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Chapter 6

Tony shut the car and walked up the path with Ziva at his side "you know" he said "how about a change of scenery I mean the Jeffersonion is pretty awesome don't you think, ya thing we could persuade Gibbs to move the team there" Ziva looked at him "no I do not think either you or I could do that" she said "I wasn't saying we would ask, I was going to say Tali would, he does anything for her, that way she can see her new friends more" Ziva smiled "NCIS is fine Tony" she said "besides as soon as this case is over I am sure Livie and her family will be heading back to New York" "ah that is where the wonderful thing called the internet comes into effect" Tony said as they arrived at the front door to the house and he rang the doorbell "those girls will be able to stay in contact for the rest of their lives if they want too"

Ziva smiled and then peered at the window "Tony" she said softly, he followed her gaze and in the reflection of the window he saw something glinting, instantly they dropped to the floor as a shot rang out and there was a yell from inside as the window smashed showering them with glass, Tony peered in before yelping and kicking down the door "call for an ambulance" he shouted throwing himself down next to their suspect who had just become their next victim, already dead.

"Tony" Ziva shouted as they heard a screech of tyres "no Zee" he shouted but she was already running after the van that pulled away "Ziva" he shouted but she ignored him, cursing he leapt up and took off after her, sprinting as fast as he could, another gunshot rang out as the driver pointed a hand gun out of the widow and fired at Ziva who ducked then she yanked out her gun took aim and fired twice, she shot the tyre and the van skidded before crashing.

They both ran towards it guns at the ready pressing themselves against the body before pointing their guns into the cab, but he was gone and so was his gun. "Well" Tony said as he pulled out his phone "the good news is we eliminated one suspect" Ziva looked at him "the bad news is we now have no suspects" she said.

XOXOXO

Kate clambered out of the car they had decided to rent whilst they were here and looked around, McGee and Booth were collecting statements, Tony and Ziva were talking to Gibbs next to the crashed van, Kate sighed and headed into the house where Brennan was talking to an elderly man who was chatting away excitedly to her, Rick came up behind her "whose that" he asked, "do I look psychic to you" she murmured back.

"That" Gibbs said coming up behind them and making them jump "is our medical examiner Dr Donald Mallard but everyone calls him Ducky", he looked up "ah nice to meet you" he said standing and coming forward to greet him, Kate recognised him vaguely from the first crime scene, she smiled and greeted him back "yes I have heard a great deal about you from Gibbs and a lot about your daughter's from little Tali"

"don't let Tali hear you call her little" Tony said as he entered the house "seriously if looks could kill" they all smiled "anyhow what I can gather from the victims here fits in with Tony and Ziva's story" Ducky said "not much more I can get from this" he said "Mr Palmer will you fetch the gurney" his young assistant leapt up and headed off to the van.

Kate studied the victim, not long ago he had been their suspect, they had gone through their previous victim from the docks phone list and ran bank checks on all his more recent calls, this man had withdrawn a substantial amount two days before their victim had died, looking like a possible payment to their contract killer. She sighed and moved into the living room looking round trying to get a feel for their victim, she found Booth in the study checking the desk; he nodded in greeting, before returning to his work, she began to study the bookshelves.

It had been two days since the Petty officer had died on the docks, two days they had been working flat out trying desperately to catch this guy, Livie had recovered from her panic and she, April, Alexis and Tali were out exploring the sites of DC today, trying to make the most of the nice weather that had suddenly appeared. As for the case, it had been hard, they had to be cautious about what they did so as not to alert the media to what was happening and cause a mass panic in the city, they had struggled to find any reason why they're Petty Officer might have been wanted dead, everyone they spoke to loved him, so they had looked at banks records which had led them to this guy, who was now dead.

Booth sighed and straightened up "desk is clear" he said "I'll get his computer for Angela or McGee to go over" Kate nodded "nothing suspicious here" she said softly before turning to him "do you think Tony and Ziva were followed" she asked "do you think that is why this man was targeted" Booth sighed "I don't know Kate" he said "I really don't know" she nodded and headed back out as Ducky and his assistant Palmer finished loading the body onto the gurney and took it out to their van "bye autopsy gremlin" Tony called to Palmer "go back to your cave now" he received two slaps over the back of his head making him yelp "hey Ziva why'd you do that, boss man is the only one allowed to head slap up" Ziva narrowed her eyes at him "you really need to stop bullying Palmer" she said, he grinned at her "but it fun" he said in a childish voice, she rolled her eyes "as is head slapping you" she said doing it again making him yelp again.

