Chapter Eight
It was two in the morning. Their transport plane had landed two hours early. Deputy Director Craig and Tony were driven a short distance to the NCIS headquarters. After a quick debrief, Tony headed home. During the ride, he kept hoping that Abby stayed behind to see him. He let himself into the bungalow to find a note from Abby waiting for him.
Tony,
I went home with the team since I didn't know when you'd be back. Please, don't be a stranger. You know where you can find me, so call.
Abby
He was alone again. Everyone was back on DC, except him. His surrogate family back where they belonged and he was still on his own. Maybe that was just the way it should be. Hell, most of his life was spent like that. He dropped his bag on the floor then he walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. There was a pitcher of ice tea and a few beers and not much else in it. He grabbed a beer and opened it.
Taking a long swig, the beer was cold and refreshing. There was a time he'd have five or six beers before going to bed, but those days were over. Brad had finally succeeded in changing his behavior. No matter how long the day was in the Philippines, he drank his tea, did his laps, took a run, and even managed to do his breathing therapy to the steam inhaler. He even managed to eat somewhat healthy.
Tomorrow in the afternoon, he was meeting with the Five-O team to work out a working agreement. They were a talented group of investigators. His team could learn from them. Better to be allies then adversaries. He took another long swig of his beer. Not tomorrow, but maybe Wednesday or Thursday, he'd Skype with Abby. Hell, maybe he'd even man up and call Ziva, though that was less likely. What he had to say to her needed to be done in person. He wasn't even sure he had the courage to say the words anyway.
Tony took long swig almost finishing the bottle of beer. Nothing in life truly came easily for him. Yes, he was blessed with athletic talent, but his knee was blown out denying him a professional career. He had a natural talent for a being a cop, yet, he never staying in any police department for more than two years because of circumstances. Without a real home after his mother died, he finally found one with a grump ex-gunny and eventually the team they built. Yet, he had to leave that team, that family, because of lungs scarred by the plague. Yeah, nothing came easily to hi.
NCIS
TWENTY MONTHS LATER
Eli David and Jackie Vance were dead. They were assassinated both Mossad and NCIS were in turmoil. The SecNav arrived at NCIS looking upset. Before heading into the Director's empty office, he stopped by the bullpen to check on the investigation with Gibbs.
"Agent Gibbs, what do you have so far?" he asked as he walked up to the man's desk.
"Just dead bodies so far," said Gibbs.
Jarvis looked around and saw that Ziva's desk was clear.
"Where is Agent David?" he asked.
"Down in autopsy with her father's body, waiting for it to be transferred to a temple then released to be flow to Israel," he said. "I believe she is sitting Shiva."
"I see," said Jarvis then he looked at his watch. "Deputy Director Craig and his team will be here in five minutes."
"His team?" asked Gibbs.
"Vance knows that Deputy Director Craig's weakness and a small team around him to help him in his troubleshooting duties. When they arrive they will be in charge," said Jarvis.
"Just as long as they let me and my team investigate this, they can run the rest of NCIS however they see fit," said Gibbs.
Jarvis smiled, "One of his team, assistant director, handles special agents and investigations. I hear he's talented."
Gibbs looked up and glared at the SecNav, "We are going to get you is behind this."
"Then you won't mind some help," said Jarvis, who then continued out of the bullpen with his own small team of people.
McGee, who sat at Tony's old desk, looked up at Gibbs. He knew that his boss' priority was keeping Ziva safe and in finding the murderer of Jackie Vance and Eli David. Just then, the elevator dinged and he looked over to see who stepped out. The first person out was a young woman, in a pants suit. She had raven hair and sharp features and her blue eyes seemed to observe everything. After her was a rough looking guy in a pair of jeans, a jean shirt, leather jacket. Next, out of the elevator was Deputy Director Craig in an expensive three-piece suit and after him wearing a grey Brioni suit was Anthony DiNozzo.
Instead of heading over to the mezzanine steps, they walked into the bullpen. Agent MacDonald, McGee, and, finally, Gibbs stopped working to greet them.
"Deputy Director," said Gibbs then he looked over at Tony and smirked.
"Gibbs, this is my team. I'll let Assistant Director DiNozzo introduce them," said Craig.
"Gibbs," he smiled slyly. "This Agent Sonia Malouf, she our intel analyst extraordinaire, and Agent Ray Talbot, our jack of all trades. I know you headed the investigation but I am going to need copies all everything you have on the case."
"Why?" Gibbs asked.
"Assistant Director DiNozzo will be overseeing the case," said Craig.
Gibbs almost growled at this.
"I'll either be up in the Director's office or in MTAC, Gibbs. Send me whatever you can as you as you can," said Tony.
The foursome continued through the bullpen and up the stairs to the mezzanine. Gibbs watched as Sonia and Tony split off and headed to MTAC. She offered her eye up to the scanner and then they entered. Gibbs shook his head.
"Boss, are we going to give Tony everything we have?" asked Gibbs.
"Put copies on a flash drive and we'll give him everything he wants, McGee," said Gibbs.
