Chapter Four
"Officer Bashan, there is a rumor that you are hiding two reprobate assassins in your embassy," Tony said with a smirk, as Bashan showed up the security desk.
"I'd laugh but nothing funny has been said," retorted Bashan.
Bashan looked at the security guards and nodded.
"Leave you guns with security then follow me," said Bashan.
First, Tony and then Morse pulled their hip holster off their belts and handed them to security. Once that was done they followed Bashan to an elevator. They entered the elevator. Bashan pressed the button for the basement three times. The doors shut and they headed down.
"Let me guess we are going to a secret subbasement, a sort of Israeli Batcave," teased Tony.
"Yes, funny and observant," said Bashan.
The elevator finally came to rest and the doors opened. The exited to a plain white corridor. They followed Bashan down the corridor until he opened a door to a conference room where Malachi and Liat were standing by a conference table waiting for them.
"Hey, Mal, you're looking very James Bond," Tony said.
The darkly handsome Israeli spy was dressed in a Saville Row three piece suit. Standing beside him, Liat was dressed in cargo pants, blue safari shirt, and a short leather jacket.
"And, Liat, you are dressed sexy spy, as always," Tony purred.
"Agent DiNozzo, you need a better cut suit to wear," said Malachi.
"I know, Mal. This is one of my old ones. I seemed to have lost weight in the dessert," smiled Tony.
"I think you look good," smiled Liat.
Morse gave Tony a gentle elbow in the ribs.
"This is all nice and sweet," said Bashan, "but you have a terrorist killer to find and bring to justice."
"Don't worry, Officer Bashan, we don't intend on taking in Saleem Ulman alive. A trial would be a waste of money and that bastard doesn't deserve one anyhow," snapped Tony.
Officer Bashan smiled. An expression of self-satisfaction masked his face.
"Good," said Bashan.
Malachi reached into his pocket, took out a flash drive from his pant pocket, and tossed it to Tony. He caught it and examined it for a moment.
"That is all the intel we have on Saleem Ulman," said Malachi.
Tony smiled then he looked at Morse, who chuckled. The smile was one of his 'I know better than that' smiles.
"You mean this is all the intel you are willing to share, Mal," said Tony.
Malachi smiled, "You don't trust us."
"I trust you to want the same thing as us," Tony said in Hebrew.
"I could show you a way to inspire further trust," purred Liat.
"Maybe later," said Liat.
"I speak Arabic, Farsi, and a few other languages but now Hebrew," said Morse, "so can we go back to English? I like knowing what's being said."
"Sure, Agent Morse," said Tony.
"I offered to have sex with Agent DiNozzo in order to show trust," smiled Liat.
"Lucky bastard," Morse muttered under his breath.
"So, we will be working with you, Tony," said Malachi.
"Yeah, Mal, I agreed to it. I'm in charge, so you listen to me, and I mean it. No bullshit behind my back. Oh, one of the member of my team will be Agent Ziva David, do either of you have a problem?" asked Tony.
"I have no problem with Ziva," said Malachi.
"She is no longer one of us, so I do not care what she does," added Liat.
Tony looked at her and waved the index finger of his right hand at her.
"Now, now, Liat, play nice," said Tony.
"I would love to play nice with you," she grinned. It was a Cheshire cat grin and it made Tony feel that trouble was a possibility between the two trained assassins.
NCISNCIS
"I cannot believe that DiNozzo agreed with my father to allow them on his team," she growled.
"He's playing politics," said Fornell.
"He's playing with fire," said Gibbs.
The three were standing in the bullpen.
"It seemed like your former fair hair boy has played with Eli David before from the conversation I heard," said Fornell.
"Well, that proves that he hasn't gotten any smarter," snapped Ziva.
Fornell grin, "No, it proves that he has. Eli seemed to respect DiNozzo, which can only mean one thing."
"DiNozzo has impressed and surprised him," Gibbs said then he smirked.
"I do not trust my father," stated Ziva.
"No one does," laughed Fornell.
Ziva looked at Fornell and bit her tongue. He was the 2IC on Tony's team, which meant she had to listen to him and show him respect.
"Let's hope his intel on Azzam and Fawad is good," said Gibbs.
"Jardine and McGee are going through the intel now," Fornell told him, "and DiNutso will be back with a flash drive of intel on Saleem and two assassins at his beck and call."
"Leave to DiNozzo to come home and bring excitement with him," smiled Gibbs.
"You glad to have him back?" asked Fornell.
"Even though, he doesn't some thrilled with me, I'm glad he's here," said Gibbs.
Ziva's mind disengaged. She was upset at the thought of seeing Malachi again. But it was more than that. She was also thrown off her game by seeing Tony. It brought back too many memories from the time they were undercover married assassins and he risked his life for her to the time in the container where she started to feel oddly close to him and many more. And then there was the night before he left.
She knocked on his door. McGee was being reassigned to something he was good at in the basement, but she and Tony were being punished. Her father probably thought she had grown soft and was going to give her a tough assignment to make her Mossad again, and Tony, a man who loved the city and fast food, was being exiled on a carrier. It wasn't fair, but they had no choice but to follow orders.
