Author's Note: Hey guys, here's the new chapter. I would have had it up sooner, but I unexpectedly got sick. I still am, so I apologize for any missed spelling errors and other mistakes. It took me eight hours to get this chapter done because I had to keep stopping to attack my box of tissues and take my medicine. Yeah--so I apologize in advance. Later Days--Geek.

Chapter 10: The Defiant One

Huntington slams a drawer to one out of the two nightstands Tony has on each side of his bed. The sound travels into the living room where McGee is trying his best to move Tony's collections of DVDs without damaging the case or the precious discs inside.

"Where the hell can you be, Tony?" He asks himself as he finds himself looking through the same stack of DVDs.

"Nothing." Huntington walks into the living room and shrugs. "I'm calling Gibbs."

"Wait--don't do that. Not yet." He is nearly pleading.

"Isn't it better to get the news to him sooner?"

"…you've been with the team a year and you haven't picked up on the things that make Gibbs happy and the things that piss Gibbs off already?"

She rolls her eyes. "What's your suggestion?"

"We take a better look--if we find nothing, we lug his computer into headquarters. Maybe Abby can find something."

She shrugs again; McGee gives her a satisfied smile.

A bottom drawer of Tony's desk is open; its contents staring back at Gibbs. His lousy disposition from before has increased causing his stare to darken as it stares back at two things that surprised him moments before.

A gun and a badge. Two of Tony's necessities; two of his responsibilities while on and off the job. Gibbs runs his hand over his face, his insides begin to twist with fear. Wherever Tony is, he might be staring death in the face.

The ding of the elevator diverts Gibbs' eyes, but his gut still focuses on the two objects now staring at him. "What'd you find?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Huntington reports, then lets McGee pass by her carrying Tony's computer. "…except Tony's hard-drive."

"Thought Abby might be able to find something." McGee says while placing it on top of Tony's desk. "Should I go down there now?"

"Take it to Abby, but I've got a hunch where DiNozzo went." Gibbs stands to his feet. "He left his weapon and badge inside his desk. Wherever he went, he was told what not to bring."

The air shifts and Director Shepard makes herself known. She is signing a few sheets of papers for someone by the railings of the upper floor.

"Get it to Abby, now." Gibbs informs his two Agents by giving them a quick look before rushing past them both to meet with the Director for the second time.

"…I sense trouble…" Huntington mutters.

"So do I!" McGee picks up the computer and rushes past her to the back elevators.

Huntington waits until she sees the Director notice Gibbs. Once she sees the Director spinning on her heels and making her way back to her office, Gibbs hot on her tail, she rushes over to the elevator that McGee is holding open with the tip of his boot covered foot.

Abby scribbles the unknown phone number on the piece of paper as Gibbs passes through her open lab room door.

"Abs, what've you got?"

'Gibbs!" She squishes him to her. "I felt like I haven't seen you in forever!"

"…you saw me this morning…I even drove you here…" He reminds her as he tries to find an opening to breathe. "…let go of me, Abby."

"Right." She removes her arms from around him quickly. "What can I do for you?"

"What'd you find on Tony's computer?"

"Nothing interesting…" She turns from him while frowning. "I figured I was diving into a side of Tony we are well aware, yet we are unaware of…if that makes any sense…." She turns to him. "Does that even sound right?"

"What is it?" His tone urgent.

"A number and not just any number--a phone number." She picks up the paper and holds it up in front of her face. "Look familiar?" She asks from behind the paper.

"No."

"Good--we're not alone." The paper falls from her face and a new frown appears. "McGee told me you found Tony's weapon and badge in his desk."

He watches her frown deepen, so he walks away from her with the sheet of paper.

"Gibbs!" She wails. "What if Tony's hurt or, er, in some sort of trouble or…er…both?" She places two fingers to each side of her head. "Good thoughts. Good thoughts. Nothing, but good thoughts."

"Did you run a trace?"

"Good thoughts. Good thoughts. Good thoughts…" She continues, her voice low.

"Abby!" He stares at her.

"Whoa Gibbs…just bite my head off."

"Where'd this number come from?" He tries again.

"I don't know. I ran a trace, but something seems to be blocking my attempts."

"Where'd you find this number?"

"On Tony's computer--I told you that."

"I know that, but where--was it written down?" He catches her grin. "…'typed' down anywhere?"

"It showed up on his phone line."

"DiNozzo hooked his computer to his phone line?"

