"I'll go to him," Gibbs said. "I want all of you to head out and follow the plan."
"No," Ziva blurted. Gibbs would be in Hoffman's sights if he went, she was certain. "Get the FBI to move him."
Gibbs gave her a half smile before touching her shoulder, "I'll be fine. You need to get going."
Ziva squeezed her legs then fisted her hands over her thighs, "There is someone working with him and we do not know who it is."
Before Gibbs could answer the alarms sounded throughout the yard. Tony's desk phone rang and he grabbed it quickly. After a few moments of terse conversation Tony turned to the group, "There's been a breach at the west gate. They're telling me two guards are dead and one is wounded."
"It is Hoffman," Ziva stated as she reached under her chair and realized her gun was not there.
"Ziva's right," Gibbs announced. "Evacuate the building, the entire yard!"
Tony made the call quickly then grabbed Ziva's chair. Gibbs went to his desk and pulled a spare gun from a locked draw then handed it to Ziva.
"Hold a moment," Gibbs said. "Everyone is going to evacuate out the front or side doors. Let's go out through autopsy receiving." He glanced at Ducky, Abby then Ziva, "I don't want to run into this guy."
"Put that in a pocket, Ziva," Tony said as he gestured to the gun in her hand.
She peered quizzically up at him but did as he asked. A moment later he lifted her up.
"Dorney, can you grab her chair please. McGee help him out? I don't want to take the elevator. We take the stairs," Tony ordered as he carried Ziva; and both their bags were on his shoulder.
"Let's go," Gibbs directed, "Let's go."
They all went down the back stairs to autopsy level and slipped into the autopsy suite. Gibbs and McGee went out receiving and brought the surveillance van in close. Gibbs drove, McGee, Abby, Dorneget and Ducky were in the back on the pull out seats. McGee had wedged Ziva's chair between the driver's and passenger seats and Tony took the front seat. Gibbs drove back to the west gate and they saw the carnage. The men had been stabbed but there was no sign of Hoffman or anyone else. Sirens blared in the distance.
Tony hopped out of the van to move the bodies out of the way with McGee helping. Ziva pulled her gun as did Gibbs, just in case. Ziva knew they all hated disturbing the crime scene but there was no choice at the moment.
Tony and McGee cleared the bodies to one side and Gibbs pulled the van just outside the gate and stopped.
"Dorneget, take the wheel," Gibbs ordered.
"Where are you going?" Ziva asked, panic laced her voice as she looked out at Tony and McGee as they pulled their guns.
"Ziva," Gibbs said. "We can't just leave. We have to try and stop any more deaths tonight."
Tony opened the passenger door and by the look on his face he already knew what Gibbs was planning, "Dorneget, get them out of here. Follow the plan - we'll tend to Fornell when we can."
"No!" Abby screamed, "You guys; you can't leave us like this!"
"Abigail," Ducky held her arm, "They have to do what they have to do."
"But, Ducky, No...just no," Abby put her hands to her mouth.
"Ziva," Tony looked at her, "I have to do this, baby. I need you safe."
Ziva tried to push herself up off the chair, "I should be with you. Your my team."
"You can't," Tony said. "Not this time. I love you but right now," he did his Connery voice, "I have to go put one in the morgue."
"Tony," Ziva cried. "If anything happens to you," her eyes bore into his, "I will not be far behind."
"Don't you dare," Tony stepped up into the van, kissed her then dropped out and slammed the door.
"I love you," Ziva whispered too late.
Her mind swam, what could she do? What could she do? Oh God! "I have to do something, I have to do something," she mumbled.
"Ziva," Dorneget started, "this is the job you know that. They want you safe. Let's give them that."
Ziva looked at him but didn't see him, she shook her head then took a deep breath. She fumbled for her cell and righted it in her hand. A moment later she had Kort on the line, "Kort, Hoffman is at the Navy Yard right now. We identified a picture about two hours ago - it should be in the pipe. Find it, get some people out of JSOC or I don't care just get people who can deal with Hoffman to the Navy Yard NOW!"
"I don't know who all is available but I'll see what I can do," Kort said over the speaker. "Get your people out."
"Gibbs, Tony and McGee are hunting him," Ziva said with strained voice.
"What?! They can't deal with...let me get some men over there." Kort hung up.
Ziva stuffed her cell in her pocket then scrambled to lower the right arm of her chair before she hauled her body into the passenger seat.
"Ziva, stop!" Abby screamed. "You can't do anything for them right now - not more than you just did."
"They are my team, Abby," Ziva yelled. "They are my team!"
'We know, Ziva," Ducky said. "And the best thing you can do for them is take care of yourself right now."
"Or Fornell," Abby quickly added, "we can get Fornell and make sure he is safe. We can do that for Gibbs, can't we?"
Ziva gave her a small nod and looked out the window. She couldn't lose Tony...she couldn't lose any of them...
Tony, Gibbs and McGee followed the logical entry point to the NCIS building from the west gate. They found a few people knocked unconscious. But they'd not come close to Hoffman's current position.
An hour passed of them searching, hunting and nothing - the Yard emptied out. No sign of Hoffman or much else until the Navy Seals decided to show up behind Metro police and FBI. The place was swimming with badges.
Looking around Tony blinked as the flood lights came on and turned to Gibbs, "This is now the safest place in DC."
Gibbs nodded, "But with everyone here-"
"Who is at the hospital?" Tony asked before they all ran to get a car from the lot.
Note: I hadn't planned this chapter this way it just happened.. hmm even I am wondering where this will take me next...
Still loving the reviews! Don't stop! LOL. Greeny totally added the Star of David convo in for you and answered the 'is Ziva hurt again' question for alot of you guys. There are still a few twists and turns left I just hope I can get it done by ep 2!
Special Note: A reviewer reminded me of the real life tragedy that occured recently at the Washington Navy Yard. As you all know - this is a work of fiction and any resemblance to that event is coincidental. However, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the victims of that terrible event. Hoffman and his illness was conceived long before that event happened but I still want to acknowledge those sad events.
And to clarify: The Van is in motion and leaving the Navy Yard. I may come back and add a few lines to this chapter soon. But I don't expect to have time to update until next week. My best to all of you and have a lovely weekend.