Chapter 28 (Honor Code)
AN: So, I am not sure if my writers block is gone, but I managed to get a chapter finished, and that's a plus. Hope you like this chapter.
About a week has passed since the case that hit a bit too close to home for Gibbs and ever since he and Ziva haven't talked about their fight about rule twelve.
It is about lunchtime and McGee is walking in the bullpen with food.
"A whole hour for a lunch run, Probie?" Tony asks surprised.
"Yeah, while Ziva and I were out she asked my opinion on the cars that were best suited economically for DC," McGee explains.
"Let me get this straight," Tony says as he stands up. "Ziva asked you, who knows basically nothing about cars, about what car would be suited to DC?" Tony asks shocked.
"That's right," McGee confirms.
"Well, what about me? I know all about car! I could give her ten recommendations like that!" Tony exclaims.
"I don't know what to tell you," McGee admits.
"It doesn't make any sense. Unless… maybe I intimidate her," Tony theorises.
"Yeah, I'm sure that's it," McGee says disbelievingly.
"I've seen it happen before. It's a chemical thing. Hard to explain," Tony comments.
"I do hope you try," Ziva says from right behind Tony, causing him to jump.
"I told you not to do that again," Tony tells Ziva as he turns to have a look at her.
"Sorry. I was so intimidated by your presence, I must have forgotten," Ziva says. "Seriously Tony. I do apologise for not asking your advice on cars," Ziva explains, as she wanted McGee's opinion because of his smarts, she was going to ask her Dad for his recommendation once she has gotten suggestions from McGee.
"Don't worry about it," Tony says.
"If I would have known you would have felt so… emasculated…is that the word?" Ziva asks, looking at McGee.
"Yes, it is," McGee confirms.
"Emasculated, I would have asked you first," Ziva explains.
"It takes a little more than an exotic accent and some stealth ninja moves to emasculate me," Tony comments.
"Only a little more? How disappointing," Ziva says as she heads to her desk and McGee laughs.
"Don't take sides, Probie!" Tony exclaims.
"Gear up. We have a missing person. Coleman Park Carousel in Arlington," Gibbs says as he walks into the bullpen, walking quiet fast.
"A child?" Ziva asks.
"Father. Lieutenant Commander Alex Tanner. Disappeared an hour ago," Gibbs explains.
"Do you always respond to missing person's cases so promptly?" Ziva asks curious.
"Special circumstances, Ziver. His six year old son called NCIS. He's in the park, alone, waiting for us," Gibbs explains. "DiNozzo you drive," Gibbs says, throwing him the cars.
"Ohh, I think McGee wants to drive, Boss," Tony comments as he offers the keys to McGee.
"Ah, you know what, Tony? I would really rather have you drive," McGee explains, as they walk.
"Afraid you're going to run over another fire hydrant? Because I'm sure that wasn't your fault. Wait, it was. According to the police report," Tony comments.
"I will drive," Ziva says as she takes the keys from Tony.
"One more word, you're all walking," Gibbs says.
"You got it, Boss," And Tony reacts to being elbowed," I deserved that," Tony says as the elevator doors close.
A little while later the team arrive at the Park and Tony walks up to the little boy whose father is missing.
"Zach, hey. I'm Special Agent DiNozzo, you can call me Tony, okay?" Tony says. "That's a smart thing to do, calling NICS. Good boy. All right, I know this is really scary but want you to be brave. Can you do that? Okay, I want you to think back to what happened today. Try to remember the details, there is no wrong answer here," Tony explains as Gibbs walks up.
"Wat do we know?" Gibbs asks.
"Nothing. I think the kids in shock," Tony explains.
"No, I'm not," Zach says. "I'm waiting for Agent DiNozzo to ask me a question," he explains.
"What kind of question was I supposed to ask?" Tony asks, feeling like he did nothing wrong.
"What I saw. Why I called NCIS," Zack explains.
"What did you see, Zach?" Gibbs asks curious, as he sits down next to him.
"Two men were watching us. I think they kidnapped my Dad," Zack explains.
"Describe them," Gibbs requests.
"Dark glasses. One had a military haircut. One had a shaved head," Zach explains.
"How old?" Tony asks.
"About your age, " Zach explains. "they had iPod, too," Zach explains, and Gibbs looks confused.
"It's like a Walkman boss, iPod," Tony explains.
