"Hey, I'm the one who screwed up. I didn't protect you, both of you! This is all…my…fault; it's all…" Tony wrapped his arm over her waist and laid his head down on her bed as close to her as he could get without hurting her or get in the way of her IV's.

Ziva brought her left arm up and cradled Tony's head as much as she could, and stroked his hair. Together they cried, comforting each other.

Gibbs was standing outside Ziva's room, witnessing this private moment of intimacy and sorrow his agents were sharing. He turned away so they wouldn't see him; so that they wouldn't see that he had seen them.

Vignette Nine- "Hello, Goodbye"- Part Six

Gibbs waited about ten minutes, then asked the nurse to let Tony and Ziva know that he was here. He wanted to give them time to pull themselves together before he came.

About fifteen minutes later, Tony came out to the waiting room, looking for his Boss. "Hey, DiNozzo." Gibbs stood so Tony could see him.

Tony still didn't know what to say. "Ziva's awake and they took that breathing tube thing out. The nurse said you could come back." Gibbs followed Tony, retracing his earlier steps.

He stepped inside the room, and relief flooded over him as he saw Ziva looking at him, trying to smile. "Oh, Ziver." Gibbs went over to her and kissed her head. He took her hand and held it tenderly.

"I'm sor…" Gibbs held up his hand. "There was no way you could have known what was going to happen. None of us saw this coming."

"No, Ziva. I'm the one who's sorry." He looked deeply in her eyes, making sure she understood what he was saying. Big tears threatened to flow as Gibbs stroked her hair.

"It wasn't fair. To either of you." He turned slightly to include Tony. Tony tried to look appreciative, but failed.

"Do we know any more, Boss?"

Gibbs nodded. "Ziva, are you able to talk ok?"

She nodded slightly. "Only little. Very sore." Her voice sounded so raspy it made Gibbs wince. "Ok, I'll try to get answers out of you with head nods."

"Boss! I don't think Ziva should be interrogated right now. She just woke up!"

Ziva held out her hand to Tony, and shook her head. "Ok…" She tried to get him to understand.

Tony acquiesced and let Gibbs continue.

"Ziva, did Mrs. Vance shoot you?" Ziva nodded.

"Was there anyone else in the house that you were aware of?" This time, she shook her head "no."

"Did you have any indication that Mrs. Vance would do something like this; shoot you and take off?" Ziva looked thoughtful.

Tony stood up at that. "You thought something was up? Why didn't you say anything?" He was angry.

"Tony…" Gibbs touched his arm. Ziva shook her head, and croaked out. "Not that, then…" she shook her head again, frustrated. Gibbs thought he understood.

"She was acting strange, but you only see it now, you didn't pick up on it then, is that what you are trying to say?" Ziva looked relieved and flashed Tony a scowl and held out her hand toward Gibbs.

"Ok, I'm sorry. It's hard with you not being able to speak. It's like trying to mind read. No, don't get mad, it's not your fault. I'm sure your throat is killing you."

Ziva sighed and relaxed more into her pillows. Gibbs squeezed her hand. "Ziva, you've done enough. I'm going to take Tony for a walk, and then he'll be back."

Ziva's eyes widened in alarm. "Oh, don't worry, I won't hurt him." Gibbs only half-smiled at her. She did not feel relief, and neither did Tony if his expression was any indication.

Gibbs walked him down the hall until he found an empty conference room. "Sit!" Gibbs ordered. He paced about for a minute, and then leaned on the table.

"Rule No. 12, DiNozzo. There's a reason for those rules. It's so people, my team, my family; they don't get hurt!"

Tony watched him silently. "With all due respect, Boss; Rule No. 12 didn't take away that life Ziva and I created; a person with a gun did. Ziva would have been shot whether we were seeing each other or not."

"I'm not going to let you blame me or Ziva for what happened yesterday. Do you think I'm going to end our relationship because of this?"

"Well, think again, because I have no intention of ending it, even if it means you splitting up the team."

"I'm in this for the long haul." Tony was adamant.

Gibbs looked at Tony. "Aw, hell." He dropped into one of the chairs.

"Are you going to split us up?" Gibbs rubbed his face with his hands. He didn't need this shit right now.

"I haven't decided yet. In the meantime, I have some updates for you."