"What is he up to?" asked McGee.
"Solving an international case before we have an international incident," said Gibbs.
"Should I warn Ziva that Tony is here?" asked McGee.
"Let her grieve for now. I have a feeling Tony will let her know himself that he is here," said Gibbs.
"I guess I'll continue running the financials on the hitter," said McGee.
"You do that, Elf Lord," said Gibbs with a smile.
It had been a while since Gibbs called him Elf Lord. Tony was back for five minutes and Gibbs was already in a better mood.
NCIS
Sonia walked down to the technicians in MTAC and gave them their orders, while Tony sat down in the theatre seating. As they brought up the satellite link, Sonia sat down next to Tony.
"Seal Team Four was placed on this mission," she said.
"I wanted a marine recon and CIA SOG Paramilitary Operation Officers, but I was overruled," he said.
A green image of an encampment in Afghanistan came up. They watched as Seal Team Four invaded the encampment and efficiently ended the life of the Taliban fighters then started to take photos and DNA samples of some of the dead.
"I'll know if Sarif was there in camp within thirty hours," Sonia said.
"Okay," Tony stood up. "Talk Bahrain and tell me how it went then contact Special Ops Command and thank them. I'll be back."
"Where should I tell Deputy Director Craig that you were going?" she asked.
"Taking a stroll," he said then he headed up the aisle and out of the out of MTAC.
Walking along the mezzanine, he walked to the back elevators and got into it then he pressed the button for the subbasement and autopsy. He knew that Eli's body was still there and more than likely Ziva would be with it. When the doors opened, he exited and started walking towards autopsy.
From the outside, he saw the lights were dimmed and he could see someone sitting in a chair. It was Ziva sitting near her father's body. He took several deep breaths then he entered.
"I still want to be alone, Ducky," Ziva said.
"And after I pay my respects, I've leave you alone, Ahuva sheli," he said.
Ziva slowly turned and looked at him.
"Tony," she said excitedly then calmed herself, "what are you doing here?"
"I'm work with the Deputy Director now," he said, "and I wanted to be here for you."
"That is not necessary," she said.
"Yeah, I know, yet I still wanted to be here for you," he said.
"Well, you are here. You can go now," she said.
Tony looked into her eyes. For a few moments, he thought of arguing with her, but he knew better. She was at her most stubborn.
"I'll be around if you need me," he said. "And we will find those behind your father's death."
"Gibbs will find them," said Ziva.
"Okay," he smiled sadly at her. "I'm here regardless."
Ziva turned her back and went back to her seat beside the body of her father. Tony looked at the body covered with a white sheet. Underneath was the body of a man who once was powerful and feared, but now was no more powerful or feared then any of the bodies in this morgue. Death really was the great equalizer.
Tony turned and walked out of the autopsy. Once he was gone, she turned and looked at the spot where he had been standing. Tears burned at her eyes, but she refused to cry. She'd cry for Eli because he was truly lost, but for Tony she was not going to cry.
NCIS
Agent Malouf and Agent Talbot were left with Gibbs' team in order to help with the investigation, while Tony and Deputy Director Craig headed to Director Vance's home to offer their condolences. The town car pulled over outside of the Vance's home. Tony and Craig got out and walked up to the front door. Craig rang the bell.
An agent answered the door and ushered them into the house. They went into the living room and sat down waiting for Vance. Ten minutes passed before he entered the room.
"Jerome, Tony," he said then offered his right hand for shaking.
Both men stood up and both men shook his hand. He motioned them to sit then he sat down in an armchair.
"How are Jared and Kayla doing?" Tony asked.
"Upset but dealing," he said.
"I lost my mother when I was young. It's a good thing they have you for a father," said Tony.
Vance didn't say anything but instead looked at DiNozzo. The man had changed a great deal over the years. He liked this man better than the one that worked for Gibbs.
"Leon, take as much time as you need. I'll handle NCIS until you are ready to come back and Tony and Sonia and Ray are dealing with the investigation along with Gibbs' team.
Vance thought about what he said. Everything was in good hands, so he could take his time to grieve and take care of his kids. He needed time, a great deal of time, to mourn his wife's death.
"Jackie was a wonderful woman," said Craig. "Leon, please, take as much time as you need."
"I will, Jerome," said Vance.
Tony and Craig stood up. Vance did the same. In situations like this, there just wasn't much to be said. Tony and Craig started to walk to the front door. Before they could get to the door, Vance stopped them.
"Jerome, Tony, take good care of NCIS until I return," Vance said.
"We will, Leon," said Craig.
"Yes, sir," said Tony.
With that, they left Vance alone to deal with his mourning and his children.
NCIS
Craig, Malouf, and Talbot headed to the Navy Lodge where rooms were waiting for them. Tony went for a swim in the NCIS pool then went shopping for eucalyptus tea. He arrived at the Lodge around nine. Craig and he got the deluxe rooms, which meant they had kitchenettes, as well as king size bed. After making himself his tea, he turned on the TV and fell asleep watching a Humphrey Bogart movie in which he played a paratrooper trying to find out who killed his buddy.
