Chapter 20: Kill Ari (Part 2)

AN: Updates are going back to every second day for a little while as I am catching up on TV shows I haven't scene and not writing as much. Once I have don't that updates will increase again.

Also sorry that this is later than usual, I have been with friends.

While her father is in MTAC with Jenny Ziva is downstairs, arriving at NCIS, knowing that she has to be careful as she doesn't want her father to see her before he has a chance to talk to Jenny.

"Ziva Gibbs, is that you?" One of the security officers says.

"Yeah. Hey Henry," Ziva greats, with a smile.

"It's damn good to see you, we've missed you around here," Henry responds.

"I have missed being around," Ziva admits.

"Well go right up," Henry says as Ziva has clearance to go upstairs without a visitor pass.

"I need a visitor pass," Ziva says and Henry gives a confused look. "It is complicated, and if you see me later, treat me like any other visitor," Ziva requests.

"Does your Dad know about this?" Henry asks confused.

"He will soon," Ziva responds, as Henry hands over the Pass. "It was good seeing you," Ziva says, before heading upstairs, purposely taking the long way so that she lessens the chance of running into her father.

Back upstairs Gibbs and Jenny are leaving MTAC together, having a conversation about what is going on.

"You have no physical evidence linking Ari to the shootings, no wonder agencies here and abroad have doubts," Jenny comments, though she isn't clear if Ziva is included in the list of people having doubts as Ziva wasn't clear about that.

"This bastard already killed one of my people, he's trying to kill more, and I'll tell you something, else. No suit with a tight sphincter is getting in my way, and that includes you, Jen," Gibbs says as he heads down the stairs.

"Special Agent Gibbs," Jenny says sternly and Gibbs turns and walks up to him. "On the job, it's Director Shepard, or Ma'am," Jenny orders.

"Okay, what about off the job?" Gibbs asks.

"There won't be any 'off the job' Agent Gibbs," Jenny reveals.

"That's too bad. I missed you, Jen," Gibbs says, completely meaning that.

"Don't make this difficult, Jethro," Jenny says and Gibbs gives a nod.

"Fair, enough, won't happened again, Director," Gibbs says and they head down the stairs.

"We will continue this conversation in private," Jenny says as she really needs to tell Gibbs about Ziva, who should be arriving any minute.

"Gotta chance my clothes, we can talk in my car on the way to the house," Gibbs suggests.

"Gibbs!" Jenny objects.

"Hey I got a dead Agent and a sniper on the loose, I do not have ten minutes to spare, "Gibbs explains as they enter the bullpen.

While Jenny stands near Kate's desk Gibbs walks over to Tony who is sitting at his desk.

"Tony, where are we?" Gibbs asks.

"McGee and Abby are working firearms analysis. I'm matching tire tracks to vehicles," Tony explains as he peers at Jenny from the photo he is looking at.

"No one is to leave the building. McGee's on protection detail with Abby, I'll be back in an hour," Gibbs says, as he leaves with Jenny. As they go Tony watches and smiles wolfishly.

On the other side of the elevator Ziva, who is hidden, listens as her Dad and Jenny leave and she decides to wait a few moments before she makes herself known to Tony.

A little while later Ziva decides enough time has passed and so she walks towards him, hearing tony says,

"sometimes I used to picture you necked," Tony says, and then he sees Ziva, "I'll call you back," Tony says, pretending he was on the phone. "Hi I was just…" Tony says, shrugging as he thinks of the right way to cover for what happened.

"Having phone sex?" Ziva asks amused.

"Phone sex? No, ah Charades," Tony says, trying to laugh it off.

"Charades? Like, um…" Ziva says as she moves her hand like she is using an old fashion video camera.

"You've played," Tony comments.

"Never on the telephone," Ziva says, feeling that her dad go the description of Tony completely right every time he told her stuff about him.

"Yeah, yeah, my partner and I were coming up with quotes for Saturday night," Tony lies and Ziva feels like his excuses are getting worse and worse.

"You play charades on Saturday night?" Ziva asks, not even trying to hide her disbelief.

