Warnings: Spoilers for Season 6, Season 7, if you're a fan of Ziva you might not like this chapter

A/N: Hello everyone! This is long chapter a head, hope you enjoy it! It has the much awaited conversation between Gibbs and Ziva, hope it lives up to people's expectations... but if not... there is one more conversation to come, between just Gibbs and Ziva with no one else listening. EDITED: someone pointed out some inconsistencies with this chapter, I fixed them to not cause confusion.

Guest- sorry that you think there's too much Natalie and that OC's are story sucking vampires... but I happen to like reading/writing OC's... if that's not your thing than this story probably isn't for you.

NCIS Fan- yes, Natalie needs competent psychology help. Eli is self absorbed and uses people when it fits his purposes even his own children. Vance and Gibbs talk to Ziva in this chapter.

Guest- yes, thank goodness for Ducky!

Tony's shoulder was bothering him when he came back from lunch. But painkillers were not an option. He hated how he felt on them, how he acted on them. And if he took them… well… his masks could drop and he'd be forced home too. Although… he wondered who would send him home at this point. Vance and Gibbs were both overseas… perhaps Ducky could be the one to order him.

Sighing he put his weapon, badge, and sunglasses into the top drawer. Slamming it shut he turned to look at his partner's desk. She'd be back at her desk tomorrow… if he knew her like he thought he knew her.

He didn't know what else to do with her. He could order her home all he wanted, drag her to the shrinks…somehow he doubted that would get any results. She had been clever enough to fool the NCIS shrink in thinking that she was okay to return to duty. Of course they still had one more evaluation to pass before they returned to active field duty. With the way things were going rapidly down hill, Tony wasn't sure that Natalie could pass that evaluation. And where would that leave the team? Back to we're we started… down a female agent.

Tony had spent much of their time separated either drugged or unconscious. Whenever he opened his mouth something sarcastic came out, he couldn't help it, it was his nature… but that did not go over well with the terrorists. Natalie had been Saleem's preferred go-to contact for answers and that was the way Tony had wanted it to be… because it would have kept her alive longer. Looking back, that might not have been the way to go about things. In the end it had gotten them separated and like Saleem had pointed out to them they were stronger together. Plus it had left her vulnerable for twenty hours… on her own… where he hadn't been there to protect her. Bastard… you're lucky you're dead, Tony thought hatefully.

Yes, he knew that her injury report stated she had not been raped… not physically. Saleem had done just about everything that a rapist did to his victim… besides the actual physical deed. Tony didn't know how to handle Natalie in this state… he hadn't been very good with Amber Hamel. However, he could not shake the feeling that he had to do something to help her. He was her partner—her friend—what good was he if he just sat around and waited for her to figure this out on his own?

Gibbs wanted him to take care of her. Keep an eye on her. Tony had done just the opposite of that. He'd sent her home where she was alone. Fists balled up against his thighs, he cursed, silently. Nice going, DiNozzo. She shouldn't be by herself right now and that's exactly what you did—you put her by herself. You're doing more harm than good! Get your head on straight! Forget what happened to you out there and help her!

"Anthony…." Ducky's voice was soft, cautious, and it made Tony's head snap up in his direction. "We need to have a talk about Natalie."

"What's going on?" Tony asked, anxiously. Had something happen to her after he sent her home?

Ducky cleared his throat. "I just got off the phone with the psychologist that did Natalie's evaluation. Needless to say I was not impressed. She missed some very large warning signs."

Tony clenched his fists at his sides, straightening his tall form. "Meaning… what exactly?" he asked, his face falling slightly. He knew she wasn't right in the head.

"Closed off, defensive. Argumentative I would venture to say as well. But what alarmed me the most was herself inflicting pain. I'm not even sure she was aware of it while we were having a cup of tea… but she kept pressing down onto her wounded arm," Ducky replied with a heavy sigh. "Anthony… if she doesn't get help soon I fear that she might take that self harm to a whole new level once that wound heals."

"She told me… she told me it reminds her that she's alive."

Ducky paused, briefly. "After what you have both been through it does not surprise me that she needs the reminder."

Tony wanted to hit something—hard. "I knew there was something wrong. But she won't talk to me about it."