"Exactly. It's not exactly the latest thing considering, which would be the super cool and super tech computer program, Skype--but for DiNozzo it's a step up to McGee's level…" She makes a sorrowful face. "…you're going to need to even double your efforts--no, triple your efforts, if you ever want to reach McGee's level."

"I don't." His tone alone certifies his statement. "Why would Tony do this?"

"Whoever he was talking to, this phone number, probably did not have a computer."

"You're sure this can not be traced?" She shrugs. "Tony probably blocked the number…or this person blocked it for him."

"Could this be an international number?"

"No way, Tony go to Mexico or something?" Her eyes light up with hope. "He's probably mixing it up with Franks--aw, how cool would that be?" She frowns. "Aw--I want to go."

"Tony didn't leave the country to go to Mexico--he went looking for Ziva." The truth sound so much clearer now.

At the mention of Ziva, Abby's stomach jumps to her throat.

Gibbs watches McGee who sits across from him inside the small, private plane the Director offered. It is not much, but again, it is the least she could do in order to fix whatever trouble she helped DiNozzo get into.

He knows the source of McGee's discomfort. It is not that McGee feels as if his presence is misplaced; what it is, is, leaving Abby behind to be protected by someone other than himself.

"She's in good hands." Gibbs looks at him. "The Director and Agent Huntington are keeping their very closest eye on them."

"You've told us not to trust the Director."

"This is different. She won't put Abby in any danger."

"Why is Abby any different?" McGee's eyes burn with hurt. "She's done it to Tony…she's doing it to Tony."

"It's his fault as much as it is hers this time." He corrects his slightly-blinded Agent. "If he was thinking with any amount of common sense, he would have…" He stops when he begins to feel a form of regret. "…he should have come to me first."

"Maybe he thought you wouldn't allow him to do this…allow him to leave and find Ziva."

"You're damn right!" He growls. "There isn't a real good reason to go looking for her--there's nothing we can do to get her back. NCIS doesn't want her--I…" He can feel the intensity in McGee's stare. "…I wouldn't know what to do with her…" He says carefully. "DiNozzo should have left it alone."

McGee keeps his mouth closed as he feels the plane begin to shake.

"I don't like this as much you don't, McGee." Gibbs tries to reason with him. "…but we can't just leave him there--heading to Tel Aviv might be the dumbest and unsafe thing DiNozzo has ever done--"

"I thought you always said that his methods might not have been correct, but they never failed to get the job done."

Gibbs holds his tongue.

"You can't keep going back and forth about this, Gibbs." McGee can feel the heat rising to his neck. His nerves making his stomach jittery. "Are you more angry because Tony walked out on a case, on Abby, to find Ziva…or …" He stops and swallows. "…is it because he finally found the nerve to do what you've been thinking about for the last year?"

McGee studies Gibbs' profile while Gibbs tries to focus on something--anything else than the answer that is being expected from him.

"I won't think any less of you if--"

"Stop."

"Boss, I--"

"MA-GEE!" His loudness adds to the shaking of the plane. "Stop. It means--shut up."

"Right boss, I just think you're--" He can hardly listen to what Gibbs is yelling. "…LYING TO YOURSELF!" He clears his throat as he realizes the shaking has stopped and he just finished yelling at his superior. "…lying to yourself."

"This is a difficult situation." Gibbs admits though he slowly begins to hate himself for the mere fact that Tony did decide quicker than he had. "As you know…as DiNozzo knows…as the damn Director and Abby knows--but talking about it now, here with you, isn't going to solve anything--not in one sitting."

"Boss, I'm not trying to be your shrink--"

"Then shut up, McGee. Just shut up."

McGee sighs, then buttons his lips. He begins to believe that the thoughts he has pushed to the farthest corner of his mind are true about his Team Leader, and because of this conclusion, he mentally salutes one of his partners for taking a leap of faith.

Inside their home, Ziva regains her focus by cleaning several weapons that litter the table. Michael is on a job for the next two days; his absence provides her with alone time she finds herself desperately needing.

Sometimes Michael crowds her when she wants to be left alone, but she never feels uncomfortable with his proximity. Michael is someone she knows she can trust despite knowing that he once worked closely with her father. She is guilty of the same duty, the same trusting of her father. For her to fault Michael for his actions would make her hypocritical of her own. It is not the worst thing a person could do or feel, but for Ziva it is enough of a reason to add to whatever list she holds on herself consisting of what she hates about herself.

