Disclaimer: I own nothing, but the plot and that's not a lot, so I'll stop this rhyme and save us all a lot of time.
STORY INFORMATION
Summary: Evelyn Matthews came to NCIS with one goal in mind, to get close to Agent Gibbs. But how exactly do you go about telling a man that you're his dead daughter?
Pairings: EVENTUAL Ari/Evelyn(Kelly),
Tate
Tony/Evie friendship
Ducky/Audrey (Other pairings will appear when I decide)
Warnings: Greyish! Eli, Neutral! Ziva
NOTE: Things I lack knowledge of I have researched from the internet, and while I do try to make sure information is accurate as can be determined some things may not be, so I apology before hand for any mistakes or ignorance on my part.
I want to thank, Dricsj, Gibbs Girl Kelly, HannahbananaJane, JainaSyal, Lady Knight Aria of Haven, Notheronebitesdadust21, Probie girl1717, UnknownFlux, cheether, chrissypotter, Leonarange, lexilia, pavinet, torontogirl12, skeeter88, stargatesg1973, wisegirl71301, OzNCISLover, Kendra29, andrewjeeves, Fantasyfictionwriter, XxstarburstmonterxX, alterangirl, cookie62, kc5mzr, LovelyxLittlexLauren, Rayne90, faith1430709, jbn42, jrfan2383, yadoonkeenjaani, BONES-LOVER-94, FourHorses, IwouldrockJoshuaJacksonsWorld, lauram314, Angel-Lilly16, Captain Kathryn Janeway98, Jeremy Kelly, TivaBelieva.x.x.x, KrisShannon, Tris Holmes, Jenna Craig, MismatchedSocksandKnickers, jtr1812 and zebraclrgard for all the follows!
I also want to thank, UnknownFlux, HannahbananaJane, JainaSyal, skeeter88, stargatesg1973, Notheronebitesdadust21, smilin steph, bulletproofdeath, Leonarange, torontogirl12, wisergirl71301, LovelyxLittlexLauren, Rayne90, janno, Kendra29, Hope'sFace, lexilia, Annie016, KrisShannon, StarlightShivers, MismatchedSocksandKnickers and andrewjeeves for the favs!
I apologize if I missed anyone, if I did just give me a shout out like 'Mirror, how could you?' lol And I have to say the great response to this story keeps me going, so thank you all so much!
Now I want to give a special thanks to the reviewers! Thanks you guys, I wish I could list you all off right now, but battery in laptop is going dead so it will have to wait, sorry. Anyways, knowing how much you like the story makes me happy and I will give you all imaginary bubble gum which ever flavor you like! Thanks!
I have replied to everyone's reviews I think…if not PM and say 'What's the matter with you? You forgot me!'
Guest Reviews: RidingAngelxspy: I know I hate that changing it to M in the next couple of chapter won't let those who don't change it automatically see the updates. But I don't want to give the admin any reason to delete this story and things that will happen in this story won't fit the T rating, so I have to move it up or this story may get axed. Sorry. Thanks, I'm glad you like my story! :D
Chapter Six
'What Nightmares Are Made Of Pt 3'
4 and a half years ago
Ari stared down at the fresh grave, his heart heavy in his chest. There were times he was called cold, and they were right. There were times he was a bastard, again they were right. There were times he was called heartless, and he wished they were right because if he was truly heartless, he wouldn't have crumbled to his knees trying to hold back sobs. Then a shadow fell over him, and it took every ounce of control that Ari possess not to reach up and snap the man's neck where he stood.
"She was one of the best," Eli commented, as if that would sooth Ari's wounds.
Ari just raised his head, sending Eli a vicious glare. "She was the best," he commented, his voice tightening in his rage. Ari rose from the ground in one swift movement, wondering if he had enough time before Eli's bodyguards took him down to put a bullet in his father's face. "That's why you lied…wasn't it? I was a good agent, a good killer but you knew if I found that Tali was my…" His voice broke.
"Ari," Eli began his voice seemingly clog with grief.
"No! You knew that as soon as I found out I would take Tali, and leave Mossad. No matter how much training, no matter how much of a monster I am, you knew what I would do for her," Ari snapped, anger. Years of anger, and resentment breaking through all his control and training in one violent second. "And you would lose two potential pawns in this…game you are playing."
