I originally had this as two separate chapters, but they seemed kind of short now, so I combined them. That is going to throw off the chapter count ... so don't worry when there's not exactly 32 chapter anymore.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of NCIS and I am not making any money from this, or any of my stories.
When they came to the bottom of the stairs, they each took a look at this new land. They were back to a land of monotone color, beige. The only difference was that the sky was still it's strange black, orange and yellow - as if someone had spilled paints cans.
Before they could start moving, Tony whispered a question, "Is it okay to talk?"
Ari nodded. "It would probably be best if we did."
"Why is that?" Ziva questioned.
"You'll see." Grabbing Tim's hand, Ari started moving, the rest followed behind.
After spending so long being quiet, Tony DiNozzo did not have to be told twice that it was okay to talk. "So, how were you able to get on the ferry without a coin?"
Ari looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I can't tell you all of my secrets."
Tony blinked at the friendly tone. He couldn't wrap his head around the dynamics that were developing. Instead of thinking too much about it, he decided to go for another question. "What happened to everyone who rode over with us?"
"Just because they have reach a certain level of awareness doesn't mean they are ready for this journey."
"What happens to them?"
"We didn't stay in that land for very long, so you didn't get to really see much of it. It's infinitely vast. Some wander endlessly, others group together in family like units. It just depends on the soul."
A large beige boulder loomed in their path. For a moment, Tony thought it was moving, since he could hear a low rumble. He paused to watch it. When he was satisfied that it wasn't really moving, he quicken his pace to catch back up to the group. "Sounds kinda sad for an afterlife."
Ari shrugged. He started to give a reply, but then Tim tripped ... over nothing. Ari quickly scooped him up and gently placed Tim on his shoulders.
The team exchanged looks. Gibbs started to ask what was going on, but a new voice caught his attention.
A high pitched female voice, yelling, "Get away from me!", was quickly followed by a male's voice stating the same. Followed by another, and another, and another.
The voices grew louder as they approached the boulder, which now looked like it was quaking. Suddenly something that looked like an arm shot out from one side, while a leg came out from a different spot.
Team Gibbs realized they were looking at one of the 'clumps' that Ari had been talking about and slowed down.
"Don't catch their attention!" Ari shot a warning to them as he also slowed down.
They tore their gaze away and kept moving.
Ari waited until they all caught up to him and gathered around. "Remember, they will latch on to you ... and your energy."
"Is that why you said it was good for us to talk, yes?"
Ari nodded to Ziva. "If we appear as nothing but another clump, we will be ignored and can get through here pretty easily."
"Won't the fact that we're moving give it away?" Gibbs asked.
"No." Ari shook his head. "Movement means expending energy, which for an apathetic soul is something they want to avoid at all costs."
Suddenly, Tim slumped down over Ari's head. The older man calmly grabbed the child's legs to keep him from falling off.
"Is he alright?" Ziva asked worriedly.
"Yes, he is just resting ... which for someone like him it is probably the best thing for him right now."
Gibbs pulled in front of Ari. "What the hell does that mean?"
Ari pushed Gibbs aside and kept walking. "You will know when you are ready."
"Wait just ..."
"No! I said that I would explain all to you when the child trusted all three of you! Right now, he is only acknowledging one."
"I want answers."
"Don't worry Gibbs, we still have a long journey ahead. You will get your answers ... eventually."
Gibbs was fuming. He knew there was something more going on and he hated being out of the loop. He paused, trying to get his anger back under control. A new voice caught his attention and he turned to it.
They were by a different clump, this time a head popped out. It was a little girl with blonde hair, blue eyes and freckles. "Daddy, help me! Please!" An arm reached out, "Daddy!"
Gibbs was transfixed, until Tony bumped into to him and grabbed his arm. "Come on, Boss. We need to keep moving."
Gibbs feet started moving, but his eyes stayed on the child calling out to him. Tony kept a firm grip on him and eventually got his boss turned facing forward.
The anger he was trying to control exploded. "WHY THE HELL IS THERE A CHILD IN THAT MESS!"
Ari sighed. He kept his voice even as he explained. "Do you really think that is a child?" Ari turned to face Gibbs, but he didn't stop moving. "Do you think that I am carrying a child? Haven't you learned yet that things here are not as they appear?" He turned back around to continue leading them.
Gibbs blinked at Ari. He had gotten so used to seeing McGee as a child, that he had forgotten that he wasn't. His anger faded away, leaving him feeling empty. He would have stopped walking if it had not been for Tony's steady grip on his arm.
Tony watched his boss with concern. The man was not known for having very many facial expression, but Tony felt that he had come to learn to read his boss pretty well. Tony had seen the defeated expression Gibbs' now wore only once before ... right before the man retired to Mexico. He knew that they wouldn't be hearing from Gibbs for some time, while he battled through his thoughts and emotions, so Tony did the only thing he could ... he talked.
He talked about how weird the weather would be here, about every movie he could think of that came close to their situation, Ari's clothes, Ziva's knowledge of the occult ... he just let the words come, not really caring if the conversation made sense.