"They were only listening in one ear, like this," Zach says as he demonstrates, and Tony and Gibbs realise what that means.
"Be back in a minute, Zach," Gibbs says and he and Tony walk a few steps away from Zach.
"Dark glasses, earwigs," Gibbs notes.
"Sounds like Feds," Tony comments.
"You really think the FBI would arrest a man and leave his kid in the park, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asks as Ziva walks up.
"Maybe our commander took a walk," Tony suggests. "My father left me in the Maui Hilton for two days once. He didn't even realise I was missing until he got the room service bill," Tony explains, and as he does Gibbs and Ziva exchange amused looks.
"Sad, but enlightening," Ziva comments as Tony walks up.
"Boss, I just spoke with the Commander's CO he's very concerned," McGee reveals. "Apparently Tanner was working on a highly classified DOD project," McGee explains.
"What project McGee?" Gibbs asks curious, as he knows they need to know.
"He wouldn't say over an unsecured line, but I'm going to find out," McGee explains.
"Footage from the security cameras?" Gibbs asks.
"Park security released them to me," Ziva explains to her father.
"Okay, get ahold of Zach's mom. She can pick him up at NCIS," Gibbs explains.
"Uh, uh, Boss. Um, his mother's dead. Killed for years ago in a car accident," Gibbs explains and he can't help but glance at Zack.
"Primary next of kin?" Gibbs asks.
"There is none. Just commander Tanner and his son," McGee reveals and Gibbs can't help but think of him and Ziva as that's what it's been like since Shannon and Kelly were killed, just the two of them.
A little while later McGee, Tony and Gibbs are in the bullpen watching the security footage, while Ziva is with Zach helping him do his sketch.
"These guys are definitely pros. They keep their faces from the camera. All we've got to go on is the Kid's description of them," Tony comments.
"It doesn't look like a kidnapping to me. They don't have any guys. They barely touched the commander," McGee comments.
"The could have threatened his son," Gibbs says, knowing that there is nothing he wouldn't do if Ziva was threatened.
"Explains why they left him alone in the park," Tony comments.
"What do we know about Commander Tanner?" Gibbs asks.
"Well, Boss. He is a brilliant man. A duel PhD from Caltech in Number and Chaos Theory. I was actually reading his thesis online; he manages to link non-relativistic quantum effects," McGee explains.
"Well, that's useful to the case, McGee!" Gibbs says annoyed.
"Uh.. the last three years he has been the Navy's liaison with a defence contractor, Q and R software. Been the project lead on something called 'Honor'," McGee explains.
"Which is?" Gibbs asks.
"Classified," McGee answers. "Uh… I put a call into the head of security over there. No one's gotten back to me. So, I thought I would pay them a visit," McGee explains.
"Yeah. That's a good answer. Tony go with him," Gibbs instructs, as Ziva walks up.
"The Sketch artist is done with Zach's description," Ziva explains, showing her Dad the pictures. "The boy has remarkable memory. There's also someone here from Social Security to pick him up," Ziva explains.
"Services, Ziver. Social Security is for older people," Gibbs explains to his daughter.
"Noted," Ziva says. "Do you want me to tell Zach?" Ziva asks her father curious.
"No, I'll handle it," Gibbs says, standing up. "Here. Sit down. Put a BOLO out on the composities," Gibbs says to his daughter, who sits down at his desk while Gibbs walks over to Ziva's desk where Zach is.
"Hey Zach, good job on the sketches, Man," Gibb tells him. "Thanks. That's Social Services, huh?" Zach asks, referring to the man.
"Mm-hmm. Yeah, they're going to take care of you until we get your Dad back," Gibbs explains.
"I can take care of myself," Zach says.
"I don't doubt that," Gibbs says, honestly being reminded of the way Ziva was when Rivka first brought her to America. "
"But I still have to go," Zach realises.
"Yeah, just for a little while. Come on," Gibbs says and Zach stands up.
"What if you… what if you don't find my Dad, Agent Gibbs?" Zach asks worried.
"I'll find him, Zach, I'll find him," Gibbs promises. "Hey, if you ever need me or even if you just want to talk, you call, okay?" Gibbs asks, giving him his card.
A while later it has been clear that Zach is no longer safe at Social Services and so he has been brought back to NCIS. While Gibbs is playing with Zach at his desk, blowing up gloves for him, Jenny is watching on and Ziva and Tony walk up to her.
