Chapter 27 (The Voyeur's Web)
AN: Thank you so much for the support. Please leave a review.
A little while have passed since the case involving the identity mystery. Ever since, ever single time Tony has corrected Ziva's English Gibbs has wanted to tell Tony to knock it off, but it is only Ziva begging him not to say anything which has stopped him.
It's mid-morning and the team, minus Gibbs, are at their desks. While McGee and Ziva are working on their computers Tony is on his phone.
"Now, listen, sweetheart, I need a table on the terrace for Friday at nine o'clock. It's not negotiable. Tell Valentino it's Agent DiNozzo, we're friends," Tony reveals. "Grazie, mi amore. Ciao," Tony says, before hanging up.
"Valentino's, huh? Must be a special occasion," McGee comments.
"I'm taking Monica for her birthday," Tony explains, as McGee walks over to hand him something.
"You know, I know a great place in Georgetown. Just as romantic, half the price," McGee comments.
"That's a good idea, Probie, but Monica's not exactly the Applebee's type," Tony explains.
"I've never seen you like this, Tony. You must really like this girl," McGee comments, feeling pretty amazed.
"Well, she's got the whole package; beauty, class, sophistication. All that's left is to decide on the perfect gift," Tony explains.
"I thought you gave all your girls Honey Dust?" Ziva asks.
"How do you…?" Tony asks, feeling like there is only two people who could have told her and he very much doubts it was Gibbs. "Probie, something you want to tell me?" Tony asks curious.
"It's not my fault," McGee defends.
"Do not be embarrassed, Tony," Ziva comments. "I find the taste of Honey Dust to be extremely erotic," Ziva explains.
"What a coincidence, so do I?" Tony asks
"I don't," Gibbs says, walking into the bullpen. "Gear up. We're heading to Dumfries. A corporal's wife is missing. Local police think she may have been abducted," Gibbs explains, as they all grab their gear and head to the elevator.
"What did I tell you about telling her about my personal life?" Tony asks annoyed.
"I'm sorry. She tricked me," McGee explains.
"Hey, next time, why don't you tell her how I lost my virginity?" Tony asks.
"I have been meaning to ask you about that, Tony. How does a fifteen year old boy go about meeting a coquette?" Ziva asks as they all walk into the elevator.
"She means Rockette, boss," McGee explains as the elevator doors close.
A little while later the team arrive at the neighbourhood where the corporal's wife who is missing lives.
"Where did all these people come from?" Ziva asks as they get out of the car.
"Didn't you see the signs? It's yard sale day," Tony explains.
"I never understood yard sales, no matter how many times Dad tried to explain," Ziva reveals.
"Of course, Gibbs would be a fan," Tony says amused.
"Not at all surprised," McGee admits.
"When I was in Israel, I learnt a saying, "Zevel Ze Zevel,"," Ziva explains.
"Meaning?" Tony asks curious.
"Crap is crap," Gibbs says as he walks up.
"You speak Hebrew Boss?" McGee asks surprised.
"Of course I do," Gibbs says, feeling like there should be no question there. "Her name is Jamie Carr. Police got a call from the next door neighbour. No one's seen her in two weeks," Gibbs explains.
"Why are they assuming abduction?" Ziva asks her father curious.
"Back door's kicked in. McGee, you take the perimeter," Gibbs instructs.
"On it," McGee answers before walking away.
"Ziver, check with the neighbour who called it in. Tony, you're with me," Gibbs says before walking away.
"Is there a reason I am always the one taking statements?" Ziva asks as honestly she is a little annoyed with it.
"Obviously you're good at getting people to talk," Tony comments.
"Do not blame McGee. I was merely being curious," Ziva explains.
"About my sex life?" Tony asks.
"About dating in America, about dating customs. I have not been here for five years and I did not do much dating in high school," Ziva comments.
"With Gibbs as a Dad I am not surprised," Tony comments, though he is interested to know more about Ziva.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs calls.
"On your six, Boss," Tony says as he hurries to catch up with Gibbs.
