I am reposting this chapter after noting way too many errors. I am sorry. The next chapter should be up shortly. Thank you for your continued support of this story.

CHAPTER 53

She took out additional items from her bag. The fire would be contained to the apartment with no one else being affected. She placed the device in the middle of kitchen. She set the timer and then quickly made her way out. She would be able to see the flames from outside.

18 hours before

Tim left the office after talking with Rob. There were a lot of things on his mind. He knew he had been wrong and had let his personal insecurities get in the way. Now he felt the need to make up for this as quickly as he could. He didn't trust Ziva any longer. He didn't know what she was up to but with her involved, he didn't think it was going to be anything good.

He thought about what a real friend would do. It wasn't hard to do; all he had to do was look at what Gibbs was doing. He was hiding and protecting his friend from anyone and everyone who wished to harm him. He needed to take a leaf from Gibbs book and do the right thing by Tony.

As he made his way to the Navy Yard, he decided he was finally going to show Gibbs and Tony that he really wanted to be their friend. He wanted them to trust him. He made up his mind he would do what he needed to do to protect them.

Once he was at the office, he watched Ziva. She had seemed off all day. She seemed more erratic. He made his way to the lab with a fake request form. He needed surveillance equipment. He just hoped Abby didn't ask too many questions.

"Abby, I have a request form here for 5 surveillance cameras. Could you please help me out with these?" Tim was hoping that if he remained polite and professional he would be able to get through to Abby.

Abby was still hurt by Tim's attitude. Even though she had decided she was in the wrong, she hated that Tim had pointed it out to her. "Just set it on my desk. As soon as I finish here, I will get them for you. It should be about an hour if you want to come back."

"I will and Abby… I'm sorry if your feelings were hurt but I thought you needed to hear the truth. We were both wrong. I just want to be the friend to Tony that I should have been all along."

"I know…just give me a little time."

15 hours before

Tim entered Tony's apartment. He set up a camera in each of the rooms. He knew Tony was gone but he wanted to make sure Tony had something to come home to when he did come home.

Abby had been very helpful. She had everything ready when he had gone back to get the cameras. She asked him why he needed them since she knew he was working cold cases with the team being on desk duty. He had thought about it for a minute but then decided to tell Abby what he was doing. Once she heard, she immediately supplied him with additional cameras. He had already been to Gibbs house and now it was Tony's that he needed to set up.

Placing the cameras in the hall and around the apartment, Tim felt he was doing something worthwhile. When he was at Gibbs house, he had noticed some items had been removed. Pictures on the wall were missing. They had been in a hurry but someone had thought to take these precious items with them. As he entered Tony's he realized they had been in to big of a hurry to do the same thing here.

He knew he wouldn't be able to take all of the DVDs but there were certain items Tony held precious. He had mentioned them in the past. He packed the pictures of the team, his mother, and his frat brothers. He noticed the fish, Kate, sitting on the counter. He grabbed her and her food.

As he left the apartment, he felt a since of relief fill him. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop something from happening but maybe he would be able to minimize the damage. The cameras at both residents were hooked up to his computer. He had the ability to record anything that happened in either residence.

15 minutes after Ziva entered Tony's apartment

Tim watched as Ziva walked into the apartment. He had fallen asleep but the motion sensors he had on the cameras were set to an alarm. As quickly as he could wake up, he checked the equipment to make sure it was recording.

He watched for just a moment as Ziva became enraged. He picked up the phone and called 911. He reported the break-in and property damage. God, I'm glad I got everything out that I could. Tony would have had nothing left if it was up to Ziva. He watched as she placed an item in the kitchen. He suspected it was a bomb of some sort. He called back to 911, informed them of this, and requested the fire department and bomb squad.

He continued to watch as Ziva exited the apartment. It was only 2 minutes later the incendiary device exploded. The kitchen was quickly enveloped in flames. He was glad he had called the fire department. He hoped they were able to get in there and stop the fire from advancing before it destroyed too much.

Ziva heard the sound of the approaching sirens. She was positive they were not headed her way. How could they know? No one saw me. The fire has not started. It is just a coincidence.

She was startled when the police pulled up in front of the apartment building. Not wanting to look suspicious, she moved to sit in her car. She didn't know Tim had already informed them of her, her car and the address of her residence. As she moved towards the car, two police officers approached her. One had his hand on his gun but it was not pulled.

"Ms. Ziva David, please place your hands on your head and kneel down, crossing your feet." The first officer was at least 6 foot and looked like a football player.

"How do you know who I am? What is the meaning of this?" Ziva was outraged. How could they know?

"Do as you are told, do not resist. Do I make myself clear?"

Ziva complied but not quietly. Once she was down, she was quickly cuffed and informed of her rights. Ziva could not believe this was happening. How could they know? As the NCIS vehicle pulled up, she had a moment of relief. Surely, they would believe her story.

Jen Sheppard stepped out of the SUV with two other agents. She was shocked. How could she have been so wrong? Ziva and Eli had much to explain. Agent Thomas approached Ziva and the officers.

"Thomas, explain to these gutless bastards that I am a NCIS officer. I was here to check on Tony. When I saw everything happening I was headed back to my car to call the yard to inform them."

"Ms. David, you have been informed of your rights?" Thomas was not about to listen to Ziva. He never really liked her but for her to be caught destroying Tony's place… That was just too much for him. She was a piece of crap as far as he was concerned.

"What? Yes. Why do I need my rights? I have done nothing wrong. What is the meaning of this?" Ziva was hoping the innocent, wrongfully accused approach would work.

"Ms. David," Jen Sheppard was disgusted. "You are under arrest for the unlawful breaking and entering of a federal agent's residence, destruction of private property and the planting of an incendiary device in his residence. I suggest you use your rights as you have them for the moment. Agent Thomas, Agent Simms please place Ms. David in the vehicle. We will be taking her to the yard for inter…interviewing."

Once Ziva was removed from the area, Jen approached the police chief. "Thank you for your help. This has obviously been a difficult situation for us. If you would please maintain the scene until my agents arrive, they can do the investigation?"

"Ma'am, I've known Tony DiNozzo for a number of years. He didn't deserve this kind of treatment. If you people don't get your heads out of your asses, I am going to offer him a job…again. However, this time I won't take no for an answer. I will share jurisdiction with you but only under the condition. I will not turn over the complete investigation, as I don't really trust your agency at the moment."

"Normally I would object, but not this time. Here's my card. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you."

Officer Child looked at the card for a moment, "You can make sure a little justice is done. I know what's been happening. Everyone knows what happened with Tony. YOU better make things right." And like so many people had taken to doing lately, he turned and walked away from her.

She needed to contact Harm, Fornell and Morrow. They needed to know what the latest developments were on Tony's case. No one was going to be happy about it.