Apologies for the delay; I tend to get tunnel vision when a new idea comes along, and that damn Bucket List has pushed me into my longest writing frenzy to date. But I'm setting it aside for the night and returning to my other baby. I hope you enjoy!
"Miss Arga…I mean Miss David…errr..." McGee stammered, blushing as his mouth twisted uncomfortably.
"Just call me Tali or Talia. It was the one thing I insisted upon when Abba created my new identity - that he find a way for me to keep my name," she said smiling up at him from the kitchen table.
McGee returned it. "Okay then, Tali. We have our forensics scientist coming by any minute with a laptop to try and work on the composites of the two men who attacked Staff Sergeant Zupan."
"Abby?" Ziva asked, coming into the room after her shower. She had tried to stay up throughout the night with Tony, watching vigilantly out the window, but the day's toll had simply been too much. She drifted into a fitful sleep on the love seat, waking at every sound and sitting up to check that the sleeping figure on the other couch hadn't just been a bittersweet dream. At least the hot water had helped chase away some of the weariness, both mental and physical, that permeated her body.
McGee nodded. "Yeaaah, we were just going to send a sketch artist but Abby…"
"Wanted to come herself, I can imagine," Ziva snickered, pouring a steaming cup of strong black tea and sitting beside Gibbs at the table.
"Talia did Tomas ever talk about his work in Kosovo?" Gibbs asked.
She shook her head, looking slightly surprised. "No. I just knew he worked as a translator. In fact, last I heard he was stationed in Rota. I had no idea he was even in Kosovo."
"Did he seem concerned or afraid of anything?"
"No-o. Definitely not. He actually seemed relieved; he said he'd just finished a long and arduous project. And he was so excited that we were both stateside. We hadn't seen each other in over two years..." He voice trailed off sadly.
"Okay," Gibbs nodded, draining the last dregs of his coffee and setting the cup in the sink. "McGee, stay here and help Abby and then head back to the Navy Yard with her."
"What do you need me to do, Gibbs?" Ziva asked, standing up quickly. "I can run a check on…"
Gibbs pushed her gently back down into the chair. "Until we figure out what's going on, I want Talia to stay here. And right now, you need to be where your sister is, Ziver," he said quietly, squeezing her shoulder once. She looked ready to protest but he silenced her with a look.
"Thank you," Ziva acquiesced, nodding with a small smile.
Tali watched him go and arched an inquisitive eyebrow. "Ziver? An intimate nickname for a boss to give, yes?"
Ziva rolled her eyes as McGee choked on his coffee. "He is like a father to me, Talia!"
Her sister frowned at this and Ziva had to think for a moment before kicking herself for the choice of words. She could sense another round of questions were about to begin.
"McGee, could we…" she started and Tim nodded quickly.
"I'll just go wait in the hall for Abby," he offered, leaving the two women alone.
Ziva took a deep breath, closing her eyes and spinning her teacup between her palms. "Okay, ask," she sighed.
"I don't even know where to begin…you say Gibbs is like a father and yet talk about our papa like he is dead to you. You flew into a rage after talking to him yesterday. Your eyes cloud over every time I mention Ari's name, and all you would tell me last night is that he died years ago. Now I did not press it because you seemed hesitant to talk, but please Ziva tell me something! How did you even end up at NCIS?"
"As a liaison officer," Ziva offered quickly, latching on to the simplest answer to all of those impossible questions. "I worked with an NCIS agent, who later became the Director. She wanted me to learn from Gibbs, and so I came here as a Mossad liaison about five years ago."
Tali nodded, seemingly satisfied with finally getting an answer to something. "Ok, well that explains why you are working here…"
Ziva briefly considered letting it go at that, but she knew the truth would come out sooner than later. "It's…it's not why I'm still here. I became an American citizen this summer and am now a probationary NCIS agent."
Tali's mouth fell open. "Ziva…you...Why would you leave your homeland behind?"