Ziva realized what Tony was doing and followed his lead, participating when needed. She tried to catch Ari's eye, but he was completely focused forward. She sighed and tuned back into Tony when he asked her how she got her coin. "What?"
"I mean, I lucked out. I ran into Jim Nelson, do you remember him ... he was part of Paula's team."
"McGee's friend?"
"Yup, that's the one. When he learned that we were here to save Tim, he tossed the coin right to me." He shook his head. "He doesn't deserve to been in that land of the lost."
"I wonder why he would be there?"
Tony shrugged. "He said he was very angry about being dead ... but I mean who wouldn't be? I don't get this place ... I don't think I like the afterlife." He quieted for a moment, then shook his head. "Anyway, back to my question, how'd you get yours?"
It was Ziva's turn to shake her head. "I do not wish to discuss it."
"Aw, come on! I've showed you mine, now show me yours."
"No."
"Ziva ..."
"NO!" She turned her head slightly to him, her eyes haunted. "I ... I am not ready to discuss it." She turned away from him, "Please just continue telling us about the movies you have seen."
Maybe she's right. Maybe none of us are ready for a heart to heart ... "Well, Zee-vah, there was this adaptation ..."
That was how they traversed the beige land, Tony and Ziva talked and talked and talked, but really said nothing. Gibbs was silent, letting Tony be his guide. Ari lead the way and Tim ... he slept, never moving a muscle.
This time, there were no stops or breaks, they all just kept going until they reached the next precipice.
Ari swung Tim off of his shoulders, cradled him then gently shook him. "Neri, come on. It's time to open your eyes."
Sleepy green eyes opened and slowly came into focus. Tim smiled at Ari. He stretched and then slid out of Ari's arms. As he stood and regained his bearings, Ari addressed the team. "We will rest here. Erect your barrier."
"We don't need to rest. Let's just keep moving." Tony argued.
Ari shook his head. "When will you stop questioning me? You need to realize that when I say to do something, it is not out of ego or animosity." He gave them all a hard look. "Besides, who said the rest was needed for any of you. Now, get your camp ready." He turned from them, grabbing Tim's hand as he passed by and the two walked off.
Team Gibbs stood frozen for a few moments. Ziva was the first to start moving, taking off her backpack. Once she started, her two male teammates fell into their regular routine. The three of them kept a close eye on Ari and Tim.
The two had walked far enough away to be out of earshot. Ari had lowered himself to be eye level with Tim and it looked as though they were having a very heated discussion. It seemed that Ari that was the agitated one, his face pinched with worry and concern - while Tim was the one trying to calm and reassure. At the end of the discussion, Ari's head slumped forward in defeat. He sighed, placed his hands on Tim's shoulders, then pulled the boy into a tight hug ... which Tim returned.
"I wonder what that is all about?" Tony remarked.
Ziva pulled her eyes away from the two embracing to face her teammate, however, Gibbs beat her to the answer. "I'm sure we don't want to know, but we'll find out anyway."
Tony and Ziva turned to look at their team leader, but he had curled up in his sleeping bag, his back to them. They exchanged a concerned look then went back to their own preparations.
Ari and Tim didn't come back until the barrier was in place. Ari stopped an arm's length away while Tim walked straight through and went right to Ziva. She sat down and Tim took no time crawling into her lap and was once again fast asleep.
Once Tim was settled and resting, Ari walked over to the edge precipice to stand guard.
Tony had so many questions bouncing in his head that it felt like it was going to explode ... but he knew that there would be no answers for now. Instead of shouting out his frustrations, he just curled up in his sleeping bag, however sleep did not come easily to him.
XXXX
When 'morning' arrived, Tim was once again glued to Ari's side while Team Gibbs broke camp. They were standing ready to go, but Ari wasn't moving. He was holding Tim close to him, staring out over the next level they needed to cross.
Tony decided to break the odd mood that had settled over them. "Sooo, what new fun are we in for today?"
Ari didn't respond right away. In fact, it took so long for Ari to respond that Tony asked his question again. "Ari, man, was are we in for now?"
Without turning away from the precipice he answered DiNozzo. "What follows apathy?" Ari paused only for a moment, not really expecting them to answer. "If you don't want to do anything for yourself, what is the next best thing ... to get someone to it for you."
He finally turned to look at them, worry written all over his face. "We are entering the level for manipulators. These are the souls who, while alive, got others to do their dirty work. Theft, murder, rape - none of it done directly by the person orchestrating it."
"Brother, why are you so worried about this land?"
He turned to Ziva. "This is a land of whispers; false promises and sweet lies flow in the wind - tantalizing and alluring."
"You think we're vulnerable." Gibbs stated.
Ari shook his head. "As living souls, I don't know if you'll even hear them."
"Then what are you worried about?"
Ari gingerly put his hand on top of Tim's down turned head.
"Tim? You're worried about him? Why?" Gibbs asked incredulously.
