Disclaimers disclaimed.
Long chapter. Thickening plot. More questions. More answers.
Tali's fate. Director Amadi's whereabouts. Ziva shifts.
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Enjoy!
Chapter XVIII - Agent Torres
"Dammit, where are you? I'm getting worried and McGee is past the point of being pissed. You really need to call us back ASAP or just get to the Navy Yard! This is serious!" Bishop hung up her phone after leaving a fifth message on Torres' voicemail. She sighed as she looked back over at McGee. "Still going straight to voicemail."
McGee shook his head, "Rule #3B."
"Never be unreachable." Bishop spoke automatically as she recalled the Gibbs rule.
"Exactly", McGee rubbed his forehead absently. "I don't have time to worry about this when there's so much work to be done. We need to figure out how someone got the location of the safehouse and was able to blow it up."
"And how the radio station got that information before we released it to the public", Bishop added.
"Agent McGee?" One of the techs from MTAC interrupted as he walked over to McGee's desk with purpose. "We found something!"
McGee stood in anticipation. "What is it Max?"
"Well, as you know, Agent DiNozzo has us meticulously going through flight plans and airport surveillance videos. We found the original flight plan for Director Amadi and his wife for their private jet to leave out of Reagan nine days ago, which seemed perfectly normal and accurate given the infromation that was given to Agent DiNozzo. But then we found something perculiar."
"Which is?" McGee asked impatiently.
"A second flight plan to leave out of Dulles with the same jet, time, and date. We believe this is an altered document, Sir. It's possible that Director Amadi never left."
"Okay, call Agent Dinozzo and give her an update. Scour those videos and give me proof that he never left. Link up with Abby and have her run facial recognition on the surveillance as well. It will make this process go faster."
"I already called Agent Dinozzo to let her know. And I sent copies of the videos to Abby as well, Sir. She's running it as we speak", Max informed with a little bit of pride that he was one step ahead of his tech mentor.
"That's good work Max. Let's get back to it", McGee patted the man's back.
Max smiled and nodded in thanks, then went back to work in MTAC.
"Looks like Benjamin might of actually told Hunter the truth about Amadi still being here", Bishop's voice was laced in surprise at her own words.
McGee let out of heavy sigh, "Yeah, which makes me think he was also telling the truth about everything else and I don't like it. Not with Tony still being unconscious in the hospital and Torres being MIA. We need all hands on deck with this now."
"Can't you call it?" Bishop asked, already expecting that McGee would have taken charge over everything.
"I can't just yet", he explained. "SecNav has to make the decision on whether or not to let us handle the rest of this or to turn it over to FBI as the bombing would have made it their jurisdiction. This is no longer just a kidnapping case. It started being viewed as a terrorist attack the moment that house blew up. For now, we just work the case as we have been. I spoke to Gibbs earlier and he said that Ziva was in contact with SecNav, the Director of FBI, and Homeland so when she gets back we'll know something."
As if perfectly on cue, the elevator doors opened and Ziva entered the squad room like she was on the warpath. "Everyone listen up! I need your complete focus", she yelled at the entire room and every agent stopped what they were doing to give their full undivided attention. She posted three pictures on the 'most wanted' wall with force. The scene almost completely identical to that of when Gibbs had added Harper Dearing to the wall years ago.
"Adolf Benjamin. Marko Johanson. Director Mohammed Amadi. As of ten hours ago, these men are wanted for acts of terrorism and conspiracy. For kidnapping, torturing, and still holding Tali Dinozzo as prisoner. For the bombing attack on Director DiNozzo and Officer Amadi at a government safehouse. For threats to the national security of our Nation's agencies and its armed forces. I WANT THESE MEN! No one is to work on anything else until they are found and brought in. FBI and Homeland will help aid in the search. Everyone is now officially on the case. It's all hands on deck people so go find them ... NOW!"
Her voice was stern and unwavering. Her words were clear and direct. No one hesitated to begin working as she turned to go to the stairs. She stopped momentarily and looked at McGee, "you and your team, in the director's office, three minutes." Before McGee could even respond, Ziva was up the stairs and walking into Tony's office.