In the morning, he woke up to a Judy Garland and Gene Kelly musical Summer Stock. He still had movies. Getting out of bed, he took a quick shower then changed into a pair of jeans, pink oxford shirt, a British commando sweater, and a leather bomber jacket. He added his Glock 22, which he clipped to belt on his right hip and his ID and headed off to work. It was only five in the morning.
On instinct, he got off on the third floor and walked through the bullpen. There was a time he would have been the last on into work, but those days were gone. Now he was in early most days and usually stayed late. Hustling up the steps, he went into Vance's office to leave off his sidearm and jacket then he headed for MTAC. He lowered his eye so the retinal scanner could read it then he entered MTAC.
The night shift techs looked at him and waited for him to give an order. Tony took a deep breath and walked over to the sweet spot where you could be easily scene by whomever you contacted.
"Give Mossad. I want to talk to Malachi Ben-Gidon," he said.
"Yes, sir," the lead tech said.
Tony waited patiently. It took ten minutes but finally Malachi appeared on the screen. He looked bone tired and annoyed.
"DiNozzo, my life keeps getting better and better. What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I need some inside information, Mal. Who is up to replace Eli David?" he asked.
"That isn't just some information, my friend that is important information. Why do you need it?" he asked.
"Investigating his death, so I thought I'd like to know who would benefit from it," said Tony.
"You could be a cold bastard when you want," he laughed.
Malachi's face turned serious, as he debated with himself over if he should be honest or not. Finally, he made the decision.
"Two candidates. One is IIlan Bodnar. He was a disciple of Eli David and family friend. Ziva knows him well," said Malachi.
"I need to know what you think of him, Mal," said Tony.
"Ambitious and deadly," said Malachi. "Eli David sacrificed for his country. Bodnar would rather have others make the sacrifice," said Malachi.
Tony thought about that for a moment. Malachi didn't like the man, but he respected him for his skills- ambitious and deadly.
"The second candidate is Orli Elbaz. She would be the first female director of Mossad. Think about that. She should never be underestimated," Malachi said with a smile.
He liked Orli Elbaz. He had all the information he needed, especially since he had grown to trust Malachi. Bodnar was worth looking into more than Orli Elbaz.
"They are both Deputy Directors, aren't they?" he asked Malachi.
"Yes, they are," said Malachi.
"Thanks, Mal, you were a great deal of help," Tony said.
"Well, be some help for me and find who is behind this. Mossad is not a happy place at the moment. It needs to know who did this to Eli," he said.
"I intend on finding the bastard, Mal," said Tony.
He made the cut motion and the screen went blank. When Sonia got in he'd put her on digging up everything on IIlan Bodnar. He'd put Ray on the job of looking in all the dark corners for information. His intelligence contacts and mercs should come up with something.
Tony headed up the aisle exited MTAC where both Sonia and Ray were waiting for him. He smiled. They had been working together for almost two years and now they knew his habits and ways.
"What do you have for us, boss?" asked Talbot.
"IIlan Bodnar. He is homework for both of you. Sonia, you take of legitimate venues and get me everything on him, while, Ray, you do what you do so well," said Tony.
"What's his sin?" asked Sonia.
"He could end up the next director of Mossad," said Tony.
Over Sonia's shoulder, Tony noticed that Gibbs had just come in with his coffee. His former boss looked up at him and motioned him to come down. Tony nodded yes.
"So, get to work and the sooner I get information the better," he said.
"Yes, boss," said Talbot.
"Yes, Assistant Director," smiled Sonia.
They headed off and Tony headed down the stairs into bullpen. Gibbs was sipping his coffee.
"Assistant Director DiNozzo," Gibbs smiled, "you could have warned me."
"Life just kept getting more complicated and busier," said Tony.
"And you were afraid to talk to Ziva," Gibbs said.
"I dropped Abby a line now and then," he smiled.
"Ziva needs your support and, more than likely, your protection, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"I know, Gibbs."
"Any leads?" he asked.
"Working on one," said Tony. "Who benefits the most with David's death? The answer came up with two names and one of them seems worth pursuing."
"And the name is?" asked Gibbs.
"IIlan Bodnar," said Tony.
"An inside job," growled Gibbs. "We need proof."
"I know, Gibbs. If he did then we'll have proof, and the new Mossad director will owe me a favor," smiled Tony.
"You've become a politician, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"No, that Craig's job," said Tony. "I'm just learning how to survive on the level."
Tony looked over at his former desk. He could tell that it was occupied by McGee. Gibbs noticed the expression on Tony's face. He suddenly looked forlorn.
"You miss it?" he asked him.
"Being a field agent?" Tony said.
"Yes."
"Yeah, boss, I miss it. I miss a lot of things, but those days are over," Tony said.
"How about you come to my place for a steak tonight?" asked Gibbs.
"Cowboy-style?"
"Yeah, DiNozzo, cowboy-style," said Gibbs.
"Sounds good, Gibbs; I'd like that."