Warnings: Minor spoilers for Season 4, 6, and 7.

A/N: I watched some of the commentary on PPF because I was curious... but I have to say... the comment about Tony and Ziva being the driving force of the show (from a writer) just... no... I hope he was talking about that ONE episode because if this is what one of the writers believed for the entire series... I don't even want to imagine what mess we would have gotten :p OK mini rant done and out of my system! :)

NCIS Fan- thanks for pointing those things out to me, originally I did have Tony talking on the phone with Ducky and then changed it, the key was an honest mistake because I'm so used to Tony driving haha I wasn't offended at all...

There's no way Gibbs can trust her. Not after learning what she did to Tony. I wish, wish, wish that in the show Tony had fessed up what she'd done because I think Gibbs might have reacted to Ziva returning in a much different manner. And Gibbs will be speaking to her again... but that gives away spoilers so I'll stop right there.

Tony and Natalie are going to end up working through this together. As they should since they went through all of that together. And it's so typical Tony to blame himself for what's happening even when its obvious it was out of his control.

Guest- I haven't written Tony and McGee a lot (yet) in this story, but their interactions are some of the easiest ones to write... on the flip side, I find Ziva and Gibbs interactions harder to write... glad that it felt true to character! I always believed that the only one she truly cared about was Gibbs, hence the whole stop this for him stuff last season being about Gibbs. And I do feel sorry for her too because she is the product of her upbringing. I'm trying hard not to vilify her because I believe the real villain is Eli.

Thank you again, for all your support while I've been writing this story. I hope you enjoy the resolution of the little cliffy at the end of the last chapter.

I'll never forgive myself if something bad has happened to her, Tony confessed, silently, as Tim pulled their sedan up to Natalie's building. Never.

Tony barely waited for Tim to park the car before climbing out. Natalie's building was tucked on a quiet side street. It was an old, brick, colonial. There was no keypad entry, or security cameras like at Tony's building. At least there was an intercom… unlike Tim's building… but that was a subject matter for another day. He pressed the button for Rosa's apartment. She let them in after he identified himself.

Upstairs she met them outside Natalie's apartment. She was a tiny woman, with black hair and big brown eyes. And looked devastated that something might have happened to Natalie. "Agent DiNozzo… she has not come back."

"It's okay, Rosa," Tony said, trying to smile at her reassuringly. "We're gonna find her."

"I just hope nothing has happened to her," Rosa lamented. "She really is a nice girl. Always so thoughtful."

Tony slipped on a pair of latex gloves. "Did you touch anything in the apartment, Rosa?" he asked. She shook her head and told him that she had only touched the door knob when she entered the apartment. Tony pushed the door to Natalie's apartment open. It was spacious, she did have the entire third floor after all, and when you stepped in, you stepped into an open concept kitchen, living room, and dining room. The outer walls were red brick, the inner painted neutral beige, and large, sturdy oak beams ran along the ceiling met a few times with similar pillars. The television on was on re-runs of M.A.S.H, her jacket, purse, backpack, weapon and badge were all laid out on the dinning room table.

Tim immediately began to snap photographs of the apartment. Perhaps when they went back to NCIS and started to study them they would garner some more clues, for now… nothing looked out of place. It was just like she had vanished into thin air and he only knew of one person that could make that happen—Eli David and Mossad. "Tony…"

"Wallet is still here, so aren't her credit cards," Tony said, angrily, as he tossed her purse down. "So much for tracing those."

"Tony… you don't think…"

"Of course I've thought it, McGee! It was the first thought that crossed my mind!"

Tim bit down, nervously on his lower lip. So… what were they going to do? If this was the work of Mossad… Natalie could already be dead by now, her body disposed of and she would never be found. He felt ill to his stomach, the salad he had just eaten causing the muscles to twist and turn. "S-sorry... I'll get back to work."

Tony felt awful for snapping at him… but… Natalie… what's wrong with you? He chided himself, you should have a cooler head than this! He swallowed the angry bile in his throat and began to look for any sign of where his partner could have gone… or been taken. He was close to throwing something in frustration when an open book on her coffee table caught his attention. He reached down and picked it up, reading the page that had been left out for prying eyes to view.

"What's that?" Tim asked him softly, joining him.

"The Bible. Psalm 23."

"Odd choice of reading for a Tuesday night."

"Maybe…" Tony mused, "Not that odd."

Tim arched an eyebrow. "Tony… it's a verse from the Bible… it could mean anything depending on how you interpret it."

Tony closed the Bible and put it back down onto the coffee table. He was about to give his partner an order when heavy footsteps in the entry to the apartment alerted the federal agents that they were not alone. Both quickly drew their weapons. "NCIS!" Tony called out, firmly, "We're conducting an investigation!"

"I assure you, Agent DiNozzo," a tall man said, holding his hand up as he entered the apartment, "I am not here to harm you. Where is Miss Callahan?"

