Chapter 16
AN1; For those asking the focus on Ziva is coming. Thank you so much for the support.
About a month and a half has passed since Gibbs talked to his daughter, who has been working with Ari ever since, though she hasn't gotten a clear idea about who's side he is on. Though, when having the chance she is enjoying spending time with her brother again.
It is an early May morning and Kate and Tony are arriving at work. Kate is looking far from healthy as she has a cold.
"Wow, what do you do? Spend the night sake-bombing?" Tony asks curious.
"It's a cold, Tony. Sake-bombing?" Kate asks confused.
"Oh come on, Kate. Don't tell me you've never heard of sake-bombing?" Tony asks shocked.
"Would I ask if…. Forget it. I don't want to know," Kate comments as she gets to her desk.
"You take a cup of hot sake. You drop it in a beer. You toss it back, and KA-BOOM!" Tony says, acting out what you do as he explains.
"Sake-bombing," Kate says.
"Great for a cold," Tony explains.
"I'll stick to honey and hot tea, thanks," Kate says as McGee walks in, with the mail.
"McGee, Kate's never been sake-bombing," Tony explains.
"You know, I don't think I have either," McGee admits.
"I work with a pair of wankers," Tony comments.
"And you make three, DiNozzo" Gibbs says as he walks into the bullpen.
"Good morning, Boss," Tony greats.
"Good morning," Kate says.
"Cold or flu?" Gibbs asks, curious as he sees how sick Kate is.
"Just plain cold. Don't worry. I will sneeze into my tissues, unlike some people," Kate says, glancing at Tony.
"I have allergies, Kate," Tony explains.
"Never had allergies, never had a cold," Gibbs explains.
"You never had a cold?" Kate asks surprised.
"Nope. Never had the flu either," Gibbs explains.
"Why do I believe that?" Kate asks Tony in a quiet voice.
"if you were a bug, would you attack Gibbs?" Tony asks curious.
"I get colds all the time," McGee reveals as he hands Kate and Tony their mail.
"Of course you do, Probie," Tony comments.
"This one is just addressed to 'NCIS Special Agent,'" McGee explains referring to the letter which is written in heavy paper and has kiss on the back.
"I think that's mine McGee," Tony says, snatching the envelope off McGee.
"Huh? How od you know?" McGee asks suspiciously.
"I recognize the lips, and the scent," Tony says, as he basically dances over to his desk.
"Gummy bears?" Kate asks with a teasing grin as Tony opens the letter, blows, releasing white powder.
Reacting quickly Gibbs stands on his desk and whistles, getting everyone's attention.
"We've opened a letter with white powder. Use the southeast corridor to the holding room. You all know the drill,"
"Tony," Kate says, throwing a bottle water at Tony as she picks up her phone. "Letter opened in Special Agent Gibbs's office dispersing a fine white power. Initiating bio-attack procedures. Third floor is evacuating," Kate says, as Tony pouring water over himself, and once she finishes she heads with McGee to the end of the squad room furthest away from Tony.
"McGee, are you up on procedures?" Gibbs asks, needing to be sure.
"Yeah, we shower, burn our clothes, get our blood tested. Nobody leaves the building until the substance is identified except…." McGee starts to say.
"Lucky me! I win a free trip to Bathesda to get pricked like a pin cushion," Tony realises.
"They've shut down the air," Kate realises. "Let's hit the showers, Tony," Kate instructs.
"Thought you'd never ask," Tony comments as he leaves the bin on his desk and heads to Kate and McGee. "Sorry Boss," Tony says, to Gibbs as he walks past.
After Tony walks past him Gibbs looks to where the letter is as he cannot help but feel worried for his team and wonder if he'll get to see Ziva again.
A little while later the team have all showered in the biohazard showers, and are now in Autopsy with Ducky and Palmer. While Kate and Tony are sitting on a slab, Gibbs and McGee are standing up.
"You should have given the letter to me, McGee," Gibbs says.
"I know, Boss," McGee comments, feeling guilty.
"It's not McGee's fault, Tony snatched it out of his hand," Kate explains.
"So now it's my bad?" Tony asks.
"You did grab it, Tony," McGee points out.
"Lame excuse, you should have stopped me, Probie," Tony says as Gibbs goes to leave Autopsy.
"Where do you think you're going?" Ducky asks, as he blocks Gibbs' path.
