Hey guys hope you are all ok. Sorry this chapter took so long but I spent most of the last month in Zimbabwe doing a volunteer programme with lions and orphans and as you can imagine there were long days and very little time off to write. Hence most of this chapter was written on the plane by hand and then typed up (don't say I'm not dedicated – it was like 13 pages in the end).
Anyway hope you enjoy.
Chapter 51
Previously: After finding a baby named Thomas in the wardrobe of a home belonging to a murdered marine couple, the NCIS team work to find the boy's parents. Meanwhile Tony and Ziva take the baby in for a few nights. However during the night they were awoken by someone breaking into their house. Ziva gave chase discovering that the intruder was after Thomas before he got away. Gibbs arrived and spent the night guarding the door whilst the family attempted to rest.
When Tony awoke it took him a minute to remember what had happened and he frowned before he sat up looking over at his family. He felt relief course through him at the sight of Ziva and Tali still lying curled up together. Ziva had her arms wrapped tightly around her daughter and her face buried into her thick curls.
He smiled at the sight of them before he rolled over and peered into the crib smiling at the sight of Thomas sleeping on his back. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair remembering the events of the previous night especially the all-consuming terror he had felt at the sound of the gun going off and Tali shrieking in fear. As he had sprinted into her bedroom a hundred different scenarios had flashed before him and not all of them he would have been able to cope with if they had come true.
He rolled over to look at his wife and daughter again. God he couldn't bare the thought of losing them. They were his life and he couldn't imagine what he would do without them.
He sighed again before sitting up as he heard a mumble and he swung himself out of the bed and lifted Thomas out of the crib as he began to stir.
"What's up little man" he murmured "you hungry"
Thomas whinged loudly as Tony carefully carried him to the door and opened it.
"Hey" he said when he spotted Gibbs sitting on the couch still staring at the door.
"Hey" he said back "how is everyone."
"Tali and Ziva are still sleeping" Tony said heading into the kitchen and his boss soon followed.
"You doing ok" Gibbs asked.
"Not really" Tony admitted "Jesus what would have happened if Ziva hadn't woken up? What would he have done to Tali?"
"Don't think about it Tony" Gibbs said sharply "Tali is fine. So is Ziva and so is Thomas. That is what is important here ok."
"Yeah but how long can we keep Thomas safe for" Tony asked "how long are we going to have to. I mean they sent a professional to come and get him… it doesn't sound like it is something whoever is behind this randomly decided to do. This was well thought out and there is nothing to suggest that they are going to stop now that their first attempt to get him has failed."
Gibbs sighed looking at the little boy squirming in Tony's arms. He sighed and reached out to catch hold of him so that Tony could go get him some breakfast.
"Hey little man" he murmured bouncing the tiny boy "don't you worry buddy everything is going to be ok."
Thomas stared at him with his big brown eyes wide and trusting making Gibbs smile as he bounced him again.
Tali came ambling out of the bedroom then and she instantly moved over to Gibbs who smiled at her as she clambered onto the couch beside him.
"Hey sweetpea" he said releasing the baby with one hand to gently pull her into a hug "you ok" he asked and Tali slowly nodded but her eyes were drawn to the bullet hole in the wall and she stared at it before she looked back at Gibbs looking worried "the bad man come back" she asked.
"No" Gibbs murmured stroking her messy hair "no they aren't coming back sweetheart I promise"
Tali nodded but she still looked nervous "you are gonna come hang out with us at NCIS today" Gibbs said trying to cheer her up.
Tali did seem to brighten at that and she snuggled into Gibbs' side. Ziva came out of the bedroom just then and smiled at the sight of Gibbs with Tali and Thomas sitting beside him.
She took a moment to take that scene in and truly marvel at how comfortable Gibbs seemed with both the kids and what a great grandfather he was to Tali and now also to Thomas who seemed fairly fond of him. She felt a small ache in her chest as she realised what Gibbs had truly lost when he had lost Shannon and Kelly. Not only had he lost his wife and daughter but he had lost any future with them including biological grandchildren. It was one of the reasons why she was so glad that he had Tali.
"Good morning Gibbs" she said as she moved into the room shaking her head to focus. "Did you get any sleep?"