"New hires just keep getting younger, eh, Madam Director?" Tony asks, clearly referencing how young Ziva is.
"Obviously you didn't get the memo, Agent DiNozzo," Jenny comments.
"What Memo?" Tony asks.
"The one where it explains the next person who calls her Madam gets Keel hauled, whatever that is," Ziva comments.
"It's…" Tony starts to explain.
"Unpleasant," Jenny finishes. "Tell your Dad I want him upstairs," Jenny tells Ziva, and she and Tony nod and head over to the bullpen.
"What did the Director want?" Gibbs asks.
"You," Ziva answers, purposely pausing. "Upstairs. I better check on those sketches," Ziva says, walking away.
"I got a BOLO out on a black Chevy Suburban, Boss. But without plates?" Tony asks, as he knows how big of a list that is.
"DiNozzo, you will spend the next twenty four personally checking each one in Virginia, Maryland and DC," Gibbs orders.
"That's like an impossibility," Tony says and Gibbs gives him a less than impressed look. "I'm on it," Tony says, realising that there is no point in arguing.
"You keep an eye on him for me. I'll be back," Gibbs says before walking away and heading up to the Catwalk where Jenny is.
"Always admired your way with children, ever think about having more kids?" Jenny asks curious.
"Is that an offer, Jen?" Gibbs asks with a smirk.
"No, it wasn't an offer, Jethro. It was merely an observation," Jenny explains.
"You know why I get along with kids so well? Because when they lie they don't have the guile to get away with it," Gibbs explains. "You wanted to see me?" Gibbs asks.
"I have spent the last hour on video-conference with the Directors of the FBI, NSA, and Homeland Security," Jenny explains.
"You kind of tea party," Gibbs comments.
"If Project Honor's compromised, it will cripple our intelligence networks. They all just want jurisdiction on this one," Jenny explains.
"And you said…" Gibbs starts to say. "I have my best agent working it," Jenny explains. "Now, tell me you have something," Jenny requests.
"The same man who kidnapped the Commander went after his son," Gibbs explains.
"Have you considered that Commander Tanner might not have been kidnapped?" Jenny asks.
"I have," Gibbs confirms.
"And?"
"I don't buy it," Jenny comments.
"Your famous gut again?" Jenny asks curious.
"No, his son," Gibbs reveals.
A little while later Tony has been talking to a woman who works with Tanner and is walking her back to the elevator.
"I feel like I've wasted your time, Agent DiNozzo," Laura admits.
"Bite your tongue. You've been great," Tony assures her.
"I just feel so bad for that poor little boy," Laura says.
"Well listen, if you think of anything, you give me a call day or night. Home phone numbers on the back," Tony explains, as the elevator doors close, and he sees Ziva.
"Where've you been? I could have used your help with interviews," Tony explains, as they walk back to the bullpen.
"Oh? You look like you had your hands full with her," Ziva comments.
"Watch your sexual innuendo arund the kid. He's had a hard day," Tony tells Ziva.
"He's taking it better than most adults. He's resilient," Ziva explains.
"Do you see the way he's been acting around me?" Tony asks.
"I think it's because he doesn't like you, Tony," Ziva comments.
"Kids dig me," Tony comments, completely believing that.
"No they don't!" Ziva assures him and Tony goes to get something out of his desk.
"Zach, Zacharoo, buddy! Come on over here, man," Tony says and Zach walks over to him. "Come over here, man. I was going to wait until tomorrow when everyone was here… but considering what a brave little boy you've been, and how much you've helped us. I'm going to make you an honorary NCIS agent," Tony says, handing the piece of paper over.
"Thanks. I've got to hit the head," Zach says, looking not at all interested, and so Ziva laughs as he walks away.
"Yes, Tony. I was mistaken. Your way with children is only rivalled by your way with woman," Ziva comments, compeltley amused.
"He's under a lot of stress," Tony says as Gibbs walks in.
"Where is Zach?" Gibbs asks.
"Potty break, Boss," Tony reveals.
"You gonna speak?" Gibbs asks Ziva who is giving him a very specific look.
"I got an ID one of our suspects. His name is Vincent Pazzo. Italian born. Freelance mercenary. Black ops, mostly. Some wet work," Ziva explains.
"How'd you find out about that?" Tony asks curious.
