Disclaimers disclaimed.

Chapter XXXII - Falling Apart


When McGee arrived at Bethesda, he didn't know what to expect from Hunter. Memory loss could be a tricky thing and he knew that, technically, the young officer wasn't out of the woods yet. There was still always a chance that things could get hazy for him as he still had a significant concussion. To McGee's surprise, however, when he entered the room the young man greeted him by name.

"Agent McGee, welcome Sir", he greeted as he adjusted himself in the bed so he was sitting up.

"Officer Amadi, how are you feeling?"

The young man shrugged, "pain is getting better and my memory is pretty good now, just been bored really. Kind of weird not having a cell phone or iPad to check social media for so long." He chuckled at his admittance of missing things like Instagram and Facebook when he used to think the concept of current social media was stupid. Girls posting half naked pictures for validation of people who would never truly care about them, guys posting updates with lies about how they "smashed" some random chick, the endless political debates that went back and forth with no real resolution to peace within a nation let alone the world, and all the stupid memes. It just never appealed to him, and now he wanted it more than ever. Just for a moment to pry into other peoples lives as his was at a complete standstill at the moment.

He cleared his throat after he snapped out of his social media thoughts and looked at McGee, "so, has NCIS interrogated my fath .. I mean, has NCIS interrogated Mohammed Amadi yet in his involvement with this whole mess? Or did he invoke his diplomatic immunity to get away?"

He's detaching himself from his father. That's either really good or really bad. McGee looked at him intently then answered with a nod, "His right to diplomacy has been revoked by the South African Government. And, yes, we have interrogated him. Three times actually. Each one more interesting than the last."

"Hmph, I bet", he mumbled. "I'm assuming you're here then to ask me some questions to further implicate him?"

"You would be partially correct."

Hunter raised his eyebrow and smirked, "why only partially? What other reason would you have for coming here?"

"You are a valued asset to us Hunter. Without your help, Tali might still be locked in that cell instead safely with her parents. When Benjamin made his mistake in letting you go, you could have easily called your own people to come rescue you but you called us. Not only did you call us, but you told us the truth about everything you knew and pointed us in the right direction that ultimately led us to bringing down the leadership of a terrorist organization and saving Tali. To be quite frank, NCIS and America is in your debt. We want to see you make a full recovery. Not just so you can help us close this case for good, even if you don't answer my further questions about Mohammed Amadi, you have done enough for us. We genuinely just want you to recover so you can keep making a difference in this world. You're only 19 years old, and yet you have proven to be a better soldier than most veterans I know."

The young man was almost rendered speechless by his words. He'd never felt more proud and still so humbled by anyone before. With a sincere smile he said, "thank you, Sir, I am honored that I could help and serve."

McGee nodded and waited for Hunter to give his approval to be asked a few questions. When the young officer waved his hand to gesture that he was ready, McGee began, "Now, I understand that you had no part in any of this and that you are just a victim, but being as though the man behind this is your father, I need to know if you've heard him speak on a certain group that you may or may not have know he is involved with? It's called 'The Tribe' and he mentioned them in his interrogations."

"Sir, before I answer, I need to know if Mohammed Amadi is the leader of this group you're asking about?"

Something in his tone told McGee that he probably knew a lot about The Tribe. He decided to answer honestly so he would receive an honest answer in return. "Yes, your father", he paused when he saw Hunter grimace again at the thought of being the son of a terrorist. Quickly he corrected himself, "my apologies, the answer is yes. Mohammed Amadi is the leader of The Tribe."

"Son of a bitch", he sighed in frustration. Looking directly in McGee's eyes, he spoke slowly and honestly, "The Tribe is a new terrorist organization that emerged shortly after the war started to become a major international news story. When it was just local and only Africa was affected, there was no sign of them at all. After your government, and a few other nations, decided to step in as 'peacekeepers' to end the war before it got too crazy, The Tribe started reeking havoc. We realized that they were adding fuel to the fire by bombing both sides to make it look as if neither side was actually relenting when the North and South started to reconcile. After the war worsened and your military started fighting for us, The Tribe turned their attention on the US allies. Setting bombs in their camps and starting fires to the supply units."

"That was them?" McGee interrupted as he remembered when it started happening but no known terrorist groups had been proven to be the ones to take credit for it.

