Title: A Long Way Home (Chapter Seven)
Author: LizzieInk
A/N: Thanks for your continued support. Here's the next chapter for you all to enjoy.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to the creators of NCIS.
Meanwhile at NCIS…
McGee had been sat at his desk back at NCIS for just over half an hour now. It was his job to go back through all the particulars of the case, and try and piece together some helpful Intel that the team may have previously overlooked. He was basically scrounging through crumbs trying to piece together anything he could on where Bodnar might be planning to go next. It was slow going, and after almost 40 minutes he was still in almost the exact same place he was when he had started. Bodnar was smart and he had been trained well. McGee shook his head in frustration, hitting the keys of his computer hard. No matter how fast they worked, Bodnar always managed to stay one step ahead of them.
We need Ziva for this, McGee thought to himself. She's the only person with any real knowledge of the way Bodnar thinks.
Ziva and Bodnar had known each other since they were children, and had been friends. Ziva's father had trained them both and treated Bodnar almost like a son. Only recently, as an adult, had Bodnar gone off the reservation by ordering a hit on Ziva's father, so that he could take-over his position as the Director of the Mossad. Bodnar had hated the direction that Ziva's father was leading the Mossad towards, so he had put a stop to it.
McGee shook his head in frustration. There was no way he could ask Ziva for help without alerting her to the particulars of the case. McGee wanted to keep her as out of the loop as possible, at least for the time being. She needed time to heal, and so did Tony. McGee knew that when Ziva inevitably demanded to be put back on the team to find Bodnar, that Tony would be mere seconds behind her. No, McGee would work alone, for now at least. That way his friends could get at least a little rest before whatever might happen next.
Gibbs and Vance had been closeted away in Vance's office ever since they had got back from visiting Tony and Ziva at the hospital. Gibbs was sat on the edge of Vance's desk, watching silently as Leon paced impatiently back and forth within the confines of his office. Gibbs knew what dark thoughts were clouding his friend's mind. He knew firsthand what it felt like to lose the people he loved most in this world.
Vance's wife had died as a direct result of the same hit that Bodnar had taken out on Director David. So not only did Bodnar now have one extremely pissed off ex-Mossad agent after him, but he had also made himself a very dangerous enemy in Director Vance. Vance was adamant that Bodnar would get what was coming to him, if only he could be located.
However, for the present Vance and Gibbs couldn't do anything but wait. Abby was in the process of examining the vehicles from the scene of Tony and Ziva's crash. Abby's primary concern was examining the attackers car for prints and DNA.
Gibbs and Vance were patiently waiting for her to call and update them.
Gibbs knew logically that they had nothing else to go on. He had ordered McGee to go through what they knew, merely to keep McGee from worrying too much about his friends. But Gibbs knew that if they were going to catch Bodnar, they would need nothing less than a miracle. Bodnar's brother was currently locked in interrogation with two agents standing guard. He was refusing to speak for now, but Gibbs hoped that depending on what Abby found in the attackers car, maybe…just maybe, they could get him to talk.
In the meantime, all Gibbs could do was provide his old friend Leon some silent support, as his chaotic thoughts continued to assault his mind.
Back at his desk McGee was beginning to realize that his current search was futile. After all if there was anything in their old evidence indicating what Bodnar was planning, Ziva would have been sure to see it, at the time that it was first discovered.
McGee stood up, and abandoning his computer, headed straight for the elevator.
I'll be of more help if I give Abby a hand with the evidence. McGee reasoned to himself, as he pushed the button that would take him down to the evidence garage.
Down in the evidence garage…
Abby was waiting impatiently for the elevator.
When the doors finally opened to allow her access, she was surprised to see McGee stood facing her. Abby had finished collecting the samples she needed from the car, and was impatient to return to her lab so that she could get down to what she did best.
"McGee," Abby squealed in delight, rushing forwards into the elevator to give him a hug. "What's happening upstairs? Any news?" Abby looked at McGee with hopeful eyes.
"Sorry Abbs. I'm afraid it's up to you for the moment. I thought that you could use some company while you work your magic though?" He asked kindly.
"Thanks Timmy." Abby replied, linking her arm comfortingly through McGee's, as the elevator doors closed behind them.
To be continued…
A/N: The case is starting to get underway now, so as well as fluffy Tiva scenes, and awesome 'family' moments, there will also be more case related stuff. Please remember to leave feedback so I can see what your thoughts are on the story so far! :)