Ch. 15 Reassigned

Tony fiddled with his thumbs nervously. It had taken then a half hour to get all of Abby's information from her and another hour to convince her that she could not come with them. She'd put up a significant fight, but in the end, Gibbs won out. But she wouldn't let them leave before giving them all a fierce hug and eliciting a promise of their safe return.

To Tony she added, "Don't even think of coming back here without Ziva, Tony." While hugging him, she whispered in his ear, "Just make sure she's safe." Tony nodded resolutely but could not find any words to say. Just before the team managed to exit the building for the air field, Leon Vance met them at the elevator, suitcase in hand.

"Leon, didn't know you cared enough to come," stated Gibbs, his voice hard as a concrete.

"Well, Gibbs, someone has to deal with the Israelis. Eli David thinks that his daughter is on a Mossad mission." replied Leon, a cocky smirk on his face.

"She is Leon. She's also on a NCIS mission. It's your fault this situation is so screwed up. Don't forget. You're going to Eli to play kiss ass." Gibbs was not in the mood to be diplomatic and all respect he'd held for Leon had evaporated after understanding the lengths at which he'd go to manipulate people.

"Well, Gibbs, I just can't take Ziva away from Mossad. Her father will have something to say about that, rest assured." Leon was about to enter the elevator when Gibbs spoke again.

"Leon, when we find her, she is coming back with us. I don't give a damn about her father and you know it."

And so now, Tony was fiddling with his thumbs in the jump seat of C-130 heading over the Atlantic. The trip was completely silent, no one willing so say anything that would get Gibbs or Vance angry. And so Tony was left with his thoughts.

What do I say when I see her? Hey, Ziva how's it been hanging out with the terrorists? By the way, Everyone you thought you trusted, Rivkin, Hadar, your dad, turns out they're all lying bastards. Who would have known? I have no idea what to say. Maybe I won't get the chance, maybe she'll shoot me on sight.

Tony tiredly ran his hands over his eyes. Then plan was to drop Gibbs and company off in Somalia to recon with a Navy SEALs team. Vance would continue to Israel. Tony knew exactly what would happen. Vance would threaten to exploit Mossad's rouge agent issues if Eli did not release his daughter of her ties to Mossad. Ziva would be free to stay in the United States, but those who hurt her would never get the punishment owed them. Tony shook his head at the crookedness of the situation. Those who'd pledged themselves to law and order would have to betray their duty to their countries for personal gain.

Six hours later, Gibbs, Tony, McGee and six Navy SEALs were in a chopper heading towards Ziva's coordinates. Gibbs' face betrayed no emotion. McGee was obviously worried. Tony had a look of determination.

Gibbs was thinking of the possibility of success. He shared any of his anxieties with his team; his job was to bolster confidence. Yet he could not erase his apprehension. He wanted so badly to reach Ziva. To save her. He hadn't had the chance to save Shannon and Kelly. Now that he had the chance to save Ziva, we refused to pass it up. She was his daughter. Screw Vance and his politics,thought Gibbs.

McGee was the most nervous he had ever been in his life. Though no one ever mentioned it, he was sure that Ziva would be in a rough shape. He just didn't know how he was going to react. Ziva had always been this super soldier to him. He didn't know if he would be able to handle seeing her broken.

Tony held onto his AK- 47 like a life line. It was the one thing at that moment that felt truly real. He knew what the assault rifle meant; it meant he had a fight chance at reaching Ziva. It was a chance he clung to. He had to reach her, to tell her he was sorry and that he was jealous. He saw the rifle as his last shot at fixing things between him and Ziva.

Suddenly Gibbs radio came to life and the voice of NCIS director Leon Vance crackled over the frequency.

"Vance to Gibbs, over."

"Gibbs here, over," replied Gibbs.

"Gibbs, we have a situation on the USS Ronald Reagan. The crew has been taken hostage by sleepers on board. I am ordering you and your SEALs to change course and get to that carrier, over?"

"Are you kidding me director? What about Officer David, over." Gibbs voice was laced anger as he shouted into the radio.

"Gibbs, this is a matter of national security. A carrier is in the hands of terrorists. It takes priority over Officer David. I am ordering you and your team to go to that carrier."

"Ten-four, Director Vance." Stated Gibbs, shutting off the radio.

"Pilot," said Gibbs getting the man's attention, "We are changing course to the USS Ronald Reagan. Radio in for its coordinates. However, keep track until we reach our first destination. Then we change course." The pilot nodded his assent and Gibbs turned to look at his team. He took a deep breath and looked Tony in the eye.

"Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo. You are temporarily reassigned; you're not on my team."