He stands alone outside of the unfamiliar door thinking about several things all at the same time. Obviously Ziva appears on the path inside his mind since he is hoping to see her face as soon as he knocks on the door in front of him. Randomly he takes into consideration the niceness of the weather; the weather is rather nice opposed to the humid air that greeted him in Tel Aviv a questionable amount of hours before.

Those back home riddle his mind like the bullets that blast through the targets he shoots at when he practices his shooting. They present themselves as large portions of guilt that hang over him like a thunder cloud, but he can not hate himself for taking matters into his own hands. Only some time ago he had taken on the responsibility of a gifted team, and putting aside the pride he took in using his newly given control, he never felt more sure of his position as an Agent.

He had shown everyone he was capable of more; of greatness. Most importantly he showed himself that he served a purpose far beyond Probie's keeper and Gibbs' fall back.

With a boost of confidence he pounds his fist against the door in front of him. In a matter of seconds he can hear steps on the inside. In his heart he wants to believe that the sound those feet are making sound exactly like Ziva's, but in his mind he reminds himself that anyone can be behind the very door he is boring holes into with his hooded stare.

McGee nearly loses sight of Gibbs as they try their best to blend in with the locals. "Uh, boss--where exactly are we going?"

"We are looking for someone, McGee."

"I know, but I can't help feeling as if someone is watching us."

Gibbs looks upwards as a way to control himself. "No one's got a vendetta against you, McGee--no one here at least."

"What about you?"

A flashback flashes before Gibbs. Ari is pushed back by the bullet that has officially killed him. His body makes a quiet, yet sickening thud as it hits the concrete of his basement floor. He senses Ziva behind him; her weapon smoldering.

McGee stops in his tracks to mimic his, "What is it?"

Gibbs slightly shakes his head as a way to clear it. "Nothing."

"You didn't answer my question." He can hear the uneasiness in McGee's voice.

"No. No one's got it out for me, McGee--'cept for my ex-wives." He lies.

Michael operates a pay phone as it is the end of his shift. After one solid ring, Lior answers. His voice stern and knowing.

"I take it that he has arrived in Tel Aviv." Michael watches the constant rush of Chinese people. "Has he arrived with anyone?"

"One man--I do not know his name."

"Describe him to me."

"He isn't as graceful as the other." Lior pauses. "…And it is not this Tony that Ziva has spoken of in the past."

"Special Agent Timothy McGee. That is his name." Michael places one hand in his pocket. "Has Tony arrived in Hong Kong yet?"

"Yes."

"Very well then." He loosens the collar of his dress shirt. "Send your men to the Director."

"This goes against everything Ziva wanted."

"Ziva does not know what she wants." His answering for her has become easy for him when she is not around. "One American friend is enough of a visit."

"Without the return of Gibbs, the Director of NCIS will target Mossad."

"What do you care? You aren't working for Mossad anymore--you are working with them. One of the treasures of going rogue."

"When together on our mission I promised Ziva I would be a friend to her--"

"Listen to me!" His control has begun to slip. "Director David has always wanted Gibbs dead for the death of his one and only son." He inhales sharply. "If you do not follow through with our plans, I will do my best to make sure you pay for your mistakes."

"My biggest betrayal is to Ziva." Lior says as a means for explaining how he feels.

"She will comes to terms with it soon enough." Michael smiles at a familiar face he sees walking by him. "Tell your men to alert the Director."

"Yes." His voice hushed. "I will call you with further details."

"I will be waiting."

Tony walks around the apartment with his eyes focusing on the décor. "Nice pad."

"What is a pad?"

"Place. Apartment. Home." He explains while taking an interest in a lamp. "Can I get one of these before I go?"

"Why are you here, Tony?"

He focuses on her now; the décor long forgotten. "How've you been, Ziva?"

"Fine." She mentally kicks herself for letting her voice shake. "And yourself?"

"Miserable." He decides to go with the truthful answer out of the two. "Jeanne and I didn't work out as I had hoped."

"Serves you right. Pretending to be someone you are not never ends well."

He takes her directness straight through his chest. "Really--'cause I'd sure as hell would like for you to tell me how you've got any right saying that to me."

"I did not mean you any harm." She tries to soothe the sting.

"We're one in the same, Ziva." He lays it out for her. "Or is it Zanna?" Her eyes flash with anger. "You can try and pretend like you're not happy to see me, but I'm the closest thing to real you've seen in a long fucking time."

"I did not ask you to come here."