"To find who sent the letter," Gibbs explains, feeling like Ducky should know that, and Ducky moves to block his path again.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. You cannot leave autopsy. It's negative pressure so airborne pathogens can't contaminate the rest of the building," Ducky explains.
"Ducky, I have been scrubbed, sanitized, for all I know, sterilized! I have an investigation to open!" Gibbs exclaims.
"I have a possible contagion to contain. Until your blood test clears you, I cannot permit you to leve this room," Ducky explains as the doors open and the paramedics walk in.
"Who opened the envelope?" the paramedic asks.
"He did," Tony says, pointing to McGee.
"No, no, no it wasn't me!" McGee exclaims and because everyone is distracted Gibbs takes a step closer to Ducky.
"Ziva, does not get called about this," Gibbs tells Ducky in a whisper.
"Did you inhale any powder?" The paramedic asks Tony who admitted it was actually him.
"I might have," Tony admits, as he cannot be sure.
"We took blood, Jimmy?" Ducky asks.
"Yeah. Four blood vials on ice to go," Jimmy says as he hands the blood over and Kate sneezes, causing everyone to look at her.
"It's a cold. I had it before I came in this morning," Kate explains.
"Which makes you even more susceptible to airborne pathegens. You should go to the hospital too, Kate," Ducky explains.
"Oh no!" Kate says, really not wanting to do that.
"Kay, play it safe. Go with Tony," Gibbs instructs.
"That's safe?" Kate asks disbelieving. "How long are we going to have to stay in isolation?'
"At least overnight," the Paramedic explains.
"Can we have double beds, because I hate it when you get that crease when you push the two…." Tony starts to say and Gibbs headslaps him. "If I get anthrax, how will you feel?" Tony asks.
"Not as bad as you, DiNozzo," Gibbs responds.
"Let's go," The paramedic says, as Kate and Tony follow him out.
"I'm warning you, DiNozzo," Kate says.
"Yeah?" Tony ask.
"I do not feel well," Kate admits.
"You need to relax. You need a foot massage," Tony explains.
"I don't want you anywhere near my feet. I don't want you touching my feet," Kate explains.
"You don't feel well and…." Tony says as they are led out of Autopsy.
A while late, while Kate and Tony are in isolation, Abby, Ducky, Gibbs and McGee have discovered that there was most likely Plague in the envelope, and as they cannot do the research they need to do in Autopsy, Gibbs and McGee are heading up to the Lab.
"I cannot believe that Gibbs broke protocol!" Ducky exclaims, as the lab doors open.
"He didn't," Abby says amused, as she sees McGee and Gibbs step out of the elevators, in isolation suits.
"He left autopsy," Ducky comments.
"But not isolation," Abby reveals.
"McGee," Gibbs says.
"Yeah?"
"You use Abby's computer to access that case file!" Gibbs instructs.
"On it," McGee says, and he heads to the outer lab.
"Okay. Abby, pull surveillance videos from the squad room. Everything from twenty-three hundred last night when I left until McGee came in this morning," Gibbs explains.
"You've got to get a life, Gibbs," Abby comments.
"The last thing I need is another wife," Gibbs comments.
"Life, you've got to get a life," Abby corrects.
"Boss! Boss! I found the file, it's a rape case," McGee says hurrying into the bullpen.
"Get the investigating agent down here," Gibbs instructs.
"I can't, it was Pacci," McGee explains.
"Put it on the plasma, McGee!" Gibbs instructs, and McGee does just that.
"Okay,"
"Sarah Lowell. Age twenty-one. Senior, Vassar. Raped February tenth, oh-one at the Admiral's bay hotel in Annapolis," Gibbs reads.
"Surely you remember the case, Jethro," Ducky comments, "The maid found the poor girl naked tied to the bed two days after she was raped," Ducky explains.
"Duck, contact Cassie Yates in Norfolk, tell her I need her help," Gibbs explains.
"Yeah, good idea," Ducky says, with a nod, as he heads off to make the call.
"Gibbs! I thought Cassie was working Narcotics Suppression," Abby comments.
"Four years ago Cassie was Pacci's Probie," Gibbs explains.
"Oh," Abby says, in understanding.
"The victim was vising Annapolis to register for an advance study program at Saint John's. police had the case for three ays before they called us in," Gibbs says, reading the case notes.
"They found a Navy suspect?" Abby asks.
"A dozen of them. Firsties were paying at the hotel the night of the assault," Gibbs explains.