"She's very uncertain right now, Tony. I would even venture to say she is scared. If her pyschologist had seen the warnings signs she would have recommended Natalie for medical leave and therapy. Something she witnessed over there… has emotionally scarred her… added to the emotional scars of her own torture and witnessing yours… she is on the verge of a breakdown, I fear," Ducky replied, sadly.

"Where is she now?" Tony asked, softly. "Did she go home like I asked?"

"No…I found her hiding in the backroom of my lab… Mister Palmer was blackmailed by her… poor lad… he's so worried about this upcoming date with this woman…"

"Ducky!"

"Sorry…I… lost my train of thought… I convinced her to work from home,"Ducky said, getting back on topic. "And I drove her there myself, Anthony."

The SFA glanced at his watch. He wasn't surprised that Natalie had hidden away in the NCIS building after he'd sent her home. It was something he would have done and the closer they got… well the more he realized they had a lot in common. He rubbed his temple for a moment. "First thing first… we need to get another shrink in to evaluate her… she isn't going to take our advice and go on medical leave… that's going to have to come form a professional and I don't think she should be alone tonight or…well… perhaps not at all… until we get her back on her feet… we can take her in shifts."

Ducky clicked his tongue. "She's not going to like that… she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone… which is why I think she is claiming to be fine in the first place… but I agree with you. She cannot be alone. I know a few psychiatrists that specialize in trauma. I'll give one of them a call straight away. Who is going to join her first?"

He pulled down on his suit coat. "I'll go. Maybe it will… maybe it will be good for both of us if she lashes out at me." He ran a hand over his face and sighed, "I need to update Gibbs. Won't he be thrilled to hear that I've screwed up not taking care of his team—again!"

"Anthony… you're taking care of her… you're doing the right thing for her. We cannot ignore her subconscious pleas for help."

"Yeah. I know, Ducky."

"May I ask…what are you going to tell Jethro?"

Tony sighed and stared at his desk. What could he tell Gibbs? The team leader had been worried about Natalie back on the Enterprise before leaving for Israel. "I dunno, Ducky. Take your pick—I knew she was in trouble and ignored it—that I'm probably about to get one of his agents put on medical leave for who knows how long—that I screwed up—again."

Ducky let out sad breath and commented, "Natalie could be a liability in the field. Surely, Jethro doesn't want that and surely he doesn't blame you for any of this."

"But I told him I'd take care of her…"

"And you are Anthony. Stop beating yourself up—this is not your fault. This is the fault of those bastards that tormented you both."

Tony mumbled an answer and went to find McGee—wishing he could believe for one second that this wasn't his fault. But it was… he had failed Natalie out in Africa… now he had to make it right.

Vance was surprised that they were called back to Mossad so late. Especially after their confrontation that morning with Bodnar. But when Officer Hadar came to pick them up, informing them that they were being allowed to see Officer David—Vance wasn't going to turn that opportunity down.

Gibbs was silent the entire trip back to Mossad headquarters. Not that the Director expected much from him in the form of conversation. He didn't. Gibbs was probably going to use up his daily allowance of words on Ziva when they saw her. Vance himself wasn't sure what he was going to say to her. He had been informed of her assault on one of his agents the last time they were in Israel. And he was also very much aware of her role in the entire Rivkin fiasco… and then there was her unintentional involvement in DiNozzo and Callahan's capture.

Hadar parked the SUV and got out, opening the door for Vance. "Director David has allowed us use of his office for you to speak with Officer David."

"Eli won't be present?" Vance inquired, not surprised. He had his suspicions that this was an attempt of holding out an olive branch after Leon had called the Secretary of State that afternoon. No one wanted to ruin diplomacy between the United States and Israel… even Eli couldn't be that stupid.

"Director David had a prior engagement with the Prime Minister," Hadar reported, firmly. "It seems your complaints have reached higher authority."

Vance nodded his head. About time, he thought as they were led to Eli's office. Hadar let them in and offered them a glass of water by pouring each of them one and leaving it on the desk. "Where is Officer David? We were told that we were going to be allowed to see her."

Hadar set his dark eyes on Vance. He frowned. "A security detail is bringing her to this office as we speak, Director. Officer David is still recovering from her injuries and is weak."

"We would have met with her at the hospital," Gibbs responded, leaning against the wall.

"She was released from the hospital today. Director David felt that his office would be the most comfortable place for this meeting," Hadar replied.

Gibbs chuckled. "So he can record it? Don't worry Officer Hadar… everything I have to say to Ziva can be heard by her father… can be heard by all of Mossad for all I care."