A little while later Ziva has talked to the neighbour and Tony and Gibbs, who have been looking through the house are walking into the bedroom.
later Tony and Gibbs have looked through the house, and Ziva has talked to the neighbour who made the phonecall, and all have headed to the bedroom of the house.
"Huh. So much for gone but not forgotten," Tony says, noticing that all the pictures of the family are covered.
"Husband's away at war, DiNozzo. People cope in different ways," Gibbs comments, not being able to help but think of Shannon.
"She's found at least one way to cope," Tony says as he finds a vibrator and Ziva walks into the room.
"Careful you couldn't poke an eye out with that. Twist the end, Tony," Ziva says, demonstrating how to use the vibrator and Gibbs pretends he doesn't hear his daughter. "Haviar Christian Number five," Ziva smells and Tony gives her a look. "It is a perfume. Big in France," Ziva explains.
"Maybe that's what I'll get Monica for her birthday," Tony comments.
"It is two thousand dollars an ounce, Tony," Ziva comments.
"Sounds steep," Gibbs comments.
"Yeah, she's not really a perfume kind of Gal," Tony comments.
"I meant for a Corporal's wife, DiNozzo," Gibbs explains.
"I knew that," Tony comments.
"I found some blood drops out back. Hidden underneath some bags of mulch," McGee says as he walks into the bedroom. "Looks consistent with a dragged body, Boss," McGee says as he looks around the room and find sit familiar.
"Where exactly, McGee?" Gibbs asks curious, as McGee continues to look around.
"On the concreate patio. I tapped off the area," McGee explains as Gibbs heads out of the room to go look at the area McGee tapped off.
"Something wrong, McGee?" Ziva asks as she notices that he has a strange look on his face.
"He's fine. He's just never been in a woman's bathroom," Tony comments, as McGee realises something.
"I've seen this room before," McGee reveals. "In a video clip," he explains.
"Like a porno?" Tony asks curious.
"No, a girlfriend is always e-mailing me these internet videos. She sent me one of this room last week," McGee explains.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Tony asks.
"What, you never get forwarded weird videos to your email?" McGee asks, feeling like he would have to have been sent something at some point.
"All the time. I meant the part about you having a girlfriend," Tony explains.
"The clip showed a woman supposedly being murdered live on the internet," McGee explains as he remembers what the video showed.
"Why did you not report it, McGee?" Ziva asks curious.
"I um, assumed it was a hoax, a badly made snuff film," McGee admits.
"You know what happens when you assume, McGee?" Tony asks.
"Yeah. Gibbs is going to kill me, Again," McGee comments.
For the rest of the day the team continue to work the case and McGee is in the dog house, he becomes even less popular with Gibbs when the find the second body. It is the morning after finding the second body and the team are in the Bullpen.
"We have two crime scenes, one website, zero bodies," Gibbs says. "I want some answers!" Gibbs says angrily.
"Jamie Carr, Leanne Roberts, started the 'Naughty Naughty Neighbours' website nine months ago. The site has over two thousand members and records about fifty-thousand hits a day," Tony explains.
"Is that a lot?" Gibbs asks curious.
"Well, let me give you some scope here," Tony suggests. "Playboy dot com five million hits a day. The official NCIS website, less than four hundred," Tony explains.
"Which proves what I have long suspected. Despite the conservative image, Americas really lover their porn," Ziva says and her father gives her a less than impressed look. I mean, I was just saying that people, including Americans…" Ziva starts to explain.
"Continue DiNozzo," Gibbs instructs.
"When Naughty Naughty Neighbours debuted, it was nothing more than a couple of girls in lingerie. Membership was nine bucks which was about avenger for this kind of content. As the clothes come off, the admission fee went up, and up, and up," Tony explains as he presses the clicker. "Today the fee stands at twenty-three ninety five, which is kind of high. But platinum membership? We're talking private chats and shows, they want forty-five bucks a month. I mean, can anyone say rip off?" Tony says, and as he does everyone looks at him. "What?" Tony asks.
