Freeze Frame 5:
How is the death of a French Naval officer on American soil connected to Eli David, and how will Ziva deal with the shocking news her father finally reveals? Will this be goodbye?
Warnings: None
Previously...
Montage … From Chapter 5: Who Goes There…The clips reveal…
Shot one: Ziva and Eli David talking. We discover the existence of Ari's child, Adam, and the connection between Adrienne, the David Family and a double agent for the Hamas and Fatah. Either Malouf (Hamas) or Halim (Fatah) are suspected of being the master mind behind a plot to assassinate a French diplomat.
Eli David and several delegates are meeting in DC to discuss plans to resolve conflicts in the Middle East.
Shot Two and Three: Finding Bridget seriously wounded. Shots of the NCIS team, Abby, Tony, Ducky along with Geraldine Stanhope reveal: Malouf is using his contacts within this undercover operation to avenge the dishonourable actions of his sister Mara,; Adam's Mother, and the traitorous actions of Ari Haswari, Ziva's half-brother, which would also vindicate him from his involvement as an informant and double spy during a failed operative some years ago.
Shot Four: Eli David, realising that Adam's life in too much danger, hands over the care of him to Ziva.
Shot Five: Ziva returns to the States under an alias, an old girlfriend of Tony's, Lisa, with Adam, their supposed love child. The team draw closer to the apprehension of Malouf…
Shot Six: Final Clip…And Tony has a readymade family.
"So, you're my daddy," smiled Adam.
"Dad… daddy?" Tony snapped his head around. He flicked the light on to get a better look at the woman, then gasped when the girl held out her hand.
"You do not remembered me? Lisa? Spring of 2006? Ahhh…" the girl sighed. "I guess it was a bit of a whirlpool romance."
"Whirlwind, its whirlwind, Ziva. Though from the look of your hair, you added too much bleach to the spin cycle."
Chapter 6: Hello Goodbye, Pt 1. Any rvtsh at hyldym shlk( I want to have your children).
FREEZE FRAME: Close up profiles of Abby and Marley sharing a secret. Smug expressions on their faces.
Convert to black and white. Cut to Blackout.
Fade in to wide shot of Gibbs's living room.
Gibbs was stretched out on his sofa and had tried to close his eyes when he felt the buzz of his cell. He pulled it from his pant pocket, put it on the table and watched it spin. He smirked. It was three am. After dropping off Ziva's look alike at her apartment, he'd headed home, leaving the Mossad agent there being watched. He wasn't sure by whom. But they weren't going to make a move, as by all accounts it appeared merely a surveillance job and the young woman was not in any immediate danger. Plus, she was more than capable of handling any intruders. Gibbs figured it was either the French or his own government watching his team for any info or connection to Halim Malouf, the name his team had now used to refer to him. Halim Ganem or Jamal Malouf, the two identities could get confusing. He couldn't blame the different Intelligent Agencies watching them. Someone was passing information about the upcoming forum on to the Hamas operative. It wasn't Ziva, and it hadn't been Adrienne. But someone had gotten past their security, and now it appeared that not only was the French consulate in danger but the David's were also. What was the motive? He wondered…Rule 45: "Clean up the mess that you make. Never leave behind loose ends"
After reading Eli David's file that had been handed to him by the young Ziva doppelganger, it was the only motive he could pin on Malouf. The assignation operation was clear enough. But the honour killing of his sister, the revenge murder of Adrienne, and now the risk to the David's was all about the mess Malouf had made during the Nero operation years ago. Eli was right to make sure Ari's son was safe. Adam, Eli's eight year old grandson, was a target too. Why Malouf hadn't got rid of the boy along with his mother over two years ago had been a mystery until now. Furrows of disgust firmly ingrained themselves in Gibbs's countenance. It sickened him that the child was to be used by Malouf to get to Eli and Mossad Intel. The young boy would have served his dual purpose well before he became a satisfactory casualty. Gibbs supposed Eli felt the same disgust for Malouf as he did about it, he hoped even more so.
With any luck, Eli's plan, co-ordinated from his safe house in Israel with the help of NCIS and the FBI, would thwart Halim/ Malouf's objectives, especially those concerning Adam and Ziva. Eli was now safely in Fornell's care at another safe house until a new location for the forum could be arranged, or until they captured Malouf. Bridget McFarlane was passing the operative the information, but they couldn't be sure she was the only one, or that Malouf was working as a lone Hamas operative. They had forty eight hours until the forum was to take place. Rule 35, always watch the watchers, was being done by Leon, Fornell and Eli throwing in the man power just to do that. They would find Malouf. Gibbs was certain of it.
