Damn! I still don't own them. CBS…I really envy CBS.
I'm really sorry this has taken so long to get to you. I've been swamped with RL. The project for my final exam is due on Friday, and I've been deep into rewrites and proofreading. Hopefully now I'll be back to updating every couple of days again.
Things are beginning to heat up, so without further ado…here's the next chapter in our journey.
Pure and Simple
The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple. -- Oscar Wilde
Tony was not sleeping; rather he was in an almost meditative state as they traveled. He felt Gibbs slide the phone out of his pocket, and felt the slight sting of betrayal burn. He had told Gibbs everything, of course he hadn't said any names, but he had been plain enough, or at least he thought he had. He shifted slightly in the seat, and mumbled a bit under his breath; a burst of amusement canceled out the betrayal when he felt how quickly Gibbs replaced the phone in his pocket.
He hated these long flights, but they would be back on American soil soon enough. Once they finished in New York, NCIS' part in this drama would be over, so he and Gibbs would finally take their prisoner and return to Washington. It couldn't happen fast enough for him. This whole screwed up assignment had just reinforced in his mind that he was a cop and not a spy. Eve was the spy…Christ! He'd promised himself that he wouldn't think about her and her lies until this was over. Nonetheless, he finally let his mind wander over the woman he loved. He still felt betrayed that she had lied to him, not just once, but several times. He knew…even understood why she had, but it still hurt. Deep down, he knew that he'd find a way to forgive her, but after much reflection he'd decided that it was a real bitch loving someone who thought nothing of lying if they thought it would protect you.
Gibbs leaned back in his seat and watched DiNozzo sleep. They would be in New York in a couple of hours, and he knew that they both needed to catch a few hours of sleep before their arrival in the city. At least their part would soon be finished with the apprehension of Jonathan Dawson. Gibbs opened a folder and began to read about the intelligence officer who worked out of Norfolk and who had once a promising career in front of him. It was unfortunate that he'd gotten himself caught up in Davis' web, but what was done was done. He hated to see a good man go down, so Gibbs decided to talk to him and see if he would be willing to give evidence against Davis in return for a deal. Maybe they could all put this behind them once Davis was incarcerated. His entire team had been turned upside down since the beginning of this Op back in Ciudad Del Este and the capture of the arms dealer, Apollo.
They touched down in New York to find the city dreary, rainy but full of life. Tony followed Gibbs to the Hertz counter to pick up their prearranged rental before heading off to Brooklyn to pick up Dawson. Their Intel had him visiting his parents before returning to Norfolk next week. Neither he nor Gibbs was looking forward to taking the kid into custody, but they were both more than ready for NCIS to part ways with Jeff Davis, the FBI and most especially the CIA.
Once they were comfortably ensconced in their sedan, Tony finally turned to Gibbs and pierced him with a sharp gaze.
"What?" Gibbs spared him a modicum of attention before turning his eyes back to the heavy traffic.
"Did you find what you needed on my cell phone?"
Gibbs didn't even bother to look repentant when he replied, "Yeah. Yeah I did. You gonna tell me who the message was from?"
Tony rolled his eyes in exasperation; he was really tired of playing games with everyone. "You knew who it was from or you would've waked me up on the spot. You just want to hear me say it."
A small smile finally curved the corners of Gibbs' mouth and he replied, "Maybe I do. There's no one here…Spill it, DiNozzo."
"Jesus Christ, Boss. You know that it's Eve. Who the hell else would it be? She's the one who hit both Ayella and Moore. She also sent the informant who clued us in to Mannon's whereabouts. She's been pulling the strings during this entire trip. Hell, she's neck deep in this thing, and I don't know what to do about it."
Gibbs had been paying rapt attention to Tony's explanation and finally stirred himself to ask, "Did she tell you what the endgame is for The Agency?"
"Yeah she told me. She's been instructed to take out the terrorist behind this whole nightmare."
"And Davis?"
Tony paused before answering. There was no way he was going to tell Gibbs that his lover was planning to kill Davis. He was certain that Gibbs would understand…after all, orders were orders, but still, something held him back. "Nada, Boss. She didn't tell me a thing."
"Text her that we're on the ground and find out what new Intel she has for us. Better yet, call her if you can."
Tony gave a brief nod and pulled out his phone. He quickly dialed the number and waited. She finally answered on the third ring.
"Yeah."
"What have you got for me?"
She gave a low, throaty chuckle and finally said, "What don't I have for you? Actually, when you go to pick up your passenger please dress warmly and be very careful. It would be best if you stayed as far away from the asset as possible since he has fleas. Got it?"
