Gibbs sense of sound was the first to awaken as he started to come around after his surgery. He could hear voices talking near him. The voices were familiar to him but his mind was clouded and he couldn't recollect why those voices made him feel calm and at ease. He made a conscious effort to open his eyes but his eyelids seemed to have weights attached. After several unsuccessful efforts he finally glimpsed the first arrows of light. They felt like they were piercing his retinas. He closed his eyes again immediately and allowed his retinas to recover before attempting once again. This time he could hear someone talking to him, saying his name. He opened his eyes more cautiously this time and immediately recognised the smiling face that stood above him. It was Abby.
"Gibbs, you're awake. You're gonna be fine," she said kissing him affectionately on the cheek. Gibbs tried to reply but his voice failed him. His throat felt raw and dry.
"Don't try and speak, Jethro," Ducky said as he came into view. "I'll get you some ice chips. Your throat will feel better in a few hours." Gibbs nodded to his friend but tried to speak anyway.
"Where's DiNozzo?" he croaked, the memories of the last few days filtering through the clouds.
"With Ziva I think," Ducky replied quickly before glancing at Abby. Ducky knew that Gibbs didn't need to know that Tony was out God knows where doing God knows what. Gibbs missed their exchange of glances and was happy to accept Ducky's reply. He sucked on the ice chips that Ducky gave him and relaxed back against the pillows once more.
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Meanwhile Eli David waited for news of Hadars whereabouts. His cell phone was being traced and soon they would have a fix on him. His desk phone rang. It was a member of the technical bureau. He informed the Director that Hadar's phone was traced to his home in the city centre. David ordered that Hadar be picked up and brought back to headquarter for interview.
Within a half hour Mossad agents were at Hadar's apartment. There was no reply when they tried to gain access so they forcibly entered the premises. The apartment was empty. Hadar's cell phone was sitting on the coffee table along with his Mossad ID papers. There was also a short note. It read "Sorry but there is no other way". The lead agent phoned Director David and told him what they had found. Eli thanked the agent and sat back in his chair in disbelief. So it was true. His friend for so many years, the man who he trusted with his life had betrayed him. Not only that but he had betrayed his country. He was stunned. As he battled through his shock his professionalism took over. He began to search for meaning in Hadar's words. He feared his old friend had been driven to desperation and desperation breeds danger. Director David knew that. He also knew Hadar. He knew that he was the sort of man who would accomplish his mission or die trying. Eli desperately wished that he knew what Hadar's ultimate mission was. All he knew was that it started with his daughter so that was where he would start.
He called one of his senior officers. He ordered a protection detail to be placed on his daughter's hospital room. He made it clear that Hadar was a dangerous man and that their orders were to shoot on sight. It pained his heart to give such an order but after so many years working in the echelons of the Mossad, he knew difficult decisions had to be made all the time. This was one of the hardest things he ever had to do.
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McGee and Tony were chatting to Ziva who was recovering nicely from her surgery. Her cheek was swathed in a bandage but she was in a talkative mood and feeling positive. They were talking and wondering how Gibbs was when two burly men entered the room. They both ignored the Americans and spoke to Ziva in Hebrew. She listened intently as they explained the situation to her. Tony strained to hear the faintest word that he could understand but to no avail. It killed him not knowing what they were talking about. As soon as they left, Tony scrambled to the side of Ziva's bed.
"Well? What did they want?" he asked unable to hide his sheer fascination.
"They've been ordered by my father to guard my room. Hadar has gone off radar. My father fears he will come after me," Ziva explained unemotionally.
"Crap!" Tony exclaimed. "How did he know you were on to him?" Tony asked rhetorically. Then he saw the guilty look in Ziva's eyes. He shook his head.
"You didn't?!"
Ziva shrugged.
"I could not let him believe that he had gotten away with what he did to me" she said without regret.
"You could have at least warned us. Does that mean he's going to go all Rambo on us?" DiNozzo asked theatrically.
"I don't think so. I would expect he would run like the coward he really is," Ziva replied bluntly.
"Well, McGoo, looks like it's gonna be a long night. You'd better go and check on Gibbs and fill him in on what's going on. You stay with him tonight, just in case Hadar decides to pay a visit," Tony said responsibly.