Hunter nodded and continued, "it was them. SASS had traced it back to The Tribe, but since they were homegrown, we did not want to tell your government, lest your military would be pulled out and we'd lose you as allies. So, instead, we partnered with a few other South African agencies and tried to take them down ourselves. Every time we came close, they were already gone. Soon, we concluded that there must have been a mole within one of the agencies. We assumed that it was probably a lower level officer, or maybe a few lower level officers. Now I understand why we never found the mole though. If Mohammed is the leader of the organization, then it makes sense as to how they were always a step ahead and always averted from being taken out. It would also explain why there was a growing need to make the deal with NCIS to further increase a naval presence. Up until Mohammed and Director DiNozzo signed those documents, The Tribe was only able to reek havoc on your army, marines, and air force. Now, with your Navy moving in, they could find a way to disable them too which would ultimately spark a new kind of war."

"Yeah, well we have a bigger problem now. Mohammed has moved part of The Tribe from South Africa to DC. He explicitly admitted that they would bomb all of the major US agencies and would do so with or without him being locked up. Benjamin also confirmed this. We need to figure out how to track them down before they can make good on their threats to America."

"Then I suggest you find Dingane Kwanele. We thought he was the leader but I guess he was just the front man, much like Benjamin was in those cells."

McGee jotted the name down quickly then looked at him, "you have no idea how much of a help you've been. With all this information, I need to get back to they Navy Yard now, but if you need anything just tell one of the agents outside and they'll reach me for you."

"No problem and thanks", Hunter replied but then suddenly thought to ask, "how is Tali?"

McGee stopped at the door and turned slightly to look back at him with a smile. Not wanting to alarm him and tell him that they were technically on the run from a new threat, he partially lied, "she's doing great! They took an impromptu vacation just to heal properly and have some much needed rest and relaxation. She should be back soon to visit you though."

"That's cool", the young man couldn't hide his hopeful smile that he would see her again soon. "If you talk to her, tell her I said hey."

"Will do."

With nothing further, McGee left to return to headquarters while Hunter sat in his thoughts about his new favorite crush. He missed her something terrible. After she missed her visit with him yesterday, he thought that maybe he had messed up in shutting down on the previous visit. It felt good to know that her absence was only due to her being on vacation. Now he really wished he had his cell so he could text her. Maybe he'd use the room phone to try to call later, for now he just wanted to rest some more and maybe dream about a future alternate universe of them in happier times.


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At the same moment, it was 1930 Hours in Maldives, night fall had come and the view outside the house was even more gorgeous. The tension inside, however, was less than to be desired between mother and daughter. After dinner, Tony and Anthony went outside to relax on the beach while Tali opted to go to her room. Ziva finished cleaning up the kitchen then decided to finally go settle the tension between her and Tali. Now that she felt refreshed from her earlier activities with Tony, she figured it would be a good to time to try and have a heart to heart.

Upon reaching Tali's room, she knocked on the door and made her way in without waiting for an invitation. The teen rolled her eyes when she realized who came in and went back to reading her book. Ziva tried her best to ignore it and do what she set out to do.

"We need to talk Tali."

"About what", she asked not at all looking away from the book. Tali was completely uninterested. Sure, earlier she felt as though she should have apologized for starting the argument, but now her mood had changed. She wanted to stay mad at Ziva, for some reason, it made her feel better.

Ziva sighed, "about what happened earlier, of course."

"Okay", she shrugged, "so talk." Her nonchalant attitude only making matters worse.

She is not going to make this easy. Ziva looked at her daughter intensely, waiting for her to put down the book and give her undivided attention. When a few minutes passed and Tali still kept flipping through pages, she snatched the book away and closed abruptly. After properly placing it in the shelf on the other side of the room, she turn back around with her arms crossed over her chest as she tried to reduce her growing anger. Keep it together Ziva.

"You know, I CAN multitask", Tali's defiant attitude was ever present in her voice. "You didn't have make this little scene."

Ziva scoffed, "I am really losing my patience with you and I am trying so hard not to. Check that attitude and lose it!"

"You're the one standing there in a defensive stance so I think you need to reevaluate who has the attitude!"

The boldness of the statement struck a nerve in Ziva but she kept her cool. Deciding that Tali still needed a chance to cool off, she chose to save their talk for the morning. Maybe a good night's sleep will help her get back to herself. Once she finally reasoned with herself that now really wasn't the best time, Ziva threw up her hands in defeat, "you know what? Let's just forget this for now. Obviously, it is not the right time. Clearly, you are still upset and maybe we both still need a little breather, yes?"

