Gibbs caught Tony staring at the Wanted Wall; Rafe Cortez's picture had been redlined a few days ago. Ever since, Tony had been curious about the details of Cortez's death. Gibbs understood; Cortez was a South American and Tony devoured any pertinent news out of South America.

But something about the way Tony stared at Cortez's picture had Gibbs radar jumping. Gibbs had asked Vance to look into the details. Apparently, Cortez was killed nine days ago in what looked like a gang war. There was no mention of a woman.

Today was a slow day, they were wrapping up the paperwork on the meth cooker and getting a jump on annual reports. Bishop kept trying to get Tony's attention as per usual. Gibbs didn't think she'd out and out flirt with a married man but he thought she wanted Tony's approval. And Gibbs knew without doubt – no one who sat in that chair that wasn't Ziva would gain Tony's approval. No One.

But it wasn't just Tony; he and McGee tolerated Bishop but it wasn't the same. If he didn't have to keep an eye on Tony, Gibbs would seriously consider retirement.

He missed Ziva almost as much as Tony and Gibbs knew McGee did too. Yes, Abby, Ducky, Palmer, even Vance missed her as well but it wasn't the same. They were the field team; they spent all their time together and if Gibbs was just honest with himself, he missed the daughter he had in Ziva.

With a sigh, Gibbs stood, took his weapon and announced he was going for coffee when the most unpleasant feeling came over the bullpen. When Gibbs looked up there was Trent Kort in his sports jacket holding a briefcase.

"To what do we owe this displeasure, Kort?" Tony said.

"We need to talk, Gibbs. Got somewhere private?" Trent said as he glanced back at Tony.

"The conference rooms are occupied, Boss," offered McGee.

Gibbs rose and started for the elevator when Kort said, "Not there and not interrogation."

Gibbs scowled then picked up the phone, "Ducky, I'm coming down and I need the room."

Gibbs escorted Trent down to autopsy and noticed Tony and McGee rise from their desks.

"Thanks for the room" Gibbs said as he entered autopsy with Kort. "Is Palmer around?"

"No," Ducky answered. "Mr. Palmer is off with his family today. I'll be with Abby if you need me, Jethro." Ducky frowned at Kort then left autopsy.

Kort watched him go and watched the doors slide close. He then took out an RF inhibitor and flipped it on. "I don't want this recorded."

"Nothing was on, Kort." Gibbs stated. "What is this about?"

'I promised this would be delivered to you once it was over," Kort said as he pulled out a large set of files from his briefcase, placed them on an autopsy table and left his hands on them.

Gibbs took in a sharp breath and glared at Kort. "Is this about…"

"Ziva, yes," Kort answered. "She has been working for the CIA for the past year. There are things here that you need and things that DiNozzo needs but I thought he would take this best hearing it from you than me."

"You mean you don't want him to pull his gun and shoot you in the head," Gibbs said flatly.

"Yes," Kort nodded. "That is one of my concerns."

"Is she dead?" Gibbs asked, more hope in his question that he intended.

"We believe so, yes," Kort nodded. "She died taking out Rafe Cortez."

"Why?" Gibbs questioned in anger. "Why!"

"Protecting all of you," Kort answered simply. "CIA saw an opportunity when she killed Bodnar and then quit NCIS. She was perfectly suited to-"

"Appear rogue," Gibbs finished and cursed himself for not seeing it sooner.

"Yes," Kort acknowledged. "We used your murder of Hernandez as leverage. But she struck a damn good deal in order to get her cooperation. These files contain the forensic report Miss Scuito conducted as well as all the evidence CIA had that placed you at the scene of the crime. It is all here ready to be destroyed and even if something else pops up it won't matter, Gibbs. She protected you and the team completely. You have a backdated order to take out Hernandez from the CIA in these files as well as CIA clearance to destroy all forensic material related to the case. We even took out his son, Ramirez, so he would not be a problem in the future."

Kort paused a moment and watched Gibbs then continued, "Ziva also took care of herself and this case. Her order to take out Cortez and any other person or persons she deemed necessary are here as well. NCIS has a blanket cover for both the Hernandez case and the Cortez case and in the end we will even give NCIS credit for Cortez. We are just cleaning up some details before we go official. Also, Ziva's CIA credentials are here as well as her benefits package for DiNozzo. He will receive her insurance policy and benefits. And her Will is here as well."

"Where is she?" Gibbs asked.

"I'm sorry, Gibbs but her body wasn't located. We believe Cortez's men found her and buried her out in the jungles. She is gone," Kort actually looked apologetic.

"She did this to protect all of you," Kort offered. "Now, CIA has nothing on you – you are all free and clear."

Gibbs pulled his weapon and Kort backed up towards the door, "Gibbs," he said before he slipped out and vanished.

Gibbs looked at the files and felt this overwhelming sick feeling. He hadn't felt this way since Shannon and Kelly died. Ziva did this for him.

"No," Gibbs muttered, "just no." How was he going to tell Tony?

"DAMNIT, ZIVA!" Gibbs yelled. "You should not have done this!"

Gibbs stared at his weapon for a moment then put it in his holster. He neatly took the files and headed for the elevator. His hand shook as he pressed the button and he found it hard to catch his breath. But he had to do this and he had to do this now.

Gibbs stepped out of the elevator and went to Abby's lab. Tony was there with McGee, Ducky and Abby, even Vance had come down.

"Can you close and lock the door please, Abby," Gibbs requested as he put the files down on her table carefully, almost reverently.

Abby pushed her remote and the doors closed and locked electronically.

"Where is Ziva?" Tony asked immediately.

Everyone looked at Tony then back at Gibbs and Abby broke the silence, "This might not be about her, Tony."

"It is," Gibbs answered. "Ziva killed Rafe Cortez for the CIA."

"Cortez?" McGee questioned, "Why? Why would she do that kind of mission for the CIA and without us?"

"CIA blackmailed her," Gibbs explained. "They had the forensics report Abby did on Hernandez among other things. They had enough to put most of us in jail for the rest of our lives."

"She did this to protect us?" Ducky asked. "us? Oh God, that poor girl. She traded her life for ours."

"Where is she?" Tony demanded.

"Gone," Gibbs said as Vance went and took the files, opening them to look through.

"What do you mean, gone?" Tony pushed. "Gone to the market? Gone from South America?"

"CIA believe she is dead," Gibbs stated. "They believe Cortez's men killed her and buried her in the jungle."

A hush came over the room, Abby was the first to move and she went to Tony. Tony brushed her away and glared at Gibbs, "I want her body!"

"Tony," Gibbs shook his head. "Tony…" Gibbs couldn't say no. He wanted the body too. He turned to Vance who was shifting through the files.

"Ziva thought of everything. We have clearance for anything regarding the Cortez case too," Vance announced. "Screw the CIA. Go find her and bring our girl home."

There were no hysterics, no accusations hurled; they had a mission to hold onto. Bring Ziva home and they would.

"I'll have a plane readied; when do you want to leave?" Vance asked.

"As soon as possible," Tony answered. "I can find her on my own."

"No, Tony, I am going," Gibbs said.

"So am I," McGee stated.

"I am going as well," Ducky told them. "Mr. Palmer can hold down the fort while I am gone.

"Then it is settled," Vance said. "I'll see to transport."

Gibbs looked at Tony and wanted Tony to rage against him – this had been his fault. His doing. Hernandez had cost him – them another loved one.

Author's Note:

I wrote these three chapters in one sitting. This is where I was headed all along. There is still more story to tell...

And do not forget to leave a review! I can't tell you how I have loved seeing the emotion play in the reviews - but hold tight still.