"That doesn't make what I said any lesser true." He proclaims.

"You shouldn't be here."

"What are you hiding?" He probes her for information. "What makes you the Sniper you are?" He nods. "Lior told me everything."

"I wish you wouldn't have used my friend in that way."

"I only did what I had to do in order to find you."

"You've found me. Now what do you plan on doing with me?"

He smirks at her. "That all depends on your current marital status."

"That is not what I meant and you know it, Tony." She looks away from him. "Your need to see me is unknown."

"It's more of a right than it is a need."

"You talk as if I am some sort of main attraction."

"Back home you are." He walks away from her to reach her sink. "Mind if I wash my hands?"

"What has happened back home?" She is nervous that her father might have invaded the states in a hot pursuit for her.

"Other than one of Abby's psycho boyfriends nearly attacking her--"

"Is she alright?"

He reaches for a glass, then searches for a fridge. "Oh yeah--she's got Gibbs and McGee crowding her. I give it a couple more days before they crack the case and everything falls back into normalcy…" He finds a bottle of water and ignores the glass he has ready to use. "…of course normalcy isn't what it used to be…"

"I do not want to hear this, Tony." Her tone full of plea.

"No, but you need to hear this." He comes towards her with his bottle of water still unopened. "What made you think you could just leave us back home? You don't call, you don't write--how are we to know just what the hell's going on in your life?"

"It is unneeded information." She shakes her head to control her anger. "I do not have an obligation to you or anyone from NCIS."

"You haven't really answered my question."

"You've asked me several in the last couple of minutes. How am I supposed to bite my teeth into one of them?"

"Sink."

"What?"

"Sink…your teeth into one of them." He waits for her to speak, but she does not. "Why can't you be happy that I'm here?"

She sees the look in his eyes and begins to wonder what it truly means. "It isn't that I am unhappy to see you, Tony, it is just…difficult."

"You're the only one making it difficult." He finally uncaps his water bottle.

"I have done nothing, but try to make everything as it should be. If it appears to be difficult, it has nothing to do with me."

He chuckles around his water bottle. "That's just like a David."

"You know nothing about my family."

"And you sure as hell don't know a damn thing about mine." He narrows his eyes at her. "A DiNozzo knows how to spot someone who poorly tries to wash their hands clean of their own mistakes--I should know, I am a DiNozzo--"

"…and you certainly have made a number of mistakes."

"Whatever you say to me reflects of me and bounces right back on to you, Ziva." He laughs. "Of course you probably believe in that old saying; sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

"If you do not tell me why you are here, I will take it upon myself to make sure that sticks, stones, and words officially break your bones."

"If I can't return to DC, you're going to have a problem on your hands." He warns her. "So safe your threats for someone that doesn't care about you." He watches her look away from him. "It shouldn't come as any surprise to you how I feel about you."

"Stop this, Tony."

"Why?"

"Because I am married!" She feels her heart pounding in her chest. "…and I've never felt for you in that way." She dares to look at him again. "It would have never worked out between us. You know this."

He swallows. "I'm not going to lie--to say that I never thought about you and I…together in a way that clearly crosses the line as friends, but if you think that my reason for coming here was to sweep you off your feet--to start a relationship with you, something more than friendship, then you're wrong." He sighs. "All I wanted to do was talk to you, Ziva. I just wanted to know how you were doing…to see a friend, as a friend." He puts the cap back on his water bottle. "Maybe Gibbs had the right idea…maybe poorly ignoring the fact you were gone was the smartest I could do…the smartest thing any of us could do." He turns to grab his bag, his only intention is to leave once and for all.

"Tony--wait!" She rushes over to him. "Please do not leave." He lets go of his bag, but he does not face her. "I react differently now…sometimes I find it hard to trust my reasonable side so I fall back on my unreasonable side." She stops for a breath. "I would like it if you would stay…"

"…can I meet this husband of yours?" His mouth feels funny after asking about her husband.

"Yes, but not now--not tonight."

He turns around to look at her. "Why not now--tonight?"

"He is away doing a job. He will be back in a couple of days." She listens to him laugh. "What is so funny?"

"I never pegged you as the marrying type."

"Are you trying to start another argument?" Inside she feels the usual doubt over her marriage to Michael.

"That all depends if you can still kill me with one of your Mossad training techniques."

"I can."

"Then no--so, dinner?"

For the first time in a while, Ziva smiles warmly at the familiar man in front of her.