Tali chuckled, "I'm not upset but whatever."

"If you are not upset, then why are you being so nasty?" Ziva couldn't help but to pry since Tali was obviously lying. Fine, if she wants to push this then we will.

"Me being nasty?" Tali shook her head then pointed at her mother accusingly, "no, you're the nasty one!"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me!" Something in her caused her rise from the bed and make a bold move to stand toe to toe with the former Mossad assassin. She showed no fear as she made her next statement, "One minute you're breaking down about knowing how I feel and telling your hopeless sob story about Somalia, then the next you're off downstairs somewhere fucking like there's no tomorrow! You certainly didn't look like you knew my pain then! So, how does it work for you? Because, from where I'm standing, you're not broken at all! No, quite the contrary, you're just fine and riding dad's dick like a class 'A' whore!"

ENOUGH! The room went silent, except for the harsh sound of Ziva's open hand connecting with Tali's face. Shit. It was unexpected from both sides. Never had mother laid a hand on daughter, but a line had been severely crossed. One in which neither of the two ever thought possible.

The last thing Tali wanted to do was provoke her mother even more but she couldn't stop herself, "See? You look more like predator than victim now."

"Tali .." Ziva started to warn her but was interrupted.

"I don't care anymore. You should of left me in Hell ... at least Lucifer didn't lie to me like my so called mother does!"

That's when Tali ripped Ziva's heart right out of her chest. The admission of preferring to still be held captive instead of being with her was the ultimate blow for the mother. Never, in her life, did she feel so ... well, there actually wasn't a word to describe it ... what the hell was happening to her motek? And, furthermore, what was happening to her? Nothing made sense anymore so Ziva just walked towards the door to go and find some way of making sense of it all. As she walked out, she paused but didn't turn around to say, "I am sorry I failed you."


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Half way around the world, back at Abby's lab, Bishop stared at the computer screen waiting for the back trace to make a connection so they could figure out the man behind the mysterious voice that they heard from the file Abby remotely accessed on Ziva's laptop. Truthfully, hearing the threat made both woman nervous but gave them all the more drive to end this hellish nightmare for their friends once and for all. There was no luck on running voice recognition, so tracing the number was their only hope in finding a lead.

"Anything yet?" Abby asked as she re-entered the lab with a caf-pow for herself and a coffee for Bishop.

"Thanks", Bishop said as she took her coffee, "and no it's still connecting. This thing has jumped all over the world."

"I really hate feeling helpless", Abby admitted but shortly tried to cheer them both up. "But, technically, there's still hope, right? My babies are going to trace this grimey man and we are going to track him down then you and Tim are going to bring him in and Ziva, Tony, Tali, and III can come back home and The Tribe will be taken out of commission and all will be right in our world again because enough is enough all ready ..."

*DING*

Abby stopped her ramble as she and Bishop looked up at the computer screen which read:

'Private IP:176 90 10 02

Willard Intercontinental'

"He's downtown", Bishop stated in surprise. All this time, she was sure that the caller was probably somewhere in Israel but the proof was right in front of her. He was there, in DC, staying at a luxury hotel not far from them. "Abby, can we find the exact computer from that hotel that he used to make the phone call?"

"Hmm, it might take me about an hour but I could try to get it faster", she responded as her fingers flew across the keyboard at almost lightning speed.

"Great, when you get it call me!"

"Wait, where are you going", Abby called out but it was too late because when she glanced back, Bishop had already disappeared. She sighed and turned back to the screen, "after all these years, don't they know that I hate when they do that?"


Within 20 minutes, McGee pulled up at the hotel to meet Bishop. They entered and went straight to the welcome desk to ask to see the general manager. When he appeared from the back to introducd himself as 'Maxwell', McGee informed him of the nature of their visit.

Flashing his credentials, "I'm Special Agent McGee and this is Agent Bishop from NCIS. We are working a case that led us to this address and one of your computers in the Business Center. We need access to pull prints off of that computer."

"Do you have a warrant", Maxwell asked while looking at them like he had slight superiority complex. "Because if you do not, then I cannot help you. This is a luxury establishment and we pride ourselves in keeping to the discretion of our high profile guests."

