Chapter Ten
Ray and Tony sat on coach of the Al El plane, while Ziva and Shmeil sat in first class. Ziva knew that Tony was there along at least one Mossad officer. It had been arranged, but she decided to act like the only person she knew was Shmeil. She wasn't ready to deal with Anthony DiNozzo. All she knew was that she had to bury her father and after that, she will deal with him.
Tony struggled to get comfortable in coach. He had grown used to Gulfstream jets and first class tickets with the occasional C-17 or C-130 into difficult spots. His back was reminding him of his age and his dislike of coach. Though, he wasn't a field agent any longer so to speak, he managed to do a great deal of traveling as Craig's troubleshooter. He could feel the knot in his lower back tighten, as he shifted in his seat. Since there was still twelve hours of flight left, he stood up and stood in the aisle hoping to alleviate some of the pain and tightness.
"Want to pop a few pills, boss? It will loosen you back right you and maybe let you get some sleep," said Ray.
Tony glares at him, "Yeah, I want to turn this trip into a sequel of the Hangover, Ray. You know that me and pain meds don't play well."
"Well, at least those movies end happily," said Ray with a smirk.
"You like to pull my chain, don't you?" Tony asked him.
"It passes the time, boss," smiled Ray.
"Sonia expects me to bring you back in one piece, so I'll be nice to you this time," said Tony.
Ray grinned, "She's an optimist."
"And you are?"
"A marine, oooh-rah!"
Tony smiled. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Officer Liat Tuvia exiting the bathroom. She smirked at him then she returned to first class.
"This is going to be a long flight," he sighed.
"Well, boss, at least you have me for company," said Ray.
"You really don't like me, do you?"
"Boss, I love you, not sexually, but in a guy to guy way, two men who have shared a foxhole and trust each other," said Ray.
"I think I'm going to cry, Ray. I'm touched," grinned Tony.
"We got to get you a girlfriend, boss," said Ray.
Tony looked towards first class and sighed, "Yeah, I really do need one."
NCIS
The sixteen-hour flight was finally over, yet Tony knew that the fun was just beginning. Mossad had arranged that he and Ray would be given the same treatment as Mossad officers, which meant they would have an easier time through customs. As people collected their things to exit the plane, Officer Tuvia made her way to where he and Ray were sitting.
"We are to stay on the plane, so that disembark onto the tarmac to collect the coffin," she said. "I ask that you just be patient."
"Customs?" Tony asked.
"You have already been cleared through customs as a formality," she smirked. "Oh, and Director Elbaz would like to see you this evening to discuss some things. She said that you can have a working dinner together."
"Sure, I'll probably fall asleep during the main course, but a working dinner sounds fine," said Tony.
"You did not rest during the flight," Liat smirked.
"Coach seats suck," said Tony.
"Ahh, I am sorry to hear that," she said then she walked back to first class.
"I know she is a trained assassin and probably has killed more than one guy, but she has a nice ass," remarked Ray.
"Shut up, or I'll tell Sonia that you look at other women's asses," he said.
"You're a cruel man, boss," said Ray.
It took almost an hour, but finally the plane pulled up near the hangar and a staircase was rolled out for them in order to exit. Ziva and Shmeil were first then Tuvia and another Mossad officer and finally Ray and Tony. They stood on the tarmac and watched as a group of men in coveralls started to empty the plane. One of them drove a luggage carrier out and parked it at the back of the plane.
Tony saw how Ziva continued to ignore him, so he found himself staring at the workers. They were busy trying to get things done quickly, yet he knew there was something wrong with them. It was like a thunderclap suddenly alerted him. Three of the workers were wearing expensive footwear. Two had on highend hiking boots, while the third was wearing an Italian loafer. Airport workers in their position didn't wear expensive footwear. He called over Liat.
"Yes, Assistant Director DiNozzo," she said with a smirk.
"Look at the shoes of the workers, Officer Tuvia," he said.
The smile left her face and she gazed over at the men, who were working now on getting the coffin out. She noticed the difference in footwear of three of the men. They were assassins she thought. This should have been noticed by one of the many Mossad at the airport. Tony looked at her then at Ray. She nodded.
All three of the men went for their weapons quickly. Out of thin air, a firefight broke out. Ziva took Shmeil to the ground in order to protect him from a stray bullet. One of the men gulled an Uzi from under the vehicle that pulled the luggage. He sprayed them with bullets. Tony reacted without thinking pushing Liat out of the line of fire, and then he took a spray of bullets in his torso. The impact sent him backwards landing hard on the tarmac. Ray took the man out with a headshot then he ended the life of one of the others, while the Liat's Mossad partner took out of the final one. Three assassins were now three dead bodies.
The first one up and running over to Tony to check on him was Ziva. The moment she was at his side, she exhaled in relief. He had a bulletproof vest on under his dress shirt. The bullets were at least stopped. Unfortunately, he was still in a great deal of pain and having trouble breathing. Ray and Liat joined her by Tony's side.
"Boss," said Ray, "what's wrong?"
"Broken ribs, can't breathe," he mumbled.
"Damn it," Ziva said then she looked at Liat, "Get an ambulance now. He has lung problems. He needs a doctor now!"
