Gibbs looked down, then back up at Tony's dad. "They are off the grid. There are people who want them dead. I had you come down here to protect you. Whoever is after Tony may go after those closest to him."

Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. looked like his world had come to an end. "And what am I supposed to do? Hole up in some 'safe house' somewhere?"

Gibbs smiled. "You're already here. Guards will be posted outside."

"For how long?" Sr. demanded.

"For as long as it takes. Until Tony and Ziva surface or until I am convinced that you are not a target. Do you think you can live with that?" Gibbs snapped back.

Sr. looked shocked. "I guess I'll have to." He conceded.

Vignette Eleven: "Roads Taken" – Part Three

New York- May 2013

Tony and Ziva caught a cab outside his father's residence and headed across the river into Brooklyn, where they checked into a Days Inn. Tony had contacted an old colleague from the Baltimore PD who was now working undercover in New York.

Through him, they got the name of a person who could provide them with their new passports and driver's licenses. He convinced him it was for undercover, which was essentially true, and knew he would never tell anyone they had contacted him.

Before they could meet with the contact, Tony and Ziva had to make a few changes to their appearance. They went to a local Hair Cuttery and came out looking completely different.

Ziva now had bangs, to hide her widow's peak, and her hair color was closer to a light brown, golden blond, with highlights. Tony's hair was also lightened, with a bit of reddish tint to it. It was styled with an offside part, both sides coming down straight and long. It made him look younger and in his opinion, dumber.

"I look like an idiot." Tony grumbled, messing with his hair in the mirror.

"I do not know. I think you look hot." Ziva purred. Tony looked at her.

"Well, in that case, you didn't think I looked hot before." He was still fussing at the mirror.

"Tony! The point is to not look like ourselves. You could have purple hair and I would still think you are hot. So quit playing with yourself."

Tony looked up and grinned at that. Ziva made a face at him. "You know what I mean."

Tony took in Ziva's new appearance. "Well, the bangs are going to take time getting used to, and the new color. But I like it." Tony touched her hair.

"And I like your facial hair." Ziva stroked Tony's chin. Tony hadn't shaved since Friday morning, so he only had two days growth, but it was enough to give him a rakish look.

Tony rubbed his face. "Yeah, I haven't decided how far I am going with this. I don't like having a full beard. Maybe a moustache and goatee or jawline beard, you know, and the glasses of course: John Lennon during the 'Sgt. Pepper' era." Tony pulled out the round steel rimmed glasses.

Ziva looked at him, not understanding what he was talking about. She checked her watch. "We need to go. Our meeting is in one hour."

"Yeah, ok." Tony looked one last time in the mirror. They grabbed their gear and headed out.

The guy was every bit as shady looking as Tony's friend had said, but they couldn't deny it: his work was beyond scrutiny.

They had their pictures taken, one for their new driver's licenses and one for the passports, both Canadian. Tony's new name was Thomas Paddington, a native of Great Britain, and Ziva was Lisa Scalia, a native of Italy.

They chuckled at their names, "Tommy" and "Lisa". "McGee will be so proud." Tony said as he looked at their new documents back in the hotel room. Naming themselves after their character names in Tim's novels was a stroke of genius.

If they were in a jam and needed help, it would help to let Gibbs know it was really them. Paddington was Tony's mom's maiden name, which McGee would definitely remember, maybe Gibbs.

They planned to rent a car in the morning and drive to Canada, ending up in Montreal. Once they were settled there, Ziva would make her contacts to find out the latest Intel regarding Bodnar. They would stay there as long as it took.

NCIS

Gibbs had taken McGee, Abby, Ducky and Jimmy aside and told them what he could about Tony and Ziva, which admittedly wasn't much. The team was shocked that Tony would just take off without saying anything; not quite as shocked about Ziva but only because it was clear Tony knew about it. If she had left without Tony…

Abby was particularly upset. "I can't believe they just left us, Gibbs. Without saying goodbye." She wasn't sure if she was hurt or angry.

"Abbs," Gibbs tried to soothe her. "They've gone under the radar. They couldn't tell any of us, for their safety and for ours." He looked everyone in the eye.