"I'll sleep when this whole thing is over and whoever is trying to kill Thomas is locked away for good where he can't hurt anyone" Gibbs said looking her straight in the eye.
Ziva smiled looking over at Tony as he came over with a bottle and handed it to Gibbs who nodded to him as he began to feed Thomas.
"Come on Tali" Tony said "let's get you some breakfast."
"Can we have pancakes daddy" Tali asked as she slid off the couch.
"If that is what my little princess wants then that is what she shall have" Tony said swinging her up into his arms making her giggle before they headed off into the kitchen where Tony set Tali on a stool so that she could watch him making her pancakes.
Ziva looked over at Gibbs who offered her a comforting smile. "What are we going to do" she asked.
"Pack a bag" Gibbs said "for all of you… I spoke to Vance and until we figure this out he agreed with me that the safest place for you all is in NCIS. Until we know what we are dealing with all of you are staying in NCIS."
Ziva groaned clearly not liking the idea of disrupting Tali's education by pulling her out of school.
"Hey" Gibbs said gently "I know it isn't ideal but… it is for the best."
Ziva nodded and glanced over to Tony and Tali before she turned and headed into Tali's room.
Once in there she paused looking around her daughter's bedroom before she moved over to the wardrobe and pulled out Tali's small suitcase which she proceeded to fill with some clothes and books.
"What are you doing mommy" Tali asked appearing in the doorway and she slowly made her way over to her mother. Ziva managed to give her a small smile "I'm packing you a bag aheva" she said gently "why don't you choose a couple of toys."
"Where are we going mommy" Tali asked suddenly looking worried.
"Don't worry aheva we are just going to stay at NCIS for a couple of days" Ziva reassured "so mommy and daddy can focus on finding Thomas' family."
Most kids probably would have believed Ziva's lie. But Tali was certainly smart and she had been through a lot.
"This is because of the bad man isn't it mommy" she said staring up at her mother.
Slowly Ziva set down what she was holding and moved to crouch in front of her daughter.
"Tali" she whispered as she reached out to gently take her daughter's shoulders "listen to me aheva… yes this is because of that bad man… but please don't be scared of him… mommy, daddy, grandpa Gibbs and Uncle McGee are gonna catch him and make sure he can't hurt anyone else ok?"
Tali stared at her solemnly as Ziva looked up at her, gently brushing hair out of Tali's eyes tucking the curls behind her ear.
Then Tali nodded and lifted her arms making Ziva smile as she gently as she pulled Tali into her chest holding her tightly as she felt her daughter snuggle up against her.
"I love you mommy" Tali mumbled and Ziva smiled "I love you too aheva" she whispered before she kissed her hair "choose some toys and movies my love" she whispered and Tali nodded before she turned and began to look round her room.
Ziva helped her pack what she wanted to bring until Tony called Tali out having made her breakfast.
Once she had fitted everything she wanted to take into the suitcase Ziva headed into her own room and began to pack herself a bag of her own. It wasn't long before Tony joined her and for a few minutes they packed in silence before Tony looked at her.
"Are you ok" he asked and Ziva sighed "as ok as I can be after a gun man broke into my apartment and was standing in my daughter's bedroom" she said and Tony sighed "we will get him" he said "I mean the forensics guys went over every inch of our apartment… they must have found something for Abby to look at and identify this guy… and maybe Tommy's DNA will come back today and we will be able to find his mother and father and reunite them."
"I really hope so" Ziva murmured.
Once they had packed everything they needed and all of Thomas' belongings they carted it all down to the car and loaded everything into the trunk with Gibbs' help.
"I'm going to follow you to work" he said "just in case they are stupid enough to try something."
Tony nodded and told him the route he intended to take whilst Ziva strapped Thomas into his car seat and helped Tali into hers.
Once they set off Gibbs followed their car in the direction of NCIS keeping his eye out for any sign of danger or someone following them.
He thought back to last night and the fear he had felt when he had heard his phone ring and had seen Tony's name flash up and when he had answered it he had heard Tali's small and frightened voice. He remembered her exact words:
'Grandpa! There's a scary man… he was in our house… he had a gun.'
Gibbs had found himself running towards the door before he had even realised it; his feet carrying him forward as fear tore through him.
'Tali I am on my way… where are you sweetheart?'