Bishop locked eyes with McGee, "this can't be good. I've never seen her like this, it's scary."
"I have", McGee admitted. "When she was still a Mossad assassin and then again when her father was killed. Trust me, it can get much worse." He swallowed the lump in his throat, "we better get up there before it does."
.
"Ima yekara li, yekara.
Ima yekara li, yekara.
Ima yekara sheli.
Me'od ohevet hi oti.
Me'od me'od.
Me'od me'od.
Achayech elayich, achayec ..."
"Wow, what a beautiful voice. That song is Hebrew, right? I noticed that word 'Ima'. Are you missing your mother Miss DiNozzo?"
Tali lifted her head slowly to see the face of the unfamiliar accented voice. He was tall and dark skinned. Well groomed in his expensive suit. No decernable marks to identify him like with Lucifer but there was something eerily familiar about him.
I know those eyes.
It was the first time she'd ever seen someone else's face outside of Lucifer but she decided not to inquire about who he was. She just looked at him from her fixed spot chained to the pipe that once served as the place that Hunter was tortured.
He smiled at her; instantly making her stomach turn. He continued to speak, "It's okay if you do miss her. It's to be expected after so much time. I'm surprised that you still have enough life in you to even sing. I guess I will have to chan ..."
"What the fuck are you doing here?" Lucifer charged into the room with his gun drawn. He quickly walked over to Tali, almost as if to protect her. His familiar rage causing Tali to flinch then stiffen at his close proximity but she calmed slightly after realizing she wasn't his target.
"I go wherever the hell I damn well please Benjamin! Now lower your weapon before you piss me off." The man wasn't backing down. He seemed to not even care about a gun being pointed in his face. Tali looked on curiously.
Benjamin?
"You know", Lucifer tilted his head to the side, "I should fucking put one in your head right now! You're not supposed to be here! You fucked up the plan and you played me!"
He laughed, "You think I played you? No no Benjamin. I did not play you. You played yourself the moment you told the boy what you know and let him go!"
Lucifer let Hunter go? I hope he got to my parents.
"Do you really think I'd be the man I am today by showing all my moves at once? I didn't let you in on certain things because you didn't need to know them yet. You've been playing the role of boss for too long, it's gotten to your head. Because of you, NCIS now knows of my involvement. The boy told them everything and they are searching for me now too. I came here to decide whether or not I should relieve you of your duty."
Hunter must of told my parents something. They're still looking for me!
A new hope swept through her but was completely dashed when she looked at Lucifer. Even with a gun in his hand, Tali noticed something in him that she'd never seen before ... fear.
He's scared of him. Who is this guy?
Something about this new man frightened her more than Lucifer and his masked men ever did. If Lucifer was afraid of him then being absolutely terrified seemed like a reasonable emotion for Tali.
"I will not tell you again Benjamin, lower your gun. It's starting to annoy me."
Tali looked on in shock as Lucifer did what he was told and put his weapon away. She noticed his demeanor shift. It was off putting.
"You can't relieve me! You need me!" The once monster and destroyer of her innocence, Lucifer, sounded almost hurt and desperate to Tali.
"I need you?" The man raised his eyebrow. "I don't need you. I merely hired you so that I could handle my business with NCIS."
Business with NCIS? Wait, Hunter said his dad ... no he can't be ... or maybe ... those eyes.
"But, all things considered, you have done well. So I will allow you to remain the front man for now. Just remember, I made you Benjamin and, if you fuck up again, I will break you. Now leave us! I want to have a conversation with Miss Dinozzo alone."
Please don't leave ... wait what ... Tal, you're losing it when you don't want Lucifer to leave ...
Tali looked on in despair as Lucifer reluctantly exited room. The unmistakable feeling of panic rising as the cadence of her heartbeat accelerated within. Her eyes widened as this new man closed the door and started removing his jacket while walking over to her. Her mind raced through all the possible things he could say or do. Sheer terror flashed across her face as he closed the distance between them and stroked her cheek.