"That is a lot of research, Tony," Ziva comments.
"I've been working from home," Tony explains.
"I want detailed profiles of anyone who's ever been a member or is a member of that site," Gibbs instructs.
"That's like thousands of people, Boss," Tony comments.
"Then you better get started, huh?" Gibbs asks.
"Dad do you really believe this is an obsessed voyeur? The woman's identities were protected by masks," Ziva comments.
"Half a mask," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"Still the odds of us finding him off a list that size are…" Ziva starts to say.
"Are better than the odds of you winning this argument, Kiddo," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"Good news, Boss. Naughty, Naughty Neighbours has a webmaster," McGee explains.
"Web what?" Gibbs asks confused.
"Webmaster. It's a person that is hired to design and update the page. His name is Carter Finch," McGee says, as he puts an image on the screen.
"Is this guy like a Super Fly cyber pimp?" Tony asks surprised.
"Not exactly. I just got off the phone with his mother. He lives in her basement," McGee explains.
"Oh, that's kind of depressing," Tony comments.
"Tony, take Ziva with you. McGee, pull financial records on both woman," Gibbs instructs, and as he does Tony and Ziva leave.
'Already done. They both have joint accounts with their husbands. Neither has any indication of any additional income," McGee explains.
"Profits?" Gibbs asks curious.
"Probably routed through a third party," McGee explains.
"Oh, the page master?" Gibbs asks.
"Who?" McGee asks.
"This guy!" Gibbs exclaims, pointing to the screen.
"Uh, yeah. Uh, no. Definitely not," McGee comments. "No, he has less than two hundred dollars in his account. Been that way for the past year so the money could be anywhere," McGee comments, and as he does Gibbs gives him a look. "I'm going to find it. I have no idea how," McGee comments.
After leaving NCIS Tony and Ziva head straight to the webmaster who they are talking to in his mother's basement.
"This is the first I've heard about any snuff video. I just knew that Jamie was missing," Carter explains.
"Not just Jamie, Leanne, too," Tony explains.
"Do you think it has to do with the website?" Carter asks curious.
"Well, that would make sense, wouldn't it?" Tony asks.
"How did you not see the video? Do you not run the site?" Ziva asks.
"Well, I maintain it, but I'm far too busy to watch all the content," Carter explains.
"Well, I bet you weren't too busy to see the new star wars six times," Tony comments, as he looks at, and touches, the collectables that are on the shelf.
"Careful with the Wookiee. It's a protype from nineteen seventy-eight," Carter explains.
"Aren't you a little old for toys?" Tony asks.
"These aren't toys, they're investments. There are only seventy eight Wookies equipped with an ammo belt, and I have one of them," Carter explains as he walks over and takes the collectable from Tony. "You don't even want to know how much it's worth," Carter explains.
"You're right. I don't," Tony comments.
"Six hundred bucks, but I'll see it for twice that online via Ultra Collectibles and auctions dot com," Carter epxalins.
"I see you are also saving money on rent," Ziva comments, and as she does Tony gives her a look.
"Uh, I can afford my own place. I just live here for my mom, you know. She feels safer having me close by," Carter explains.
"I'm sure you provide a high degree of protection," Tony comments.
"Tell us about Jamie and Leanne," Ziva requests.
"We're business associates. I manage their website and in exchange, get paid a hundred dollars a week," Carter explains.
"A hundred bucks? The sight has over two thousand members. At twenty four bucks a pop, that's like…" Tony starts to say.
"Forty eight thousand a month," Ziva explains.
"Yeah, that's good. Sounds like the girls are ripping you off," Tony comments.
"It's only one of several websites I've designed. I also do Dungeons and Demons, Buxom Bimbos and Friends of Furries dot org," Carter explains.
"You designed Buxom Bimbos?" Tony asks surprised.
"How did the three of you meet?" Ziva asks.
