghanistan, I became part of an underground network that helps women escape abusive relationships. I know I should've told James about it but the organization thrives on secrecy. I'm on the fringe of things. I can tell you everything I know and it still won't help you find this woman," Ashlynn revealed.
"Why don't you tell me anyway," Tim suggested.
"I'm just a runner. I get an email telling me where to pick up and where to drop off. I don't know anything about the women I transport and I never see the next person who picks them up. It's designed that way on purpose so the abuser won't be able to trace them through me," Ashlynn explained.
"That makes sense. So that's why you said we'd want your laptop," Tim surmised.
"Yea. I drove this woman to an address in Philadelphia and dropped her off. She seemed really scared and she didn't talk much. I really don't know anything else. How much trouble am I in? Please, James didn't know anything about this, I swear. I told them I had to stop when he came home. The email…she sounded so desperate…just one last run. I told James I was at an all day bridal show in Baltimore," Ashlynn pleaded.
"Her name is Rosie and her baby's name is Trinity," Tim said pointing to Rosie's picture, "Her boyfriend, Darius, is a good guy. He's not the reason she needed to run. We believe that she and the baby were being targeted by human traffickers. We need to find her so we can protect her."
"I don't know how I can help you. I don't know anything else, I swear. Even if you find someone else in the organization, they probably won't help. They have a low trust of law enforcement," Ashlynn told him nearing tears.
"How did you become involved with the network? It's not exactly a published volunteer opportunity, right?" Tim teased lightly trying to keep Ashlynn from growing more upset.
Ashlynn paused for a few moments and finally said, "I joined a support group for childhood abuse victims after James shipped out for Afghanistan. I just…my kids are getting older. They're more challenging now. With James gone, I wanted to be a better mother. And a better wife when he came back. Another woman in the group recruited me."
"What was her name? What was the name of the place where you found the group?" Tim asked eagerly.
"Her name was Ann. We only used first names. The place was called Hope for Healing. It was in a rough part of town but my pastor recommended it. He knows the woman who runs it and he's referred several people there," Ashlynn explained.
Tim pulled out a picture of Taylor Bryant and showed it to Ashlynn before asking, "What about this girl? Does she look familiar? Do you remember transporting her anywhere?"
"No, I don't think I've ever seen her before. She looks really young. The only time I transported anyone that young they were with their mothers. Do you have a picture of her mother? Maybe I'll remember her," Ashlynn suggested naively.
Tim shook his head sadly and replied, "No, her mother is dead. This girl would have been alone or with a baby."
Gibbs interrupted at this point leaving the door open behind him. He softly told Tim to go help Abby with Ashlynn's laptop. Making sure the door stayed open after Tim left, Gibbs went to the opposite side of the room from Ashlynn. With his hands behind him, he leaned back against the wall attempting to be as non-threatening as possible.
"Are you going to press charges?" Ashlynn asked defiantly with a false bravado.
"For what?" Gibbs asked.
"I don't know but you haven't said I can leave," Ashlynn replied sullenly.
"The women you transport, how old are they?" Gibbs asked nonchalantly.
"It varies. Domestic abuse can affect anyone," Ashlynn responded skeptical of his motives.
"What about this girl? Rosie?" Gibbs asked.
"I don't know. I told you I don't ask their stories," Ashlynn answered in frustration.
"Take a guess," Gibbs commanded gently.
"Nineteen? Twenty? She was young but street wise. Her eyes were…you could tell she'd had it rough," Ashlynn explained.
"Seventeen," Gibbs told her and then paused to let it sink in.
"She's a minor and I helped her across state lines. That's bad, isn't it?" Ashlynn asked softly.
"Maybe, if you'd known. Just wanted to verify that you didn't," Gibbs said as he moved toward the door, "Can't let you leave just yet but you and your husband can wait upstairs."
"Special Agent Gibbs? Have I…will James still get to be an NCIS agent?" Ashlynn asked near tears once again.
"Not my call," Gibbs replied sympathetically.