Ziva hedged, "My loyalties are here for many reasons. DC has become my home..." She trailed off, for they were rapidly moving into dangerous territory. She was interrupted, however, by the sounds of a scuffle outside the door. She rose quickly, her knife already in her hands, but she heard McGee's voice a second later.
"Abby, you can't just barge in without knocking…" he said breathlessly, and Ziva could picture him trying to body block an overanxious Abby.
"Oh fine, McGee...Zeeevah, it's me! Can I come in?" Came Abby's voice along with a zealous rapping on the door. Ziva closed her eyes, not sure if she was grateful or annoyed for the interruption.
"We will talk later, okay?" She said, and Tali gave her a stubborn, impatient look that she remembered so well on her young sister's face.
She went to the door, taking a deep breath and preparing herself for what was sure to be high drama. Abby did not disappoint. She pushed her way in, throwing her arms around Ziva's neck as soon as she turned the knob.
"Oh my God, oh my God! I can't believe I was away at a conference and missed everything yesterday! How are you? Are you okay? Of course you're not okay, how could you be okay after your long lost dead sister appears suddenly in the bullpen. I got on a train as soon as McGee called and wanted to come over last night but Gibbs told me I'd have to wait until…" She broke off, her gaze sweeping the room and landing on Talia. Talia studied her in return, taking in the high pigtails and spiked jangling boots with a mixture of trepidation and fascination. Abby released her stranglehold on Ziva - for which the latter was eternally grateful - and took a few quick steps forward.
"Oh you're her! I could tell from looks alone that you two are sisters. I'm sorry, I'm being rude…I'm Abby Sciuto, forensic scientist and Ziva's friend. Do you prefer Tali or Talia or Natalia? I should just shake your hand, but I'm going to hug you because…well because you're Ziva's beloved sister back from the dead!" She said all of this is one breath as she reached forward, pulling Talia into a big hug.
She laughed, surprised, but returned it warmly. "You can call me Tali. I am very glad to meet you as well Abby!"
"Let the girl breathe, Abs!" A rather harassed and annoyed-looking McGee called, pushing away from the front door as Ziva closed and locked it again.
Ignoring Tim completely, Abby pulled back from the hug to place her hands on Talia's shoulders and grinned like a cheshire cat. "Ohhh the stories you must have on Ziva!"
"Gibbs wants sketches Abby, and you know he does not like to wait." Ziva said warningly, arching an eyebrow.
Abby crinkled her nose and pouted. "Ohhhh fine, I guess we've got plenty of time later for stories! C'mon Timmy, Gibbs says you get to help!" Abby hooked arms with Tali, walking with her back to the kitchen and chattering away as she pulled out her laptop. McGee followed after a few seconds, grumbling under his breath. Someone knocked again and Ziva groaned, letting her forehead fall against the wall; it was going to be a long day.
She was surprised to see Tony's face when she opened the door and glanced at the clock. "Why aren't you home sleeping? You only left here a few hours ago…"
He just shrugged. "I got a couple of winks, that's all I need. I stopped by your favorite bakery for some patisseries." He held up a bag and the smell of almond and cinnamon wafted temptingly through the air.
"Mmmm, you are being very thoughtful," she said, inhaling deeply, then shook her head when she realized how incredulous she sounded. "I do not mean to imply that you normally are not…"
He flashed her a quick grin. "I have my moments…"
"Tony!" Abby waved from the kitchen. He looked momentarily annoyed, like he wanted to say something more, but it passed quickly.
"I brought treats!" He called out, sauntering towards the kitchen.
"You wanted to see me Director?"
Vance glanced up from his morning reports as Gibbs came in without knocking, closing the door behind him. Leon leaned back in his chair. "When exactly were you planning on telling me that the witness in your murder case is Ziva's dead sister?"
Gibbs shrugged, sitting across from his desk. "Now."
"Her story check out? It seems unlikely that…"
"It's her," Gibbs cut in. "Eli himself confirmed it."
Vance gave a hard chuckle and shook his head in disbelief. "Guess I've always underestimated what that man is capable of…"
Gibbs' eyes narrowed and iced over and Vance acquiesced, "I know you haven't. But we'll deal with all that later. You still have a case to solve. Can this girl give us anything on the killers?"