Gibbs needed sleep, but it had eluded him until the illuminated text message buzzed in front of him... 924...from Ziva. 'Package safe and secured.' 'Gene Hackman ... Gibbs shook his head... The message had Tony's signature all over it and his latest obsession with espionage films of the late 80' over dramatic message was typically over cautious on Tony's part. However, rule 62, one can never be too cautious... Wait, was one of his rules? Hmm, maybe it was Franks'. No, his was more like you do what you do for family. Or, was it one of Tony's? Oh God help him, Gibbs was now quoting rules from Di Nozzo! Hmpft, the cycle of NCIS life, he mused.
Still, the message meant that Ziva, aka Lisa, and Adam were now out of harm's way. Though, keeping Ziva hidden was going to be the real task. The young women didn't take too lightly to sitting and waiting or laying low when her family was being threatened, estranged fathers included. Gibbs wondered if she now knew of her father's serious illness. He had known of Eli illness for some time, as did Leon. But he had kept quiet, not just because of Leon's request and the national security of both the Israel and U.S., but on Eli's personal request.
Gibbs grabbed the throw from the side of the sofa and started to make himself comfortable for the night when he suddenly heard whispering voices coming from the kitchen. He scowled, but didn't pull his weapon. He was pretty sure he knew who his visitors were and that they presented no threat. Anybody with any malicious intent would surely not make so much noise, even when attempting not to do so. He strolled quietly into the kitchen to find Gill and Marley dressed in their pajamas and coats. Illuminated by the light of the refrigerator, they fought over a juice box.
"But, Mom, I'm thirsty!" whined Marley.
"Fine, have a glass of water. You're not filling up with sugar at this hour."
"But…" whispered Marley, a determined look on her face.
"Hey!" yelled Gibbs. Both Marley and Gill nearly jumped out of their skins. Gibbs didn't try to hide his mirth regarding the scene. "What are you two doing here?" he asked.
"Couldn't sleep," answered Marley.
Gibbs got that. Marley often found it difficult to sleep. Up until three months ago the twelve year old had not kept any regular regimes, or conventional sleeping hours, for that matter. Her schooling and sleeping hours often merged or changed due to Marley's care of Rose, her biological mother, who suffered from Bi-polar. Now, as Marley's guardians, Gill and Gibbs were developing a more consistent schedule, even if living arrangements were still somewhat disjointed.
"And, Mom's scared," added Marley.
Gibbs raised an eyebrow.
"No, I'm not," defended Gill. "Frustrated, maybe…lonely."
Marley smiled and looked at Gibbs, before shooting her eyebrows up and down and rolling her eyes in a pretty good impersonation of Groucho Marx. Then she punctured the juice box with the straw and took a drink, still smirking.
Gill pursed her lips, then snatched the box out of the kid's hand. "Sorry, Jethro, probably a bit of both. Oh… wait, not frustrated in that way," she blushed as she corrected Marley's inference then added a direct glare at the girl before continuing. "More like frustrated with an annoying twelve year old insomniac. Who does not need anything else to keep her awake and having all sorts of ideas running around in her head," stated Gill firmly, handing Gibbs the juice box.
Gibbs sipped on it and looked at them both before asking, "What about the scared part?"
Marley shook her head, smiling. "Not me… her," she declared, pointing at Gill.
Gill bit her lip. "A little scared," she admitted. "I just really don't like the idea that someone got into my apartment and planted a bug. And well, Marley's protection …"
Gibbs held up his hand to ward off any conspiracy theories that would bring into doubt Marley's safety. "Sofa now, everyone," he ordered. Gibbs waited as they passed him, snapping the juice box out of Marley's reach as she tried to grab it on her way through. There Marley and Gill settled on the sofa as Gibbs perched himself on the coffee table in front of them. "First, none of what's going on has anything to do with Marley's safety. We think Geraldine is being watched by the French and, in turn, her office is watching them. The bug was put there by her office."
"But how did they know Geraldine was coming over for dinner?" asked Gill.
"I knew she was no good," added Marley. "So is she …"
Gibbs put his finger on Marley's lip before she could say any more, and continued. "Geraldine believes her associate organised the bug. He was the only outsider who knew where she was going last night. Geraldine also left a message on her home phone for her son."
"See, her own people suspect her of being a spy," Marley interrupted again.
Gibbs frowned at Marley's interruption, but turned back to Gill to explain what he could. "That maybe have been the case, or they just wanted to make sure she wasn't being set up. The French want us off the case. They suspected Geraldine, though Bridget's confession now pretty much clears her."
"Oh, well that makes sense. They were pretty fast getting the bug in, Gibbs. Still doesn't make me feel too good to know how easily that can happen," stated Gill.
"It wouldn't make much difference where you lived if someone's determined to bug the place. But, for the time being you two will stay here," offered Gibbs.
"Besides, Mom, they can get all sorts of information about everyone these days from the net. There's spyware floating out there in cyberspace that doesn't need a guy to try and bust into your home to plant a bug when you're not there."
