Sorry for the long absence, dont have any excuse! It's summer and I so much want to take in the sun and green pastures before the snow comes around again. I'm into canine agility competitions and it's taking a lot of my 'off' time. Hope you enjoy and thanks for the reviews! Also I wrote this chapter very fast and my English might not be the best, be patient with this read!

Chapter 10 - A break!

Tim and Sharon were sharing their impressions of The Kraken King and the author Meljean Brook's.

Tony signaled to all. "Look it's late. We stumbled upon quite a piece of intel, that I get, but look at the time. We need to get a couple of hours of sleep and not attract attention on us. Tim, Sharon, you both read the book, mull on it if you must but hit the sacks…."

As he was finishing his phrase, all hell broke loose; sirens were wailing and soldierS rapidly had our group surrounded. Tony went to the soldiers but they forcefully pushed him back.

"Guys, we're not enemy. We are NCIS special agents here for a 5-day training. We're past curfew, but with our instructor's permission. Her name is Special Agent Alex Quin, talk to her, she'll explain…"

An officer appeared and asked, "Which one of you is Officer Eyal Lavin?"

Tony winced, "He's not with us, Officer Lavin left the Club early. He was expecting an important call."

From the corner of his eyes, Tony saw that Sharon and Ziva were about to ninja their way out of the guards that were holding them.

Smiling, he turned towards the soldiers and said, "Don't know what your orders are, but I'd loosen your grips on those two."

Too little, too late … both girls teamed up and had their 'captors' in a corner with their own guns!

A commanding voice was heard and Sharon's head fell as she whispered,

"Knew these people didn't 'feel' American! Friends welcome to my world! Dad what in the hell are you doing here? I did not mess up, so what's your beef?"

When she turned around and her face dropped. Her father own face was riddled with hurt, she knew he hadn't slept in days. Something was wrong, deadly wrong!

"What happened?"

Robert Jackson signaled for his guards to leave as Gibbs and Vance appeared. Their faces were as somber as Chief Jackson's.

"Sorry for the intrusion, but we have reason to believe that Eyal Lavin set up a terrorist hit on the Manchester arena during the Ariana Grande concert."

The group backed up a step as Tony spoke, "That can't be! He was with us less than a minute ago. He was dancing with Sharon!"

Chief Jackson shook his head and dropped it, "Leave it up to my daughter to be sleeping with the enemy. Agent Dinozzo, the hit was the same day you entered Quantico."

Sharon walked up to her father and slapped him hard. Tony just had time to whisk her away from Chief Jackson's probable brutal reply!

Tony restrained Sharon as he spoke, "Chief Jackson, Sharon is a member of my team. I cannot accept, especially from the Chief of a very competent spy agency, such unfounded opinions. She and Ziva are our beacons in this 101 training you spies call 'work'."

Gibbs nodded his approval to Tony.

Sharon was observing Gibbs, Vance and her father. She looked at Ziva and as their eyes locked, that gave her confirmation of her doubts … set up, big times! Something important was going down and her father was the best she knew to create a dramatic 'introduction' to the deceptive speeches that were sure to follow. She had been a little slow catching on and that slap probably surprised her father more than it hurt him! 'Damn, what is it with Eyal Lavin that makes me tick? I've worked with Robert many times and I never missed one of his cues to shake, rattle and roll a situation. I need to get my emotions in check!'

Two soldiers appeared with a ruffed up Eyal. One soldier roughly pushed him in a chair. It was Ziva's turn to react. She got to the soldier and gave him a piece of his own medicine. Gibbs rapidly grabbed Ziva and just by his looks, she eased off.

Sharon spoke, "Robert enough dramatics! Tell us what the hell is going on! In the US and, if it didn't change while I am serving my time here, in England, a man is innocent until proven guilty. Talk to us … please."

Robert Jackson dawned a nervous smile. His daughter had slapped him hard, not in character for her. The girl had many faults but reading a situation was one of her strong suits. He knew this spelled trouble; his daughter might have fallen for a spy for a rival agency … and it had to be with one of the best spies that very secretive agency had! 'Why must she always put me in the worst of situations? That girl has a knack for getting herself tangled in complicated webs and it's getting harder and harder to bail her out! Eyal Lavin is Mossad's best. That's going to look swell on my performance review… Oh by the way Chief Jackson, how is your Mossad son-in-law doing these days?! I might be getting ahead of myself, well I hope…!'