Kate moved out to the van outside where McGee was photographing it, Rick was watching from a safe distance frowning "you ok" she asked moving over to him, he nodded "just trying to figure this guy out" he said "none of this makes sense, worst plot line to a story ever, none of it fits together except for the MO" she looked at him "if this was your story what would you write next" she asked, everyone looked up as Rick frowned "I don't know" he said "every scenario I write in my head feels totally wrong, this isn't normal, there is no pattern" she sighed and touched him on the arm, "let's get back to the lab" she said

XOXOXO

Everyone headed as usual to Angela's office which had become their meeting point, they all sat down in the chairs and on the sofa's which had doubled in numbers since they had all arrived, they all settled down until Booth entered and handed Angela the victim's computer "McGee you can help her with that" Gibbs said and his youngest agent nodded and moved over to Angela's desk to start downloading the files, Booth moved over to Kate's whiteboard and began to write up the new victim's information then he sighed and turned to face them all "this is victim number 7, 8 if you include you Kate" he said, Kate nodded "at first it wasn't very often but since Kate was shot the killings have been getting closer and closer together" he said and drew a line across the bottom of the board then he slowly wrote down the names of their victims at various intervals along the lines but those intervals got smaller as the time between each victim did.

"he's getting braver" Booth said "I mean he took one of his victims out in front of two armed agents, now he is playing with us" everyone sat in stony silence, Booth sighed "ok, um let's just go over everything again adding in our new victim", and so they did, over and over again before Brennan excused herself and headed off to the platform to try and find something in the bones.

It was an hour later when the four girls returned happy after their day of sightseeing, though their smiles slipped when they heard that there had been another victim, they could see how their parents were getting more and more stressed, and they all felt worried but hid to from their families.

Livie moved over to where her mom sat trying to absorb all the information on the many whiteboards lined up side by side "mom" she said softly, her mom didn't answer, she was too busy frowning at the boards "mom" she tried again, her mom sighed "what Livie" she said more harshly than was needed, Livie frowned "mom everyone is leaving, we need to go now" Kate looked over and saw the hurt in her daughter's eyes "Livie I am sorry, I didn't mean to speak like that to you, I am just…" "Stressed" Livie finished for her "yeah I know, we all are, you just need to come back to the rooms and forget about it for the evening and relax, you are more wound up than a coiled spring, you need to loosen up".

Kate looked at her daughter and sighed before she nodded standing and moving over to get her stuff, as she bent she felt Livie's arms wrap around her "don't worry mom" she said softly "we'll catch him I promise" Kate smiled and twisted in her daughters embrace so that she could hug her back, "I know" she said softly kissing the top of Livie's head.

They exited the office locking it behind them, the only ones allowed in that room now were their team members, everyone was getting their things together, Tali had AJ in her arms and she was dancing around with him making him shriek with laughter and Brennan was helping Libby into her coat and the toddler was chatting away excitedly to her mommy about her day.

They all said their goodbyes and headed out of the lab and to their cars, Kate tried to relax as they got further and further away from the Jeffersonion, but it was hard, she wanted to stop this guy before he took another life, she wanted him dead.

XOXOXO

Tony opened the door allowing Tali to enter first to greet the excited Brodie who leapt up at her eagerly making her laugh "I'll take him out" she said reaching for his lead and attaching it to his collar, then she grabbed a ball thrower and slipped back out after the excited young dog, "I'll go too" Tony decided and followed his daughter out the house.

Ziva entered with AJ who was beginning to grumble asking for his food so she headed over to the kitchen to prepare his dinner, she carefully warmed up the baby food and tested it before she turned back to AJ who was shouting in anticipation of his dinner, she sat down and offered him a spoonful, instantly he shut up and began to eagerly eat mumbling in delight making Ziva smile as she fed him.