Hadar blinked and glanced between the two men. "Director David just wants to make sure that you are not here to take advantage of his daughter at this vulnerable time in her life. That is all. I assure you… he is not worried about what you have to say to her."

Vance curled his fingers against the arms of his chair. "Officer David committed a serious crime against one of my agents… and if it weren't for the crime happening here—at Mossad headquarters—I would be making sure she was arrested and sent to jail."

"You are not here then to convince her to take her post back at NCIS?"

"There is no post back at NCIS. That position has been filled by Agent Callahan."

"Even if there was a position… it wouldn't be on my team," Gibbs growled.

Hadar looked baffled by this. Eli and Ziva had convinced him that the whole reason the American agents were in Somalia had been to look for her. And the reason that Vance and Gibbs were here now, in Israel, was to bring her back to Washington, but now he wasn't so sure. Malachi had not said much upon returning and rescuing Ziva… he seemed almost disgusted by something that he'd been ordered to do. But… as an officer… once you received orders… you carried them out. "Then what are you here for, exactly?"

Gibbs could see the conflicted look in Hadar's eyes. He wasn't surprised if Eli and Ziva tried to pull the wool over the Mossad officer's eyes… to hide the truth that they had used two American agents to complete a mission. Hadar had been around long enough to know that putting Tony and Natalie's life in danger like that seriously compromised their relations with the United States. "To let Eli David know that my agents… are off limits."

Turning locks alerted the men in the room that the door was opening and Ziva stepped inside, slowly, gingerly. She looked small and frail underneath her black tee shirt and jeans, Gibbs estimated she had lost a lot of weight. Her hands were bandaged, her face had bruises that were beginning to yellow, and she walked with a distinctive limp. She looked sheepishly at both Gibbs and Vance. "Director Vance…Gibbs."

"Officer David, thank you for meeting with us," Vance said, standing and offering her his chair.

"I was left with very little choice if my country wanted to keep friendly relations with the United States," Ziva stated, softly, tucking her chin against her chest.

"Do you know why we wanted to speak to you?" Vance questioned.

"Mossad's operation in Somalia."

"Were you aware that there were two NCIS agents in captivity with you?"

Ziva licked her lips and looked at Hadar, who simply nodded his head. "I was… I was not aware that the agents were NCIS… Malachi and Liat told me when they first found me that… they said that they used American agents to get into the camp and that they were waiting for the Marines to invade the camp to save these agents to make our escape."

Gibbs glared at her. "Why didn't they just leave right there?"

"It would have blown their cover."

"Blown their cover! They were pretending to be terrorists! They could have told Saleem they needed you elsewhere!"

Ziva couldn't look at him. She swallowed the bile in her throat. "Gibbs… if I had known that one of the agents was Tony…"

Gibbs snarled at her and turned on his heel, letting Vance handle this. The NCIS Director was just as angry but he was better at the diplomacy stuff than Gibbs. "Agents DiNozzo and Callahan almost lost their lives because of your operation. Why did it take Officer Ben-Giedon and Officer Tuvia so long to get into Saleem's camp? Especially after Mossad killed Daniel Cryer."

"Saleem didn't trust them. Offering the American agents was to gain his trust," Ziva whispered.

"The American agents have names—Anthony DiNozzo and Natalie Callahan! Stop referring to them as objects!" Gibbs shouted at her.

Vance pushed him back slightly. "You and your father realize that you have put me in a difficult position. There's a dead marine at the hands of Mossad," the Director stated. "But that is the least of our problems… Mossad used me and my agents and used them as pawns in a very, very dangerous game Officer David. How am I supposed to trust your father ever again?"

Ziva blinked back a few tears. "I did not mean for any of this to happen."

"No? Then perhaps you should have been more forth coming about Officer Rivkin's dealings in the United States."

"That is enough. Ziva say no more," Hadar ordered. "You have said enough… and it is time that you go."

"We aren't quite done here," Gibbs snapped. He fixed his heated gaze on Ziva. "You betrayed my trust, Ziva."

Ziva nodded her head. "I know. I should have told you about Rivkin. I should have called my father sooner."

Gibbs shook his head. "No. I'm not talking about Rivkin. That was the reason I left you in Israel. Did you honestly think I would choose you over Tony?"

"I should not have made you choose."