Gibbs paused a moment before adding, "What you did probably saved that girl and her baby."
Hearing Gibbs say that was the closest Ashlynn had come to smiling since Tony and Ziva had arrived at her house. As Gibbs left interrogation, Tony turned to the technician in the observation room and motioned for him to cut off the camera. After it was off, Tony suggested the young man take a break.
Putting his hand on James's shoulder, Tony told him, "Go talk to her. We'll wait at the end of the hall to take you back upstairs."
James sighed and gave himself a minute to prepare before confronting his wife. He was angry and hurt that she'd lied to him. More than that, he was upset that she felt she couldn't trust him with her secret. He knew he needed to be very careful how he expressed those emotions in her presence, though. Two years of dating followed by eight years of marriage had taught him that. He watched through the window as Ashlynn fought to keep from breaking down and his anger dissipated. The fact that she'd landed in this mess because she'd wanted help broke his heart.
"You alright, baby?" James asked softly as he entered the room.
Ashlynn stood but refused to meet his eyes.
"No…I lied to you. I'm so sorry. I swear to you I never put the kids in danger. They were never with me when I made a run," Ashlynn promised.
"I never even thought that, Lynnie. I know you would never hurt the kids or put them at risk. You put yourself in danger, though. You could've told me. I would've understood," James said still remaining calm.
"Are you angry?" Ashlynn asked finally meeting his eyes before adding sarcastically, "Of course not. You're hurt. You never get angry even when you have a right to be."
"You know that's not true, Lynnie. I just keep it in control. You don't call it anger because you think anger is only yelling and hitting. I'm not him, Ashlynn, and I never will be. No matter how hard you push me," James told her firmly but gently.
"I know that, James, I do. And I wasn't trying to push this time, I swear. I just…I panicked and I got confused and now I've ruined everything for you. I'm so sorry," Ashlynn told him again before finally breaking down completely.
James pulled his wife tenderly into his arms before saying softly, "Listen to me, okay? You haven't ruined anything. I've got what means the most to me right here. If the job doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. Maybe it's for the best, you know. Maybe we shouldn't be apart again so soon after…"
"You shouldn't have to sacrifice what you want for my mistake…" Ashlynn began.
"Sacrifice, sweetheart? Let's talk about sacrifice. How about the last two years or the last eight for that matter? What was that? You're the one who's made the real sacrifice. You've practically raised our kids by yourself. You didn't even bat an eye when I said I wanted to join the Core. You've supported me every step of the way," James reminded her.
"You wanted to make the world safe for our kids. How could I not support that?" Ashlynn asked as if it were an easy choice she had made.
"Baby, I think it's great that you wanted to talk to someone and work through some of the stuff that happened to you but…you're an amazing wife and mother. Don't ever forget that, okay?"
Ashlynn sniffled and nodded and then raised her face to his with a tender smile, "I love you."
"Love you too."
Gibbs watched from a hidden corner of the observation room as the young couple left interrogation to join Tony and Ziva. His estimation of James Cooper's character had increased exponentially this afternoon. Gibbs had no doubt the young man had been a hell of a marine and he had the potential to be a superb agent.
An hour later, Gibbs stood with Director Vance overlooking the bullpen. Tim was still with Abby examining Ashlynn's laptop. Not surprisingly, Pete Lorman had shown up shortly after five and Tony was quietly bringing him up to speed. Darius was waiting with the Coopers. The young couple patiently answered his eager questions about family life at Lejeune after he learned James had been stationed there at one time. It was clear Darius was greatly encouraged that Rosie and Trinity were most likely hidden in a safe location.
"Human trafficking is a nasty business," Vance agreed after Gibbs brought him up to speed on the team's progress, "You're working two cases in one. That's a lot of leads to pursue."
"Could use some extra hands," Gibbs said with a pointed look at the bullpen.
