Disclaimer: I only own Talia
Chapter 16
Ziva turned around and repeated:
"Bad news?"
"I'm afraid so", police officer said. "Your apartment has been destroyed. We're not sure, how badly. But everything has been busted. Part of your things have been burned, part of them have been destroyed otherwise. We're not sure, if you have been robbed or not. We found one big envelope outside. It was from court. Local detectives are investigating it. They asked me to come and pick you up for questioning."
"That's not going to happen, agent David is in protective custody right now. Only place she is going, is our safe house. You can tell the detectives to call her", Gibbs said.
"But I do know who is behind this", Ziva told. "Mossad. They have been threatening me and one Mossad officer tried to kill me yesterday. You can tell that to detectives."
Police officer just nodded and left.
Fornell looked unusually pale after that statement.
"Okay people", Vance said. "We are staying in here until everyone has arrived. Palmer, with me, we'll pick up your wife."
"Does everyone have enough clothes and other items to survive for few days?" Gibbs asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Good, pack them", Gibbs said. "And we'll stay together."
"I have arranged cars for you. They are safest one in this country and cannot be recognized", SECNAV stated. "I wish you good luck and keep me posted."
"Yes sir", everyone promised.
Suddenly Ziva's phone started ringing.
"David", she answered. "Yes, I got your message. Can I get back to you? We have a situation going on. Can we speak in Skype later today? Good, that is fine. Bye!"
"Detective?" Gibbs asked wanting to be sure.
"Yes, detective Morrow", Ziva answered.
About half an hour later Vance and Palmer returned with their families.
"Ready to go everybody?" Vance asked.
With a nod they all left NCIS without knowing where the situation would lead them.
At the safe house:
Ride to safe house had been quiet and went without any problems. Everyone was thankful for the support and help they had gotten. Agents who drove them, secured the building and environment.
"Kayla and Jared, go put your things in there", Vance ordered wanting to get his children away from the room.
"Tobias, there is someone I would like you to meet. This is Talia, my granddaughter", Gibbs simply said.
Fornell turned around and watched Ziva and Abby.
"Okay, which one of you managed to hide your pregnancy? "
"Neither of us, agent Fornell", Abby answered.
"Talia is my daughter", Ziva told. "She was born in Tell Aviv, Israel. Her biological mother is my childhood friend who moved away when we were children. I did not know that she had returned to Israel and joined Mossad. She fell in love with a man who did not want to touch a gun. I am sure you know what it means in Israel. Leah and Aaron, Talia's birth parents wanted to leave Israel, but they did not find a way out soon enough. Officially Leah died while giving birth, but like you can probably imagine, there is something else behind it. We do not know what happened to Aaron, but he is most likely dead too. We found Talia near our crime scene without any papers, but enough evidence for me to realize a connection to Mossad. Later I got documents of Talia's birth and her mother's death. There was also two letters and the one they wrote together, told their will. They wanted me to raise Talia in here, if something would happen to them. They did not want her to grow up in Israel. Finally after a few fights I got Talia's custody and I adopted her. Thanks to my family who told good things about me and promised to be there for us. And the judge who made the decision, grow up in same region than I. She knew what would happen to Talia in Mossad. Somehow Mossad found out about Talia and now they are after us. They are threatening to kill everyone I love."
"Oh God", Fornell sighed. "But congratulations anyway. I think she has good influence to Jethro too."
"Benjamin Gideon", Gibbs said to Fornell.
"Is a terrorist for sure, but we haven't been able to get him yet. He has connections to only God knows how many terrorist groups. Money, drugs, guns, just name it", Fornell told.
"Tempted murder and threatening a federal agent is a new add to his list", Tony said.
"I'm not surprised", Fornell admitted. "I suggest you stay in here until we can catch Gideon."
"That is exactly what we are going to do", Tony said.
"And by the way, my apartment has been destroyed. I'm going to call detective Morrow now", Ziva stated.
"Agent David? My name is Joanne Morrow", detective Morrow introduced herself. "I heard you are blaming Mossad. Could you please tell me why?"