"To kill time before I go clubbing," Tony says, finding something familiar about her, 'you're an idiot', look but he isn't sure why. "Who are you?" Tony asks curious.

"Ziva Gibbs, Mossad," Ziva answers, showing her badge, and she isn't at surprised when a look of confusion passes over Tony's face.

"You're Israeli?" Tony asks.

"Very good, the way you made the connection, Mossad Israeli," Ziva says as she walks towards her father's desk.

"Gibbs isn't really a typical Israeli name," Tony comments, feeling like it cannot be a coincidence that someone with the last name Gibbs was sent to deal with this situation.

"It is when your family is both Jewish and from Russia," Ziva lies, the lie being so familiar to her that there is no hint that she is lying.

"Right. What can I do for you, Miss Gibbs?" Tony asks curious.

"Nothing. I am here to see Special Agent Gibbs," Ziva explains, it feeling odd to call her father by his full title.

"How do you know I'm not Gibbs?" Tony asks, as Ziva laughs and sits down in McGee's chair, purposely slouching.

"Gibbs?" Ziva asks curious, that feeling more comfortable, though strange.

"He'll be back in an hour," Tony explains and from that Ziva assumes her father and Jenny are going home. "You sure I can't help you?" Tony asks curious and Ziva just tuts.

"I do not think so," Ziva says as Tony stares at her, and Ziva just smirks back, deciding to have some fun, as this is fun for her.

"We got off to a bad start," Tony says, clearing his throat. "I'm Special Agent Tony DiNozzo," he says, saying what Ziva already knows. "I wasn't playing charades, I was, remembering my partner," Tony explains.

"Naked?" Ziva asks, with a frown.

"No," Tony says, and he pauses for a second. "Yes. I was just… look, I'm not the only man who does it," Tony says to defend himself.

"Woman do it to," Ziva says as she eyes Tony as one thing her father never told her, and that she didn't really get a chance to realise a year ago, is how good-looking he is. "With handsome men," Ziva comments, as Tony turns to go back to his desk. "And even an occasional woman," Ziva comments.

"Now you're teasing me," Tony comments.

"Did your partner not ever tease you?" Ziva asks curious.

"Not about sex, Kate was kind Puritanical," Tony comments.

"Sorry,"

"But that didn't matter, I wasn't interested in her we were…" Tony starts to say, but he pauses to watch Ziva take down her hair. "Partners," Tony finishes.

"She wasn't attractive?" Ziva asks.

"She was… but not to me," Tony explains.

"Then why did you image her naked?" Ziva asks curious, and Tony just laughs and shakes his finger at her.

"Miss Gibbs, you can sit there and slouch provocatively for an hour if you'd like or you can tell me what you need, and maybe I can help," Tony reveals.

"You cannot help because I am here to stop Special Agent Gibbs from killing a Mossad officer," Ziva explains, as she stands up. While that is her official mission her real reason for being at NCIS, is to do whatever she has to do to protect her dad.

"Ari Haswari?" Tony asks.

"Yes," Ziva confirms, and Tony beckons her closer.

"I'd wish you luck, but I want that bastard dead too," Tony explains.

While Ziva is at NCIS, talking and flirting with Tony, Jenny and Gibbs are at the house. As she waits for Gibbs Jenny is sitting in the basement, when finally, Gibbs walks in.

"This the same boat you were building six years ago?" Jenny asks curious as she knows all about Gibbs and Ziva building a boat together.

"Nope," Gibbs answers, as he walks down the stairs.

"What happened to it?" Jenny asks curious as Ziva didn't tell her that.

"Burned her," Gibbs reveals as that's what he and Ziva did when they had taken it apart.

"Why would you?" Jenny starts to ask, before enlightenment draws. "You named it after a ex-wife," Jenny realises.

"Let's go," Gibbs says.

"Which one?" Jenny asks curious.

"You know damn well which one," Gibbs comments, as Jenny knows almost everything about him, so she would damn well know which ex-wife he named the boat after.