"Lorman can't seem to stay away. I'll call his C.O. and request him full time for a few days. Utilize Cooper on the Bryant case if you can. We might as well let him start getting a little experience. It's your team but I'd let them get some sleep tonight. Start the morning with fresh horses," Vance suggested.
Gibbs merely nodded his agreement and went downstairs to dismiss his team. He was gratified that Vance had agreed with his suggestion that the Coopers should not face any consequences for their innocent role in the case. Gibbs informed Pete and James he would need them to return in the morning. Ashlynn finally gave Gibbs a genuine smile when she realized he was treating her husband like an agent. Pete was thrilled about rejoining the investigation and couldn't resist teasing Ziva.
"You're going to love having me around full-time, huh, baby?" he told her.
"You will not last long. If Gibbs does not shoot you soon, I will," Ziva replied in a matter of fact voice.
As the Coopers were departing with Tony and Ziva, Director Vance stopped them.
"When are you leaving for FLETC?" the director asked James.
"Uh, we don't fly out until Sunday afternoon, sir. We have reservations at a bed and breakfast this weekend," James replied with relief.
"Enjoy the vacation while you can. You're going to be working hard over the next few months," Vance said deliberately further reassuring the young man of his future with NCIS.
"One more thing," Vance added feigning nonchalance as he turned to Ashlynn and handed her a business card, "I understand you're interested in working with abuse victims. My wife volunteers with an organization here in D.C. Give her a call at the number on the back. She'll be happy to talk with you about getting involved. They could always use the help especially with fundraising and event planning. You might find that a little less stressful."
The hint was subtle but Ashlynn understood the director's point. There was no doubt what she had been doing was worthwhile but it had the potential to be illegal as well. As the wife of an agent, she would need to be more careful. Grateful James still had the chance to join NCIS, she gladly accepted the advice and resolved to call the director's wife.
Tony and Ziva were silent as they lay in bed Wednesday night. The case was taking an emotional toll and both were now worried about the Coopers as well. Ziva and Lucy had helped Ashlynn prepare a quick dinner for everyone after returning to the Cooper's house. Lucy had entertained them as they cooked but Ashlynn had been uncharacteristically quiet. James had been comforting and reassuring towards her throughout the meal but it was clear the two still had some serious talking ahead of them.
Ziva was particularly anxious about the Cooper's upcoming separation. It had concerned her when she first learned of it and today's events caused her even more worry. When she expressed her thoughts to Tony, he had gently reminded her that it wasn't any of their business. It's their choice, Princess, he told her. Ziva worried the couple was only doing it out of financial necessity, though, and that it might harm their marriage over the long term. She had briefly considered offering them some of Eli's money so Ashlynn and the children could afford temporary housing in Georgia. She suspected the couple would view it as charity and refuse to accept it, though.
Ziva lay awake long into the night. Her worries went beyond just the Coopers. She wondered about the future that Dare and Rosie faced. She knew Vance would be forced to involve social services once the young girl and her baby were found. Dare had talked nonstop of his plans to marry Rosie and raise their baby but Ziva knew it might not be that simple. Rosie was underage and technically a ward of the state of Virginia. Even if the couple were allowed to remain together, life would not be easy. It would be a challenge to support a family on the young man's salary as a new marine and they had no support system outside of each other.
Ziva usually avoided thoughts of lost loved ones but tonight images of Tali would not be chased away. Tali's compassion had known no bounds and Ziva could easily envision her sister helping this couple. She smiled in amusement at the remembrance of the times she had observed Eli finding money missing from his home office. He never became angry, though, but instead smiled with mock exasperation. He always knew his youngest daughter was the most likely culprit. They needed it, Papa, she would protest innocently when confronted. Eli would feign sternness and warn of consequences that never came if it happened again.
It was just tonight that Ziva realized for the first time that her father never changed his hiding place for the money. He left it there for her intentionally, Ziva thought. And now he has given her money to me. Eli did nothing without a reason but Ziva was too tired and emotionally drained to try to understand the significance of his latest gesture tonight.
