Chapter Eleven
The Long Beach house was surrounded by the SWAT teams wearing gas masks just in case of anthrax being released in the air. They had watched the house for the last twenty-fours, making note of who came and who went until they were sure the house was full with the members of the cell. Now it was noon and all teams were ready for the takedown. On standby was a hazmat team and Callen, Hanna, Kensi, Deeks. They hung back and watched as the SWAT teams made their move.
First, they fired smoke grenades through the windows into the house then they followed it up by a quick forced entry. They didn't want to give anyone the time to release the anthrax. Callen listened as he heard automatic gunfire. After the long bursts, he heard several short bursts of fire and then it went silent. Soon two SWAT came out of the house two metal canisters apiece. They placed them down on the ground and called the hazmat team over then the leader walked over to Callen.
"Four canisters of weaponized anthrax, Agent Callen. That is some nasty shit. We'll be disposing of them," said the SWAT leader.
"That's your call," said Callen.
"The sooner we destroy that stuff the better. I don't like having this shit around."
"Anyone left alive in there?" asked Sam.
"Nope," answered the SWAT leader. "They decided to resist and my men weren't in the mood to be resisted."
"Too bad," said Hanna, "I would have loved to have gotten some intel on the boss of this op from one or two of them."
"Don't worry, Sam, the box that Saleem Ullman put himself in is getting smaller and smaller and pretty soon be a coffin," said Callen.
NCISNCIS
Fornell stood in MTAC along with Gibbs. Both men were in the well of MTAC standing in front of the big screen. On the screen Skyping them was Tony. Tony was playing around with it trying to get the connection perfect. Finally, he spoke up.
"It's moments like this that I miss Probie the most," said Trip.
"Are you saying that is all McGee is good for, DiNozzo?" smiled Gibbs.
"I'd never say that," said Trip.
"You ready to begin this mission," said Fornell.
"Okay, how did the op in Southern California go?" asked Tony.
"Callen has the anthrax," said Fornell. "Four canisters. The FBI SWAT teams took out the cell."
"Okay, LA is secure, Nazar gave up information on DC, so we are sitting pretty right now, except for New York," said Tony.
"We are setting up four raids in order to take down the cell and take into custody the suicide cars. Bomb squads will be part of the raids when they go down," said Fornell. "Chicago, Boston, LA, and DC will be safe. That only leaves New York still in danger."
"We know that the dirty bomb is real, DiNozzo," said Gibbs. "Nazar described in depth how he made the bomb and scientists said his design would work."
"He also told us that it isn't in New York City and won't be in the city until New Year's Eve. He is keeping it safe somewhere," said Tony.
"DiNutso, Nazar is in transit to Israel. Malachi and Liat have him. They will be doing more interrogations of him. If they come up with any information they said it will be ours," said Fornell.
"How did you convince the White House and DOD to let Nazar go?" asked Tony.
"Vance cleared it. It didn't take much convincing, either. Trust me when I say that it was easier to let Nazar go to Israel than to keep him here. He'd become a political time bomb if he stayed here," said Fornell.
"You'll have to tell me about it someday," said Tony.
"Over drinks," said Fornell.
"Yeah, lots of drinks."
"And steaks at my place," added Gibbs.
Tony grinned.
"Tell me when everything is over in DC. It will be good to know that we have been able to deal most of Ullman's plots so far," said Tony.
"Gibbs will have the four locations cleaned up by later tonight. He'll let you know when it is done," said Fornell.
"Keep your head on the swivel, Gibbs," Tony said.
Gibbs smiled, "Same to you."
Tony closed the laptop cutting off the transmission. Fornell looked at Gibbs and chuckled.
"He reminds me of someone," said Fornell.
"We need to get him something to go on soon before they are working the streets New Year's Eve looking for a dirty bomb to go off," said Gibbs.
"I don't think Nazar can help us," said Fornell.
"I agree."
"You ready for tonight?" asked Fornell.
"I'm always ready, Tobias."
NCISNCIS
Tony looked at Morse, who was lying on the bed fully clothed. He looked completely relaxed and content.
"Comfortable?" asked Tony.
"Yeah, I am."
"You do realize that we are supposed to be hunting down a terrorist with a dirty bomb," said Tony.
"He is going to strike on New Year's Eve and we are still six days away from Christmas. I think I lounge for a few minutes," said Morse.
Tony stared at him for a few minutes. He could always count for Morse to stay cool under fire, but there was something more here. Morse looked content, and he only looked this content after he had good sex.
"Is there something you want to tell me," said Tony.
"Yeah, life isn't as bad you make it out to be," said Morse.
Tony shook his head.