Eli's lips tightened and he straightened his spine. His eyes were narrowed upon his son. "You are not blameless in this, Ari. If not for you Tali would never have been there and been killed."
"Oh, I am aware of my mistakes," Ari gave a bitter chuckle. "I never claim to blameless, father. I know exactly what I am, and I make no excuses. I," Ari took a step forward, "do not hide behind a desk with the façade of a good leader, to pretend to be a better man."
"You could be a better man," Eli stated.
"If better men are like you," Ari said, with a sharp smile. "I'll stay the bastard that I am. And don't worry, father," he added, fixing his jacket giving one last longing look at Tali's grave, "I won't be leaving Mossad. You got yourself what you wanted," Ari told him, with a cold smile as one tear the only one he had ever allowed himself to let out slipped down his face. "A heartless killer."
Eli's face sagged, whether his grief was true or not, Ari did not know. He did not care, not about anything. Not anymore.
Present Time
Each passing moment, the warm drained out of her leaving her colder and colder. Her breaths were becoming labored and she stared down at her leg where her hand was tightly pressing down on the bleeding wound. Her eyes grew heavy and she really wanted to curl into a ball and sleep. However, each time Ari moved she was jerked back into awareness and glare at him. The man was hovering nearby her, and kept looking at her while he searched through the evidence box.
Ducky watched Evelyn's pallor grow paler and paler by each passing second and the wound had yet to stop bleeding. His mind went over several possibilities and none were good. "Gerald, get me my medical bag. Over by the desk on the floor," Ducky ordered staring at Evelyn's leg. It was going to need stitches.
"What do you think you are doing, doctor?" Ari shot him a look.
"She needs stitches," Ducky glared at the man, harshly. "Given your medical knowledge then you know from the amount of blood and the area of the wound your bullet most likely grazed the femoral artery. If left untreated, then she could bleed out in minutes." Remembering how rattled the man appeared after shooting Evelyn, Ducky added, "Is that what you want? Her death on your hands?"
Ari's jaw clenched at the challenge. "Perhaps I should put a slug through her head and end her suffering instead?" He commented coolly.
"I don't think you will," Ducky betted.
Evelyn glared up at Ari…and his ghost twin that flickered in and out of focus beside him. Her hand brushed the slab and knocked into a few pieces of medical equipment. She craned her head slightly and caught the sharp edge of a scalpel. Grasping it in her hand covertly, she looked at Ari through narrowed eyes. Drawing in sharp breaths as he drew closer, she prepared herself.
"Evelyn, don't-" Ducky warned, his eyes catching sight of the scalpel. However, Evie was already in motion and aimed the tiny blade at Ari's throat.
Ari's free hand jerked up, catching her hand. "Ah," with the widening of his dark eyes was the only indication that she had surprised him. He held her hand tightly, in an almost painful vice and stared down at her. Her hand shook, trying to push the scalpel into his neck, but he was immovable like a mountain. "Still have a little fight in you, Evelyn?"
"More than a little for you," Evie shot back.
Ari stared at her and she glared up at him, straight in his eyes. There was something there inside his eyes that made her pause. A brief glimmer of what she had seen earlier. An echoed pain, and suddenly she felt like that she knew this man too well. That she understood him too well. And for the life of her she couldn't understand it. It was just some kind of understanding on a primal level, and Evelyn felt her fingers weaken. She struggled, hanging on to her anger and her determination to put it into his neck. Her heart was pounding in her chest as something in Ari seemed to beckon out to her, saying 'trust me'.
Her hand trembled, and her legs threatened to buckle out from beneath her. Ari's lips turned upward in an almost untraceable smile and he gently pried it free from her fingers. He then tossed it to somewhere in the darkness of the room, it clattering loudly. Evelyn's deep breaths seemed the only noise that permeated through the room.
Ducky stared between Ari and Evelyn, his eyes widen in wariness and perhaps a little shock. Gerald stood behind Ducky, shifting nervously wanting for Ari's punishment. Instead, Ari simply murmured, "I'm glad I was right about you, Evelyn."
Evie stared up at him, her blue eyes too wide for her face. I hope I just didn't make a big mistake, she thought, swallowing thickly.