"Not here," Tony snapped, not lowering his weapon. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"

"Michael Bashan, Mossad… Director David requested that I come here and invite Miss Callahan to be his guest at the Israeli Embassy," the man replied, smiling. "And did you honestly think that Ziva did not inform us about all of you while she worked here?"

Tony gripped his weapon, heart hammering loudly against his ribs, ignoring another obvious betrayal by his former partner. "What does Director David want with her?"

Bashan continued to smile and shook his head. "Surely, that is not your concern, Agent DiNozzo."

"Like hell it isn't. She's my partner."

"Miss Callahan has information that Director David requires."

"Information?" Tim repeated, keeping his on weapon trained on the Mossad officer. "What sort of information?"

"Again… not your concern. Please… put your weapons down. I will not hurt you."

Tony shook his head. "You're going to have to forgive me, Officer Bashan… but I was just used as bait by two of your colleagues and spent forty-eight hours of pure hell in a camp full of terrorists. I'm a little jumpy around Mossad officers."

Bashan shrugged his shoulders. "Very well. You can search me if you want and take my weapon. I really am here on a mission of peace."

The SFA gestured towards Tim to go and check the Mossad officer for a weapon. Once Tim had all the weapons in his possession, Tony relaxed his stance and put his weapon away, but made sure his fingers were in reach of it just in case they got anymore unexpected visitors. "Mission of peace? Don't tell me the cold hearted bastard that is Eli David actually feels some remorse for what he did to us?"

"As much fun as it has been verbally sparring with you, Agent DiNozzo… I need to know the whereabouts of Miss Callahan."

"And so do I. But even if I knew where she was I wouldn't tell you. What do you really want her for?"

"Her information is vital to our investigation."

"Her information is in a report that Director Vance made public to Director David."

Bashan was loosing his patience with Tony, both NCIS agents could see it. "We believe she knows more. Agent DiNozzo… Director David is only trying to protect his people."

Tony straightened his broad shoulders and took a step towards Bashan. "And I'm protecting mine," he said, darkly. "So I suggest that you turn around and go back to the Embassy and let Director David know that Agent Callahan is not available to take up his invitation."

"You are interfering with our operations, Agent DiNozzo."

"Yeah? Well… lucky for me this time you're on American soil and have to play by our rules."

"I will be contacting Director Vance and demanding to speak to her—that you produce her or give up her location."

Tony grabbed him by his arm and began to drag him out of the apartment. He shoved the Mossad officer's weapons in his hands and scowled at him. "Go ahead. But if you thought I was unbearable to deal with just wait until you see my boss. Ever hear some say don't poke the bear? Well… going after one of his agents is poking the bear, Officer Bashan, and I would hardly advise not doing so. Have a nice evening." He slammed the door in the Mossad officer's face and latched the locks. Pulling his weapon from the holster he went to the window that faced the street, Tim closely on his heels. Both men watched as Bashan angrily spoke into a cell phone, speaking in Hebrew.

Tim chuckled, softly. "Think he's cursing you in his native language." Not that Tim could blame the guy. Of course Bashan had been stupid enough to poke a bear already and that was Tony.

"Good. Let him," Tony snapped pulling out his own phone. He watched as Bashan got into his car and drove away. He hit speed dial.

"Hey, DiNozzo. We got nothing on the canvas," Balboa reported. "No one has seen her. Not surprised this is a quiet neighborhood."

"Change of plans."

"Did you find something at her apartment?"

"Yeah. A disgruntled Mossad officer turned up."

Balboa swore under his breath. "What did he want?"

Tony ran his tongue over his lips. "Natalie."

"For what?"

"Apparently for information. I don't buy that for a second. Can you go keep an eye on things over by the Israeli Embassy?"

"You want me to stake out the Israeli Embassy?" Balboa questioned, half serious, half laughing.

Tony let a small smile grace his tired features. "Yes. I need eyes on it. I need to know when they're going to try to move out and find Natalie on their own. McGee can text you a photograph of our friend Officer Bashan and any other Mossad officers working out of the Embassy in D.C."

Balboa agreed to head over to the Embassy straight away and hung up. Tony slipped his phone back into his pocket, still not moving away from the window. He wanted to make sure that Bashan wasn't lurking around a corner waiting for him and Tim to leave and follow them.

"While Balboa is staking out the Embassy… what are we going to do?" Tim asked, honestly.

"Get Natalie back to NCIS where she's safe," Tony replied.

"You know where she is?"

"Uh-huh."

Tim was puzzled. Nothing in this apartment told them were Natalie had gone off too. "I don't understand."

Tony moved away from the window. He simply nodded his head and went to the coffee table and picked up the Bible—giving Tim his answer.

Natalie struck a match and carefully lit a candle. Stepping back she made the sign of the cross and went to find an empty pew.