"Why didn't you change the name?" Jenny asks.

"Because it didn't matter. Every time I went out on her, I'd think of Diane," Gibbs comments.

"You could've sold it," Jenny says, not realising it wasn't an option.

"And watched someone else sale away on her?" Gibbs asks, feeling that even if the old boat wasn't destroyed he would have suggested that he and Ziva started working on a new boat.

"You didn't care who sailed off on Diane," Jenny comments, and then pauses for a moment. "Leroy Jethro Gibbs. You are a strange man," Jenny says, smiling slightly.

"Me? Huh! You were a good agent, Jen" Gibbs says incredulously.

"Were?" Jenny asks annoyed.

"Yeah. Director's job is pure politics," Gibbs explains.

"I'm good at politics. NCIS needs someone who can shake the money tree on the hill and work with sister agencies," Jenny explains.

"Wait, you won't call a boat a 'she' but it's 'sister' agencies?" Gibbs asks shocked.

"I'm a schizoid libber. Comes from working with chauvinists like you," Jenny explains.

"I can't believe you would give up fieldwork for 'rubber chicken' dinners," Gibbs comments.

"I don't think they serve that dish at Palena," Jenny comments.

"Never heard of it," Gibbs responds.

"Why would you? It isn't take out," Jenny responds.

"Which of the tight sphincters is taking you out to dinner? please tell me it's not Fornell," Gibbs requests, as that would be really annoying.

"CBS early show. They want background before I go on TV," Jenny explains and as she does Gibbs runs towards her.

"Jen, Jen, you can't do that," Gibbs says, his voice rushed.

"Excuse me?" Jenny asks incredulous.

"Ari is a chauvinist. He's taking out the woman I work with before me," Gibbs says, extremely worried about what that means for Ziva.

"Jethro, people who know don't believe Ari Haswari is the sniper, and you haven't provided any evidence to prove them wrong," Jenny explains.

"Have you ever doubted me?" Gibbs asks.

"Professionally? Never," Jenny answers.

"Why are you doubting me now?" Gibbs asks.

"I have to establish a working relationship with these people," Jenny explains.

"Who are you going to side with Jen? Them or me?" Gibbs asks.

"Give me a tough question," Jenny says, and an understanding look passes between them. "Jethro, when we get back to NCIS, Ziva will be there,"

"What?" Gibbs asks feeing shocked and confused.

"She's probably actually already there," Jenny says, checking her watch.

"Is she okay?" Gibbs asks, as while he has many questions that is the most pressing.

"She's unharmed," Jenny says, smiling softly. "Ziva was in DC, trying to figure out what Ari was really doing, and who's side he was really on; her Mossad orders were to keep an eye on him and assist if needed," Jenny explains. "Because she was listening to law enforcement communications Ziva knew soon after Agent Todd was killed and so she came up with a plan," Jenny reveals.

"What's her plan?" Gibbs asks, wondering what his daughter is planning on doing.

"I don't know all the details. But for now, it's to keep her cover with Mossad, and Ari, and to be able to stay in a position where she can try to help you. That means no one can know she's your daughter," Jenny says, and Gibbs clearly about to object. "I know you trust your team, Jethro, so does Ziva, but with everything going on it's too risky for them to know, because we can't risk the chance of the Sniper, whoever it is, finding out. That was Ziva's call, not mine," Jenny explains.

"How do you know Ziva?" Gibbs asks as Ziva knowing Jenny was the last thing he was expecting.

"We met a few years ago. I trust her Jethro, and she trust me; which is why she called when she knew she couldn't risk calling you," Jenny explains, knowing she will likely go into the full story at some point, but it's not the time. "She's scared for you, and wants to do what she can to help,"

"I'm scared for her," Gibbs admits, and he gestures to head upstairs, so they both do, Gibbs knowing he wants to get to NCIS and see his daughter as soon as possible.

A little while later Ziva is sitting at McGee's desk just waiting for her father to show up. As she is becoming bored with waiting Ziva decides to have a little fun.

