Ryan and Amy Steven's had at one time been a beautiful couple. Coming up on their seventh wedding anniversary Ryan most likely would have planned a special getaway for the two of them to celebrate. Their friends and family had nothing but good things to say about the couple. From everything Gibbs could glean they were happy, faithful to each other and ready to start a family. The only note of discord was from Marine Sergeant Ryan Stevens' commanding officer. Stevens was being investigated for selling secrets. National secrets that as an intelligence officer he had ample access to, of course now he was dead so the only secrets he would be sharing was whatever they could unearth through evidence left behind. This time the two bodies mummified and laid out to be seen had been less of a surprise. The location was as ostentatious as the last time. The George Washington Masonic Memorial, with its high tower and surrounding grounds were no less grand than the monument had been. The bodies placed on either side of the G surrounded by the masonic symbol had been found again by a security guard. Discovered just shy of three days earlier the team was finally making headway on the evidence they had found.

This time they had something to work with. Ziva kept watching a piece of that evidence over and over again. A grainy surveillance tape that provided little yet had captured her attention. The security guard that had called in the bodies had reported to them that a building across the way had security cameras. The angle was bad and from a distance yet it had been enough to give them a place to start. Their suspect was definitely male, and they had a rough height of about 5'8". Aside from that all they knew was that a white panel van with no plates had been used and their suspect knew enough to conceal his identity a baseball cap and dark coveralls had been effective. He had removed the bodies from the van using a hand truck which was simplistic but effective. Gibbs had watched the tape so had Tony and McGee, Abby had run it through various software's and yet it was Ziva that kept watching it seeing something she couldn't place but recognized all the same. What that could mean scared the hell out of him, most likely they had already met the killer.

Ziva felt Gibbs standing behind her as she watched the tape again. She'd lost count how many times she'd run through the brief amount of video and yet something about it forced her to watch. Glancing at the clock she saw that it was late. "I know I should go home." She'd almost said we, despite the fact that they had spent very little time alone together in the two weeks since they'd first heard their baby's heartbeat. An overwhelming amount of work had gotten in the way.

"It's late and Abby says she isn't likely to find anything on the print she located." At first they had all been excited and hopeful at Abby's find under the lid of one of the canopic jars. But she'd been running an exhaustive search on said print and come up empty. Whoever had left the print wasn't in any known system or had the skills to remove that information from anywhere he liked. Gibbs glanced over to where Tony and McGee where again reviewing the computer files they had copied form the couple's shared computer. Nothing like what had been found on Laura Fields computer had shown up. From everything they could see if Ryan Steven's had been selling secrets he'd done a damn good job of hiding it.

The only thing that had caused a hint of alarm, though only for him and Ziva was Faith Coleman's name in Ryan Stevens' phone directory. There could be any number of reasons why she'd been in there and Gibbs could easily guess at least a few of those but it still meant an interview with her in the morning. If it hadn't been for a high priority case she'd been involved in it would have been sooner. It wasn't likely to be comfortable for him, Ziva or Faith but then Tony and McGee wouldn't know that. Bringing his attention back to the Ziva he nodded toward Tony and McGee who were approaching them. "We're all tired Ziva. We all need to get more than a few hours of sleep. Maybe we'll think clearer."

Ziva nodded knowing he was right but still frustrated with what she knew she was missing. "I think perhaps you are right."

Tony was just about to suggest a late dinner when Gibbs phone rang. He knew the look and recognized the voice on the other end. Ducky had finished the autopsy and had more answers. Glancing at Ziva and McGee he sighed. "I'll order the pizza."

Gibbs thrust a frustrated hand through his hair. He was tired, all of them were tired but he knew Ziva had to be feeling it most of all. At just over twelve weeks pregnant Ziva's morning sickness had tapered off but the fatigue had intensified. She managed rarely complaining but there were days he sent everyone home earlier than normal. He should have felt guilty about it but he didn't. The past few days had not allowed for such leniency, they all had pushing long hours pushing through the evidence and questioning witnesses.

