Disclaimer: In the first chapter along with summary, genre, verse, pairings and ratings.

Tony's hands were slightly shaking. He was about to encounter his cousin and he still couldn't figure out if it was a good idea or not. However, whether he was ready or not now didn't matter because he was about ten feet away from his cousin's… home? It wasn't by any standards a nice place to live. The neighborhood looked fine, but like every family area there had to be the one house that looked like pure crap and this one just happened to belong to Eleni. Didn't she inherit some money for a better place…? He mused as he took the steps two at a time.

When they reached the door Gibbs turned to his senior field Agent silently questioning him if he was ready. With Tony's hesitant nod Gibbs brought his hand to the door and knocked.

Nothing.

Gibbs knocked once more while adding, "Miss. LoGreco, NCIS we'd–" He was abruptly stopped by the sound of a slamming door. As if on cue DiNozzo and him quietly, yet quickly made there way towards the back. Half way around the house Gibbs' Marine training kicked in when he realized he currently heard absolutely nothing. Not a step or crunch of leaves. It was impossible for whoever fled to have disappeared without a sound… He suddenly realized that it was a ruse. He grabbed his partner's arm, effectively turning him around and motioned for Tony to follow him before the clatter of running feet was heard back in the front of the house.

Tony finally realizing what Gibbs had recognized as an escape strategy watched as a blur of red, white and brown shot out of the house. He took off in a sprint, following the escapee as she ran down the block, barely conscious that Gibbs had taken another route.

"Stop!" He screamed as he watched a mess of light brown locks swaying with the movement of the female escapee's, most probably Eleni, run. He could have sworn he saw the brunette falter when he called after her, but as the second went on and he thought he was getting closer to apprehending their suspect she took off at the corner in another mad dash. Shit, she can run! He mused while panting in and outwardly. He hadn't remembered her being this fast, sure he knew she was a good runner, but he hadn't thought she would be this good, sprinting marathon good.

For a second time Tony believed he'd caught his break and was going to catch the wanted sprinter when he saw that she, and inadvertently him, was nearing a traffic light. But Tony was always one to be struck by karma in some of the worse possible moments because just as he was going to grab for her she stepped of the sidewalk and into the passing traffic. "Stop!" He yelled desperation coupled in his voice. Fuck! Is she nuts? She was going to kill herself trying to avoid collision with a passing car while simultaneously crossing the street; nevertheless he couldn't bring himself to go in after her. If karma wasn't on his side today, what's to say that if he went in after her and when he reaches her karma decides to kick him where it really hurts; by hurting someone he cares about; Eleni. So he waited anxiously for the light to turn so he can get her out of trouble's way… and hoping that she wouldn't escape.

She was almost at the end of the street when the light finally turned red and walking sign was turned on. Just when he was about to start after her he saw the familiar government owned car cross the red light and stop inches from the runaway women. Stepping out of the vehicle Gibbs raised his gun at their suspect, saying something Tony couldn't quite hear from his distance. As he walked slowly towards the two Tony observed the action taken before him in a dreaded slow motion as he realized he was nearing the runaway women who is most certainly his cousin. He watches as the female suspect raises her arms in a gesture of surrender while Gibbs walks up to her cautiously before grabbing her arms and shoving her against the side of the car door, effectively cuffing her wrists.

"Planned on letting her get away, DiNozzo?" Gibbs deadpanned.

"Nah, I thought I'd let you have the pleasure of catching her Boss." Tony smirked. Gibbs just glared.

Then as if the two had forgotten about their apprehended suspect a slightly timid, hesitant female voice was heard, "Tony?"

Tony's heart broke; it was defiantly her. She sounded just like she did twenty-two years ago when he found her at his house crouched in the corner of his dimmed light living room; scared that it wasn't actually him. "Si Elenitsa."

Slowing moving away, Gibbs watched as the scene in front of him unfolded. Eleni was slowly turning around as if afraid of what was behind her. Hands still clasped behind her back, the 5"6 brunette stared in shock at the man before her. Gibbs watched a mixture of emotions cross her face as she walked towards Tony; fear, worry, sorrow. A million emotions that told a tale Gibbs had yet to discover. But then, as if a light switch had turned off, her features changed into anger and before Gibbs could react she lifted her leg and successfully kneed her own cousin in the crotch. "Hey!" Gibbs shouted as he grabbed for her.

