Author's Note: Another long wait. How can it take so long to type out a story I wrote in my head in an hour? Sorry everyone! On the upside, this is much longer so it should keep you going for a while :)
For those wondering, I did some decidedly half-assed photoshopping and red hair does suit Ziva! The dress was somewhat based on this - but obviously with a colour change and slightly higher backline!
I can promise those who asked there won't be a new boyfriend or girlfriend in the mix, and they WILL make it up :)
Thank you so much for the reviews, this is getting very close to being my highest-reviewed story ever :)
Chapter Nine - Dancing the Night Away
They travelled to NCIS separately, having managed to avoid talking to each other while they'd finished getting ready. When the team was assembled in the quiet squadroom, Vance had disappeared into MTAC, leaving them wondering why they'd been called in. Gibbs put them to work on cold cases, and Abby, who'd been called in as well, bounced down to the lab.
It was an odd silence in the room, none of the usual bustle of a weekday, added to that the visible tension between Tony and Ziva. Ziva was apparently in work mode, ignoring Tony completely. Tony, unable to focus so intently, kept glancing across at her, hoping to work out what on earth was going on in her head, and she in return kept shooting him silent glares. McGee caught one of the looks that passed across the small space and hastily suggested a lunch run.
"I will go," Ziva said quickly, grateful to have an excuse to get away from Tony for a while. She took the orders and left hurriedly. Gibbs said nothing, but she felt his questioning gaze on her back as she headed for the elevator.
When Ziva returned, she could see little had changed, Tony was still distracted and unproductive, Gibbs was glaring at his computer, and McGee was sitting quietly, trying to avoid either Tony's nervous tension or Gibbs's wrath. She distributed the coffees first, receiving various acknowledgement from the men as she placed each on the desk. She turned her attention to the bags in her hand, peeking in each one to hand them over to their correct owners.
"Gibbs." He nodded, accepting the sandwich. He turned his attention back to the computer, which dinged uselessly every time he pressed a key.
"McGee." Ziva had placed a vegetarian wrap on her own desk before handing McGee his lunch.
"Thanks Ziva. Boss, put the cursor inside the text box and... here." Gibbs' steely glare had Tim from his seat and resolving the problem quickly as Ziva approached Tony's desk.
"About time David, I was ready to die of starvation." Tony huffed. Ziva rolled her eyes.
"If you had not had such a detailed order, I would have been back here 15 minutes ago." Tony had requested a specific burger, from a specific shop, and had given Ziva written instructions to pass on about the way it was to be constructed.
"Well if I hadn't they might have made a mistake." Ziva glared at him darkly, spinning and heading back to her desk silently. Tony unwrapped the monstrosity, admiring it. In her peripheral vision, Ziva saw Gibbs' hand come into the air, tossing a pack of wet wipes across the bullpen onto Tony's desk. A second later, mustard and ketchup decorated the front of Tony's shirt.
"Thanks Boss." Tony mumbled, his mouth full, dabbing at his shirt. There was a few minutes silence as everyone ate. Tony texting with one hand, as he did his best to avoid making a bigger mess. Against her hip, Ziva's phone buzzed.
"Can we talk?" She read, putting down her wrap, she replied quickly.
"There is nothing to talk about." Tony scowled at the screen. Savouring the last bite of burger, he moved onto a donut. Powdered sugar joined the savoury condiments on his shirt as Gibbs' phone broke the silence.
"Gibbs." He said shortly, laying the rest of his sandwich aside. "On the way."
"Are we up?" Tony brushed his front down with little success. By way of response, Gibbs picked up his coffee and headed toward Vance's office. The three agents followed quickly, hurrying up the stairs behind their boss.