"Get your medical bag, doctor," Ari stepped away from Evelyn, and let Ducky rush towards her. "Wouldn't want Special Agent Matthews to bleed out, would we?"
Ducky shot him a glare, but looked back at Gerald. "Gerald, my medical bag please."
As Ducky began his work, Evelyn's eyes were locked on Ari. A confusion in her eyes, and a frown on her pink lips. She didn't know what she proved Ari right about, and that…just left her with a feeling in her gut. She just wished she knew it if were good or bad.
Gibbs took three steps at a time, racing up to MTAC after confirming that all entrances and exits were covered, most importantly the ones around autopsy. He leaned down to use the retina scanner and the doors slid open. He rushed through and saw the Director already in there. "We've evacuated the other coroners, and their assistants. Who do we have done in Ducky's autopsy?" Morrow turned to Gibbs, his face tight.
"Doctor Mallard, his assistant Gerald Jackson, Special Agent Evelyn Matthews." Gibbs answered, and he saw the Director draw in a sharp breath before muttering a curse.
"How many assailants?" Morrow inquired.
"Unknown," Gibbs replied, number of dirt bags.
"Let's find out." Morrorw turned to one of the many people sitting around in MTAC working at a rapid pace. "Start the tapes."
"Yes, Sir," someone replied.
"These were a pair of my favorite pants," Evie muttered, only slightly devastated as Ducky used the scissors to cut her pant's leg off for better assess to the wound. He had a sterilized needled and thread setting beside him, and he kept flickering at Ari who paced agitated through the autopsy floor. Evelyn fought hard to keep her eyes open, and it took so much out of her when she breathed. She hissed when the needle bit into her flesh.
"Breath in and out slowly, Evie," Ducky told her. "It'll be over in a just a few moments I promise."
Evelyn nodded, doing as he said. Then she jolted when the sound of the phone ringing broke through the silence loudly. Everyone glanced at Ari, whose dark eyes glanced at the phone.
"Answer the phone, Doctor," he ordered.
"You answer!" Ducky snapped, viciously. "If I don't stitch this up, and try to stop the bleeding then Evelyn will bleed to death."
"You better answer that call or you'll be working on her knee as well," Ari told him, coldly.
Ducky eyed Ari. "I don't think you would."
"Do not test me here, doctor," Ari glared. "You will not like the results. Answer the phone."
Ducky hesitated then looked at Evelyn. "Go," Evie told him, breathlessly. Ducky frowned, but made his way to the ringing phone.
Ari's eyes lingered on Evelyn. Even close to death, she was beautiful. Her red hair looked crimson in the darkness of the room and fell in front of her wide blue eyes set against porcelain skin and her pink lips parted in painful breaths. At first, he though her trap, meant to put him down, but her expressions were too real. Too innocent. She wasn't trained like him. Ari glance down at the needle and the wound then he made a noise in the back of his throat, and set down the evidence before heading towards her. When he got within touching distance, Evie hissed out, "Don't touch me!"
Ari ignored her, and picked up the needle that Ducky had set down. Then without waiting or warning, he began to stitch up the wound. Evelyn yelped in surprise, and on instinct slapped him. Her palm struck him across the face so hard that her hand burned with pain. Ari took the hit with a surprising grace, his face snapping to the side, but his expression was unchanged. And his hand with the needle was ever steady. He craned his head back towards her, reminding her a snake who had just found an exceedingly stupid mouse and merely raised an eyebrow. "Now, Evelyn that is no way to treat someone who is trying to help you."
"Considering you're the reason why I'm bleeding out, I'll treat you however I damn well please," Evie smiled at him coolly.
Before a scuffle could ensue, Ducky spoke loudly, "Autopsy."
"Ducky." Evie's lips trembled as she almost cried, when she heard her father's voice she was so relieved. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath listening to him speak. "What's with the infectious autopsy?"
"Purely precautionary," Ducky stated, trying to keep his tone jovial as he normally was. "I'm sure that we will determine if our precaution was needed or not, shortly."
"Is that why you took the evidence back?" Gibbs questioned.