"If any one of you hears from either of them, I don't care how insignificant it seems; you tell me immediately. At some point they are going to need our help. I want to make sure they get it. We may not know it's them, so any emails, letters, calls, texts from anyone you get and you don't know who it is, I want it. Hell I don't care; I want to know if you dream about them."

"McGee," Gibbs turned to his now Senior Field Agent. "I want you to rig up Tony and Ziva's work and personal emails to come to you. I want to know if they get anything. And I want to make sure no one comes around questioning why they aren't responding. Same with their desk phones."

"Jethro, what is the story going out about them? I mean, something has to be said to explain their absence." Ducky asked.

Gibbs rubbed his neck. "I don't like this, but the story we are going with is that DiNozzo was offered a top security level job in New York, and Ziva went with him. So top-secret that so we don't know anything about it. And we all knew they were leaving, but they didn't want to advertise it."

Everyone's eyes bugged out at that. "We're actually telling people that Ziva and Tony…" McGee stuttered.

"Yep." Gibbs replied. "But only if they ask. We are not broadcasting any of this."

"So it won't be in the Gossip column of the NCIS Freedom Flyer?" Jimmy chortled. He looked at the expressions of those around him. "I am so sorry, that wasn't…" Gibbs just glared at him.

"Tony's dad is staying with me, for his safety. If I don't kill him first." He added. "We have notified the FBI, CIA and Homeland Security to keep tabs on his apartment. If someone tries to go after him, we want to catch the guy."

"You really are concerned about their safety then, aren't you Jethro." Ducky murmured.

"Well, yeah Duck. Bodnar meant to kill Ziva, but got spooked. He wants to hurt Ziva. I am sure he knows about Tony through Eli David."

"This means they know about his father. What better way to hurt Ziva than to hurt the ones she care about? Including us, I suppose?" Ducky added.

"The good news is that Bodnar should not be able to get into the US without alerting someone. But he won't come after DiNozzo, Sr. or us himself." Gibbs said.

"Yes, of'course. He will send the hired help, like he did before."

Gibbs nodded. "With this increased chatter about Bodnar, it may be a diversion to focus our attention outside our own backyard. Keep your eyes and ears open."

Abby looked pale. "Should I be scared, Gibbs? Can I stay with you?"

Gibbs kissed her temple. "I won't let anything happen to you, Abbs."

"How can you say that? Tony and Ziva disappeared and you don't really know what happened to them. They could be dead, or…or…"

"Abby! They are not dead. They've been planning this for a while. And I can't tell you what I know, again for your safety and for theirs."

Abby leaned against McGee and nodded. "I'll take care of you, Abby." Tim promised.

Montreal, Canada

Tony and Ziva arrived in Montreal without difficulty. The first thing they did was find an apartment to stay in. They weren't sure how long they would be there, so they thought they might as well be comfortable.

They rented a furnished apartment travelling business executive use for long-term travel. This gave them a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as linens and kitchen utensils.

The second thing they did was find a Justice of the Peace. They decided that their alternate selves should really be married, so Thomas Paddington and Lisa Scalia got married on the 26th day of May, 2013.

They had picked out simple gold bands, so they were now wearing their new jewelry, including the engagement ring that had belonged to Tony's mother. Ziva had at first not wanted to take it, for fear of losing it. But Tony convinced her that it would look silly for her not to have a diamond ring, a real diamond ring, so she gave in.

Ziva had left her Star of David necklace at home, so Tony bought her a new Crucifix Necklace, in honor of their "Catholic" faith. Ziva accepted the gift graciously, knowing Tony had been raised Catholic, although he did not practice. He wore one as well, although he kept it hidden under his shirt.

They settled into their "home" and got the lay of the land, making sure they had not been followed or compromised in any way. Once they were convinced they were clear, Ziva started making some inquiries.

They had purchased quite a few burn phones. One call, one phone. They weren't taking any chances. If they wanted to use the internet, they went to the public libraries. They created a new email account for themselves, using Hotmail.

NCIS- June 2013

While Gibbs was up in Vance's office, Tim got an email sent to Ziva's home computer. It was in Hebrew, so he contacted one of the Analysts to translate. He waited until Gibbs came down before he showed it to anyone.