"A number of new recruits at Quantico have tested positive for methamphetamines," Vance responded to Gibbs' unceremonious entry without knocking by getting straight to business. "We've traced the supplier and from what we've discovered there's a new delivery due tonight, at a benefit ball hosted by SecNav. We've got permission to send in two wired agents, posing as Aurelia and Jeffrey Clarke, Jeffrey is a distant relative of SecNav himself, he married Aurelia about a month ago. Your job will be to observe only, we're under strict orders that this is to be a no contact op, it is still a Naval event and if it turns into a shoot out someone will have a lot of explaining to do to SecNav... and it won't be me." Vance narrowed his eyes at Gibbs specifically.
"I take it I will be posing as Aurelia then?" Ziva spoke. Vance nodded briefly, and Tony puffed his chest expectantly.
"Gibbs, you'll be escorting Agent David as Jeffrey tonight." The surprise was evident in the room. "Aurelia and Jeffrey are real people, and Jeffrey is some years older than you DiNozzo. They are distant, so no one will recognise you, but the basic features need to be covered. You and Agent McGee will be running surveillance, I will join you later in the evening."
"Right," Tony responded, deflated.
"David, you will have a small audio recording device, when you locate the suspect, you will have to plant it under the table, we're looking for Elias Conrad - the emails imply that Mattheus Humphries will be approaching him." Ziva nodded briefly, studying the photos of the suspects Vance handed her. "Other than that, I want NO contact with the suspects, you are a normal newly married couple enjoying dinner and dancing. SecNav's Security Detail will also be aware of your presence." Gibbs and Ziva both looked uncomfortable, the irony was thick in Vance's voice at the idea of Gibbs playing a 'normal' married husband.
"Hi!" Abby appeared on the screen on the wall. "You summoned?"
"Yes Ms Sciuto." Vance turned to her. "Agent David needs a dress."
"What makes you think I cannot dress myself?" Ziva queried indignantly.
"You will need to be wired, and have a small camera within the dress. Ms Sciuto and Agent McGee have been working on a device that will work, however you need to choose a specific style of dress." Ziva nodded assent as Abby squealed excitedly at the prospect of dress shopping.
"Zi, this is going to be awesome!" Abby disappeared from the screen momentarily, and reappeared with a Caf-Pow! She took a long sip, and began to launch into a suggested selection of colours, pink being absent from her breathless list.
"Thank you Ms Scuito. Agent David will be down with you shortly, with some photographs of the woman she is posing as. You both have the afternoon to take care of the arrangements. Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee. Go and hire suits - if you do have to go in, you need to look the part." Nodding, the agents took their leave.
"And Agent David -" Ziva paused at the threshold. "I suggest you buy a wig." Vance handed over a photograph of the couple. Ziva and Gibbs glanced at the photo. Gibbs could manage a reasonable likeness to Jeffrey, with glasses and a run through of semi-permanent brown hair dye. Aurelia on the other hand, was a different story.
"Red hair." Gibbs sucked in his breath. He glanced at Ziva, shaking his head. "You had better be better behaved than some of the redheads I've known Aurelia."
"I will be on my best behaviour Jeffrey." Ziva promised with a smirk as Abby, coaxed out of her lab with the bribe of making over Ziva appeared at the speed of light, grabbed her by the arm and whisked her off.
At the suit hire shop, Tony was out of sorts, sulking and irritable. He'd bitten McGee's head off on more than one occasion already, and when he snapped at the seamstress adjusting his cuffs for pricking him with a pin, even though he had twitched impatiently causing her to slip, Gibbs lost patience with the sullen Senior Agent, applying a resonant slap to the back of his head as soon as the apologetic young woman was clear of the area.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs barked, "I don't know what is going on inside that thick skull of yours, but let it go! We've got a job to do tonight, and we don't need whatever you're brooding about interfering." He added a second head slap when Tony opened his mouth to protest. "Got it?"
"Got it Boss." Tony rubbed the back of his head ruefully. Although he no longer snapped at anyone he was not himself, still brooding quietly.
