Ziva sighed and looked down. "I do not know. This changes everything. They have now tried to kill you. I cannot let that pass, Tony. I will seek Bodnar, and make him pay."
Tony grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "You do what you need to do, Ziva but promise me you will do it with Gibbs and McGee. Do not go rogue and take this on by yourself. The risks are too great."
"And you are not quitting 'us', I won't allow it. We've come so far, I'm not letting this be another damn obstacle that stops what we have and where we are going. I won't."
The unshed tears in Ziva's eyes fell unchecked. She loved this man so much, but she truly believed that she must be cursed and that to be with her was tantamount to a death sentence. She laid her head down on his bed, allowing him to stroke her hair. She listened as he murmured soft endearments and encouragement to her, knowing it wouldn't last.
Vignette Eleven: Part Twenty-Three
Bodnar Safe House- Northern Virginia
"Very good, Malachi." Bodnar smiled as he spread out the diamonds on the table. He picked up a few to check the clarity. Grabbing one, he tossed it to Malachi.
"For your efforts." He said condescendingly. Malachi looked at the diamond. A reward, he was being given a reward for possibly killing Ziva! Although his order was to only retrieve the diamonds, he couldn't help but wonder if Bodnar hoped the effort had ended in their deaths.
"You have called too much attention to yourself, Ilan. What if Ziva told Gibbs about the diamonds? They will know they are missing. They will know it was not an accident."
Bodnar closed the drawstring. "Of'course they will know it was not an accident, Malachi. Agent Gibbs is arrogant but he is not stupid."
"You do not understand the relationship these people have with Ziva. You have added fuel to the fire. They will hunt you down." Malachi was extremely unhappy with this latest turn of events.
He had witnessed and been subject to enough of Eli David's machinations that he felt no betrayal in backing Bodnar. He would not have advocated his death, but there it was.
Now they were back in the U.S., in the maelstrom. "Hiding in plain sight." Bodnar spoke as if he could read Malachi's thoughts.
"What?" Malachi jerked in surprise.
"I said they will never think to look for me here. They are convinced I am in Europe. I will disappear and no one will ever find me."
NCIS
The team had been working tirelessly, trying to find the missing link with the SUV. Abby called them down to her lab, excited but clearly unhappy.
"I finally got the Dulles Airport security footage from the past 48 hours." She was not smiling.
"Did you find something, Abbs?" Gibbs strolled in front of the big plasma.
"I think so. Here, look at this." She advanced the footage, frame by frame until she got to the one she wanted. "Right there. The two men leaving together. I don't have great angles, but tell me that isn't Bodnar."
Gibbs squinted his eyes, knowing it wouldn't help. "Can you enhance this at all, Abby?" Abby typed rapidly and the image came up larger but not necessarily in better focus.
"It's a pretty good likeness. What do you have on the passenger manifests for flights landing around this time?"
McGee spoke up. "Three flights arrived between three-thirty and six p.m. four days ago, the same day we got back, and the day before Tony and Ziva arrived." Tim pulled up a seating chart.
"There was only one flight where two men were seated next to each other ticketed at the same time."
"From where?" Gibbs asked.
"Berlin." Tim looked ashen. "Of'course, they didn't have to sit next to each other, but I thought that was the best place to start."
"Names?" Gibbs persisted.
Tim looked unhappy. "Anthony and David Elbaz."
Gibbs did a double-take at that. "Son of a Bitch! It's him." Gibbs growled. "Abby see if you can get a better image of the second guy."
"Sure thing, Gibbs." Abby typed some more and brought up the second image.
Tim's mouth opened in shock. "Uh, Boss, isn't that…"
"Yeah. Malachi Ben-Gidon. He played them. All this time, he was on Bodnar's side."
Abby looked crushed. "Do you think he was the one who ran into Tony and Ziva?"
Gibbs looked at McGee and Abby, standing close to one another, shoulders touching.
His ringing phone disrupted whatever he was about to say. "Yeah, Leon. I'll be right up."
Gibbs strode out of the lab, but then turned. "None of this gets to Tony and Ziva, understand? They have enough on their plates right now."
"Got it, Boss." Tim answered for both of them. He and Abby exchanged anxious looks, knowing this was going to devastate Ziva.