Please God, not again.
.
McGee and Bishop entered Tony's office and closed the door quietly without a clue on what to expect as Ziva leaned against the desk, arms crossed. She looked different. Almost like Bodnar revenge seeking Ziva. McGee couldn't help but wonder what snapped to bring up the old Ziva entirely.
"I know you are probably wondering many things at the moment. Especially with that display of authority a few moments ago, yes?" Her accent was thicker than usual. Almost making her sound as if she was completely the old ruthless Israeli officer again and had not been a US Citizen or government agent for over 20 years.
Both agents noticed her tone but didn't bother to address it. They simply gave an apprehensive nod in wait for her to speak.
"I have spoken with SecNav as well as Director Troy from the FBI. After proving that I am stable enough to handle it, and after they argued with each other, they have decided that it makes sense for me to take over this investigation. When it all comes down to it, with Tony still unconscious, I am the best person to take over as lead on this case."
Bishop looked confused, "when it all comes down to it?"
"Yes", Ziva shook her head. "While Director Troy argues that I am too close to the case and that jurisdiction should be given to FBI, he couldn't help but to agree with SecNav at the mention of my history as both Mossad and NCIS. It is SecNav who pushed the topic, stating that I would be completely helpful in ending all of this much faster. Given that I am the daughter of the man who was in the position of calling the shots for Mossad back when Benjamin was becoming a major terror threat and I am now the wife of the Director of this agency whom Benjamin still has an increased interest in, SecNav argues that shutting things down should rest on my shoulders. And I completely agree with him."
She paused to gauge their reactions. When they didn't show any signs of having issues she continued, "being that you are the lead team within NCIS and personal friends, I called you in here to explain all of that and to make sure that it is okay with you."
"Do we have a choice if it isn't", Bishop asked with honest curiosity.
Ziva smirked, "no, I suppose, you do not. But, as I said, you are personal friends so I want to know."
"It's not a problem at all Ziva", McGee chimed in. "I'd rather follow your orders than FBI."
Bishop shook her head in agreement, "Yeah ditto."
"Good! Now onto my next reason for calling you in here", Ziva looked with interest between the two agents. "You are one man short, yes." She stated the obvious. "Where is Torres?"
"We have no idea. No one has heard from him since yesterday evening", Bishop answered.
"Hmph", Ziva chuckled. "You have no idea? I find it odd that he is unreachable when we have so much going on. Tali is still missing. The safehouse just got blown up with Tony and Officer Amadi inside. Benjamin and Johanson are still at large. And now we also have an almost definite confirmation that Amadi is still in the country when he shouldn't be. It's even more interesting considering the fact that Torres hasn't been the most willing to help since all of this started. Do you not find his being MIA at this most crucial time odd?"
She knows something. McGee's wheels started turning and before long his mind was on track with Ziva's. His eyes widened as he looked at her, "You think Torres is involved ..."
"I think that it is very curious that my entire house was bugged and put on video surveillance without so much as one sign that someone broke in to do. I think that it is very curious that the secret location of a top US Government Officer and a badly injured South African Operative was found and then blown up. I think that it is curious that in the middle of a war, and negations for an allied peace signing between two nations, a 17 year old girl is being held as a prisoner without a known cause and very minimal trace."
Ziva stepped closer to them, her eyes glazed over with something that neither McGee or Bishop could place. Her voice shifted to a tone that almost she herself didn't recognize, "what I do KNOW, Agent McGee, is that no one outside of this room has the access or the intel for any of those things to happen except for the one person on your team who is now conveniently missing."
"How do you know Torres isn't a victim?" Bishop interrupted becoming increasingly defensive and confused as to why her partner was now being accused. "I mean, you've made a far leap without even first checking if he is okay. Shouldn't we investigate first before we jump to any conclusions?"
"Ellie has a point Ziva", McGee had to agree that it did seem far fetched. Although, internally, his gut was pushing him to side with Ziva. Dammit I hope, for Torres' sake, she's wrong.