About a block away in a ladies wear shop, Abby was having a blast, and even Ziva didn't seem to mind the fashion parade her friend had in mind, or was at the very least tolerating it well. "Come on Ziva!" Abby danced impatiently from foot to foot as Ziva changed behind the dressing room door.
"I do not know Abby..." Ziva's voice floated out doubtfully. A pile of already discarded dresses sat on the chair next to Abby. The forensic scientist had chosen carefully, making sure the cut of the dress would work with the device they would be attaching, but the lower back lines were causing Ziva some issue. She had worn a far more revealing dress when she had sung in Morocco, but did not feel exposing that much of herself to her team members and boss was appropriate or necessary.
"Come on!" Abby pleaded, finally the door opened, and Ziva emerged, barefoot, wearing the latest selection. Abby for a change was rendered mute, her wide grin and enthusiastic nod saying what her mouth could not.
In the bullpen, Gibbs was pacing. Uncomfortable in the stiff suit, he was eager to get the mission underway and finished as soon as possible. He was looking forward too, to getting home and showering until the hair colour Abby had bought him was gone. McGee was fiddling with his computer and several small boxes, and talking quietly to Vance, Tony was still sulking at his desk.
"Snap out of it DiNozzo. If you screw up, you're in for a psych eval." Gibbs growled as he passed Tony's desk. The elevator dinged, heralding the arrival of Abby and Ziva, from where they had been getting ready in the Lab. Four pairs of eyes turned to the steel doors as they slid open. Abby bounced out first, shrieking in delight at the sight of Gibbs all dressed up.
"Easy Abs." He laughed, returning her enthusiastic hug. She moved over to Tim, admiring his suit too, but McGee's flattered stammering fell quiet as Ziva appeared from the elevator. There was an awestruck silence for a second as Ziva approached them.
"Well?" She enquired, smoothing her dress self consciously.
"Wow." Even Tony was shaken out of whatever dark mood he was in. A long auburn wig, carefully applied framed Ziva's face, and fell to her shoulders in soft curls. The reddish hue flattered her, and combined with the pearlescent green in some lights, blue in others satin of the dress she wore, the tan of her skin seemed to develop its own luminescence and glow.
"I told you so!" Abby beamed proudly. The solid coloured satin was accentuated by a high waist with delicate beading, and the halter neck and structured bodice gently highlighted the curves of her upper body. The full length skirt dropped to the floor, pooling softly around her feet. "Turn around." Abby encouraged.
"Wow." It was McGee this time. As Ziva spun, the seawater fabric caught the light, changing hue several times. The halter neck was tied at the nape, and cut to her mid back, much of her smooth olive skin was exposed, beading continuing from the front to frame her bare skin. A gathered train finished the skirt at the back, shifting as Ziva moved, billowing out in a wide halo, to settle softly against her legs again as she stood still.
"Alright. McGee, let's get them wired." Vance cleared his throat. A sparkling brooch was the first to appear, and Abby carefully fixed it at the top of the zip on the back of Ziva's dress.
"Ms Scuito is responsible for that idea." Vance explained. "You can dance without appearing to watch anyone." Glasses with an inbuilt camera were produced for Gibbs, as well as his usual wrist mic in a watch, discreet earpieces were provided as well, Ziva's having a mic built in too, her long hair keeping it well out of sight. She was lastly presented with a black clutch, a camera built into the clasp to be placed on their table. McGee also explained the listening device Ziva was to plant. The final touch, plain gold bands for 'husband' and 'wife' which Abby presented with no small amount of giggling.
"There's a car in the parking lot, your Challenger is too distinctive." Vance threw Gibbs a set of keys. "Remember no contact whatsoever." The team lined up ready to go.
"Hold it!" Abby whipped out her phone, to capture her 'family' together. Instinctively Tony slipped his arm around Ziva's waist and smiled as she leaned into him. Abby beamed at the screen, Gibbs and Tim flanking the central couple. Tony's smile faded again as Ziva extracted herself and took Gibbs' extended arm. He may not have been happy about the role play, but was more than able to play the dashing gentleman to his stunning 'wife.'