The team that gathered Thursday morning was refreshed and ready for action. The one bright spot in the case was that the team now had hope that Rosie and Trinity were alive and safe. It brought them renewed energy to find the two and reunite them with Darius. Pete's temporary addition to the team served as a reminder that Taylor Bryant's baby deserved justice and the team was determined to give it to her. Although it went unspoken, their concern for Taylor's own welfare remained strong as well.
Gibbs surveyed the group now huddled around his desk awaiting assignments. He'd spent the prior night in his basement deciding the best way to divide and conquer the work load. Tim's assignment was straightforward. He and Abby needed to determine the source of the email Ashlynn had received. Gibbs intended to keep James away from the Rosie/Trinity side of the investigation due to his wife's involvement. Instead, he had James pick up where Tim left off in his attempt to determine where and when Taylor Bryant had given birth.
Gibbs had Ziva return to Hope for Healing. He knew it was a long shot that Nakeisha Hawkins would willingly give out information regarding her counseling clients but it was worth a try. Meanwhile, Gibbs intended to request a warrant. Tony's assignment was to learn everything he could about the sex trade industry in the Baltimore area. Gibbs wanted the names of the known traffickers. He also wanted to know if any other law enforcement agency had a task force or investigation already working in the area. The lead agent focused Pete on the investigation into the baby's death. Their best lead was that the infant must have received medical treatment in the week prior to being dumped in the park. Gibbs intended to have Pete pursue that angle.
"I've got an idea," Pete told Gibbs, "Maybe it's time to go back to the public for help. Somebody tested the baby and probably diagnosed it, right? Maybe that brain thing is not something you see every day. There's got to be a doc or nurse who might remember it."
"Alright," Gibbs nodded in agreement, "Let's get it out there."
Up to this point, Director Vance had chosen not to publicly release any information about the baby's identity. He had given one brief press release revealing the cause of death. He agreed with the new strategy, though, and made a public appeal for information. Incoming tips kept Pete busy for the remainder of the day.
Meanwhile, the interview with Nakeisha went just as Gibbs had expected. She denied any personal knowledge of the underground network. Nakeisha reminded Ziva of the ethical code for licensed counselors and refused to supply the center's client list without a warrant. Nakeisha was not hostile or defensive but merely firm in her resolve to maintain patient confidentiality. Ziva was just leaving Hope for Healing when Gibbs called. Tim and Abby had traced the email Ashlynn received back to an internet provider address that belonged to Holly's Haven. Ziva headed there next to interview Walt McFarlin once again.
"I don't know anything about an underground network for women. I'll tell you, it does my heart good to hear there might be such a thing, though. Maybe some of the girls I thought were lost over the years ended up somewhere safe," Walt said hopefully.
"It must be difficult to maintain your passion for helping these kids in the face of such discouraging challenges," Ziva observed.
"It might be if I was in it for myself. I do this for my daughter. I lost her to leukemia fifteen years ago. About a year before she was diagnosed, she tried to help a friend who was being abused. The poor girl ultimately ran away from home. Holly never saw her again and it broke her heart. Holly decided she wanted to be a social worker after that. She never got her chance to help so I do it for her," Walt explained sadly.
Ziva suspected Walt was lying about his ignorance of the underground network. Other than using her Mossad tactics to coerce Walt into telling the truth, the only way to find the source of the email was to get a warrant to search every computer at Holly's Haven. Even with that, it was likely they would find it was sent from one of the shared computers that Walt made available to the kids. When Ziva left the outreach center, she found a note on the windshield of her car.
"Tell Dare that Rosie and Trinity are safe and will be with him soon. It is taking a little time to bring them back. This network saves lives. Please stop before you dismantle it. Give me twenty-four hours. Thank you."
Once back at NCIS, Ziva showed Gibbs the bagged note. After reading it, he told her to take it to Abby. Gibbs's gut had told him all along that Rosie and Trinity were alive and safe. Although he had not yet shared it with the team, the opposite was true for Taylor Bryant. Gibbs was determined to find justice for the Bryant girl and her baby.