"Leanne always flirted with me when I delivered her paper and one day I was talking about my website and she asked about…" Carter starts to explain.
"Back up a step there. You were a paperboy?" Tony asks surprised.
"I used to be a news distributor, okay? Paperboy is such an archaic term," Carter explains.
"Nine-year old's don't mind it," Tony comments.
"How did Jamie get involved?" Ziva asks.
"I guess she wanted to make some extra money. That's one reason I'll never get married," Carter explains and as he does Ziva laughs.
"I can think of a couple others," Tony comments.
"When was the last time either of them contacted you?" Ziva asks curious.
"It's been like a month. I mean, with a design like mine, the site pretty much runs itself," Carter explains.
"Is your mother wondering why we are here?" Tony asks, as he laughs.
"I kind of told her this was for a job interview," Carter explains and Tony laughs even harder.
"Ah, I'll be in the car," Tony says heading upstairs.
"We will be in touch," Ziva says as she hurries up the stairs, and catches up with Ziva.
"You do realise Miss Gibbs that you are also currently saving on rent by living with your father," Tony points out.
"I just moved back to this country and only plan to live with Dad until I get used to being back home," Ziva explains to Tony.
The next day Leanne's body has been found and so the team, including Ducky and Palmer, are at the junkyard where she has been found.
"I'm sorry, Jethro. There's just too many parameters. Fully clothed, settled in the back of a car. It's been a pretty cool and dry week. I couldn't even give you an educated guess as to when she died," Ducky explains.
"The wound is deep," Gibbs notes.
"Yes. Consistent with a combat or hunting knife," Ducky reveals.
"Like the one on that internet vide," Gibbs realises.
"Yeah, it could be," Ducky confirms as one of the cadaver dogs barks.
"Sweep the yard! See if the dog reacts to any other human remains," Tony explains.
"Hey Buddy," McGee says to the dog who barks at him.
"She doesn't like people," McGee says as Ziva easily pats the dog.
"Hi, hi," Ziva says as she happily pats the dog.
"Maybe it's just me," McGee comments.
"How long is Dad planning on keeping us here?" Ziva asks as she stops patting the dog and stands up.
"As long as it takes to find the other missing wife," Tony comments.
"Assuming she's even here, Tony! It could take days to search this place," Ziva comments.
"Why don't you tell your Dad that? He loves our imput, though of course you could probably get away with it," Tony comments as the dogs once more react to McGee.
"Are you sure these are corpse-sniffing dogs?" Ziva asks.
"Of course. That's why they're alerting to McGee. He's been a dead man since yesterday," Tony explains.
"Very funny stuff there, Tony," McGee says sarcastically as the three of them manually search cars.
"Still working on it," Tony explains.
"How did you end up here, McGee?" Ziva asks curious.
"Well, I rode in the back of the van. You may have noticed my screaming as Tony ran that light," McGee comments.
"Not here, here. At NCIS. I know Tony, and I know what Dad told me, but I want to hear it from you," Ziva explains.
"Do you want the long version or the short version?" McGee asks curious.
"Oh, there's only one version. McGee showed up on our doorstep like a little lost poodle," Tony explains.
"That's not true, Ziva," McGee clarifies.
"No, you're right. It was more like a Saint Bernard," Tony corrects.
"Ziver! DiNozzo! We're out of here!" Gibbs exclaims.
"Thank you, God," Tony says relieved.
"What about me, Boss?" McGee asks curious.
"You're heading up the search. Find me the other body," Gibbs instructs.
"Why me? I'm not the newbie anymore. Don't you think this is maybe a job for Ziva?" McGee suggests and Ziva gives him a less than impressed look.
"I need a trained investigator running this site, McGee. Do you think Ziva fits that bill?" Gibbs asks.
"I guess not, Boss," McGee admits.
"Hey, quit feeling sorry for yourself. Do what you do best," Tony tells McGee.
"What, you mean screwing up?" McGee asks.
"No, finding answers when no one else can," Tony says and he and Ziva walk away.
"That was nice of you," Ziva notes.