'Under my bed… daddy told me to stay there and call you.'
'I'm coming sweetheart stay on the phone… you are doing so well brave girl'
He had talked to her the whole way there hearing muffled shots from over the line. Every time he heard one he had pressed the acceleration down further. Just as he had pulled up outside the building he had heard Ziva calling out frantically to her daughter and Tali crying out 'mommy' and knowing that she was safe he had hung up and sprinted up to the apartment to find the small family standing together, Tony hugging Thomas to his chest.
The relief he had felt had been like none other he had ever felt. He didn't want to even think about losing any of the DiNozzo's. He had come to love Tony and Ziva like a son and daughter and there had never been a time when he hadn't thought of Tali as he granddaughter.
When they arrived at NCIS they headed straight up to the bullpen where Abby, McGee, Ducky and Palmer were all waiting. Abby instantly ran forward and scooped Tali up into her arms hugging her tight. "Oh my god are you guys all ok" she asked "I couldn't believe it when I heard what had happened… I mean I still can't believe someone came after Thomas and…"
"Abby" Tony interrupted fixing her with a pointed look "there is nothing to be scared of right"
Abby looked down at Tali who was looking up at her with wide eyes "oh course" she hurriedly reassured "nothing to be scared of… in fact when I have finished my work… you and I, we are going to have so much fun today Tali."
Tali managed to give her a small uncertain smile before she twisted, looking round before she reached out to Ziva who quickly took her into her arms "it's ok" she whispered tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear smiling at her daughter "you know we are safe here Tali."
Tali nodded but snuggled into Ziva's side. "Ziva take her and Thomas down to Abby's lab and settle them down" Gibbs said "Tony help her take everything down but then come back up. Ziva when you are done I want you to try and work out a composite sketch of the man who attacked you last night."
Ziva nodded and followed Abby and Thomas down to the lab and in Abby's office they set up the travel crib and Abby's futon for Tali.
Once that was done Tony headed back up to the squad room whilst Ziva settled down on the futon next to Tali smiling at her daughter. "Are you alright now my love" she asked playing gently with the end of Tali's hair.
Tali shrugged gently "are you going to catch that bad guy and find Tommy's mommy and daddy" she asked.
Ziva smiled and patted her knee gently so that Tali crawled carefully onto her lap. "We are" she murmured resting her head atop her daughter's as she rubbed her back comfortingly "it might not be today… it might not be tomorrow… but we are going to solve this case… just like we always do… we always catch the bad guys don't we."
"Yeah" Tali mumbled resting her head against Ziva's chest making her smile as she cradled her daughter tight closing her eyes to hide the relief she was still feeling that her daughter hadn't been harmed in the incident last night. Tali was after all her god given solace and if something happened to her Ziva didn't think she would have been able to cope.
"Now you have to stay down here" she said "so I can work… can you do that?"
Tali nodded looking up and smiled at her before she crawled off of Ziva's lap and over to the box of toys that Tony had brought down for her. Ziva smiled at her before she rose to her feet. "I have to go" she murmured "I'll see you later ok."
Tali nodded again as Ziva checked on Thomas who was playing in the crib with some of his toys before she headed out to see Abby who was waiting for her at her computer.
"Ok so let's see what you can remember about the guy who attacked you" the scientist said instantly going professional in her determination to protect both Tali and Thomas.
Ziva nodded and she spent the next forty five minutes with Abby describing what she could remember of the man who had attacked her in the stairwell until she was satisfied with their facial reconstruction.
"Email me a copy of that Abby" she said "I will put a BOLO out on him."
"Already sent and is being run through facial recognition as we speak" Abby said with a small smile as Ziva glanced towards the back office and was relieved to see that Thomas was sleeping in the crib and Tali was playing with some of the toys they had brought in for her.
She headed up to the bullpen and quickly logged into her emails and accessed the image Abby had forwarded to her. "We have a picture of the guy who attacked me in the stairwell" she said sending it up onto the big screen and everyone turned their attention to look at it.
"Scary looking dude" Tony commented and Ziva found herself nodding. The man who had attacked her and a stern looking face with hooded eyes set deep in his face and a square jaw framed by large cheekbones. There was a small cut above his eye that Ziva remembered giving him during their fight and his hair hung around his face greasy and unwashed.
