Tony and Gibbs stood at the top of the stairs staring down into the bullpen, "What's going on? I thought this was all over, I thought it was all sorted" Tony groaned and
rubbed his face with his hands, Gibbs just sighed and continued staring. "Do you think . . .do you think Ziva will be there? Will she want to speak to me?" Gibbs turned to
look at him, his eyes were full of hope there was a spark in him that had been absent since he had killed Michael and lost Ziva.
"I don't know Tony," Gibbs replied slowly, wishing he could tell him the truth; glancing around himself but deciding it would be best to wait. Tony sighed, not sure what
would be worse, going all the way to Tel Aviv and not see her; or to go there and then have her not want to see him. She might give him the look of burning hatred that
had torn him apart the last time he had seen, he couldn't come back from that again. Every second of every day he struggled to accept that the person he missed with a
ferocity he had never felt before couldn't even stand to be on the same continent as him and with each one that passed it became more and more painful. There was
always a dull ache inside him, he missed her voice, her laugh, her eyes that could tell him in an instant how she felt, the way she teased him, the way she liked to
intimidate him by forcing herself into his personal space so close he could feel the heat of her body radiating from her. He swallowed and clasped his hands together, he
needed her back, he couldn't leave Tel Aviv without her-it wouldn't be enough to make peace with her-he had to be with her. Gibbs' mobile rang suddenly he answered and
then turned to Tony as he snapped it shut,
"They're here, grab your gear bag." he said and they set off down the stairs.
At the main doors there were two burly, threatening looking men were waiting for them. One was at least a foot taller than Tony; possibly was the biggest guy he had ever
seen, and the other wasn't much shorter. Both of the Israeli agents loomed over them and as they peered down they ran their eyes over Tony and Gibbs, assessing them
carefully with hard expressions. After a brief examination they nodded and the biggest one barked,
"Let us go now." and then they spun around leading them outside,
"And this is a friendly invitation?" Tony whispered conspiratorially causing one of the men to throw an angry look over his shoulder, slowing pace slightly so he was walking
alongside them. There was a car waiting for them with an additional man behind the wheel, Tony and Gibbs clamed into the back with one of their escorts crammed
in-between them. Tony squirmed in his seat, trying to get into a position where he wasn't being crushed by an enormous trunk of an arm. He gave up sighed deeply and
began looking out the window. He didn't even have the energy or will to make any jokes about the giant currently pressing him against the door. After a short drive they
arrived at an airfield where a jet was sitting on the runway. Their doors were opened and they were directed onto the plane, inside it was elegant with plush seats and
cream carpets. The huge escort indicted that they should take up a couple of seats at the back which they dutifully did. They were watched carefully as they sat quietly until
a man in a suit appeared, he seemed surprised to see them, turned to the minders one of whom appeared to explain their presence. This seemed to satisfy him and he
took up his seat at the front of the plane, tapping on the door to the cockpit indicating they were ready o take off. The three sat down around a table in-between the man
in the suit and them and took out a deck of cards leaving Tony and Gibbs to their own devices in the back.
"So . . .uh, This is interesting . . ." Tony mumbled quietly, leaning him back in his chair, "What do you think? Am I dead man walking?" he turned to Gibbs, his eyes pleading
for answers, Gibbs sighed deeply and rubbed his chin,
"No, this is not about you." he started before Tony butted in,
"Is it Ziva? Does she want to see us? Is she coming back?" Gibbs sighed, looking pitifully at him, he was so excited, just like he used to be before, green eyes sparkling.
Gibbs had been dreading the moment where he would have to break the news to Tony; about the DVD and Ziva's ordeal. He licked his lips,
"Well no, Last night I got a dvd, and a phone call from Eli David." Tony stared at him for a few seconds,
"Wait what? A dvd? What was it? What did he want?" he fired off the questions aggressively,
"The DVD, was of Ziva, she was captured and it was . . ."
"Ziva? Being a hostage? Did they . . ." Gibbs nodded sadly, watching as the light faded from Tony's face. " But . . . Like she's ok right? That's why we're going over there, cause she's coming home . . . Right?" his voice was dripping with desperation.
"She's in hospital. It's not good." Gibbs replied softly, watching Tony crumple again, Tony pressed his hands together and leant his forehead against them,
"Who?" he asked simply,
"We're not sure, Eli suspects Vance is involved somehow so he told him this was about Rivkin." Tony turned to face him, shock splashed across his face,
"The Director?" he hissed, "what?" Gibbs shrugged.
"That's all I know, Tony, Eli wants to discuss it in person,"
"So what? We trust him more than the director now?"
"Not necessarily, but this way we can find out what's going on, see Ziva again." Tony sighed and fell into silence for a few moments, trying to process the information.
"The dvd, what was in it? What were they doing to her?" he asked tersely. "Do you have it? I want to see it." Gibbs shook his head.
"No you don't." he replied quickly.
"Yes I do, is it here? Let me see it now!" Tony demanded, using a tone he would never usually dare to use to Gibbs. Gibbs grabbed his arm, forcing him to look him in the eyes,
"Tony, trust me, there is nothing on the dvd you ever need to see," Tony slumped slightly, allowing Gibbs to keep his grip on his arm.
"it's, it's really bad isn't it boss?" he whispered, Gibbs tilted his head slightly, his eyes changing from stern to sympathetic as Tony stared blankly in front of him, flashes of his old Ziva appearing before his eyes; would he ever see her again? Or was she gone forever?"