"She's working with Abby now on the composites. But we're getting stonewalled by Staff Sergeant Zupan's CO. His mission in Kosovo is classified above my pay grade and we need access to those files."
Vance raised an eyebrow. "Normally you would have had McGee access whatever information you need. Why the sudden deference for protocol?"
"Well, kind of a lot going on right now, Leon," Gibbs said sarcastically. "Besides, my gut's telling me to go by the book on this one."
Vance smirked but nodded. "I'll make a call." Gibbs tilted his head in acknowledgement and rose to leave, but Vance wasn't done yet. "Gibbs? David gonna be able to handle this or do I need to temporarily assign another agent to your team?"
Gibbs gave a short laugh, "You think you're pulling Ziva off this case, you get to tell her personally. She's a pro, Director. She'll be fine."
He left then before Vance could see the the doubt and worry brewing in steely eyes.
It was nearly impossible to keep Abby focused on the task at hand, but after two hours and a good deal of chiding from the other three, she sat back and examined their handiwork. McGee had gone downstairs to issue the BOLOs while the chatty goth lingered behind.
"You were amazing with the details on the suspects, Tali! Promise you're not some secret Interpol agent or MI-6 or something?"
Tali laughed, "No, definitely not! But I want to be an editor and that's all about noticing the little things I guess."
"You and your books. You used to run into furniture because you always had your nose in some dusty old novel," Ziva teased, but she was immensely glad that Talia was going to make a career out of something she loved.
"Hey! You and McGee should talk more, he's an author!" Abby said suddenly, snapping her laptop closed. "You ever read Deep Six...the adventures of LJ Tibbs?"
"Yes!" Tali said surprised. "Of course, I knew Agent McGee looked familiar! I love spy thrillers and his is quite good!"
Abby nodded, "Yep! And guess who Lisa is based on?"
Tali's brow furrowed slightly. "Lisa? The beautiful but emotionally scarred assassin spy?"
Ziva glared at Abby, who pursed her lips and looked to Tony for help, but he just blanched at her. "Errr, right, gotta get back to the boss man! Ziva, we're ordering pizza and throwing a little reunion slash back-from-the-dead celebration tonight though, 'kay?" She hurried to the door with a quick little wave before Ziva had time to argue the impromptu arrangements.
"She really needs to work on her boundary issues," Ziva grumbled, rubbing a hand over her face.
"Zizi, what did she mean..." Tali started, but Ziva pushed away from the counter, worrying her lower lip as she looked quickly around the kitchen.
"Since there's no stopping Abby once she's set on an idea, I should run to the store... Tony, would you mind staying for a bit?"
Tony took a long moment but finally gave her a simple nod. Ziva kissed the top of Tali's head and whispered a quick, "I will be back soon."
Tali turned on him as soon as the door clicked closed. "Tony, why won't she tell me anything?"
"Ohhh no," he said warily, escaping to the living room. "You're going to have to ask her…"
Tali followed, crossing her arms, and cut him off with a very Ziva-esque glare. "You obviously know my sister well…how well I am still figuring out," she said pensively, giving him a quick once over. "But you know a lot more about her life now than she will tell me. What's happened to her? She says she has forsaken our homeland to be here with those who feel like family. She is so haunted by any mention of our father or brother. I need to know what made her like this!"
Tony paused, knowing Ziva would kill him for disclosing anything. But neither could he deny the probing eyes, so like Ziva's, which implored him now.
"She has been through a lot, Talia. More than you can ever, possibly imagine. She has been betrayed and hurt by everyone who was supposed to love and protect her, including Ari, Eli, and even me," Tali raised an eyebrow at this, but Tony pushed on. "I can't even begin to tell you what she's suffered. And it's not my place to. But it's been more than enough to break a lesser person."
