First of all, thank you all for the reviews, I appreciate them very much :) Here's the 4th chapter, enjoy!
"You know, Mr. DiNozzo, as much as I find your story intriguing, you don't seem to me as a killer."
"What can I say, I'm full of surprises."
"So I've been told. But a murder is not really your style."
"I probably shouldn't be talking to you until my lawyer gets here."
"You sent for a lawyer?"
"No, but I hope my people did."
"Your people. Who exactly is that?"
Tony laughed bitterly. "Oh come on, I'm sure you have photos of all of them in that little cute file of yours and you can't wait to flash them at me and ask awkward questions. So go ahead, get it over with, please."
The detective hesitated for a while, then smirked and took out a photo from the file. "I think we will only need this one," he said and put it on the table in front of Tony.
"Unlike me, you're not very good at surprises. Anyway, this picture is good, can I keep it when we're done here?"
The man across the table pointed his fingers at the photo. "Ziva David. Former Mossad officer, daughter of the late Eli David, ex-director of Mossad."
"Yeah, I know her. She's also a mean poker player."
"She became an American citizen two years ago."
"Yep, I missed the ceremony. Too bad, she must've been hot taking the Oath of Allegiance."
"However," the detective ignored Tony's remark. "She is still a highly skilled assassin."
"She used to be, but not anymore."
"I don't think so. She managed to kill Ilan Bodnar a month ago. And he was one of the best Mossad has trained."
"Bodnar tripped and fell over the board, I saw it."
"Of course. Anyway, I understand you are good friends with Miss David?"
"We worked on the same team for eight years. It's hard not to become friends."
"Maybe you've become more than friends?"
"Like best friends?"
"More like lovers."
"What exactly does this have to do with Parsons?"
"He went after her."
"He went after all of us."
"Exactly. Which brings me to this... Maybe he woke up the Mossad side of her by going after you."
"Hell, that guy woke up even my Mossad side and I've never had one."
"Maybe you're taking the blame for her. After all, we do that for the people we love," the detective continued.
"There's just one minor detail. She didn't do it."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't you have the security tapes from her apartment?"
"Oh, I'm sure someone as skilled as Miss David can manage to avoid cameras."
"You really don't believe I did it, do you?"
"No. I believe you are covering for Ziva."
"Why would I confess to a murder I didn't commit and risk a prison sentence?"
"For the same reason you jeopardized your career four years ago and risked your life by going to hunt down Saleem Ulman; because you love her."
"I did that because that's what teammates do. I went there to save her and kill Saleem."
"Wrong. You went against orders to be taken captive."
"So that we could kill Saleem Ulman."
"You didn't go there to save her, though, did you? Because you thought she was dead. You went there to avenge her death."
"You're forgetting we killed the bad guy."
"This is not about your achievements, Mr. DiNozzo, this is about your weaknesses. And from what I see, Ziva David is your biggest weakness."
"What exactly do you want from me?" Tony leaned across the table, looking at the detective, with a playful smile on his face.
"I want you to stop lying and making jokes. Tell me the truth and this will all be over."
The smile disappeared from Tony's face. He leaned even closer to him.
"You want the truth? Ziva David has nothing to do with this murder. You want to punish someone? Fine, punish me. But you should know I will fight for my people until my dying breath, and even if I die, I will haunt you."
"Are you threatening me?"
"You're a lousy detective if you have to ask."
The door opened. "Sir, I'm afraid we have to let him go."
"He confessed. Why should I let him go?"
"Because I said so," another man appeared in the door. He had a British accent and an eye patch. "Let's go, DiNozzo."
"This is a suspect in a murder investigation," the detective reminded him.
" The CIA takes full responsibility for the death of Richard Parsons. He was a threat to national security and we got an order to handle him. Mr. DiNozzo has nothing to do with it, nor does anyone from NCIS."
The detective gave Tony a wry grin. "Your people, huh?"
"I was expecting many things, but this is not one of them. Trust me, I'm as surprised as you are."
"It's not causing me much pain to let you go, Mr. DiNozzo."
"Because I'm annoying?"
"Because you're not guilty," the detective said and put Ziva's photo back in the file. "I admire your loyalty towards your people, but you should be more careful. You might not get this lucky next time."
"Let's just hope there won't be a next time." Tony stood up and walked out of the interrogation room.
"So, who sent you?" he asked Kort when they were leaving FBI in a shiny black sedan.
"The SECNAV implied your team might be in trouble."
"And you rushed to save my ass? That doesn't sound like you. Unless the CIA really is behind Parsons' death."
"That's classified. I came to get you out of this because I promised Jenny Shepard to keep an eye on Gibbs' team."
"So you're like our guardian angel?"
"I owe her."
"For La Grenouille? Or for her father?"
Kort laughed shortly. It was not a pretty laugh. "You are not very good at showing gratitude."
"Oh I am grateful you got me out of there, but I expect some answers."
"Richard Parsons was indeed a threat to national security. He had sensitive information about important people and classified operations of several agencies, including the CIA."
"How did he get them?"
"By blackmailing the right people, mainly."
The car stopped. "I need to know the truth," Tony said while opening the door. "Did your agency take care of him?"
"No."
He stepped out of the car. "Do you know who did?"
"No."
"Then it's not over yet."