Liat pulled out her smartphone and started to make calls. Ziva tried to calm Tony.
"Tony, don't you do this to me. We have been through too much and still have much to deal with. Listen to me and do as I say – slow your breathing and taking in air into your lungs. You can do it. You have had the wind out of if you and a probably broken ribs. You will not die. You won't get away from me that easily," she growled at him.
Tony nodded and attempted a smile, but the pain and lack of oxygen were taking a toll on him.
NCIS
Director Elbaz with her entourage of an assistant and four bodyguards arrived at the hospital in Tel Aviv and was escorted into a private waiting room where Ziva, Shmeil Liat, and Ray were waiting for news on Tony. When she entered, Liat and Ray stood up from their chairs. She motioned them to sit then spoke to her guards in Hebrew. The four guards went to stand guard outside the door.
"Bodnar is playing a losing game. It was sloppy to try that at the airport," she said. "We will have him soon with mistakes like this."
"A mistake that almost worked if not for Tony. His fetish for expensive shoes came in handy," said Ziva.
"Assistant Director DiNozzo is a capable agent for NCIS," said Elbaz.
Ziva knew it sounded like a statement coming from her but it was actually a question. She wanted Ziva's report on Tony, but Ziva wasn't Mossad any longer. Her days of giving reports to the director of Mossad were long over. She was NCIS.
"He was my partner for many years. He is excellent at what he does, but your officers should be able to tell you that," she said.
"I see," said Elbaz.
"I hate to be a bother, but, Madam Director, you appear to have a reason for coming here. You want information on Anthony DiNozzo. Why don't you ask a straight forward question because you might be surprised by the answer?" said Shmeil. "My Ziva responds to forthright people."
"Alright," she said. "Is he trustworthy?"
"I trust him with my life, which he has saved more than once," said Ziva.
"Good," said Elbaz. "You father was a good man and he seemed to like this DiNozzo."
"No, he wasn't a good man. He was a good Mossad officer and director. My father was a flawed man with many mistakes that he made with his life," countered Ziva.
Orli Elbaz smiled. Just then, the door opened and a doctor walked into the waiting room.
"I am Dr. Adler," he said in Hebrew.
"American here. I'd like to know how my Assistant Director is doing, so can English be spoken. Thank you," said Ray.
"He has two broken ribs one of which almost punctured his lung, a bruised sternum, and bruised coccyx," said Adler. "Because of his existing lung problems, we are going to keep him in the hospital overnight to make sure his pain is regulated and he is breathing well."
"I need access to his room, so I can babysit him for the night," said Ray. "As an Assistant Director in a federal agency, he needs a protection detail under these circumstances."
"You do not have to guard him. We shall take care of that," said Elbaz.
"No, Madam Director, I will guard him. He is my responsibility and my friend. I don't trust you with him," said Ray.
She nodded then turned to the doctor, "Show him to Assistant Director DiNozzo's room."
"Wait," Ziva spoke up. "I will go with you."
Ziva stood up and followed the doctor and Ray out of the waiting room. They proceeded to the private room where Tony was placed. Entering, Ziva smiled when she saw the IV units and knew that they were pumping pain medication into him.
"Row, row, row, an ark, gently through a tsunami," Tony sang then he noticed them entered.
"You've given him strong pain meds, haven't you?" said Ray.
"He was in pain," said Adler.
"Strong pain meds have a unique effect on him, Doctor Adler," said Ziva.
"Ray, buddy, Tel Aviv must have good pizza somewhere in this town. Get me one. The plane food sucked and I don't have high hopes for the hospital," Tony said then he looked at Ziva. "Bella donna, te amo."
"You are loopy, Tony," Ziva said. "Maybe you should not speak so much."
"Loopy in love," he smiled.
The second she saw him get shot Ziva knew she couldn't stay angry at him any longer. For too long they both had been acting like children. It was time to end that.
"I think I'll leave you alone with him," said Adler then he whispered to Ray. "We will change his medication."
"Thanks, doc."
"Ray, Raymond, Raymundo," Tony said.
"Tony, I'm going to be outside for a few minutes. Call if you need me, boss," said Ray.
"Okay."
Ray exited leaving Ziva alone with him.
"I know it's been years since we talked and you are beyond mad at me, but I fucked up. I know I fucked up. I admit that I fucked up. You see I love you and I was hoping that somehow we could talk and I could explain myself and then maybe …," he said to be cut off.
Ziva closed the distance between them and captured his lips with her own. At first, Tony was shocked by her actions then he responded to her deepening the kiss. She broke it off to come up for air.
"You are an idiot and have been for a long time, but you are my idiot. Do you love me, Tony?" Ziva demanded.
"Yes, Ziva David, I love you," he answered in a soft voice.
"Then you have a great deal to make up. You have made mistakes between us and I have, too."
"I know…," he started to say but she cut him off with another kiss.
"We have wasted too much time, Tony. I refuse to waste anymore. I thought you were dead this morning when you hit the ground. I cannot waste any more time with you. Are you in this for real? Do you really want a relationship with him?" she asked him.