Vance's Office
Vance looked at the family photo, rubbing his finger absently on the image of his wife. He sighed deeply, knowing they had failed to bring in his wife's killer. And this latest news was just more salt in the wound. He glanced up as Gibbs came in. "I just got off the phone with Orlie Elbaz. They just apprehended Ilan Bodnar's brother, Yaniv."
Gibbs looked surprised. "His brother? Where does he fit into all of this."
Vance looked pissed. "Apparently he was the one draining Bodnar's accounts and converting the cash into diamonds. He got the diamonds to Bodnar, so he could take off and disappear into the mist. That's who everyone has been chasing while Bodnar sat on his ass."
"He's here, Leon." Gibbs said quietly.
Vance bolted upright, as if sprung from his chair. "Has this been confirmed? What is your source?"
Gibbs cocked his head. "Video feed out of Dulles shows Bodnar and Malachi Ben-Gidon leaving the International Flights area around six p.m. four days ago."
"Ben-Gidon? Wasn't he helping DiNozzo and David?"
"Helping them not find Bodnar. He's been with him all along. Mossad did not know he had turned. He was sent to Bodnar's camp as their spy, not his."
"The old double-cross, hmm." Vance started pacing. "Are you suggesting Ben-Gidon was responsible for the car crash?"
Gibbs sighed. "The diamonds are missing, Leon. If it wasn't him, then Bodnar has at least one other person here helping him. Is Mossad able to get anything from this brother on Bodnar's possible whereabouts?"
"They're still working on it." Vance said, his mouth a thin line of disapproval. Just then his intercom crackled to life.
"Excuse me, Director. Chief Morrow is here to see you."
Gibbs eyes widened. "Does he have your office bugged? He always knows when we get something new."
"That's not a pleasant thought." Vance pressed a button. "Send him in please, Cynthia."
Vance stood and walked over by Gibbs and Tom Morrow entered the office.
"Tom, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Vance was courteous, but in Director mode.
Morrow hitched his eyebrows up. "How are your Agents doing, Leon, Gibbs?"
Gibbs rubbed his neck. "Agent David may be discharged tomorrow. Agent DiNozzo will remain for a least a few more days."
"I see. Then they are permanently off the hunt for Bodnar I would assume?" It really wasn't a question.
"Well, I guess that depends on what happens between now and when they are able to return to the field, Tom. I'm not going to purposely keep them out of this. If anything, David and DiNozzo are more invested in finding him."
"Understandable, Leon. But need I remind you that NCIS still has no jurisdiction in this matter. Yes, Agent Gibbs, I understand that there is a good possibility that he may have been responsible for the accident that occurred with your Agents, but that is not enough to give you the file. This will be handled by Homeland and the CIA."
"It's not just a possibility, Sir. Bodnar is here. He arrived the day before Tony and Ziva did. He came here with another Mossad Agent, Malachi Ben-Gidon. I have no doubt they are behind the accident."
Tom Morrow looked stunned at the turn of event. "You know this for certain? Do you know where he is?"
"Yes and no. Mossad has captured his brother and is interrogating him as we speak. Hopefully we will have a location soon." Vance spoke.
Morrow paced his former office, forming his thoughts. "I need to be very clear here, Leon. This can no way turn into a personal vendetta for your team. NCIS is to back down and sit this one out. I can't emphasize enough how important this is."
"Why? Sir?" Gibbs asked. "Why is it so important that NCIS be left out? I don't understand the reasoning behind this."
Morrow turned to him. "You don't need to understand, Gibbs. You need to follow direct orders. I am giving you a direct order."
"I no longer take orders from you, Chief Morrow. Who are you protecting?" Gibbs asked, unsettled.
Vance looked up at that. "Yes, Tom. Who are you protecting? Bodnar? Or the CIA? Are they somehow mixed up in this whole mess?"
Morrow was silent. When he finally spoke, it was with finality. "For your own sakes, you will step aside and leave this investigation."
Vance frowned. This was the second time Morrow had resorted to veiled comments of repercussions against him or his team should they continue on their present course. It sounded and smelled too much like a threat and he didn't like it one bit.
"Are you threatening me, Tom?" Vance had fire in his eyes.
"Me? No. I am trying to warn you, Leon. Stay out of this."
"Who's threatening Vance and my team?" Gibbs asked.
Morrow turned to leave. "I've said more than I should. Just heed my words and listen to my advice. Good day, gentlemen."
Vance and Gibbs stood in shock as he suddenly left the room. "What in the hell?" Vance began.