"Never kick a Probie when he's down, Ziva," Tony tells her.
"I thought the expression was dog," Ziva admits.
"It's the same difference," Tony reveals.
A few hours later Tony and Ziva are in the bullpen and Ziva is pounding on her computer keyboard, shirking and shaking her screen.
"I'm finally seeing the family resemblance, having problems, Officer Gibbs?" Tony asks curious.
"At Mossad I had to use MAC. I am not yet accustomed to this operating system," Ziva comments as she bangs on her keyboard.
"It's like I've told your Dad, that approach never works, Ziva," McGee comments as he walks into the bullpen.
"My approach makes me feel better," Ziva explains.
"You found Jamie Carr's body?" Tony asks curious.
"Negative. The police and MP's are continuing the search tomorrow," McGee explains.
"We haven't had much luck either. Most of the subscribes for Naughty, Naughty neighbours are out of State," Tony explains.
"I didn't say I had no luck. About an hour ago I found my ticket back to the land of the living," McGee reveals as he shows a knife in an evidence container. "it was buried under scarp metal about fifty feet from where we found Leanne Roberts' body. Where's Gibbs?" McGee asks.
A little while later the team have found out that Leanne's wife has travelled home to attack the neighbour who he blames for the website, and so Tony, Ziva and Gibbs, are all hurrying out of the car at the house.
"We're here to stop Sergeant Roberts, not kill him," Gibbs instructs, looking at Ziva.
"But what if…" Ziva starts to ask.
"I said stop him, Ziva Rivka," Gibbs says, giving his daughter a look.
"Got it!" Ziva exclaims.
"You take the right," Gibbs tells his daughter and she heads right while he heads to the left.
"I didn't do anything!" The neighbour, Bart, yells.
"Where is she, Powell? Where's my wife?" Roberts asks.
"I don't know!" Bart exclaims.
"Where's my wife?" Roberts once more asks.
"I don't know, I swear!" Bart exclaims.
"She told me what you made her do! I'm going to gut you like the pig you are," Roberts says.
"Drop the knife, Sergeant!" Gibbs says as he points his gun at Roberts. "Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS. We'll take it from here," Gibbs says.
"Do you know what he did to my wife, Sir?" Roberts asks.
"I do. we're here to take him into custody," Gibbs confirms.
"He deserves to die, Sir!" Roberts exclaims.
"I can't let you do that, Sergeant," Gibbs says and Roberts moves his knife closer to Bart. "Sergeant!" Gibbs yells.
"My house… there was police tape, blood inside. Leanne's dead, isn't she?" Roberts asks.
"I'm sorry, Marine," Gibbs says, knowing exactly what he is feeling.
"You ought to be killed," Roberts says as he throws the knife between Bart's legs. "What now, Sir? What am I supposed to do now?" Roberts asks and Ziva can't help but glance at her father.
The next day, after a night where she and her father worked on the boat and ate dinner in silence, Ziva is sitting at her desk, while McGee is at his, when Tony hurries in.
"Running a little late this morning?" Ziva asks.
"Stopped at the mall to pick up Monica's gift. It was completely packed. Scott Baio's cutting the ribbon at a new pottery barn," Tony explains.
"Who's Scott Baio?" Ziva asks confused.
"Exactly," Tony says and he glances over to McGee who seems to have been ignoring them. "Morning Probie," he greats.
"What's with him?" Tony asks curious.
"He has been that way all morning. I do not believe he went home last night," Ziva explains.
"Ah where is your Dad?" Tony asks curious.
"He left for coffee," Ziva explains, as Tony holds up the lingerie he got for Monica.
"What do you think?" Tony asks curious.
"It's not your colour, DiNozzo," Gibbs comments, as he walks into the bullpen.
"Ah, I was just showing Ziva…" Tony starts to explain.
"You're late," Gibbs says.
"Yeah, I had to run an errand. It was important but it won't…" Tony starts to explain, getting a less than impressed look in return. "Won't happen again," Tony explains.