"Yes, Ziva, I want a life with you," he said.
"Good, then you will do what I say," she said.
"I have no say in this?" asked Tony.
She looked at him as if he were an idiot for even asking such a question. Tony broke out into a big grin.
"Sometimes it's worth getting shot," he said.
"I need to make arrangements for my father's burial," she said.
"I want to be there," Tony said.
"Just get better. We have much to talk about and some other things to do," she said then a sly smile crossed her lips.
Tony moaned as if he wanted to get out of bed and attack her, but she kissed his forehead. Ziva started to leave the room, but he stopped her.
"Ziva," he called to her.
She turned and looked at him.
"I love you," Tony told her.
"Ani ohev ot'cha," she said.
She left the room. A moment later, Ray entered. He had a smirk on his face, which annoyed Tony.
"So, boss, you feeling better?" he asked Tony.
"I need to get out of here, Ray," Tony said.
"Do me a favor and stay until the morning and I'll get you to the burial of Eli David," said Ray.
"Okay," sighed Tony.
NCIS
It was five in the morning. Ray made the arrangements, including picking up Tony's black Armani suit for him. Once he was dressed in the suit, with a white dress shirt and black tie, Tony followed Ray to the desk to sign himself out. They had a drive to the David Family in Haifa. Ray told Tony to sleep on the way and he'd take care of the rest.
Ray nudged him as he parked near the David Family grave. Tony got out of the car. It was morning and already hot. Of course, Israel did hot well. Immediately several Mossad officers came over to them.
"They are clear to join the funeral party," said Malachi, who came over the moment he saw Tony.
"Mal," Tony said and shook his hand.
He looked over and saw Orli Elbaz along with four bodyguards. There was also Liat and several other Mossad officers, as well as the remaining David family, including Nettie, Eli David's brother, and her cousin Hannah.
"We should join everyone. The rabbi was just finishing up," said Malachi.
They walked over to the small crowd. Tony noticed Tali's tombstone, Ziva's mother's tombstone, and even Ari's. This was Ziva's family and they were all gone. They joined the rest of the people at the gravesite.
Tony glanced over at Ziva. She was in a black dress with a black lace shawl on her head. He had wished he got there early, but he was glad to be there now. Over the years, he'd learn to read Ziva David. He read her moods in all their changes and storms. Most of the time, he even read them right. The Ziva David at graveside was a woman feeling alone and trying not to fall into an abyss of sadness. He was there for her.
Taking a deep breath, he started to move slowly towards her. He knew this might not be the best idea he had, but he needed to be there for it, and by there, he meant standing right by her side. Moving past her uncle and other relatives, he came up beside her and took her right hand in his left hand. Ziva didn't turn her head to acknowledge him, but she did squeeze his hand. He made the right choice.
After the funeral, they returned to the home that Ziva grew up in. It was a small estate in Haifa. Before he could spend a few minutes alone with Ziva, Director Elbaz whisked her away in a Eli's private study. He was standing there with Ray when Nettie came up to him.
"So, you are DiNozzo," she said.
"Yes, ma'am, I am," said Tony. Yes, ma'am, I am. What am I Dr. Seuss?
"You hurt my Zivy," she said.
"I know," he said.
"Are you going to do something about it?" she asked.
"I hope to, ma'am," he said.
"I hope you do, also," said Nettie. "Now, have you eaten?"
"No, I haven't yet," he said.
She took him by the arm and escorted him into the dining room, where a buffet was set up. Picking up a dish, she handed it to him then she started to put some food on his plate.
"Chopped liver, you should have some of that," she said. "It is considered poor man's pate."
She put chopped liver and some crackers on his plate. Next, she put a potato pancake on his plate then put some sour cream and caviar on it.
"I'm giving you a nice sampling," she said.
Next, she placed a knish on his plate.
"I gave you the knish filled with pate. You strike me as someone who likes expensive things," she said to him.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
Next, she put some salad on his plate and then she stopped at the drinks.
"Would you like ice tea?" she asked him.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
She poured him and ice tea then she looked into his eyes.
"Now we can find somewhere for you to sit and we can seriously talk," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," said Tony trying not to sound like a man caught in a trap.
In the study, Elbaz offered Ziva a position with Mossad. They ended the meeting without Ziva giving her an answer. All she wanted at this time was to see Tony. She exited the study and began to greet people moving through the house until he found Tony sitting with Nettie at a patio table in the backyard. They were under a large umbrella and she stopped for a moment to watch him talk to Nettie. The DiNozzo smile was on display and she knew that the DiNozzo charm was also. She walked out in the backyard and both Nettie and Tony noticed her.
"Ahh, the woman you love is her," said Nettie, who stood up from the chair she sat in. "Join him, Ziva. You need him and he needs you."
Nettie walked away. Ziva took her place and sat down.
"I know this might not be the right time," Tony started then looked at his plate. "Knish?"
"No, thank you," she said.
"Well, I know this might not be the right time and, as you said, we have a lot to talk about, but I just wanted to ask you something, which I think is important and needs to be asked," Tony babbled.
"What is it you want to ask me, Tony?" asked Ziva.
"Um… will you marry me?" he asked.