This was not the first time Gibbs had encountered such a network for women escaping abusive relationships. It bothered him greatly that these women could not trust law enforcement for protection. The truth was, legally, there was often little that could be done before it was too late. Although he had Ziva take the note to Abby but he was not hopeful she would find anything. Based on his previous experience, he expected that the author had been very careful to leave no evidence.
"Did Gibbs think this was good news?" Abby asked when Ziva gave her the note.
"He did not say. His gut is telling him Rosie and Trinity are alive. I am certain of that much," Ziva replied before turning to leave.
"Wait!" Abby called, "I haven't talked to you about anything but this case in days. So…what's the wedding news?"
"Tony and I have not had a moment to think about it, Abby. Nothing is decided yet," Ziva explained.
"Now that Eli's paying for it, you could go all out. Fly all of us to Hawaii or the Bahamas," Abby suggested hopefully.
When Ziva sighed and didn't answer, Abby regretted treating the subject so flippantly.
"Are you upset about Eli wanting to pay for the wedding and giving you your sister's money?" she asked Ziva quietly.
"I am uncertain of his motivation and that concerns me," Ziva explained.
"It's okay, Ziva. Gibbs won't let him pull anything. Tony either," Abby reassured her.
"I will not allow him to manipulate me," Ziva said emphatically.
"Go Ziva!" Abby said with a smirk, "Maybe it's time for some more payback."
"What do you mean?" Ziva asked.
"You know, you manipulate him again. Find a way to use his evil offer for something good," Abby joked.
"I had only thought of refusing him but that is not a bad suggestion, Abby," Ziva said with grin as Abby's joke sparked an idea for helping the Coopers, "I will think about it."
Ziva returned to the bullpen and informed Gibbs that Abby would need some time with the note. Abby had also found security footage of Rosie and Trinity arriving at the mall via the city bus with a group of teenage boys. Ziva recognized one as the boy who'd originally given them the tip about Rosie being picked up at the mall. After finishing her update to Gibbs, Ziva turned to her desk and found Pete sitting in her chair.
"Why are you in my chair?" she asked him.
"Sorry, baby, but I just couldn't take it anymore," Pete said an annoying smirk.
"What is it you could not take?" Ziva asked in exasperation.
"Uh, that would be me," James said sheepishly from the corner near Tim where he and Pete had previously shared workspace.
"Probie Wannabe sings country songs to help him think and Loaner Cop is not a fan," Tony told her rolling his eyes.
"It's not even new country," Tim added with a grimace from his desk where he was now helping Pete clear tips on the dead infant.
"It was my grandmother. She loved the old stuff…Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard," James explained apologetically, "It drives Lynnie nuts too but I can't break the habit."
"Ohhh," Ziva replied with a knowing look at Tony before glaring at Pete, "That is too bad for you. Get out of my chair."
Pete made a point of checking Ziva out as he passed. It was only the threat of Gibbs's wrath that kept Ziva from laying the obnoxious cop out on the floor. She did slyly reveal to him that she was carrying a knife at her waist, though. Instead of being intimidated, Pete gave Ziva a look that let her know he was turned on by the threat. His arrogant grin lasted only until Gibbs head slapped him.
"Ow! Son of a bitch that hurts," Pete whined much to everyone else's amusement.
Pete continued to grouse as he sat back down across from James.
"Man up and shut up, you wuss. You'd make a lousy marine," James told him laughing before he began softly singing, "I hear the train a comin'…"
An hour later, James confirmed that Taylor Bryant had been a patient at Johns Hopkins Maternity Center a few blocks from Patterson Park in late October of 2009. The hospital records department had referred him to their social worker for more information. She'd demanded a warrant before she'd release any details.
"Um, sir, I was wondering? Do you think the hospital would give the medical examiner the baby's records without a warrant? The circumstances of the birth could technically be relevant to the autopsy if the child had a birth defect, right? Wouldn't that be faster than waiting for a warrant?" James asked.
