THANK YOU for all the lovely reviews and alerts, readers. Keep em coming! This chapter is sorta filler, but necessary filler that I hope you at least enjoy! -Red
I'm on the front line, don't worry I'll be fine
the story is just beginning
I say goodbye to my weakness, so long to the regret
and now I know that I'm alive
I'm on the front line, don't worry I'll be fine
the story is just beginning
I say goodbye to my weakness, so long to the regret
and now I see the world through diamond eyes
Diamond Eyes, Shinedown
Chapter Two: Diamond Eyes
"What about him?" Tony asked tersely.
"He's at the hospital. Shot in his store and, as of now, he is listed as critical."
"Who?" and "When?" came simultaneously from the pair as they followed McGee back to the bullpen.
"Happened late last night. Gibbs flew out of here after he got the call and Vance wants to see us in ten."
Tony pinned McGee with a glare. "Who, Tim." It wasn't a question it was a demand.
McGee glared back. "I think we all know. A Hispanic woman in her thirties was seen entering, but not exiting."
"Reynosa…" Tony mumbled and looked up at Vance's office. "Let's go…"
As they entered the director's office, they saw that the older man was on the phone. Mostly, he was nodding and reassuring whoever was on the other end. Quickly, he wrapped up the conversation and motioned for the three to stand at his desk.
"DiNozzo, David, I assume McGee filled you in?"
"Yes," Ziva responded.
"That was Gibbs," he said and paused. "It does not look good for Jackson. Point blank to the chest. From what the locals have told me, it appears he put up a struggle."
"We need to get to Pennsylvania," Tony said, but before the words were fully out the director was shaking his head "no".
"There is nothing for us to investigate there. The locals LEOs can take care of it. Besides, I think we all know who is responsible, and she is no longer in the country."
Tony's frustration took over, and he snapped, "Then what are we supposed to do? Sit on our hands?"
Ziva's voice stopped his tirade. "Tony…"
Vance's strong voice cut them both off. "There is nothing we can do officially." Tony noted the emphasis on 'officially' and watched as the Director idly flipped through two personnel files before speaking again. "I do see that both you and Agent David have extensive vacation time save up. Nearly five weeks each. I think with Agent Gibbs out of the office for an indefinite period, now would be a good time for you to use some."
Tony opened his mouth to protest, but Vance raised one hand to stop him. "I hear Mexico is nice this time of year. Maybe you should take a trip, enjoy the local cuisine, maybe observe the locals."
A small smirk crossed Tony's face. "I see. I think that sounds lovely, don't you, Agent David?"
Ziva nodded the affirmative. Following the underlying conversation had been easy. "I do."
"It's decided then. McGee you can stay here and help me. You two should probably talk to Abby in about an hour; she could probably make some suggestions. Check in with me before you leave."
"Yes, sir," they responded in unison and, with McGee on their heels, left the office. They paused outside on the catwalk.
The youngest agent looked confused. "Did he just tell you guys…?"
"Yep," Tony responded.
"Together…"
"Yes, McGee." Ziva's voice was tense.
"Your job, Probie, is to let us know the SECOND anything changes with Gibbs' Dad. And I don't care if it's 3 am."
McGee nodded in the affirmative and left the two standing outside the director's office staring into the bullpen at their boss' empty desk. A comfortable silence reigned for several minutes before Ziva spoke.
"We will not allow her to get away with this."
A small nod then, "Agreed."
Walking into the lab on a normal day usually meant loud music and a very happy goth. Today however, the music was off entirely, and Abby was sitting quietly at her desk in the back office staring at some papers strewn on the desk.
As they approached neither was sure what to say. Thankfully, Abby solved their dilemma by standing when she noticed them and enveloping each in a long hug.
"He's gonna be ok, Abs. Jackson's a fighter," Tony managed to get out as she squeezed him.
"I know…I hope so. What I wouldn't do to go down there and make that bitch disappear into nothing…"
"We will take care of it." Ziva's voice was authoritative and sure, and somehow it soothed the lab tech. Probably because Abby knew Ziva was her word.
Abby gathered the papers from her desk and handed over a manila folder. "She threatened all of us, so be careful. But sometimes the best hiding spots are in plain sight, especially at a couples resort." She gave them a knowing look that both agents ignored, though Abby was sure a small smile graced Tony's face for a second. "Room is listed under Z. David…"
"That's not obvious?" Tony asked.
Abby looked hurt. "Less obvious then say…DiNozzo."
His partner sighed loudly. "Tony, David," she intentionally pronounced it like the first name, "is a common American last name."
"Right!" Abby added. "And you are taking the next C130 down..."
"Ugggghhh…" Tony groaned. "I just got OFF a C130…again. Can't we do commercial?"
