Chapter 3
Director Vance, Ziva, and Gibbs walked into MTAC. Vance looked normal, Ziva looked anxious, and Gibbs had a stone cold look on his face.
"Connection to Israeli Mossad please, Tel Aviv, Israel." Vance ordered. In a few seconds, Malachi Ben-Gideon came onto the screen.
"Are you okay?" asked Gibbs.
Ziva nodded shakily. "Yes. I will be fine."
"Director Vance, it is good to see you again," said Officer Ben-Gideon.
"Shalom. It's good to see you too," the Director replied. He turned to Gibbs and Ziva, who stepped forward so they could be seen.
"Shalom, Agent Gibbs. Shalom, Ziva," he said again.
"Shalom Malachi. How is everything in Tel Aviv?" asked Ziva innocently.
"Not well since your father has died. But that was what we wished to speak to you about." Malachi answered.
"What do you mean by that?" Gibbs spoke up suddenly.
"We want you team on this case Agent Gibbs. There are four of you, yes?" the Mossad officer asked.
"Yes. There are four of us. But why would we go to Israel to solve a case that's not in our jurisdiction, and why would your agency want our agency to solve your murder?" Gibbs questioned curtly.
"Two years after Ziva left to NCIS, Director David told me something important. If anything was to ever happen to him, he wanted Ziva to help solve the murder. I never thought that I would have to carry out those orders," Malachi said just as curtly but with solemnity.
Before Gibbs could retort, Vance cut in. "We will consider your request. But we have to consult our entire team, which is more than you met in Israel."
When Ziva heard the NCIS Director bring up the subject of their trip to Israel, she tensed up. Gibbs did not fail to notice, and touched her shoulder gently to restore her confidence.
"Please make your decision quickly. We need this investigation quickly. And we would like to find Director David's killer as soon as possible," said Officer Gideon. "Would it be okay if I spoke to Ziva alone Director Vance?" he asked.
Ziva clenched her fists. She felt like punching someone, but her self control kicked in annoyingly. She looked at Vance with a reluctant nod.
"Yes. She's right here." Vance granted the wish, and motioned for Gibbs to follow him out of the room.
"You gonna be okay Ziver?" Gibbs asked with the same soft look as earlier. Ziva just nodded, and Gibbs walked out.