.

"EVERYTHING"

Chapter IX - Understandings & Patterns

"Ya coming down Bishop, or ya just gonna stand up there and make me keep yellin?" Gibbs called out while measuring a piece of wood for his latest boat project.

Bishop sighed as she made her way into Gibbs' basement, "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Know exactly who's standing there without turning around?"

Gibbs just chuckled and shrugged, eventually turning to face her and give a pointed look.

Bishop nodded, "Right, you're Gibbs."

"Mhm", he grunted as he gesture for her to sit on the empty stool then went back to his work. "So, what's wrong?"

"Nothing", she responded all too quickly and very unconvincingly.

Gibbs turned his head slightly with a raised eyebrow but he didn't say anything. The look was enough for Bishop to know she needed to tell the truth.

"Okay, so it's not exactly nothing or else I wouldn't be in your basement right now." She rubbed her forehead and let out a frustrated sigh, "Gibbs, truthfully, I'm having trouble getting behind this case and giving it my all. I mean, I really want to but it's hard because the reports say ..."

"That Ziva died in the fire", he interrupted knowingly. "I get it. I was sceptical too."

"And why aren't you sceptical now?"

Gibbs sighed and stood up straight. Putting the ruler and pencil down, he walked over to his work bench and sat down. Once facing Bishop, he explain, "Because of McGee. He rarely gets passionate about something, and the way he boasted confidence about that call, I trusted his gut."

"But what does your gut say?"

"To trust McGee's gut", he shrugged. "And to trust DiNozzo's as well. They both had the same feeling at different points and, truth be told, so did I after what Tony said to me before he left this basement six months ago."

Bishop looked puzzled, "Exactly what did he say?"

"'You gotta believe what you gotta believe' ... I taught him that. To go against what's present before you when your gut doesn't agree with the situation in front of you. While we all focused on grieving Ziva, after killing Kort, Tony focused on getting answers to find her. He didn't say it outright, but I knew that look in his eyes. He only gets it when it comes to her."

"But, isn't it possible that he was just in denial? That is a stage of grief."

"Possible but not probable."

She shook her head, "I don't understand."

"Tony and Ziva, they have this connection that I can't even begin to explain. I never told them, but I knew very early on that eventually I'd have to throw Rule #12 out the window for them. It's impossible to keep them apart. You can try, but they always end up pulling right back together."

"Like magnets ..."

Gibbs chuckled, "exactly like magnets."

Bishop thought for a moment then something hit her, "So, what you're saying is that Tony would instinctively know if Ziva was really dead because he'd no longer feel the pull?" Gibbs nodded quietly, he knew there was more she had to say as he saw the wheels still turning in her head.

After a few more moments of silence, Bishop continued, "The initial reports devastated him. His mind was clouded between the loss, Tali being brought here, and then tracking Kort. But then, his head got clear after killing Kort. With a clear head, he could listen to his and feel the pull again."

"Now you're getting it... what else is that brain of yours sayin?"

"The connection between Ziva and Tim— the brother and sister bond, that's why Tim can't let it go either? He remembers everything because of that familial. It's weird but somehow makes sense."

"Mhm, there's something you haven't been able to fully experience yet, that bond. I don't doubt that it'll come in its own time. Ya just gotta keep ..."

"Following orders?"

Gibbs shook his head, "No. You have to keep being fully present and trusting in this team. Things don't always make sense but, we're a family. We don't doubt each other because eventually, some how or another, the crazy ideas usually work out"

"And when they don't work out? What happens then?"

"We come even closer and hold each other up. We pick up the pieces together and start over. It's what we do. It's what we've always done. You just have to trust us."

"I trust all of you", Bishop said quietly, looking down at her fidgeting hands.

"But?"

She sighed, "But I'm still learning, I guess. I thought I knew my place here, now it feels like I don't."

"Why's that?"