"I sent Zach's sketches to some people who owe me a favour," Ziva explains, and Gibbs is very interested in what that means, but figures that now is not the right time to question his daughter.
"Well, if he's got the Honour program and the guy who knows how to make it work, then why'd they go after the kid?" Tony asks.
"To force him to cooperate," Gibbs suggests.
"Then there is a possibility that Commander Tanner set this up to make it look like kidnapping," Ziva suggests.
"Keep your voice down," Gibbs tells his daughter, as he stands up.
"Shh," Tony tells Ziva.
"That is what I would do if it were my op," Ziva tells her father. "the authorities are looking for a kidnapper when they should be looking for a traitor," Ziva tells her father.
"It doesn't feel right, Ziver," Gibbs explains to his daughter.
"It does not have to feel right to be right, Dad," Ziva tells her father.
"I want Zach to stay with us," Gibbs tells his daughter, and Ziva isn't at all surprised.
"He can take my room. I will take the couch in the dining room, that is if I make it home," Ziva tells her father as she is pretty sure that is the best choice.
A while later Gibbs, Zach, and Ziva who has made it home, are all in the basement together working on the boat. Zach has borrowed one of Ziva's NIS sweatshirts from when she was a kid.
"Gibbs, can I ask you a question?" Zach asks curious.
"Yeah, shoot," Gibbs tells him.
"How are you going to get this out of here when it's finished?" Zach asks and Ziva gives her father an interested look as she is curious about that as well.
"Good question. I don't know. I haven't thought about it much," Gibbs admits, and Ziva takes a drink of her bourbon to stop herself from laughing.
"I think maybe you could use a crane or something," Zach suggests.
"Yeah? I could dig a ramp. Knock that wall out and hoist it out of here," Gibbs suggests, making Ziva think that her father has thought about this before.
"I went sailing once with my Dad and Commander Wilder. Didn't go too well," Zach explains.
"Did you get seasick?" Ziva asks, remembering when she went sailing with her Dad and Uncle Mike.
"My dad did. Commander Wilder thought it was funny, you know, my Dad being in the Navy and all," Zach explains. "You're going to find him right?" Zach asks, looking between Ziva and Gibbs.
"Oh, yeah. We'll find him," Gibbs promises and Ziva knows that her father will do whatever he has to do to make sure he doesn't break that promise.
"Promise?" Zach asks.
"Yeah. I promise," Gibbs says. "Do you want to give me a hand?" Gibbs asks Zach curious.
"Mmm. Don't know how," Zach comments.
"Come on, I'll give you a hand," Gibbs explains.
"I don't want to ruin it," Zach comments.
"You will not, I have been helping Dad since I was your age," Ziva reveals, as he father picks Zach up. And places him next to him.
"See? You always want to go with the wood. Put your hand there. Put your weight behind it, back and forth, real easy," Gibbs demonstrates and as he does Ziva can't help but remember all the times her Dad worked with her and Kelly that way, as Gibbs remembers the same thing.
After a pretty uneventful night Ziva, Gibbs and Zach are walking into the diner together so that they can have some breakfast.
"Wow, this place is cool," Zach comments.
"I have always thought so," Ziva says, as she puts her hand on Zach's shoulder.
"Can I have pancakes Gibbs?" Zack asks curious.
"Of course, you can have anything you'd like," Gibbs tells Zach, who grins, as the trio make their way to a booth.
A little while later Ziva, who has been at NCIS a while, is walking into the bullpen, where McGee is.
"Where's Dad?" Ziva asks.
"Uh, home with Zach," McGee suggests.
"No. he is not. We drove into work together," Ziva explains.
"Then I'm sure they're around somewhere. What's up?" McGee asks.
"Commander Tanner's bank statements," Ziva reveals. "I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure it is very unusual for a person to empty out their bank account before taking their child to the park," Ziva comments.
"You're kidding!" McGee exclaims.
"Savings, checking, money market. Twenty-three thousand dollars," Ziva explains.
"Your Dad is not going to like this," McGee comments.
"Are we solving this case to please him?" Ziva asks, as Tony walks in.
"I got a trace on the Chevy Suburban. Zach missed two numbers on the plate, but I found the vehicle. Rental car out of Maryland. ID's fake. Credit Card was stolen, but that's our other kidnapper," Tony explains.
"Does the car have a navigation system? Because we could use the GPS…." McGee starts to explain.