He turned to Gibbs. "As of right now, we are actively investigating DiNozzo and David's accident. If that leads us to Bodnar…"
Gibbs smiled. "Oh, yeah. We'll let them know."
Tony's Apartment
Gibbs had reluctantly allowed Ziva to stay by herself after being discharged from the hospital. He wouldn't let her return to her own apartment and his strong attempt to have her stay with him fell on deaf ears.
"Ziva, your accident may have been about more than just the diamonds. Bodnar may still come after you." Gibbs reasoned.
Ziva shook her head. "Then whoever it was that hit us would have done a double tap to my head while I was unconscious in the car. No, I am fine, Gibbs."
Gibbs was exasperated with her, but he felt better about her being at Tony's than her place.
She wandered around the small apartment, touching Tony's things, her fingers lingering over the piano keys. She had seen him right before she left the hospital. He looked better and was getting out of bed, but still had a ways to go before he could come home.
"Please bring me some pizza, Boss. This hospital food is killing me!" Tony insisted, looking so pitiful he and Ziva both laughed at him.
"I will make you many delicious dishes when you come home, Tony." Ziva promised him, and then wish she hadn't. She didn't want to give him hope for their future. Until Bodnar was gone, until he paid for what he did to her father and to Tony, she could think of nothing else. Her life was on permanent hold.
Ziva went to Tony's closet and she pulled out an old OSU jersey. She smelled the worn fabric deeply, drinking in his fragrance that still lingered. Lying down on his bed, she held the jersey close to her, hugging it, caressing it. The sobs came, wracking her body that she ached, but she didn't care. She was crying for everyone she had every loved, and for the life she truly believed she would never have.
Bodnar Safe House-Northern Virginia
"Malachi!" Bodnar's voice was full of venom. "Why did you not tell me that Agent DiNozzo was with Ziva this whole time?"
Malachi blanched at the anger being directed at him. "It did not occur to me that you would be interested, Ilan. Why does it matter?" He stood uneasily by the door, in case he needed to duck for cover.
"Why does it matter? Because I sent that bumbling fool Samuel Rivkin here to kill him, that's why! And the kill was confirmed! That means they have him." He rubbed the back of his neck in irritation.
"And DiNozzo's father? Is he still alive as well? Can I not rely on anyone?" Bodnar threw the book he had been reading against the wall.
Malachi took a deep breath and took several steps away from Bodnar. "Then I am sorry to tell you that I have more bad news."
Ilan spun around and glared at him. "What do you mean?"
"Yaniv." Malachi said quietly.
Bodnar's face paled and he reached for his chair and sat. "Is he dead?"
Malachi shook his head. "Perhaps it is worse. He has been captured by Mossad. He is not trained, Ilan. He will reveal the location of this house."
Bodnar stroked his chin, thinking. He sighed. "You!" A young man came from the kitchen. "Yes Sir?" He asked in Hebrew.
"It is time for you to pay your respect for me." Bodnar replied.
Malachi frowned.
Walter Reed Hospital
"Ok, I got it." Tony was walking in the hall with the assistance of two med techs. He would have much preferred the pretty nurses who graced the unit he was on, but he knew they had more important things to do than hold him in an upright position.
"Oh yeah, that feels good." Tony lied, gritting his teeth. The techs chuckled. "Glad you guys are enjoying this so much." Tony quipped.
"Get the lead out, DiNozzo." Gibbs was standing in the hall by his room.
"Oh, hey, Boss. Yeah, well, you know. Slow go is better than no go." Tony tried to grin, but the pain was really starting to kick in. "Ok, boys, I think I've had enough."
They eased him back into his room and into his bed. Gibbs watched closely, gaging how much pain Tony was having.
"Have you seen Ziva today?" Tony asked.
Gibbs cocked his head. "Oh, yeah. She decided she would come to work today."
Tony looked up, his mouth open. "Wha…?"
"Yeah, I know, DiNozzo. I chained her to her desk." Gibbs took a swig of his coffee.
Tony looked at Gibbs, not really sure if he was joking or not. "How did she get there? She didn't drive did she?"
"Oh, hell no. Not that stupid. Took a cab. She could have just called me. I'll take her home." Gibbs pulled up a chair.
"Speaking of Ziva driving, it's a damn good thing you weren't in her car or we wouldn't be talking right now, Tony."
