Disclaimers can be found in the first chapter of this series.
Synopsis: The conclusion to the joint op between the LA and the DC offices. TIVA
Joint Relief
Words: 311
"You knew."
"Yes. Micah was but one of his many aliases, but he was only a messenger. It brings us no closer to solving Agent Vail's disappearance."
"As much as I want to contribute to a joint task force, You know that was never my primary concern, Ziva."
She frowned, because she understood the words that were unspoken. He sighed, and drew her body closer to him. "You can't fool me, Ziva. You'll always be crazy ninja girl first, and probette second."
The words were half affectionate and half true. Her Mossad training was virtually second nature and those instincts had kept her alive. Micah had dragged her outside and tried to subdue her. At which point, she quickly drew the knife that was strapped to her thigh, while she used the other arm to jab at Micah's face. The motion stunned him and those precious seconds were all she needed as Tony caught up with them.
For a man who was so good at hiding his emotions behind the movie references and that nonchalant smile, the look on his face when he found her was absolute profound and telling. "You ok?" he managed to choke out through the inhalation of needed breaths.
When she took too long of a pause to answer, he replied, "What was I thinking? I can see that you're ok."
There were times when she hated this seesaw between them, especially when he took his self-deprecating approach. Guilt would crept in and she needed rectify it before the feeling festered. "You're here now, Tony. There was never a doubt that in my mind that you'll have my back."
The response seemed to relieve the very tension in his shoulders. He grinned the classic DiNozzo charm smile, "And bravo for not going all Kill Bill on him, because I don't think the boss would like that very much."