"Yes, sorry." Ducky apologized. "I wanted to cover all our bases, least there be something infectious to be found." At Ari's pointed look, Ducky added, "But I'm really busy so I really must let you go."
"Right, right," Gibbs's voice came, it was light lacking it's normal bite. He was worried, Evie could hear it. Her shoulder slumped in relief, and she thought, Gibbs knows something is wrong. We're going to be okay. Gibbs then added, "Ducky before I let you go…is Evelyn there?"
Ducky looked over at Ari. The man debated for a split second before shaking his head. Ducky replied, "No. She left a few minutes ago."
"Okay. You let me know when I can come down." Gibbs stated, his voice casual. "You got me curious."
Ducky set the phone back on the cradle and looked over at Ari with a look of pure loathing. "I can't wait to weigh your liver," Ducky glared at him.
Ari just smiled in reply.
"Unknown male in autopsy…" Tony was standing in the stairwell his steady gaze on the autopsy windows. He could barely make out the figures through the darkness. "…wearing greens. Medium build and height," he spoke in the walkie talkie.
Up in MATC, Gibbs acknowledged. "Copy."
"The FBI Hostage Rescue Team will be onsite in seven minutes," Morrow stated, his posture tense and he let out a weary sigh. "We need an eye in autopsy."
"Already working on it," Gibbs told him.
"Lie down, Evelyn," Ducky told her, easing her back on the body slab. "You've lost a lot of blood."
"You know…" Evie joked, tiredly. She felt a sense of nausea wash over her as she shifted to get comfort on the cold metal slab. Ducky stripped of his medical jacket and placed it over her. "Thanks, Ducky…you know, I never imagined I'd end up on a body slab while I was still alive…"
Ducky smiled slightly, before patting her arm. Ari ruined the moment, asking sharply, "Where is the evidence collected in Qassam's room?"
"The lock-up," Evie replied, weakly.
"Which is?" Ari looked over at her.
"In the garage, one floor up," Ducky replied.
Ari nodded to himself. "The same way I came in."
"I don't know how you came in," Ducky merely shrugged.
"In a body bag," Ari offered, simply.
"I hope that it's the same way you go out," Evie glowered at him. Ari seemed more amused by her response than actually threatened and she wished that she enough strength to try to knife him than a scalpel again.
"Is it the same garage?" Ari questioned.
"No," Gerald replied, shifting closer to Ducky and Evelyn. "The evidence locker is in the garage next to forensics. Above us."
Ari pondered this over when he caught movement in the darkness, near the ceiling. Clever, but not clever enough, he commended them, then raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
Gibbs was putting the camera probe through the hole in Abby's floor, while Kate was bringing it up on the computer screen. Abby was hurriedly going through Qassam's belonging trying to find the item that held the contagion.
Tony relayed the latest happenings to Gibbs. "SWAT teams on are ready for the word, and the Director's is about to start negotiations."
"Then let's hope we can figure out who this bastard is and what he is after," Gibbs finished feeding the probe through. "Kate, do you have a visual up?"
"Not yet…give me a second," Kate had a frustrated look on her face as she typed on the keyboard. "Tony," she looked at DiNozzo for help.
Tony walked over and took over. "Honestly Kate, for someone who has a PDA this should be a snap," Tony told her.
"You aren't much better with this stuff than I am, DiNozzo," she sent him a tiny glare.
"Oh, but I am. And the video feed should be up, now…oh, my god," Tony's face paled and he stared at the screen shocked.
Abby's hands flew to her mouth, "Oh, God! It should be me down there! It should have been me not Evelyn."
Gibbs's heart jolted in his chest when he saw Evelyn lying on a body slab with Ducky beside her. He let out a low breath, when he saw her move. "She's fine, Abs," Gibbs assured Abby. "She's fine. And you're not there, Abby, because you are needed here."
Abby swallowed, before going back to the evidence. Her hands shaking as she pulled everything out. They were going to be okay, she thought, swallowing thickly. Gibbs's jaw clenched as he looked at the man in greens out of place with the unmistakable glint of a gun in his hands. Gibbs picked up the walkie. "We've got one intruder."
"One intruder?" Morrow's voice came over the walkie.
"That's all I see, Sir," Gibbs replied. "Tony, zoom in!"
