Ziva approached her desk warily. She saw Tony's car in the parking lot and so knew he was here. What she didn't know was how he planned to embarrass her with the knowledge he gained last night. A quick scan of her desk showed nothing on it or her chair so she approached it carefully. It took her less than a minute to search all of her drawers for any pranks or evidence of tampering. Nothing. Rather than being relieved, Ziva was now more apprehensive than ever.
"Is McGee in yet?" Tony asked coming around the corner and causing Ziva to jump a little.
"He arrived when I did," Ziva said. "He stopped off at Abby's lab to check on her."
"She's not here." Tony said. "She's still with the nuns."
"Yeah," McGee said as he too entered the bullpen. "I should have called her this morning. I spoke to her last night before I went to bed but forgot to ask her if she was coming in."
"I thought I heard her ask for today off when she was talking to Gibbs," Tony said.
"Oh Tony," McGee said moving to put his gear at his desk. "Vance approved the requisitions for the safe house this morning. We need to drive the routes so I can input the variables into the system."
"Why we?" Tony asked. "And why are you giving orders McBossypants?"
"We," McGee began. "So you can learn the routes and be able to make modifications as needed."
"Of course I knew that."
"Of course you did DiKnowitall."
"Very good McGee," Ziva said with a grin.
"That was good." Tony said stepping behind McGee and delivering a slap to the back of the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" McGee asked rubbing his head.
"Gimmick infringement."
"Whatever," McGee said. "I have to go get the keys to the safe house."
Once McGee got to the upper landing Ziva grabbed Tony's arm and made him turn around.
"What are you up to?" she asked.
"What?" he said. "I smacked him playfully. It's not like it was a Gibbs-slap."
"I'm not talking about McGee." Ziva said. "I mean what are you planning to mess with me?"
"Why would I mess with you?"
"You know why."
"Ziva I swear, I have no reason to mess with you." Tony said. "Wait. Do I have a reason to mess with you?"
"Of- Of course not." She stammered. "Just forget it."
"Fine," Tony said looking up to see McGee coming back downstairs. "You don't have to be a witch about it." Tony grinned as he grabbed his bag and headed to the elevator with McGee, completely ignoring Ziva's glare.
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._
Abby arrived early at the church this morning. She and Kyle took seats in the second row of pews behind the nuns who were closest to Sister Agnes. The children from the orphanage sat in the pews across the aisle. Over the next hour, three families entered the church and joined the mourners. Finally, a woman who looked like a younger version of Sister Agnes came in and took a seat near the back. When it became apparent that no one else was coming, Father Thomas approached the podium.
The service was brief, but respectful. Father Thomas spoke about Sister Agnes's life and career. He told about the great work she did with the various orphanages with which she worked. He even pointed out that the families present were some of her most recent successes. Following the service, Abby joined most of the nuns as they took Sister Agnes to the cemetery at the back of the convent property.
Abby was disappointed that her friend didn't get a bigger send-off. She knew, however, that as a nun who vowed to let go of such worldly things as material goods and notoriety, this was an acceptable funeral.
After everyone else returned to the convent, Abby took a moment to say a final goodbye to Sister Agnes. When she turned, she saw that Kyle wasn't the only one to stay behind with her. Sister Rosita and Sister Agnes's niece also stayed behind. Abby walked over to them and put her arms around Rosita's neck.
"I feel ashamed that I didn't know her better." The niece said.
"Meredith," Sister Rosita said as Abby released her hug. "I am terribly sorry that we have to meet like this."
"Thank you," Meredith said. "I only met her once, when I was real young. Mom always talked about her, but we never visited."
"Agnes kept busy." Sister Rosita said. "She spent so much time with orphaned children all over the world. I'm sure she would have cherished a visit, but the timing was never right."
"And now it never will be."
After they made their own way to the convent, Abby spent the next few hours talking to Meredith and Sister Rosita. Abby and Rosita shared stories of Agnes with her niece with the occasional input of one of the other nuns or in one instance, from Father Thomas. Abby was slightly surprised how little she knew about the nun. Agnes bowled with her regularly for the past ten years but Abby didn't know a fraction of the details in her life. She would not let that be true for the rest of her friends.
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._
Father Miguel Perez packed up his lesson plans and today's homework and prepared to head back to the rectory. His workload would be significantly lighter tonight as half of his students were out for the funeral. He wanted to be there himself today. Agnes was a good nun. Even if she hadn't gotten the calling, she would have been a good person. She truly cared for the children in her care, almost as much as he did. He would stop by the cemetery on the way home to say his own goodbye. As he left the school, he felt his phone vibrate. He checked the display and opened the text message. It seems his plans would have to change. He needed to make another stop before going to the cemetery. He got into his 1987 Ford Escort and headed east, away from the orphanage. With luck, he would be back in time to say goodbye to Sister Agnes before dark.