"Listen, I'm frustrated and tense, so I'm going to go do something banal today in order to clear my mind. My father wants me to check the old house, so I'm going to check it out like he wants me to," said Tony.
"You want me to go with you?" asked Morse.
"No, Jimmy, you stick around here. Keep in contact with the FBI and Fornell," said Tony.
"You have to take someone with you," said Morse.
"I'll take Ziva."
"Ohhh, Ziva, uh?" Morse teased him.
"She'll get me out to the Hamptons in half the time the way she drives," said Tony.
"Uh huh," said Morse.
"Just do something productive while I'm gone, okay?" he asked.
"Sure, boss," said Morse.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs had Jardine and McGee work with him in MTAC along with Fornell. The screen was split into four segments, four different locations. They had the POV of a camera on a helmet. Vance entered MTAC and walked down to the well of the secured room and joined Fornell and Gibbs.
"So far we are getting kudos from the White House and DOD," said Vance.
"So far we haven't had a major fuck up," said Fornell.
"They expected a higher body count of citizens by now," said Vance.
"Glad we could surprise them," said Gibbs, who then looked at McGee.
McGee was seated with the technicians.
"Toss me a headset," said Gibbs.
McGee tossed him a headset. Gibbs out it on and turned back to the screen. He gave McGee the thumbs up.
"Gentlemen," Gibbs spoke into the mouth piece of the headset, "we have a go."
It was then that the van doors opened and the SWAT teams emptied out. Gibbs watched. His eyes went from scene, as the men emptied out and began their operations in four different locations in the city.
"This is why I prefer field work because watching gives me ulcers," said Fornell.
Vance smiled. Gibbs stoically watched. The men entered a building, an apartment building, a house, and an empty factory. The gunfire began. Vance tensed up and made fists, while Fornell tended to shift his shoulders as if he was there and dodging gunfire. Gibbs stood there and watched.
From the apartment building, the leader spoke into his radio, "Location secure, vehicle secure."
"Well done," said Gibbs.
Next, came the team from house. The leader spoke into the radio, "Secure and we have the vehicle. Bomb squad is starting to work on it."
"Well done," said Gibbs.
The empty factory was next. The team leader spoke into the radio, "We have the location secure. Bomb squad is moving in on the vehicle."
"Well done," said Gibbs.
At the last location the firefight was ending. A final burst of gunfire and return fire and it was over. The team leader came over the radio.
"Mission accomplished, vehicle secured," he said.
"Well done," said Gibbs then he spoke to all of them. "Causalities?"
The answers came.
"One, thigh wound."
"None."
"Two, minor injuries."
"None."
Gibbs took off the headset and smiled.
"Well, Leon, you have more kudos to collect from the White House and DOD," said Gibbs.
"DiNozzo stops New York and he is going to be able to write his own ticket," said Vance.
"Hell, he can be my number two at the FBI," smiled Fornell.
"He's NCIS," said Gibbs.
"He's whatever he wants to be after this," said Vance.
"He's NCIS," Gibbs stated again.
NCISNCIS
Ziva stopped in front of a coffee shop in an idyllic town square. It was a cold grey day out, so they decided to stop for coffee and a sandwich before driving over to his family home. They got out of the car and entered the coffee shop. Instead of sitting at a booth, they chose to sit at the counter.
Ziva undid her overcoat and took off her scarf, while Tony took off his leather jacket. They sat on the stools. The older waitress behind the counter came over to him. She placed menus in front of them.
"Coffee?" she asked.
"Two, please," said Ziva.
She opened the menu and checked it out. It was a hometown place that offered everything from chicken salad sandwich to hamburger or meatloaf with mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. She looked over at Tony, who already placed the menu on the counter.
"You know what you want?" she asked him.
"Yup."
The waitress came over with their coffees, cream, and sugar.
"What can I get you?" she asked.
"A Rueben with French fries," said Tony.
"And you, honey?" she asked.
Ziva smiled, "I'll have a chicken salad on rye."
"Okay."
The waitress grabbed their menus and walked away to place their orders.
"Did you used to come here?" Ziva asked him.
"When I was a kid," he answered.
"Ah," she smiled.
"My mother would take me here for a sandwich and a milkshake," he said.
"Chocolate milkshake?"
"No, strawberry milkshake," he smiled from the memories, but the smile faded. "I have been here in thirty odd years. It hasn't changed much, though."
"When was the last time you were home?" she asked him.
"Ten or twelve years ago," he answered. "I had inherited a few of my mother's things like the grand piano. I had them sent to my place in DC."
"Where are they now?" she asked.
