"So what now?" Tony asked as he took a seat opposite McGee. The American team had been assigned a small room on campus where they could meet and discuss the progress of the case. It was finely equipped; a white board, internet access and all the intelligence files they could ever need. It was always going to be different from the cosy, comfortable office the agents were used to back in the States, but this was on a fine level.

"Michael is bringing over the forms from head office, apparently they got loads on this Noam guy," McGee answered.

"Loads indeed, Agent McGee," Michael said in his cheery tone of voice as he strolled into the room, like lion strolling through the pride. In his hand was a thick file, the pages nearly bursting out of its sandy coloured cover. Most of it was written in Hebrew but the odd bit of English stuck out on files which had been used internationally. Dumping the file on the table, Michael spread out the various sections so that the agents could all have a view. Turning, he glanced at the white board which was already full of writing in black marker pen, linking names to pictures, important information circled in a different colour and a list of things they still had yet to do. Impressive. Michael thought to himself briefly before taking his stance before the team of American agents, "Noam Ben-Zvi was, as all Israeli men are, enlisted to the Tzva Hahagana Le'Yisrael, when he was eighteen years old."

"English, if you don't mind," Tony asked firmly, not even giving Michael the satisfaction of eye contact. The American agent was still constantly thinking about the conflict the two men had had earlier that morning, and what possible consequences could come from it. He was powerless against Michael, the Israeli had far more contacts on this side of the world, ones which out ranked Tony to the highest degree. Not only that, but Michael also had that knowledge of what was going on between him and Ziva, and more importantly that they were expecting a child and with that kind of knowledge, he had the upper hand.

"The IDF, Tony," Ziva interjected, glancing between the two men, "There are three compulsory years men have to serve when they turn eighteen,"

Michael nodded before returning to where he had been interrupted, "Ben-Zvi was a highly skilled officer so he stayed on. He showed excellent potential, both as a leader and officer."

"Is he still under your control?" Tony asked, interrupting once more. He was almost hoping he was; that way, Michael would also be shown in a darker light and being so rude and firm towards him wouldn't look so out of the ordinary.

Digging a file out of the folder he had brought in, Michael shook his head, "Noam left just over a year ago after he was found selling and distributing high profile information. After that, he left and went his own way,"

"And you just forgot him?"

"No one likes people who sell personal information, DiNozzo. Would you like it if I told everyone your secret?" Michael proposed, giving a small, inane grin as his eyebrows rose slightly, knowing that Tony knew exactly what he meant. Seeing the slightly defeated look from Tony, Michael continued, "Last we heard, Noam was up in Haifa, laying low."

McGee, having flicked through the file he had been given at the start of the conference, looked up, "So, he might not even be here? We're in the wrong city?"

Michael let out a breath, shrugging his shoulders slightly, "He left more than twelve months ago, Agent McGee; he could be anywhere by now. And if he's able to fly to the US and then vanish, I'm telling you that he's skilled."

"Where's his personnel file?" Ziva asked, realising that it was not in the intel they had been given. "Every officer must have one and since we need to know where he is, can we not have his?"

Michael rested the palms of his hands on the table, leaning forward ever so slightly, "You, of all people, will be familiar with the release of personnel files, Ziva. Mossad cannot release personal information just like that,"

Tony rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "This guy is a murder suspect. I'm sure even the great and mighty Mossad can make exceptions,"

Ziva sent Tony a look, one which clearly expressed that he was toeing the line between being professionally concerned and just arrogant. She knew that their earlier dealings with Michael had shaken him, it had had that effect on her too, but she was able to control her emotions much easier than Tony could. Having that personal element now affecting their case was going to be hard to manage, but those thoughts just had to be pushed aside, "I'm sure my father will be persuaded to let this one slide, Michael. Ask him first, and then let me know."

Michael was about to protest but sensed the fact that he had overstayed his welcome, the information he had given had clearly not been what the Agents had been hoping for. "I will get back to you then." He gave the agents around the table a final glance, his dark eyes lingering on Ziva for slightly longer before turning on his heel, exiting the room.

Tony released a breath he hadn't realised he had even been holding, turning to face Gibbs, "So we're up and leaving again? I've heard Haifa is a lovely spot this time of year," He half joked, giving that typical DiNozzo smile.

Gibbs looked through the file which lay on the table in front of him, weighing up the options he had, "McGee and I will go to Haifa, talk to the offices of IDF there. You and Ziva can stay here and find out all you can,"

Ziva nodded, "It is possible he could have transferred to the Navy, in which case, Haifa is the place he would be. Selling information is serious and I highly doubt he would have been able to transfer to another force, but it is possible. Then again, he could now be working alone," She explained, offering all the possibilities.

Gibbs stood, gathering the file together, "McGee and I will head up to Haifa. Check in again at five," With that, Gibbs left the room, soon followed by the junior agent, leaving the DiNozzo and David in a sea of paperwork, with only their notes on the whiteboard to keep them company.

"Well this is gonna be a blast…" Tony muttered sarcastically, leaning back in his seat, his hands resting on the table. It felt like they were running around in circles, where once they made one step towards progress, they took two steps back. It was nearly reflective of his relationship with Ziva, the pressure starting show itself. Getting other people involved in a relationship was never a good idea, but now even they couldn't prevent that inevitability.

Ziva lightly placed her hand over his own, getting him to look at her, their eyes connecting, "You have to forget what happened." She said softly, knowing full well that it could be an empty sentence.

"How am I supposed to do that, hm? He threatened you and our baby, and I'm just supposed to forget that?" Tony replied, linking his fingers through her own.

Ziva shook her head, lightly brushing her thumb over his knuckles, "I know it's hard, but we're going to be fine. It's just…if you keep being like this towards Michael, we're never going to get anywhere with this case. I know how much this means to you, Tony, I really do and I can promise that everything will be fine." She glanced down briefly, placing her free hand over her bump, a smile pulling at her lips, "Tomorrow, I have an appointment booked and, although I'm only seventeen weeks gone, we might be able to find out the sex of the baby and if you could come with me, I want you to see who we're doing this for. Our little boy or girl, your son or daughter."

Tony couldn't deny the smile which danced across his lips, giving Ziva's hand a gentle squeeze, "Of course I'll come with you, why wouldn't I? I know that I'm being a little bit of a jerk, but that's only because I want to protect you guys. This Michael guy is just trying to stir things up and, I'll admit it is working slightly,"

Ziva moved her hands to cup his cheeks in her palms, her soft eyes searching his own, "You're going to get hurt, Tony. You're messing people who can do, and will do, so many things to mess with you and us, even our child. Please, Tony, just forget what Michael said," She was practically begging him by now, her eyes warm yet sincere with her concern. Ziva knew that she could usually hide her emotions well, not allowing anyone to know what she was feeling, but with Tony it was a completely different story. This was the kind of situation where she couldn't hide behind the façade of her past and upbringing to be a strong woman who didn't show anything. Just the mere thought of Tony getting hurt because of the situation they were in made her scared, worried. She knew full well what Michael was going to do with the information he had and, although she could do nothing about it except accept it, but the inevitability was just lingering there, waiting to take them by surprise.