Director Vance stepped in, "Sharon, Chief Jackson, now is not the time for an MI-6 pissing match! People, you've been on lock down and have not heard the dire news. Like Chief Jackson previously explained there was a terrorist hit in the Manchester arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert. Too many dead…. mostly teenagers … and England is in shock. Chief Jackson called for us to release Sharon (Forensic was needed to ID the dead and MI-5 was shorthanded). Instead I suggested our own Abby. Abby was able to a trace a cellular signal that led to Israel. From there it directed us to Officer Lavin's personal cell. Abby checked her data more than once. If I know the girl, she's still checking. We need to speak one on one to Officer Lavin. Ziva, Mossad appointed you as their trusty. You will be Office Lavin's control agent. You know the drill for that duty!"

Eyal wanted to speak but was stopped by Gibbs's hand on his shoulder. He shook his head and resumed staring at the floor.

Sharon could see Ziva was not handling the assignment well, but couldn't explain why. Ziva knew it was a set up. Why the nervousness, one could even say a panic attack was brewing. Gibbs guided the team out of the conference room and into the cafeteria.

"Sit, all of you."

Tony went to speak, but was signaled by Gibbs to sit with the rest of the team. Tim spoke,

"Boss, are we suspected of being in this with Eyal."

Gibbs winced, "Let's say that line of thought can't be eliminated."

Tony rolled his eyes, "I get it … we are on house arrest, aren't we?"

Gibbs nodded and added, "Not my doing. Our director is not one to take any chances. A cruel act was committed, kids paid with their life. The signal that 'pushed the button,' was traced to a new member of this team. The US is in damage control and not one stone will be left unturned. I'd trust each of you with my life, never forget that. Just cooperate with MI-6."

Sharon was observing Tony and Tim, poor guys, they did not have a clue that this was one big set-up. She, herself, needed to pinch herself. That trio, Vance, Robert and Gibbs, was one hell of a team! Gibbs was as good a poker face than her father.

Director Vance came out and signaled Tony to join them. Gibbs shot Vance a surprised look. Sharon winced and thought, 'Oups, something is not right.'

Tony came out with Ziva in his arms. He darted toward the medical facilities. The girl seemed out of it, again why?

Director Vance came out and asked, "Officer Welby, could you join us, please?"

Sharon looked at Gibbs and he signaled her to follow Vance.

As she entered, Eyal greeted her with a wink. She looked at her father and Vance, but they didn't acknowledge her questioning eyes.

Eyal spoke, "Sharon, as you probably concluded, this is a smoke screen for me to put my cards on the table to get the needed help. MI-6 agreed to use a real tragedy as a cover. I have a favor to ask of you. Ziva was my logical choice, but it was too much for her. I hate what I did and will be doing, but what is at stake demands we forget feelings and emotions. Want you to know your father doesn't approve of my decision. What I am going to ask will put your deceptive trainings to the test and the danger will be high … exceptionally high. You can turn down this assignment."

Looking at her father, she stated, "You don't trust I can keep my mouth shut or is it a question of my skills?"

Chief Jackson approached but Sharon stepped back, "OK, I deserve the cold shoulder! By the way not proud of you. You didn't catch my act soon enough … next time think before slapping the hell out of your tormentor. You have one hell of a backhand!"

"Quit stalling Robert!" was Sharon's only answer.

"Sharon, you are properly trained and talented for this kind of mission but how you'll handle it, yes, I am worried. You have the wits for it that I'm certain, but…."

"OK, that enough. Eyal, I accept but Daddy dearest surely warned you of my shortcomings. You ready to risk it with me?"

Eyal closed his eyes and answered, "Sharon. I don't have a choice. I'm before a firing squad and they have their fingers on the trigger. If I could face this alone, I would."

Sharon pinched her lips, "Don't know you much, but I believe you! What is expected of me?"

Director Vance approached with Abby in tow. Her eyes were watery. Sharon didn't need more explanations.

She outed, "You want to fit me with Ziva's chip. I'll be at the receiving end of Eyal's and whoever's communications. I'll also become a sitting duck. Is that the picture you wanted me to paint?"