"We may to have to sort out other living arrangements, Gibbs."
"Good idea. I think we all should just be in the one place," announced Marley.
"It's a better idea for us to get some sleep. It's four am," declared Gibbs.
"Okay then, I'm getting the blankets," broadcast Marley, as she headed for Gibbs's linen closet.
"You have a bedroom here, Marley."
"Aww, can't we all rack out down here?" she asked.
Gibbs chuckled, "Sure, kiddo."
Gill took off her coat and took Gibbs's usual spot on the sofa, snuggling up under the blankets he had already stretched out. "Oh, by the way, my car's in for a service tomorrow morning. Can we get a lift with you from the mechanics?"
"Not a problem. You can drop me at work and take my sedan from there, I leave the pick-up here," said Gibbs as he pushed in behind her. There they were spooned comfortably, with contended and happy smiles on their faces, by the time Marley returned and set herself up in an armchair and ottoman opposite.
"Okay, I'm hitting the lights," announced Gibbs. He flicked a switch, sending the previously warm glow of the room into darkness. Then, from over Gill's shoulder, Gibbs watched the small shadowy figure pick up the juice box he'd left in his place on the coffee table. He heard a desperate draw on the straw.
"Damn, none left," whispered Marley.
"Yup! I was thirsty," retorted Gibbs.
Cutaway to Tony's apartment.
Mid shot as Tony and Ziva, aka Lisa, make-up the sofa bed.
"I can share your bed with Adam, Tony. Really, you take the sofa bed," said Ziva as she snapped out a clean sheet, then dropped in on the sofa haphazardly.
Tony screwed up his face, before straightening the sheet and tucking it in under the thin mattress. "You don't tuck your sheets in Zive. Who taught you to make a bed?" he fussed.
"No one taught me. I don't really worry about it. I don't like to be trucked in, it's restricting. I really don't sleep soundly, Tony. Comfort is not a priority; safety is. I like to stay alert…" "
"Huh, a lert, yes because the world needs lerts," laughed Tony.
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing, just loosen up a little, will ya?" Tony pushed a pillow and pillowcase into her hands. "You and Adam are safe." He smiled and moved closer to Ziva. With the pillow held in place between them, Tony reached out and scooped up one of her stray blonde curls and tucked it gently behind her ear.
Ziva blushed a little. She wouldn't admit it, but she liked the gentleness of Tony's touch and the conviction of his words. "Very well, thank you for this, Tony. Though, I really would feel better if I could sleep closer to Adam."
"Okay, Ziva; just get him settled in first. I can stick the mattress in there on the floor. But, we still need to talk."
"Once Adam is asleep," she said before walking to the bedroom where Adam was unpacking.
"It's late; forget the unpacking for now. You need to sleep," she told the small boy.
"Are you sure, Dodah?"
"Use English, Adam. From now on, remember, you are now an all-American little boy."
Adam nodded and then grew serious. "Grandfather told me I was not to be a nuisance… Or …"
"Or what?" frowned Ziva, wondering what her father had said to the boy. She suspected that there may have been some sort of bargain or threat made to motivate the child; a child who appeared willing to give up everything he had ever known, including family. This was for his own protection, yes, but also for the protection of her father and Israel and Mossad. It was a grim image Ziva imagined. This small boy had been born of those who had double crossed their country and family, had killed for revenge for country or religion, and denounced blood ties to do so. How would a little one ever really know who he was or trust those saying that he must become someone else to survive? How can he ever feel safe? "Or, what Adam?" repeated Ziva.
"Or distract," answered Adam.
"Seems to me a little distraction might be a good thing," announced Tony cheerfully. He was now standing at the door, his arms crossed over his chest as he pondered the scene before him. The kid seemed resilient for sure, but Tony was certain there were would be times where Adam would not be so reserved or tough. No matter how old one is, or how old they get, there are incidents in our lives that just leave their mark. One gets through them, lives with them, looks differently upon them with new insights or just maturity, but they are never undone. Nor, is the conflict and emotion they caused at the time. Tears of our childhood live in the souls of the aged, wise or not. Well that's what Tony believed, anyway. However, at the moment it was more Ziva he was worried about. She was jumpy, and a jumpy Ziva was not good. "Let's just stick to the job we have to do here, Ziva."
"You do not really know what the job is, Tony."
"You can tell me later, even though I can pretty much guess. Fact is, though, from what I remember from my own childhood, nine year old kids should be asleep at this hour."
"That is true. However, I do not think eating a hamburger, fries and a fizzy drink half an hour before bed is a wise thing to do. He could get cramps."
"I think you are mixing that up with going swimming Ziva. The kid is probably safe."
"I am not tired," said Adam. "I will be happy to answer any of your questions. I owe you that much, Tony."