Whilst her husband and daughter were out she spent some quality time with her son, giving him a bath allowing him to splash water everywhere, then she dressed him in his pyjamas and took him into the living room where she lay down on the sofa balancing him on her chest and tickling his toes making him giggle, she smiled as she played with him bouncing him until he began to rub his eyes and yawn, then with a smile she stood up and carried him into his room and lay him down in his crib humming gently until his breathing had slowed to a gentle rhythmic movement and he relaxed, then she covered him with the blanket and slipped out of the room closing the door carefully behind her.

She moved back into the living room tidying up a bit, they had eaten a big meal at lunch so she didn't need to cook. It wasn't long before Tali and Tony came back with an exhausted Brodie, who had run ragged after balls until he could barely stand, indeed he stumbled to his water bowl and took a long drink before collapsing on his bed not to be heard from again that evening.

Tali grinned at her mom and hugged her before heading off to her room for the night and Tony and Ziva followed suit lying together in their bed quietly before Tony said "we'll catch this guy wont we Ziva" she looked at him "of course" she said "we always do" he nodded "but how many people have to die before we do Zee, how many lives will he take before we finally manage to figure out who he is and find him" she looked at him "I don't know" she said "but for every life lost more will be saved" he sighed and kissed her head "yeah I suppose you are right" he said softly, she smiled and lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

But they didn't fall asleep, they lay awake, thinking and wondering, where the killer was now, and who was their oblivious next victim.

XOXOXO

April grinned at Libby as she lifted her out the bath wrapping a towel around her and draining the bath tub. "April" Libby asked pulling the towel tighter around her and beginning to dry herself "mm" April said as she collected up all the toys and placed them in the box "why are mommy and daddy working with all those new people, Tony and Ziva and Gibbs and Kate and Rick" she asked, April smiled weakly at her as she pulled her into her arms and rubbed her tiny body down "because they are trying to catch a bad guy Libs"

The four year old looked at her "but they don't usually work with them" she said "they usually just work with Auntie Angela, Auntie Cam and Uncle Hodgins" "well this is just a one off" April said "they wanted to help" Libby nodded, "do you like Livie and Tali" she asked "yeah of course I do" April said "they are my friends" Libby smiled "I like Lexie" she said referring to Alexis "she's nice" "yeah she is" April said "come on time to get ready for bed" she lifted her four year old foster sister up into her arms and carried her across the hall into her bedroom, she set her down and handed her some pyjamas, Libby dropped the towel and carefully pulled them on, "can I have a story" she asked as she scrambled into her bed, April smiled and nodded "just one though" she said "it is late, which one" Libby selected her favourite one and cuddled up against April's chest to listen.

April allowed herself to get lost in the innocence of the child's book where the worst thing that could happen was that someone could steal the last slice of cake, 'if only' she thought sadly as she closed the book and placed it on the bookshelves, she sat back down on the edge of Libby's bed and gently pulled the bed covers up over her little sister and she handed Libby her favourite bunny and watched her hug it against her chest, she leaned down and gently kissed her forehead "April" Libby asked sleepily "yeah kiddo" April said looking down at her "are you and Tali and Livie going to be friends all the time and see them all the time"

April smiled and stroked Libby's damp hair gently "of course we will stay friends Libby but Livie and Alexis and their family are going back to New York when this case is over" "why can't they stay here" Libby asked confused "because they live in New York sweetheart, they are only here to help catch the bad guy", she smiled "now time for you to sleep" she said touching her cheek before she stood and turned on the night light, and scooped up the wet towel from the floor before heading to the door.

"April" Libby called; she turned to look at her one hand resting on the light switch "yeah" Libby looked at her with innocent blue eyes "why do people do bad things" she asked, April sighed "I think that is a question everyone wants to know the answer to Libby" she gave her a small smile "now night night, don't let the bed bugs bite little monkey" "night" Libby said sleepily and closed her eyes, April switched off the light and closed the door.