"Yes, my name is Ziva David. I am a special agent like you know. But I was born in Be'er Sheva, Israel. I grow up in Tel Aviv. My father was a director of Mossad until his death. I was in Israel army and later I joined Mossad. I came to NCIS as a liaison officer almost eight years ago. Almost five years ago I had enough after one suicide mission. I resigned from Mossad and became US citizen and NCIS special agent. I adopted my childhood friend's daughter like she wanted. Talia was born in Israel. Her mother was Mossad officer and she knew that Talia would most likely be forced to join Mossad too. Talia's birth parents did not find their way out from Israel soon enough. Leah, Talia's biological mother died while giving birth and Aaron, her father, is most likely dead too. They wanted me to raise Talia if something happens to them and I did so. Mossad found out about Talia and they want her. Officer Benjamin Gideon has been threatening me. He almost killed me yesterday and today I got an e-mail from him. This is not the first time Mossad has destroyed my apartment. They blow up my apartment once. It was years ago, but still. Most of them do not accept my decision to become American and NCIS agent. Now it is even worse, because my father is dead and there is no one left to protect me. I have been able to live free, because I was still the daughter of Mossad director. So I suggest you start from them, but I must warn you, they are dangerous, Ziva explained.
"Did you hear about that envelope?" detective Morrow asked.
'"Yes", Ziva answered. "It was most likely Talia's adoption papers."
"Thank you, agent David, we'll be in touch", detective Morrow promised.
"Thank you", Ziva said.
Later whole family was eating together. They enjoyed spending time together outside work, but they wished that it would have been under different circumstances.
"Ziva, how does it feel to be a mother?" Breena wanted to know. "And no, I'm not pregnant. I'm just curious."
"It is awesome", Ziva smiled. "Talia has changed everything. It is a huge responsibility, but it gives you a lot. I have changed so much since I got Talia. I have never been this open about my past. I have really learned what love is."
"And boss man too", McGee mumbled.
"He has spoken more in past few days than in years", Tony continued.
"True", Ducky confirmed.
Gibbs shrugged his shoulders and didn't say anything.
"The truth is that children do change everything", Vance commented. "Just wait when she starts asking questions."
"Why daddy?" Jared and Kayla asked and watched their father innocently.
"Because children are curious and they want to know everything", Vance answered.
"Daddy, why does Talia grab your finger when you touch her hand?" Kayla was curious.
Everyone started smiling.
"It's a reflex", Gibbs explained. "Every baby has it."
"Did we have?" Jared was surprised.
"Yes, you both had", Vance told.
Rest of the meal was quiet.
"Thank you Ziver. This was delicious, like usual", Gibbs stated.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Come here, sweetheart", Ziva said gently. "Ima has you."
Ziva prepared a bottle and started feeding Talia.
"You are really hungry", Ziva commented. "Eat as much as you want."
Talia ate the whole bottle. After feeding Ziva lifted Talia into his shoulder and burped her. Talia watched her mother straight to her eyes.
"You have made me so happy. I love every moment with you. Every time you watch me or grab my finger, l become really happy. Then I really realize how lucky I am and how it feels to love. We have many years ahead of us. I am going to take really good care of you", Ziva promised.
Ziva gave a kiss to her daughter and whispered:
"I love you."
Ziva was changing Talia's diaper and laughed:
"What are you trying to do with your legs? I know you have cute toes, but I cannot put a diaper on you."
Ziva started rubbing Talia's little tummy and after trying for a while, she managed to put a clean diaper to her daughter. After diaper change Talia yawned and Ziva started singing to her in Hebrew.
In one corner Gibbs, Ducky and Vance
"That is so cute", Vance said.
"Yes, I agree", Ducky admitted. "Little Talia has good influence to Ziva. I have never seen her so happy and open."
Gibbs just smiled and after a while he confessed:
"When I first met Ziver, I was against of taking her into my team. I put up a fight with Jenny. She knew me so well and didn't ask my permission. She used my own rules against me. It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission, she commented. But quite soon I got used in Ziver and later I wanted her back from Mossad. Now I can't even imagine what our life would be without her. She has changed so much during these years and I feel really honored that I have been able to be part of her life. Cold-blooded killer has found self-control, happiness and positive, beautiful feelings. She no longer has death in her heart and she can focus on being happy. Thank God I lost that fight with Jenny. Although without Ziver, I would be dead."