"Hey, easily bought aren't you? A hamburger and fries is the way to your heart then," teased Tony, ruffling the boy's head of dark blonde hair.
"No, saving my life is," said Adam with all sincerity.
Tony was at first speechless, unable to pull a quip out of his well-used repertoire or create something new. It was a gift he'd always been proud of. He needed something funny about saving little kids' lives. But he had nothing.
"Adam, you cannot call Tony by his first name in public. You must remember your cover," cautioned Ziva.
"Sorry, sir," Adam replied stoically.
"Hey…No sir; reminds me too much of my old man."
"Old man is a familiar for fathers then?" asked Adam.
"Yes… But, no, I'm not old either, kid. Just call me…"
"Dad?" claimed Adam. His big brown eyes peering out from under his long childish lashes sought acceptance.
"Yeah, that's…fine," said Tony quietly.
Adam interpreted his reaction as hesitation. Believing he might be encroaching on Tony's life, Adam added, "It is just a cover.I do not have to mean it."
"You mean you'd like that? Like to mean it?" scoffed Tony.
Adam shrugged. "I have not known a father, only a grandfather. He allowed me to call him Aba when I first came to live with him. I was just a scared little kid then."
"Oh…so what are you now?" asked Tony, his lips forming a smile.
Adam blushed.
Tony felt the kid's embarrassment and suddenly rushed at him, picking him up and throwing him in the air before catching him and tossing him playfully on the bed. "Are you a porcupine?" He laughed.
"Yes," laughed Adam. "Be careful of my spikes." With that Adam wrapped his legs around Tony's neck and was able to flip the surprised agent easily. Now with Tony lying face down on the bed, Adam quickly jumped onto his back and started to gently poke and tickle Tony in the ribs. "Feel my spikes… feel my spikes… Now do ya? They tickle, yes?" Laughed the little boy.
Tony arched his back and roared teasingly. Adam rode up as if on a bucking bronco before being tipped off to the side. Tony caught Adam before he hit the floor, tucking him under his waist as he, himself rose from the bed and bounced the child onto the firm mattress of Tony's king single bed. Tony stood up and pulled Adam's legs until he was lying vertical in the bed. "Had enough?" he asked.
Adam nodded, and smiled up at the agent. "Good, we sure don't need to send you to any self - defense classes, but your American slang needs a little more work," said Tony.
"How so to…Dad?"
"Not how so. It's Huh? Or wha?" Exaggerated Tony.
Adam giggled, like any small boy would.
Ziva had been watching from the door, enjoying the scene. Tony was a good man and, whether he liked to believe it or not, a natural with kids. Perhaps they felt something in common. She moved across the room, and straightened the bed covers. "We are turning the light out now, Adam. We are only next door. I will be in shortly. I still need to brief Tony. Okay?"
"Yes, ah… Lisa?"
"Good boy," she said and pecked him lightly on the cheek before heading to the door where Tony waited. He flicked the lights before closing the door. Ziva headed to the still unmade sofa bed and sat down and sighed. Tony continued past her, shaking his head and pushed open the kitchenette's door.
"What?" yelled Ziva.
"Nothing, I just can't get used to you with blonde hair," Tony yelled back.
"Do you like it?"
Tony returned with two classes of wine and handed one to her. "Not really, I'll be happy when you can dye it back. Is Adams dyed, too?"
"No, normally it's a little darker, but the sun at my father's safe house has lightened it some. I believe he has his mother's hair coloring."
"And his father's eyes," added Tony.
"And Ari had his fathers, as do I."
"Okay, Zive, how are we playing this…and for how long?"
"You can read all the information on Ari, Adrienne and Jamal Malouf in the file my father gave me. Adam is Ari's son and Malouf's nephew. Adrienne helped get Adam to my Father after his mother died. However, they now believe she was murdered as Adrienne was. My father is in danger and…"
"You?"
"Yes. Perhaps, that is why I will remain this way…" Ziva lifted her blonde locks. "But, Adam is in danger too. This way I can protect both of them. "
"You don't think Adam could have been planted to get closer to your father?"
"I think that is a very real possibility. Nobody knows of this plan except us, NCIS, Father, Gibbs, and my lookalike. But Adam is Ari's son. Father had his DNA tested."
"Yes, well, we'll get Abby to run another one just in case."
"I would also like Ducky to have a look at Adam. We need to lay low a little, until my father returns to Israel."
"And if Malouf is caught."
"No, when Malouf is caught. I will see to that myself if need be," stated Ziva firmly.
"So we play happy family until then," jibed Tony.
"Yes, we will continue the story of your affair with this Lisa some nine years ago. She now wants you to have custody of your son. The paper work is all done. You only need to sign it."
"And if I don't?" asked Tony, now more serious. He tentatively looked down at his glass and swirled the liquid.
