Chapter Twelve
Ray drove Tony to Gibbs' house. He pulled the car up and looked at his boss sitting beside him.
"Now why are we here again?" he asked with a smile.
"I need to talk to a couple of people in there," Tony answered.
"Agent David follows Agent Gibbs orders without a fight. That must annoy you," Ray said.
"It used to not bother me," said Tony.
"But you've gotten used to being the boss, huh?"
"You trying to tell me something, Ray?" he asked.
"Yeah, boss, I am. Your old tea, dynamic has changed. You are used to being a boss now. You expect certain reactions and they still think of you as part of their team," smiled Ray.
"Okay, I got it," smiled Tony.
Tony got out and Ray waited for him in the car. Behind the door, Tony could hear voices and laughter. He knocked on the door.
"Come in, DiNozzo," he heard Gibbs' voice call.
He entered and saw everyone with plates of Chinese food and drinks. Abby handed McGee her plate and drink, got up from the couch, and ran to give him a big hug. He squeezed her back.
"You haven't come to visit me since you've been back, Mister," she said to him.
"I've been busy, Abs," he said then gave her forehead a kiss.
"Not good enough an excuse," she said.
"I know."
She returned to her seat beside McGee. Ducky gave Tony a warm smile and wave, while Ziva looked at him and gave him what he called her Mona Lisa smile.
"DiNozzo, follow me," said Gibbs.
Tony looked over at Gibbs, who motioned him towards the kitchen. He followed. When they got into the kitchen, Gibbs got him a cold beer and handed it to him.
"I have eucalyptus tea in if you want a cup," Gibbs said.
Tony smiled. Gibbs bought the tea just for him knowing it was part of his daily routine now.
"A beer is fine with me," he said.
"Do you people have any idea how you're going to handle the search for Bodnar?" asked Gibbs.
"We're laying a trap for him. We are putting together the bait now," answered Tony.
"Ziva?" Gibbs asked and his tone and eyes immediately darkened.
"No. We are not using Ziva," he said. "I refuse to use her, Gibbs. I think you'd know that by now."
"Good job," smiled Gibbs. "When are you springing it?"
"Two weeks," he said.
"It's going to be hard holding her back and keeping her safe for two weeks. She wants to take him out herself," Gibbs commented.
"If she does then she'll have plenty of people in this country looking for her head. Keep her calm and on the sidelines, Gibbs," said Tony.
"Tough to do," Gibbs said.
"If anyone can do it, it's you, boss. She listens to you," said Tony.
Gibbs chuckled and rolled his eyes at this.
"I might need some help," said Gibbs.
"I recommend handcuffs and a really good pair with a topnotch lock. She has a knack at picking locks," smirked Tony.
Gibbs was about to respond when Ziva appeared in the kitchen door. She was staring at Tony. Gibbs looked from Tony to her and shook his head.
"I think I'll get back to the party," he said.
Gibbs left them alone in the kitchen. Tony took a swig of his beer, but decided to keep his mouth shut. He wasn't sure what he wanted to say or how to say it. Ziva walked up to him, took his beer from him, and then took a sip of it.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked.
"Nope," he answered, which was a bit of a lie. He was still annoyed at how easily she fell under Gibbs' influence, but it seemed petty to admit that. Ray was right about a few things.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
He lifted his eyebrows and rolled his eyes.
"Other than trying to find Bodnar?" she asked.
"We are using my idea to bait Bodnar," said Tony. "I'm just feeling some pressure."
She handed him his bottle of beer back to him then she moved in close to him, got on her tiptoes, and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"I thought no fooling around until Bodnar is caught," he said.
"It was just a friendly kiss," she smiled.
"I'm not feeling very friendly," Tony said.
"You understand why I need to do this, Tony; don't you?" she asked.
"I understand, Ziva."
"I'll be staying at Gibbs for a while," she said. "He wants me in protective custody."
"I agree," Tony sighed. "I wish I was the protection though."
Ziva smiled at this remark.
"Then who will protect me from you?" she asked him.
A devious grin lit up his face, "I have no intention of hurting you, Agent David… much."
"You are going to be careful, Tony?" she asked changing the tone of the conversation.
"I'm always careful," he said with bravado.
"Tony, I don't want you hurt. I want you working in perfect order," she said then she reached up, put her hand behind his neck, and pulled him down for a hard and passionate kiss.
Tony lost himself in that kiss for a few moments then he regained his composure and started nibbling her neck.
"You better stop or I won't let you stop," Ziva said in a husky voice.
Tony took a step back from her. They stared at each other neither one of them wanting to break contact.
"Ziver," came Gibbs' call, "bring a couple of beers back with you."
Ziva smiled. Tony rolled his eyes.
"Let's rejoin the party. I think I've got another fifteen minutes to spare before I have to go."
"Do you have to go soon?" she asked.
"I'm afraid so, Zi," he said. "There is a lot of shit we have to work out to make this trap work."
"Tony, just make sure that you aren't part of the trap," she said.