"Two words for you, McGee. Lo and Jack," Tony explains.
"That's one word," McGee explains.
"A what?" Ziva asks confused.
"It's a… whatever. I tracked it down to a parking lot a couple of miles from here," Tony explains.
"Good job, McGee," Gibbs says as he walks into the bullpen.
"What?" McGee asks.
"Come on, let's roll!" Gibbs exclaims.
"Where is Zach?" Ziva asks surprised, as they head out of the bullpen.
A little while later the team have found a body and Ziva and Gibbs are walking into Autopsy where the body they found is with Ducky.
"Ah, Ziva what a pleasure," Ducky says when see her.
"Hey Ducky," Ziva says, returning the smile.
"What you got Duck?" Gibbs asks.
"Our guest departed this world only a few hours ago, but he was in great dal of pain before he died. Seems he was wounded. Single round. The bullet lodged under his scapula. The shoulder blade," Ducky explains.
"Ducky I'm going to guess that slugs from my sig," Gibbs comments.
"As to the fatal injury, this circular burn around the entry wound suggests…" Ducky starts to explain.
"A silencer was used. It was done in haste by someone with little, if any, experience. If a professional did this, he would not have left his weapon," Ziva explains, and Gibbs just looks at his daughter. "It's untidy. Marks of an amateur. If it were me? I would not have been so obvious. There are literally dozens of effective ways to eliminate a target without raising suspicions," Ziva explains, and Gibbs doesn't know if he should be proud or concerned about how much Ziva knows about killing. "Heroin overdose is popular, but it requires a history of prior use. Of course something like insulin or potassium can be used to suggest death by natural causes," Ziva explains.
"You really need to come over for diner sometime. Mother would love to see you again," Ducky informs Ziva.
"They cleaned house. I wounded him when he tried to grab Zach. After that he was a liability," Gibbs explains.
"Once again, I suggest Commander Tanner may be involved. All the evidence says he stole the software. He cleared out his bank accounts. He likely killed this man," Ziva explains. "Dad, you have to admit that from an investigator's point of view, the pieces fit together quite well," Ziva comments and her father just smirks. "Or not,"
A while later McGee has discovered that a computer has been tampered with and a friend of Zach's father has tried to take Zach, but Gibbs did not let him. As she is thankful for what he has done for her Ziva is putting an apple on McGee's desk.
"Hey," Tony greats.
"Dad got Cornell talking yet?" Ziva asks curious.
"His lawyer won't let him talk, so Gibbs is giving him the old stare," Tony says as he demonstrates his version of the 'Gibbs Stare'.
"Dad does it much better," Ziva comments.
"Apple for the teacher?" Tony asks curious.
'It's for McGee. He has been very generous with me. Helping me to adjust to being back in DC," Ziva explains.
"So you're giving him an apple?" Tony asks surprised.
"it is a small gesture," Ziva explains.
"Well if you want to thank him, why didn't you just get him a date?" Tony asks. "Your Dad wants to know if you've got anything he can use on Connell," Tony explains.
"Frank Connell is a deacon at his church. Never had a moving violation, let alone a parking ticket, and he calls his mother every Sunday. The man is spic and spam," Ziva explains.
"The saying is spic and span. Spam is lunch meat," Tony explains.
"Oh. What exactly is span then?" Ziva asks.
"Span is… I'll beck back to you on that," Tony comments.
"In my opinion, Frank Connell is not involved in this," Ziva comments.
"Oh, good. I'll let Gibbs know right away because he loves to hear our opinion," Tony comments.
"He is distraction by his affections for Zach," Ziva comments.
"Gibbs doesn't get distracted," Tony comments.
"Actually, he does, and I would say that I know that better than you," Ziva tells Tony.
"Well then you'd know that the boss moves in mysterious ways. Get this to him," Tony says, handing Ziva folder.
"Why me?" Ziva asks.
"Because I'm going to go see your little buddy McGee," Tony explains, as he picks up the apple.
"Hey, put that back!" Ziva calls.
"I'm just bringing it to him," Tony explains as he walks out of the bullpen.
A little while later Ziva, Gibbs and Zach are once more at the house, in the basement together, working on the boat.
"Yeah. Yeah, at this rate we'll have her seaworthy in no time," Gibbs comments.
"Maybe my dad can help when he gets back," Zach suggests as Jenny walks into the basement.