Ziva, stood and blew out a huge breath. "I will understand. But, we need to stay here for a couple of days until we can create another cover." Ziva drank the last of her wine put the glass down hard, and started to march away.
Tong grabbed her hand. "Sit back down," he ordered. He waited until the scowl on Ziva's face softened, well almost. "You gotta admit; this is a hard one. What makes you think I'm going to make a good dad?"
"I don't, my father did."
That hurt a little, and Ziva could see it in Tony's eyes. "Look, Tony, neither of us have had enlightening experiences with fathers. I don't know if I will make a good mother to Adam. I know I will protect him, be his guardian, for the rest of his life or mine. To tell you the truth, I think my father made the most correct supposition of his life, of my life, and the most sincere one. I really believe he wants Adam safe. He is willing to make sure that happens, no matter what. I think if he could, my father would undo all those wrongs he did to Ari, to me, to my mother, to Tahli and us all, but he cannot. He can only try to do what is right for Adam. And for that to happen, the child cannot be a David, or a Haswari. He would always be at risk. But, this does not have to a permanent thing for you, Tony, just until…"
Tony put his finger on Ziva's lip. "Shhh, no time limits, not at this hour anyway. I've texted Gibbs. We can sort more of this out tomorrow."
"I will meet you for lunch, and we'll get a few things. We cannot continue to sleep like this," said Ziva. "Then I have a task to do. You will need to keep Adam with you. Perhaps take him into to see Ducky then."
"I'll introduce him as my son. The team's going to recognise you, Ziva."
"Eventually, yes, but I will stay clear of Headquarters for now. You can do this?" she asked.
"Yep, we are a family, all of us."
Ziva gave a soft and grateful smile. "Good, now we must get some sleep."
"Sure, though," said Tony, as he put his glass down on the small side table beside the sofa bed, "this is kinda cozy." He pulled Ziva to him, embracing her gently. "Any rvtsh at hyldym shlk. I'm happy to have your children, Ziva, and I will protect them with my life." With that he turned off the lights.
.
Fade-in to bull pen. Long shot from Tim's station to the elevator.
Tim is working at his desk. The elevator pings, opens and Tony exits, doing up his tie. He walks towards his work station. Move in to mid shot, as Tim stands to intercept him.
"McEarly, the boss here yet?" asked Tony.
"No, but he should be soon. Something big is going on in MTAC. I just saw the General and then Ziva go up there."
"Ziva? You sure?"
"Yeah, positive. She didn't even drop by her desk."
"Hmm, was the General alone?"
"Yep, look out, here comes Richard Parsons. He'll be looking for her."
"Ahh," said Richard Parsons. "You're here. You fellas get in late, don't you?"
"No, we've been here for hours. What can we do for you?" asked Tony.
"I'm looking for the General."
"Got away from you, did she? Not a very good minder are you," quipped Tony.
"I'm not her minder. I'm an associate working with her and the delegates."
"Really, well, we don't know where she is, do we Tim?"
"No, haven't seen her in here. Now if you don't mind we're kind of busy."
"Why, you're off the case now aren't you? Bridget McFarlane was the informant. The DGSE and our department will handle this now," said Parsons, a tone of arrogance in his voice
"That would be right. We do all the ground work, take the risks, and you get to shut us down."
"It's not me I'm just an…"
"Yeah, an associate… what does that mean exactly?"
"I'm with the diplomatic core."
"You mean on loan to the diplomatic core," said Gibbs. He'd arrived and had quietly rounded the corner with Marley and Gill in tow. Gibbs leaned up closely to the man, "Who put you there?"
"I'm not…"
Gibbs stepped closer to the man, no more than an inch from his face. Tony, Tim, Gill and Marley stepped back, grouped together admiring their boss's technique. "Well, I'll tell what you are NOT, and that's a diplomatic associate working on some consultative review."
"Careful, Agent Gibbs," smirked Parsons, seemingly unperturbed by the man's threatening stance.
"I don't give a damn who you are or who you are working with. You stay away from my family and my people. You got that?"
This time Parsons flinched a little. "I am no threat to you or yours, Agent Gibbs. I'm just doing my job."
"Your job gets any of my people hurt, and you'll answer…"
Parsons immediately went on the defensive. "I'll answer to my superiors, not NCIS, not your people, not you."
Gibbs raised an eyebrow and smirked, yet did not move from Parson's personal space. Parsons stepped back and moved sideways. He relaxed and held his hands out to those in front of him. "Look, I'm not the bad guy here, really. I'm here just to watch and make sure everything goes well for the General and her delegates. Now that we know how the young French Capitaine was killed and who's behind that, the French will do the rest to apprehend Malouf. Now, if someone would tell me where the General is, I'll happily get out of way and hopefully never see any of you again."