As they stepped into autopsy it was easy to see she was working hard to fight that fatigue she was hiding a yawn behind her hand. She offered him a tired smile "Ducky says there are difference between these bodies and the last pair."

"Indeed Jethro, these two were cared for in death as well as the last couple however as Ziva said there are notable differences. The basics first though they were in good health, ate a decent meal not long before they died and it appears that Amy was in the early stages of pregnancy." Ducky was grateful he'd had a few minutes alone with Ziva before the rest of the team had arrived. He'd been able to give her the news before anyone else allowing her time to adjust. He'd worried for a moment how Gibbs would react but all he saw was the other man's eyes slide ever so slightly toward her then back to the bodies in front of them. "As with the last couple Jethro the wrapping was linen, the only substances we found were gold dust and powder from latex gloves. Also the same as the couple beforehand they were mummified as closely too ancient traditions as can be achieved in modern times. But I believe I know how they were killed. It's speculation at this point but it looks like poison. I found needle marks at the back of their necks and just like the first couple there was little bruising."

Gibbs nodded. "So it's likely that they were drugged first. Two people one military, well trained and no sign of a struggle has to be something along those lines."

"In our last pair the man had all his medals pinned to his chest, amulets meant to honor had been placed in his wrappings, while the woman had none just the wrappings themselves. This time around it is our female victim that has the amulets in her wrappings and the man, although we know he was a decorated officer I found no amulets or medals." Ducky pointed to an image on the computer screen diagramming where each amulet had been placed.

Ziva frowned and thought for a minute. She must have been too quiet because she heard Gibbs speaking to her.

"Something bugging you Ziva?"

"The Ancient Egyptians were strong believers in the afterlife. The very act of mummification was to preserve the body for the next life. Perhaps whoever is doing this feels as though they are helping these couples move on to the next life." Ziva fought back another yawn and reached in her backpack for a protein bar. Her appetite lately had shocked her. It seemed as though she was always hungry. "But there is more that is just on the tip of my brain."

"Tongue Ziva." Tony grinned at her.

"My tongue Tony? Do you have a special interest in my tongue?" Ziva watched Tony flush, saw Gibbs grin and smiled back.

"The saying is on the tip of your tongue Ziva." Tony swallowed more coffee wondering when NCIS was going to put a Starbucks in the actual building. "And if this is the bad guy's way of helping I gotta say it's a hell of a way to help people and I'm betting they weren't ready to move on."

Gibbs considered what she said. "Could be."

Ducky nodded and glanced at Ziva who was more tired than he might have liked, thankfully Tony and McGee seemed just as tired so they had no reason to question her fatigue. She drank out of a coffee cup Gibbs had handed her but he knew it held decaf tea and not coffee. "So we know that the killer has to have a large place to work, it has to have power and storage. On hand he will need the various items for mummification. And he will need a place he can work without interruption or risk of discovery. And we know he has the means to transport his victims without being discovered."

McGee nodded. "I've been running a search on any connection or record of purchase of all or any combination of these items. But, as you can imagine it's taking time. I can find one or two in combination but nothing that makes me question the purchases just yet."

Gibbs nodded again and thought back to the conversation he'd had with Tony at the crime scene days earlier.

"Boss you see the connection right." Tony glanced around using the pencil he was sketching with to point to the tower structure of the memorial itself.

Gibbs saw a lot, more than he let on. Tony liked to show-off and letting him helped him grow as an agent. "Why don't you tell me DiNozzo."

"It's Alexandria."

"I drove us into Virginia Tony I know where we are." Ziva stepped up in between them listening quietly.

"As in Alexandria, Egypt boss. Add in the tower was built to resemble the lighthouse of Alexandria. Our bad guy has a real thing for Ancient Egypt. This location, The Washington Memorial, can't have been an accident in his mind there has to be a purpose."