"The ball wraps up at midnight." Tony did not cut in with the expected Cinderella quote. "Back here to debrief afterward." Vance instructed. Gibbs nodded curtly and led the way to the elevator.
In the car, Ziva and Gibbs were quiet for a while, both focused on the job ahead. Ziva quietly explored the purse, and noticed Abby had also included tissues, cushioning band aids if the simple black heels rubbed at Ziva's feet and the tube of lipstick she had applied earlier. She gave a small chuckle.
"Abs thinks of everything." Gibbs commented, noticing the tube in Ziva's hand. "Look, I got pretty tongue tied before, but that dress suits you."
"Thank you." Ziva replied softly, the rare but genuine compliment warming her cheeks.
"What's eating DiNozzo?" Gibbs changed topic abruptly, small talk apparently being out of the way.
"I do not know Gibbs..." Ziva decided on partial honesty. "I think he was expecting to take the lead instead of you. We had also talked about having a movie night, he is probably upset I do not have to suffer through another one of his action films." They stopped at a red light, and Gibbs fixed her with a firm look.
"Rule 12." He murmured, turning back to the road, the warning tone evident in his voice. He caught Ziva twisting her wedding band around her finger. Having no emergency stop switch, he pulled the car over rapidly instead. "David."
"Yes Gibbs?" She startled at the use of her surname.
"We are playing a married couple tonight. I need to know if there's anything that I should be aware of that will affect your ability to keep your mind on the job." No longer driving he could look her right in the eye.
"No Gibbs," Ziva replied steadily, meeting his gaze. "Whatever has rattled Tony's bars has nothing to do with our job tonight. Nor my role as your wife." Gibbs did not bother to correct 'bars' to 'cage' keeping his eyes fixed on her face.
"What about..." Gibbs blew out a deep breath, "Somalia? We will need to be in close contact."
"I have been cleared for work Gibbs. It is not as though we are playing husband and wife in private." Ziva dodged the personal topic, he narrowed his eyes, seeing through her attempt. She sighed heavily. "Yes I was... hurt by Saleem and his men. However, being touched by someone I trust does not cause me discomfort or unease."
"Good." He pulled back onto the road.
"You did not read the report?" Ziva queried.
"None of my business." He replied shortly "Not the medical part anyway. I trust you to tell me what I need to know first. If you don't then I read." Ziva nodded as he turned into the hotel, glad the conversation would be over soon. They saw the black surveillance van drive past, and seeing valet parking, pulled to one side, waiting until they had contact from McGee before continuing, knowing they would not have privacy to check outside of the car.
"Ziva, face your bag out." McGee hissed in her ear as the valet opened the door. She quickly turned the clutch around, allowing both Tony and McGee a good view of the man.
"Aurelia?" Gibbs had tipped the valet and offered his arm. In the screen showing the view from the frame of his glasses, Ziva's face smiled up at him, Tony bit his lip at the light in her eyes. In all their evenings together she had not once smiled like that at him, lust yes, amusement, most definitely, pure adoration, no.
"Thank you darling." She replied, and together they walked up the steps into the foyer. Gibbs played every inch the adoring husband as they walked through the foyer to the ballroom, and were shown their table. His hand never left Ziva's back or shoulder, pulling her chair out for her, and helping her to sit gallantly.
"Wow." McGee murmured, "He's good." He watched as the vision from Gibbs' camera blur close to Ziva's ear as he brushed a kiss to her temple, the normally rough voice of their boss murmuring an endearment. They were good actors sure, but Gibbs knew there was nothing like a compliment to get the desired smile and blush rising on his "wife's" face.
"Noted McGee." Gibbs replied softly. McGee stammered, having forgotten that the contact worked both ways. "Would you like a drink?" He addressed Ziva now.