Eyal whistled, "Your father told me you were exceptional at reading a situation…. Glad to see he was right. Sharon, you and this NCIS team did miracles with the clues I could give you. A lot better than I had hoped for. Tony is an exceptional leader, he managed to keep you and Ziva out of harm's way and guided you both in a way that made you ask the right questions. Sharon, what will be said here will die here, am I clear?"

Sharon answered in a very straightforward way, "B.l.i.s.f.u.l.l.y!"

"Good. As the team figured out; I'm confirming that Ari 2 is alive and well. He's been living in Melbourne, Australia and has the millions to go with being a very successful 'dead killer for hire'. Presently, he has my son in his reach. At any time, he can pull the trigger and Avi will not have time to count to two before he hits the ground."

"But why come after you, what does he want?"

Eyal laughed, "I honestly don't know!"

"You're kidding, please say you're kidding?"

"Sharon, if I knew I would have put down a plan and dealt with it on my terms. He knows me well. Keeping me at bay is the only way he has a chance in hell of succeeding."

"Eyal, are you telling me you would have worked this mission on your own and maybe sacrificing your son?"

"No, I'm telling you I would have been confident enough in my capacities to beat Ari 2, as you call him, at his own game. By the way, he's your Nathan, it's his real name!"

Sharon closed her eyes and breathed deeply, "Great an ex! Just what I needed!"

Robert Jackson closed his eyes and shook his head, "Why am I not surprised!"

Eyal winked and said, "You two were close and personal…. read him, it might help us decode this timebomb!"

Abby touched Sharon shoulder, "You ready? It won't hurt promise!"

"Abby, don't cry! I'll be OK. Abby, Ari 2 or Nathan is 100% badass. This is needed to give us a fighting chance at getting some good in the equation! It will permiet Eyal and the team to work the mission instead of decoding clues! I understand that for Ziva, it's felt like the warp of death — déjà vue. For me, it's only a gadget to get the job done. And all know that us, Bond Girls, love tinkering with gadgets!"

Sharon had purposely lightened the mood and it worked for Abby.

The procedure lasted no more than five minutes. Eyal read in Sharon on how the captor functioned. All communication between Eyal and Ari 2 would be recorded on their personal phone (or iPod).

Eyal spoke, "Director Vance, don't know if you realized it but you have one hell of a team on your hands!"

"Realizing it more every day! You could also part of that team, wish you would reconsider!"

Eyal pondered those words but said, "Not the time or place to discuss such matter. We need to read in Sharon of what she can and cannot tell!"

Chief Jackson joined in, "That will be the stumbling block part!"

Sharon replied, "If Eyal is willing to take the risk, maybe you should also. I'd like you to trust me for once instead of telling not to fail or how I'm going to fail!"

"OK! From what I saw of how Special Agent Tony Dinozzo kept you in line up until now, I honestly think you have a chance to succeed at this mission. Mr. Dinozzo impressed me with his ability at reading you before the oops and his, dare I say it, control on you! Yes… I'll admit, the glass is half full instead of the usual half-empty."

Sharon eyes were to die for! Eyal smiled and discreetly nodded to Director Vance. As Ziva, Sharon was forever searching for her father's approval. Happily, Director Vance had succeeded in convincing Chief Jackson to say the words his daughter needed instead of crushing her with warning of the consequences of her failures. If only Eli David had seen the same light!

Sharon asked, "Eyal, I've filled you in on where we are at. Do you know anything more?"

"Nothing about his final plans, but the man is dying. He has pancreatic cancer stage 4."

Sharon completed, "Stage 4 pancreatic cancer means the cancer has spread to other organs, typically the liver or the lungs. You can't cure the cancer at this point, but he still has treatment options."

Eyal was clear, "Nope, he's dying and it's a matter of weeks, not months. He's going to strike soon. Look, I don't know more and our window of opportunity is running out. Your father's plan needs to run its course. The Mossad cavalry is about to descend on NCIS with proof that I wasn't involved in the concert attack. Brace yourself woman, Mossad can be … well … forceful at times!"

"Could I ask how, my father, who has a hard time turning on his iPhone, came up with this plan to pin that attack on you?"