Gibbs did not say it but he was impressed by the young man's creativity, "Go talk to Ducky. See if he can't get a little professional courtesy. And stop calling me sir."
Instinctively, James knew better than to ask Gibbs who Ducky was or where he could be found. Fortunately, Tim was more than willing to point him in the right direction. Although Tim knew he should haze the future probationary agent, he refused to pass up the opportunity to get a break from the singing.
"Hey, uh, Temporary Boss, I think I've got something credible here," Pete interjected a few minutes later.
"Yea?" Gibbs responded.
"This woman called in to say her employer's baby had a couple of seizures. A few days later, the employer paid for the housekeeper to take a trip to Mexico to visit her terminally ill mother. When the housekeeper got back yesterday, the baby was gone. The employer said she'd had to put it in a special hospital because it was too sick to live at home. Get this, the baby was a girl, interracial, and was adopted about six months ago," Pete explained, "The address is in Fairfax. Stonewall Estates."
"Set up a meeting with her. Away from the employer," Gibbs ordered.
"Um, the guy who took the call noted that her English isn't that strong. Doesn't Tony's sexy ninja speak like fifteen languages…," Pete suggested.
"Give me the number, Loaner Cop," Tony interrupted pulling the report from Pete's hands and revealing that he was clearly getting tired of Pete's antics with Ziva.
By nine o'clock Thursday evening, only Gibbs and Pete remained in the bullpen. The mystery of who had abandoned the Patterson Angel had been solved. The woman responsible was now residing in a nearby psychiatric hospital on suicide watch. Denied her legal bid to adopt an infant due to her emotional instability, she'd resorted to answering an online advertisement.
The woman claimed she'd left the infant in the park in an attempted to "give it back to the angels that brought it to her" and had not intended for it to die. Her lawyer argued that she lacked the mental capacity to understand the consequences of exposing the child to the cold for an extended time. He'd been shrewd enough to offer information about the "angles" in exchange for her placement in the psychiatric facility and the potential of a future insanity defense.
"Go home, Lorman. You got your baby killer," Gibbs told him.
"Not the one I want," Pete said bitterly, "The real killers are those guys that sold her the baby. They didn't care about whether she was fit to be a parent or not as long as her money was good."
"We'll get them," Gibbs assured him.
"How? You heard what Tony said. The FBI has been trying to shut these guys down for two years," Pete growled in frustration.
"We know where and when the baby was born and who bought her. We'll connect the dots. In the morning," Gibbs said pointedly.
"I like DiNozzo's idea better," Pete said with a sardonic grin.
"What's that?" Gibbs asked thinking he probably already knew the answer.
"Send Ziva to eliminate the bastards."
"Pete is very angry," Ziva observed as she and Tony lay in bed Thursday night.
"Yea," Tony sighed.
Tony knew the truth behind Pete's passion for justice for this baby. He was reluctant to share it with Ziva, though. He knew Pete was only joking around but his constant flirting and checking Ziva out was bugging Tony. He liked it that Ziva mostly hated the guy.
"Pete's got a sister who's had it pretty rough. She's got a couple of boys. The youngest has Down's Syndrome. Her husband took off right after he was born. Pete's the only dad those kids have," Tony explained.
"It is understandable that he is so passionate about a parent abandoning their child then," Ziva replied.
"Yea, his oldest nephew really took it hard. He's had a lot of problems. Pete doesn't really talk about it but I know he's worried. The younger one is cool. A handful but the most loving kid you'll ever meet. Pete brings them to play basketball sometimes," Tony added.
The two fell into silence for a few minutes after the sobering conversation. Ziva was the first to break it.
"Have you ever thought about what it would be like to have a child that is not healthy?" she asked quietly.
"I don't want to think about it. Our kids will be perfect. A good looking little ballplayer like me and beautiful little ninja like you," Tony said facetiously.
"Children are not like cars, Tony. You do not get to pre-order what you want from the manufacturer and have it delivered in nine months. They do not come with a guarantee," Ziva argued.