Gibbs then saw the man turn and raise his gun. The shots echoed loudly through and the video went back. Tony cursed, "Shit."
"Guess he knows we're on to him," Gibbs frowned, deeply.
Ari knew he only had precious seconds to spare and pulled down his body bag. "Doctor, Gerald, put Qassam in the body bag," he ordered, his voice dark and serious. A warning buzzer echoed from the corridor. "Now, please. Soon they'll be calling to negotiate your release."
"NCIS does not negotiate with terrorists," Evie tried to sit up, to watch Ducky and Gerald get to move the body. She didn't like just lying there, being helpless and she looked longingly at the evidence box where he had dumped all her weapons at.
"Evelyn, when you get to know me better," Ari sent her a taunting smile, "you won't call me that."
"That's never going to happen," Evelyn stated, darkly.
"Are you so sure?" Ari smirked. Then the phone began to ring, and he looked over at it. "I believe that would be our negotiator."
"Eureka!" Abby crowed, throwing her hands in the air.
"Good news, Abby?" Gibbs looked at her.
"I've figured it out." Abby looked at him, proudly. "It's a variola smallpox virus. That's good news because it's not a flat or hemorrhagic small pox which is always fatal."
"Where did you find it?" Gibbs asked.
"Up your nose has a special meaning for this guy," Abby grinned.
"Good jobs, Abs," Gibbs stated.
"Uh, boss," Tony stated, garnering Gibbs's attention. "Director wants you up in MTAC. They're doing negotiations-" Gibbs was out the door before Tony finished. Tony looked at Kate and Abby slightly put out, "So we stay here then?"
"If you just let one of the hostages-" Morrow began, but Ari but the NCIS Director off.
"I'm afraid that will not be happening. I've given you my demands, and Director, I've regrettably had to demonstrate the consequence of not obeying my orders. Sweet Evelyn has already lost a lot of blood, I daresay she cannot take much more damage," Ari spoke into the speaker feeling the heat of the glare on his face. He looked up and met her blue eyes.
"Well then it's important-"
"When all evidence collected from Qassam's room is in my hands…" Ari talked over him, forcefully. "…you may have your doctor and his assistant."
"What about Agent Matthews?" Morrow asked. Evelyn felt her breath catch in her throat wondering the same thing. She caught Ari's gaze flicker over at her. His brows furrowed slightly as if he were trying to unravel some interesting puzzle and Evie had a feeling she was the puzzle.
"She is my insurance," Ari stated, his finger hovering over the disconnect button. "You have ten minutes."
Morrow spoke, "No, we need more ti-"
Ari hit the disconnect button. Ducky zipped up Qassam's body and turned to look at Ari. "Let Evelyn go in my place," Ducky requested.
Evelyn shook her head, "Ducky, no…"
"She is hurt, and she lost blood. I may have sealed the wound, but the danger is not past," Ducky tried to get Ari to see reason, talking over Evelyn's plea."
"No," Ari said, shortly.
"Why not? You'll have what you wanted? She is injured, why not let her go?" Ducky demanded, angrily.
Ari cocked his head to the side, then looked over at Evelyn who stared at him. Her blue eyes were piercing, trying to crawl inside his soul if he still possessed such a thing and he couldn't help the curiosity that she stirred within him. "Because Evelyn and I aren't finished. Not yet."
The phone rang, breaking through the tense silence in MTAC. Gibbs looked over at the console agent who announced, "Hostage taker calling."
Morrow nodded, and the console agent hit a button. Morrow straightened his spine, and said, "Hello."
There was a brief silence, then the voice came over the phone. "Is Special Agent Gibbs there?" There was a middle eastern infliction to the hostage taker's voice.
Morrow glanced over at Gibbs, and Gibbs answered, "I'm here."
"Thought you might be." The hostage taker mused, knowingly. "You've seen me on video. My turn to see you."
Gibbs paused, only briefly. "Looking forward to it."
"Come alone. Unarmed." The hostage taker ordered. "…and don't forget Qassam's things."
Ari had ordered Ducky and Gerald in the back room, and locked them inside. Evelyn watched, her blue eyes boring holes through him. She lay there, her heart racing, terror pounding through her veins as she found herself alone facing him. He walked back towards her, and it was the first time that she appreciated the fact of how deadly he was. He moved deadly, with the fluid grace of a predator like a leopard or lion. Every movement made to lead the prey into a false sense of security right before he attacked.