Chief Jackson bent down to Sharon ears and said, "Not my plan, but Abby's. MI-6 took lead because Ari is not familiar with our MO. I'm thinking of hiring Abby in our forensic lab, we might have a vacancy coming up!"

Sharon rebuffed him but welcome the he invoked the possibility of her returning to field work,

"Funny … very funny. Eyal, …. damn, there is so much I'd like to ask of you … the how, the when, but I know I need to take only what you have the time to give me! How does he communicate with you?"

Eyal smiled as he looked at Chief Jackson, "Sharon, he's speaking to me as we are talking. Look at your iPod. The man is dying and must have nothing else to do but write, but don't get your hopes up … he vents a lot of his past accomplishments but for his plan, he's secretive and very direct. I get short phrases or orders."

Sharon took out her iPod and the words Ari was typing to Eyal were, as a subtitled film, flashing on her screen. She looked at Abby and signed, "Thank-you, well done, you're the best!"

Sharon asked, "Are you sure he didn't catch on that you are screwing him?"

"Can't be sure of anything. The monitor I'm carrying is a lot more intrusive than the piece you now have. He can track me, read my vitals, hear our conversations when outside or near a window and download any database that is in reach. Can't be 100% sure, but he does not seem to have a visual. The fact that Ziva kept her device is as you American say … a godsend! Abby could put the necessary firewalls on yours to make it work as my receiver only. Tony convinced Gibbs and I that we needed to act! As Tony said, 'Quit the spy secret dancing around the posies stuff!' Sharon, Nathan is one hell of a terrorist. He was trained by the best of the worst. Don't and I repeat, don't underestimate him. The man has no conscience whatsoever plus he's dying…."

"When and why did he hit on you?"

"He chose me because he knows I'm at his level, spycraft wise … and I'm good at what I do! Nathan always deals with the best of the crop … what can I say! The fact that NCIS was looking to up their skills for handling the rise in terrorist was common knowledge. In his line of work and especially his background (with Mossad and NCIS), he has access to all spy agencies' chatter … maybe more. Sharon, my leg wound was not self-inflicted … it was his way of getting my attention and cornering me into asking my Director for the assignment. Now you pretty much know as much as I do. You up to playing a waiting game … partner?"

Sharon smiled and nodded.

Robert Jackson bit his lips… 'Damn, it's a two-way street, those two are connecting at a dangerous level for spies from rival agencies! Sharon, don't go there! Been there, done that and it never ends well. Wish I could whisk her away from that man… Robert, don't kid yourself, it's a lost battle, remember yours!'

Sharon was talking to herself, "He's dying, rich … so it's not money. He has a button that can be pushed, that I'm sure of. He targeted your son because he knew…"

Sharon's eyes looked at all present as she rapidly typed in her iPod. She swore in French, English and Hebrew.

Eyal rapidly said, "Not my doing, she leaned that all by herself!"

Robert Jackson lifted his hands and said, "I know, but it usually ends up in one hell of a brainstorm…. Wait for it!"

"Eyal, look at this picture. Whom does she look like?"

Eyal took Sharon's iPod and outed, "Hell, make her red hair black and she could be Ziva's sister."

"No, I'm guessing she's Ziva's niece! Eyal, that's Meljean Brook—the Kraken King author … or more the "prête-nom" for The Kraken King. I'm pretty sure Nathan—Ari wrote that book. Tim said that novel didn't read like her others… Eyal, we have his button. Don't know what he is planning but we can corner his 'daughter' and use her as a bargaining chip."

Eyal face dropped as Robert Jackson shook his head, "Here she goes! Told you she would hit you with a lightning bolt at one point!"

Eyal seemed annoyed as he outed, "I can confirm he did indeed write that book! I've been scrambling to send the team coded message as I received them from Nathan. I didn't have the time to drill down on them. Good thinking, she could very well be his daughter. Officer Welby, we do not and I repeat, we do not corner that person. If she is his daughter, Nathan will know we are targeting her … meaning I sought outside help! That could jeopardize our mission and put people in danger…. my son would be front line!"

Sharon stared at Eyal, "Well, he got to your son and I'm sure you had as much in place to protect him. I'm not that stupid! What if I tell you I plan on getting to her in the same way, Nathan got to your son and I can add … without his 'smart' dad's knowledge!"

Eyal had pretty much guessed where she was going with her plan, "And how would you go about it?"

