I know they are only short chapters but I have written them as one complete story in seperate sections and I feel it is a better experience as a reader to have those times when you have to wait between chapters. I think it adds to the intrigue.

Alas on with the story...

They had been in Africa for nearly three weeks, following the clues that led them to this remote location in the middle of the Continent. The heat was exhausting and even during the cooler months, as it was now, the stale, stagnant air made it difficult to breathe. Water was a necessity as was light clothing and no excess baggage. They had followed the Intel, listened to the chatter and had found out that Ziva had been missing the moment they had left her behind with "Daddy David."

Tony was still angry with the ways things had been left with Ziva. The last image he had with her was when she pressed her weapon against his body, anger being forced into the pressure of the gun barrel. He had hurt her in a way he had never intended, never dreamed of. She had been his rock through the whole Jenny debacle, but with Michael…

Tony's lips formed into an involuntary growl at the thought of the man that had caused him to lose everything. He had lost his hope in ever seeing Ziva again, realizing with much self hatred that it was his entire fault. He was the reason she had stayed in Israel. Not because of Gibbs or McGee – it was all his doing. Maybe she had a premonition when she hadn't invited him to dinner that night before they became locked in the shopping container. Maybe her women's intuition, her gut, knew that he was going to screw her over in a very messy and not too distant future. Maybe she had never really trusted him to begin with. His heart sank with the hurt that resonated across the African Sahara.

Gibbs had been silent throughout the ordeal. Tony hadn't expected anything more from the man but he felt as though his boss' trust was also wavering after the incident on that tarmac. Ziva was staying behind. She would not be across from him in the bullpen to throw spitballs at and correct her English, although, he admitted he hadn't had to do in quite a while. She had been adjusting with his help.

Tony sniggered as he realized the irony that statement held. He helped her amend her customs so she could fit in and he helped her to make the decision to stay in Tel Aviv – it had been clear she did not wish to see his face forever and a day. Why would she? He had taken away the thing that had meant the most to her – Michael Rivkin.

There was that growl again, an immediate reflex. He couldn't help it. The pain and the anger, maybe even a jolt of jealousy that accompanied that name brought out the worst in him. If their paths had never crossed, Anthony DiNozzo would be an extremely happy man. Alas, playing what if would not bring Ziva back, nor would it make her trust him again.

Tony's thoughts were interrupted by Gibbs. He had been shaking the young man's shoulder to grab his attention for a little while now. Tony was often lost in thought, the Lead Agent had noted. Gibbs, as well as the rest of the crew had caught him staring at Ziva's vacated desk on more than one occasion. It made him wonder about how deep Tony's feelings were for Ziva and whether rule number twelve had been broken or not.

This mission would blow it all out of the water.

So??? Whadidya think? lol