"What do you want from me?" Evelyn stared up at Ari, her teeth chattering. It was so cold. Too cold.
He stepped close enough to inhale her fragrance, like strawberries and oranges. It was one of the first things he noticed about her. Ari had many beautiful women over the years, but it was always a mission. Always a target, the only true interest he had in them was for the information and the quick roll in the hay. But Evelyn was the first one to pique his interest as a man, not the undercover agent.
He didn't realize how much trouble his interest in her was going to cost him. He had strayed from the boundaries of his mission, had strayed from his orders and would be reprimanded harshly. But he found he could not regret it. Whatever game he had started here with Evelyn, he would see to the end. "We'll soon find out, won't we?" He murmured, leaving Evie even more confused.
Gibbs, Tony and Kate stood in the squad room. Kate looked nervous, but kept her opinions to herself and simply wringed her hands together. Gibbs stood motionless, like a statue, his blue eyes darkening as he prepared him for what he was up against.
And Tony, well, Tony did was he did best under pressure. Babble. "Abby's getting it all bagged and tagged, boss. Aspirin, breath freshener, nasal spray, and tea," Tony informed his boss, his movements jittery. He didn't like Gibbs going down there without back up, but he didn't say anything. "Qassam drank a wimpy Darjeeling from northwestern Kashmir. I prefer the darker, more robust flavor of tea from the brahmaputra area in northeast India where they actually take the leaf and they rake it…"
"Tony," Gibbs fought his twitching lips.
"Yeah, boss?" Tony looked at him.
"You nervous?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah. I don't like this bastard having one of our team down there already, hurt and injured," Tony admitted, his voice grim. "I don't like you going down there unarmed and solo."
"He's not the only one," Kate finally spoke up. She looked at Gibbs, worriedly. "This man is going to use Evelyn to get to you, you know that?"
"Yeah," Gibbs acknowledged with a nod. "I know that, Kate, but we've got no choice. Besides, I need you two outside of receiving. This guy's not a suicide bomber. He has an escape plan. Maybe to get out the same way he came in. I want someone I know there."
Kate looked like she wanted to argue further, but she nodded her head. "Alright, boss," she replied.
"So…" Tony dealt with his nervousness the only way he knew how, "You are basically saying that we are someone you trust. Someone you can depend on. Me, more than Kate."
Kate let out a noise of anger, and it just made Tony's grin bigger. Gibbs rolled his eyes lightly and headed towards the elevator. The familiar ding broke through the tense and loud squad room. The door slid open and Abby sprung out of with the box of evidence in her arms, her pale skin looking an unhealthy shade of pale. She held out the box to Gibbs, "I come bearing gifts and one nasal spray of death."
Gibbs raised an eyebrow.
Abby elaborated, "I just really wanted to say that."
Gibbs took the evidence from her, and pressed a kiss on her cheek making her brighten. "Thanks, Abs," he told her before stepping on the elevator and hitting the button.
Tony hollered after him, "So I'm your best man!?"
The elevator doors shut.
"I don't think best man was the right thing to say to someone who has been married thrice," Tony winced. Kate gave the first laugh she had given since this whole thing started, and Tony felt a suspiciously warmth in his chest.
"You two worried?" Abby looked at them.
"Oh, no," Tony shrugged out, with an easy going smile.
"Nope," Kate looked down at her feet.
Abby smiled lightly. "Yeah, me too."
Gibbs heart beat was steady beneath his chest as the elevator lowered deep into the depths of the building. He held onto the evidence box so tightly that his knuckles were white, the only indication that he was stressed. His blue eyes stared forward and he only hoped he wasn't too late. The elevator dinged, and the metal doors slid open.
With a cautious step, Gibbs stepped out. His gaze flickering to the autopsy doors, and with purpose made towards them. His hand curled around the door handle and he pushed it in. His footsteps echoed across the floor and he felt the door shut behind him.
"Halt," a voice called out. "Turn."
Gibbs did that and finally stared into the face that had been terrorizing his team. He was a tall, slim man with bronze skin and dark, impossibly black eyes.