"I guess its just hard to feel like I fit in with this case. You know me Gibbs, I stick to facts. I follow protocol. It's my nature. Guess I lack the 'gut'."

"You don't lack anything. You just stick to what you know to be true through what's given to you. Try thinking in a different way."

"Like, think about how it could be possible the reports are wrong?"

"Yeah, walk yourself through it ... as if you were in Ziva's shoes."

"Okay", Bishop thought for a moment. "I guess if I was Ziva, knowing of a possible threat, I'd come to you and seek help."

"But you haven't spoken to me in three years and I'm half way around the world now. Plus, you have a baby to think about too, so you're more scared than you would be if you were by yourself because you know you might not be able to protect you and your baby. Not to mention, you don't exactly know what the threat is or who is behind it. What do you do then?"

"Put myself in harmsway and make sure my baby gets out safe."

Gibbs nodded, "You said that without thinking, why?"

"Instinct. Protect the innocent life."

"Mhm."

"So, Ziva makes sure Tali is somewhere safe ... Like with Tony ... then fakes her own death, why?"

"Simple, she knows Tony will avenge her."

"Okay, but Tony did avenge her but she's still hiding. Why not come out now? Why leave McGee a voicemail just crying instead of saying something."

"Did we broadcast taking out Kort? Or did Mossad broadcast that they found the person behind the farmhouse attack?"

"No."

"So then Ziva doesn't know ..."

Bishop sighed as everything started making complete sense, "She still thinks it's not safe to come out and calling McGee was ... I don't know ... maybe a rare moment of weakness, trying to get answers. But, when he didn't answer she may have felt hopeless. She's out there alone and scared. Not just for her life, but for Tony and Tali."

"Mhm."

"Gibbs, how do we find her?"

"We ..." The ringing of his cell cut their conversation. He looked at the caller ID and answered, "McGee, did ya talk to Tony yet?"

"Boss, it's Tony and, yeah, Probie told me everything. My bad for going MIA but glad we're all on the same page again. We, uh, have some new developments though. Are you at the Navy Yard? An MTAC call would be cool right now."

"Nope, ya caught me in my basement. It's as good a SCIF as any. Bishop's here, puttin' ya on speaker ... Go'head DiNozzo, what're these new developments?"

Tony took the next 30 minutes explaining everything he'd been up to and what they'd found out about Ziva through Orli. He ran the idea of McGee going to Berlin and him going to Paris by Gibbs, immediately getting his approval. They spoke about their angle of attack for their meeting with the Mossad officer the next day and bounced around ideas. Ultimately, they formed a plan on how they'd move forward on their search and delegated tasks that played to each of their strengths.

When they ended the call, Bishop jumped up with purpose, "I'm going to go grab dinner and head back to the Navy Yard. You were right Gibbs, I'm sorry I didn't get it before but I do now. Ziva really is alive! This is ... amazing!" Her face turned to one of determination as she continued, "She may have slipped away, but we'll find her. For Tony and Tali, we have to, right? She's family."

Gibbs smiled and nodded, "Damn right!"

.

Five and half months later, almost nothing had changed. The case had started to run cold for a while. After leaving Israel, Ziva had stopped all account activity. There were no transactions or spikes in dealer activity for over two months. Then, eventually, it had taken the entire team by surprise when some activity started back up again. With new activity came new leads and McGee started traveled constantly within the last three months

Tony had returned to DC with Tali after spending a few months in Paris and finding no luck. Although he hadn't returned as an agent, he stopped in frequently to check on the case and give updates on some new lead he'd found. Sometimes he'd travel with McGee but, mostly he stayed behind so that Tali wouldn't have to keep getting shuffled around while he was away. Like today, for intense, he was sitting at his old desk playing with Tali and having light conversation with Gibbs while they waited on news from McGee's latest trip following a lead in Switzerland.

When Bishop returned the bullpen with a face that matched her defeated demeanor, her heaviness didn't go unnoticed by Tony or Gibbs as she sat in her chair and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Problem Bishop?" Gibbs asked as he stared at her.