"Firsties?" Abby asks confused.
"Academy seniors. They'd just got their fleet assignments and…. Are you scanning?" Gibbs asks.
"Gibbs I can multitask! I can listen to you. I can scan the video. I can rub my tummy and…." Abby starts to say.
"DNA testing cleared them, closed our investigation," Gibbs realises.
"But someone wants it reopened," Abby realises.
"McGee! Call Annapolis PD I want their file on this case," Gibbs instructs, as Ducky walks in.
"I spoke to Cassie. She remembers the case. She'll be here in fifteen minutes," Ducky explains.
"From Norfolk?" Gibbs asks surprised.
"No, Anacostia. She's working a drug sting," Ducky explains.
"Boss. Boss, I can't call! They're not going to be able to hear me!" McGee exclaims, and as he does, Gibbs gives him a look. "I'm going to use the computer," McGee says before leaving the lab and heading to the outer lab.
"Gibbs! Look who else doesn't have a life. Tony came back around midnight," Abby reveals as she plays the security footage.
"He does his best work at night," Gibbs comments.
"So he tells us," Abby says. "Here's Tony leaving. That's Ben the mail boy, he didn't do it," Abby says as they watch as the mail is placed on McGee's desk.
"Why not?" Gibbs asks.
"He's a Vegan," Abby explains.
"Hitler was a vegan," Gibbs points out.
"Hitler was a vegetarian, big difference," Abby says. "Vegans are so against cruelty that they won't even use cosmetics tested on animals," Abby explains.
"Abigail could Y pestis be altered to withstand irradiation?" Ducky asks curious.
"No way, altered or not it is still a living organism," Abby explains.
"Could the gilding in the envelope protect it?" Gibbs asks curious.
"it would have to be ten mils thick. This is barley one," Abby explains. "Oh-no," Abby says, with she realises something.
"Abby I do not want to hear anymore uh-ons," Gibbs reveals.
"Sorry. But the swak didn't bleed through. there's another one inside," Abby explains.
"Get the ltter out here where you can examine it!" Gibbs orders.
"Gibbs, I've told you! I have to wait for Atlanta to…" Abby starts to say.
"Any doubt its pneumonic plague?" Gibbs ask curious.
"No, but…" Abby starts to say.
"Then no 'buts' okay? We're loosing time, kill those bugs! Now!' Gibbs exclaims.
A while later, while Tony has gotten a lot worse but Kate is okay, Gibbs, McGee, Ducky and Cassie have figured out who sent the letter. After tricking her Gibbs has found out the person who altered the Y-Pestis and is pointing a gun at him.
"There is no antidote," Doctor Pandy says. "I developed a vaccine, not a antidote. It's of no use once the victim is infected. Hannah misunderstood," Doctor Pandy explains.
"She understood," Gibbs comments.
"No, it's the brain tumour," Doctor Pandy explains.
"That's what's killing her?" Gibbs asks.
"It's inoperable, obviously affecting her mind. Why else would a woman who fought to ban biological weapons use them?" Pandy asks.
"I don't know. Why is Lowell Pharmaceutical making them?" Gibbs asks.
"We're not," Pandy says.
"You didn't create this beast?" Gibbs asks angrily.
"Yes! But only to develop a defence against it. Antibiotic resistant diseases are potential terrorist weapon," Pandy explains.
"A terrorist isn't killing my agent, you are!" Gibbs exclaims.
"U understand your anger!" Pandy says.
"No, you don't! but if you don't save him, you will!" Gibbs explains.
"It has a suicide gene that stops from replicating after thirty-two hours, as a security precaution," Pandy explains.
"It dies?" Gibbs asks.
"Yes,"
"it's dead now?" Gibbs asks, feeling hope for the first time in over a day.
"If it has been over thirty two hours since the specimen was infected, all the Y pestis is dead," Pandy explains and Gibbs starts to lower his gun. "However, the damage will be done," Pandy says and Gibbs once more points his gun at Pandy.
"The specimen is going to die?" Gibbs asks angrily.
"No, no not necessarily," Pandy explains. "He'll have the same chance of survival as those infected in plauges of the past, probably better since he will be healthy and young," Pandy explains.
"What was the survival rate of the past?" Gibbs asks desperately hoping it is good news.
"People were weakened by depleted crops, bad nutrition…" Pandy starts to explain.
"Damn it! What was the survival rate?" Gibbs asks.