Nobody responded to his apparently sincere assurance, all turned to their desks and ignored him. They waited until Parsons turned with a frustrated sighed and left.
"Boss, you have a meeting with Director Vance," said Tim.
"Yeah, five minutes ago," snapped Gibbs.
"Sorry, Jethro, I've made you late," said Gill.
"Don't worry about it."
"Okay, I should be back just after lunch with the car."
"But, Mom…What about the arcade?" Asked Marley.
"I can drop her off there," said Tony. "I've got a special appointment down town, Boss, if that's all right." Tony smiled at Gibbs. "I've got to get a few things for the apartment. I have friends visiting."
"Really, Tony. Who?" asked Tim.
"Yeah, who?" parroted Marley. "You got a girlfriend. Does Ziva know about her? I bet…"
"No, I should have said family."
"Oh, your dad again, Tony? He was only here a couple of months ago," queried Tim.
"Yeah, so who? Have they got kids? Can me …
"Hey… enough with the interrogation," said Gibbs. "Marley, you promise to behave and stay out of trouble, Tony can take you…After he's done his work."
"Cool. Can I go down and see Abby then, while Tony finishes?"
"Yep."
"Bye Mom, see you later," chanted Marley and took off to the elevators.
"Right, see you around one then, Jethro," smiled Gill. "I've got to get going."
Gibbs walked Gill to the lifts. "You want me to walk you to the car?"
"You want to just make sure I know how to drive it. It's not the pick-up, Gibbs."
"Nope, that's not it."
Gill smiled, pulled him into the lift and hit the button, closing the door. Once they were alone, Gill pulled him to her and kissed him softly. "Be careful, Boss." She smiled.
"Always," he grinned, before hitting the button to open the door. Gibbs walked back into the bull pen. "You people on top of the case?" he asked.
"Yeah, Boss," said Tim. "We're putting everything together to hand over to DGSE. Abby's just got to send up some of her latest reports."
"Ducky got any more from the hospital about Bridget?"
"She was drugged. The scene was set up to look like a suicide. We didn't get much from her while we were there. Some French DGSE agents turned up and put her under guard. She set up the bees in the flowers, but not the epi pen. Malouf must have done that," surmised Tim.
"So, how does Parsons know all that?" asked Gibbs.
"I could have sworn I saw him at the hospital last night, just after Ducky and Geraldine arrived. But he didn't come in with her," added Tim.
"You think he's been leaking information, Boss?" Tony asked.
"Don't know, but he was definitely outside Gill's apartment last night," replied Gibbs.
Tim grabbed a file off his desk. "I found some information on him. There's not much. But, he has worked with DGSE before."
"A go-between, internal affairs, maybe, Boss?" surmised Tony.
"Maybe, watch out for him. We're officially off this case, but that doesn't mean we don't keep tabs on it. Malouf especially, I'd like to find him before DGSE do."
"So this is a directive… off the record?'"
"I'll know more when I get to MTAC." With that Gibbs headed up the stairs.
Cutaway to MTAC. Wide shot of Gibbs, Vance, General Geraldine Stanhope, and Ziva's double standing in front of the large screen.
Cutaway to wide shot of the screen. Tobias Fornell and Eli David are on the screen, sitting at a desk.
"You look good, Eli," said Vance.
"I feel good, my friend. I will feel a lot better when Malouf is in custody and this forum is over."
"We'll get him," said Gibbs.
"If not us, the French have him in their sights," announced Leon Vance.
"My trusted agents are on him also, but he has managed to do a lot of damage so far. Ziva and Adam, they are safe, Gibbs?"
"You know they are."
Eli laughed, "Yes, I know. But I cannot afford to have them watched by my people any longer, so I am trusting your DiNozzo with my most precious of gifts."
"He'll do fine."
Eli nodded and turned his eyes to the left, smiling when he obviously spotted Geraldine Stanhope. "Ahh, General, we meet again," he said.
Lance and Gibbs both looked at Geraldine. She could feel their stare and smirked at their surprise. "Yes, Eli, though I wish it had been under better circumstances. I know you had great respect for Adrienne."
"She was very good at her job, and a very good friend to my son, even when he could not be a friend to her. She will always hold a special place in my heart for bringing my grandson to me."
"Do you think Malouf knows of Adams whereabouts?" asked Gibbs.
"I am certain he no longer does. He killed his mother, poisoned her."
"But, he let the boy live?" asked Leon."
"Knowing that Adrienne would bring him to you," suggested Gibbs.
"Hoping that he would lead him to me. He is not the only member of Hamas or Fatah wanting me dead. Though, with my involvement in Nero, and of course Ari and Adrienne… Well, it is also a personal vendetta against Mossad and the David family. Thanks to Adrienne, he did not get that wish. So, when that did not work…"
"He went undercover and worked his way in with the delegates and the General's team as an informant against Hamas," interposed Gibbs.
