Chapter 29

Gibbs stood in the sunshine and watched the children playing on the swings and slides. Their innocence and youth magnetic as it drew you closer to them, and invited you to join in their games. He watched as they ran and played, fell and fought but through it all they laughed, and Gibbs knew why he did what he did, why he would continue to do it.

"Wonderful aren't they?" Ari asked quietly from behind Gibbs. Gibbs turned and stared at the man he hated more than any other, and smiled at him.

"Yes" was all Gibbs said, his mask in place, his anger buried inside for the time being. Ari handed Gibbs one of the large cups of coffee in his hand and then motioned his head towards the tree lined path. Gibbs offered a half smile and inclination of his head in acceptance. They fell into step, looking to passers-by as two friends out for a stroll. Their steps matched perfectly, their bearings both proud and confident. Neither spoke for awhile, each waiting for the other, each vying for silent control.

"What is to stop me from killing you?" Ari asked suddenly, his tone conversational and slightly amused.

"Very little" Gibbs replied, "But there's less stopping me" he told Ari, turning his head and levelling cold hard eyes on him. Ari moved off the path and into a copse of trees. When they had reached a secluded spot he stopped and turned to Gibbs, a soft smile on his face. "I believe you told me the next time we met you would kill me" He reminded Gibbs, seemingly unconcerned that they were in a secluded area.

"Yep" Gibbs replied, his eyes cold and hard "meeting's not over," he warned him his tone amused.

"Shall we dispense with the power games?" Ari asked softly, his dark eyes a stark contrast to Gibbs's blue ones, as they assessed both Gibbs and the area. Gibbs inclined his head again but didn't reply, carefully taking a sip of the coffee Ari had given him.

"Why haven't you killed me?" Ari asked, genuinely interested in why he was still alive when he knew that Gibbs wanted him dead, more than he wanted anything.

"Because I want to know what you want" Gibbs replied honestly, "Doesn't mean I wont kill you later" he said softly, his tone deadly. Ari smiled at Gibbs and then motioned for them to continue walking.

"I need to know what you found out from my 'friends'" he said, his head turning to watch Gibbs as they walked. Gibbs laughed at that.

"Do you really think I would tell you?" he asked him in disbelief. Ari smiled slightly again.

"No, but I still need to know"

"So ask Farnell" Gibbs shot back. Ari smiled and inclined his head, "I would but he doesn't trust me anymore, I have made the FBI's most wanted list" Ari laughed out loud "It has increased my standing considerably with my 'friends'" he told Gibbs, a slightly sardonicemphasis on the last words.

"Killing a federal agent will do that" Gibbs said, stopping and staring at Ari, assessing him. "Why Kate?" he asked quietly. his teeth grited, his hands clenched, the first trace of anger escaping as he asked the question that burned most. Ari sighed and looked to the heavens for a moment.

"Because I couldn't kill you" he replied quietly "and I needed to gain their trust, and as you said killing a federal agent will do that" he said softly, a trace of some emotion in his voice that Gibbs couldn't quiet work out.

"Why take Abby?" Gibbs asked, believing what Ari had said was the truth.Knowing that every goverment had people like Ari on the payroll, knowing that there was a US counterpart somewhere in the middle east, who would act as Ari had when the stakes were this high. Ari pursed his lips slightly before answering.

"Because I knew you would come after me, that you would want her, above all others back" he told Gibbs, a soft smile on his face as he remembered Abby "because you love her" he added on, his eyes daring Gibbs to deny it. Gibbs stared at him but said nothing just calmly sipped his drink, watching Ari over the rim of his cup.

"Why?" Gibbs said quietly, offering no more to the question, knowing Ari didn't need anything more. Gibbs watched Ari intently, needing to know the answer, knowing that his and Ari's future depended on it.

Ari turned to stare at a squirrel, collecting nuts from the ground "you asked me that once before" he said quietly, "do you think my answer has changed?" he asked turning back to Gibbs. Gibbs narrowed his eyes at Ari, his eyes flicking to the shoulder he had shothim in.

"No, but I want the full answer this time, I want to see if I really am like you" Gibbs said softly, his eyes glittering with anger and hatred.

"Oh we are Gibbs" Ari murmured turning back to the squirrel, which was now scampering up a tree with its hoard of nuts. "I do it because someone has to, because I can" he told turning back to Gibbs "Why do you do it?" Ari asked.

Gibbs stared at him for a moment "Because someone has to, because I can" Gibbs replied giving Ari his words back. Ari stared at him, shocked that Gibbs would admit that they were alike in some way.

"So you agree? We are the same?" Ari said, his tone almost gloating. Gibbs shook his head softly.

"No, we're not" Gibbs said quietly "I won't kill to get what I want" Gibbs replied, "I won't hurt innocent people to force others to my will" he said softly in reference to both Abby and Gerald, and to Kate.

Ari stared at him "You are still deluding yourself" He whispered harshly, annoyed at Gibbs, part of him needing Gibbs to admit to being like him.

"No, I'm not" Gibbs said quietly "I wouldn't have killed Kate, or taken Abby, no matter what." Gibbs told him calmly, finally understanding what made them different.

"I believe in people" Gibbs told Ari , watching the hatred flash across Ari's face at his words "You believe in a cause" he added on, realising that that was where the difference lay between them.

Ari inclined his head and smiled at Gibbs recognising the truth in his words.

"Perhaps" he said softly, turning and walking away from Gibbs. "But my way works" he said without turning back.

Gibbs watched him walk away, wanting to take out his gun and shoot the bastard, but knowing that he couldn't, knowing that Ari was in a place few others could infiltrate. Hating that the world needed men like Ari to protect the truly innocent, knowing that sometimes the line was just a blur in the dirt, and sometimes it had to be crossed by those willing to pay the price. Hating that he was letting Kate's killer walk away, but knowing that one day he would make him pay.

"This ends now Ari" he called out, watching Ari stop and turn to face him.

"For now" Ari agreed with a wave and a grin, "For now my friend" he repeated quietly to himself as he walked away.

JBWriter...I dont think your going to be too happywith this chapter! But I didnt want to kill him off...I have plans for him...