"Thank you, a mineral water." Ziva replied, placing her clutch purse on the table. "Good Tim?" she added in an undertone. She followed his instructions so they had the best view of the room possible. They had arrived early, to allow themselves the best chance to scope out the room and guests as they arrived, and had been instructed to sit through the entree without drawing any attention. Along the sides of the room items for auction at the end of the night were lined up as well, meaning many backs were turned to Ziva and Gibbs, making it difficult to get a good visual.
In the van, DiNozzo and McGee sat quietly, watching the two small screens as people passed by. The light, affectionate banter between Ziva and Gibbs filling their ears, along with the sounds of a band setting up. Ziva laughed again, Gibbs leaning to take and kiss her hand. Tony's fingers crushed reflexively around the - thankfully empty - plastic water bottle in his hand.
"What's up Tony?" McGee remembered to cover his microphone this time and turned to the older agent.
"None of your business McGossip Girl!" Tony bit back, forgetting to cover his own. Ziva and Gibbs both started at the sudden noise.
"Knock it off DiNozzo." Gibbs growled into his wristwatch. Ziva's dark eyes were flitting around the room as the tables filled. They had arranged to have one of the few private tables in the room, so they didn't have to converse too much with anyone.
"Jeffrey," Ziva's hand landed softly on top of the work roughened one resting on the table. "I spoke to my sister, her flight will land at 4 o'clock." Gibbs swivelled subtly to his right.
"Got it McGee?" Gibbs murmured softly. At the agent's affirmative response, he turned back. "That sounds perfect." He stroked the long, tanned fingers gently, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.
"What have you got?" A deeper voice in Ziva's ear told her Vance had shown up in the van and was watching.
"Visual of Elias Conrad." McGee's voice came through the earpiece now. There was some more hushed conversation between Vance and McGee, as the waiter served Gibbs and Ziva their entrees.
"Have we seen Humphries at all?" Vance spoke louder, indicating Gibbs or Ziva were to respond. They did so, subtly working it into their audible conversation that they had not.
"Any external activity DiNozzo?" Gibbs covered the question into his wrist mic as he wiped his mouth on his napkin."
"Nothing since the last time you asked." Tony replied sullenly, his eyes fixed unseeing on the external footage.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs' growled.
"No one in or out for the last 15 minutes boss. Looks like everyone who's coming is in. The doorman has gone back to the reception desk." Tony replied more clearly this time.
"My love, did you see that book collection over there? It is behind table 18, where that tall man with the blonde hair is sitting." Ziva asked, Gibbs turned his head to look. "He has not faced the room all night." She added in a whisper for the benefit of the van crew.
"Could be him." McGee acknowledged. "Ziva could you turn your bag a little to the right? Looks like Conrad is getting edgy." Ziva obliged discretely, bringing the suspect they had identified into the centre of the frame McGee was focused on.
"SecNav heading your way." Vance warned, the van fell quiet and Gibbs and Ziva returned to their meals.
"Jeffrey, so glad you could make it." Gibbs shook hands, remembering they were supposed to know each other, and that the man in front of him was aware of the undercover operation. "This must be Aurelia, so lovely to meet you at last." He kissed the back of her hand.
"The pleasure is mine." Ziva smiled politely in return.
"Would you mind Jeffrey, if I stole a dance with your beautiful wife?" Ziva hesitated, 'no contact' certainly did not entail dancing with the host of the dinner.
"Do it," Vance murmured in their ears. "Keeps your cover story."
"Hmm," Gibbs pretended to consider, gazing at Ziva. "Bring her back in once piece." Ziva accepted the hand up, pausing to kiss her 'husband' on the cheek.
"Do not worry my love, I will be back soon." Her hand trailed back to hold Gibbs's until it was out of reach, and he watched her approach the dance floor, before getting up to wander around, "looking" at the items for auction. It was between courses, and many people were moving around, however the taller man at the back remained seated, and even when Gibbs strolled past appearing to look at the books Ziva had pointed out, he wiped his face with a napkin, clearly trying to avoid being approached or noticed. He could hear a low conversation between SecNav and Ziva in his ear, and listened carefully.