"As Nathan did for son Avi, I'll work it from within her 'world'. Nathan hooked Avi passing for a Mossad colleague. I will be re-commissioning an ex-MI-5 and now author…."

Chief Jackson swore, "Please don't tell me you plan on asking author to help us. Sharon, you'll be playing with fire. That man was never will never, be a spy. He's always dreamed of it, but he just doesn't have what it takes."

"Robert, he has some of what it takes. He just needs to be well 'guided'. The man is an author and just finished a new book. He evolves in her world, he's on the 'circuit'. I'm sure he can get to her without sounding off alarms. Plus, I won't tell him what is really at stake. If he's cornered, he'll have only lies to tell his 'captors'."

Director Vance spoke, "Sharon, we are missing an important piece of the puzzle. That man (Nathan or Ari 2), from what Eyal could gather, is after databases and National security secrets. That's what we presume he is setting up Officer Lavin to 'steal'. His maybe Daughter doesn't fit in that picture. As Gibbs would say; by going after her, we'd be wasting good! Damn, I hate being in a wait and see position!"

"Don't we all!" Eyal added and continued, "Sharon, I agree with Director Vance. That lady could be his daughter, but his diabolical plan doesn't evolve around her."

Sharon didn't let go, "Still, it's a button we can work!"

Vance spoke, "Eyal, get ready! Your boss just arrived. Sharon, you can step out now and ask Gibbs to join us."

Eyal sided by Sharon and said, "Read the data that is on your iPod. It has Nathan's conversations from the start. Sharon, words of warning, we talked about you. Not proud of what was said. It wasn't the real me, but I had to play the role Nathan was expecting. After this is finished, you can give me what I deserve … but don't put as much force in it as you did for your father!"

Sharon bit her lips, "He remembers our encounter … that just great! Eyal what can I tell the team."

"Pretty much everything but make sure I'm very far from you all. Also, as you are already doing, only talk in this room. If I'm around, no mission talk, act normal! I'll do all I can to keep my distances. I don't know how far my monitor can pick up voices. Your monitor is very short distance, we will need to meet up. Make your interventions with me as normal as possible … meaning don't stop 'teasing' me! (Sharon shyly smiled) Ari is good, the best I've seen. Look, my priority was coming up with ways for the team to 'get' my messages without him catching on. Took some heavy thinking on my part because he knows my MO's inside out. Read all our past conversation. As I said, some parts will send you up the wall but ignore them. You might see something I missed since my mind was not on analyzing but transmitting data! Also, have Tim reread the Kraken King, it may give us a lead at what is his end game. The man likes to rant and rave, it may be his downfall!"

"Eyal, what happened to Ziva?"

"Sharon, the last time she was a control officer it was to spy on NCIS and she ended up killing her brother! She had accepted, but as Abby was to make the require small incision, she lost it. I hate myself for putting her in that position. She wanted to continue, I called it off, she broke down. Please see that she's OK, tell her that I'm sorry and try to convince her that she didn't let me down!"

"Eyal, you're her last link to her old life, I could even say you're her human 'safe house'. Ziva has created a debt towards you. If she thinks she let you down, she going to hurt. I'm not trained…"

"Sharon, you're trained and experienced in extreme extractions, deal with Ziva as an extraction case. Just be there for her, she hasn't had any female friend since I've known her. Ziva bounded with you, you two are from the same background, work with that, please?"

"I'll do my best. We don't have much more time; my father eyes are tuning into pistols! How are you going to explain to Nathan that the England terrorist attempt was pinned on you?"

"Won't need to! Abby was really working for MI-6 since Ariana Grande is American. She noticed that the radio signals emitted by the terrorist's cell were the same as my Mossad one. Can't explain that one (not to worry, Mossad is going to find that one out!). That gave her the idea to ID Eyal Lavin as a target and get me in a secure place where I could safely talk to Gibbs and Vance. As I previously said, Nathan is very well connected. MI-6, Mossad, CIA and NCIS fed our spy grapevine to the effect that I was targeted as a possible suspect. From the little I could read, he fell for the subterfuge and was even giving me ways of proving all were wrong! Sharon, your father is he always…"

Sharon winced and said, "Yes"

Gibbs and Director Elbaz entered as Sharon was leaving.

To be continued