AN: Takes place in Season 5 Judgement Day Part 2

"Sir, maybe we should wait until-" Tony began only to almost immediately be interrupted.

"Are you defying a direct order, Agent DiNozzo?"

Ziva watched as his back tensed and he replied through gritted teeth, "No, of course not, sir."

The Assistant Director always did put them on edge at the best of times and now was definitely not the best of times. Actually, it was the worst of times. Ziva felt like that was a quite from somewhere but it didn't matter. What mattered was that Vance was trying to get them to defy Gibbs' orders! Just what was he thinking?

"Then you'll have no problem clearing this already processed crime scene."

That wasn't a question.

"It's just that-"

"Will you?"

Tony sighed in defeat. "No, sir."

Assistant Director- or was that Director now? - Vance looked inordinately pleased with Tony's acceptance. Or acquiescence more like. Ziva doubted that Tony really accepted Vance's authority over him.

"Well, get to it then."

"Yes, Assistant Director," Ziva jumped in just in case Tony lashed out.

She could feel the tension emanating from him. He hadn't been given time to process this whole situation at all. Neither of them had. But maybe Ziva was better at hiding it. She, unfortunately, had more than enough experience with this sort of thing.

That got her a curt nod from the man.

"Officer David," he nodded at jer before walking off, bringing his phone to his ear.

Tony stared after him with a mullish expression on his face.

"Come on," Ziva coaxed. "We may as well get started."

A long sigh escaped him but he nodded.

"Gibbs really isn't going to like this."

Ziva grimaced. "I know. But Vance outranks him and we've been given our orders."

And as much as they would like to, they could not disobey Vance.

Tony muttered something that was definitely not polite about Vance's orders but nodded reluctantly.

"I guess so."

So, slowly but surely they started clearing the crime scene. There was so much blood. Seriously, so much blood. That was definitely not coming out of the floor anytime soon.

Neither of them talked much, which was unusual for Tony normally but not really given the circumstances. Ziva was okay with this as it gave her time to at least try and process what had happened.

It looked like Tony was doing the same as every now and then he would stop what he was doing and just stare and the bit of floor where Jenny's body had been. She was sure he could still easily see her, Ziva knew she could. It was an image burned onto her brain. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing that the body had been removed. Obviously for burial purposes the quicker the better but it all just seemed to happen so quickly.

Yes, Ziva was aware that she wasn't making much sense. She was having trouble making sense of everything.

It was just better to stick to the things that did make sense. Like clearing up the crime scene. That's what they were supposed to be doing.

At least Vance came back and helped. Whether it was because he didn't trust the two of them or he felt like he had to, Ziva didn't know. But it meant that she couldn't talk to Tony and it looked like he needed to talk. Desperately.

But that would have to wait. They had work to do. Lots of it. So many shell casings. At least Jenny went down fighting though that was a small comfort.

Of course Gibbs had to appear when they were red handed, as she thought the saying went. The two of them were carrying evidence out just as he arrived. Brilliant. This was not going to go down well. Gibbs needed to be in control in situations like this and he was definitely not the one in control here.

Tony inhaled sharply when he saw him. They both knew what his reaction would be.

And they were right. Displeased wasn't a strong enough word for the look on his face. Or for the telling off they got. At least Vance emerged to rescue them, so to speak. Not that that made Gibbs any less displeased.

Vance explained what was going on but Ziva didn't think Gibbs took anything in. He was too focused on getting into the diner. Vance followed.

"Boss, there's nothing in there - or you can just go right in. Okay!" Tony said quietly, after the quickly retreating back of Gibbs.

Did Tony really think Gibbs woukd have done anything different, really? Tony looked like he was trying to decide whether or not to follow him when Vance did just that.

"I think I'll just stay out here," he decided.

The silence stretched between them. They hadn't exactly been talking when they were processing evidence but they hadn't needed to. Now that there was nothing to occupy them, the silence settled uncomfortably around them.

"At least her body isn't there anymore," Tony muttered darkly.

Ziva shuddered, still having some trouble tying the cold, lifeless body they had found with her warm, life-lovong friend.

Speaking of friends, Ziva eyes her very much alive one. It was doing Tony no good just standing around here, waiting for Gibbs and Vance to come out. He was going over and over everything of the last few days in his heads and those thoughts definitely weren't positive. Eslecially towards himself. It was extremely obvious that Tony was blaming himself. And none of this was his fault. It wasn't any of their faults.

"Come on," she said, tugging on his arm. "Let's see if we can find more evidence."

He sighed heavily and looked down at her with world-weary eyes.

"We've already bagged, tagged and processed it all, Ziva."

"Yes. Inside the diner. There could be something outside."

Rubbing a hand over his face, that was starting to get sunburned, he replied, "We're in a desert. There's nowhere for things to be hidden."

"There might be some."

A spark suddenly appeared in his eyes. That's what she liked to see.

"Like tyre tracks!" he said in a brighter voice than previously.

"Exactly," Ziva coukdnt help but smile a little. "They'll probably be behind the diner, out of line of sight from the windows."