"Does Abby have a name yet" Gibbs asked and Ziva shook her head "no but she is running the image through facial recognition" she said.
"Ok McGee why don't you and Tony go back to the victim's house and see if any of the neighbours can pin him in the area around the crime." Gibbs said and Ziva looked at him "shouldn't McGee be searching the computer or something? I could go with Tony."
"Ziva you have only just been cleared back to work after being practically blown up" Gibbs said "and last night you got in a fight after being told to take it easy… you are staying on the navy yard until this whole thing is resolved. I am not going to be responsible for sending you back to hospital."
Ziva made to protest but Gibbs gave her one off those looks that she had long since interpreted with a fight that couldn't be won. She slumped back down in her chair not missing Tony shooting Gibbs a small grateful look and she shot him a glower as he moved over to her desk.
"Hey" he said "someone needs to be here for Tali and Thomas… and Thomas seems to love you so you should be here for them."
Ziva sighed as she realised he was right and pulled him down for a quick kiss "stay safe" she murmured and he nodded "will do" he said softly.
As they headed down to the car Tony looked over at McGee.
"Hey McGoo" he said "if we find this guy promise me something."
McGee instantly looked wary "what" he asked.
"That you let me have a couple of minutes alone with him" Tony said leaning on the roof of the car to look at his partner.
"Tony that doesn't sound like a good idea" he said.
"He was in my home" Tony said "he was in my daughter's bedroom. He attacked my wife and tried to abduct a baby twice. If you were in my position what would you want to do?"
McGee looked at him long and hard before he realised that he did have a point so with a heavy sigh he nodded "ok" he said "but only a minute."
"Thanks McGee" Tony said fixing him with a smile before they both dropped into the car and headed back to the scene of the crime.
Meanwhile Gibbs was in MTAC talking to the petty officer's commanding officer whilst Ziva was calling up different agencies and police departments asking if anyone had come in looking for a baby whilst continuing to search for Thomas' biological parents.
It was getting harder to hang on to the belief that they might find Thomas' mother and father as each day passed and she found herself frequently worrying about his future. She refused to allow herself to get attached to the adorable boy who had captured her heart. She couldn't bare the idea of opening her heart fully to the little boy only to watch him get taken away from her.
She knew Tony was struggling not to be won over by the baby's charm as well. He had such a character, it was impossible not to love him.
She was jerked from her thoughts a few seconds later by the sound of her phone ringing and she reached for it hurriedly.
"David" she answered.
"Ziva it's me" Abby said "get down here… I think I have something… bring Gibbs."
"I'm on my way Abby" Ziva said hanging up the phone and she leapt up to make her way to the elevator. As she did so she called MTAC and told one of the technicians to send Gibbs down to Abby's lab when he had finished in there.
When she arrived Tali dashed out to see her as usual and Ziva swung her up into her arms kissing the top of her head as she moved over to where Abby stood with Thomas squirming in her arms.
"What is it that you have Abby" she asked.
"She got a ping" Tali said excitedly.
"A… ping" Ziva questioned.
"A hit" Abby explained "the computer makes a ping noise when it gets a result to Tali and I call it a ping"
"What did you get a ping on" Gibbs asked appearing behind them.
"Thomas' DNA" Abby said triumphantly
"You know who his mother is" Ziva asked feeling the tiniest sense of relief at the idea of reuniting Thomas with his mother.
"Unfortunately no" Abby sad "but I did match him on his father's DNA"
"Who is he Abby" Gibbs demanded.
"Ok maybe I should have been more specific" Abby said "I don't know who father is but I have a pretty good idea of where he works given who began to block me as soon as I tried to access his information"
She pressed a few buttons and a familiar logo flashed up causing Ziva and Gibbs to raise their eyebrows and look at each other.
"His father works for the Capitol" Ziva murmured
"And if we're being blocked he is most likely a congressman" Gibbs finished.
"And I bet Tommy isn't his legitimate either" Abby muttered.
"What do you need" Gibbs asked.
"A court order to unseal the records" Abby said "and I think we may need help from the director to get that"
"I'll go start talking to Vance" Gibbs said and Ziva nodded watching as he quickly left calling out "nice work abs" before he vanished.
Instantly Ziva turned back to Abby.
