Disclaimers disclaimed.
Chapter XIX - Really Bad!
NCIS headquarters was bustling as everyone worked feverishly to track down the agency's newest most wanted trio. No one questioned Ziva's new position of authority ... at least not verbally ... as she made her rounds through the building getting updates. The more seasoned agents knew better than to cross her when she was like this, and they did a lot of warning to the newer agents who did not know this side of her. Needless to say, they were all intimidated by her and it didn't go unnoticed by her 12 year old son who'd watched quietly from a distance as she chastised an agent seemingly wasting her time.
Not be able to take it anymore, Anthony followed behind Ziva as she turned to enter the elevator and slid in with her just as the doors almost closed. She looked at him curiously as he pushed the 'emergency stop' and turned to he, "Ima, what's going on with you?"
For some reason, Ziva didn't know how to respond. Up until now, she'd been on autopilot with her responses all day since leaving the hospital. Now it seemed, other than the encounter with McGee earlier, someone was forcibly pulling her back to normal. Go figure it would be the hidden sensitivity of her 12 year old. She tried hard to ignore his piercing eyes. "Nothing is going on III, I am fine."
Anthony jolted in confusion at hearing his nickname. "Something is DEFINITELY wrong! Ima, you NEVER call me III."
Ziva scoffed, "Yes I do!"
"Nooooooooooooooo you don't". He grabbed her hand and she absently pulled it from him. Hurt evident almost immediately in his eyes at her gesture. "Who are you?" He asked in a hushed tone, almost lower that a whisper— if that was even possible.
Ziva shook her head, "I am your mother. Your Ima!" She tried to pull him into her arms but this time it was him who pulled away. Backing up as if he was scared. She sighed, "Listen III ..."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT", he protested. The volume of his voice booming off the elevator walls causing both of them to cringe slightly. "I saw you with that agent", he paused to wipe a sudden tear. "I've never seen you so mean, not even that time when Tal crashed your new car. Or even that time when I threw my football in the dining room and broke all your favorite wine glasses. You were like totally going nuclear on that dude just now! Did you have to be so mean?"
"Those times were different. You and Tali are my kids, it is normal for me to go easier on you. That agent not doing his job correctly is not something I can go easy on at a time like this, understand?" She tried hard to fight the urge to soften up. The last thing she needed was Anthony causing her relapse into an emotional mess when she needed to be strong and unwavering. Still though, she spoke with a little less harshness to him then she had only moments ago to the agent. "Anthony, this is a hard time for all of us, especially now with Abba being hurt. I won't be this way forever, but Ima has to be hard and a little mean right now in order to take care of business and get Tali back, okay?"
He shook his head reluctantly, "okay Ima." He hugged her tentively, "but promise me that you're not going to mean to me at least."
She stifled a chuckled as she hugged him tighter, "I promise."
With that, Anthony let go and hit the button for the elevator to resume. He looked up at Ziva with a smile then chuckled, "I kind of miss school."
Ziva couldn't help but laugh, "that was random."
"I know, but I've been cooped up on the Navy Yard and I miss my friends. You think it's safe for me to go back now?"
The elevator dinged and the doors opened. "I don't think that is a good idea with terrorists on the loose", she spoke honestly as they exited the elevator and walked towards Abby's lab. "But I will think about."
"Can I at least go with you when you go back to the hospital to see Abba. I promise I won't freak out when I see him." His eyes were desperate.
"Anthony I don't ..."
"He can come with me", Gibbs spoke as he entered the hallway.
"Gibbs, I don't think that Anth ..."
"The boy wants to see his father. Hell, he needs to see his father", he interrupted. "I'm on my way back there now. Might be good for him to get out of this place anyway. All these agents running down leads and everyone working through evidence, he doesn't need to watch."
"He doesn't need to be outside of the Navy Yard either. Plus, Tony doesn't look the best", Ziva tried to reason.
"Please Ima", Anthony begged. "Grandpa won't let anything happen to me and I don't care about what Abba looks like, I just want to see him."
"He'll be fine Ziver." Gibbs added as he gave a rare reassuring smile.
"Okay", she agreed reluctantly. Placing a soft kiss on Anthony's head before she watched them enter to elevator then she headed into Abby's lab.
.
What the hell is going on?
Tali watched silently as Torres and Director Amadi exchanged pleasantries. Both talking as if she wasn't in the room. She almost wished Lucifer came back. Almost. It seemed like a much better scenario then the one unfolding before her.