"Yes, his loyalties truly lie with them, but they were not always that way. He is out to make amends by orchestration the assination and take revenge on those who worked against them. I am now the only one left that can prove his connection to the Fatah all those years ago and also lead him to his target, in this case the leaders at the Peace talk forums. It is, how you say, a stone of two birds."
"That's killing two birds with one stone," corrected Fornell, from the large screen, facing Eli next to him.
"Yes, it is," agreed Eli.
Fornell shook his head and then turned back and addressed the camera and those receiving the live feed. "Do we know for sure the French Consulate is the target?" asked Fornell.
"And Eli," said Leon.
"Though, any one of the high-profile consulates at the peace talks will make a good trophy for Hamas's prodigal son," added Eli.
"We're moving the location of the forum, Eli. But that information will be released only one hour before the talks are to commence. My office is orchestrating it with the help of NCIS and the DGSE. Ziva, I mean Miss Jabarin, here and I will be joining you soon at the safe house," said Geraldine.
"Good," nodded Eli.
"Parsons?" questioned Gibbs while looking at Geraldine. "He can't go with you."
"Yes I know, but he is a hard one to shake."
"There is a problem?" Eli asked.
"Nothing we can't handle," said Leon.
"Very well, Agent Jabarin is one of my most trusted and skilful agents. She not only looks as pretty as my baht (daughter), but she is as proficient a fighter and as competent a driver as well."
"Driver?" Gibbs raised his eyebrows… "As good as Ziva? Really? Well, then this might work," he grinned.
Cutaway to Mid shot of Abby's lab.
Abby is bopping to some music while working on the computers. Marley walks in through the door.
"Hey Abby!" Marley yelled, as she pulled on Abby's lab coat.
"Hey, little giblet, wanna dance?" laughed Abby. She took Marley's hands and started swinging her around the lab. Both ended up giggling and exhausted within minutes.
Abby picked up the remote and turned the music off. "That was fun, so how long have we got for a visit."
"About an hour if you're not too busy, Abbs. Gibbs said I wasn't to keep you from your work."
"No, I'm not too busy, just a waiting game at the moment."
"What are you waiting for?" asked Marley.
"Oh just trying to figure out where this little guy was made." Abby held up a small receiver no bigger than the size of a pinkie nail.
"What is it?"
"It's the way some bad-ass… ah… bad guy has been finding out some pretty important information. We find out where it was made and by whom; we find the bad guys and all the other bad guys. Plus we'll find all the information they have gotten, or not gotten, which is just as important as the information they get to plan bad things. That way we can counter plan and stop them doing the bad things to the good people, and hopefully trick them into thinking that their plans are still a go. We can catch them trying to do the bad things, but without actually hurting good people in the first place," explained Abby in one breath. "Get it?" she added.
"Yep… I think."
"Good. So what are we going to do while we wait?"
"Abbs, I need your help. You're real smart and good at… well, I need… I want Gibbs and Gill to get married… forever… I know they really like each other. I'm even sure they love each other, but I just think both of them a too scared to get married. I want to find a way that will make them see that they should be together."
"I don't know, Marley. Gibbs gets really angry if someone sticks their nose in his personal life."
"Yeah, but it's my personal life too, Abbs. I need someone to stick their nose in it. Heck, someone's always sticking their nose in my life. I wouldn't be here if they didn't. I wouldn't be here, if you hadn't, or Gibbs, or Gill, all of you. So can't you just think of it as your ongoing sticking your nose in my business, as part of your appointment of the big sister role?"
"Hmm, the big sister thing makes sense. I like your argument."
"Good cause if we get caught, that's gonna be my defense," laughed Marley. "I've kinda of got an idea, but I need your help and advice. I don't know if it's gonna work or not."
"Okay shoot, what's your idea?"
"I think Gibbs and Gill should have a baby of their own, that way…"
"Whoa…you do know how babies are made, don't you? We can't get them a baby of their own, they have to get a baby of their own, besides it takes nine months anyway. I thought you wanted them married soon."
"Oh I do, I figure once Gibbs knows he's gonna be a father, he'll marry Gill. He's an honourable man. He told me so himself. If he knows he is going to have a baby, he'll do right by Gill. He said when they investigated all that stuff about Patrick. They found out that Patrick knew Rose was pregnant with me, and that he would have stood by her. Gibbs said, Patrick wanted to stand by her, but he was killed before he could even tell her that. Gibbs said Patrick was a good soldier and an honourable man. Gibbs is the most Honorable man I know. Then I could be a big sister, just like you."
"You sure you want to be a big sister? Babies are hard work, and they get a lot of attention. You might not like that."