McGee rolled his eyes, "look, I don't want to cause any issues with you or your establishment but we need to find out who used that computer as they used it to make threats to the Director of a government agency and his family. We really do not have time to execute getting a warrant as time is of the essence."

"Well, if time is really of the essence, then I suggest you move swiftly in optaining a warrant Special Agent McGee."

"You do realize that you're harboring a terrorist, right", Bishop chimed in. "If you don't cooperate we could very well easily take you back to NCIS with us for interfering with a federal investigation."

"I know my rights, you have no cause to say I'm interfering in anything. Now, I'm asking you to leave the premises and return when you have a warrant."

While Bishop continued to go back and forth with the general manager, McGee caught someone that looked suspicious out of the corner of his eye. Where do I know him from? He tried not to fully turn his head as the man sat down in the Lobby, clearly waiting for someone. There was something distinctly familiar about him that McGee couldn't place it. Yaniv? He tapped Bishop on her shoulder and waved his hand for her to forget about the manager then signaled for her to look over his shoulder to see the man sitting in the chair.

After looking, she asked, "who is that?"

"I believe THAT is our mystery caller", McGee noted with confidence. Finally, he turned around to look directly at the man as the person he was waiting for came up to him and exchanged pleasantries. McGee walked over, with Bishop closely behind, flashing his badge. As soon as both men saw him, their expressions turned to ones of fear and they took off running. "Hey, come back here!"

"Federal agents", Bishop yelled out as they chased the two men out of the hotel, "stop now!"


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"So, first wine and now tequila ... straight from the bottle." Tony spoke as he walked out on the master suite's private terrace. "What's the problem now Zi? I thought everything was good when you left the cellar."

Ziva lifted her head and took another swig from the bottle. Although she was sitting in a chaise, it was clear to Tony that she was right on the verge of passing the tipsy stage and being full on drunk. He took the bottle from her as she protested, "I am a grown woman DiNozzo. Let me drink!"

"No, I'm pretty sure you've had enough." He sat down next to her, "So, tell me what's got you out of character this time?"

"It is not a what ... it is a who?"

Tony sighed, "please don't tell me it's Tali again?"

"Fine, I will not tell you."

"Zi, what happened?" His voice was more stern but the concern was still evident in his tone.

"Tali ... saw us ... fucking!" She laughed but then got really serious, "she called me a whore."

"She what!?" Tony was instantly furious and rose up from his seated position. "I swear to God, that little girl has lost it! I'll talk to ..."

"Tony", she interrupted, "there is no need for you to go accost her. She was right."

He turned to her with furrowed brows, "now I'm convinced you're drunk. How the hell could you even agree with her?"

"I am only tipsy, not drunk. And I did not agree at first. In fact, I slapped her", she paused to chuckle then sighed. "Can you imagine? Me seriously slapping our daughter who I just rescued from the hands of a pedophiliac terrorist ... and then her wishing she was still locked up in the very cell where that man violated her instead of being safe with her mother?" Raking her hands through her hair, she looked up at him with tears in her eyes, "I broke down to her about Somalia and tried to let her see that she could trust me to help her get through her pain ... then I went and did the last thing any woman who has just survived what she did would do. I went and fucked a man. Not some sensual love making, but rough and unbridled fucking .. and she saw it. I used you for my own benefit to get over my clouded mind, is that not what whores do? What is worse is that after I stopped riding you and left you sitting there ... Saleem came right back."

He sighed and walked towards her, "Zi ..."

"Do not touch me!" She put up her hand in defense then stood. Grabbing the tequila bottle, she left him standing there not wanting anything more than to be alone, drink away her troubles, and forget.

Tony stood there with a mix of emotions. This was one of those moments that he knew better than to go after her. She may have been tipsy, but she was still very capable of hurting him on top of his already evident dislocated shoulder. He felt helpless, but then thought about his daughter and how he needed to set her straight. At least one of those DiNozzo woman are going to get there shit together! I'm not going to standby while my family is falling apart.


Drama. Drama. DRAMA!

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I know y'all hate me right now but, I promise, it will get better.

Everything will make sense soon and everyone will heal.

This is just the crazy process of life sometimes and you have to push through the ugliness of brokenness in order to come out restored in a new beauty.

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Anyhoo ... REVIEW! And let me know your thoughts about me doing a prequel to this story too!

We've got 8 more chapters to our finale!

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Later peeps!