"So you know nothing about Thomas' mother" she asked and Abby instantly turned sombre "no nothing" she said "whoever she is she is nowhere in any system… believe me I have searched them all."
Ziva sighed looking at the baby gumming at his fist contentedly in Abby's arms. He looked at Ziva with a grin on his face and wide trusting eyes. Ziva prayed that his trust had not been misplaced.
She set Tali down after giving her a kiss and a promise to spend quality time with her that evening when they had finished work. "How about we build a fort" she suggested which instantly brightened Tali up. Smiling Ziva headed up to the bullpen where she called Tony and updated him on what was going on.
"You don't sound that positive about finding his father Ziva" Tony commented.
"I know" Ziva murmured "it is just I have a bad feeling about this Tony and I don't know if I am sensing something off about Thomas' father or if I am just getting too attached to him"
"Ziva trust your gut" Tony said firmly "you always have in the past… why should this time be any different"
Ziva murmured in agreement before she hung up. She continued to work until she heard the elevator ding and she looked up to see a group of men exiting anew her eyebrows rose as she recognised the one at the front.
Realisation came over her and she narrowed her eyes before she forced a smile onto her face as they came to a stop in the entrance to the bullpen.
"You must be here about us running your DNA" she said rising to her feet not taking her eyes off the one in front who smiled pleasantly at her in a way that only a politician could do.
"Indeed I am" he said "now would you mind telling me what this is about or direct me to someone who can"
"Of course" Ziva said in a sickly sweet voice "come with me."
Upstairs Gibbs and Vance were trying to figure out which judge they were on good enough terms with to try and persuade them to help get a court order. The list was not very long.
"You had better be sure about this Gibbs" Vance said "it has been a hard enough week for us all without going up against some of the most powerful people in the country."
"I trust Abby and Abby says that someone in the congress is Thomas' father and something tells me he might be able to lead us to the hitmen" Gibbs said firmly.
"What are you insinuating" Vance asked.
Before Gibbs could respond there was a knock on the door and Ziva poked her head round.
"Director… Gibbs there is someone here to see you" she said before she opened the door wider and stepped in followed by a group of men in expensive suits.
"Director Vance… Special Agent Gibbs… Senator Powell" Ziva introduced "they are here about the DNA hit that we got."
"Senator" Vance greeted cordially.
"Director Vance it is a pleasure to meet you" Powell said "we really do appreciate everything you do for us and the navy here at NCIS."
Vance nodded "thank you for taking the time to come visit us" he said.
"it was the least I could do after I was notified lf you attempting to get my name from my DNA which I am very interested to know where you got by the way."
"We will get to that in a minute Senator Powell" Vance said "but first we need to ask you a few questions if that is alright"
"Of course" Powell said "this is my lawyer Samuel Beck" he added nodding to the man standing beside him. Ziva saw Gibbs grit his teeth and she smirked inwardly.
"Ziva call Abby and have her bring Thomas up" Vance said softly and slowly Ziva nodded telling Abby to take Tali down to see Ducky and Palmer for a little while.
"Senator have a seat" Gibbs said managing to remain sounding civil. Slowly the senator and his lawyer sat down as his two bodyguards positioned themselves behind him.
"Do you recognise either of these people" Gibbs asked placing a picture of the two murdered marines in front of him. Powell barely glanced at the picture before he responded "never seen them before in my life."
Could you take another look please" Vance asked politely.
Powell's smile faltered slightly before he complain and pulled the picture towards him and stared at it for a few more seconds before he pushed it away again "no I am sorry, they don't look familiar, why who are they?"
"They were murdered two nights ago" Ziva said watching Powell closely for micro expressions.
"How devastating" Powell said "why? By who"
"We are still trying to find the murderer" Gibbs said before he looked at Ziva who nodded as she rose to her feet and headed to the door.
"As for why" Gibbs continued as Ziva stepped backwards allowing Abby to step into the office and Ziva saw Powell's eyes widen at the sight of the baby boy in the scientists arms playing with the name badge on her lab coat.
"It appears the murderer was looking for this baby that the murdered couple were looking after for someone" Gibbs finished watching the senator closely.
Powell stared at the little boy who held out his arms to Ziva who slowly reached out to take him settling him protectively against her chest.