She put the towel in the washing basket before heading into her room, she sat at her desk and opened her laptop, checking emails before sighing and leaning back in her chair, her gaze fell a picture of her and her family, not long after they had adopted Libby, they were all grinning happily at the camera, their first family photo after the incident. That made her think, and she crossed over to her chest of drawers and lifted up a pile of her clothes and pulled out the little blue book that lay hidden under all the clothes, she crossed back to her desk and opened it, reading the entries that she had written, when she had taken solace in that little book, then she sighed and picked up her pen, she didn't bother with the date or 'dear diary' she just started writing;

Things are weird again, but not in a bad way, in a good way I guess so I don't really know why I am writing, I mean I haven't written in this since I got back with my family, I haven't needed too.

I met two girls who are very much like me, so like me it is unbelievable, in more ways than one. Their parents are all Homicide detectives like mine, and they each belong to a team, and in each team there is a writer, how weird. But the main similarity is our haunting pasts.

I thought I would never find anyone like me, who would understand what I have been through, who would truly know what I have felt, but I have, Livie and Tali have been through it, they know the pain I have felt, they know the feeling of having the life drain out of you and the bite of a bullet as it buries itself inside of you, they know it all.

Tali is the youngest, she is only 13, and I can't believe how much she has been through, kidnapped twice at age 12 and then again not long after her 13th birthday, this time by her own grandfather, she has faced so much, more than me, yet she is so in control, she is amazing, she is like some kind of superwoman, she can hide it but you can see her struggles, every day is a struggle for her, just to get out of bed in the mornings sometimes, just like me.

But it is worse for Livie, Tali and I we grew up around our parents, at their work and we knew about it, Livie's mom kept her apart from it all to protect her, so she was unprepared for it, it came at her harder, she still hasn't recovered, she is so quiet and just as wary as Tali, who is always alert for danger, but that is because of her training. Livie has it the hardest I think, it has always been just her and her mom until she was taken, then her mom met Rick Castle and fell in love with him, then her mom was shot and Livie nearly lost the one person who has always been there for her, not long after being ripped away from her and being shot, stabbed, beaten and tortured within an inch of her sanity, she is terrified of it happening again, and who can blame her.

For her every day is a battle not to lose it, she is still recovering and any little thing can spark a hidden memory and make it come at her and hit her in the face, we were out today and there was a loud bang as a car backfired and she nearly leapt out of her skin, her eyes went wide and she was trembling but Alexis just wrapped her in her arms and comforted her until she calmed down, she was on edge for a while after that, we could all see it but we didn't say anything.

They are lovely girls, both of them, and I am glad we get along, but the thing that really holds us together is out pasts, we are all desperate to know that we are not alone in our fears, to know that someone else feels how we feel, so when we found each other, we instantly became close, because we understand each other.

I have always stated that our past is our past and although it takes part in forming us it does not define our futures, what we do here and now is what makes us who we are today, but if our pasts hadn't happened would the three of us met? Would we have gotten on as well as we do? I don't know.

Mom and dad are really on edge at the moment, this case it is winding everyone up, especially Kate, and Livie is worried for her mom everyone can see that, I just hope that this case is solved quickly, before it breaks our bonds, our family ties. The last thing we need is for us to start rowing.

Xx

April looked at what she had written, then she sighed and closed the book, replacing it in its hiding spot, then she heard a knock and saw her dad standing in the doorway "hey" he said "thanks for putting Libby to bed" April smiled "no problem" she said gently, he looked at her "you ok" he asked, she nodded "I'm great" she said with a smile, he smiled back at her "want some hot chocolate" he asked "just put the kettle on" she grinned "sounds nice" she said and followed him out the door and down the stairs, she studied him "dad" she said, he looked at her "you're gonna get this guy" she said "I know it" he smiled at her and pulled her into his arms "I know bud, I know" he said softly kissing her forehead before saying quietly so that she could not hear "I hope you're right"

XOXOXO

The next morning Booth was woken by his phone ringing, he groaned "yeah" he mumbled groggily as he felt Brennan stir beside him "this is dispatch" came a professional voice "I was asked to call you and your team Agent Booth, there has been a shooting which apparently is linked to a case you are looking at" Booth groaned "yep ok where" he asked reaching for the pen and paper that he kept on his bedside table and he jotted down the address "thanks" he said and shut the phone, Brennan rolled over to face him "we have another one" she said sadly, he nodded, "I'll call the others" he said "you wanna wake the girls" he sighed, she nodded and slipped out of bed as he picked up his phone again and called Tony.