"Yeah, same here", Ducky continued.
"And without you I would not know what it feels like to have a family", Ziva suddenly commented. "So I guess words thank you Jenny are true in my case too. I wonder what she would say to me right now."
"She would be proud", Ducky answered.
"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs", Abby said.
"Abbs", Gibbs responded.
"Where are we going to sleep?" Abby asked.
"I'm going to sleep with my children. And Palmer and Breena are of course taking one room. And I'm pretty sure that you two and Talia can share a room", Vance said.
Ziva and Abby just nodded.
"Ducky and Gibbs?" Vance asked.
"Yes, it won't be the first time and probably last either", Ducky answered.
"So I guess it's me and McGoo then", Tony said and secretly he wished that he could share a bed with Ziva.
Later at night:
Ziva had just fed Talia when she heard someone walking in the hall. Suddenly the door opened and Gibbs put his head inside and sighed of a relief.
"Gibbs, is something wrong?" Ziva asked.
Gibbs didn't respond, but instead he gave his phone to Ziva.
"I HAVE SOMEONE YOU REALLY TRULY LOVE AND CARE FROM ALL YOUR HEART. SHE IS NOT HAPPY. THE CLOCK IS TICKING AGENT GIBBS".
"Who?" Ziva as surprised.
"I don't know. I guess I should check on my ex-wives and girlfriends although I didn't love them from all my heart" Gibbs commented.
"I will help", Ziva promised. "I think we should check on your father too in case he mixed up words he and she. I will call to police and check if they know something we do not."
Ziva and Gibbs started calling, but didn't find out anything.
Ziva was about to order Gibbs to sleep when she realized that Gibbs had fallen asleep.
Ziva walked to Vance's room and hoped that she wouldn't wake up Kayla and Jared.
"Director", Ziva whispered.
"Is something wrong?" Vance asked when they were outside.
Ziva showed Gibbs's phone.
"We called to police, hospitals and morgues and asked if there is someone Gibbs knows. Gibbs also contacted to Stillwater sheriff and asked him to check on his father in case he mixed up words he and she. Jackson is fine. And no women that Gibbs knows has been reported missing, brought to hospitals or to morgue. We do not understand this."
"Where's Gibbs?" Vance wanted to know.
"Sleeping right now", Ziva answered. "I think we have done everything we can right now or can you think of something else?"
"Inform Fornell and go to sleep", Vance ordered.
"I heard", Fornell said and ate left-over food. "I decided to come back just in case something happens. And apparently it was a good idea."
"You know", Ducky suddenly begun. "One night after really tough case we were sitting in Jethro's basement. And after drinking a bit too much Jethro confessed that there is only six women in this world that he has really truly loved. Starting from his mother."
"Shannon and Kelly", Vance continued.
"Yes", Ducky admitted.
"Ziva and Abby?" Fornell guessed.
Ducky nodded and commented:
"Ziva and Abigail are like daughters to Jethro."
"Who is the sixth one?" Vance asked.
"He didn't say, but I have my suspicions", Ducky answered.
"So do I", Fornell admitted.
"Who are we talk… oh… "Vance suddenly realized.
"Jenny", Ziva said quietly.
"They never stopped loving each other. And I do think that Shannon and Jenny are the only women who have made Jethro happy. Jethro came to morgue after Jenny's death. He touched the body back and was about to open it. I was prepared to leave for a while so that Jethro could say his goodbyes alone. But he couldn't open it. Later he said that he wants to remember what Jenny looked like when she was alive. I don't know if he watched her body later."
"I didn't", Gibbs said. "And there is seven women I have loved. Mom, Shannon, Kelly and Jenny are dead. Ziver, Abbs and Talia are here. I don't know what this is, but I don't like it. I hate when someone is playing with me."
"Everyone go to sleep", Vance ordered. "We'll continue tomorrow. But I agree, I don't like this at all."
So is Mossad playing with Gibbs, are there ghosts in the picture or is Gibbs forgetting someone? And don't worry, Tiva will continue and Abby and McGee will get their parts too. So thanks for reading and stay around…