Ari squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Because ..."
When he paused, they could all see the internal debate he was having. They could also tell exactly when he reached his decision.
"We are wasting time, come on."
He made Tim release his grip on his leg, taking his hand instead, then they started down the stairs.
Gibbs looked at both Tony and Ziva and sighed before following Ari.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Tony remarked as the gestured for Ziva to go ahead of him.
"Do not invite trouble, there is more than enough in this place."
He started to tell her that he was quoting George Lucas' epic, but realized it didn't matter. He shook is head as he too started down the steps.
XXXX
This time, the monotone landscape was an ashy green, it gave the appearance of looking out an extremely dirty window.
No boulders dotted this landscape, in fact there was nothing to break up the scenery - no odd trees, no hills, no valleys - only flat depressing dirty green as far as they could see.
A light breeze blew past them, not warm or cold, just a movement of stale air.
Tim held the side of this head and groaned lightly. Ari squeezed his hand in encouragement, but kept moving.
Another stale breeze blew by and Tim fell to his knees, still holding the side of his head. Ari dropped down with him. He placed a hand over each of the child's ears as if trying to block out an offending sound.
"Neri?"
"I have to help them Ari! I ... I can! I can help!"
"No, Neri. You musn't listen to the voices."
"But ..." Pained and pleading green eyes looked up to the Israeli.
Ari shook his head, then closed his eyes. The strange black aura once again emanated from him, this time focused only at his hands. "Better?"
Tim gave a slight nod and placed his small hands on top of Ari's wrists.
Ari smiled at him. "Close your eyes and just concentrate on the feel of my hands."
Tim did as he was told. Once he was in deep concentration, Ari turned his head over his shoulder. "Ziva, raise your barrier."
Tony protested. "We've barely covered any ground, why ..."
"Stop questioning me! The barrier needs erected, NOW!"
Tony blinked at the vicious tone. Ziva, on the other hand, moved into action right away. She worked quicker and more efficient than she ever had and the barrier was up in record time.
"It is ready, brother." She said breathlessly.
Ari nodded then stood, keeping his hands over Tim's ears. They moved as one unit towards the barrier. When they reach the outer edge, they paused.
"Ari?"
He smiled at Tim. "It will be okay, I promise. Now, go to Ziva."
Still holding onto Tim, he pushed the child through the barrier. As soon as his hands touched it, they began smoking, however the smile never left his face. Once Tim was safely on the other side, he finally removed his hands ... which kept smoking even after he had pulled back completely.
Tim dropped to his knees again and Ziva was by his side in an instant, scoping him up into her arms.
"Keep him distracted. Talk to him, make him talk to you. Anything to keep him from hearing the whispers."
"Whispers?" Ziva asked as she cradled Tim.
"Remember what I said. The wind you felt were the temptations of the souls that inhabit this land."
"Why is it painful to him?" Tony asked.
"It's an overload, too many voices all at once."
"But why ..."
"Well, DiNozzo, think about it." Ari huffed out in an exasperated tone. "Who are the perfect targets to be manipulated? The good of heart. They want to help someone in need. Manipulators turn themselves into false victims, getting the good hearted to do terrible acts."
Tony's eyes grew wide when he realized the truth of what was going on.
"So how do we help him?" Gibbs asked.
"There is a cottonwood tree not far from here. By placing the blossoms in your ears, it can block the voices."
"Should we not come with you?"
"No, sister. As you saw, Neri cannot make it far without the voices incapacitating him. Your barrier will help, a little."
"Only a little?"
He nodded. "That is why you need to talk to him."
"Couldn't you just keep your hands over his ears?" Tony wondered.
"No. Not only would we not be able to move with any speed, but we could end up drawing ... unwanted attention."
"Should one of us come with you?"
"I will move faster on my own. Besides, do you really want to spend one-on-one time with me?" The leer Ari gave was only half-hearted.
Tony, however, felt relieved. He nodded to Ari, then turned away to finish laying out his supplies.
Ari looked worriedly at Tim, then reluctantly turned away.
As Gibbs' watched, Ari's speed increased with every step and he was out of sight in the blink of an eye. Gibbs wasn't worried about Ari not returning, he knew the connection he had with Tim would ensure it. He sighed, then looked over to Tim and Ziva.
Ziva was holding him close, her arm wrapped around his head in a way that covered his ears in an attempt to block out the voices. She was quietly talking to him, trying to keep Tim's focus on her.
Tim had pain etched on his small face, as if he was suffering from a migraine. Occasionally, he would let out a tiny whimper, but otherwise he was quiet.
Tony came up from behind Gibbs and also watched his two partners. Both men felt useless, since Tim hadn't acknowledge their presence yet, they knew they couldn't help. Tony started to say something, but Gibbs beat him to it.
"Come on DiNozzo, let's finish getting camp set-up. We don't know how long we're gonna be here."
Tony studies his boss, clearly seeing the distress and worry written all over his face. Instead of commenting on it, he turned back to the camp, getting lost in his own thoughts.