"No need to worry, Zi; I won't do any stupid," he said.
"You better not."
NCIS
Tony sat in MTAC along with Vance and Craig waiting for Director Elbaz to make an appearance on the big screen. Vance glanced over at Tony. He seemed preoccupied as if he was thinking of something other than what they were there to talk about with Elbaz. Vance had to admit that he sort of missed the nonstop remarks and comments about movies.
"Elbaz wants to have more joint ops with NCIS. She wants you in charge of them at NCIS and her contact main contact at headquarters," Vance said to Tony.
"She wants to turn me into George Smiley," grinned Tony then shook his head in disbelief.
"I don't have a problem with it," said Vance.
"I thought Jerome and I made a good team together troubleshooting the system," said Tony.
"We do," added Craig.
"It's time you take another step up the pyramid, DiNozzo. I never thought I'd say it but you have what it takes to be at the top," said Vance.
"I never thought I belonged that high up the pyramid, Director. I always thought I'd be Gibbs' SFA and then take over for him when he retired. That changed, though. What I've been doing feels good enough," he said.
"Good enough isn't enough, DiNozzo. You can do more and be more," said Vance.
The technician to Vance, he had Elbaz on the line ready to appear on the screen. Vance nodded yes. The three men stood up and proceeded to walk to the open area in front of the big screen. Elbaz appeared.
"Director, it's a pleasure to see you again," Vance said.
"How are your children, Director Vance?" she asked.
"They are doing fine. Thank you for asking," Vance said.
"I know Bodnar took much from you when he ordered Eli's death and he also took a mother and a wife. He has much to pay for," said Elbaz.
"He'll pay for it soon enough," said Vance. "You reviewed our plan?"
"Yes, and I agree with it. I intend on being in the US, though, to see this done. I want to see his body in person after he is taken down," said Elbaz.
"I take it there is no way I can talk you out of coming to the US," said Vance.
"No."
"When can we expect you and your double in DC?" asked Vance.
"Eight days," she answered. "Now can I ask a question?"
"Of course, you can, Madam Director," said Vance.
"Is Assistant Director DiNozzo going to take the offer I made him?" she asked.
Vance looked over at Tony. Jerome then looked over at Tony. Tony didn't say a word or move. It was as if he thought by standing still they would all pretend he wasn't there. Vance smiled.
"DiNozzo, answer the Director," said Vance.
"I have to answer this now?" he asked.
The expression on her face was one of amusement mixed with impatience. She wanted an answer to the question and she wanted it to be the answer she wanted.
"Yes," said Elbaz.
Tony took a deep breath then answered, "Yes."
"Good choice," she smiled then the screen went blank.
"I'm not so sure about that," Tony said with a sigh.
"I think it is," said Vance. "As of now you are Assistant Director DiNozzo assigned to the Director's office. Take a good look around MTAC here, DiNozzo because it's going to be your office in many ways. I'm going to place you in charge of foreign offices and ops."
"It looks like we will still be dealing with each other a great deal, Tony," said Craig.
"I take it you want Ray and Sonia," Tony said to Craig.
"They are more useful in the field. You'll have to find yourself a new team," said Craig.
"We'll talk about that later. For now the number one priority bringing down Bodnar," said Vance.
"Yes, sir," nodded Tony.
NCIS
The bullpen was busy. They had a missing petty officer and it appeared to be linked to the theft of funds out of the Quartermaster's Officer in Norfolk. McGee and Probie MacDonald were sent to Norfolk, while Gibbs kept Ziva close to home. She was tasked with doing the computer work including running down his financials. This frustrated her. She needed help, so she went down to Abby's lab.
When she entered instead of her usual loud, head banging music, there was Sinatra playing on her system. The music was melodic and calming, if not elegiac. Ziva was shocked to hear this music be played.
"Abby, is anything wrong?" Ziva asked.
"Shhh," Abby shushed. "Speak quietly."
She pointed to an asleep Tony, who was using her futon as a bed and hippo for a pillow. His suit was wrinkled and his tie undone and hanging from an open collar. Ziva stared at him for a few minutes.
"Why is he here?" she asked.
"He'd been working a long shift, so I made him get some sleep when I saw him in the Director's office. He promised me that he'd take his swim after he woke up," Abby said. "He needs someone to take care of him."
"Yes, he does," said Ziva, as her eyes drifted back to them.
"He going to be staying in DC, did you know that?" Abby asked her.
"No, I did not," said Ziva.
"Yeah, he is now part of Vance's office. I'm glad he's home," said Abby.
"I am, too, Abby. I am, too," said Ziva.
"Now why are you down here in my lab?" asked Abby.
"You it can wait," Ziva said.
She walked over to Tony slept. He moved from his back to onto his side with his back to them. Ziva slowly got down on the floor and molded her body to his body putting her right arm around his waist. He moaned and she kissed the back of her neck. Abby looked at the two of them and smiled from ear to ear.