He opened the door. She could tell immediately that he had been drink scotch and was upset. His face lit up when he saw her.
"Ziva, why are you here?" he said.
"To say goodbye," she replied.
"Come in," he said then stepped aside.
She was shocked by his apartment. It was neat and clean, but more than that it was orderly. The furniture on the whole was antiques and there was a grand piano in the living room to go along with a plasma screen TV on the wall and far less evidence of his movie fanaticism.
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked.
"A scotch is fine," she said.
"I'm surprise you came by. You have to pack yourself," he said.
"I can see you aren't packing yet," she said.
"A friend is going to come by and put my suits and some of my other stuff in storage then sublet this place for me," he said, as he poured her a drink.
"A female friend?"
"No," he turned and smiled, "a fraternity friend."
"Oh," was her retort.
This would probably be the last time they would see each other and she wanted to make it memorable. From the moment she met him she wanted to sleep with Tony and she knew he wanted the same. As time passed and they were partners, it grew from carnal lust to more, how much more she never asked herself because Gibbs had a rule. That rule didn't exist between them know.
"MaCallan 12," he said and handed her the drink.
Instead of sipping it, Ziva reached up with her free hand, grabbed his shirt, and pulled him down for an unexpected kiss. She could taste the scotch in his mouth. It was expensive scotch. Tony didn't do cheap.
He responded in kind. His free hand grabbed the back of her head, as his tongue explored her tongue and mouth. The passion was so strong that the oxygen in their lungs burned up quickly and they had to break away from each other.
"I want you," he said.
"I am here," she smiled.
It was that Mona Lisa smile of hers that drove him insane. He took her scotch from her and placed his and her glasses on the coffee table. Once that was done he took her in his arms and picked her up bridge style, but instead of carrying her to his bed and carried her to his sofa and placed her down.
"I don't care what you call, but I'm going to make love to you all night," he said.
"Stop talking then and get to work," she said with a smirk.
It turned into a night she had tried to forget because it was a night she enjoyed too much.
"Ziver, go up to MTAC and help Jardine and McGee," Gibbs ordered.
She snapped out of the thoughts in her head and looked at Gibbs, nodded, and headed off. Fornell watched her go.
"She seems off her game," said Fornell.
"It's probably her father and Mossad getting involved," said Gibbs.
"Yeah, sure," said Fornell, who thought that was probably it, but he'd keep an eye on her anyways.
NCISNCIS
Jardine had the intel section working their way through far range group photographs in which Azzam was present in hopes of getting something useable to use. Ziver was translating documents, McGee starting to hack bank accounts, and Abby and Dr. Moss were busy with the just arrived evidence. With everyone so busy Gibbs had Dorneget get some pizzas and put them in the conference room, while Tony, Morse, Fornell, Malachi, Liat, and the newly arrived Special Agent Abigail Borin from the Coast Guard and Homeland Security were in with the Vance. Borin was the last member of the mobile team.
"I heard from Callen," said Tony, who then stopped to take a swig of his coffee.
Vance lifted an eyebrow and waited for more information. Before anything else could be said Tony's stomach growled causing Morse to laugh.
"He and Hanna want to wait on the West Coast for the evidence to be processed, so that they can follow any leads that come up. I gave the okay," said Tony.
"The SecNav have given us three Gulfstreams for our use. He said that Homeland Security chipped in one of theirs for us to use," said Vance.
"Let's have one sent to San Diego for Callen and Hanna," said Tony.
"I'll make the arrangements," said Vance, who then looked at Malachi and Liat.
"I take it that you need to eat something, DiNozzo," said Vance.
"Sorry, sir," said Tony.
"Let's break for some food," said Vance.
Tony stood up and looked at Malachi and Liat, "Do you two eat pizza or are you Kosher?"
"I have been known to eat many things," said Liat.
Vance's rolled his eyes at the sexual innuendo.
"Borin, pizza?" asked Tony.
"Why not? Who knows when we'll have a chance at some real food," said Borin.
The five of them headed to the conference room, where Ziva was already there getting a couple of slices of pizza. When they entered the temperature of the room seemed to go down, as Ziva glared at Malachi.
"Ziva, we should talk," Malachi said in Hebrew.
"Michael is dead and you are alive, nothing more needs to be said," said Ziva.
"We need to work together," said Malachi.
"That is his problem," said Ziva nodding at Tony.
"And he will solve it," Tony said in Hebrew surprising Ziva.
"I am sorry, Tony. I did not know you spoke Hebrew," Ziva said in English.
"Things change, Ziva," said Tony. "Until Saleem Ulman is found we are a team. Everything in the past stays in the past for now. Understood?"
"Yes, I understand," said Ziva.
"I agree," said Malachi. "I think I will find something else to eat."
He left the room.
"I will go with him," said Liat.
She followed him out of the room. Ziva looked guiltily at Tony. For a moment he stood stone faced returning her look then he melted and offered her a smile. It was a gently smile, which made Ziva's heart beat a little faster.
"Let's not fight," he said.