"Got it. Are you safe?"
"For now. I'm getting ready to call home and get new instructions. I'll let you know what they happen to be."
"I'll see you back in DC."
"Later."
The phone went dead in his hand and he turned to Gibbs. "We need to find somewhere to stop so we can put our vests on. From her cryptic instructions I think she's worried someone is going to take a shot at us. She also recommends we stay away from Davis. She said 'he's got fleas.' I'm not sure, but I wonder if she thinks someone is going to try and hit him."
That's good work Tony. As soon as we pick up our guy we're heading back to DC; screw Davis. The FBI and CIA can handle him. This assignment can't end fast enough for me."
Eve sat alone in the small café and hung up her burn phone. Just hearing his voice made her feel better. She knew he was furious with her for lying, but she knew that he would ultimately forgive her. Knowing that didn't make her any happier about the fact that she'd been forced to lie to the one person who knew and accepted her for what she was. It was time for the curtain to come down on this little play. She reached for her agency phone and quickly dialed her Director. She had a feeling that it was time to go back to Washington and make her final play. Once that was done then maybe she and Tony could get on with their lives.
Fifteen minutes later Eve left the café to rendezvous with Kort and give him an update him on their new objective. They were to make themselves known to the security detail on Davis and get everyone on the same page. Intel reports were coming in hourly now, and she was certain that the agents involved in this operation had not heard the most recent. Once that was completed they were to hightail it back to DC and take out Ahmed before he could implement his plan. The Agency's mole inside Ahmed's operation was finally notified of the final target. She knew that Homeland Security and the rest of the alphabet soup had been notified of the details as they were currently known. She sighed and glanced at Trent as he navigated their vehicle through the streets. She really needed a vacation.
Tony shifted in his seat as Gibbs rocketed thorough the crowded streets. He was driving as fast as the traffic would allow, and the close calls kept DiNozzo gripping the door handle with white knuckles. His cell phone rang and he reached for it with numb fingers.
"DiNozzo."
"Stop your convoy at the Diner Restaurant; it's on Broadway in Brooklyn. We need to talk, all of us."
"What's going on?"
"Not on the phone. You're Director should be calling Gibbs right about now though."
Tony heard the ring of his Boss' cell phone and stifled a grin.
"How the hell do you do that?"
"It's a gift. The situation has changed…become a bit more urgent. Leave a Fibbie and one of mine with Davis and the rest of you come inside. Fornell will be meeting us there."
"Fornell!"
"Yeah. Kort and l will see you there."
The phone went dead in his ear and he turned to Gibbs who was watching him with a contemplative gaze. "What did she tell you?"
"We need to stop at the Diner Restaurant in Brooklyn and regroup. Apparently Fornell will be there."
"Yeah, Leon said the same thing. It looks like things are going to get interesting. You ready, DiNozzo?"
Tony gave a brief nod and a smile. "I was born ready, Boss."
Tobias Fornell sat at the corner table that he'd commandeered and waited. Patience was a virtue in his line or work, and he knew that his companions would be arriving soon enough. He sighed mightily as he contemplated the intelligence reports that his director had shared with him; things were going to get very bloody very soon unless they could put a stop to it. Fornell glanced out of the window and watched Gibbs' car skid into the parking lot and the two men depart. It was followed by an SUV with the prisoner who was guarded by two CIA Operatives and two FBI Agents. One of each of the agents followed Gibbs and DiNozzo inside the dining area. Now, they would be able to get this show on the road.
Gibbs took a seat beside his friend and glanced at Fornell out of the corner of his eye. "You gonna tell us what's going on here?" His tone was matter of fact as he spoke.
"In due time, Jethro. Just be patient, if you can."
Tony smirked into his class of iced tea and waited. He wondered if he was the only person who knew that Eve and Kort were going to appear. He took a sip, savoring the flavor of the tea mixed with the sharp tang of the lemon he'd added while he waited for her to appear. He didn't have too long to wait.
The group was just getting started when a voice said from beside the table, "You starting without us, Fornell. That's not nice."
Four of the five men looked up, startled by the words. Tony merely moved his chair to make room for her and Kort to join the group.
"What are you doing here, Agent Dupree? The last I heard you were on assignment in South America."
"Kort and I were sent here by our Director. We have new Intel we need to share, and we have new instructions. Your directors will be calling each of you directly…except for you…" Her laser like gaze focused on the CIA Agent sitting at the table. "Your orders come from me, and I expect you to follow them."