"Hubba-hubba," Gibbs comments. "Dinner at the White house?" Gibbs asks curious.
"A date actually," Jenny answers and Ziva just looks between her Dad and Jenny, wondering what is going to happen.
"Must be an important guy for you to get all decked out," Gibbs comments, and if Ziva didn't know better she would swear that she can hear some jealously in her father's voice, and she isn't sure she does know better.
"I'd prefer if you just told me that you liked my dress," Jenny comments.
"I haven't decided yet," Gibbs admits.
"Ziva, Zach, do you mind giving us a moment?" Jenny asks, looking at the pair.
"Sure," Ziva answers. "Zach, how about we go upstairs and get soda?" Ziva suggests.
"Sure," Zach responds and the two of them head upstairs.
"How long are you planning on keeping Frank Connell locked up?" Jenny asks curious.
"You make a house call to reprimand me, Jen?" Gibbs asks.
"You've got Commander Tanner's fingerprints on the bullets of the murder weapon," Jenny comments.
"Well, I'm not sure he did it," Gibbs admits.
"Why? And don't tell me your famous gut again," Jenny comments. "Zach is a great kid, Jethro. Doesn't mean his father's not a bastard," Jenny comments.
"He might be, but Zach's our only link to him," Gibbs explains.
"You think he might make another attempt to get Zach back?" Jenny asks.
"I would," Gibbs reveals. "And if he does I'll be waiting for him," Gibbs explains.
"My Dad didn't do anything wrong!" Zach exclaims from the top of the stairs, where he is with Ziva, as the two of them snuck down to listen in.
"It's a complicated Situation," Jenny comments.
"It's not!" Zach exclaims.
"Zach…" Jenny starts to say.
"Zach, there is evidence he did something wrong," Gibbs tells him gently.
"It doesn't matter. I know in my, my stomach he didn't do anything wrong. You promised you'd bring him back to me, Gibbs, please!" Zach says, becoming upset, and as she cannot help but think about the complete faith she has in her father Ziva puts an arm around Zach, trying to comfort him.
The next morning Gibbs, Ziva and Zach arrived to NCIS together and while Gibbs took Zach down to Autopsy Ziva has been at her desk making phone calls, where she still is, when Gibbs walks in.
"Where's Zach?" McGee asks curious.
"Ducky's," Gibbs answers.
"Listen, Boss, I spent half the night taking Frank Connell's hard drive apart. There was nothing. I think we need to accept that Commander Tanner sold the software," McGee explains.
"I'm not accepting anything," Gibbs comments.
"Boss…" McGee starts to say.
"We need to look at this a different way," Gibbs suggests.
"I agree," Ziva says, walking over to her father and McGee. "I just talked to the CIA. They were very corporative," Ziva reveals as she called G Callan, who was someone she continued to talk to even after she joined Mossad.
"They were?" McGee asks surprised.
"He owed me a favour," Ziva explains as she and Callan have been exchanging favours for Five years.
"How many people owe you favours?" McGee asks curious.
"How many dates does Tony go on a month?" Ziva asks as she puts an image on the plasma. "This is from Kosovo in the late nineties. The man with the shaved head is Vincent Pazzo. The one on the left is Willis Hirst. They were mercenaries for the Kosovo Liberation Army," Ziva explains.
"Freedom fighters," McGee says.
"Not exactly," Ziva comments.
"They worked for a warlord as specialist," Ziva explains.
"What specialty?" McGee asks.
"Coercion," Ziva answers.
"Torture," Gibbs explains.
"But the evidence we have against Commander Tanner," McGee comments.
"This is a covert operation. Take nothing at face value. They framed commander Tanner as a diversion," Ziva explains.
"While they torture him for the access codes," Gibbs adds.
"Maybe he won't talk," McGee comments.
"Have you ever been tortured, McGee? There's only so much torment a human body can bear. Strong men break in a few days, but nobody can hold out forever. Not even Dad," Ziva reveals. "With a trained interrogator it can be done in less time, I can get the code in hours," Ziva explains and Gibbs is amused but also knows that he and Ziva will have to have a conversation about that.
"They've had him for two days," McGee notes.
"He is running out of time if he has not talked already," Ziva explains.
"A few hours, huh?" Gibbs asks his daughter.
"Give or take," Ziva explains.