"Agent David isn't it?" The Secretary's voice was low, barely audible through Ziva's mic.
"Da-veed, yes." Ziva inclined her head slightly. McGee was using the opportunity to check the visual from her dress camera, and as long as she did not dance to anything overly fast, it would be useful, she had carefully steered them so her back was pointed directly at Elias Conrad.
"Anything I need to be aware of?"
"Visual of the suspects, situation is under control." Ziva informed him briefly.
"Good." He nodded and they finished the dance in silence.
"You'll need to plant that microphone soon," Vance told Ziva as the song ended and SecNav escorted her back to the table. Gibbs hurried back to pull her chair out and press a kiss to her cheek as he did. There was a few brief moments of small talk between SecNav and Jeffrey when Ziva interrupted, palming the small microphone in her hand and standing up.
"Excuse me for a moment." She disappeared into the bathroom, locking the door behind her and performing a quick sound check with McGee. It was a small enough device and simply an adhesive tab to stick it to the table, all Ziva had to do was get under the table long enough to press it to the underside. Leaving the bathroom, she took a slightly more roundabout route to her table, admiring some of the other auction items, passing too close by to Conrad's table.
"Oh! Excuse me!" She gasped as her hip collected a napkin, sweeping it to the floor, she bent to retrieve it, pressing the microphone quickly to the table and standing up to place the napkin back down. She moved on hurriedly, before he had a chance to respond or notice her too closely. He looked edgy and uncomfortable, but as Ziva moved on quickly his attention turned back to the room.
"Mains are coming," Gibbs informed her as she returned to the table. They both knew it meant a few minutes' reprieve as everyone would be seated and any movement to complete a deal would be too noticeable. They ate in silence, noticing that the taller man in the far corner still kept a low profile and Conrad, closer to them was edgy and picked at his food without really eating.
The low hum of conversation was slowly drowned out, as the band began to play again. There would be half an hour or so of music and dancing, followed by dessert and the auction. The activity in the room would likely provide the perfect cover for a deal, and Gibbs and Ziva went on the alert. A waiter passed by Conrad's table offering him more to drink, and it became apparent to McGee the music was drowning out the brief conversation.
"Boss, the band's too loud, we can't hear anything from the mic Ziva planted." McGee whispered.
"On it." Gibbs replied softly, wiping his lips on a napkin and standing up. McGee watched through Gibbs's video stream as he approached the band leader and with a subtle handshake and a discreetly passed note, the band struck up a much quieter, gentler tune.
"Action from the back corner, Humphries is on the move." Ziva said suddenly. Gibbs made his way quickly back to the table.
"Dance with me Aurelia?" He asked simply, holding out his hand.
"I'd love to," A smile spread over her face and she followed Gibbs to the dance floor, positioning themselves so Gibbs' camera could follow Humphries around the room, he appeared to be meandering casually, inspecting some of the auction items.
"Ziva, duck your head, you're obstructing the view. We need a clear eye on him." Vance instructed. Normally Gibbs would have had clearance over the auburn curls, but with the heels she had on, her head bobbed into the middle of the frame from time to time.
"You ok?" Gibbs murmured, pulling Ziva closer to let her head rest on his shoulder.
"Yes, it is fine." She whispered in return. "I did not know you could dance so well."
"There's a lot you don't know about me." Gibbs replied softly. Ziva chuckled quietly against him, and he kissed the top of her hair, continuing to dance, they were both aware they were being watched by other couples nearby, the aura of loving bliss they had created making people smile.
At their table, a waiter passed by, pausing to clear their empty plates. His elbow knocked the clutch sending it to the floor, he retrieved it, setting it back on the table, the footage in the van changing from Conrad to the busy dance floor.
"Lost visual from your purse Ziva." McGee spoke quickly.
"A waiter knocked it," Gibbs took the chance to reply as his mouth was near Ziva's earpiece.