When Gibbs finally came back, he looked grim. "Everything ok, Boss?" McGee asked nervously.

"An attempt was made on Tony's dad last night." He said quietly. Tim looked startled.

"Here?" He asked, confused.

"No, McGee, in New York. The good news is we have the guy. So maybe we'll get some decent Intel on Bodnar. What's that?" Gibbs pointed to the paper in McGee's hand.

"An email, Boss. Sent to Ziva on her home computer. It's in Hebrew." He added unnecessarily.

"I can see that, McGee. I'm guessing that's why Berman is here?" Gibbs looked pointedly at the Analyst.

"Uh, yeah. Here." He gave the email to Gibbs and they went into a conference room. Once the door was closed, Gibbs looked at Berman. "This is 'need to know' and you don't. Just translate and say nothing more about this got it?"

Berman nodded and took the email. His eyebrows rose a bit as he was reading. "If you could read it out loud, that would help." Gibbs commented drily.

"Sorry, I just wanted to make sure I got it all. 'Dear Ziva, I am sure where your thoughts are this Father's Day, knowing how you disappointed and betrayed your own father. He was never proud of his "American Daughter" and I am disgusted to even know you. You must be so proud of your new life, but do not think you will ever enjoy it. Your Agent DiNozzo will soon learn that his father is forfeit, if he has not already heard the news. I will not stop until you have suffered completely.' Uh, that's it." Berman's mouth was dry.

Gibbs looked sharply at McGee, having just shared the news of the attempt on Tony's dad. "Ok, thanks Berman. You never saw this." Gibbs dismissed the Analyst. "McGee, with me." Gibbs and McGee headed back to Vance's office.

Vance was still in MTAC with the units in New York. Gibbs silently handed over the email and translation. "This just came. He doesn't sign his name, but it has to be from Bodnar."

Vance read the email, growing more disturbed as he read. "It would appear that he does not know they have left DC." Vance commented. He looked at Gibbs. "The assassin gave the 'all clear' to Bodnar, so he would believe that Mr. DiNozzo had been dispatched as planned. That explains the timing of this email; he would have waited for confirmation."

Gibbs nodded. "Are they keeping this out of the news? I don't want Tony hearing some news report somewhere that his father was killed, especially when he wasn't."

Vance shook his head. "As far as any local news, 'Man killed by intruder, still to be identified pending notification of relatives.' The story will then be buried. Have you heard from either of them yet?" Vance looked sharply at both Gibbs and McGee.

They both shook their heads no.

Vance looked at the email. "Well, Bodnar is stepping up his game. He will expect a response." He looked significantly at Gibbs.

"Oh, we have a response for him." Gibbs ground his teeth. "McGee, set me up on Ziva's account. I'll send the response."

McGee looked pale and uncertain as to what Gibbs had in mind, but followed him out of the Director's office.

Gibb's sat at Tim's desk after he logged back into Ziva's account and opened the email. Gibbs hit "reply" and started typing:

"Coward! You send little men to do your work for you because you are a little man yourself! You are nothing! You may have blood spilled, but in the end it will be your blood flowing through the streets, blood that will never be the line of David!"

Tim looked at the message Gibbs had just written. "Uh, Boss? Wouldn't Ziva send back the message in Hebrew?"

Gibbs smiled. "Nope. She is wiping the smirk of his arrogant face by reminding him of her freedom and insulting him by writing in English."

"Ok..." Tim looked at the message. "Does this mean something?"

"Oh, yeah. Ziva mentioned to Tony when she was with him in his apartment in January that Bodnar always fancied himself as part of her family. She was very passionate and angry about his self-insertion, and made a point to tell Tony that 'he was not blood.' Ziva just reminded him that he is not the true heir of Eli David."

McGee was impressed. "That's going to make him angry, Boss."

"Ya' think, McGee? I'm banking on it. Maybe he will even try to come over here himself, since Ziva accuses him of being a coward. I'd love to see him try." Gibbs had a vicious gleam in his eye.

Thanks so much for the great reviews and for the favs and follows. I will try to update at least every two days, but with my other ongoing story and work, may be tough. Thanks again for your support!