A/N
There's a lot of Tony!Angst going on in this chapter. We also get to see what mission Eli is sending Ziva on (and how she's dealing with it.) I didn't want to redo Somalia, but with the increase of violence in Syria it felt like a natural place to go. We also get to see a bit how Gibbs/Jenny and the kids are handling things.
I was also a little bit disappointed to see only three reviews. If there is something you don't like, please tell me, or like tell me. If not a lot of people are interested, I'll just end the story here.
Tony was living in a haze. He got the kids up, bathed and fed, and off to school. Then he spent the rest of the day trying to track Ziva's whereabouts, ordered a pizza for the kids, got them to bed, and then spent the rest of the night continuing to try to track Ziva's whereabouts. Day after day. He was a living shell of what he used to be, his life revolving around his computer and phone.
So far they had nothing, besides that she was back in Israel. Even Director Vance was shut down, and Jenny was blocked by all Mossad and Israeli contacts. Abby and McGee spent their free time trying to track and find the former Mossad officer. Things were quiet in the bullpen, without Ziva and for all intents and purposes, Tony. Their world had essentially stopped - their lives interrupted and stalled - for what felt like forever.
"Syria. We need you to infiltrate an ISIS cell." Eli David said, laying the plans on the table. "You'll be back on the Keidon unit. We need a woman to infiltrate. They abducted two politicians and three IDF officers." He started to explain the mission before Ziva put up her hand.
"I have a family, father. Kids. A HUSBAND." She flashed her ring to emphasize her words.
"One last mission Ziva." Eli sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. "Ziva, you love your country. Even though you might not remember, but you used to love Mossad. Your country needs you - both countries."
Sitting down on the chair across from him, Ziva wrung her hands in front of her. "What is the full mission?" She asked finally, a resigned sigh heavy in her voice.
"We need intel. We are going to do a rescue mission, but we can't do it without intelligence." Eli opened his tablet and started pulling up maps. "They were out doing a survey of the Golan Heights area and were taken by ISIS rebels. We are unsure of where they are being held, which is why we need intel. The two politicians are high level within the government,"
"And Mossad." Ziva finished with a knowing shake of the head.
"And Mossad." Eli agreed. "You leave tonight. I will gather your team."
Her dark eyes were lifeless and tired. "And then father, I am finished."
Pulling out her Mossad contract, Eli turned it around so she could read it. "I will burn it I will tear it, I will do anything that you want me to Zivaleh. I will let you go back to your Gentile husband and kids. Ziva, this is one last time for your country."
She nodded, a tired and shaky nod. "Okay father." She whispered. He handed her the phone and sighed.
"I will leave you to call your husband and children. It is a secure line, they will not be able to trace it. If you say anything about the mission or where you are…" His sentence hung, a heavy and pregnant threat.
His footsteps echoed heavy as he left his office.
She picked up the phone, her hands shaking, tears pricking in her eyes. One ring...two ring...three rings. Pick up pick up pick up pick up… Four rings… She was ready to leave a message, hang up, try again when she heard his voice. It was croaky and tired, gravelly, weak, but it was his voice.
"'Lo?" He mumbled.
"Tony."
"Ziva! Ziva! Where are you? You're alive? Are you okay?" His questions came out rapid fire as he reached for his cellphone and started to text Gibbs.
"I am….I am okay, Tony. I cannot tell you much, but I will be back as soon as I can." Ziva said softly. "I love you so much Tony. Please know that. And I love Daniela and Jacob. I WILL be back." She told him seriously. The door opened and Eli came back with three men following after him. The Kidon unit. "I have to go, Tony. But remember. I love you. I love our kids. I will be back for you." She hung up and looked over at her father. "I promised them that I would be back."
Eli nodded. "Get ready to go, Ziva. Here are your men. Saul. Avidan. Udiel."
Sighing heavily, Ziva grabbed the change of clothes her father appeared with and went to change. Khakis, fitted black tshirt, combat boots. In the bag, a headscarf and abaya, along with three separate handguns, ammo, and her knife. She stared at herself in the mirror as she twisted her hair back in a tight braid. She was right back to where she started.
"There are rumours. Scuttlebutt about Israeli politicians being abducted by ISIL." Vance said. He was standing in the bullpen, though speaking directly to Gibbs, McGee and Tony. "And Mossad isn't happy about it obviously. A team of four was sent in yesterday...three men and one woman."
"Ziva."
"Could be, we don't know and Eli isn't talking, but they had to have taken her for a reason. Ziva was Kidon back in Israel, I'm sure her father wouldn't waste her talent." Vance continued. "I'm going to keep talking to contacts throughout the Middle East and see what I can get."
"So far...they're still alive?" Tony asked softly, barely looking up from his desk.
"As far as we know, DiNozzo. Their last movements, three men and one woman."