The young agent looked up, "McGee just called while I was in Abby's lab. He hit another dead end in Switzerland."

"Well that's not the news I wanted", Tony said sarcastically.

Gibbs looked at him,"Not what any of us wanted but you know who is good at hiding and misdirection." For the sake of Tali being around, the all resorted to saying 'you know who' instead of saying 'Ziva'. At this point, any time the little girl heard her mother's name she started screaming for her. They had all learned to naturally make the shift in Tali's presence.

"Gibbs", Bishop's tone was nervous, "can I ask you something?"

"Go'head."

Bishop shifted in her seat as she tried to put the words together in her head. After a few moments, she spoke again, "Ever since we got the confirmation that you know know is alive, it's been even harder to track her. I've been thinking, what if we don't find her?"

"Hey", Tony almost shouted but quickly calmed himself when Tali knocked him on the head and giggled. He let out a deep breath, "We WILL find her. No bad thoughts, Bishop, alright? Especially in front of the kid."

"You losing faith again?" Gibbs asked.

"No", she shook her head adamantly. "I just thought it would be easier now, you know? But her movements have been so irratic since she came back online that there's no way to accurately follow her pattern ... I was actually thinking of something that might help but I'm not sure it will work. It's just a theory."

"We're listening."

Bishop stood and walked to the plasma, clicking it on to show the all too familiar screen of their progress, or lack their of, in finding Ziva. She pointed to the accounts, "what if we empty all of these or, at the least, freeze them?"

"Why do that?"

"To change the pattern and slow her down. My theory is that, if she can't access the accounts then it will either force her to go open a new one or make contact with the current banks to rectify the problem. Either way, it opens her up for a direct trace. She wouldn't be able to do things online anymore, she'd have to come out."

Gibbs leaned forward, "that just might work. We'd need a subpoena to freeze them. How ya plannin' on a getting a judge to sign off?"

"We get Vance to call in a favor" she shrugged. "He's been letting us use every resource so far, why not ask one more favor?"

"Because his patience in wearing thin."

"It's always wearing thin", Tony chuckled as he stood up and sat Tali down in his chair. He walked over to where Bishop stood facing Gibbs, "Come on Boss, it's worth a shot. This change the pattern idea is the best any of us have had in months. I don't know why none of us came up with it before. Ellie could be a genius here! If we do this, and it works, we can get an accurate trace, then force you know who to follow the new pattern that we set to pin point her."

"Okay", Gibbs stood and headed towards the steps. "Bishop, since this is your plan, you're the one who's askin' Vance to call in that favor. So, come on!"

Although it took longer than they wanted it to, the team was ecstatic when Vance had finally come through a few days later with the subpoenas to freeze Ziva's accounts. All the banks were notified and immediately took action after receiving the copies. It took another week before they finally saw any signs of their plan actually working. Bishop's eyes grew wide when she looked at her laptop and noticed the activity.

"Uh, guys, I think I got something."

"What is it", Gibbs asked as everyone looked towards Bishop. They were at his house working the case. Opting to spend their Saturday working as long as it was in the comfort of Gibbs' home and there would be beer and steaks.

Bishop turned the laptop to the group. "New account is pending at a French Bank known to be considered offshore."

"Where in France", Tony asked.

"Paris. Looks like she went back."

"Is it under the same alias?"

"No, but it's a name we know. It's under Tali's name."

Tali ran from the living room to the dining room after hearing her name. "Yes Ellie?"

"Oh sorry", Bishop chuckled as she looked from Tali to Tony.

Tony gave her look that it was okay then looked at his daughter, "Go play Talikins. Ellie didn't mean to call you, okay? You can go back."

"M'kay abba!"

After Tony could see that Tali was focused on her dolls again, he turned his attention back to the group. "What do you mean it's under her name?"

