*As they made another turn, Tony groaned when the car behind them followed. Damn it, he thought. They were in the middle of nowhere. They were being followed. He looked at Ziva, still asleep on his arm. It was probably time to wake her up so shed be ready for the fight that was coming. He didn't know if he could trust the driver. He checked his gun and ammo as best he could without moving too much to wake her up. He didn't have as much as he'd like to have, but they'd probably be ok. He was so glad she wasn't here on her own. If he had been hearing about this at NCIS he'd have been a mess worrying about her. He rechecked the car behind them, it was staying at a distance for now. The terrain around them was sparce open desert. If he had thought they were in the middle of nowhere this morning, this was much more so. He had no idea where they were going, Ziva hadn't told him. He didn't want to wake her up, but he knew he needed to.
"Ziva?" He whispered in her ear as he squeezed her shoulder. She shot up and was instantly back and on alert.
"What is it Tony?" She asked wide eyed.
"We're being followed. Have been for awhile now. I wanted you alert and ready for a fight when it comes to it." He said, hoping he wasn't scaring her too much, "how much ammo do you have?"
"Enough, I knew this could get bad and I have plenty."
"That's my little ninja." He squeezed her hand and sighed. Okay she was prepared, they would be fine. "Did you sleep well?" He asked changing the subject.
"Yeah, I did. How long was I asleep?"
"Two hours. Do you know where we are?"
"Yes, we're going to a safe house no one knows about. It was my fathers last resort house. There are provisions for many months there and all the technology we need to find my fathers body and get whoever did this."
That sounded like a good plan to Tony, especially since he thought she was flying without a plan. This might just work..."I need to check in with Gibbs soon. See where they are with Bodner, and maybe they can help us with all this too. Last thing McGee heard we had been shot at and pushed off the road. They deserve to know we are okay."
Ziva hadn't realized he had called McGee. But it made since. "Well have cell reception again soon." Then she remembered they were being followed, "what do you want to do about the car behind us?"
Tony looked back, "They are staying back for now. I don't want to start a fight. Well just keep watching. How far away is this safe house?"
"Another two hours." She watched him take in all the information. She was glad he was here with her. They had never worked together in Israel, she had always felt so alone when working for Mossad. She couldn't trust anyone, now she knew she had someone that she could trust absolutely. She settled back into his arm. "About all the conversations we need to have..." She started.
"Yeah?" He was surprised to hear she wanted to start now, but he was in. "Where to start m'dear, where to start?"
She looked behind them one more time before settling in for a long conversation about some very touchy subjects for them. But the car was now closing in. Ziva grabbed one of her guns and sat backwards in her seat to face the back window. Tony, surprised knew what was happening and took his gun out as well.
The car came up beside them and pushed them off the road into a shallow ditch. Tony and Ziva opened the door and squatted behind it, ready to shoot. "Stand back!" He shouted and someone got out of the other car. He was armed but it wasn't pointed at them. "Toss your weapon!" He warned and pushed Ziva farther out of the way. No was taking Ziva. Their driver got out and looked very confused. He walked around the car to see where his passengers went to. The other driver shot him in the head. That was enough for Tony. He shot twice and missed.
"Don't shoot! We have information for you!" The man shouted.
"What would that information be?" Tony asked. But Ziva popped her head up.
"Adam?" She asked surprised. And as she was sure it was him, she got up and walked toward him.
Who is Adam? Tony thought to himself, but quickly got up and got beside Ziva. He watched the two exchange greetings. They seemed friendly enough, and he started to put his guard down a little bit.
"What are you doing here Adam?" Ziva hissed at him, "you scared us to death!
"You are not safe, Orni knew where you would head first thinking you'd be safe. You are not. It has been compromised Ziva."
This was too much. Ziva turned around and let out a screech that could wake the dead. She kicked the tire of their car, turned back around and looked to Tony for help. But it was Adam that spoke again.
"I have a place that you can go. Lean on Mossad Ziva. We will get you through this. We are your family- not these guys!" He said, waving his hand at Tony.
She got in his face and pulled back out her gun. "They, are more family then you ever will be. They can be trusted! You never could!" Then she backed up and thought through her options. Tony and her had no leads, and very little resources. She did them, though she hated to admit it. Adam was a dear friend. Of all Mossad, she could trust him more then most. "Okay " she finally said to him. We will rely on your help, do not make me regret this!" She turned to Tony for agreement, and he just nodded at her. He didn't have enough information to make a decision about this. He would need to rely on Ziva's instincts here.
Tony went to get their things out the car and walked it over to Adam's. This was their third car today. They were in deep. He had had a feeling that trip wouldn't be a quiet time to honor Eli David. But this was... Well it was bad, that's what. But for now everyone he cared about were safe, so he was good. Tony and Ziva got into the car and it sped off in the opposite direction then they had been going.