"Leave it alone, DiNozzo, we'll make sure your people won't get hurt. Let us take care of it. Don't forget you are no longer an agent." The door closed and the car disappeared around the corner.
Tony looked around to see where he was and he realized they dropped him off in front of the bar they used to go to after work.
"Tony!" he heard Abby shout out when he came in. Next thing he knew, she was squeezing him in her arms, talking so fast he could barely understand her.
"I'm fine, Abby, it's okay, you can let go. No, seriously, Abby, I can't breathe," he wheezed.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she let go of him, took his hand and brought him to the table at the end of the bar. There were Tim and Delilah, both with their computers and broad smiles on their faces, and Tony's father, who sighed in relief when he saw his son and stood up.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" Tony asked him, when his father gave him a quick, firm hug.
"I was in town to meet a friend. Can I get you a drink? My treat," he smiled at him.
"Wait. You wanna buy me a drink? Dad, what's going on? What are you doing in DC? Oh please, don't tell me you're in trouble again."
"Says the man who spent the last few days at the FBI, trying to convince the feds he murdered someone."
"Trouble runs in the family, I get it. Now tell me why you're here."
"I just came to say hi. Can't a father check up on his son from time to time?"
"Do you need money?"
"No."
"We'll talk later," Tony frowned, still not convinced his father would come to town with no particular reason. "Where's Ziva?" he looked around.
"We don't know," Abby shrugged. "She got a message, said she needed to be alone for a while and stormed out of here."
"What kind of message? Have you tracked her phone?"
"She turned it off," Tim informed him. "But we were able to get the message. I'm still trying to find out who send it," he turned his notebook to Tony. It said: "Letting someone else take the responsibility doesn't wash the blood off our hands. I'm sure Ari would agree."
He read it several times and then snapped his fingers. "I think I might know where she is. You all should go to NCIS, that's probably the safest place now. Tim, find me who sent the message and let me know. Dad, behave, Abbs will take care of you. I'm gonna go find Ziva," he took the last look at the message and left the bar.
...
Ziva was in Gibbs' basement, standing by the stairs, with a painful frown and a pensive look on her face. She was staring at the floor, so focused on her thoughts she didn't even notice someone was coming down the stairs.
"I thought Gibbs was kidding about the key under a rock," she heard Tony's voice.
"How did you know where to find me?"
"I took a wild guess."
She let him come downstairs before she spoke again.
"How long have you known the truth about Ari?"
Tony made three steps so that he was standing behind her. "For a while."
"Gibbs?"
"No, I put two and two together."
"I am sorry I did not tell you."
"I get it. It was way too personal for you to tell me."
She was still hypnotizing the floor.
"It has been eight years and I still see him in my dreams lying here with a hole in his head," she said quietly with a broken voice. "I thought the pain would go away, because I did what was necessary, but it is still there. I am a horrible person."
He took her hand in his. "No, you're not. You did what you had to. That doesn't make you horrible, it makes you strong."
"I think there are too many demons in my past to start fresh," she said out loud what she's been only thinking for the past years.
"You need to let it go, Ziva. There's no future in living in the past."
"How? How can I let it go when it all keeps coming back?"
"Face your demons. You know, we need to reconcile ourselves to the fact that our actions sometimes hurt people, even the ones we love. But we need to let that pain go," he explained, caressing her hand. "It won't bring you peace pondering over what you've done for the rest of your life."
"There is too much pain to just let it go."
"It won't go away all at once. You need to put it behind you. Don't let it ruin you, let it strengthen you. I might not be as experienced in that department, but look at Gibbs, he's trying every single day. Some wounds heal faster than others, and some of them never heal completely. You just need to find a meaning in your life, surround yourself with people who make you feel like a better person."
She wiped off the tears that were coursing down her cheeks, turned to him and let him put his arms around her. Tony started stroking her hair and back, while she was sobbing quietly, with her head pressed to his chest.
They stood there like this for a while, when she pulled back and sighed. "I am so sorry for this."
Tony smiled. "Don't be. You needed to get it out," he stroked away the last tear from her cheek.
"I feel relieved," she admitted.
"Good. Let's get you home, you look like you haven't slept for days. If you like bedtime stories, I have some tales from the FBI that I'll be happy to share with you."
A lovely slight smile appeared on her face. "Thank you."
"No problem."
"Tony... Um, I know your father is in town, but do you think you could...stay with me for a while? I do not feel like being alone now."
His eyes lit up. "It'll be my pleasure to keep you company. Besides, my dad's in good hands. He's busy playing cards with Abby and telling her his famous made-up stories." He put his arm around her waist as they were going up the stairs. "I could cook you something if you wanted."
"Since when do you cook?"
"I don't, but I could try, while you get some sleep."
"Honestly, I do not think I will be able to sleep, knowing you might set my kitchen on fire."
"Oh come on, I'm not that bad."
"I would rather not risk it."
He laughed and poked her arm playfully. "Would you like to drive?"
So, since my exams are keeping me very busy, I am not sure when the next chapter will be up. Anyway, I'll try to update as soon as possible - motivate me with reviews/thoughts/suggestions, please! :) Thank you and have a beautiful day!
And, as usual, here's what you can expect in the next chapter:
- Tony cooking for Ziva,
- Tony taking his pants off,
- awkward moment,
- the man who's after the team.