"You're a wealthy family," Ziva says, knowing that mainly thanks to her father, though she also had to do research into her father's team for Ari.

"Really?" Tony asks, surprised that Ziva would know that.

"Born and raised on the East Coast. New England boarding school. Spent sometime in the Midwest and Philadelphia," Ziva says, freaking out Tony but how much she knows.

"How would you know that?" Tony asks shocked as the elevator dings, and Gibbs and Jenny walk out.

Even though Gibbs would like to hug his daughter, and Ziva would like to hug her father, the two of them settle for exchanging looks, which say a thousand words. Rather than running to her father, and hugging him, like she would like to Ziva walks over Jenny, while her father walks to Tony.

"Shalom," Ziva greats as she hugs Jenny.

"Shalom," Jenny responds as she and Ziva kiss each other's cheeks.

"You first," Gibbs requests as he wants to know what his daughter has told his Senior Field Agent.

"Ziva Gibbs, Mossad," Tony says, and to his confusion Gibbs doesn't react to the name. "She's here to stop you from whacking Ari. Yours?" Tony asks.

"Director Jenny Shepard, same mission," Gibbs explains.

"Which agency?" Tonya asks curious.

"Ours," Gibbs answers, and at first Tony thinks he is joking.

"Yeah?" Tony asks shocked as Ziva and Jenny walk over.

"Special Agent Gibbs. Ziva Gibbs, Mossad," Jenny says, having to the strangest thing she has ever done which is introduce Gibbs to his own daughter.

"Ziva," Ziva requests, it feeling strange to do so. "Director Shepard has spoken often of you," Ziva tells her father, her way of telling him that she knows about their relationship.

"Really?" Gibbs asks wondering just what his old partner has told his daughter.

"Ziva and I have worked anti-terrorist ops together since 9/11," Jenny explains. "You saw one in MTAC," Jenny reveals.

"That was yours?" Gibbs asks, looking at his daughter and feeling a little impressed as she has clearly done more than he knows.

"I only acquired the intel," Ziva explains, in a way which tells Gibbs she is trying to diminish what she has done, and before anyone can say anymore Ziva's phone rings. "Excuse me," Ziva says, taking the phone and heading to the window, knowing exactly who it is as only one person has this number.

"Yes, I really am the new NCIS Director," Jenny says to Tony, who is staring at her.

"Yeah," Tony says, looking at Jenny in amazement and she turns and leaves. "wow," Tony says, resulting in Gibbs headslaping hm. "Glad to have you back, Boss,"

Over by the window Ziva is glad that Ari talked in Hebrew as that means her father can understand and that might come in handy.

"I have a relationship with the new NCIS Director," Ziva says, saying what she knows Ari will like to hear. "And may be able to convince her of your innocence," Ziva says, though she isn't sure whether he actually is innocent. "But not Special Agent Gibbs. He's a man with blood in his eyes," Ziva says, as she knows her father well enough to know he will not stop until he gets his revenge.

"Let me worry about Gibbs," Ari tells his sister. "Do you have the passport and the money?" Ari asks curious.

"Yes," Ziva confirms, wondering if she will get a chance to get to Ari and stop him herself before her father can be hurt, because that is what she really wants.

"Use the drop, tonight," Ari instructs.

"I want to see you," Ziva says, telling the truth though not because of the reasons Ari would think. As if she can see him then she can end this before her Dad, or anyone else on his team, gets hurt.

"Too risky. Gibbs will have you followed. We'll meet in Paris after the mission is over," Ari says as once Gibbs is dead he thinks it will be the perfect time to bring Ziva into the fold, it will be time to get her to join his side. "I promise," Ari says feeling that he has perfectly manipulated her.

"Ari… I do not want to lose you," Ziva says, partly telling the truth as while she doesn't want to lose the brother she remembers, and in some ways the brother she has gotten to know in the past few months, she doesn't think he is that person; she suspects he really is a person she doesn't want in her life.

"You won't," Ari assures her. "Shalom," Ari says.

After hanging up the phone Ziva takes a deep breath and walks over to her father, Jenny and Tony.