Ziva and Adam were talking in Hebrew very fast. There was no way Tony could keep up. He just listened and thought through how to proceed if it was up to him. He wanted to talk to Gibbs and his team. Even from around the world, he knew they would help in figuring this all out. Or at least support them and have ideas. He checked his phone again, hoping for reception. None- it would have to wait. It was really hard for Tony to know Ziva's life was in danger and not have a clear answers or understanding of what was going on. He started with the basics. They knew Bodner had Eli killed. Assuming it was so he could take over. Wasn't that what was said in the meeting? It was hard to remember, it seemed like so long ago now. He remembered something about the politics in Israel changing and Mossad wanted a new leader- preferably younger who understood the needs of Israel. But, there probably was a lot of people that wanted the job and it wouldn't be as simple as Bodner just taking over. Tony suddenly wondered if Ari was in line for that throne if he hadn't died so many years ago. And if he had been in line, would that have kept Ziva safe because she wasn't the only heir? Man this whole this was complicated. Then add in the other countries involved and the peace meeting that Eli had been part of right before he died. Tony's head started swimming. So he refocused on what was going on in the car.
Seeing that Tony was back with them, Ziva filled him in, "we are heading to a secure location for provisions and then heading out to the bush for the night. We will be changing cars again so no one can follow us, but there are many people searching for us. Some people think that if I want the job, it will be just handed to me. Bodner is another contender and there are many others but only a few legit ones. The search for my fathers body is in Iran right now and we can't get there safely." She looked to the ground, "we can't be part of it."
"I told Ziva that if she wanted the job of director, it would be handed to her." Said Adam while looking at them from the rear view mirror. "People are having second thoughts about Bodner, and there is no one else that they are serous about letting in."
Tony looked to Ziva. Would she want that? He didn't think so, but maybe she would. He raised his eyebrows at her.
She shook her head, "that is not what I want to do or be Tony." And she squeezed his hand.
They made it to the safe house and quickly cleared it for safety. They threw as much as they could stuff into the car- food, guns, ammo, water and blankets. It seemed Adam was in a hurry to get out of there. It must be out of necessity that they stopped there. Not completely safe, but needed. Tony had hoped that he could call Gibbs while there but they stayed only 20 minutes and then sped off into the heart of the desert.
It was very late. 2 or 3 in the morning before they left the safe house. Tony and Ziva had had quite a day, and both were exhausted from it all. Neither were willing to fall asleep and let Adam be the only watchman so they stayed awake as best as they could. Tony watched Ziva and wondered what she was thinking. With Adam in the car they couldn't have the conversations that they needed to have. Would they ever have them? Or would something always keep them apart? Is it just not meant to be? He sighed, hating the thought. But it was a legit question. She was finally allowing him into her life but they couldn't talk to clear the air, and say what needed to be said. He would have laughed out loud if he could have known Ziva's thoughts. They were very similar, but starting to take a dangerous turn.
She was wondering if she'd ever be able to tell Tony how she felt. If they really had a chance for happiness. She wondered if the Mossad life would ever stop haunting her and let her have a normal one. Could she keep doing this Tony? Could she settle down with him knowing that she would always be stuck in this world at least a little? Or did she need to let him go, and be off on her own for his safety? She had more questions then answers and before she could even get through the questions, they stopped.
They had run out of road hours before. They were mid desert now and hundreds of miles off the road. They were safe as they'd ever be in Israel. Ziva looked at Tony for reassurance. He gave her a half smile and kissed her cheek as they got out of the car with Adam. They pitched a cloth tent beside a bush, each took a blanket and laid down. Everyone needed sleep bad enough that no on kept watch. They would have to risk it. Tony drew Ziva as close to him as he could and fell asleep.
A few hours later, Tony woke to quiet sobs and Ziva's waist was shaking slightly. He got up on his elbow and rolled her to him. "What is it?" He whispered.
She looked at him with the all the love she had ever felt for him in one glance. He saw it and tried not to let his heart jump too much. She closed the space between their bodies and settled next to him. Even in completely danger, she felt safe right here. "Tony this is never going to end. There is always going to be this life tripping me up. I can't deal with this anymore. I, I want to run away. I need to be on my own." She was having a hard time convincing him that's what she wanted as she snuggled closer to him. He smiled. Her actions were saying very different things then her words.
He had no idea what to say, what could he say to convince her? To pull her out of her thoughts and let him in? He sighed and said what came to mind, "You are fighting hard, I can tell. You are going against every instinct you have and I want you to know I am proud of you. Stay with me Ziva. You are going to get through this, and we'll head home. Together this time."
She didn't know if he was offering a real relationship with him or if he was mentioning the last time they were in Israel when they didn't go back home together. She hoped it was the first. She was ready for that, if these demons could be held at bay that is. She fell back asleep in his arms and he fell with her.
Much too soon Adam woke them up saying they needed to get back to work. They got up reluctantly and Adam filled them in one where they were