Chapter 4

"Boss, I tracked down all of Sharon's phone numbers except four. They're 4 different numbers under the same name, probably a family account, but the name listed is not in any of our files." McGee was balancing a laptop on his hand showing Gibbs as they entered the NCIS building; Tony and Ziva were bickering about what the best assassin movie of the 80's was and Gibbs was about to send them all to the daycare center.

"Get with Abby we need that phone number." Gibbs stopped in his tracks causing Tony to blindly run into him. A chill of fear ran through Tony as he started to open his mouth to apologize before quickly shutting it. "Are you two done?" Gibbs growled turning to look at his team members. They both looked down ashamed at their behavior. Ziva was the first to look up into Gibbs face, features taunt in determination.

"You still have not told us, what it is exactly we are to do with this information." Gibbs smirked slightly looking his agents up and down he turned heading to the bullpen his 'children' in tow.

"At 0400 yesterday morning a terrorist plot was discovered against the Israeli embassy. The suspect is a Hamas terrorist group, Akuziva is supposed to be their leader, with the other men as her back up. Mossad, Homeland Security and the CIA have dumped this case on us, because they think Ziva, has connections with Akuziva." Tony looked at Ziva before sitting down at his desk. He pulled the combined files up onto the plasma.

"How am I supposed to go undercover? Call her and tell her I want into her operation?"

"Somethin' like that. Work on that email. Tony with me." Gibbs turned towards the elevator to Abby's lab.

"On your six boss."

Ziva sighed and sat at her desk, she pulled out her multilingual electronic dictionary and started typing.

"Whadaya got Abbs?" Gibbs rounded the corner of Abby's evidence table producing a Caffpow, he waggled the drink in front of her face before having it quickly snatched from his grasp. Abby gave a sigh of caffeinated relief.

"Well, we decided the best way to track the numbers was to use the GPS in their cell phones, three of the phones where at the same location but the other was on the move." Abby jumped up and down in excitement, her chains, and spikes jingling loudly.

"Abbs."

"It's headed to DC, only 2 hours away." Abby smiled brightly as Gibbs leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Good work Abbs." Gibbs turned to Tony, "Tony, isn't there a hotel across from Ziva's apartment?"

"Yea…" Tony's face contorted in confusion.

"Get a room with a good view, grab the stakeout equipment and head over there." Tony scurried out of the room, McGee turned from the computer expectantly; Gibbs flashed a grin.

"What should I do boss?" Gibbs pointed to the surveillance duffle bag partially unpacked on Abby's evidence table.

"Take this to Ziva's, full surveillance, I want eyes and ears in her entire apartment." Gibbs started walking towards the door.

"Should I-"

"Nope." Gibbs turned and tossed a key to Tim before disappearing through the door. Tim looked nervously at Abby who placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"She's gonna kill me." Abby held back a smile and nodded. Tim sighed and grabbed the equipment heading to Ziva's apartment.

Gibbs waited for the coffee machine to finish filling his coffee, his mind was swimming. He trusted Ziva with his life, she knew that, he knew that. But who was this Akuziva person? His gut told him something wasn't right, he just couldn't place it. He knew Ziva was going to be mad that he bugged her apartment; but he had no choice. If, no when, Akiva met up with Ziva, he would need all the evidence he could to prove her innocence. Gibbs picked up his coffee from the machine. An undercover mission; Ziva would have to confront Akuziva, and he would be there every step of the way; protecting and watching.

Gibbs rounded the corner of the bullpen holding his nice hot cup of coffee.

"Gibbs." Ziva stood holding out the email, it had lots of scribbles on it, some in Hebrew. Gibbs stopped protecting his coffee squinting at the scribbles.

"What does it say?"

"Well basically, it's a warning-"

"Basically?"

"Right, well she is warning me that some of her old team members were contacting her for an op. She does not say anything more on it, she wanted me to use my contacts at NCIS to find out more information."

"Then why was it three paragraphs long?"

"Well, not everything she wanted to talk about is related to our case Gibbs. But she did give me more details on the men and a possible location of their hideout."

"This isn't Hamas is it?"

"No, they may be flying under that terrorist name. But, they are not Hamas. I have seen these men before at Mossad. I think Mossad is trying to clean up after themselves." Gibbs took a sip from his coffee, sitting down at his desk. Ziva followed him leaning on his desk.

"Clean up after themselves. Are you telling me that these men are part of Mossad?"

"Yes." Ziva rubbed her arms as if she was cold. She turned away from Gibbs, trying to hide her eyes from him. Ziva felt her mind clouding over, she could see herself younger, greener. She had just joined Mossad, her father had left her at the training camp. She could still smell the blood in the air, it was a hot summer day; the pack on her back was weighting her down; her camo-pants were flittering in the wind. She could remember those men, what they did, what they did to her. All to 'train' her, and how, in the end, Akiva saved her; Ziva's face went white, her eyes hollow, she could hear someone whispering her name but it sounded so distant.

"Ziva!" Gibbs raised his voice slightly causing his probationary agent to jump visibly. Ziva licked her dry lips, looking over her shoulder at Gibbs.

"I am fine." She lifted herself from his desk and made her way to hers, but a gentle hand stopped her. She stopped, not offended or scared, and turned towards her leader. Gibbs face was soft when he looked at his agent, Gibbs eyes searched her face. Her eyes were hollow, her face had gone pale, she reminded him of the time she almost died while undercover in his care. He was going to make sure, that the almost would never be too late. Gibbs let her arm trail through his grip, rubbing the back of her hand gently with his thumb momentarily before releasing her. Gibbs pulled a paper from atop his desk.

"Go home, get her to come to you." Gibbs started up to Vance's office. Ziva cleared her throat and pulled herself together, she snatched her bag from her chair and stomped to the elevator. She was furious with herself. She pushed her memories into the dark recesses of her mind, and entered the elevator looking at the paper. It had Akiva's phone number on it, Ziva pulled out her phone and dialed the number.

"Shalom?"

"Shalom Ziva."

End Chapter