"Miss Gibbs. Whose get cuff off if Ari is not a Mossad mole, but a terrorist?" Gibbs asks, wanting to get info, and while he would rather talk to his daughter in private to find out everything he wants to know he knows he knows that might not be possible right now.

"Mine, I suppose, since I'm his control officer," Ziva says, shocking her father as he didn't know that.

"Ah, they promote control officers young in Mossad," Gibbs comments, feeling proud of his daughter despite the circumstances as he knows that is quite the achievement.

"They have to. The good ones are dead at your age," Ziva says, not being able to resist the urge to tease her father, and he looks up and smiles.

"Do you know how I located Ari's terrorist cell?" Gibbs asks curious as that will tell him if Ziva has been in touch with Ari which may help him figure out what the hell Ziva's plan is, beyond protecting him, as Jenny didn't know all the details.

"GPS fix off his encrypted cell phone. he wanted you to know the terrorist's location so you could stop the missile instead of him, which would have necessitated blowing his cover," Ziva explains as that is what she thought Ari's plan was; that's what he told her.

"Only an NSA satellite can GPS an encrypted phone. Ari didn't know I had that asset," Gibbs comments.

"You give him less credit than he gives you," Ziva comments, giving her father a hint that Ari might underestimate him. "Who hung up first? You or him?" Ziva asks as she wants her father to know that part of Ari's plan, and Gibbs remembers what happened. "Ari knows a fix takes only nineteen seconds," Ziva explains. "When Sharon visited Bush Ari's Hamas cell kidnaped Agent Todd why did he not kill her instead of freeing her to warn the secret service?" Ziva asks as she knows that is an argument she has to make to protect maintain her Mossad Officer, cover.

"I don't know. Why don't you arrange a meet and he can tell me?" Gibbs ask, clearly telling his daughter to do just that.

"Ari Haswari is a Mossad operative undercover in Hamas. He has not turned on us, or you. He did not kill Agent Todd," Ziva says her voice stern, sounding convince, but because he knows his daughter Gibbs knows she doesn't compeltley believe her own words, but he also knows no one else would realise that.

"Gibbs, even if you're right, we owe them proof," Jenny says, knowing both that is right and that is what Ziva will need to take back to Mossad.

"That's all we ask. Don't kill the wrong Man," Ziva tells her father.

"Like Mossad did in Norway?" Gibbs asks not being able to resist, and he can feel Tony becoming suspicious and so he hopes Ziva realises what he is doing.

"That stink cost us dearly," Ziva says as she bangs her head on the table, having realised what her father is doing.

"Not as dearly as the Palestrina waiter Mossad killed," Gibbs says, and there is pause.

"Ziva, assure your Deputy Director that even though Ari Haswari is a suspect, no action will be taken unless we have evidentiary proof," Jenny explains, knowing that Eli is exactly who needs to keep believing that Mossad is Ziva's first priority, even when it's not. "Proof before Action," Jenny says, and Gibbs gets up, and leaves.

A little while later Gibbs, who wanted a chance to talk to his daughter but didn't get the chance, is in the elevator with Tony, heading down to the lab.

"I want you on Ziva's ass," Gibbs orders as now he knows Ziva is okay he plans to make sure she stays that way; and he also knows that even without knowing who she is Tony will protect her if needed. Also, he figures Ziva will know she is being followed so if she can figure out a way to pass on any intel she will figure out a way to do so.

"She's not really my type, Boss," Tony says and in response Gibbs headslaps him, doing it harder than necessary as he really doesn't want to think about the possibility of Tony dating his daughter.

"To tail her," Gibbs corrects.

"I knew that," Tony responds.

"She's been in contact with Ari. That's the only way she could have known I hung up on him," Gibbs explains, feeling concerned about that as the more Ziva communicates with Ari the more of a chance there is that he will figure out who she was.

"Ohh, I don't want you to get pissed…" Tony starts to say.

"I thought you wanted me pissed," Gibbs comments.