The young agent, not long out of his training, looked at the black-haired woman sitting beside Agent DiNozzo. He'd heard rumors about her…that she was as good as an assassin as the Agency had ever turned out…that she had been captured and tortured by the man outside in the SUV…and that she and Agent DiNozzo were involved somehow. He decided that now was not the time to seek truth. He nodded his head in compliance. "Yes Ma'am. Just tell me what you want me to do."
"Good. Go outside and assist with the prisoner. Fornell, send your other man out. This briefing is just between senior staff."
Fornell nodded his head at the agent sitting at the table and waited until the man left. "Okay, we're alone here. What do you have for us?"
Eve turned to Kort and nodded. "Lay it out, Trent."
Trent Kort took a quick sip of the water glass sitting in front of Eve then gave each man at the table a steady stare. "Ahmed is planning to hit a target in Washington tomorrow. We have new orders to return to DC ASAP and prepare a counter strike. Dawson has received orders to return to Norfolk immediately. He'll be in DC, and we can arrest him there. The priority is stopping this attack."
Gibbs leaned forward in his chair. "Target." His question was blunt and quick.
Eve sighed and replied quietly, "Our Intel tells us that the target is the peace rally taking place tomorrow in the National Mall. There are thousands expected to be in attendance since there will be presenters from all faiths there. This new explosive is undetectable, so it won't take much for a suicide bomber to get in there and blow himself and a lot of other people up."
Tony sat back in shock. Sometimes the utter cruelty of fanatics never ceased to amaze him. He felt her thigh press against his, so his hand slowly found hers under the table and he laced their fingers together. She gave his hand a comforting squeeze and watched the men at the table.
"Well Gentlemen, what do you want to do? Kort and I have our jet sitting ready at JFK. We had them refuel in preparation for a quick return to DC. Shall we go?"
The only answer she got was the entire group standing in unison. Tony released her hand reluctantly as he stood. Eve dropped a few bills on the table for the wait staff and followed the rest of the group out the door.
She began to follow the NCIS Agents, but her attention was caught by the black SUV sitting beside the rental sedan Tony and Gibbs were walking towards. She changed direction and walked right up to the back window of the vehicle. Gibbs caught sight of her momentum and sighed to himself.
"Oh Crap." He grabbed Tony's arm and forced his attention to the SUV and the show taking place inside.
Eve said nothing to the Agents guarding Davis. The two FBI men walked a short distance away to grab a smoke and the two CIA operatives gave her a respectful nod. They had no intention of stopping her from whatever it was she intended to do, so after a quick glance at each other they simply opened the vehicle's door. She smiled at the man sitting cuffed in the back seat, but the expression was cold and filled with death.
"Long time, no see, Jeff." Her gaze was filled with anticipation as she watched him start at the sound of her voice.
"I see you missed me and all of that time we spent together." Bravado filled the voice of the bound man.
"Miss you? Of yeah…like I'd miss plague or pestilence. You and I have things to discuss…not here though. Once we're back in DC I really need to spend some quality time with you."
"John won't allow it." Unease had begun to fill his voice as he listened to her speak.
Eve lowered her lashes and gave him an almost flirtatious look. "We'll see…"
She turned to walk away, swallowing convulsively against the bile in her throat. That had been the first time she had been face to face with her rapist, and it hadn't been easy. Tony grabbed her arm and pulled her towards his vehicle.
"Just what the hell was that about?" His tone was both angry and confused all at once.
She turned her emerald gaze up to his and took a deep breath. "I had to see if I could face him. If I can't do that then I can't do my job."
Tony pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "How'd you do?"
She chuckled darkly, "Well, I didn't puke."
He gave a sad smile and pulled her into the back seat of the car with him whilst Gibbs took the wheel and Fornell rode in the passenger seat on the way back to the airport.
Thirty minutes later the group was airborne on their way back to Washington. Davis who was sitting cuffed beside his FBI handlers was uncharacteristically quiet as he watched the interaction between all of the players on the plane. He didn't know exactly why they had aborted arresting Dawson, but something big was in the works, of that he was certain. His light blue gaze fell on the woman sitting beside Agent DiNozzo. She was going to kill him. He'd read between the lines when she'd confronted him earlier. She had no intention of letting him live longer than absolutely necessary. He supposed he should be afraid of death, but he couldn't seem to muster up the enthusiasm to bother. He decided his only hope was to get a meeting with the Marshall Service and offer up some fresh Intel for a spot in the Witness Relocation Program. Hmmm… now that was an idea.
Ahmed sat silently with his followers and prepared to pray. They were getting ready to send one of their own on a mission to bring glory to Allah and recognition to their cause. Tomorrow… the peace rally was going to become one large, bloody explosion.