"You're older than I expected," Ari commented, his eyes boring into Gibbs's.
Gibbs's expression gave away nothing, and his blue eyes flickered over to Evelyn where she lied. Her chest was heaving up and down in labored breaths, and her skin was pale. "Matthews, you still with us?" Gibbs barked out.
Evie was silent for a moment, before she got up the energy to speak up. "Does it look like I'm…I'm going anywhere, boss?" She breathed out.
That's my girl. Gibbs thought proudly at the sarcastic reply, then his eyes flickered back to Ari who stood too close to Evelyn for comfort. He noticed Ari's eyes widen a fraction before he looked down at Evelyn. She glared up at the man, and Ari's lips turned downward.
Ari looked back up Gibbs, coolly. So this is where I recognized her eyes, he pondered this realization. There was nothing in the file of Gibbs possessing a family. Did that mean that Evelyn was a bastard child like himself? A child vying for her father's affection by trying to become him? Just like once upon a time, Ari had once done? Ari's frown deepened.
"Where are the other hostages?" Gibbs asked.
"He locked them in the back room," Evie answered, lightly.
"Now Evelyn," Ari said, patronizingly, "speak only when spoken to."
"I think the reply…I'm looking for beings with an f…and ends with a u…" Evelyn glared at him. Ari smirked, and looked over at Gibbs who frowned at the interaction between the two of them. "Box on the floor. Hands on top of your head, turn around, and walk back to the door," Ari ordered, darkly.
"Not without Evelyn," Gibbs stated, firmly.
Evelyn looked between Gibbs and Ari, her body tensing feeling the air thicken with tension.
"She won't leave here at all unless you put the box on the floor, your hands on your head, turn around," Ari began to repeat his conditions.
Gibbs cut him off. "Turn around and walk back to the door. Older doesn't mean deaf. You want out of here alive?" Gibbs questioned.
"I'm sure Evelyn does," Ari commented, airly. "Don't you, Evie?"
"Screw you," Evie snapped. She was tired and couldn't come up with anymore clever comebacks. Dark spots danced in front of her eyes, and she felt consciousness slip from her body. She wasn't going to be able to stay up much longer.
"So cruel," Ari flashed her a lazy sort of grin.
Gibbs narrowed his eyes. "I think you do, too," Gibbs wanted his attention focused on him, not on Evelyn. Ari glanced his way and he continued, "That's why very slowly now I'm going to reach into this box and take out of here with two fingers exactly what you want." He reached in and picked up the nasal spray then to Ari's surprise sniffed it. "Surprise," Gibbs said dryly, dropping the evidence box on a nearby counter, "You failed. Mission over. The real smallpox virus is on its way to CDC. Do you want to talk about whether you live or die?"
Ari look thoughtfully at Gibbs. He had a feeling that he was doomed from the start to fail this mission, though the machinations of his father were a mystery to him. He had many theories, the first and foremost was that his father was determined to keep him as a permanent mole to Hamas sending him on mission after mission until he got killed. Too bad for Eli, Ari had no intention of playing any game he had setup. "How far were you from Qassam when you shot him?" Ari asked.
"Oh, I don't know," Gibbs shrugged.
Ari was however not fooled. He knew Gibbs was a deadly man, especially with a gun. And that would work perfectly in his favor. "You measured it for your incident report," Ari commented, evenly.
"Thirty seven feet and a few inches," Gibbs replied truthfully, "give or take."
"Oh, you're a very good shot," Ari was impressed.
"I would love to demonstrate," Gibbs offered, darkly.
Evelyn felt a trace of a smile on her face, as her eyelids slid slowly closed and she fell into darkness. Ari chuckled, "Funny. Special Agent Matthews said the same thing."
Gibbs said nothing, his gaze lingered on Evelyn when she slumped soundlessly. Damnit, she lost consciousness, he thought and glared up at Ari.
Ari asked, lightly, "Would you truly like to demonstrate?"
"Yep," Gibbs answered.
"Agent Matthews's Colt Revolver is in the box to your left. Fully loaded. Untampered. All live rounds." Ari nodded to the box, moving away from Evelyn and stepped right into Gibbs' path. "Pick it up."
