Chapter 6:

"I know better than to trust you, Rene." Jenny Sheppard was being held prisoner in his hotel room, and was angry at herself for getting into this situation in the first place. History was repeating itself all over again.

"Come, now. I wanted to see you, and you wanted to ensure that no harm would come to Anthony DiNozzo. Have I not held up my side of the bargain?"

Director Sheppard shook her head and laughed. "You haven't changed a bit."

A knock on the door diverted their attention. Rene welcomed a silver cart being wheeled in by a young bellhop. After tipping him handsomely, the bellhop smiled and left the room.

"Can I tempt you with something to eat?" Rene lifted the lid from one of the plates, revealing a delicious display of exotic fruits. On another plate were various cheeses, and another held an assortment of petits fours. "Champagne to start? A mimosa perhaps?" Rene ran his hand lovingly over a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot.

"You expect me to forget everything that has happened by accepting a glass of champagne? What is it you want from me Rene?" Jenny sat on the sofa, looking him directly in the eye, knowing with him there was a reason for everything.

"I want you to explain why you felt the need to use my daughter in your elaborate scheme." Rene Benoit poured himself a flute of the champagne, sipping it slowly before setting it down on the cart. He moved to sit opposite the Director, any hint of amusement now absent from his face.

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Tony knocked at Jeanne's front door. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as he continued to knock, one part of him hoping she wasn't home, and the other desperate to sort out the mess that had become his life. As he started to walk away, the door opened slowly.

"What do you want?" Jeanne had been crying, her eyes were red and swollen.

A lump caught in Tony's throat. "I want to apologize."

"For what? Lying to me about everything or for cheating on me? Oh, wait – that's right, you had no choice. Secret spy stuff." Jeanne walked into her apartment, leaving the door open for Tony to follow her in.

"It's not like that." Tony didn't know where to look. "You have to believe me."

Jeanne did not respond. Instead, she sat on the sofa, her arms folded across her chest as she stared at an imaginary spot on the carpet.

"I really need to use the bathroom." Tony fidgeted. He didn't know where to start, so he opted for finding the package first.

"You know where it is." Jeanne replied tersely, still not making eye contact with him.

Tony swallowed, and sheepishly headed to the bathroom. Once in there, behind the safety of the closed door, he let out the breath he felt like he'd been holding since he entered her apartment. Pull yourself together DiNozzo. His thoughts were in a jumble. He checked his watch, it was nearing noon and he needed to get this all sorted out before he picked up Ziva from the hospital. Kneeling on the floor in front of the toilet, he reached around confident the package would be there but all he felt was bare wall. He scrambled to get a better look, and it appeared nothing was hidden there at all. Reaching up and behind the toilet bowl, he contemplated lifting the lid when the door opened, revealing Jeanne standing there holding a brown envelope in her right hand.

"Looking for this?" she asked cynically.

"Ah – actually, I lost a contact lens and…" Tony cleared his throat, realizing how ridiculous that sounded as soon as it left his mouth.

Jeanne threw the envelope on the floor in front of him. "Take it, I don't want any evidence of you around here anymore."

Tony picked up the envelope as he stood, shaking his right leg to rid himself of the cramp in his calf muscle. So it wasn't a memory stick after all. This was not good. He had completely misread the Director's supposed clue.

Opening the envelope, he pulled out several black and white photographs of himself and Jeanne. It seemed they had been photographed mostly outside, as they shared a kiss or held hands. Then he saw one that made his cheeks flush – they were in her bed and doing more than just kissing. He was not a prude, far from it, but the thought that someone had been watching them made his skin crawl.

He looked up to see that Jeanne had left him alone. He continued to look through the photos, about to put them all back into the envelope when he saw something else that grabbed his attention. This time his heart caught in his throat. Graphic pictures of himself with Ziva were unmistakable. Their one night together and someone had been watching them, too. Tony sifted through the photos, stopping to stare at one in particular. Ziva sat astride him, her head thrown back in ecstasy. The photograph clearly showed her hair was sweat soaked as it stuck to her back. Her lips were slightly parted. His hands gripped her waist. God she is beautiful. And hot. Don't forget hot, DiNozzo. Stuffing the envelope in his coat pocket he stormed out of the bathroom, regretfully pushing any thoughts of a naked Ziva David from his mind.

