Disclaimer: Dreaming that I owned the rights to anything you recognize (despite my terribly timed sense of humor) didn't make it happen. Bummer.
AN: For all you Yassen/Taipan-Lovers. :)
Chapter 6: Meeting the real Aleksandra Daniels (~3,070 words)
Gibbs stormed angrily into the bullpen, just returning from a meeting with the director.
"We are getting a specialist on this case. Apparently this agent had to deal with assassins before.", he said to his team.
Right away he was bombarded with questions from McGee and Tony, while Ziva focused on the elevator.
"Who is it?"
"When is the agent coming?"
"Where is he from?"
"Well... I'm guessing that would be me. And you already know my name."
The three single SAS soldiers had dressed in their dress-uniforms for the meeting with the NCIS team.
Neither of them spoke.
Occasional glances were sent in the direction of Alex's bedroom but that was it.
Not even Ben, who was heavily hungover, had the heart to wake them.
Alex came out first. She was dressed in a simple black shirt, black jeans and her favorite red Converse, duffelbag slung across her shoulder.
Her face was impassive, like stone.
As if the light of the last eight months has suddenly been snuffed out. Judging by her rigid posture and alertness, she was hurting inside, Ben deduced, even in his hungover haze.
It took a while longer for Eagle to show.
His pained face was easy to read even in its carefully constructed impassiveness. He was serious for once - and ironically everyone wished he would be as insane as always.
Ben didn't comment on last night. He just nodded and led the way to the elevator.
Alex stared ahead, ignoring the pitying looks.
Eagle and her stood as far away as possible from each other so they wouldn't be tempted to touch.
If Alex wouldn't be in control of her face so much, she would be bawling her eyes out by now.
Lemming thought this separation was simply because Eagle couldn't officially be in love with the mission objective.
The others knew it was because of her status as an agent.
They left the hotel and took the rented car (Lemming had made himself useful for the the first time last night) to the NCIS HQ.
On the way, Alex's phone rang again. "Yes?"
"They expect you. The team signed the OSA."
"Thanks."
"They'll owe you for this. And I'm sorry, Alex."
"It's alright."
"If there is anything specific you need, call me."
"I will. Can I tell the others?"
"He will find out either way."
"Bye."
The stoney mask stayed on Alex's features, even as she said: "We can brief him now."
Ben rubbed the bridge of his nose, fighting back the pounding noise in his head. "Alex is an undercover agent for MI6. She is one of the highest-ranking SO agents. She is also the world's expert on terrorist organizations, especially Scorpia. And she is the only one to have a 100% success rate for all of her missions."
Lemming stared incredulous at Ben. Then at Alex. "You're kidding me right?"
"No. Technically, Alex is my boss."
"How can you be a spy? You're eighteen."
Alex shrugged. "Fourteen when I started. Training in BB. That's how we know each other."
"Honestly, that's not funny."
"No, it isn't. It's my life. Do whatever with the information and leave me alone, will you? I hate your guts already. It's not such a bright idea to provoke me further," Alex retorted, exasperated.
Her cold eyes stayed on the road.
They were admitted to the NCIS compound after Ben flashed his ID.
Then the elevator doors opened and Alex and Ziva made eye contact.
"Who is it?"
"When is the agent coming?"
"Where is he from?"
"Well... I'm guessing that would be me. And you already know my name.", Alex stated completely devoid of any emotions.
Gibbs, Tony and McGee turned around and stared.
Ziva nodded. "I believe you. Who are the others?"
"Eagle, Wolf, Snake and Lemming; SAS. Agent Daniels is my partner and may add information I forgot to mention."
Each men had nodded once when their name was mentioned.
"I knew it was a professional killer as soon as the body was dumped on me. I need to talk to someone on a secure line. Can you arrange that?" Alex – the girl – asked in a no-nonsense tone.
Tony still stared. The cold blonde seemed older, more world-weary, than the girl from yesterday. She exuded something that screamed DANGEROUS, but at the same time 'flirt with me'.
Ziva noticed that one of the soldiers especially disliked Tony's more than generous attention.
"If this is a joke, it's not funny," McGee said.
"It's not," the same soldier assured the techie in a clipped, no-nonsense tone that matched the girl's earlier perfectly.
The other three men stared at him, astonished.
So this is unusual behavior for him?
Ziva noticed a shadow of an emotion flicker in Alex's eyes.
The blonde ignored the men. "I am Agent Aleksandra Daniels. And Ziva, you should follow me. You guys trust Ziva, correct?"
"Yes," Gibbs nodded.
"Then follow me too. I'll leave the door ajar so you'll hear what I say."
The blonde beauty turned around, carefully avoiding the soldier from before, and went to the women's restrooms.
Ziva noticed the change in her gait from yesterday. It was more graceful now and absolutely silent.
She has been trained as an assassin as well...
The others positioned themselves in front of the door.
Alex pulled her shirt up to reveal a scar-littered torso and black bra. Tony had been right – Alex was indeed not who she made them believe.
On her chest, center-stage, shone a black tattoo with a gruesome meaning.
Scorpia?!
Ziva lost her control for a millisecond, showing anger, confusion and incredulity in her eyes.