Nodding, Tony picked up a pen and started to draw nonsensical drawings on the pad of paper in front of him.
"Go home. All of you." Vance said as he started back up the stairs to his office. "Tony, go see your kids. McGee, go get some sleep. Gibbs...do whatever you do at home."
Gibbs looked over at Tony and nodded. "Let's go, Tony." He said gently, walking over to the younger man. "We can take your kids out for a pizza and ice cream."
Standing up, Tony grabbed his wallet. His silence was unnerving to everyone in the bullpen, but no one as much as Gibbs. He knew the feeling that Tony was feeling, he knew what he was going through. Walking into the elevator, Gibbs waited a few seconds before hitting the emergency stop. Tony's shoulders sagged and Gibbs immediately wrapped his arms around the young man. "It's okay Tony. We're gonna find her."
Sobs. Heart tearing gut wrenching sobs. Tony collapsed in Gibbs's arms. "She can't be gone." He gasped. "We...we're just starting our lives together…"
Gibbs let him cry for a few moments before he gently smacked Tony on the back of his head. "Now that you've gotten that out, you need to be strong for your kids." He pulled back and gave Tony a soft look. "You can't do this in front of them. They need their Papa."
Exhaling loudly, Tony wiped his face. "Thanks boss."
Gibbs smiled. "You're welcome. Now let's go. I'm sure your kids are driving Jenny up the wall."
"Hello."
Jenny lowered her sunglasses and looked over to the let and spotted where the salutations came from. There was a woman, maybe about her age standing at the fence, her arms hanging over. Slowly, Jenny got to her feet and walked over. Jacob was busy jumping on the trampoline whereas Daniela was curled up silently on a chair, a book in her hands, earphones playing blaring music. The little boy was mostly oblivious to the turmoil in the family, Daniela understanding all too well.
"Hi." Jenny gave the woman a soft smile.
"We just moved in next door. I'm Trisha. Couldn't help but hear your kids. We've got three ourself, well, my husband does. I'm the bonus mother. They're adorable."
Jenny smiled. "Well, they're not mine, but I'm their defacto grandmother." She leaned on the fence and looked back at the kids. Jacob was trying to master a flip, landing on his butt each time. "But they are amazing," She finished. "I'm Jenny Shepard."
"Nice to meet you." Trisha said with a wide grin. "Anyway, the reason I came over here, my husband and I, we're planning on having a cookout tonight if y'all want to come. You can invite your husband...their parents."
Nodding, Jenny pulled out her phone. "I'll ask. Their Dad is here...their mother is…"
"She's at work." Daniela filled in softly. She pulled herself up on the fence and looked over. "In another country."
Trisha smiled softly at the girl. "Well why don't you ask your Daddy if you guys would like to come over for supper? We're going to make some fried chicken, potato salad, some green salad and pies and ice cream." Turning to Jenny, she smiled. "We're going to start eating around 6, but we're going to be around so just let me know." She stepped back and gave Daniela a small wave.
Jenny looked down at Daniela who hopped off the fence and leaned against her. "I think we should go." Daniela whispered. "That way Papa and Gibbs don't have to cook." She hugged Jenny's leg. "Can I call Papa?"
The older woman nodded. "Of course, then how about you and I make something for the BBQ?"
Daniela pulled out her iPod and sent an iMessage to Tony. Papa. New neighbours. They want to have a BBQ for us. Can we?
She waited for his reply. Okay. Sounds good. 3 you.
"Papa says it's fine." Daniela said putting her iPod back in her pocket. "So, what should we make? Mummy has some great recipes for buns."
Jenny kissed the top of Daniela's head and nodded. "That sounds great." She rubbed her back softly. "You know that your Mummy is going to try so hard to get back to you and Jacob. I know her, there is nothing more in the world that she wants than to be with her kids."
Sniffling, Daniela nodded softly, swallowing back the growing lump in her throat. "I just want her to come home." She whispered, her voice cracking. "I miss her lots."
"I know sweetheart, I know." They stood there for a few moments before Daniela pulled away.
"We should go inside and make buns." She said softly. "Maybe it will make Papa smile."
"Maybe." Jenny said softly.
"Only one." Gibbs said passing a small glass of bourbon over to Tony. "You can have one drink then we are going home and you are going to see your children. Do we need to order a pizza?"
"No. Apparently there is going to be a BBQ." Tony said flatly as she took a long swing of the bourbon. "Gibbs, I've never done anything harder than this." He said quietly. "I...I can't lose her."
Swallowing another finger of bourbon, Gibbs sighed. "Yeah, it is. But Ziva is coming back. Believe. You know that woman is gonna fight heaven and earth to get back to you, Tony. You've got Daniela and Jacob. Everytime you look at them, you'll see Ziva. She'll be back."
"How d'you know boss?" Tony mumbled.
"I just do. Now drink that and let's not keep those kids of yours waiting."