Chapter Eleven
"You ready Zivers?" Gibbs asked an anxious Ziva as they all got out of the car at the courthouse.
Ziva nodded. "I will be fine Gibbs." Inside she was scared though. She didn't want to see Lev again. She wanted to be as far away as she could get. Anything.
Gibbs put an arm on her shoulder gently. "You'll be safe. Rule nine."
Ziva cracked a small smile. She knew Gibbs would bring a gun anywhere when his agents had a risk of being hurt. Even if it was illegal.
Tony looked at their boss, "your serious?"
"When am I not DiNozzo?" Gibbs shrugged. "Let's go." Together the team, including Abby and Ducky walked into the court house.
After the case started Tony watched Ziva as she fidgeted the whole time. She was messing with her hands, the hems of her sleeves, her pants, everything. She couldn't sit still. She was scared of the fact Lev was in the same room as her since she had been rescued.
Gently Tony rested his hand on hers and waited until her brown eyes met his green. "You're okay." He whispered softly.
Ziva tried to sit still after that, making Tony keep his hand on hers. His hand somehow gave her more confidence that she needed. She felt safe surrounded by her NCIS family. Only if Eli would show up…
Lev was at the stand when Ziva heard someone slide into the seats behind her. Quickly she turned her head and saw Eli. A relaxed smile spread across her face.
Eli smiled and kissed her head. "I'm here for you Ziva." He whispered soothingly. He reached over and gently gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.
Ziva smiled, "thank you father." she whispered back softly and looked back at where Lev was telling "his story". Of course he had plead innocent of hurting a federal agent, but he plead guilty of kidnapping her. Lev was looking at Ziva, a smirk on his face as he told his story.
"And how did Ms. David get hurt?" Lev's lawyer was one that had been chosen by Lev. One he knew was a good one.
"She, in fact tried shoving me against the wall. She slipped and there was some broken glass from water I had given her which she ungratefully kicked out of my hand earlier, and broken. She fell onto the glass and that's how she ended up getting her cuts. Her face was bruised from her trying to escape." Lev relayed his fake story to the judge, jury, and everyone else. He fed them lies, hoping for a way to escape.
"Thank you." The lawyer looked at the judge and jury, "that's all I have." He went and sat. Now it was time for the lawyer who would defend Ziva.
"So Lev, tell us again how Ms. David got hurt?" The lawyer asked.
"Like I said she fell on glass she-" Lev started.
"Really? How did she fall?" The lawyer cut in.
"She slipped." Lev watched the lawyer carefully. He knew this was going to be where he got caught if it was going to happen.
"Hmm, well according to the doctor who treated Ms. David she had bruises on her wrists proving she was grabbed and shoved."
"What does that have to do with anything!" Lev's lawyer yelled. "That is irrelevant to the question."
"How? I'm only stating Ms. David's doctor found bruises indicating she was shoved, not slipped on something." the lawyer on their side defended.
The judge sighed. "Morrison, let him keep going. Larsmon, keep it relevant."
Larsmon, the lawyer for Ziva nodded. "Yes sir." He looked at Lev, "so tell me, how did Ziva fall?"
"One of the times I shoved her. Once." Lev hoped Larsmon wouldn't keep hammering the subject.
"And did she kick the glass out of your hand or was she holding it when you shoved her?" Larsmon asked.
"Holding it." Lev mumbled.
"What Lev? We can't hear you, you need to speak up." Larsmon prompted.
Ziva relaxed visibly. Larsmon was doing good defending her and showing the jury and judge what truly happened.
"She was holding it damn it!" Lev shouted. "Okay? I shoved her to the ground, she dropped it and cut herself! Got it?"
Tony smirked. Finally things were going their way.
"So you did injure a federal agent?" Larsmon kept from smirking.
"Yes. I did? Alright?" Lev growled.
Larmson smiled, "and her doctor also reported Ms. David had been raped?"
Ziva's head dropped and she looked at her feet. She didn't want to think about that. In fact she wanted to think that Lev was in jail and away from her at that point.
Tony grabbed one of her hands. He gently ran his thumb over it to get her to relax. "Zee," he whispered under his breath. "You're safe."
Ziva squeezed his hand lightly in acknowledgment. She was glad Tony was beside her, and Gibbs wasn't getting upset over his small gestures.
"Wasn't me who did it." Lev snapped. "You're looking at the wrong guy."
Ziva's eyes closed and a tear slipped out. Nothing was worse than having to hear your assaulter lie about assaulting you.
Tony moved his hand and wrapped it around Ziva's shoulders now. He gently pulled her close and rubbed her arm gently. "Its alright Zee." He whispered trying to help comfort the ninja, "its okay. Larsmon's not giving up so easily."
