NCIS and SHIELD Divided c7

Maria looked down at the phone she had agreed to a meet up with Ellie in person at some diner. She could hear the concern in her voice as she asked about Sam but also the determination. She knew she would have to be cautious around the older Bishop. Maria looked over to see Bobbie and Sam on the couch watching a movie, they were back in DC at their pack apartment. It was an awkward moment when Sam woke up and realized that she was now bonded to Maria, she didn't get upset and so far could not hold her gaze. Sam told her everything, it was like she had no filter now if she thought Maria needed to know she would tell her. Maria was curious to know about the boat in the basement and how Sam thought that was relevant but didn't question her. She saw the look in her eyes when she did ask that type of question it was like she was upset that she had disappointed her and stumbled her way into a good enough answer. Maria looked up at Natasha who was sitting on the kitchen counter looking at her offering her support. Sam had asked once about the case but when Maria informed her that she was no longer on it she didn't bring it up again, she didn't even ask any questions about who was on it.

"You alright?" Natasha asked

"Yeah."

"You going to confront her about what Skye discovered?"

"How Ziva David is looking into the case? No, I will see what she has to say."

"She will ask about her, what are you going to say?"

"Not sure yet."

"Are you going to send them away?"

"Nick wants her here, until her leg is healed. This new bond though…we will see. Can you stay here, keep an eye on them."

"We can hear you." Bobbie stated

"I know, you both are to stay here on this floor."

"So you said, but Nat doesn't need to babysit us. Sam won't do anything because of the mark and I have no intention of letting her out of my sight for a very long time." Bobbie stated looking back at them, Sam was snuggled into her side she didn't say anything. Maria could feel her emotions and knew she was wanting to please her so she was keeping quiet. Maria turned to look at Natasha who gave her a nod, her request was clear Natasha was going to stay as Maria grabbed her jacket she kissed Natasha before leaving them. She made her way across town to the diner they had agreed to meet at, on the drive over she contemplated on what to say. She scanned everyone who was in the diner, surprised that Ellie was already there she made her way over to her and sat across from her.

"Maria…can I call you Maria?" Ellie asked

"That is fine." Maria replied making the signal for coffee. "How is your case going?" Maria asked

"You keeping tabs on us?"

"For Sam's sake…yes." Maria replied as the waitress came over pouring her a cup of coffee.

"Speaking of Sam, you never answered my question."

"You never asked a question you implied that we had her."

"Do you have her?" Ellie asked

"You do the same thing. When you are irritated you roll your eyes and flare your nose." Maria pointed out given she had worked with Sam to get out of that habit.

"You are evading my question." Ellie pointed out

"I am. DO I have Sam, I know where she is…yes."

"Where is she? Is she alright? I want to see her."

"She is safe, she is with Bobbie." Maria replied carefully

"I want to see her."

"I can get her to contact you, but things are complicated at the moment."

"How much trouble is she in…does she need a lawyer?"

"If she did we have fine representatives…but I assure you Ellie she does not need one. As she put it…she is grounded."

"Grounded? So what desk work? Admin?"

"Right now she is sorting things with Bobbie…we will see what happens down the road."

"Are you saying she has sorted things with you? Your organization is no longer after her?"

"After her?"

"You know what I am asking." Ellie stated she knew Maria knew exactly what she was asking, she was starting to get annoyed with the look she was giving her, answering her questions with questions. "Her case?"

"Is being handled. Sam is fine."

"What happened? I always ask this question and you never actually answered it, why was she running from you?"

"She believed it was the right thing to do." Maria replied but Ellie was not buying it, she had been trying to get in contact with Maria for three weeks a face to face, granted she could not get a read on the stoic face of the Commander but that answer would not do.

"Did you turn your back on her?" Ellie asked and this made Maria look at her with a cold look that sent shivers down her spine.

"Absolutely not, I would never turn my back on anyone of my agents let alone Sam who I see as more of just an agent. She is my Rookie, my friend. Why would you ask that?" Maria asked she was generally curious to know this answer did Sam tell her something?

"All I know is that when I saw her she was freaked out, keeping Bobbie at a distance and said SHIELD was after her for something she did not do. I may not know what exactly she does for SHIELD or her life away from home but I know my sister and she was concerned about something. Something had her worried enough that she did not want Bobbie to help want you to help so you tell me Commander why did she come to me?" Ellie asked her tone revealing that she was concerned but by the end of her rant it had an edge to it almost accusatory. Before Maria could respond her phone blared from her pocket forcing her to answer it.

"This is Hill…I will be right there." She said hanging up looking at Ellie who had a stoic expression before getting up and leaving. Ellie watched her leave and sighed, she now knew that Sam was back with SHIELD but Maria did not answer her questions about the trouble Sam was in and what she was searching for. She had to get back to work, hoping Maria will keep her word and Sam would ring, she can wait to get the answers from her directly.