"You want to investigate, yes?" Ziva's voice was dripping with unusual sarcasm. "Fine, then YOU may investigate Agent Bishop. You are off the case concerning the terrorists until you find Torres. Check his apartment. Trace his cell. Track his credit cards. Call hospitals. Shit, check the morgue. Do whatever the hell you need to do!" Her sarcasm shifted to an almost threatening tone, "But when you find him, he is to be brought directly to me. No talk of this conversation is to be relayed to him. Is that understood?"
Bishop's only response was a nod as she exited the room, closing the door behind her. McGee watched Ziva as she returned back to leaning against the desk. She's definitely different. Against his better judgment, he spoke, "you've gone back to the old, almost completely emotionless, Ziva. It kind of ..."
"Makes you nervous." Ziva arrogantly finished for him.
"Well, yeah it does", he answered truthfully. "You've been an emotional wreck throughout this whole ordeal and now you're .. you're someone I never thought I'd ever see again. It's like some weird bipolar episode on a massive scale." He could tell that he pushed a button by commenting on her mental and emotional state but he needed to know who he was dealing with. "You're like badass Mossad assassin again. The Ziva that killed men first and asked questions later. Far from the genuinely emotional mother and wife you were this morning. What sparked this sudden change?"
She moved swiftly and stepped directly into his space. Her eyes, once again, glazed over with something he couldn't place. Her words came out with venom, "Seeing my daughter being forced to watch another teenager be tortured. Knowing that she was raped multiple times and truthfully might not even still be alive. Seeing my husband laying on that hospital bed. Replaying finding him under that debris barely lifeless over and over again in my head. That is what sparked this change Agent McGee. I cannot afford to be the woman that is an 'emotional wreck' as you say. Is that going to be a problem for you or can I hold off on finding another senior agent?"
McGee stepped back slightly. He felt as though she might just snap but still he had to confess, "I get it, Ziva, really I do. But this sudden shift scares me a lot. I didn't much like old Ziva, and thought you didn't either. Seeing you like this freaks me out. As your friend, I'm worried."
Ziva saw the genuine look in his eyes and, for a moment, felt herself return to the loving woman she'd grown to become. She decided to ease the tension slightly with truth, "Tim, I know you are worried. And I promise, after this is over, I will have a complete relapse. For now though, I have to be this way. It is the only way I can lead this investigation. It is the only way I can take these bastards down, find my daughter, and end this nightmare. Now, do you have my back?"
"You never have to ask Ziva", he said, feeling a little better after her admission. "I've always had your back and I always will."
.
He noticed Tali flinch at his contact and tilted his head, "There is no need for you to be scared. I have no intentions on physically harming you."
Despite his calm voice, Tali couldn't control her fear. She softly whimpered and turned her head away as he tried to stroke her cheek again. Her response making him take a step back. "Miss DiNozzo, do you know who I am?"
Tali remained quiet for a moment while studying his face. Those eyes. She squinted then shook her head 'yes'.
"It is okay to speak. As I told our unwanted guest before, I want to have a conversation with you. I'm only here to talk. So, who do you think I am?"
"Director Amadi", she whispered.
He smiled, "Yes, that is good. How did you know?"
"Hunter has your eyes."
"Yes, he does", he chuckled. "Unfortunately, that's about all he gets from me", he paused for a moment, "do you know why you are here? Why I had you both kidnapped?" Tali shook her head 'no'. "You have been brought here as a pawn in a delicate game of chess. Since, however, my son has been released and betrayed his own blood, you must now do both his job and your own."
"What job?" Tali's voice was still nothing more than a whisper.
A knock came at the door. "We will get to that very soon Miss DiNozzo. For now, we must entertain our wanted company." He walked to the door and opened it wide enough for Tali to see who was on the other side. The teen's eyes widened in shock and confusion as the man became completely visible. She couldn't bring herself to speak as Director Amadi announced, "I believe you know this man here Miss DiNozzo. Please great our friend, Agent Torres."