"They were looking for a baby" Powell said still staring at Tommy "and this relates to me because…" he asked.
"Because according to the DNA results he is your son" Gibbs said.
Powell didn't look overly surprised "so it was true" he murmured "she really was pregnant."
"Who" Vance said sharply.
Powell sighed "now this needs to remain off the record" he said "after all I am a married man and if this got out it would ruin not only my career but also my marriage and the lives of my children."
"I assure you nothing will get leaked from this office" Vance promised.
Powell eyed him uncertainly before looking at his lawyer who gave him a slow nod so with a sigh and began.
"I met her at a fundraiser that my wife couldn't attend because our daughter was sick" he said "she was all over me and most likely very drunk. I hadn't seem my wife in a few days and was lonely and I knew I shouldn't have done it but it was a moment of weakness"
He sighed again "I didn't hear from her for four months. Then one day she called me out of the blue and told me she was pregnant. I didn't believe her. I thought she was just after money or blackmail. She kept calling me for months saying that she was going to keep the baby. I gave her money in the hopes that she might give him up for adoption. She refused saying that she wanted to keep the baby and that I wouldn't be allowed to see my child."
Once again his eyes were drawn to Thomas who was gabbling away intently to Ziva trying to claim her attention.
"I love children" he continued "and I decided if she was going to keep the baby then I wanted to at least see him. That was when she stopped calling me"
"When was this" Vance asked.
"Two months ago" Powell said "I tried reaching out to her but I haven't heard back from her… she never even told me she had given birth."
"Who is his mother" Ziva asked rubbing the baby's back and Gibbs noticed how she still held Thomas close and he wondered if her motherly instinct had the same off feeling about the senator that his gut did.
"Her name was Ava" Powell said "Ava Matthews or something like that."
"Morrison" one of his bodyguards corrected "Ava Morrison sir"
"Ah yes thank you Dominic" Powell said "she was young, foolish if she thought she believed she could raise a child alone, which is why I insisted that I be involved if she kept the baby"
"How old was she" Vance asked.
"Twenty Three" the lawyer interjected quickly and Powell nodded.
"So you have no idea where she is right now" Vance asked and Powell shook his head "I have no idea" he murmured before his eyes flashed back to Thomas as he let out an excited squeal.
"I have a son" he murmured "at last… my wife and I have been trying to have a boy for years… without such luck… I love my daughters, don't get me wrong… but for years I have longed for a son."
He smiled at Ziva "he is attached to you" he said "thank you for caring for him"
Ziva smiled stiffly at him running her hand through the dark cap of hair atop the baby's head.
"So you haven't told me his name" Powell stated "and I also assume I can take him home with me immediately."
Ziva visibly stiffened but before anyone could say anything Gibbs intervened.
"Not yet Senator" he said and Vance gave him a questioning glance.
"Someone attempted to abduct your son last night Senator" Gibbs elaborated "the lives of my agents and a little girl were placed at risk, not to mention the two marines were murdered whilst most likely the same attacker tried to take him. Until the perpetrator is apprehended your son is under federal protection… not to mention we need to locate his mother and make sure she is alright"
He narrowed his eyes as he saw Powell's jaw clench before he visibly calmed himself "I can protect him Special Agent Gibbs. I am his father and as you can see I have a good security detail myself… let me take my son."
"I'm afraid Special Agent Gibbs is right" Vance said "he must stay with us for a couple more days or until we can find his mother and assess her right to custody… but I assure you he is in excellent hands…"
"Don't try and find Ava" Powell interrupted "I assure you there is no point… my boy is better off without her for a mother."
"Senator I am sorry but until we hear from Ava the boy remains a ward of the state under the protection of NCIS" Vance said in a voice that clearly marked the end of the conversation.
Powell looked at his lawyer who nodded to him "I'll go back to the office and work on a subpoena to get him released to you" he said "he'll be with you in a couple of days"
Powell gritted his teeth clearly not willing to wait that long "what about if you find Ava" he asked "will I still get custody"
"That depends on Ava" Gibbs said watching as Powell's eyes tightened so he looked at Ziva who instantly got the message and rose to her feet "Abby take him down to the bullpen" she murmured and Abby nodded "Ducky and Palmer should have finished getting ice cream with Tali by now" she murmured taking Thomas from Ziva and heading out the door with Powell's eyes on her the entire time.