"Not exactly hers, but close enough." Bishop pointed to the name on the account that read: 'Talia David'. "It has to be you know who, right? I mean, there's no way this is a coincidence."

"I agree", McGee said as he pulled out his phone. "We need verification. I'll get in touch with the bank. If this just came up then you know who has to still be there. I'll step outside so the little one doesn't hear the name again."

Tony raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. Gibbs reached and put his hand on his shoulder, "You good, DiNozzo?"

"Nervous, Boss. This could finally be her."

Gibbs nodded knowingly. "How do you wanna play this if it is?"

"This idea was Bishop's baby." He looked at the younger agent, "I'll follow your lead."

"No, Tony." She shook her head. "It may have been my idea but this your search. Just tell me what you want me to do."

"Follow the money. Run interference if she moves too much. Set a pattern. Keep her immobile. We can't let this account flip us around like the others did."

A notification chime went off on the laptop. "Well, it's up now. We must be ..."

"We're verified and she's cleared. Account should be live now", McGee announced as he came back in and sat.

"Took the words right out of my mouth, Tim", Bishop chuckled. "I just got the notification."

"So, it's really her? We're sure?" They could tell Tony was anxious by his tone. He started fidgeting with a pen on the table until McGee spoke again.

"I'll know in just second, the branch manager is emailing the passport photo."

"How's he know for sure you're a government agent and not some scammer?"

McGee let out a small laugh, "The wonders of modern technology and video calls, Boss. I keep telling you that you need to upgrade your phone."

"I'm good", Gibbs responded gruffly.

"Anyway, I just had to flash my credentials on the camera and the most recent photo we have of you know who. He was willing to cooperate then. Especially when I told him the woman in question wasn't a criminal that he had to worry about." McGee paused to refresh his email and saw the message from the bank. "Okay, here it is." He clicked the attachment and smiled as he turned his laptop to them.

"It's her", Tony whispered. His eyes locked on the image of Ziva. She looked different, but still her. A lone tear escaped his eye as he got lost in his thoughts.

Finally. I found you babe.

"She's just made a withdrawal." Bishop informed, "It's less than what she normally takes. Like, way less."

"With the other accounts frozen, she had to probably use the last of her cash to even open the new account", McGee offered. "She'll most likely be doing smaller transactions to have enough activity for Tony to follow."

"Looks like it."

Tony finally came out of his thoughts and asked, "How much did she take?"

"Only five hundred dollars."

"Not enough to try to get diamonds and convert them." McGee noted. "Or to really by a plane ticket on short notice."

"But it is enough for a low key hotel for a few days", Tony spoke his realization as he stood. "I gotta get to Paris. She's waiting for me."

Bishop looked at the team, "You should all go. I'll stay back and keep running this alias, and the old one, against hotels. Plus, keep track of her activity. I can run interference if needed before you guys get there."

"I can go alone ... well, me and the munchkin."

"Tony, you're going to need support once you get to her, and she's going to need support too. All of you need this moment."

"Bishop's right", Gibbs agreed. "Go take my granddaughter and pack a bag. You go home too, McGee, and call Abs. Tell her we're takin' a trip."

"Next flight leaves in fours hours. I'm booking the tickets now."

Tony smiled, "thanks guys. For all of this. I couldn't have done it without you. Really this means ..." His quick speech was halted by a proper slap to the back of the head.

Gibbs smirked, "DiNozzo, ya gettin' sappy on me?"

"No, Boss", he chuckled.

"Good", he pat his back this time. "Now go so we can make that flight and get you to your girl!"

Not another word was needed. With all smiles, Tony took Tali and exited with McGee. Gibbs gave an approving nod to Bishop, who packed up her things as well to go home. There was more than hope this time running through their veins. It was the overwhelming sense of peace that they're soon be reunited with their missing piece— Ziva.

If you're reading this right now, the next update is already up. Enjoy!

- Chide