Tony leaned his head back. He had thought of that multiple times since the accident. "Any updates of Bodnar?"
"Nothing I'm telling you." Gibbs answered.
Tony stared at Gibbs, daring him to tell him. Gibbs just smiled and shook his head. "There's nothing you can do, Tony. No sense getting you riled up of things you have no control over."
"So things are happening." Tony pressed.
Gibbs cocked his head and shrugged. "You can say that. Not sure exactly what, though. Listen, when do you think you might get released?"
Tony shrugged and winced. Reaching with his right hand, he pressed the button on his PCA pump. "Sorry Boss. Will probably zone out soon. A couple days were the last I heard. Have to get rid of these IV's first." He looked around and the two IV bags that were hanging.
Gibbs nodded. "Hey, Boss, can you get McGee or Abby to bring Ziva by?"
"I'm sure Ziva can ask for a ride if she wants one Tony." Gibbs said vaguely.
"Wa…are you sayin' she don't wanna' come?" Tony's words were starting to slur from the Morphine, his expression one of hurt. Gibbs mentally slapped himself.
"That's not what I meant, Tony. I'll see that she gets here ok? You get some rest." Gibbs looked at his Senior Agent's face and watched his features relax as the narcotic finally took its hold.
Gibbs rubbed his face. He knew Ziva was pulling back, he could see it. He didn't want his Agents hurt and this was why he had rules, dammit! He understood where Ziva was coming from. She was beating herself up over this accident. Taking the blame, especially for Tony's injuries.
He hadn't pulled her aside to talk to her yet. He knew she was still working through everything and the shock of the accident had not worn off yet. He also knew from experience that it was best to let Ziva come to him than to force the issue.
But he was going to watch her, to make sure she didn't decide she should take this on alone, to save the team. Her idea of what was best for the team was skewed right now. He needed to make sure she didn't make any major decisions while in such a vulnerable and fragile state.
He really wished she had agreed to stay with him; then he could keep a better eye on her. He snorted, knowing this was probably why she refused. He looked at Tony, who was snoring lightly, his mouth relaxed.
He touched his hand, glad to feel its warmth. Sighing, he headed back to the Navy Yard.
NCIS
Ziva sat at her desk, looking forlornly at Tony's empty seat. She really thought that she would be able to work, but she found she couldn't even focus on simple emails; much less make any leaps in logic.
She rubbed her temples, irritated and tired. McGee had been watching her, concerned. He got up quietly and walked over to her desk. Squatting down in front of her, he watched her until she noticed he was there.
When she looked up, he smiled broadly. "Doing ok, there Ziva?" He asked, knowing she wasn't.
Ziva looked at her friend, thinking for the gazillionth time since the accident that these people were not just co-workers but they were friends, family. How could she justify her actions if she got them all killed?
"I am fine, McGee." She answered automatically.
Tim frowned. "Well, no you're not, but that's ok if you don't want to talk about it. I'm here when you do." He got up and walked back to his desk and returned to work.
Ziva sighed. "McGee."
Tim looked up. "Yes, Ziva?"
She smiled softly. "Thank you."
"Any time, Ziva. That's what friends are for." He turned back to his computer.
Suddenly, Vance came flying down the stairs. "Where's Gibbs?"
McGee stood up immediately. Ziva struggled to get to her feet, but Vance waved her down. "What is it, Director?" She was light headed but chose to ignore it.
"Mossad just called. We got a location for a safe house from Bodnar's brother." Vance looked at McGee, who was already calling Gibbs.
Ziva struggled to stand. "I am going with you."
Vance looked worried. "No, Agent David, you're not. You are not cleared for the field." He took a deep breath. "I understand you desire, no; your need to be there but right now you would be a liability. I can't risk the rest of the team so they can watch out for you. I'm sorry."
Ziva's shoulders sagged and she dropped to her seat.
Bodnar Safe House Northern Virginia
Gibbs and McGee were set up outside, flanked by Virginia State Troopers. More than ever he missed having his two other Agents with him. Ducky and Jimmy were waiting down the road, in anticipation of a negative outcome. The goal was to get Bodnar alive but Gibbs knew that Bodnar would more than likely control his destination.
"Bodnar! You're surrounded. Surrender peacefully and no one will get hurt." Gibbs yelled out. He could make out movement inside the house.
"I'm going to tell you one last time, and then we come in, Bodnar!" Gibbs waited. Suddenly, shots came from the house.