"I don't want to fight with you, Tony," she said.
"Good."
Ziva took her pizza and left the conference room. Tony watched her go.
"I bet there is a story there to tell," Borin whispered to Morse.
"Yeah, I bet there is," he answered with a smile.
Tony turned and looked at the boxes of pizza. He grabbed a paper plate and took two slices of pepperoni pizza.
"I'll be in MTAC if anyone needs me," Tony said.
Tony exited.
"I'm really going to have to get that story, too," said Morse.
NCISNCIS
Tony had fallen asleep in MTAC. The buzz of quiet activity around him acted as a lullaby allowing him to give into his tiredness.
"DiNozzo," barked Gibbs.
Tony almost shot out of his seat. First, he looked at the clock above the large screen in MTAC, it was two am in the morning, and then he looked at Gibbs.
"Abby's lab now," said Gibbs.
Tony got up and followed Gibbs. They headed to the nearest elevator bank and then down to the basement and Abby's lab. Once they entered the lab, he noticed Fornell, Borin, Mal, Liat, Ziva, and McGee were there along with Abby and Dr. Moss. This was Tony's first time seeing Moss. He was wearing a white lab coat, jeans and a Clash tee shirt. A smile creased Tony's face, as he now assumed that Abby and Moss got along.
"Abby, get started," said Gibbs.
Abby came to attention and saluted Gibbs, "Yes, sir, Gibbs, sir."
Moss giggled. Abby turned and she brought up some fibers.
"In several of the bomb rucksacks the same rope was used to tie together pieces of the bomb. From the fiber, Adam and I ascertained that the rope was Digi-Camo Bi-pattern rope is used by special forces and used by serious climbers. I sent to Callen and Hanna a list of four stores in the area where it can be purchased. Also, some sharpened, small climbing pitons were in the rucksack. I was also able to give them the model of piton and the two stores where they are sold," she said.
"Next, Abby," said Gibbs.
"Yes, sir," she said enthusiastically.
She brought up on her plasma screen. There was a medium range photo of six men coming out of a Kabul building.
"Agent Jardine found this photo. She crossed referenced and double and triple checked and she was sure one of these men was Azzam Nazar. After the process of eliminations this one," she said.
She brought up a bleared profile of a man.
"This one was our man," she said.
"Not much of a photo," Tony said.
"Au contraire, fearless leader," Abby said. "After Adam here ran this photo through several facial enhancement software and facial compositing software, we have this full on photo."
She brought up a picture of Azzam Nazar. This was their first photo of him. Tony's face broke in a grin.
"Borin, get that photo to every Homeland Security Agency ASAP. Have them run it through facial recognition software of their CCTV tapes for the past week," he said. "Let's see if we can track down Saleem's bomb maker."
"Will do, Agent DiNozzo," said Borin.
"Tobias, get a pic to the FBI. Let's put him on the most wanted list," said Tony.
"You got it, DiNutso."
"Everyone, great work so far. It's time to get some sleep. I expect everyone to go home and get some shuteye. I'll see you back here no later than ten am," said Tony.
Fornell walked out with Borin. They were deep in conversation. Tony looked around and saw that Morse was gone.
"Looking for Agent Morse?" asked Gibbs.
"Yeah."
"I sent you bodyguard to the Navy lodge an hour ago and told him to be back here by 0700 hundred," said Gibbs.
"Oh, he was my ride," said Tony.
"Vance left a car and an agent to act as your driver. He is waiting in the bullpen for you," said Gibbs.
"Great," said Tony then he noticed Malachi and Liat. "You two have some place to stay?"
"The embassy, I guess," said Malachi.
"Okay, one of the people who sublet my place replaced my bed with a King size bed. I know you and Liat have shared a bed before and I can take the sofa. Sound good?" asked Tony.
"I knew I could count on you, Tony," said Malachi.
Ziva looked at Tony and then Malachi. She didn't like their relationship, especially considering Malachi failed Michael.
"Let's call this a night," Tiny said.
Agent Thomas Heney was waiting for Tony. He was a TAD, who barely was out of probie stage. Tony, Malachi, and Liat followed Heney out of the building and into the parking area. Suddenly, Tony's smartphone rang, so he stopped walking to answer it. Out of instinct and spy craft, Malachi and Liat stopped, also.
"DiNozzo," he said.
"We found the sale clerk who sold the rope and pitons," said Callen.
"Hi to you, too, G," said Tony.
"Sorry, Tony. The clerk has been murdered," said Callen.
"Okay, have his body sent here to Ducky for the autopsy the go over the stores CCTV."
"Store was burned down yesterday," said Callen.
"Shit! Get the body here ASAP," said Tony. "You and Hanna come along with it."
Tony hung up. He looked at Malachi and Liat.
"Saleem cleaning up his loose ends?" asked Malachi.
"Yup."
Tony, Malachi, and Liat started to walk towards Heney, who was already in the car. As they approached, Heney started the car and it exploded in a great orange ball of fire sending the three of them hurdling backwards. Tony's flight in the air was stopped by a light pole. He fell to the ground unconscious.