As some of you requested I continue on with this story and not end it quite yet, I've decided to expand on my original idea. So now I'm anticipating 7 to 8 chapters. Thanks so much for all your reviews!
Chapter 5:
Inside the elevator Tony leant against the wall, his tired eyes closed as he waited for it to 'ding', signaling his floor. Walking into the bullpen everything seemed different somehow. There was an air about the place that unnerved him. Gibbs sat behind his own desk, equally as tired as Tony but unwilling to admit to it. He nodded at Tony as he walked over and placed a coffee cup on his desk.
"Thought you'd need an extra cup this morning boss," Tony spoke.
Gibbs took the offered cup and nodded again, this time a slight smile upon his lips.
Both men drank their coffee in companionable silence.
Tony walked over to his desk, checking his watch. Ziva was being released later in the day and he had promised to pick her up. He had stayed with her as long as he could, until the hospital staff forcefully urged him to leave and get some rest of his own. He didn't have a chance to really talk to Ziva as she had fallen into a restless sleep not long after Gibbs had left them alone. She tossed and turned, occasionally opening her eyes to lock her gaze onto Tony, who held her hand.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"I know," she replied.
"It started out as part of the La Grenouille mission, and it got out of control. The lying…"
Ziva interrupted Tony. "I know," she spoke softly. "You had no choice, I understand." She closed her eyes as a wave of nausea washed over her again.
"Ziva – I …" Tony hesitated.
She opened her eyes again. "Tony, it's alright. We can talk later." Her voice was soft, almost weak. "But you really must talk to Dr... I mean, Jeanne. She deserves an explanation and we… we deserve a chance to…" she brushed her hand over her face, exhaustion taking its toll as she closed her eyes to yet another bout of nausea.
Tony brushed a strand of wayward hair from her eyes as she fell into an exhausted sleep. He could only imagine what she had been through that night. First the accident, then the confrontation between himself and Jeanne right in front of her. He was going to prove himself to her, he was going to take her advice and talk to Jeanne as soon as he could. Sort things out; set them straight. After all, hadn't Jeanne been a pawn in this whole 'game,' little realizing her father was the reason behind it all? Either way Tony owed her an explanation, and a truthful one at that. He rested his head on the side of Ziva's bed, hoping to relieve some of the night's tension.
"You really should go home and get some proper rest," Tony was awoken less than hour later; an officious looking nurse hovered over him with a clipboard.
He lifted his aching head and looked at Ziva, who appeared to be resting peacefully. "How long will she be here?" he asked the nurse, his voice fatigued.
"She can go home later today, all going well." She replied as she checked on Ziva. "Go home, get some rest and we'll call you when she is ready to leave."
Massaging the cramp in his stiff neck, Tony stood. "Last night's shift, are they still on?" he asked her as he continued to rub his neck.
The nurse looked him directly in the eye for the first time since entering the room. "They are on for another hour, however Dr. Benoit left early." Tony swore she was looking at him with disgust in her eyes. He looked away from her and back at Ziva. Gently he kissed her forehead, careful not to touch the bruise or cut above her eye. The nurse continued to vibe him out of the room.
He turned to her as he was leaving. "You have my number?"
The nurse looked up at him, her mouth set in a straight line. "Mr. DiNar… I mean, DiNozzo," she replied cynically, "leave all your details with the front desk as you leave and someone will contact you."
"Hey, DiNozzo. Earth calling DiNozzo!" Tony jumped. He had lost himself in thought and McGee's voice jogged him back to the present.
"I hear Ziva was in an accident last night. What happened?" he asked Tony.
"Long story, probie." Tony stood up and stretched. He turned around and looked up the stairs to see Gibbs heading to the Directors' office. Tony followed. Jen wouldn't be happy but it wasn't like it was planned.
Gibbs was arguing with Cynthia, the Director's assistant. "I'm sorry, Agent Gibbs, but you can't go in there…" Cynthia shook her head. Gibbs ignored her and waltzed straight into Jen Sheppard's office.
Tony arrived in time to witness the exchange. "The Director isn't in yet, I take it?" he asked an annoyed Cynthia.
"No, and she hasn't called in either. I'm worried, Agent DiNozzo. It's not like her to be late and not call."
Tony glanced at his watch. It was nearing 10am. She was always in by 8am. A knot deep in the pit of his stomach did a twist. What if Jeanne had told her father about what happened at the hospital? He suddenly felt the colour drain from his face.