"Why can't we just be optimistic?" Tony said sighing, "Because you are you and we have to have a serious conversation about it…it's got to be hell to go through something like that. And I don't mean because you didn't get what you wanted or it's too much work. It has to hurt. Watching your kid go through stuff and not being able to do anything about it."
"I knew what you meant," Ziva assured him.
"I guess if it happened we'd just do the same thing we'll do anyway. We'd do the best thing for the kid. We might have to put it in a hospital or something if we couldn't give them the care they need at home but that's not the same as abandoning them. We'd still spend time with them and love them," Tony decided.
"What if our child is healthy but nothing like we expect? What if our son hates sports and television and wants to be an online elf like McGee?" Ziva teased deciding to let Tony off the hook for more serious conversation.
"Then we'll buy him an awesome computer and I'll take him to get Steve Jobs autograph. We'll have a father son camp out to be the first to get the latest iGadget. I won't wear the blue ears, though. I draw the line there," Tony joked before turning the tables on Ziva, "What if our daughter is really girly and she wants to have tea parties and play with barbies and wear pink all the time?"
"Then I will join her and enjoy pretending to be the little girl I never had the chance to be," Ziva replied before changing the subject, "Abby asked about our wedding today. She wants us to take her to the Bahamas."
"Is that what we're doing? Having a wedding in the Bahamas? Cause we aren't taking Abby on our honeymoon," Tony said smirking.
"I do not think that is the kind of wedding I want," Ziva said hesitantly.
"No? What are you thinking?" Tony asked now very curious and a little concerned.
"I have thought much about my citizenship ceremony and what it meant to have everyone I love there. And learning about Dare and Rosie and how they are alone in the world has reminded me that we are not. We have an unconventional family but it is a family nonetheless. I want them to be there when we marry," Ziva explained.
"We could take them all to the Bahamas on Eli's dime," Tony joked.
"No, I am considering getting married here in Washington and hiring a very expensive wedding coordinator on Eli's dime," Ziva proposed and then waited for Tony to make the connection.
"You want to use Eli to help the Coopers. I like it," Tony grinned and nodded before growing serious, "Ziva, are you sure this is what you want? It's your wedding, Princess. It should be all about you…well, and me too, of course. Manipulating Eli rocks but I don't see you enjoying some big wedding where you're the center of attention all day. Me maybe, but not you."
"I am still thinking about it but if we have a wedding here, it will not be big or elaborate," Ziva assured him, "It will be small and intimate but elegant. I will wish to have flowers imported from Israel. That will be…"
"Expensive, right? Very expensive. And don't forget the designer clothes. My suit and your dress," Tony contributed
"Yes, I am certain it will all be very expensive," Ziva replied with a grin.
Tony surprised her by not smiling, though. Instead, he looked worried.
"What is it, my love?"
"If we let Eli pay then we will have to invite him. We don't have to do this. If you want to hire Ashlynn, I've got some money saved…," Tony explained before Ziva interrupted.
"Tony, Eli will not attend. I am certain of it. He has never been present at a significant event in my life. Disappointing me is one of his control tactics," Ziva said confidently dismissing Tony's concerns.
"Yea but that was before. You said it yourself. He is trying to win back your trust," Tony pointed out.
"Yes but he is too arrogant to think he needs to change in order to do so. He will have an excuse not to attend and he will expect me to understand because it is important to the security of Israel. That is the way it has always been. He acted as if the entire Middle East would have blown up if he had taken the time to attend my university graduation but he paid for my uncle to host a very nice celebration in his absence. My wedding will be no different," Ziva said with sarcasm.
"Okay. I just don't want him to show up and ruin it for you. I want the day to be perfect for you, Princess," Tony explained sweetly.
"It will be perfect, my love. I am marrying you," Ziva told him earning a brilliant smile in return.
"I like it when my happy princess bride shows up," Tony teased nuzzling her neck, "So, where do you want to go for our honeymoon?"