Gibbs slowly picked up the gun, and checked it himself. Then he looked up at Ari, and asked, "Why?"
"Why not?" Ari simply shrugged. The two men stared each other down, both waiting for the other man to make a move. Then one did, and the other raised his gun in retaliation and gunshots deafened the autopsy room.
Evelyn felt a rocky sensation, and recognized the sound of a vehicle moving. She was in a car? She fought to get her eyes open and she could feel someone moving around her frantically. With deep, and hard breaths, she gathered the strength to peel her eyes open and found herself staring up at a paramedic adjusting an iv attached to her arm. "Wh…wha…" She tried to speak up.
"Save you strength, Matthews," a familiar voice barked at her.
She slowly craned her head, taking in the ambulance with a dissociation not sure it was real then finally her gaze rested on Gibbs. "Boss," her eyes widened at the sight of him. Several things were on the top of her tongue at that moment, seeing him holding his bloody right shoulder and grimacing each time the van hit a bump in the road. But the only thing that came out was, "You look like shit."
A small smile, or perhaps it was grimace that crossed over Gibbs's face. "How are you feeling?" asked Gibbs, looking down at her.
"Like I was shot…" she shot back, tiredly. "And almost bleed to death…"
Gibbs snorted. "Good to see your sarcasm remained intact," he stated, grimacing as the paramedic fussed with the bandages on his shoulder.
Evelyn gave a light laugh before coughing roughly. Her mouth felt like cobwebs and tasted even worse. "Ah…you know you wouldn't have me any other way," she managed to get out through the wave of dizziness. Turning her face, until she was staring at Gibbs right in the eyes, she asked, "Did you get him?"
Gibbs's expression tightened, and Evelyn's heart fell. "He always had a back up plan," Gibbs stated, gruffly. "He just needed someone he could count on to shoot him in the chest to trigger the assault. He was wearing a bulletproof vest all along."
"He was," Evelyn stated, resisting the urge to slap her forehead. "I felt it."
Gibbs's eyes snapped towards her. "You felt it?" He asked, slightly shocked.
"I almost stabbed him with a knife," Evelyn stated, reluctantly. Her mind felt jumbled as she tried to sort out why she didn't take him out when she had the chance. "I felt it when I went to stab him."
"And you didn't," Gibbs commented, his brows furrowed.
Evelyn stared up at the ambulance ceiling, drowning out the ambient noise from the moving vehicle. Her heart beat felt awkward, and she felt tremors rack throughout her entire body. "No…I didn't it," she whispered out. "I didn't…"
The rest of the trip to the hospital was made in silence.
"You are in trouble, Ari," Ziva's voice came through the phone as Ari drove down the street and pulled down his ballcap farther down as he passed a state trooper. "The heads of Mossad are not pleased that the virus is in US hands, nor are they pleased that you went against your orders. They are deciding on your punishment as we speak."
Ari could careless. Whatever Mossad would do to him, he had faced worse. "I am aware of that, Ziva," he commented, darkly. "I want to know what Eli-"
"Father," Ziva corrected him.
Ari's expression darkened. "I want to know what Eli," Ari stated, his voice stressing his father's name, "wants with NCIS. What does he got to gain from them?" Perhaps if he could figure out Eli's game then he could figure a way out.
"Ari," Ziva's voice was filled with warning.
"Admit it," Ari taunted her. "You are curious too little sister."
Ziva made a noise of frustration in the back of her head. "Ari, this could get us in a lot of trouble. You know how father is when we meddle in his affairs," she told him.
"We are in the middle of these affairs," Ari snapped. "I will not be a mindless pawn sacrificed for a cause I do not know. I want to know what Eli has planned."
Ziva was silent for a long time, before she finally spoke, "I will ask around, but I cannot promise answers, Ari. I will call you again, once I've set up a rendezvous point until then…Ari be careful."
"I will." Ari stated, then suddenly on impulse he asked, "Ziva?"
"Yes?"
"Get me information on Evelyn Matthews," Ari requested suddenly on impulsive, hoping his sister would come through. "And Ziva? Keep this to yourself."
He snapped the phone shut, and continued down the darkened road with no destination yet in mind.
END OF CHAPTER!
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