"Boss, I located the money. They had a Cayman account set up to dump the funds into a US account on the fifteenth of every month," McGee explains.
"Whose account?" Ziva asks curious.
"Her name is Hazel Davenport," McGee explains.
"We got an address?" Ziva asks curious.
"Yeah, Royal Manor Retirement home. She's eight-six-year-old. She happens to be the material grandmother of Carter Finch," McGee explains.
"See what happens when you show up to work on time, DiNozzo?" Gibbs comments.
"Yes,"
"He emptied the account last night and walked out with close to a half a mil in cash," McGee explains.
"What are you waiting for? Bring me Finch," Gibbs orders. "NOW!" Gibbs yells.
"Right," Tony says as he grabs his stuff. "You pulled an all-nighter?" Tony asks McGee as they head to the elevator.
"Sergeant Roberts deserves answers," McGee explains.
"Should've told me. I would've stayed," Tony explains.
"I know you would've," McGee assures him, as they head to the elevator. "So, why are you late?" McGee asks, proving that he didn't listen to a word Tony and Ziva said earlier.
"I stopped by the mall to pick up Monica's birthday present," Tony explains.
"Did you see Scott Baio?" McGee asks.
Hours later Finch has been killed and it has been revealed that Jamie Carr was the killer. As they have caught his wives killer Gibbs is in observation with Roberts while Jamie is in interrogation.
"She claims it was an accident. They fought when your wife wanted out, tell you about the internet site," Gibbs explains.
"It's my fault. I was away for too damn long, Sir," Roberts says and Gibbs knows exactly how he feels.
"Trust me, Marine. None of this is your fault," Gibbs explains.
"Leanne wanted to start a family and I told her we couldn't afford it. Maybe when I made Staff Sergeant, you know? I never thought that she'd…." Roberts starts to say.
"I know exactly how you feel," Gibbs comments, knowing that for a fact.
"How do you… how do you live with it, Sir?" Roberts asks.
"Sergeant, you ask yourself that question every day until you find the answer," Gibbs explains.
"And what did you find, Sir?" Roberts asks and Gibbs thinks about the two things that helped him, Ziva and this Job.
A little while later the team are in the bullpen sitting at their respective desks when Jenny walks up to Gibbs.
"How did Sergeant Roberts take it?" Jenny asks curious.
"He's on his way back to Iraq," Gibbs explains.
"You think that's wise, sending a Marine who just lost his wife back into Combat?" Jenny asks.
"Wise? No, that's what I'd do," Gibbs comments.
"Are you heading out?" Jenny asks curious.
"Yeah," Gibbs confirms.
"Good, I'll walk you to your car," Jenny says and she and Gibbs start to head out, though Gibbs stops at Ziva's desk.
"I will meet you downstairs," Ziva says to her father, as she glances over at Tony.
"Okay," Gibbs confirms and he and Jenny leave.
"Tony, it is almost nine o'clock. I thought tonight was your big birthday dinner," Ziva comments.
"We broke up," Tony explains.
"Why?" Ziva asks surprised.
"Apparently, her husband didn't think it was a good idea," Tony explains.
"She is Married?" Ziva asks shocked.
"Knew she was too good to be true," Tony comments, sounding upset and so Ziva walks over to him.
"Do you still have those dinner reservations? My treat," Ziva suggests.
"I guess I could drown my sorrows in surf and turf," Tony suggests.
"That is a good attitude," Ziva comments as she heads to the elevator.
"I'll catch up," Tony says as he goes to get the back with Monica's birthday present.
"You will not be needing that!" Ziva says as she continues to walk to the elevator.
A few minutes later Tony and Ziva are walking into the NCIS parking lot.
"Give me a minute," Ziva says, before hurrying over to where her Dad and Jenny are standing by Gibbs' truck clearly in the middle of a conversation. "Hey Dad, Jenny, sorry to interrupt," Ziva tells them. "Tony and I are going to get some dinner. I will see you at home later," Ziva says to her father, before hurrying off to catch up with Tony before her father has a chance to say anything.