Gibbs had agreed with Tony even when he'd continued to go on about movies with hidden codes and Templar knights. He believed there was a connection he just couldn't let on to Tony just how deep he thought that connection went. He was glancing at his watch when he heard Ziva take in a deep breath. Everyone heard it; they were all looking at her as she stared at the bodies in front of them without really looking. He recognized the expression on her face knew Tony did as well.

Tony saw the virtual light bulb over Ziva's head turn on. "What is it Ziva?

"The medals and amulets, the killer placed them on the bodies of the partner that had not committed a crime. In our first couple Laura was blackmailing people. Her body held no amulets; she would not have had medals as she was not a soldier but as Ducky pointed out there were no amulets anywhere in her wrappings. In this couple Ryan was the soldier highly decorated, he was the one suspected of selling secrets and his body was free of any amulets or medals. His wife however had many placed throughout her wrappings. " Ziva watched the men around her work their minds around her words and equal expressions of agreement cross their faces.

McGee nodded vigorously "That makes sense in a way. The mummification itself is a sign of remorse. The process is time consuming and rebirth has always been seen as a way to begin anew."

Tony picked up on McGee's train of thought. "So it's possible our killer feels compelled to kill these victims because they are doing wrong but wants to allow them sort of peace."

Gibbs frowned, "What about the fact that Ryan was cheating on his mistress and that she died with him?"

Gibbs almost flushed for no reason when everyone looked at him. Ziva had a smile in her eyes but he couldn't figure out why. He was grateful when McGee picked up the conversation.

"Perhaps our killer is interested in a different type of crime. One that isn't based on morality. It's possible he doesn't see cheating on a spouse in the same way most people do. Or maybe there is a connection between the couples we don't know about yet, one where the blackmail and secret selling could be problematic for our killer." McGee watched Gibbs nod, looking casual as he did so. But, something about the way Gibbs' shoulders stiffened made him wonder.

Gibbs felt the potential accuracy of McGee's make a chill run up his spine. He had to work hard not to look at Ziva. Instead he pushed aside all his concerns to glance once again at his watch. It was nearing midnight and if they all didn't get rest soon they were going to be worthless the next day. "Time to go home everyone." He eyed Ducky. "That means you too. We all need some rest or we won't be productive tomorrow."

Tony let out a long breath. "Amen to that." He grinned tiredly at Gibbs. "Be bright eyed in the morning Boss."

Gibbs nodded and watched McGee nod a quick good-night and follow Tony out of autopsy. When he was sure they were gone he pulled Ziva in his arms letting his head rest against the top of hers simply breathing for a minute. He knew Ducky was watching, but they trusted him with a secret bigger than just their relationship.

Ziva was caught off guard by Gibbs' embrace but it only took her a moment to relax into it. "You are tired." She knew it was more than the fatigue of working long hours it was the secret hanging over them at all times that was truly exhausting.

Gibbs held a moment longer then released her nodding. "Yeah." He gave her a quick look then turned his attention to Ducky. "You still planning on coming on Sunday again?"

Ducky hid his smile, he was seeing Ziva about every two weeks which was more than necessary in a typical pregnancy but it seemed to ease Jethro's mind. "I am, you planning on having breakfast again?"

Ziva laughed "I am. Do you have a request?" she saw his eyes light up and waited.

"Well I do enjoy waffles quite a bit." Ducky enjoyed his visits with Ziva and now Gibbs the food was just an added bonus.

"Then waffles it will be." Ziva stretched her arms and sighed. "I am ready to go home now Jethro if you would not mind." They said a quick goodnight to Ducky and made their way out of NCIS. As they walked to his car he glanced over at her.

Gibbs nodded in agreement. "You need sleep."

"And food." She was nibbling on the last of a power bar but it wasn't what she wanted. He grinned at her and she was forced to look away. "Stop that."

Gibbs bit back his chuckle. "I didn't say anything. But we should stop for real food on the way back to NCIS."

Ziva's eyes lit up. "doughnuts?"