Tears sprang to Talia's eyes now, and Tony paused. He pondered the enormous differences beneath the sisters' shared mannerisms and exotic good looks. Talia wore her heart on her sleeve and her emotions on her face for the world to see. He had witnessed a more dramatic range of emotions from her in the past twenty-four hours than the last five years as Ziva's partner. He found himself wondering if Ziva had always been that way or if she had shut down after Talia's supposed death; he had to imagine it was a little bit of both.
"But she is happy now, right?" Talia whispered, shaking him from his musings.
Tony contemplated that for a long minute. "She is…happy to be somewhere safe and settled. That much she admits. And I think she is happier than I've ever seen her to find you alive. But, look, I doubt I need to tell you that Ziva is stubborn; I get the feeling that's not a newly acquired trait." Talia gave him a small smirk and he knew she understood. "So, give her some time. You have to let her tell you the rest on her own terms Tali."
Talia sighed but nodded. "Thank you Tony. I am thankful that she has someone like you to watch out for her."
He smiled at that. "That's what partners are for."
"Nice to finally speak to you Major Jackson," Gibbs said sardonically, staring up at the feed of Staff Sergeant Zupan's Commanding Officer.
"I'm sorry to hear about Tomas; he was a damn fine man. Do you know what happened yet Agent Gibbs?"
"Hoping you can help us with that. We're having a hard time accessing the details of his assignment in Kosovo."
"Worked as a translator, Camp Bonsteel."
Gibbs' glare was poorly suppressed. "We're aware of that. But I highly doubt the Staff Sergeant was targeted by two Eastern European thugs because he's mistranslating Army work orders…"
"Sorry boss, just got back," McGee huffed quietly, hurrying into MTAC and standing beside Gibbs.
"You got the sketches?"
"Yeah…" McGee nodded to one of the techs, who loaded the two composites side-by-side onto the screen.
"You seeing this Major Jackson?" Gibbs asked, watching the man's face carefully for any reaction.
The Major looked resigned as he heaved a sigh. "Man on the right is Petar Stankic, not sure who the other one is. But I know who they worked for…we have a problem, Agent Gibbs.
"We have a dead Marine, Major," Gibbs prodded. "I'd say that alone constitutes a problem. Feel like reading us in now?"
Major Jackson studied him for another minute before he began speaking again. "In 2008, UNMIK started scaling back its presence in Kosovo. Left a real power vacuum that the Kosovar government has struggled to fill. One particularly persistent gang that emerged was Nula Osam, lead by Luka Crncevic. He was a real...people person. Terrorists, gun runners, drug traffickers. He was well connected and controlled some of the most desirable routes throughout Eastern Europe."
"Was?" Gibbs caught the inflection.
The Major nodded. "Bonsteel was assisting the local government in trying to shut down Crncevic but he always had a jump on them. Became clear that he had someone on the inside. DOD got tired of waiting for the Army to get their house in order, so they created a joint task force. Included members of the Kosvar police, Air Force, Army…
"And Staff Sergeant Zupan," Gibbs nodded.
"Yep. He is...was...the best Albanian and Serbian translator we've got. Took the team nearly two years, but Zupan was the one to make the break in the case. He figured out who the mole was, and we were able to flip him. Got Crncevic's location and enough evidence to put him away...Kosovar police arrested him two weeks ago."
"So who sent Stankic and friend out for revenge?"
Major Jackson shook his head. "Our intelligence suggests that Crncevic's organization has been in chaos since his arrest. We were really hoping we managed to cut the head off this time, but a lot of people were loyal to him, and I can't promise that one of his lieutenants hasn't stepped up to fill the void. Let me make some inquiries and update my contacts on what you've told me. But these are dangerous and well-connected people Agent Gibbs. Better protect whoever it is that gave you these sketches…I'll be in touch when I've found out more." The screen went blank.
"Boss…" McGee said worriedly, glancing to his side.
"I know McGee. I want additional agents posted to Talia, teams of no less than two at all times. The four of us will rotate in."
"I highly doubt Ziva's gonna leave her side once she hears this," Tim said quietly.
Gibbs sighed, staring up at the two sketches. "Yeah, I know McGee."
This day is only half done, but it was just two long for one chapter. Please let me know your thoughts!