"Maybe… but you like it don't you? I never had a big family. Rose… well, Rose didn't know what she was doing most of the time. It would have been nice if she'd found someone to love and have other kids, but that was never going to be. Gill and Gibbs have found each other and me, so what's wrong with wanting it to be really permanent. I'd feel better if it was, but I really think they both deserve it, too. Gills getting on, her biological clock is ticking away. I know she loves babies. I think she'd want one for sure. And Gibbs … well, he'd never let her down."
"Okay, yeah, maybe that would work. With a little push, Gibbs might be willing to forget the hebee gebbies about getting married again. But, Marley…" Abbs chuckled. "We can't just get Gill pregnant like that."
"Why not Abbs, can't you make them a test tube baby or something?"
"Marley, what exactly do you know about how babies are conceived?"
"I know heaps!" declared Marley indignantly. "The man makes love to the woman and then they like do it…"
"What do you mean… do it?"
"You know… well, when they do it the man's sperm goes into the woman. Then it travels to the woman's uterus. The sperm are in a liquid so they kind of get carried there like a rip in the ocean. They swim there. Then they meet up with one of the women's eggs. Avery's…"
"Ovaries," corrected Abby.
"Yeah well, they meet up with them and one of them, the one who gets there first joins up with the egg and its starts to spark and then make a baby. It changes and changes every day, making all the parts to the baby. After a bout a week it becomes either a boy or stays a girl… Ha… Mrs. Bailey, our life science, teacher says that boys are mutations," giggled Marley.
Abby giggled and let Marley continue, fascinated by her explanation.
"Anyway the baby inside gets bigger and bigger and changes every day until it's big enough and strong enough to be born. That's the hard part, Gill's hard part. But, by then Gibbs will be there to help her. So all we got to do is to make sure when they … you know do it, that a baby gets made, because it doesn't happen every time, so Gill and Gibbs are going to have to practice at it. I reckon they… you know do it, because they are so kissy, kissy all the time. But, then I thought that's gonna be hard to get them to make a baby at the right time. So, maybe if you can get one of Gibbs sperm and one of Gills eggs, you can make the baby in the test tube, and then we just have to find a way to get into Gill's stomach."
Abby sat down and shook her head. "Marley, this I can't do. Firstly this is way too personal and very much an invasion of someone's civil rights. Just how do you think I would get some of Gibbs sperm anyhow?"
"I don't know, maybe you can put something in the urinal when he goes to the head. You could catch some then, couldn't you?"
Abby laughed then flipped her pigtails from side to side. "No, Marley I wouldn't. Sperm isn't… stop, this is not an image I want in my head."
"Ohh, well, how…"
"Never mind, it just isn't. Besides that, harvesting eggs from Gill is a very personal and invasive procedure. She would have to agree to it. It's not something we can do secretly, nor should we."
Marley slumped down on the chair. "Ohh, too hard, huh? The only other thing I thought of is if Gibbs thought Gill was in trouble or in danger. He could rescue her and then be so glad that she was alright that he'd never want her out of his sight again. But then Gibbs would figure out a fake situation, and he wouldn't appreciate a prank. My butt would be toast. And, I wouldn't want Gill to be in any real danger either."
"You're right, none of those ideas are going to work. If Gibbs thinks for one minute that..."
"Hey! What if Gibbs thought Gills was pregnant, and keeping it a secret from him, even though she wasn't. He might …" interjected Marley excitedly.
Abby picked up her train of thought. "He would, he would. He'd respect her privacy, but at the same time he'd want to know for sure."
"And if he thought she was pregnant, or even might be pregnant, he'd want to make an honest women out of her," finished Marley.
Abby started to pace in her high rise Docs. Four steps left, four steps back, thinking out loud as she went. "Yes, even if it was a negative… Gibbs would wonder. He might just re-evaluate things, especially if he thinks Gill wants a baby and…Oh but, what if it scares him off? Hmmm, that's a possibility. If it was Tony, I'd say a strong probability, he's scared of little kids. But Gibbs, I don't think he would scare off. At the very worst, Gill and Gibbs would have to talk about their relationship and the future. What they both want," smiled Abby.
"And me." Marley swiveled her head left and right watching Abby march up and down in front of her, taking in every conjecture that the her young genius of a surrogate big sister put forward.
"Yes. Well, you might have to do some explaining too, but tell them how you feel about them being together and then keep me out of it," said Abby.
Marley laughed. "Okay. So how do we do this?"
"Simple, now listen…"
FREEZE FRAME; CUT. Close up profiles of Abby and Marley sharing a secret. Smug expressions on their faces. Convert to black and white. Cut to Blackout.
TBC
Chapter 7: Hello Goodbye, part two.
A.N. Thanks for the reviews everyone. I'm sorry this has taken me so long I actually did it months ago, but have had busy life and a family priorities interrupt its progress. I'm not real happy with it, but there is no more time to play with it.
Special shout out to Harliquinn who betaed this for me.