"Can you get in closer with the camera on David's dress?" At Vance's request, Gibbs steered them gently through the crowd, rotating Ziva slightly. They came into the centre of the frame on the recently moved purse, Ziva wrapped in Gibbs' embrace, her head resting on his shoulder, swaying gently to the music.
"Uhh Boss..." McGee said. "Can you move your hand? Your thumb is partly over the camera." Gibbs had been resting his hand in a respectable position on the middle of her back.
"Higher or lower Ziva?" He enquired in a whisper, she considered a moment, weighing up bare skin on her shoulders versus the more intimate curve of her lower back and hips.
"Lower is fine." She replied softly, raising her head to whisper in his ear. "Thank you." She pressed a kiss to his cheek as she dropped her head again. In the van, the three watching men saw Gibbs' hand slide to the indent in the small of her back, noticing how he caressed the material for a few seconds.
"What are you packing?" He whispered with a small chuckle.
"Revolver where your hand is, knives on my ankle and thigh." Gibbs shook his head with another chuckle, they shifted so both of Gibbs' hands rested on Ziva's hips, her arms looped around his neck. It gave a clear view of the table from the back of Ziva's dress, as well as letting Gibbs continue tracing Humphries, even as he bumped his nose affectionately against Ziva's. Tony growled low in his throat seeing the intimate embrace.
"Got a problem DiNozzo?" Gibbs put his mouth near to Ziva's earpiece and enquired with a note in his voice that suggested he was tiring rapidly of the Agent's unusual, moody behaviour.
"No Boss." He answered quietly.
"Get out of the van and take five. When you come back you'd better be sweetness and light." Gibbs ordered, still whispering into Ziva's ear. There was some scuffling sounds and a thud as Tony dropped his headset and left.
"He's gone boss. Eyes on Conrad, Humphries is approaching his table." McGee spoke quickly. Gibbs and Ziva, who had become somewhat tense when Tony had grumbled, relaxed their postures again, Gibbs watching discreetly over Ziva's shoulder as the tall blonde man casually walked over to the table they'd been watching all night. In the van, McGee and Vance pricked up their ears.
"See anything you like?" They were apparently discussing the booklet with auction information that had been provided on all the tables.
"A few things of interest." Conrad replied noncommittally. "Thought you'd backed out."
"Getting antsy were you?" Humphries responded, the low music serving to cover their conversation to anyone nearby, although McGee could hear clearly.
"Yeah, got about 20 jarheads who'd have my ass if I didn't deliver tomorrow." He placed his booklet on the table. "Good stuff?"
"Top-shelf." Humphries lay his booklet down beside Conrad's. "You got the cash?"
"It's all there." The younger, brunette man nodded curtly.
"Well, it was good catching up with you again." Humphries spoke louder as he stood, "Let's not leave it so long next time hey?" The two men shook hands casually, then with a subtle motion to pick up the booklet Conrad had put down instead of the one he had come with, Humphries was gone.
"Watch him Gibbs, David, stay put so we can monitor Conrad." Vance ordered. The song ended, Gibbs and Ziva following the other couples in breaking apart and applauding softly, although far more stiffly, keeping their cameras centred. Humphries had returned to his table, and though they could not see what he was doing, he appeared to be rummaging in his lap, presumably counting the money. Conrad on the other hand was still edgy despite the deal being completed.
"Did we get what we needed?" Ziva asked in an undertone, resuming her position against Gibbs as a new song started.
"Should be enough to pick them up when they leave the event." McGee responded, some background noise told them Tony was back in the van, and was being brought up to speed. He didn't sound much happier, but had stopped the snarky remarks.
"Heads up," Gibbs announced, he noticed Conrad collecting his jacket hurriedly and standing up, as Humphries came striding back across the room. Seeing him coming, Conrad made a dash to escape, as Humphries lunged, glassware and cutlery clattered to the floor as he grabbed Conrad by the collar, pinning him to the table.