Alex pulled her shirt back down, having noticed her slip.
"Do you believe that I am capable to assist you on this case, Agent David?" she asked in a cold, emotionless tone.
"I think so," Ziva confirmed. Curious, she added: "Did you add the Russian inscription?"
"Yes. Do you doubt my ability to analyze anything terrorism-related?"
"No... As far as what escaping concerns, anyway."
Alex's lips twitched minutely. "Good."
"What did she show you?" Tony asked.
"The branding that Scorpia left on her chest," Snake answered, clearing his mind from conflicting emotions.
Gibbs, Tony and McGee were obviously confused. Lemming just stared incredulously.
Alex sighed, having thought, they knew at least that much. "I'll brief you on them if you can secure a line to Britain."
"We will," Ziva promised.
The blonde spy checked one of the interrogation rooms for hidden bugs and cameras thoroughly, turning all recording equipment off herself. The soldiers left her to it, knowing she was the quickest and best.
Ziva noticed that the young agent positioned herself as far away from Eagle as possible in the small room.
"I will not repeat myself. You need to know what you're up against, that's why I'm here. I apologize for lying to you yesterday but I had a cover to keep. As long as I talk, nobody else will. No questions til I'm done."
Her eyes bored themselves in Tony's and McGee's.
The others were just as curious as these two. Alex hadn't told them much about her Scorpia missions.
"Four years ago, I was recruited by MI6. They sent me on a few missions – one of which was undercover at Scorpia. That was my first encounter with them. After revealing a plot to kill countless schoolchildren in the UK, attempting to create a war between your country and ours, I killed two of their own. It was by accident - but I did. The two members were Julia Rothman and Nile," Alex added, staring straight in Ziva's eyes.
The NCIS agent gasped. She knew their names and heard countless rumors about their ruthlessness.
"Scorpia naturally wanted revenge. Their motto is 'Scorpia never forgives and never forgets.' The second time we met, I was almost killed by a sniper. The third time was on a mission with Agent Daniels. I meddled again and indirectly killed another board member, Major Winston Yu."
Alex took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the next part.
"The fourth time, Scorpia wanted to expose me to the world as some kind of monster that tried to kill your Secretary of State in Egypt. It cost... someone's life but again, I survived."
Eagle looked up at the ceiling, trying to cool his fury and reign in his emotions. He had known bits about her troublesome past but hearing her talk like this – blasé, nonchalantly – hurt him more than anything else, after seeing her genuinely, blissfully happy.
He loved her, hated being like this and had to stay away from her nonetheless, to protect her.
"That all happened within half a year. I know more about Scorpia than any living person. Their strategies, their motivations. It's really simple - revenge and money. They had the best assassins before they were completely disbanded last year, absolutely ruthless, deadly and silent. And I'm telling you this so you will take my next words serious."
Alex focused on the NCIS agents.
"MI6 made the connections between four similar assassinations in two weeks. They fear that parts of Scorpia have regenerated as a similar organization under a new name and with a few alterations. Those assassinations are them cleaning up old records, tying knots in loose ends. The CIA haven't noticed yet. MI6 wouldn't have either if your marine - who is already the fourth victim - would not have been dumped on me which cannot be a coincidence."
Ziva inhaled sharply. If she's right...
"You will be on top of their hitlist," the NCIS agent whispered, not wanting to believe that this young woman could be in that much danger.
She was younger than her, Ziva was sure.
"I know. You want to catch the killer, cool. My job is to stay alive, keep you alive by briefing you thoroughly on the dangers and help you to make sure you can close your case."
"You are risking your life by staying here," McGee protested.
Alex stared at him, keeping her cool, detached demeanor. "I am risking my life wherever I am. They know what I look like, what I smell like, what I scream like. I can hide and be killed or I can help you disband this group of assassins and mobsters and try to prevent another killing."
McGee didn't back off, even with her brown, expressionless eyes fixed on his. "What if you get killed?"
"Then I hope that you will attend my funeral," Alex said sardonically.
The soldiers wore grim expressions.
Her partner rolled his eyes. "Alex... This is not the time for sarcasm."
Alex stayed focused on McGee, ignoring her partner. "If I get killed, I'll die knowing I failed to stop this organization but at least I've tried. It's better than being at home, doing nothing but brooding."
"How can you talk like this? Do you really not care about your life?" McGee accused her.
He had not met anyone like her. Not even Ziva was this world-weary.
Alex stared at him, as if he was a complete idiot. "I care. I've just already far outlived my life expectancy."
"I see now why you seem so familiar. You are a Rider. Ian's niece and Hunter's daughter," Ziva stated in Hebrew, amazed at her discovery.
Alex nodded and responded in the same language. "Don't tell anyone what that name means. You don't know what you're messing with. If it helps, I have an idea who might have killed your marine."
Ziva nodded, thinking quickly. She turned to her boss who clearly expected a translation from her. "Gibbs, she is a legend. If anyone can help us solve this case, it's her. She is rumored to be the best there ever was. She even fooled me yesterday."
"Alright. Talk to whoever you need to talk," Gibbs caved, not taking any nonsense as always.