It was quiet in the church. Only a few stragglers lighting candles and praying, the only sounds the confession booth opening and closing, footsteps on the marble floors. She had only sought the refuge and guidance of the church once in her career in Boston—a particularly rough case were two young children had been murdered by their father before the father had turned the gun on himself. She had been a rookie detective, and her partner had told her that you found ways to cope. She knew for a fact that he coped with alcohol and sex. That wasn't her style. So she had to find another way to cope. Haunted by those boys for weeks, when she could no longer bear their images invading her dreams, she had gone to St. Leonard's in the North End.

Back then simple prayer and lighting of a candle had helped her. She wasn't sure it was going to help her that much this time. Things were different. She hadn't been with those boys like she had been with that woman in that small room in Somalia. She hadn't had a gun held to her head with those boys but she had been beaten and emotionally broken down by Saleem. She allowed a few of her tears to escape, making hot paths down her chilled cheeks.

Crying in the dark of her apartment upon returning had not brought her to terms with that small room. In fact… it only made things worse. She felt the tears demanding more of a release and she slammed her eyelids down. "Please…God… please give me a sign…give me some hope that this is going to get better."

Loud, echoing creaks rattled the sanctuary as the front doors to the church opened. Natalie heard two sets of footsteps as someone made their way down the aisle towards her. Slowly she blinked her eyes open and looked up to see Tony and Tim, worried yet relieved expressions on their faces.

"You're lucky you're hiding out in a church right now," Tony whispered, "Because if not I'd have some not very nice words to say to you."

"Tony… what are you doing here?" Natalie asked, wiping the tears from her face.

"Rosa called…she went to check on you and you were gone," Tony replied. "You shouldn't scare a nice lady like that." You shouldn't scare me like that.

Natalie gave her head a little shake, her long locks of hair falling loosely along her slim shoulders. "I… I needed to get out. I… should have stopped by to tell her I was leaving."

Tony slid into the pew with her, kneeling and signing the cross before entering. She looked at him a bit surprised. "My mother… had us at mass every Sunday. After she died my father shipped me off to Catholic boarding schools."

"I bet the nuns loved you."

"Surprisingly… yes." It was the first time since returning from Somalia that Tony saw Natalie crack a smile… even if it was a small one. Progress. "Natalie… we need to get you back to NCIS."

Natalie glanced at him, confusion running rampant through her grey eyes. "Why?"

Tony took a deep breath. "Mossad is looking for you."

"An officer showed up at your apartment while we were there," Tim supplied. "Director David wanted you to be his guest at the Embassy."

"My gut, Natalie, tells me that guest means he wants you to disappear."

"So Ziva can take my spot… just like after Kate died."

Tony felt his chest constrict with anger, pain. "Yeah. Hard to manipulate us if he doesn't have his mole."

Natalie glanced at the figure of the Virgin Mary before briefly closing her eyes. She said one last silent prayer and got to her feet. Gently Tony reached out and placed his hand on the small of her back, guiding her out of the church and back to the car. He was tense the entire time and she suspected he was nervous that they had been followed to the church. Once she was safely tucked into the passenger seat, Tim in the back, and they were well on their way back to NCIS did she noticed Tony's shoulders ease… slightly.

She realized then that she hadn't just worried Rosa… she had worried her partners as well… and she felt terrible for doing that. "I'm sorry… I mean I know that's breaking a rule and all… but I didn't mean… I didn't mean to make everyone worry about me so much."

"Not a sign of weakness if it's between friends… remember?" Tony reminded her as he pulled the car up to the gate at the Navy Yard.

"Evening Agent DiNozzo…" the guard said.

"Hey, Bill, how's life treating ya?"

"Can't complain, sir."

Natalie heard Tim mumble, "Is there anyone he doesn't know?" from the backseat and she had to suppress a smile.

Tony asked Tim to give him his cell phone and called up a photo. "Bill… if this guy happens to come by asking to speak to NCIS… give me a call okay?"

Bill nodded. "Sure thing, Agent DiNozzo. I'll make sure the other guards know too."

"Great. I appreciate it," Tony replied, smiling as the gate was lifted and he drove the sedan back into the parking lot.

"Who's picture did you show him?" Natalie asked as Tony parked the car and shut it down.

"Officer Michael Bashan… the man that was looking for you."

"What are you going to do if he does show up?"

"Hide you somewhere in NCIS," Tony stated.

Natalie looked at him incredulously. "I can't hide out in the Navy Yard forever, Tony."

Tony returned her look. "Why not? We have showers and cots."

"Ah… she has a point, Tony."

"Fine. But that's the plan for now… until I can talk to Gibbs and Vance without Eli's ears listening."

"Sooner or later Eli David is going to know NCIS is hiding me."

He turned towards her, his green eyes dark with so many different emotions, but she could see his desire to keep her safe—just like in Saleem's camp—the most prevalent. "I promise, Natalie. Eli David is never going to hurt you again."