Tony pulled his chair in closer. "There were two Agents assigned to watch the back, Riley and Patrick." Tony nodded.

"Agent Patrick is missing, and blood identified as belonging to Agent Riley was found where their car should have been stationed."

"I have McGee and Dorneget back at the scene this morning to see if anything was missed."

"Dammit!" Tony said. "So, what are you thinking now? Agent Patrick is behind all of this? That would mean it's about the Director's family."

Tony considered the possibilities. "I could never really see Mrs. Vance as a covert operative, so he must have somehow gotten to her before we arrived and threatened her." He looked at Gibbs as if a light bulb just went off in his head.

"I think I know what Ziva was trying to say back there."

Gibbs leaned in closer. "About there being some sort of sign?"

Tony scratched his head. "We took the kids out and she stayed inside. When we went back in to get her, she seemed somewhat flustered, maybe even agitated."

"Ziva asked her if she was alright, but she just said she was upset about everything that was going on and she would be fine once we left."

"If Patrick is involved, he must have given her instructions while we were outside, but I swear I never saw any evidence that anyone else had been there, and I'm sure Ziva didn't either."

"I believe you, Tony. Your job was to get them out of the house and into the car. You did your part."

"But I'm still surprised Mrs. Vance would go along with killing Ziva or me for that matter." Tony was angry.

Gibbs shook his head. "I doubt that was the plan. He probably told her to shoot whoever it was if anyone came back after her, just to get them out of the way while he took off with her."

"That's a big assumption, Boss; based on what? Wishful thinking? I realize this is Director Vance's wife we are talking about, but as far as I'm concerned, she attempted to kill Ziva, ordered to or not."

"And that's why you are not part of this investigation. I can't have biased Agents taking lead on this. That's why the SecNav put the FBI in charge."

"What about Vance?" Tony asked.

"He is at a new FBI Safe House with his children. He is not taking part in this investigation."

"He has been told as little as possible, but Vance is not stupid. I am sure he has figured out there might be NCIS involvement when they moved them."

"Ok, well; good luck to them trying to protect him. I have someone I need to get back to, since I'm not a part of this investigation."

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs stopped Tony before he left the room. "You need to get your emotions under control before your go back to see Ziva. She needs you to be with her 100% right now."

"I get that you're pissed. I'm pissed too. But Ziva needs love and comforting right now, not stupidity."

Tony stopped in his tracks and turned around. "She didn't know, Gibbs. I had to tell her…" Gibbs walked up to Tony and put his hand on his shoulder.

"I know, Tony. And that's why she needs you now. Let us take care of business. You take of Ziva." Just then his phone rang. He held back Tony.

"Yeah, McGee, what have you got?" Gibbs listened quietly, but Tony could tell whatever he was hearing wasn't good.

"Ok, well, I guess we know what we're truly looking at here. I want everything on Patrick. Yesterday!"

Gibbs slammed his phone. "What happened, Boss?" Tony asked quietly.

Gibbs sat again, tired. "They found the car assigned to Riley and Patrick. Riley was stuffed in the trunk."

"He's dead then." Tony made it as a statement.

"No, he's still alive but in critical condition. But we've confirmed that Patrick is the one behind this."

"He missed a casing. McGee found it and Abbs pulled off a print. It was his."

Tony started to put his hands in his pockets, and then remembered he was wearing scrubs. He crossed his arms instead. "So what is his beef with Vance?"

Gibbs looked at Tony like he was from another planet. "I don't know, DiNozzo. Maybe a passed up promotion, maybe he doesn't like the ties Mrs. Vance has been making Leon wear lately."

"Maybe it has something to do with an explosion at the Navy Yard…" He looked significantly at Tony.

Tony's eyes opened wide. "Well, I don't recall him being significantly injured, so if that is his motivation, someone close to him was seriously injured or killed."

Gibbs grabbed his phone. "McGee, we need a list of all fatalities from the May 15th explosion. Also get a list of those most critically injured who died later, those still in hospital and missing."

"Yeah, I know. We need to see if any of them have a link to Agent Patrick. Get Abby, Ducky and Jimmy to help. HR may even be able to provide some data."

"I think I remember the Post listing the names of those killed. Thanks. Yeah, she looks good. I'll tell her." He hung up for the second time.