"Thought you'd get away with that?" He snarled, groping with his free hand, presumably for a knife.
"Move!" Vance ordered, pointlessly, Gibbs already had.
"Federal Agents, freeze!" He hollered, whipping out his badge and gun, apparently he'd not come unprepared either, despite the humour he'd found in realising Ziva had been armed. The distraction was enough for Conrad to wriggle free and head for the door. Gibbs landed his hand on Humphries shoulder as he made to follow, with a sigh Ziva hauled up the length of her skirt and, slipping her feet out of the heels, sprinted after Conrad, not noticing as she ran through the shards that remained of the wine glass.
"We're on our way in!" McGee assured in Gibbs's ear. He'd pinned Humphries successfully, and security detail were on the way over with handcuffs. Once he was secured, Gibbs headed out in search of Ziva, and found her about halfway across the lobby, straddling Conrad's back, her gun pressed between his shoulder blades. McGee and Tony burst in a second later through the front doors, puffing with the exertion of the dash between the van and the hotel.
"I've got him." McGee placed cuffs on Conrad, allowing Ziva to roll off him. She stayed sitting, the pain in her feet becoming noticeable now.
"Escort them to NCIS." Vance had appeared, and instructed, seeing both Humphries and Conrad in custody, the security detail left, with a growled instruction from Gibbs to keep them in separate rooms. "SecNav is going to want to know what the hell happened in there." Vance went back into the function to talk with SecNav and help smooth the situation for the other shocked guests.
"DiNozzo, bag and tag the book that Conrad dropped" Gibbs ordered. "David?" He noticed Ziva had not yet risen, she was inspecting the sole of her right foot. Blood stained her fingers, as she wrestled with a shard of glass, embedded in her heel.
"It is just the wine glass. I am not seriously injured." Gibbs knelt before her, lifting her foot onto his lap.
"Why'd you take your shoes off David?" He was studying the piece of glass. Although not big, it was stuck firmly. There was another in her left, although higher up in the ball of her foot, near her toes.
"I cannot pursue a suspect in heels." Ziva shrugged, Gibbs rolled his eyes, pulling out his phone. "I do not need to go to hospital Gibbs."
"Wasn't calling the hospital." Gibbs said, then addressed whoever he'd phoned, "Need you at NCIS. We'll be there in 20. No, nothing serious." He snapped his phone shut. "DiNozzo, you going to stand there all night? Go get the van and get back to base." Tony, having collected the evidence Gibbs had asked for, started having been standing, staring at Ziva in a haze.
"Uhh, right Boss." He shook his head, glancing back at his partner, still sitting on the floor, her skirt around her knees as McGee returned with a basic first aid kit from the van. He winced, watching as McGee and Gibbs applied some gauze pads to her feet. His concern turned to aggravation again, as Gibbs lifted Ziva in his arms, hoisting her across his body, bridal style.
"C'mon Aurelia, let's get you home." He addressed his 'wife' one last time, sharing a smirk with her as he dropped his head for her to loop her arms around his neck. "Get the door DiNozzo." Tony flung the door, wide enough for them to pass through, although not holding it, so it slammed shut behind them. He strode toward the gates, heading for the van, McGee picking up his pace to keep up with him.
"Ride with the Boss McGoodGuy." Tony snapped, Tim fell back, shocked, opening the car door so Gibbs could slide Ziva onto the back seat. The surveillance van shot past the hotel gates in a manner that suggested Tony had been driving taking lessons from Ziva as Gibbs got in the driver's seat.
"The hell is with DiNozzo?" Tim shrugged in response, and Ziva raised her eyebrows mutely. Gibbs fixed them both with a glare that plainly said he wasn't buying it, and it was an awkward, silent ride back to NCIS.
A/N: Yes, I'm finishing up here, but it's already more than twice the length of my previous chapters. I'll pick the storyline up again straight after them arriving back at the office.