"Take cover! Return fire!" Gibbs shouted. The noise was deafening as the group opened fire, the house literally ripped to shreds. After three minutes of barrage, the site was eerily quiet.
"Go! Go!" Gibbs ordered. He led the assault, followed quickly by McGee. He broke down the front door and cleared the living room.
McGee followed behind him to the hallway and bedrooms. "Clear!" He called out.
McGee went into the kitchen. "Boss! In here." Gibbs followed McGee's voice. He motioned to the floor. Gibbs looked down at a body. "Not Bodnar." He said. Gibbs swore to himself. He pulled out his phone.
"Yeah, Duck. Come on up, we got a body for you." He then called Vance.
"Leon? Yeah, we got someone, but not Bodnar. I'll let you know when I have more. No, don't say anything to Ziva or Tony just yet."
He looked down in disgust at the body, wanting to kick it as Ziva had kicked her father's killer.
He looked up as he heard the van. He went out and grabbed some gear to start working the crime scene, and got busy taking photos. By the time he was done, Ducky and Palmer had arrived.
"All yours, Duck." Gibbs said. He noticed Palmer looking at him in amusement. "Something bothering you, Palmer?"
"No, no! It's just I've never seen you do anything at a crime scene before, uh, that didn't sound right. Ahhh…I've never seen you do any actual work." Gibbs looked up at him.
Ducky glanced up from his squatted position on the floor. "I suggest you do your work, Mr. Palmer before I have two bodies to examine."
Tim came in from one of the bedrooms, holding up a driver's license. "It's bogus. The driver's license number doesn't exist in the Virginia DMV database. And I'm sure his real name isn't Carl Miller."
"Yes, I tend to agree with you, McGee. This miscreant has no fingerprints." Ducky responded.
Palmer pulled out a piece of paper between the unknown man's legs. "Got something." He handed it to Gibbs.
He opened up the paper and read "See Riesiger 19." Ducky stood up.
"Riesiger? Sounds like a name." He said.
Gibbs looked at McGee. "You and Ziva run across anyone named Riesiger while you were tracking Bodnar?"
McGee looked blank. "No, I don't think so." Palmer found a medicine bottle in one of the man's pockets and opened it, pouring out its contents.
"Looks like some polished stones." Jimmy held them up in his palm.
Gibbs bent down and took them. "Uncut diamonds, Palmer. His payment for helping Bodnar." McGee looked at Gibbs.
"With the rest of the diamonds, he could hide forever."
Which was exactly what Ziva was worried about, and why they knew the accident had been on purpose. Now that he had his funds, he could hide anywhere.
Walter Reed Hospital
Abby had taken Ziva to the hospital to visit with Tony, since she was so agitated to not be in the field with Gibbs and McGee. She kept checking her watch and phone.
"If you're not careful, I'm going to think you really don't want to see me." Tony said quietly.
Ziva felt properly rebuked. She took his hand. "I am sorry Tony. I am worried, that is all. Ilan is very crafty. He is a dangerous adversary."
Tony frowned. "You think Gibbs and McGee are at a disadvantage?"
Ziva looked at Tony, dismayed she was upsetting him. "No, I am very confident in their abilities. I am sure they will get him, if he is at the house."
"You don't think he is there." It wasn't a question.
Ziva shrugged. "There is a leak in Mossad. He must have heard by now that Yaniv has been captured. It would only be a matter of time before he gave up the location of the safe house. Ilan knows that. Yaniv is not Mossad. He cannot withstand interrogation."
"So you think this is a wild goose chase?" Tony rubbed her hand with his thumb.
She sighed. "I hope not. But, yes. It is my fear."
"Come here." Tony said, offering his good arm. Ziva looked startled and glanced at the door. After giving it a few seconds thought, she carefully slid onto the bed, next to Tony.
"Are you ok?" She asked softly.
"I am now." He said. "I know this can't be too comfortable for you, but I wish you would stay here with me."
Ziva chuckled, and then stopped when her chest started to ache. "You are correct. It is comfortable for the moment, but I could not remain this way the whole night. No, I will have to go home, Tony."
"But not yet, right?" He whispered in her hair.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "No, not yet."
A sneak peek just came online, so that is the italics toward the end of this chapter. I will try to finish how I think "Revenge" will end before tomorrow night's episode airs. Thanks for the great reviews and support!