Struggling against the hard grip pulling her away from a man she once knew Eleni watch as Tony slowly fell to the cement street; rolling in agony. Letting out a grunt when the elder man pushed her against the car, she craned her neck to the side to stare defiantly at Tony before maliciously replying in Italian, "Don't you dare call me that you bastard!"

The familiar ding of the elevator reaching its destination brought Ziva out of her trance. Every since Gibbs and Tony had left to pick up Eleni she couldn't stop analyzing the situation: Tony had a cousin no one knew about. She could not figure out what it meant, so that is how she found herself in autopsy, searching for the one man she thought could help give her the answers she desperately needed.

"Ah! Ziva my dear!" Exclaimed the primary NCIS medical examiner, Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard.

Ziva jumped, she had not expected Ducky to turn up behind her, which unintentionally frightened her out of her reverie. She scowled herself for being so distracted that she had not noticed where Ducky was and for being surprised.

"Sorry my dear, I hadn't realized I'd frighten you."

"It is all right. I should not have reacted as such." She stated dryly.

They lapsed into a silence that was neither comfortable nor uncomfortable it was just there. Ducky wasn't sure what or even if he should say anything. Ziva was not one to jump at the sound of someone calling her, so it was obvious that she had much on her mind. He wanted to give her the time to think over her words, not rush her. God knows that when you rush her she could–

"Do I seem… off my game?" She asked timidly.

Rarely had he heard Ziva sound so vulnerable and doubtful, it saddened him because Ziva was one of the most competent women he knew and she shouldn't be feeling unsure of herself. He gave her a soft smile, "Whatever do you mean Ziva?"

"You have not heard?"

Now Ducky was confused, what was he supposed to know? "I am afraid being all alone in this autopsy room I don't get much visitors to relay the daily talk."

"Oh, I am sorry. Well, Tony has a younger female cousin that no one knew about… not even Gibbs." Ziva watched as shock crossed the elderly man's features. So he had not known either. "She is a possible suspect in Damacos' murder investigation. Gibbs and Tony have gone to pick her up–" she looked at her watch, "– forty minutes ago… Ducky?" She questioned averting her eyes from his.

"Yes?" He saw the hesitation in her voice and knew she wasn't asking if he had heard her. Instead the question of his name was toned unsurely, tentative about asking her real question.

"Do you trust me?"

Trust. Ah! Trust had always been one of the key values in Gibbs' team. More then once had they relied on the trust of another team member to help in a dreadful situation and many times had they not, which lead to disaster such as Ziva's imprisonment in Somalia. He wasn't quite sure what trust had to do with Tony's cousin, but he was going to find out. "With my life."

At Ducky's response Ziva lifted her sorrow filled eyes with a glimmer of hope. He was sincere, she knew he would never lie to her about trust, but she could not bring herself to let go of her doubt, thus needing him say it out loud. "Then why did Tony not tell me about Eleni LoGreco? Does he not trust me?"

"Her name is Eleni? Beautiful name. I re–" Ducky cut himself off. He knew that he tended to get off topic with stories of his past, but this once he knew, above all, that now was not the time for his stories. "I do not think it has to do with trust my dear Ziva. Anthony is a complex – very complex – man, but one thing that is as certain to him as the mixture of red and yellow make orange is that he trusts you. Trust has two intentions my dear: emotional and logical trust. There is no doubt in my mind that he trusts you with both. Logically, he trusts you to watch his six in an undercover operation or to simply agree with him in an argument. Emotionally… Well, that one's a little difficult for our young Anthony. He does trust you Ziva, it just takes time for him to be ready enough to say his emotions out loud. He trusts you to help bring him back to the world when life's cruelty tends to knock him down and enough to treasure the friendship the two of you share. He may not come out and tell you, us, everything about himself or his family, but when he does it's… it's enough."

Ziva stood there, her brain's wheels turning a mile a minute, taking in everything Ducky had just told her. For the past year Ziva had started to fully trust Tony again. There were times when she was doubtful, especially after his stint with SecNav, but in the end she always found herself trusting him completely. He had been there… always. Even when she was most cruel to him he stuck by her; uninvited dinner parties, Gibbs' departure, Michael's murder, Somalia, Ray's betrayal. Everything he did with her was for her. Yet, Ziva could not shake the feeling that because of all her selfishness he still did not trust her enough to tell her everything. "Trust it to tell your partner everything. He did not trust me enough to tell me about a women, whom I believe to be very special to him, in his life. How can you call that trust?" Spat the Israeli beauty, venom coursing in her words as she thought about his deceit

"Do you trust him?" Ducky said calmly, trying to ease her roughness.