Alex nodded her thanks, not losing any unnecessary words. "It's...an expert on assassinations. You will need to leave the room as long as we'll talk. The expert is high-risk."
Gibbs nodded.
Tony still stared at the beautiful blonde who ignored him, to Ziva's limitless amusement.
"How come a beautiful young woman like you isn't modelling or doing something...less dangerous?" Tony tried flirting, to ease some of her tension.
It usually worked wonders on Ziva. The soldier - Eagle - glared at Tony, basically grilling him, so he backed off immediately.
"I didn't want to be a model," the woman replied without turning around. "And I'm not interested."
Tony stared at her, not able to comprehend what just happened. He had never been shot down like this by anyone.
Never.
Eagle looked slightly less murderous, while the rest of the soldiers seemed placated.
"Is he always like this?" the blonde asked the female NCIS agent in Hebrew.
"Yes. You'll get used to it," Ziva shrugged, sending her a small smile to show her she understood.
"I did not intend to insult your team."
"He is usually more observant and knows when to shut up."
Alex nodded. Gibbs cleared the area and left her alone in the MTAC room.
"Is she always this blunt?" McGee asked.
"No. Usually she's more sarcastic on the job. But today wasn't one of the good kind," Daniels explained; he rubbed his forehead.
"How old is she?" Gibbs asked.
"You don't want to know. I work with her a lot and I wish I didn't know," Agent Daniels replied, mulling over the new information Alex had shared with them just now.
Eagle went to the vending machine, needing to escape their talk. McGee followed him, unsure why.
"Her mental age is at somewhere around thirty or older. She probably has more experience than all of us together. And she is too professional to have a relationship during a mission," Snake elaborated.
As soon as Eagle was out of ear shot, he added: "Agent DiNozzo, if you value your life, don't flirt with her again. She is seeing someone when she is not on missions."
"I was just trying to lighten the mood," Tony protested, hands raised defensively.
Snake sent him a look. Then he added, sounding slightly exasperated: "And you are even worse at that than Eagle."
That at least got a gruff laugh out of the other Brits.
Meanwhile, Alex connected lines.
Yassen appeared on the screen, wearing a slightly muddy uniform.
As soon as he saw her face, he knew something was up. "Alex? What happened?"
"Assassination. The body was dumped on me. Shot to the heart and head. Precise shots," the blonde told him, not letting her emotions show.
Yassen was all business now. "More details," he demanded.
"Must have been dead for a while and stored in water. Blue and bloated. Ex-marine. I guess one or two days dead. Never saw it coming. And he was naked when he was dumped."
There was silence for a few seconds as Yassen contemplated what Alex told him.
"What caliber?" he wanted to know.
".9mm. Through and through."
"There are just two on the loose I can think of who could pull this off. Guarana and Luger," Yassen said, sending her an apologetic look.
She forced herself to smile. "Thanks. Be careful. Scorpia is out for blood. They have merged with parts of the Russian mob and clean up their old messes under a new name."
This new information did not go down well with him.
Her 'uncle' was not even trying to hide his emotions. His fury, his worry, his desperation – all for her.
And he couldn't do anything to protect her but give her the right intel and hope for the best.
They both knew.
"Sh**! Alex! Where are you now?" her mentor cursed.
Alex went back to business. "Secure location. I have a new mission, Taipan."
Yassen knew what that meant for her relationship status. "I'm sorry."
"I know."
"Don't trust anyone or anything. Don't eat what you didn't grow yourself. Don't get killed. And don't use yourself as bait."
If she didn't know him so well, she would think he fussed over her.
Yassen Gregorovich.
Fussed.
Over her.
Alex held the concerned look of her mentor and smiled faintly.
"I love you too, Dyadya*," she said softly, carefully not promising him anything.
When Alex reemerged out of the MTAC room, she was her cold, calm self, meeting their eyes dead on. Eagle and McGee returned the moment she stepped out of the room.
"I have two names," she announced to the group, as she was in their hearing range and no one else's.
Everyone stared at her expectantly.
"You are not going to like this," she promised the Brits. "Guarana or Luger."
Alex and Eagle looked at each other for the first time since leaving the hotel.
And Ziva knew then why they avoided each other like the plague; their eyes were unable to stay cool and guarded.
They were obviously, hopelessly in love.
And the rules and regulations of the British SO probably stated some BS about those kinds of relationships between co-workers on missions.
"Are you sure?" Eagle asked hoarsely. His most prominent emotion was fear - fear for her.
Ziva read him as easily as an open book in that moment.
"Yes. Taipan knows their style. And I'm guessing it was Guarana," Alex answered.
Her eyes were locked in their gaze with Eagle's.
Immediately, her protection team paled. Agent Daniels closed his eyes for a second and took a deep breath.
"Who the hell is that?", Gibbs interrupted. He hated to be left out.
Alex and Eagle were still battling something out.
She didn't even look at Gibbs, as she explained: "Guarana is one of the code names of a defected CIA agent named Walker."
*'uncle' in Russian (according to google translator...)
AN: dun dun dun... Another cliffhanger! Yay! Okay, maybe not. But cheer up, it means we're getting somewhere!