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._
Ziva sent the last file for the day to Gibbs's email with a copy to Vance. She sent a quick message to Tony and McGee, informing them that she completed their paperwork and she was leaving early. After closing out her files, she grabbed her bag and headed for the elevator. Before she could push the call button, the doors opened and three agents stepped out. The first was an older man, about Gibbs's age with longer hair and a smile on his face. Behind him a younger man with blonde shaggy hair, reminded her of a stereotypical surfer. Finally, a woman, tall and brunette with a rich golden tan looked her over carefully.
"Hey," the first one said. "Is Director Vance still here?"
"Yes," Ziva said. "He is in his office."
"Thanks."
Ziva watched the trio ascend the stairs as she stepped onto the elevator. When the doors closed, she pushed the button for the lobby. While leaving the building, she dialed the number for her gym.
"This is Lisa Dawson," she said when the call connected. "I'm coming in for a workout. Is anyone available to spar?" She listened to the response. "Yes, it will be an intensive workout." After another pause for a response, she continued with, "Very well. Tell them I will be there in ten minutes."
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._
Abby closed the door after promising Kyle that she'd call him if she needed anything. She was tired and she didn't want to get to the point where she was crabby while her little brother was here. He loved her, and she loved him, but they weren't at the point where she would feel comfortable letting him see her bad side. She went over to the couch and flopped down, Grabbing Bert and hugging a fart out of him.
She sat there thinking about her friendship with Sister Agnes and with the exception of a few sparse times, all of her memories of this great woman centered in the bowling alley. Why did I let her life pass from mine and spend so little time with her? She asked herself. And how am I going to keep it from happening again? While struggling to find the answer to her questions, her phone rang.
"Hello," she said without looking at the display.
"Abigail," Sister Rosita said. "Don't be alarmed, but Sister Margaret is on her way to the hospital."
"Oh my God," Abby exclaimed sitting up straight. "What happened?"
"We're not sure," Sister Rosita said. "She collapsed during evening prayers and her nose was bleeding."
"Where are they taking her?" Abby asked jumping up and tossing Bert onto the couch.
"She's going to George Washington University Hospital. It's on-"
"Twenty-Third Street." Abby finished. "I'm on my way." As Abby left her apartment, she hit the speed dial on her phone. She hated doing this, but she was going to need help and Kyle was just as tired as she is.
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._
Ziva's foot snapped forward and caught her opponent square in the nose. She knew this young man. She had worked out with him before. His name is Gus. He was one of the few who willingly took the punishment of her workout, but he seemed to relish the abuse. Of course, he also gave as well as he got. The last time they sparred, he nearly bruised her ribs.
She expected him to crumble to the floor with his busted nose, but he lunged at her and grabbed her knees, bringing her to her back. Before he could follow up though, she clasped her hands together and brought them down to the back of his neck, just below his skull. As soon as she felt his grip loosen, she raised her knee just enough to whip it sideways into his temple. As he rolled over onto his side, she brought that same foot up and slammed it into his solar plexus.
She quickly got to her feet and waited for Ricky to join in the match. Like Gus, Ricky was a tough fighter who delivered as much punishment as he received. Unlike Gus, Ricky was neither rugged nor good looking. At five-foot, eight, Ziva estimated he barely weighed a hundred pounds. His long nose and extended ears made him look like a smaller version of D.J. Qualls. His appearance was his greatest strength. It belied the power of his punches and kicks and the ferocity with which he delivered them.
Despite his skills, Ziva knew him well enough now that she quickly overcame him and within a minute, he too was lying on the canvas bleeding from his nose and mouth. After their cool down exercises, Gus and Ricky came to sit beside Ziva to grab a quick breath before heading to the showers.
"So who pissed you off this time?" Ricky asked her.
"Who says I am angry?" she said closing her eyes to lower her heart rate.
"The last time you took us both out that quick was when your boyfriend broke up with you."
"I broke up with him," she said.
"Still," Gus laughed. "You usually give us a chance to warm up before you put us to sleep."
"Yeah Lisa," Ricky interjected. "We like the illusion."
Ziva laughed too as she looked at the two men. They were good men, but like most people outside of NCIS, they only knew about her what she told them. Gus was right. The last time she was this frustrated, she had just broken up with Ray. They though his name was Roy. They also thought she broke up with him because he lied to her about something. It was true enough. He did lie to her, but it was a lie that lost him not only her, but his job with the CIA as well.
"I promise," she said as she stood. "The next time, I'll let you win."
"Yeah," Ricky said as he and Gus rose too. "And one day me and Gus will be allowed to get married back home in North Carolina."
"It'll happen," Ziva said before disappearing into the women's locker room.
After showering and making sure she had everything, she left the locker room and headed outside. Halfway to her car, her cellphone rang. She checked the display and answered.
"Abby," she said. "Is everything ok?"
"No Ziva," Abby said. "I need help."
_.-~=]})*({[=~-._