This time he couldn't stop his laughter; unlocking the car he answered her without looking. "I was thinking along the lines of a sandwich but I suppose we could manage doughnuts as well." Her recent craving for sweets was amusing considering how healthy she normally ate.

"I cannot help what I want to eat lately; even the books back me up." She kept her voice low throwing him a smile as she stowed her bag in the back of the car. "You are still worried?"

Gibbs nodded wishing he could pull her in his arms and remind himself she was safe. "More than ever."

In the car heading to an all-night coffee shop Gibbs was far more quiet than she would have expected. "What is it you are reluctant to say Jethro."

He could have worked his way up to the subject but instead he figured he owed her the directness she preferred. "When we went to look at the Stevens' house I had you stay behind with Abby. We haven't talked about that yet. I know we are under the assumption that whoever stole the laptop was most likely connected to the blackmail that was going on. But, we don't know that for sure." He looked over at her had to swallow hard at the gentle way her hand rested on her stomach.

Ziva felt the war of the woman that was now a mother in secret and the warrior she had always been. "It is not likely it will happen again."

Gibbs clenched his hands tight around the steering wheel. "I want to believe that. But my gut told me to have you stay at NCIS. I should have discussed it with you, but there wasn't time." He pulled into the parking lot glanced around out of habit and when she stayed quiet asked the question he feared the answer to. "Are you angry?"

She sighed. "I am not happy about having to stay behind. But I am not angry either. I know why you did it I cannot be unhappy with that." Looking at him she could see frustration one she felt as well. "You are asking that I stay behind from now on aren't you? " He didn't need to answer her verbally she knew from the hard set of his jaw and the frustration in his voice. "I will do as you are asking Jethro and you do not have to feel guilty. However we ended up where we are I have never been happier and nothing matters more to me than our child." The relief in his posture almost had her hormones kicking into overdrive.

"If I could get past this feeling Ziva I wouldn't ask but nothing not even this case is worth risking either of you." He watched her nod and take in a deep breath.

Lowering her voice out of habit she asked a question she already knew the answer to. "Do you believe we still have another couple to find?"

Gibbs heard the tension in her voice. He nodded "Most likely. When Cal and I had a drink last week he didn't say anything about anyone turning up. He also didn't say anything about anyone new going missing." he ran a hand through his hair wondering just how much more complicated this was going to get.

"That is a small amount of luck, could mean whoever did this has it out of his system."

"Or he's gearing up for the next round." His gut had been churning for some time now. Their relationship had stayed secret for all intents and purposes. Things with Haven were going smoothly. Regulars now they'd made a few friends and conversations flowed a bit more freely around them. They had a small list of suspects but none that truly spoke to them. All in all in had been just a bit too easy for what he would have expected. At some point the other shoe had to drop and when it did he was more than worried about what would happen.

"We do not have much longer Jethro, I feel much like I think you do. That the clock is ticking faster before everything is no longer in our control. I do not like feeling this way." His hand found hers and he gave it the briefest contact.

"No matter what Ziva I've got your back. The rest doesn't matter we knew that when I put this on you." He traced the gold of the bracelet that had become so a part of both of them. "Something is bothering you, more than all this. What is it?"

Ziva took a deep breath. "It is the surveillance tape. I cannot say why or what is telling me this but I have seen the man on that tape before. I have ripped my brain…wait racked my brain trying to figure out what it is but I cannot. I am missing something important but I do not know what."

The same shiver of fear that had walked up his spine earlier in the day made another appearance. He'd known that had to be why she watched the tape so intently but hearing her say it out loud made his heart want to stop beating. "I'll keep you safe Ziva, I swear it."

Ziva looked to him letting her see all the confidence she had in him. "We will keep each other safe Neshama, of that I have no doubt."

Gibbs could have said many things in response instead he swallowed past the lump in his throat and followed her into the coffee shop, both dreading and looking forward to the day when they wouldn't have to hide anymore.