"Tony?" Cynthia asked with concern. "What's going on?" She had clearly noticed the change in his demeanor.
"He's in there, right?" He asked her as he opened the closed door to the Director's office, ignoring her question.
Before she could respond, he found Gibbs searching Jen's desk, lifting up papers and opening and closing the drawers on her desk. "He's got her," Gibbs spoke as he continued his search.
"Who has?" Tony asked gingerly, but he already knew the answer.
"Don't play dumb with me DiNozzo," Gibbs was angry.
Tony's cell phone ringing saved him from having to answer Gibbs. He checked the caller ID, it was the Director. "Its her," he stated quietly before putting his hand up to silence Gibbs who was about to say something.
"Jen," he answered carefully, all the while maintaining eye contact with Gibbs.
"Ah, sorry Mr. DiNozzo, it is not Jennifer, but I can however, assure you she is safe and well," Rene Benoit spoke with a gentle lilt to his voice that belied his intentions.
"What can I do for you?" Tony asked matter-of-factly.
The voice on the other end of the line laughed heartily. "Excellent Mr. DiNardo, oh – sorry, forgive me. Mr. DiNozzo. I always was bad with remembering names." Clearing his throat, Rene Benoit continued, "You are good at following orders, this I know."
Tony shifted uncomfortably as he swapped hands holding the phone to his ear. Gibbs took a step closer. Tony answered, "I'm listening."
"There is a small package at my daughters house. I hid it in her bathroom on my last visit. I want you to go over there, and retrieve it for me."
"You are aware that my situation with your daughter has changed," Tony carefully questioned.
"Oh, quite." Rene Benoit seemed to be enjoying the exchange. It was almost as if he could sense what it was doing to Tony. "I'd like you to apologize to her. Then I want you to go to her bathroom and get the package. You are familiar with her bathroom, aren't you?" he chuckled low in his throat before continuing, "Yes of course you are. It is behind the lavatory. Put it in your coat pocket but do not let her see it. Oh and she is not to know anything about this."
"You want me to apologize, yet you are no better." Tony was feeling anger burn his cheeks. This man called himself a father? He was nothing more than a manipulative bastard with double standards.
"Oh, this coming from you Mr. DiNozzo? I should think it would be easy for you to lie your way back into my daughter's house, and do this one simple thing for me. If you don't, there's no way of knowing what may happen as a consequence, is there?"
"Let me speak to Jenny, I need to know she is alive before I consider doing any of this." Tony asked without any doubt in his voice.
A moment of silence and Jen's steady voice was on the line. "Hello Tony. I am fine. I suggest you do as he says. Oh and can you please send someone other than McGee to feed my cat?"
Her words were cut short as Rene grabbed the phone from her. "Satisfied?" he asked almost impatiently.
"How will I know where to bring the package?" Tony asked.
Rene's voice had resumed its former lilt. "Oh forgive me, yes. We are at The Hay Adams, across from the White House. I do so like fine accommodations. You can call Ms Sheppard's cell phone when you have it in your possession. Oh and Mr. DiNozzo… come alone. If you alert anyone to our whereabouts not only will you lose the lovely Director here, but you will never see your precious Miss David again either." The connection abruptly ended.
Tony looked at Gibbs, neither man being the first to speak their thoughts out loud.
"I have to do as he asks," Tony cautioned Gibbs. He also silently motioned for Gibbs to follow him to Jen's desk, where he scribbled the name of the hotel down onto a piece of paper. Gibbs put the address in his pocket, and then both men purposefully left the office, heading directly for the security of the NCIS elevator.
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Gibbs punched the 'stop' button once they were inside the elevator car. Tony conveyed the conversation he had just had between himself and the elusive 'La Grenouille.'
"She doesn't have a cat," Gibbs mumbled. He looked straight ahead, trying to think of what she was trying to tell them.
Tony was also deep in thought. "Last year, remember the Pentagon cryptographer who owned the orange cat McGee was allergic to? We found the missing memory stick hidden in a box of cereal at her house…" Tony's eyes lit up. "That's got to be it! The package he wants me to retrieve from Jeanne's. He said it would fit in my pocket. If it's a memory stick, it could contain information vital to our National security just like the other one did. Could also explain why he's in town. If he's using it in another bidding war…" Tony looked directly at Gibbs, his expression grim.
"Get it Tony. Take it to him. He won't get away with it this time." Gibbs punched the elevator button and it lurched into action. Both men headed to their desks, preparing for what lay ahead.
TBC…