To his surprise it was Tali who picked up "hello Booth" she said "hello Tali what are you doing up so early" he asked in surprise "I go out running at 0500 every morning" she said simply and he winced "that doesn't sound like fun" she laughed gently "it's ok when you are used to it, but it helps me so I do it, and why are you up so early" she asked, he hesitated before remembering she wasn't your average 13 year old "um we have another case" "Oh" she said sadly "here is ima"

Before he could ask what 'ima' was Ziva came on the phone and by the sounds of it she had a hungry baby with her "morning Booth" she said "um morning Ziva, um quick question what is 'ima' Tali just said it" he asked, he heard her laugh softly "ima is Hebrew for mother" "ah ok thanks" he said "anyway I called to say we have another body" "Oh" she said "where" he told her the location "make sure you sort out AJ first though" he said "take your time" "thanks" she said "I will wake Tony up since he is the only one not up, will see you soon then, oh and I will call Gibbs and McGee for you" "ok thanks" he said and the call ended.

Next he called Kate and she picked up her own phone "Booth" she mumbled groggily "ah good someone who isn't crazy enough to be up at this hour" he said "mm well I am now" she said, he heard her climb out of bed and by the sounds of it go onto a balcony "who is crazy enough to be up at this hour" she asked "Tali and Ziva" he said "Tali was going running and Ziva had a hungry baby" she laughed gently "I remember those days" he smiled and moved over to the wardrobe "me too, anyway I just got a call from dispatch" she sighed "another victim" "yep" he said and he told her the location "ok" she said "will meet you there" "yep see you" he said and closed his phone.

Quickly getting dressed before heading down the stairs where he was relieved to see a cup of coffee waiting for him, April and Brennan each held one two, Libby had fallen asleep again on the sofa. They got ready in silence before Booth picked Libby up and carried her out to the car with April trudging along behind him and Brennan behind her, it was way too early for this, he decided.

XOXOXO

As Ziva closed the phone she looked at Tali "I guess no running this morning" she said, she shook her head "sorry tateleh" she said softly and Tali smiled gently "no worries" she said "here I will take AJ whilst you get ready and get dad up" Ziva smiled and handed Tali her brother who gurgled and reached for her ponytail which Tali expertly tossed out the way and she carried him into her bedroom.

Ziva moved back into her own bedroom and shook Tony, he mumbled in his sleep "Tony" she said "up now" he opened one eye to look at her "too early" he whined "not when there has been another murder, now up" he opened both eyes "another one" he said "jeez this guy isn't leaving us any time between them now" "exactly" she said "now up I have to call Gibbs and McGee" "I'll call "McSleepy if you want" Tony said with a mumble, she nodded and handed him his phone and picked hers up, as she pressed the speed dial she heard Tony say "morning McGrumble"

"Ziva" Gibbs responded "you ok" "I am" she said "our newest victim is not, Booth called we have another", he sighed and asked for the location which she told him "I'll swing by and pick Tony up" he said "you take Tali and AJ to the Jeffersonion" "ok thank you Gibbs" she said and hung up, "Gibbs is picking you up" she told Tony as he hauled himself out of bed "I am taking Tali and AJ back to the Jeffersonion" he nodded as he pulled out some trousers and a shirt "why are murderers never considerate and let us get our sleep" he asked and she smiled "because that would mean that life was fair" she said with a smile "and we all know that it isn't" he rolled his eyes at her.

When they came out of their room Tali had a bag packed next to theirs and had dressed Aiden and was now kneeling on the floor holding him up as he wobbled around "come on AJ you need to stand soon" she coaxed, AJ just looked at her before sitting himself down and reaching for his toy, Tony laughed "what's the point" he asked "he must love getting carried everywhere and being presented with everything his little heart desires why bother learning walk, that just means he has to do everything himself" AJ laughed "yep I am right" Tony said scooping his son up "come on then my clever little man lets go to work shall we" Ziva looked at Tali who rolled her eyes and shrugged before picking up her bag and following her mom and dad down to the car.