"Jethro, don't," Jenny says, putting her hand on Gibbs' arm. "She's almost twenty-three, an adult, free to make her own decisions," Jenny tells him, as they both watch Tony and Ziva get into Tony's car and leave.
After a very enjoyable and comfortable dinner with Tony Ziva has arrived home and after leaving her bag on the kitchen table, is walking into the basement. As she glances over to the bench and sees a picture of her Mom, and a pretty empty bottle of bourbon, Ziva knows he is not okay.
"I thought of Mom too," Ziva admits. "About what happened to her…"
"When I wasn't there," Gibbs finishes.
"Dad, it wasn't your fault; the person to blame is the man who shot our car," Ziva says, though she does blame herself too for not getting to Shannon after the crash.
"I know," Gibbs says, but he does still blame himself. "I knew what Roberts was feeling, I know the struggle he is going to face," Gibbs reveals, only doing so because it is his daughter. "He needs to find his reason," Gibbs says.
"Like you did," Ziva says to her father.
"You're my reason Kiddo, you and the job, but mainly you," Gibbs tells his daughter, and Ziva smiles.
"I might head up to bed, night Dad," Ziva says, and she heads to the stairs.
"Ziver," Gibbs says and Ziva turns around. "You said you want to learn my rules, and you've still got a lot to learn," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"I know," Ziva says as she takes a step towards him, wondering where he is going with this.
"Rule 12 is Never Date a co-worker," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"I am guessing that is from your own personal experience of having a relationship with the person who is now our Director," Ziva says annoyed as she crosses her arms, saying what no one else could get away with. While she doesn't know for sure that her Dad and Jenny had a thing after spending time with both of them she definitely suspects they had something.
"Watch the attitude Ziva Rivka," Gibbs tells his daughter. "You wanted to learn my rules and be treated like everyone else," Gibbs tells Ziva, who can't help but laugh.
"Yeah, because you are actually going to have this conversation with Tony," Ziva says disbelieving.
"Ziver…" Gibbs says in a warning voice, and Ziva knows she is close to crossing a line, but she still rolls her eyes in response.
"Tony and I are not dating Dad!" Ziva exclaims. "and we are not going to," Ziva says how wrong she is. "We are friends. As you know I have never really had many friends, so dinner was nice, since you did not ask," Ziva says angrily.
"Ziva, I am glad you are making friends. I just don't want you to get hurt, I don't want you and DiNozzo crossing any lines," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"You have nothing to worry about," Ziva assures her father. "But even if you did I am an adult, you have to let me make my own decision," Ziva explains to her father.
"As a member of my team you have to follow my rules," Gibbs says, taking a step forward. "And as my daughter I don't want you to get hurt. I have a reason for all my rules Ziva. I don't want you to make the same mistakes I did," Gibbs tells his daughter, who gets a soft look on her face.
"Do you know what Mom told me and Kells when you were deployed the first time?" Ziva asks her father curious.
"No," Gibbs says, shaking his head, though he is extremely curious.
"She told us that making mistakes are how you learn, how you grow, how you become better," Ziva tells her father. "I want to be better Dad. One day I want to be as good of an NCIS agent you are, and I know I am technically a Mossad officer, but that does not change things for me. I want to make you proud, I want to be great at the job I have been watching you do since I was eight, and the only way I am going to do that is by making mistakes," Ziva explains to her father. "I know you want to protect me, but I need to learn," Ziva tells her father.
"I am always proud of you, Kiddo," Gibbs tells her. "Even with my rules you will make mistakes Kiddo, it's unavoidable, but they'll just be different ones," Gibbs explains.
"Then I look forward to making them," Ziva comments. "Dad, I need you to trust me," Ziva tells her father.
"Ziver there is no one in this world I trust more," Gibbs assures his daughter as he walks the last few steps that separate them and hugs her. "I love you Kiddo,"
"I love you too,"