"No. Two reasons. One, this way there are no commercial flight records. Two…well, Ziva's passport is sorta a problem…actually it's her lack of an American passport that's the problem." The other woman nodded, but Tony looked confused. "She's only been an American for…two days, Tony. She doesn't have a valid passport. Even I can't make one appear out of thin air in an hours time. Plus," Abby brightened. "You can take your weapons on the 130! Oh! And Gibbs was able to contact Franks somehow… He will be observing that weasel Hernandez. You two are to stay on Reynosa."
"Thanks Abs," Ziva said, collecting the paperwork.
Tony echoed her thanks.
"Remember!" Abby called out behind them. "Vance said observe and report, that's all. Don't…do anything stupid."
Tony responded in the affirmative, but all Ziva did was give her an indescribable look.
Abby wasn't sure if she was reassured or not.
After checking in with Vance and being directed again to observe and report – clearly they all knew what the former assassin was thinking – they each headed home and packed quickly. They needed to be at the airfield by 8:30 to catch the flight.
Ziva packed her clothes quickly, but she paused as she unloaded her sig for the flight, placing it in a black backpack. Turning to her closet, she opened her gun safe and retrieved two more hand guns and enough ammo for both. She didn't anticipate needing them but would rather be prepared.
She had not lied to Tony; Paloma Reynosa would not get away with attempting to murder Jackson. Gibbs was the closest thing she had to a father these days, so an attack on him was an attack on her. She didn't take kindly to people hurting those she loved. Besides, after what the older man had done for her in Somalia, the least she could do was provide some retribution.
Placing the weapons at the bottom of the bag, she tested its weight to confirm she could carry it comfortably. Satisfied, she finished grabbing her few essentials – including her laptop – and headed to the airfield to meet Tony.
Predictably, he showed up just as her watch turned to 8:30, leaving no room for error. He also carried two bags: a large duffle with clothes and a smaller backpack. She smirked at him as they boarded. Taking up similar spots to the ones they had occupied when they returned from Mexico not so long ago; seated close together, sharing an itchy – though warm – blanket. Only this time Ziva rested her head on Tony's shoulder as they dozed through the trip.
The resort wasn't much to look at from the outside, but once they entered the lobby, luxury oozed from every surface – from the marble counters and floors to the gold fixtures.
Entering their room at close to midnight local time, nearly 4 a.m. in DC, the exhausted pair perked up at the arrangements. They had managed to finagle a corner room which came complete with floor to ceiling windows on one wall and sliding doors that faced the ocean. A large king bed faced the doors, with a small couch and TV set up between it and the windows. An opulent bathroom was located just as they walked in the door. It was separated from the bedroom by a wall complete with floor-to-ceiling opaque glass panes.
Despite the sumptuousness of the room, both were drawn to the ocean. They dropped their bags in the small living room and opened the doors onto the small but nicely appointed balcony.
As they stepped outside, Ziva closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and let the breeze and ocean waves take her to a state more relaxed than the tense one she had been in since McGee told them the news.
Tony watched her as her eyes drifted closed, a look of peace gracing her face, one that had been missing from her features for a long while. Suddenly he realized how much last year had actually changed them, and how much of the old Ziva was still missing.
She let out a long sigh and opened her eyes, the tiredness from being up nearly 24 hours finally winning. "I am going to change and head to bed."
"Yeah," Tony responded with regret in his voice. He would have been happy to stand there all night with her. Turning he got a mischievous grin on his face. "Flip for the bed?"
She rolled her eyes and picked up her bag. "Do not be an idiot, Tony." With that she closed the bathroom door and started undressing. It was then that Tony realized the opaque glass did not provide as much privacy as one would think. He could clearly see the outline of her body as she pulled the cotton tee over her head and tossed it to the floor, some of her more feminine features outlined to perfection.
Until now it didn't occur to him how difficult it was going to be to share a hotel room with her for two weeks. Much less a room designed with a couple in mind.
Slipping off all his clothes except his boxers and a tank top, he slid into the bed – right side of course – as she opened the door in her pajamas, which consisted of a pair of cotton shorts and tank top, her hair braided neatly.
She eyed him warily at first, but slid into the large bed, careful to stay firmly on her side. Based on the urge that was running through her body to move closer to him, this assignment was going to be much harder than she anticipated. Now Ziva fully understood how Gibbs and Jenny happened in Paris so long ago and where Rule 12 came from.
The light switched off and Tony's voice came through the dark.
"Night, Ziva.
"Goodnight Tony," she responded and closed her eyes, allowing sleep to wash over her.
As Microsoft Word as my witness, I had written the passport section MONTHS ago. I just find it hilarious that it came up on the show this week. Anyway, don't forget to review on the way out.