NCIS
Gibbs tossed and turned on the sofa. Ziva was asleep upstairs. He knew that she had her Sig Sauer under her pillow and he had his on the coffee table beside the sofa. Even though, he trusted that DiNozzo had a good plan to draw out Bodnar, he knew that Bodnar's hatred for the David family would mean he wouldn't give up trying to get to Ziva.
He moved from his left side to his right side so that he was now staring at his Sig Sauer. Outside on the porch he heard a creak in one of the wooden boards. He knew that the porch was in need of some work, but neither a cat nor a dog could make any of those boards creak. You needed to be a grown up human.
In a second, he got up off his sofa and grabbed his gun. He got set in a defensive position and ready for someone or two to come through the front door. He only hoped that Ziva and he light sleeping habits heard him get up.
Someone started to open the door but before the door was fully open there were three shots fired. Brain matter and a body came through the door, followed by another man coming through the front widow. Gibbs fired two in the chest and two in the head. The man hot the floor then Gibbs heard four shots behind him and turned to see Ziva on the stairs and another dead body on the floor between the living room and the dining room. He looked up at her and Ziva nodded at him.
Just then, they heard some coming up the steps of the porch.
"It's me. Ray. Tony sent me to watch over you two," Ray called.
"Agent Talbot get your ass in here," growled Gibbs.
Ziva came down the steps.
"I should call the police and NCIS," she said.
"Check the bodies and see if you recognize any of them," said Gibbs.
Ray stepped over the dead man in the doorway and entered Gibbs' house. He had a slight smile on his lips.
"Sorry about the mess," he said.
"How long have you been babysitting us?" asked Gibbs.
"Pretty much since the beginning. One night me and one night someone else that Assistant Director DiNozzo picked," said Ray.
"Remind me to thank DiNozzo," growled Gibbs.
Ziva finished checking all three bodies, as she talked on her smartphone. She hung up then looked at Gibbs.
"They are Kidon. Two I recognize and the third I came assume he is part of the unit," said Ziva.
"I thought they were supposed to be super assassins," grinned Ray.
"I guess then didn't expect to be shot in the back of the head," said Gibbs.
"Oops," was Ray's response.
"I thought you were supposed to be leaving with Deputy Director Craig," said Ziva.
"I told them that I resign and so does Sonia. We work for DiNozzo or we move on," he smiled.
"What does DiNozzo have on you?" asked Gibbs.
"He saved my career and life," said Ray. "I think of him as a friend and I have very few friends. Understand?"
"Yeah, I do," said Gibbs.
The police sirens could be heard in the background. Both men looked over at Ziva. She was staring at one of the dead men.
"What's wrong, Ziva?" asked Gibbs.
"I want to be there when they take down Bodnar, Gibbs. I have to be there," she said.
"Well, you know what that means," Gibbs smiled, "talk to DiNozzo."
She looked up at him and smiled slyly, "I will."
"The poor bastard," smirked Ray.
NCIS
Tony sat in MTAC in the dark. The technicians were busy checking satellite feeds and uplinks. He sipped his tea and took a deep breath. Ray had briefed him on the action at Gibbs' house. He was glad that his setting Ray as a babysitter worked, but he had managed to avoid Gibbs and Ziva since the action occurred. They would probably want to lecture him on his having Ray protect their sixes without telling them.
"Assistant Director DiNozzo," the tech manager called to him.
"Yeah," he said.
"We'll have Dubai up for you in half hour," the manager said.
"Thanks," said Tony and he sipped his tea.
"Have you been avoiding me?" Ziva asked him as she slipped into the seat beside him.
Tony choked on his tea and then spilled some on his tie.
"Damn it, Ziva, you scared the shit out of me," he said.
"And you didn't tell Gibbs and I that you have Agent Talbot babysitting us," she said.
"Sorry for caring," he said.
"You are forgiven," she smiled, "if you do one thing for me."
"You cannot be part of the op to draw out Bodnar," he growled.
"I do not want to be part of it. I want to be there when you take him down," she said.
"No," he answered.
Ziva shifted in her chair and surreptitiously reached into his crouch and grabbed his privates. Tony shifted then he glared at her.
"These belong to me now. If you want them back, then do me this favor," she said.
"Are you threatening me?" he asked.
Ziva smiled then she leaned in and whispered into his ear, "What I can hurt, I can also make feel better, Tony. If you want me to make it feel better then let me be there."
Before she let go of him, she squeezed his privates causing a quiet yelp to come from him. The technicians looked over at him and he glared at them, so they went back to their work.
"Do this because you love me, Tony, and you want to influence my answer on that question you asked me," she said.
Tony sighed then he rubbed his face with his right hand.
"Okay, I'll talk to Vance. Maybe you and Gibbs can be in the MTAC viewing all the surveillance cameras when it goes down," he said.
"No better than MTAC?" she asked.
"From MTAC you'll get all the best views. Trust me," he said.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek then said, "I trust you."
Ziva got up and walked out of MTAC. Tony sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"Okay, I can't say no to her," he said to himself.