"I'm putting you in a room with Frank Connell. You have forty minutes," Gibbs tells his daughter.
"I'd hold off on that, boss," Tony says as he walks into the room.
"DiNozzo, where have you been?" Gibbs asks.
"Tracking down the convenience store where our dead guy purchased his cell phone," Tony explains. "Not easy, by the way. The language barrier between me and Mister Singh was no piece of cake either, but once I convinced him I wasn't going to shut down his convenience store he gave me surveillance video tapes. Is this poppy seed?" Tony asks, referring to a muffin he is already taking a bite out of.
"Where is the video?" Gibbs asks.
"Abby's lab. Sorry, Boss. She's scanning the tape now," Tony explains.
A little while later Gibbs, Ziva and McGee have gone to Tanner's office as they believe his assistant is involved in the kidnapping.
"What's going on?" Laura asks.
"You brought phones connected to a robbery, a kidnapping and a murder," Gibbs explains, as Ziva gets her phone.
"Gibbs, her number matches several calls on the kidnapper's phone," Ziva says, saying Gibbs and not Dad so that she doesn't give away her identity.
"You're done," Gibbs says. "Only way to help yourself is to tell us everything you know," Gibbs reveals.
"I want a lawyer," Laura comments, and once she does Gibbs, Ziva and McGee walk several steps away and huddle up together.
"Commander Tanner's been gone for forty seven hours," Gibbs says concerned.
"If he is not dead yet, he soon will be," Ziva comments.
"Maybe we can convince her to change her mind about the lawyer," McGee comments.
"Oh, I can convince him far more than that," Ziva comments.
"How long?" Gibbs asks his daughter.
"Not long," Ziva answers.
"McGee, are you thirsty? Come on. I'll buy you a cup of coffee," Gibbs says and he and McGee leave, leaving Ziva with Laura.
A while later, thanks to what Ziva did to Laura, Commander Tanner has been found and it has been discovered that someone he thought was his friend betrayed him. While waiting for Commander Tanner to come upstairs Gibbs and Zach are in the bullpen, where Zach is drinking hot chocolate.
"Are you okay?" Gibbs asks.
"I guess. Commander Wilder was my dad's… he was my friend, Gibbs. I should have known. I shouldn't have let him fool me like that," Zach comments.
"Zach, sometimes really bad people are really good at fooling you," Gibbs explains.
"Anybody bad ever fool you?" Zach asks.
"Oh, yeah. More than once," Gibbs confirms.
"Someday I'm going to find them and put them all in jail," Zach reveals.
"I believe you will," Gibbs says, as Tanner arrives.
"Zach!" Tanner yells.
"Dad! Daddy! Daddy! You're all right," Zach says, running to his father and hugging him. "I knew you'd never leave me,".
"I'm all right, Buddy, everything's all right," Tanner assures him.
"I love you, Daddy," Zach says and as he does Gibbs remembers working on the boat with both Zach and Kelly and Ziva when they were young.
A little while later Gibbs and Ziva are in the basement working on the boat together.
"It was nice having Zach here," Ziva comments, as they work.
"Yeah, it was," Gibbs comments.
"Dad, are you mad about what I can do?" Ziva asks curious.
"No Kiddo," Gibbs tells his daughter. "But I don't like what you had to learn to do, what you had to become, to get your answers," Gibbs comments.
"Sometimes I hate what I have become too," Ziva admits. "When Eli first recruited me I just saw it as a chance to get my answers, but then my training started," Ziva reveals. "I was good Dad. I rose the ranks and I became great at doing bad things for the right reasons," Ziva reveals. "I became what Ima was trying to stop me from becoming," Ziva explains, guilt in her voice. "But I also think that it was my choice, Eli did not force me, I choose," Ziva says and then she looks down at the ground. "You must be ashamed of me," Ziva comments, as she looks down.
"You're forgetting Kid, I was a Sniper," Gibbs tells her. "Ziva I'm never going to be ashamed of you. Mossad trained you to be one thing, but now you're going to learn to be another, and just because you're not going to be doing what you used to do, doesn't mean that training won't help," Gibbs tells her. "Jenny told me about the lives you have saved, and I might not like everything you've done, but I am proud," Gibbs assures her. "Your Ima would understand,".
"I am a killer, Dad," Ziva tells her father, looking up at him.
"So am I," Gibbs says simply and the two of them exchange understanding looks.