"With my life."

"Then why did you not tell him about being framed for assassinating an Iranian prisoner years back? Why had you gone to Gibbs, who may I remind you was retired and in Mexico, for help instead of your present at the time boss and partner, Anthony?"

"That is different." She stated matter-a-fact.

"You're right, my dear. If anything yours is worse." He stated before turning away from her to grab his forgotten tea at his worktable.

"What!" She practically yelled, following Ducky.

Taking a small sip from his now mildly warm tea, Ducky stared Ziva right in the eye, "Well, Anthony just didn't tell you about a relative from his past; with whom I am assuming he doesn't talk to much anymore. Whereas you fled a, at the time, present danger. You trusted someone else to help you through a tough situation."

"I went back to Tony." She affirmed trying to justify her reasoning's.

"Only after Jethro agreed to come back and help you. But we are getting off topic. My dear, this has nothing to do with trust. He does trust you and you shouldn't doubt it for one moment." He said before placing his teacup down and reaching over for Ziva's hands. "This has to do with emotion. Have you thought about poor Anthony? He told no one. That means something… Did you realize that the less he talks about someone the more he cares? Maybe the reason he never mentioned Miss LoGreco was because he couldn't bear the memories. We mustn't blame Anthony for not telling us about someone he cares for." Ducky gave Ziva's hands a final reassuring squeeze before going back to his tea.

Ziva knew not to fight with Ducky about something that she knew to be true; it would just be bold headedness – thick headedness…? – Of her. He really cares for her… Tony could not tell them about Eleni because it brought memories that he did not want to dwell on. Ziva had not even considered that a possibility when she was getting the interrogation room prepared, but now that Ducky had pointed it out it seemed the most logical explanation.

"Is she to be brought here?" Duck asked, sipping his tea.

"Yes, we have to interrogate her for Damacos' case."

"A well, as you can see I was having my evening tea when you came down. Would you care to join me?"

"Thank you, but I should be getting to Abby's–"

The sudden grunt emanating from the autopsy's sliding doors paused Ziva. She and Ducky turned to see what the commotion was before gasping at the sight in front of them. Gibbs was shouldering half of Tony's weight as Tony limped, holding an ice pack close to his… Penis? Ziva did not bother to continue her train of thought as she rushed over to the pair, helping Gibbs with some of Tony's weight as they walked towards an examining table. Questions of: what happened? And are you O.K.? Echoed in the room as Ducky moved some of the equipment on the table's surface.

"Tony's–" Gibbs started, but was interrupted by a shocked Jimmy Palmer, "Tony! What happened? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." Tony grunted as he placed the ice pack back on his core.

"Anthony my boy, as your personal physician I should advice you that an attack to your lower region can cause many serious problems… Maybe we should take you to the emergency room?" Ducky said as he started taking out his medical kit.

"No–" he groaned, "–hospitals." Tony hated hospitals, he thought his friends would know that by now there was no use asking him to go because they'd always get the same answer; no. "Beside's it's not that bad."

The silence the room fell into as Ducky started his examination of Tony's injuries was interrupted as the hum of two muffled bickering voices sounded from the other side of the autopsy room's glass doors. Ducky took out his tiny medical flashlight and placed it towards Tony's eyes just as Abby and McGee came into the room, yelling words that were too fast for anyone to comprehend.

"–lanation as to what you meant upstairs about T–" Abby was saying, arms waving around and stomping on her platform boots as she spoke a mile a minute before she laid eyes on Tony. She froze. Tony was in pain, why was Tony in pain? Tony should never be in pain. "Tony! Oh my Goodness are you all right? What happened? Who did this to you? Tell me so I'll find them and so help them I'll–"

"Abby!" Gibbs practically yelled trying to get the younger woman's attention. "He's fine."

"Well thank you very much for your speculation Boss-man, but I'd like to hear it from the man who actually has the pain." She said defiantly before sitting next to Tony and giving him a sideways hug, "Are you really O.K.?"

"Yeah, don't worry about me Abby." He said looking her in the eyes. His attention was then brought to his younger male partner, Tim, who stood frozen at the same spot from when he'd first seen Tony. "You O.K. Tim, you look a little pale?"