"Jeanne," he called. "We need to talk…"

Jeanne walked out of the kitchen, tears in her eyes. "There's nothing more to talk about Tony. Just leave. Now."

"Who do you think left these photos here? Do you really think I would do something like this? Think about it. Your father must have left them here and..."

Jeanne cut him off, "Leave my father out of this."

"How can I? He's the one who asked me to come over here and retrieve this for him." Tony pulled the envelope out of his coat pocket and shook it in the air. "He hid it there last time he was here Jeanne. Now he's blackmailing not only me but half of my staff as well."

Jeanne snorted. "My father is well respected in the Pharmaceutical industry. He travels the world and has a client base and more knowledge than anyone I know. What would he want with some photographs of his daughter in bed with…with you." Her voice cracked.

"Is that what you think he does? He's a pharmaceutical rep?" Tony's eyebrows shot up as he shook his head. "Are you serious? Come on Jeanne, why and how, would I organize someone to take photos like these, and what purpose would it serve me to leave them here even if I did?"

Jeanne was beginning to pace. "I don't believe you. I want you to leave."

"Not before you hear my side of the story. And even if you don't believe me after that then I suggest you head over to the Hay-Adams within the next hour and see for yourself."

Once Tony had told Jeanne everything he could think of about the initial La Grenouille mission, his part in it and what her father really did for a living, he left without looking back. He had to get to the hotel room with the photos and make sure the Director was safe. Then he had to somehow get to the hospital to pick up Ziva. Should he go there first? No, how could he drag her through all of this right now? Once in the car he called Gibbs to alert him of the latest turn of events. His cell phone however, went directly to voicemail. He tried it again, and again, finally getting a response. The voice on the line was cold and warning. He hung up by throwing his phone against the dashboard. He put his foot on the gas and floored it back to the hotel as quickly as he could.

Rene Benoit now had Gibbs as well.

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Arriving at the Hay-Adams, Tony left a message with the concierge as initially instructed. As he waited in the lobby, he took in his surroundings. The décor consisted of rich dark wood paneling, elegant chandeliers and arched doorways. He could almost imagine having stepped back in time, to the 1920s where the next guest to step through the doors could be anyone from Charles Lindberg to Amelia Earhart.

"Excuse me sir," The concierge tapped Tony on the shoulder, making him jump. "Mr. Benoit will see you now. He is in suite 7."

Tony nodded and walked towards the elevators, lost in thought. Exiting the elevator, he walked purposefully towards suite 7 at the end of the hall. The door opened before he had the chance to knock. "Ah, Mr. DiNozzo, how nice of you to finally come." The smarmy voice greeted him with an equally disturbing smile. "I'm so glad you could join the party." He gestured grandly, waving Tony inside.

Sitting on the sofa in plain view, with her ankles and wrists bound was the Director, and next to her was Gibbs. He appeared to be free to move however. His eyes spoke volumes to Tony. Don't react. Not yet.

"Come, come – join me in a cognac." Rene poured two glasses of the amber liquid and handed one to Tony. "Let us make a toast, to the past, the present and the future."

Tony took a small sip, his eyes never leaving Gibbs and the Director. He would play along, for now.

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Ziva carefully dressed as she prepared to leave the hospital. Still sore and bruised, she had convinced the staff to let her go home early and relax. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, touching the bruise and cut above her eye gently with her finger. You've looked worse, she told herself with a mock smile.

She turned around in time to see Jeanne enter the small room.

"Dr Benoit." Ziva noted she was not wearing her scrubs, but normal day clothes.

"Agent David." She replied.

Both women were silent until Jeanne walked closer to her, averting her eyes. She swallowed, then looked directly at Ziva.

"I need your help," was all she said.

TBC…