Yup, definitely going crazy now.
"So the safehouse is no more", Torres spoke. "But the son of bitch DiNozzo shot me in my arm before the place went up in flames. It was a quick through and though, no damage, just irritating. I know the second bomb took them both out though so the bullet to my arm was worth it."
Bomb? Oh God, ABBA!
"Damn, you know his wife was about to shoot me in his office. They are very trigger happy people." Amadi chuckled then turned his attention to Tali again. "Miss DiNozzo, Agent Torres here has just informed me of very good news! It looks like my bastard of a son and your arrogant asshole of a father are both dead." The smile that came across his face was one of pure evil.
"No", Tali screamed through a rush of tears. "Nick, why?"
"For the greater good Tali. You have no idea how much better off we are without him. You're too young to understand. Just look at what being his daughter has caused you." Torres answered in a tone that made him unrecognizable to her. "I should get back to NCIS soon though", he said while turning back to Amadi. "I've been MIA for too long and they will get suspicious, if they haven't already."
Tali stayed quiet as the tears kept streaming down. Her disbelief at Torres' actions and words causing a source of pain like no other. Here he was, someone that her parents trusted with their lives and hers, laughing and beaming with pride that he'd killed her father. She couldn't bare to look at his face. Couldn't bare to think about her father being dead. Her emotions becoming too much to handle as she felt herself struggle to breath.
How could he betray us? Abba, I'm so sorry. Abba ...
"Very well Agent Torres, just make sure you keep playing the game correctly." Amadi spoke as he watched Tali slowly beginning to pass out. "The shock of it all must have done her in. No matter though, she won't be here much longer either. Just keep doing as I've instructed, and make sure the rest of your colleagues don't suspect you."
I hope Ima kills him.
"I've been playing it well so far, no need to worry. We will take them all out soon enough. I'll get the next target setup tonight and, by this time tomorrow, more fire will fall."
More fire? Another bomb ...
Amadi smirked, "very good. Update me on the search they have going for me as well so I know how to move once you get back to that Navy Yard. Oh, and before I forget", he paused to reach in his pocket and pulled out an envelope. "You're payment as discussed for last night. My terms are the same, but will triple, if you can pull it off tomorrow."
What happens tomorrow?
"Looking forward to it. I won't disappoint." Torres looked at Tali once more as she fought to stay alert, "she's going to need some strength for the move after tomorrow. Make sure your boy doesn't fuck her again or else she might just break. We still need her."
I won't break ... I can't break ... I need to see you die ...
Amadi only nodded in agreement while Torres left and closed the door behind him. The smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth made him look more like the devil himself than Lucifer did as Tali's eyes peaked at him one more time before she completely passed out.
.
"You called Abby", Ziva spoke as she walked up behind Abby in the lab.
"Ziva!" She jumped at the sound of Ziva's oice due to not hearing her enter the room. "You scared me", Abby admitted as she looked at her and noticed the new but old demeanor. "Maybe I should stay scared. Are you okay? You look not yourself. Not like you look unlike you. Just that you look like angry Ziva and not happy Ziva. Although angry Ziva would be expected considering someone tried to blow up Tony and Tali is still missing. I guess happy Ziva wouldn't be practical right now anyway with three terrorists on the loose. Speaking of, McGee told me that SecNav put you in charge. That's like totally badass. You get to be like superhero ninja assassin Ziva aga ..."
"ABBY!" Ziva jolted the woman out of her ramble. "Did you or did you not call me?"
Yup, McGee was right, definitely old Ziva. Abby shook her head then focused. "Yes, I called. I've been scouring the airport surveillance and found this." She clicked a few keys and pulled up a video of Director Amadi at the airport then switched to another shot where he is leaving off the tarmac in an unmarked vehicle. "I've put a bolo on the car, although it's going to be almost impossible to get something back without any plates. He's still in DC though, where? I don't know. But somewhere."
Ziva's blood was boiling. "Thank you Abby", she said through gritted teeth. "If you find anything else, I'll be at the hospital, just call."
"Okay, but Ziva are you o ..." Before she could even finished her question, Ziva was out of the lab and on the elevator. Abby stood for a moment absently looking at the door. Her friend was not her friend right now and she couldn't help but to worry about how much worse things could get.
This is bad, really bad!
Sooo next chapter will be up later ..
Torres returns. Things get really crazy.
That's all I'll say ... drop those reviews!
And thanks to everyone that's been reviewing and sticking with me!
Later!