Tony strapped AJ into his seat and then waved as they drove off, he didn't have to wait long before Gibbs' car came over and pulled up, he slid into the passenger seat with a yawn "wake up DiNozzo" Gibbs said "sorry boss" Tony said "AJ had us up twice in the night" "ah you knew what you were getting yourself into when you got Ziva pregnant again" Gibbs said as he drove off "yeah I thought I did" Tony said "boys are much more work than girls" Gibbs just laughed.

XOXOXO

Kate didn't go in right away, she just stood on the balcony of their hotel room watching the sun rising in the sky, she sighed, another murder, another life lost, all because they had not caught the SOB yet, she clenched her fists, she would catch him, no matter how long it took and she would make him suffer for all the lives he had destroyed and broken, including hers, her life had been perfect, she had a job she loved, a loving husband with a perfect stepdaughter and her own little girl had been pulling herself together again and beginning to smile the same smile she had seen when she was young.

Then she had received a bullet to the heart and her life had been shattered, and Livie had fallen a few steps back in her road to recovery, the flashbacks had returned and she was jumpy. Kate sighed and rested her head in her hands.

"Kate" she looked over to see Rick standing bare chested in the doorway to their room "you ok" he asked moving out and wrapping his arms around her, she leaned against his warm chest and nodded "yeah, but we have another case, I need to go to it" she looked at him "why don't you get a cab and take the girls to the lab" she suggested "might not be good for Livie to be at another crime scene" he nodded "good idea I will let them lie in a bit longer" she nodded, and they remained like that watching the sun rise before Kate sighed and slipped inside, Rick followed her inside watching her get ready sadly. She was getting frustrated he could see, this killer was too good, he left no connection and no evidence, he was way too good.

She headed out after giving him a kiss on the lips, he followed her into the girls room watching her with a small smile as she gave both of their sleeping daughters a kiss before heading out smiling weakly at him, he watched her until she was out of sighed before moving back into the hotel room to their daughters, he gently shook Alexis awake and quietly explained what had happened before moving over to Livie, he studied her before he woke her, she was curled up in a ball under the covers, defensive even in her sleep, but she looked peaceful, gently he leaned over and shook her making her wake with a start "hey" he whispered "sorry time to wake up" she blinked at him before looking at the clock "not another body" she whispered and he nodded sombrely, she sighed and nodded swinging her legs out of bed.

Once they were ready they went down and hired a cab stopping off to pick up vast quantities of food before heading to the lab.

XOXOXO

When they arrived no one was about except for a bleary eyed Hodgins and Angela who gratefully accepted the breakfast they offered, Livie and Alexis then wondered into Brennan's office where they found April lying on the sofa sleeping with Libby sprawled across her chest, Alexis smiled at Livie who smiled back, that was cute.

April mumbled and her eyelids fluttered open "huh more early risers" she said "Tali was here but she was full of energy and decided to go for a run round the grounds" Alexis and Livie both pulled faces "rather her than me" Livie said, April grinned "that is exactly what I said" she said, she stroked Libby's hair "tired" she asked, they both nodded so she gestured to the other sofa "make yourselves comfortable" she said with a yawn "might as well get some sleep at this hour", Alexis and Livie both curled up on the other sofa, and closed their eyes.

April looked at them, their relationship was similar to hers and Libby's, not blood related but that was a mere technicality to them, they adored each other and Alexis was very protective of her little sister, she was hugging her now, as they slept, their bodies cocooned together, she heard movement and saw Tali standing in the doorway, her hair wet "good run" April asked, Tali nodded "nice grounds" she said "I ran round them twice" April stared "you ran round the grounds twice in an hour" she nodded "sorry I thought you said run not sprint" April teased "where did you shower" she asked "decontamination showers" Tali said with a grin "good idea" April said "want to join the rest of us dozing" she offered shifting so that Tali could join her and Libby, she nodded and she too sprawled out.

That was how Rick found them 20 minutes later, sprawled across the two sofas dozing quietly; he couldn't resist taking a photo and sending it to all the parents, to show the unity of their teams through their children.

Hope you enjoyed it, please let me know, the more reviews I get the faster I will update.

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Thanks, Mysticgirl