Once the door had closed behind her Powell looked back at Vance "I want my son Director" he said "I warn you… do not try and keep him from me."
"I will keep him from you only as long as it is necessary to keep him safe" Vance said with a cold edge to his voice "and I would warn you against threatening me Senator… I too have powerful friends."
Powell studied him for a minute or two before he rose to his feet "I think it is time we left" he said "I am a busy man and I wouldn't want to keep you from your investigation any longer. The sooner you find Ava the sooner you can grant me full custody"
"We will let you know the outcome of our investigation" Gibbs said as he moved to open the door and they all watched as Powell and his a party followed.
They followed them onto the platform watching as the group made its way down the stairs pausing by the bullpen where Abby was still standing holding Thomas with Tali beside her chattering excitedly.
"What do you think" Vance asked watching as reluctantly Powell moved off with his little group and stepped into the elevator.
Gibbs watched the doors close before he looked at his boss "I think he is a politician" he said "he is a professional liar"
"And he is definitely hiding something" Ziva added and both men looked at her.
"What do you think Ziva" Gibbs asked.
Ziva was quiet for a minute before she looked at Gibbs "I don't trust him personally" she murmured "but I am worried that I am letting my affection for Thomas cloud my judgement" she admitted.
Vance and Gibbs nodded "well none of us seem to like him" Vance said "but at the moment we have nothing linking him to the murder of the marines or the break in to your apartment"
"So what should we do" Ziva asked.
Vance looked at her "get evidence" he said "and find Ava Morrison"
Ziva nodded and headed down the stairs to update Tony and McGee.
"Is she going to be able to let that boy go" Vance asked.
Gibbs sighed as he watched Ziva head to her desk and pick up her phone. "She'll be able to do whatever is right for Thomas" he said "whatever that may be."
Vance slowly nodded before he headed back to his office. Slowly Gibbs moved down the stairs listening to Ziva talking to Tony, telling him about their encounter with Thomas' father.
"His mother's name is Ava Morrison" she was saying as she worked at her computer "I have her most recent address here and the address of her parents which isn't far from you… maybe you could drop in and see them on your way back…" she smiled "ok I'll see you later" she added "love you… bye"
She set her phone back in its cradle before she looked over at Gibbs as she leant on her desk "they are going to speak to Ava's parents before they come back" she said and Gibbs nodded "what do you know about Ava" he asked and Ziva's face saddened "she was arrested for possession 3 months ago" she said "but she claims that she was set up."
"Did she say by who" Gibbs asked "it doesn't say in the report" Ziva responded checking the report "what does that mean for Thomas."
"When we find Ava we will evaluate everything independently" Gibbs said "I promise Ziva we are not going to let anything happen to Thomas… he is staying with us until we can make sure that the home he is going to is perfect for him."
"I don't think we are going to get the option Gibbs" Ziva murmured "Powell's lawyers are already on the case… he isn't going to rest until he has his son… I don't like him Gibbs, I … I don't want Thomas going to him"
"I don't either" Gibbs admitted "which is why we need to find Ava."
He saw Ziva bite her lip and gave her a look prompting her to explain and slowly she did.
"Everyone connected with this child has been attacked by a man" she said "the marines are dead… they tried to kill me… what if they already got to Ava? What if she is already dead?"
"Rule 3" Gibbs said instantly
"Don't believe what you are told. Double check" Ziva recited.
"Rule 8 is also applicable" Gibbs said "never take anything for granted… we are going to find Ava… until we know otherwise, we assume she is alive… then we figure out how to make sure Thomas goes to the best possible home."
Ziva slowly nodded "ok" she murmured "let's see if we can find Ava"
Gibbs nodded turning to his computer trying to remember how to use the damn thing. As he did so he glanced over at Ziva and realised she had already broken a rule...
Rule 10: Never get personally involved in a case
But as he looked back at his computer Gibbs realised with a slight sinking feeling in his stomach that she wasn't the only one to have gotten attached to this baby. And it was going to be very hard to let go… especially if things didn't go the way they hoped…
Hope you enjoyed that
Please let me know what you think
Once again sorry for the delay
Thanks
Mysticgirl