"It was never a choice. Especially after you assaulted him."

Ziva's face paled, ever so slightly. She knew she had been caught and even Hadar cursed, "Ziva… what did you do?"

Gibbs moved closer to her. "Yeah… I know about that. I know that you took him down and shoved your loaded weapon into his chest. He was injured and unarmed. And if this had happened at NCIS… your ass would have been in jail. Be honest with me… you agreed to this meeting because you wanted to seek my forgiveness… to get assigned back to the team… didn't you?"

"Yes," Ziva whispered. "My father…"

"Your father used me all these years. And I hate to disappoint you… that spot is taken."

"There is no way she is a better fit for the spot than me! I speak close to a dozen languages! I have sources all over the world! She's just a cop."

Gibbs brow furrowed. "So… that how you feel about DiNozzo too? He's just a cop?" Her eyes darted and looked away, aware of how she had misspoken. "Let me tell you something… that cop kept himself and another agent alive long enough so NCIS could rescue them. That cop was willing to sacrifice his life so his partner could live which is more than I can say for you."

Ziva glared at him. "I ordered Officer Ben-Gideon back to Tel Aviv when we got to Somalia because he was wounded. I knew that the mission probably would kill me."

"Did you order him back because you cared about his safety or because you didn't want to be slowed down?" Gibbs asked. When she didn't answer he gave a slight smirk, "that's what I thought. Officer Hadar… now we're done."

"Gibbs… what do I have to do to earn your trust back?" Ziva asked, softly.

"You can start by staying away from my agents for a long time, Officer David," Gibbs replied, coldly, opening the door to the office and exiting, confident he had gotten his point across.

McGee noticed that Tony had barely touched his food. Which…was strange enough itself… but to add on to the fact that his partner wasn't talking—he was worried. "Something wrong with your burger?"

Tony blinked, startled. "What?"

"Your food—you haven't touched it," the younger man pointed out. "Does it taste ok?"

"Yeah… yeah it's fine. Just… not that hungry."

"You? Not hungry? The end of the world really has come."

Tony tossed him a glare but McGee could tell that it was only half-assed. The senior field agent nibbled on some more fries before calling the waitress over to get a box, telling his partner that he'd eat the burger later. McGee knew that it was going in the trash as soon as Tony didn't think he was looking or when he made it to Natalie's apartment.

McGee had offered to take the first shift of staying with her when Tony had updated him on Natalie's status. But... the senior field agent had turned him down, stating that this was something that he had to do. McGee had offered to get dinner and then drive Tony over to Natalie's place. It wasn't much but at least it gave him something to do to help out.

He finished his salad and pushed the plate back. McGee had been so concerned about Natalie that he'd missed the distress in Tony's eyes. Of course, his friend had always been good about covering up his real feelings, so it shouldn't surprise him that while all his focus was on the clearly upset Natalie he'd missed the signs of an upset Tony. "I know that you sent Natalie home to rest for the day but maybe you should go home too. Pop in a classic movie and just… relax."

"I'm fine, Tim," Tony said, not very firmly. "I don't need to take any time off from work."

"You're starting to sound like Natalie and… well… we both know she isn't fine," McGee argued.

Tony still continued to give him the half-assed glare, even as his cell gave an annoying buzz on the table. He picked it up and flipped it open. "DiNozzo."

A voice that he didn't recognize spoke on the other end with a slight Hispanic accent, "Agent DiNozzo? This is…this is Agent Callahan's neighbor Rosa… she left your number as an emergency contact."

"Something wrong, Rosa?" Tony asked, heart already thundering in his chest.

"I… I am not sure. I went to check on Natalie after dinner. She did not answer her door. I have a key and let myself in. I just wanted to make sure the poor girl was alright… she has not been herself since returning from overseas. She…Agent DiNozzo… she isn't there."

Tony grabbed his wallet from his back pocket, threw some money down on the table to pay and got up. "Is it possible that she stepped out to get something to eat?"

Rosa's voice conveyed the panic he was beginning to feel, "No, I do not think so. Her purse, badge and weapon were all on the kitchen table. And the television was on. It is like she just vanished."

"You'll call me if she comes back, right, Rosa?"

"Of course, Agent DiNozzo!"

Tony thanked her for calling him and hung up the phone, with a solemn glance at McGee, he hit speed dial for Balboa. "I need your team, Balboa. Now. Natalie is missing."