Tim was stunned. All his anger and frustration that had been focused towards Tony before was now gone, placed with melancholy and anxiety. "Y-yeah. I mean, I just– You're– Did she– Are you sure you're O.K.?" Usually when Tony got injured he tried his hardest to hide the fact, but now he was showing everyone that he was fairly in pain… It was worrisome, especially for Tim. Tony was like his brother and he couldn't stand the thought of him going through something not as painful, but painful enough as the Black Plague. Whenever he saw Tony sneeze, cough; get shot, or anything bad Tim could feel his heart rate exceed its normal limitation and his blood pressure rise. If anything happened to Tony… Tim wouldn't know what to do. He was Tim's mentor, friend, superior, brother, Family, which is why when he first walked into the Autopsy room he froze. He hadn't known what had happened and it scared him.

"Aw, you care Timmy!" Tony replied in mock thanks.

"Ye– I mean– You're… Uh… Uhm, what exactly happened? Where's Eleni?" Tim asked, trying to hide his flushed face.

"Securities bringing her to interrogation." Growled Gibbs, an underlying rage that only Tony knew to whom it was directed to. "Tony, how you feeling?"

Tony immediately sobered his expression, looking as nonchalant as he could with the pain still throbbing in his lower regions. "I'm good, Boss."

"My boy, how, if you don't mind me asking, did you injure your phallus?" Ducky asked as he finished his examination and handed his equipment to his assistant; Palmer.

"Yes Tony. How did you get hurt?" Smiled Ziva, as if knowing that Tony's story would be interesting.

"Well Zee-Vah, if you really need to know… Gibbs and I had just arrived at the suspect's house when there was this huge–"

"Eleni kneed him." Gibbs affectively cut off Tony's soon to be over exaggerate tale that was far from the truth.

Tony groaned when he heard McGee snicker and Ziva out right laugh. He figured they wouldn't believe the story he was going to tell them, but it was better than knowing that his cousin kicked him in the balls. Ugh, I'll never live this down!

"She put up a fight… Even after she saw you?" At Jimmy's soft question Tony looked to the soon to be married man. Jimmy knew about Eleni, Tony remembers telling him about her on one very pathetic drunken night that Tony wished to never relive. At first Tony though it would be horrible for someone to know more about his family history/life, but after a while it became reassuring. He knew that Jimmy would never reveal someone else's, especially Tony's, personal information. So instead of telling Jimmy that it was a onetime thing Tony found himself hanging out with the young medical examiner more and more outside of work, getting drinks together and telling stories he hadn't told anyone, not even Gibbs.

"Uh, no. She tricked Gibbs and me… Created a diversion and when we went one way she ran for it in the opposite direction. Chased her twelve blocks and one traffic crossing before I–" and there came the tell-tale head slap Gibbs felt DiNozzo needed "–Gibbs got her… And then she kneed me."

"Wow, she ran twelve blocks without you catching her!" Abby exclaimed.

"Yeah, you should have seen her. I'm telling you, she would have given Ziva a run for her money." Tony added with a hint of admiration.

"Why would I run for my money, it cannot run…?" Ziva asked. Glad that Tony was smiling, but confused at his phrasing.

"It's a figure of speech my dear. It means that she is extremely good at running and could most probably beat the one person we believe to excel in it, you. The origins are quite interesting actually. It was first used in–"

"Duck." Gibbs stated dryly, they didn't have time for one of his many explanations of irrelevant knowledge. Tony was looking better and they had a suspect in interrogation to be interrogated, Gibbs didn't want to waste anymore time twiddling their thumbs. "DiNozzo! You ready?"

Tony was taken aback from Gibbs question and looked down from his probing stare. Was he ready? He was sure he would never be ready, but things had to go one; there were things to do, people to see and Tony… Well, Tony had to go see the one person who meant possibly just as much to him as every single –living– person in autopsy. With a sigh Tony looked up to the team leader determinedly, "Yeah."

Authors Note:

Here's chapter 3. I know I'm avoiding the inevitable; Tony and Eleni's real "first" talk. It might happen in the next chapter it might not. You'll understand what I mean by that in Chapter 4. I all ready have half of the outline for the chapter, but I'm struggling with the finish of the interrogation. Either way, it's a REALLY LONG weekend where I am... So hopefully you'll have another chapter in 5 days? Yeah?

Comment, question, critique.

Oh, and thank you to my lovely followers and the people who have written to me.