"According to the DNA test it was you." Larsmon kept pushing. "So would you like to restate who it was or would you like to keep lying in court?"
Ziva stood shoving Tony back from her. Quickly she left the court room and went to the bathroom. She went into an empty stall and cried.
Tony glanced at Gibbs who was just as surprised as he was.
"Let her be for now." Gibbs whispered.
Tony nodded, he ached to go to Ziva and take care of her. He ached to hold her against him and promise her she was safe.
"I did it okay? I did everything! I kidnapped her, I hurt her, and I raped her. Anything else you want me to admit to?" Lev shouted.
"Nope, that about sums it up." Larsmon grinned. He looked at the judge, "that's all from me." He took a step back and went back to his seat.
The judge looked at Morrison, "want to redirect your client?"
Morrison shook his head, defeated. This was a case he should've never taken.
The judge nodded, "Lev you can leave the stand. Jury, go ahead, talk it over and come up with a decision."
The jury left to the juror room to talk everything over.
The judge slammed the gavel on the wood. "Recess for five minutes."
Automatically Tony jumped to his feet and ran out to the women's restroom. He knocked lightly before walking in. "There's a guy in here." He announced in-case anyone besides Ziva was in there. After a moment all he heard was a sob from Ziva and the lock coming undone from the stall.
Slowly Ziva stepped out and walked to Tony. She stepped into his embrace and sobbed.
Tony held her rubbing her back. "You're fine Zee. He admitted to everything. The jury is talking it over now. He admitted to it. You're safe."
Ziva felt safe, but it didn't take the pain away. It didn't take the memories away. All it did was make her feel safe. That was it. "He hurt me Tony. All he is going to get is a sentence in prison. Prison where he will be dining like, a castle." Tony didn't have the heart to correct her idiom, "while I am here, with memories and pain of what he did to me."
Tony rubbed her back gently. "Your father will make sure he won't be having life great. He has a strong influence." Tony kissed her head and gently wiped her tears away. "Look at me Zee, no matter what he did to you, you still have us. You have your family. We're never going to leave you, or hurt you. We're going to protect you and help you through this."
Ziva looked at Tony and nodded. "T-Thank you Tony." She tried to ignore the little skip her heart did as Tony kissed her head. She was safe, but the scars would take a little longer to heal.
Tony and Ziva walked back into the courtroom with two minutes still for recess.
Eli went to his daughter. "Are you alright?" He asked concern showing in his eyes.
Ziva smiled at her father, "I am fine father." She glanced at Tony quickly over Eli's shoulder then looked at Eli once more, "just as long as you keep your end of the deal."
"I have Ziva. Turns out where Lev is going after he gets sentenced, is where a few people he put away are at."
Ziva smiled, relieved. "Revenge, is great." She walked over and felt a hug from Abby, "Abby I am still sore."
Abby released her quickly. "Sorry Ziva!"
Ziva hugged her again. "Do not worry. I am fine and from what Tony told me the judge will come to a verdict that will put me at ease." Ziva assured.
The judge hit the gavel on the wood once more getting everyone's attention, "court now in session." Everyone sat and the judge looked at the jury, "have you come to a decision?"
The lead juror nodded, "we have your honor." He handed the bailiff a piece of paper that held their decision.
The bailiff handed it to the judge and the judge looked it over. After a moment the judge looked at Lev, "Lev Hadrof, please stand."
Lev stood and Ziva could tell he knew the verdict.
"With a six to three vote you are found guilty." The judge read the verdict to Lev and everyone else. "Your sentence is twenty years in prison, and the rest of your life after will be spent doing community work, and on parole. If you come near Ms. David you will be put in jail for the rest of your life." He hit the gavel once more. "Case adjourned."
Ziva sighed in relief and let her head rest on Tony's shoulder. She could relax now. Lev wasn't going to be near her.
Tony kissed Ziva's head softly and quickly, in fear either Gibbs or Eli would say something. He was glad Ziva could relax now. All she had to worry about was recovering from the trauma, something they'd all help her on.
Eli and Gibbs exchanged a glance when they saw Tony kiss her head. Both gave each other a small knowing nod and left it at that. Neither one approved, but they wouldn't say or do anything. Right now they were glad for the verdict and that Ziva could relax.
A/N: OOOKAY since its probably not very obvious, I know NOTHING on these kinds of cases. haha The only thing I do know is about murder trials. Because we did a mock murder trial in my government class. So This i guessed on and added some of the things we did in the mock trial. Please don't eat me for any mistakes! lol. I don't know if Lev's sentence is actually what he would get but for now, it is. Just cause i say so and it sounds really cool. haha. So review please? I love to hear what you think! Oh and love the Tiva-ness? :)