NCIS

"Did you all get that?" Tim asked. Fortunately, he had the phone on speaker and all of them happened to be in Abby's lab.

"So now Jethro is thinking personal vendetta." Ducky responded.

"But this is really extreme. I mean, I love all of you and if any of you had…you know; I don't think I would plan to take out Vance and his family. This Agent Patrick must be seriously psycho." Abby added.

"Well, we all react differently to tragedy, my dear Abigail. Unfortunately for some, it does take them over the edge."

"If I'm not mistaken, I remember a group of agents who planned a "fact-finding" mission, whose real purpose was to avenge the reported death of one of their own."

Abby and McGee looked at each other when he said that. "That was different, Ducky. It was Ziva!" Abby protested.

"Perhaps this person that Agent Patrick is seeking vengeance for is his Ziva. Oh, don't misunderstand what I am saying. I am by no means validating his actions."

"I'm just reminding each of you that the human mind and heart are complex organs and not dictated by common sense or necessarily a sense of right or wrong."

"Well, I think Gibbs thinking HR would be a good bet is probably our best place to start." McGee turned to Ducky. "Ducky, I think you and Jimmy would be best to go talk to them."

"I don't think what's happened is common knowledge and it would make more sense for the ME to want to complete his records, than a bunch of nosey agents trying to get all the gory details."

"Brilliant, Timothy. I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. What will you be doing?"

Tim looked grim. "I'm going to talk to Patrick's Team Leader to see if he knows anything about his personal life-girlfriend, wife, lover, boyfriend, relative…"

FBI Safe House

Vance finally got his children to sleep. His efforts to get information out of the FBI had been unsuccessful thus far, not to his surprise. Just then his phone rang.

"Vance." He answered curtly. "Shalom, my friend." Eli Vance made good on the promised call he made to Gibbs. "Please tell me that your lovely wife is home and safe."

Leon's mouth formed a grim line. "Shalom, Eli. Unfortunately, my wife is still missing. I am afraid I can't share any news with you."

"I have taken myself off the case since I am so personally involved. I need to be with my children."

"The FBI is running the ball since this is a kidnapping."

Eli listened closely. "Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs said your family was being taken to a Safe House. There has been a threat to your family."

Leon sighed. "I can only speculate that was a ruse to get to Jackie. But as I said, I am not an active part of this investigation, so I have no other information."

"My children and I are at a Safe House as a precaution in case the threat against the family was real."

"I am so sorry you have to go through this, my friend. You are of'course still in charge at NCIS."

"No, Eli. I have stepped completely aside while this investigation is ongoing. All further inquiries are to go through Agent Gibbs, who is Acting Director."

"I see." Eli David carefully considered his next words. "They consider you a suspect."

"They do no such thing, Eli. This was my decision. My children's mother is missing. They need me far more than NCIS does, right now."

"Of'course, that was insensitive of me." There was a brief moment of silence. "Tell me. Have they given you any word about my daughter's condition?"

"I am sorry, my friend. I have been given no further updates beyond the initial report I received from Agent Gibbs, which I am sure is what he told you. You will need to contact him for your daughter's condition."

"Or Agent Anthony DiNozzo, I would imagine. Tell me, Leon. Were you aware that two of your agents are…involved?"

"Eli, as much as I know that probably pisses you off, I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be surprised; but you'll forgive me if I wish to focus on my children right now and not your attitude toward Agent DiNozzo."

Eli David smiled. "You are quite correct, my friend. Please forgive me for bringing my personal matters into yours."

"You and your family have my prayers that your wife will soon safely be returned to you."

"And my thoughts and prayers are with Agent David, Eli. When I see Agent Gibbs, I will ask him to call you with an update."

"Shalom, Leon."

"Shalom, Eli." Vance hung up. "Did you get all of that?" He barked out at the FBI agents guarding him. They just looked at him.

NCIS

Tim had been right to send Ducky and Jimmy to HR. They already had a spreadsheet of the victims killed, injured and died later, injured and still hospitalized, injured and still off work, and those back at work.

Included in the spreadsheets were the departments they worked for, the name of their immediate supervisor and the name of the next of kin who had been notified.

"This is a gold mine, Dr. Mallard!" Jimmy exclaimed. They both poured over the spreadsheet, saddened by how many entries there were.