"In storage. When I leave the Middle East for good I'll get them out of storage and start another home," he said.
"I'd like to hear you play the piano," Ziva said.
"I haven't played in years," said Tony.
"Would you play for me?"
"I might," he said then smiled.
Before she could remark, Tony changed the subject.
"Of course, I don't know where I'll be after this. Morse and I will probably be back in Bahrain," said Tony.
"Do you like it there?" asked Ziva.
"It's… hot," smiled Tony.
"Well, I like hot. I was born and raised in Israel," she smiled in return.
"Well, I was born out here on Long Island. I like four reasons."
"So come back to DC," she said.
"I don't know if I belong there anymore," replied Tony.
"Why?"
The waitress came with their sandwiches. She placed them down in front of them.
"Enjoy," she said then walked away.
Tony picked up his Rueben and took a bite. Yes, it was tough to get a good Rueben in Bahrain. Ziva sampled her chicken salad.
"This is very good," she said.
"Yeah, it always had good food. Family owed place. Grandfather handed it down to son and now son to daughter," he told her.
"That is very nice, but you aren't going to avoid my question," she said. "Why don't you belong in DC anymore?"
He put his sandwich down then picked up the ketchup bottle and poured some ketchup on his fries. After he put the ketchup bottle down, he picked one of his fries and ate it.
"Answer me, Tony," Ziva said.
"Okay," he said. "When I see you, McGee, Abby, Gibbs, Palmer, and Ducky, I see a family. I'm not part of that family any longer."
"Even if we think you are still part of the family," she said.
"Yeah, even if you still feel that I am," he said. "Ziva, it might not make sense, but I'm not sure I want to be part of that family again. It let me down and I'm not great at giving second chances, except for Senior and I have no choice with him. He's my father."
Ziva placed her hand on top of his hand. He felt the warmth of her hand and it sparked something inside of him.
"I want you back here," she said. "I have missed you."
He smiled, "Thanks, Zi."
His smartphone rang. Tony took it out and answered it.
"DiNozzo," he answered it.
"DC cell is down and vehicles in custody and being defused by bomb squads," said Gibbs.
"We are almost home," said Tony.
"Just the dirty bomb and Ullman," said Gibbs.
"Thanks, Gibbs."
Tony hung up and put away his smartphone.
"DC is safe now," said Tony.
"Excellent," said Ziva.
"Let's eat and go," he said.
Ziva nodded. She could see that his mind was now on Ullman and bringing him down. Later, maybe when this was over, she would try again. She wanted them to be friends again and maybe even more than friends.
NCISNCIS
Tony grew up in a mansion with gate and high walls. It was estate, one of those estate that when sold Senior would be flush with money for a few years after paying all his debts. Ziva was impressed by the estate as they drove up to it. Tony was quiet.
The car reached the front gate and Tony noticed that the gate wasn't locked. A groundskeeper was supposed to be keeping this locked up. Tony's gut kicked in.
"Ziva stop," he said.
She stopped the car.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I don't know."
He reached into the glove compartment and took out the binoculars. Putting them up to his face, he started to search the grounds. He saw a Middle Eastern looking man smoking a cigarette by the living room French doors.
"I should have known it," said Tony.
"What is it?"
"Ullman hates me. I mean he really hates me. I've been a thorn in his side for three years, so why would he research me and find out about my empty family home," he said.
"Ullman is here," she said.
"Yes," he said.
She took out her gun and checked the clip.
"Put it away, Ziva. We are doing this the smart way," he said.
"We'll call in the FBI and SWAT teams," she said.
"No, I am not giving that bastard a chance to blow up my mother's home with a dirty bomb. I am driving the car onto the ground and I'm going to be taken captive. Ullman is meticulous. He'll spend days questioning me for every bit of intel he can get from me. You walk down the road until you are out of sight then call Morse to pick up. After Morse you call Gibbs. Tell him that I need a quiet and deadly extraction. He'll put one together."
"Tony, I can't let you do this," she said.
"You have no choice, Agent David," he smiled. "I'm in charge."
"Tony! Don't be a heroic idiot!"
"He won't kill right away. You have at least 48 hours," said Tony. "Get Gibbs."
Impulsively, Ziva lunged forward and kissed Tony. It was a long passionate kiss which Tony participated in it. When she broke away from Tony, she wanted more and she could tell he wanted more.
"Don't take too long, sweet cheeks," he said.
"I won't, furry butt," she replied.
Ziva got out of the car and started down the roadway. Tony got out and then got into the driver's seat. After taking a few deep breaths, he started the car and pushed open the gate and headed towards the house.
"You are definitely a heroic idiot, DiNozzo," he said to himself.