"I did. It was kind weird when you were being nice," Tony reveals, then he realises what he said. "Not that you're not nice, I mean, uh…." Tony stats to say.

"Will you spit it out, DiNozzo," Gibbs requests.

"What if Ziva's right and Ari knew you tracked the call. Maybe he wasn't the sniper," Tony suggests.

"She's right," Gibbs says, talking about Ari knowing he traced the call. "Ari wanted me to raid the warehouse. He set me up, and it cost Kate her life," Gibbs says as he gets off the elevator.

"is he a mole or a terrorist?" Tony asks.

"Whatever works to play his game," Gibbs explains.

"And if Ziva leads me to Ari?" Tony asks curious.

"Shadow, and call me," Gibbs says as he knows that Ziva will only lead them to Ari, if she has a plan to stop him.

"So, you can bring him in?" Tony asks curious.

"Yeah, so I can bring him in," Gibbs says as he walks away. "To autopsy," Gibbs adds, once the elevator doors are closed.

Moments later Gibbs walks into the lab where Abby is explaining different sniper rifles to McGee.

"I've been able to eliminate all but three; two SWAT weapons, the Tango-51 and the Bravo-51, and this…" Abby says, pointing to one of the guns.

"My old friend. The Marine M3-A1 sniper rifle," Gibbs says as he picks up the rifle and points it at the wall.

"It looks sweet the way you hold that, Boss," McGee comments.

"Sweet?" Gibbs asks disproving.

"Uh, yeah, it's, a, uh, expression, it means…." McGee starts to say.

'Yeah, I know what it means, McGee. You think Ari looked sweet when he shot Kate?" Gibbs asks as he puts the gun back on the table.

"Of course not, Boss," McGee quickly says.

"Uh, my vote is for the Tango or Bravo-51. What d'you think, Gibbs?" Abby asks curious and Gibbs has a look.

"Your test rounds show more gouging than Ari's he was hand-loading and moly-coating," Gibbs explains.

"You are so good," Abby says shocked.

"Moly-coating?" McGee asks shocked.

"Yeah. Molybdenum disulphide. It's a lubricant. It decreases barrel ware and increases accuracy," Abby explains.

"McGee, run a trace on Tango and Bravo 51 sales, last six weeks, tri-state area. Check the Bravo first," Gibbs explains.

"On it, boss," McGee comments and he leaves.

"Any prints on the brass?" Gibbs asks curious.

"No. is your cut telling you something?" Abby asks.

"Yeah, I need coffee," Gibbs comments.

"No, Gibbs. Come on. this isn't just another investigation. Todd was your agent, but Kate was my friend," Abby explains. "So, can you stop it with the John Wayne stare and tell me what your gut says?" Abby explains.

"What don't I believe in, Abby?" Gibbs asks.

"UFOs, mystics, coincidence, saying you're sorry, excuses, I could go all night," Abby comments.

"As a marine sniper, I used hand-loaded Lapua .308 boattail, full metal jacket, moly-coated bullets," Gibbs explains.

"Gibbs," Abby says, after a pause.

"Know what a sniper calls a Bravo-51?" Gibbs asks.

"No,"

"A 'Kate'," Gibbs says, before leaving.

A little while later Ducky has been loured out of NCIS, by Ari, and Gibbs, who is in the bullpen with Abby, has just found out and is trying to call him.

"You've reached Doctor Donald Mallard. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can," Ducky's voice mail message says followed by a beep.

"I said no one was to leave the building!" Gibbs exclaims.

"Ducky please call, okay? We're really worried…" Abby starts to say, trying to be calm.

"No one includes you, Doctor Mallard!" Gibbs yells.

"We're worried, including Gibbs… or he wouldn't be yelling," Abby says into the phone then hangs up. "Look Gibbs, it's not Ducky's fault, okay?" Abby says, trying to calm him down. "Hey probably did Kate's autopsy on auto pilot and then drove himself the same way," Abby explains.

"Boss! An outside call came into autopsy twenty three minutes ago. I'm tracing the number," McGee reveals.