They concentrated first on the "next of kin" column. Agent Patrick was not listed. They then looked for agents with the same last name or who worked in his particular area.

There was one agent, Agent Gary Simmons from his unit, who had received a minor burn and some smoke inhalation, but was only held in the hospital overnight.

He was back at work within the week, and there was no "Patrick" listed on the spreadsheet.

They jotted Simmons' name down for follow-up; he may have some insight into Agent Patrick's private life.

They then narrowed their search on the female victims. Unfortunately, no ages were listed, so they couldn't narrow the search further to someone closer to Agent Patrick's age unless Ducky or Jimmy had known the woman in question.

When they were done with their analysis, they returned to Abby's lab, figuring McGee would most likely be down there. To their surprise, he wasn't.

"Hi Ducky, Hi Jimmy." Abby looked up from her work. Ducky looked around.

"Where is Agent McGee? I assumed he would be down here?"

Abby shook her head. "He's talking to Patrick's Team Leader, Agent Givens. Don't envy that guy right now."

Ducky nodded in understanding. Abby noticed the sheets in his hands. "What do you have there, Ducky?"

"Well, Mr. Palmer and I have narrowed down the field of possible employees that may be at the root of Agent Patrick's current state of mind."

"If we are going with the premise that he is seeking vengeance for someone who may have been killed or severely injured in the explosion; and they were not an employee of NCIS, perhaps an unfortunate visitor that day, we may be…"

"Screwed." Jimmy added helpfully. Ducky looked at Jimmy. "Ah, yes. Thank you, Mr. Palmer for that summation."

FBI Safe House

Vance followed the FBI agent as instructed, his curiosity peaking. He knew that there had been a breakthrough in the case, and it would only be a matter of time before they had to tell him something.

He was led to one the large vans, that was being used as the base of operations. It was set up with computers, monitors and all sorts of other electronic equipment.

Once he entered the van, he was met by Agent Fornell. "Vance." Fornell acknowledged. Vance barely nodded his head. "I am assuming there is new information that can be shared with me?"

"You are correct, please sit. And before you ask, no; we have not located your wife."

Vance actually felt relief at that, since this seemed to be a meeting of some seriousness, and he didn't want to hear any bad news about Jackie.

"We've been able to determine that one of your agents, Eric Patrick, is behind all of this; He has taken you wife, and we are now working under the assumption that he threatened her in such a way that she was forced to shoot Agent David. What he said or did is not known at this time."

"I have spoken to Agent Gibbs. Agent David is in SICU and is awake. She has been able to identify your wife as the person who shot her, and denies there was another person present at the time of the shooting."

Fornell let Vance digest this news before continuing on. "From evidence at the scene, it appears that Agent Patrick planned to take your wife all along, and it may be he is the one who initiated the threat to your family, so the opportunity would exist for him to legitimately be at your house."

"He disposed of his partner, Agent Riley. We found their agency car and Agent Riley had been shot by Agent Patrick and put in the trunk of the car. Miss Sciuto was able to life a print from a shell casing left at the scene: it belongs to Agent Patrick."

"Agent Riley is in critical condition and it doesn't look good."

Fornell looked quietly at Leon. "Director, is there anything you can tell us about Agent Patrick? Did you know him well?"

Vance thought carefully. "I know all of my agents, especially the ones stationed at NCIS; but I don't know their personal lives."

"From the reports I have received, he was a good agent, conscientious and meticulous in his work, and eager to please."

Vance looked surprised. "What?" Fornell asked.

"When they put up the memorial stone, Jackie and the kids were there. I remember Agent Patrick coming up and thanking me for keeping them safe. He seemed interested in my family, but I didn't think much of it."

"So he could have been checking out your family. I would assume he would have had no reason to meet your wife previously."

"Could have been an act, I suppose; to see what they looked like. He has never been disciplined, and I have never had any personal run-ins with him. What premise are you working on?"

"Unless he just suddenly had a total mental breakdown, we are going with the obvious; the bombing."

"We are looking as deep as we can get into his personal life to see if there was someone important to him who died or was seriously injured."

"It was my car…" Leon still struggled with the concept that his car had the bomb in it. And in many ways, he still blamed himself for the explosion.

If he blamed himself, then why shouldn't every employee at NCIS blame his as well?

Thanks again for the great reviews. I am hoping to close this out soon.