"Sure," McGee replied. "I'll tell him you say hi. Check in later."
"Sure, Mom," DiNozzo replied, just to wind McGee up. McGee chose to rise above his infantile colleague and said goodbye.
He took the elevator up to Gibbs room. He found Gibbs sitting up in the bed, looking worn and tired but chatting to Ducky and Abby. He seemed in pretty good form as far as he could tell.
"McGee, you okay?" Gibbs asked thinking the young agent looked tired.
"Me? I'm fine thanks," McGee replied a little surprised by the question. "You look better," he said awkwardly.
"I'm good. Where's DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked.
"He's with Ziva. That's kinda what I need to talk to you about," McGee told him.
"What?" Gibbs asked looking suspiciously at the younger agent.
"Eli David has placed a guard on Ziva's door. Hadar has gone AWOL and Director David thinks he'll come after Ziva," McGee explained.
"Oh God!" Abby exclaimed placing her hand to her mouth. She couldn't cope worrying anymore about her team.
"Don't worry dear," Ducky said in a comforting tone. "Nothing will happen to Ziva in here."
"He's right Abs. We won't let anything happen to her. Right McGee?" Gibbs insisted.
"Eh, right Boss!" McGee replied sounding unconvinced.
"Good. Now go and arrange for Ziva and I to be placed in adjacent rooms on a different floor. Hadar knows her room, so why make it easy for him to find her," Gibbs pointed out.
"I'm on it Boss," McGee replied turning to leave.
"And McGee," Gibbs said calling him back. "The less people that know the better."
McGee nodded understanding his instructions. He suspected it was going to be a long stressful evening. Hadar was a highly trained Mossad agent. McGee knew that if he wanted to get past the security and into the hospital then it wouldn't be too difficult for him. He contacted the hospital administrator and explained their security concerns. Once he mentioned Director David's name any difficulty with Gibbs and Ziva moving rooms dissolved in an instant. He was hugely appreciative of her assistance and thanked her as he left.
He returned to Gibbs room. When he got there, Gibbs was talking on the phone to Tony. He was explaining to him about requesting to move rooms. When he saw McGee he ceased talking to DiNozzo and said,
"Well?"
"Yeah, it's not a problem. There'll be someone here within the hour to move you to the 8th floor," McGee told him.
"Did you get that, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked to his agent on the other end of the line.
"Yes Boss. Got it. I'll help Ziva pack up her stuff and we'll be ready to move," Tony replied.
"Good. See you later," Gibbs said before hanging up.
Abby looked at Gibbs, her eyes betraying her inner turmoil. Gibbs hated seeing her in such a state. She was actually quiet for once.
"Abs?" he called putting his hand out to encourage her over to him.
"Yes Gibbs?" she said meekly as she approached him. She placed her hand in his.
"It's going to be okay," he insisted pulling her closer to him. She put her head on his chest and he hugged her. "Ducky, why don' you and Abby go back to your hotel and get some rest?" he suggested.
Ducky knew he was just trying to get them out of harms way. Much as he wanted to stay with his friend, he knew Gibbs would not be comfortable knowing that Abby was at risk. He agreed to do as his friend asked.
"Good idea, Jethro. I certainly could do with a shower and a hot meal couldn't you, Abby?" Ducky asked trying to be up beat about the prospect.
"But what if……?" Abby began to protest.
"You should go, Abs," McGee interrupted adamant that she go as advised.
"Okay then," Abby relented. "You guys take care, okay?" she said going around the room and hugging them both tightly. She really didn't want to go but she also didn't want to argue with Gibbs.
"You look after him, McGee," she ordered as she grabbed her bag.
"I will," McGee replied a little embarrassed knowing Gibbs was giving him one of those steely glares. As Ducky and Abby left the room McGee sat on a chair at the foot of Gibbs bed, a little red faced but sure of one thing. He would not allow any harm come to his boss, no matter what.
Getting to the point - I swear. Apologies for the delay in posting. Giving u 2 chapters at once to try and make up for the delay.
Hope u like!