"Fifteen percent," Pandy answers, to Gibbs' horror.
A little while later, at Bathesda, Ducky is talking to Tony's Doctor, a doctor by the name of Doctor Brad Pitt, and looking at the x-rays he has done of Tony.
"It looks like pneumonia," Ducky says as he hears Tony cough up blood.
"Worse, I'm afraid. He's showing signs of cyanosis. His fingernails and lips are going blue." Doctor Pitt explains.
"The Y pestis is starving his body of oxygen. It's too late ro reverse, isn't it?" Ducky asks, as that's what he suspects.
""It's never to late," Doctor Pitt says.
"Until I get the body," Ducky comments.
Inside the isolation room, even though he cannot hear what Ducky and Doctor Pitt are talking about Tony can tell that he is getting sicker and may not make it.
"I'm I teased you with all those movies, Kate," Tony tells Kate who is standing over him.
"Teased? You've tortured me. For two years all I've heard is John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, James Bond," Kate comments.
"James Bond… is a character…. Played by Sean Cornnery, George Lazenby, Roger More, and Pierce Brosnan, why are you wearing a mask?" Tony asks before he coughs once more.
"Because I have a cold," Kate responds.
"Why aren't you sick?" Tony asks, sounding extremely weak.
"Because I'm stronger than you, Tony," Kate responds.
"Are not," Tony responds, clearly struggling.
"Am too," Kate says, as Tony starts to choke and gag.
"Tony! Tony! Sit up!" Kate yells as Doctor Pitt runs in.
"Kate, you should leave, now!" Doctor says, and feeling completely devastated, Kate heads out of the isolation and straight to Ducky who she hugs.
"You were brave to stay with him," Ducky informs her.
"He's dying, Ducky," Kate says, through her tears, as Gibbs walks in.
"Ah, hell he is," Gibbs says as he walks straight into the isolation room.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who the hell are you?" Doctor Pitt asks, trying to block Gibbs from walking closer to Tony.
"His boss," Gibbs explains. "The bug has a suicide gene. It's dead. Been dead for over an hour. He's no longer infectious," Gibbs says before walking around Doctor Pitt and going straight to Tony. "Tony, listen to me, are you listening?" Gibbs asks in a whisper.
"I'm listening, I'm listening, Boss," Tony says, with a gasp.
"You will not die, you got that? I said, you will not die," Gibbs says and he gently headslaps Tony.
"Okay, I got you, Boss," Tony responds, struggling slightly.
"Good, it's your new cell," Gibbs says as he puts the cellphone in Tony's hand. "I'd get the number change, women keep calling for Spankie,"
"Spankie," Tony says, with a whisper.
Hours later Gibbs, who talked to the Sarah and discovered what really happened, is arriving home. Feeling beyond relieved as Tony is doing much better, Gibbs walks over to his couch and once he is sitting down he pulls out his phone and calls Ziva.
"Hey Dad," Ziva answers.
"Hey Kiddo," Gibbs says, feeling relieved to hear her voice.
"Are you alright Dad?" Ziva ask concerned.
"It's been a really tough few days," Gibbs admits, as he has come to realise that Tony is like a son to him, so it was hard to almost lose him. "I'm just really glad to hear your voice. Can you talk for a little while?" Gibbs asks curious.
"Yeah, I can," Ziva says, even though it may be a risk, as she can tell that her father really needs to talk.
"Good," Gibbs says, letting out a sigh of relief and he and Ziva proceed to talk.
Even though they talk Ziva doesn't talk about what she has been doing with Ari and Gibbs doesn't talk about what happened with Tony, they just talk about basically everything else, while still being careful not to say anything that could be bad if overheard.
After a long, much needed, conversation with her father Ziva has headed into Mossad where she was called to Eli's office; which has filled her with dread.
"Deputy Director David?" Ziva asks as she walks into the office.
"Office Gibbs, come in," Eli says, putting down what he is ready to look up. "I have new orders for you," Eli reveals.
"Of course, Sir," Ziva comments.
"Ari has been called to Washington DC. You are to go as well," Eli orders. "You are to keep your distance but monitor the situation," Eli explains.
"Yes Sir," Ziva responds.
"You leave 0600 tomorrow," Eli says, handing a file over.
"Yes Sir," Ziva says, before leaving.
As she leaves Ziva can't help but think about how nice it is to be going home, but she also knows it will be hard not to see her father; something she cannot risk with Ari being in the same city.