Chapter 23

While he had said this was what he would do, Gibbs paused before he got out of his car. It was one thing to demand assistance. It was another to insist on parking himself in someone else's house for an indeterminate amount of time.

However, if Tim was going to be contacting them through Levi Carew, then Gibbs would be there to hear what Tim said. He may not be in on all the action, but he'd be part of the communications if that was what he could do.

Decision made for the second time, he got out of the car and walked to the front door and then knocked politely.

He waited for a few seconds and then the door opened.

"Agent Gibbs, what are you doing here?" Tamara asked. "I promise that Levi hasn't had any other calls from Tim. He would have contacted you if he had."

"I know. Is he here?"

"Yes. He's in the study. This way," Tamara said. She led Gibbs to the study where he knocked once more.

"Yes?"

"Agent Gibbs, is here," Tamara said.

"Come in, Agent Gibbs."

Tamara looked at Gibbs for a moment and then walked away. Gibbs watched her go and then opened the door. Levi was sitting at his desk, but it didn't look like he'd been doing much.

"What can I do for you Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs walked over and sat down.

"I want to stay here in case Tim calls again."

Levi's brow furrowed for a moment.

"For how long?"

"As long as it takes."

"We know nothing about his situation at the moment. It could take quite a while before he's in a position to contact us again... if he can at all."

"I know."

"You want to stay in my house for what could be days? Day and night?"

"Yes."

Levi actually seemed a little disconcerted which was a strange look for him. He didn't seem to like the idea but Gibbs didn't know if it was just because he didn't want a near-stranger who didn't like him parked in his home or if he had another more serious reason for it.

"You know that I'll tell you if Tim calls again. I have no intention of concealing that from any of you."

"I know."

"Then, why?"

Gibbs hesitated and then decided to be honest.

"Because if I don't do this, then, I'm not involved... and it's still my team."

Levi smiled unexpectedly. "As I suspected. Well, Agent Gibbs, let me talk to Tamara first. She has to give the okay to have a guest stay here indefinitely."

Gibbs nodded and Levi left the study. While he waited, he looked around the space. It still seemed far too normal to belong to Levi Carew who was not normal in any sense of the word. It took a few minutes, but then, Levi returned and sat down at his desk.

"Well, it took some convincing, but you're welcome to stay."

"Who needed convincing? You or your wife?" Gibbs asked.

Levi just smiled.

"I hope you can entertain yourself, Agent Gibbs, because not only am I not a gracious host, I have no interest in giving you more attention than is necessary."

"I don't need to be entertained."

"Very well. Come and go as you choose and, should Tim call again, I'll let you know. Day or night."

"Okay."

"For now, I'll show you the room you can sleep in."

Gibbs nodded and followed.

He just hoped that he could do something more than sit around.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Tim sat, staring at the Red Sea as it glittered in the setting sun. He wasn't sure how long he could keep it together. He wasn't a prisoner at least, but his family was part of it, too. And they didn't know how they'd get home. Who was after him this time? He didn't bother with the why. The why was always the same. But who?

A hand on his shoulder startled him and he let out a strangled exclamation as he turned to confront whoever was there.

It was Zahara. He let out his breath and felt himself shaking a little.

"Zahara... where are the kids?"

"With Omar. They are eating. Will you?"

Tim shook his head. "Not before getting on a boat. I don't think that's a good idea. It'll have to take a few hours to cross the Red Sea...and I have no idea what the route would be."

"What are you doing out here?"

"Trying not to have a meltdown." Because he knew it was important to be honest, he turned back to the sea. "I don't know if I can avoid it, Zahara. I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can keep it together."

"You can. You are not a prisoner. We have not been captured. We have to get away, but we will. You don't need to be afraid of this, Tim."

"My family is in danger, Zahara. That man tried to kill you and Salma just because he knew he couldn't get to me. It's..." He took a deep breath and let it out. "It's my worst nightmare, having anything happen to you because of what my life is like. What if something happens to the baby because of what you have to do?"

Zahara hugged him tightly.

"Tim, I am strong. It is early in my pregnancy. You don't have to worry about that. Please, if this is so hard for you, set that much aside. I am a little frightened, but we are not alone. We have people who are helping us. We will get back home. We will. All of us."

Tim couldn't help thinking that maybe one of them shouldn't make it back. Maybe it was wrong of him to try. But he didn't say it. He knew what Zahara's response would be.

Then, Suhayl came out and joined them.

"We should get to the boat now," he said tersely. "You are not eating, Tim?"

Tim managed to smile and shook his head. "I'll just be feeding whatever fish live in the water if I do."

"We will be on the boat for a few hours."

"All the more reason to wait."

"Very well."

Tim took a breath and stood up. He walked with Suhayl back into the small building where they had hidden upon their arrival in Ain Sokhna. Not too far away, there were luxury hotels. Tim's heart twisted when he thought about how much fun they'd been having before all this. He'd had a feeling something was going to happen and he'd been right yet again, but yet again, in a way he couldn't have anticipated.

My life ruins others' lives.

Salma instantly ran over to him and hugged him. Jonathan did the same. Tim knelt down and hugged them both.

"What now, Baba?" Salma asked.

"Now, we're going to go on a boat ride," Tim said, trying to make it sound like a fun adventure rather than a flight out of Egypt. Running away from the people who wanted to capture and control him.

They'd be safe if it wasn't for me.

He didn't say anything though. Instead, he comforted his children and then stood up.

"Time to go. When we're on the boat, you must be with either me or Mama, understand?"

"Yes, Baba," Salma said.

"Yes, Baba," Jonathan echoed.

"Good."

Together, they walked down to the shore. There were elaborate resorts all around, but here, there was nothing but the road and a narrow strip of beach. As they approached the water, a small boat could be seen, rowing to shore.

"Suhayl?" Tim whispered.

"Yes. This is our ride." Then, Suhayl's eyes twinkled while his face remained solemn. "The boat we are taking is much larger."

"I hope so," Tim said, with a weak smile.

Suhayl gave him a look and Tim figured that, if there was ever time to sit and talk, he'd be questioned about his current weak mental state. But would there be time?

The boat came close to shore and the man in the boat spoke softly to Suhayl. There was some money that changed hands and then Suhayl strode back to them.

"We must go now. He will not wait."

Tim nodded. He picked up Jonathan who clung to him tightly and walked beside Zahara who was holding Salma's hand. The man in the boat looked at Suhayl with a wary expression. Suhayl said nothing. They all got into the boat with Omar coming last and Suhayl first. Then, it was a rocking, slow ride out into the sea. Tim felt queasy almost instantly, but he was so tense that he couldn't do anything so simple as throw up.

As the man rowed the boat, it became almost full dark and he hung a lantern on the prow of the boat so that they didn't get run over by larger craft.

Eventually, after far too long, a much larger ship came into view. It still wasn't huge, but it didn't look like it would capsize with additional passengers.

They came alongside the ship and Suhayl let out a long, low whistle. A head stuck out over the side and called down at him.

Tim looked at Zahara.

"He is verifying that this is Suhayl," Zahara whispered, almost inaudibly. "And that he has the money he promised."

Suhayl called back and pulled a single bill out of his robe.

"He said that there is more when they fulfill their side of the bargain," Zahara said. "Tim, I am worried about men who are paid to help."

"So am I, but I trust Suhayl."

Zahara nodded and said nothing more.

A ladder came down over the side. Suhayl looked at them and nodded. Then, he climbed up the ladder and looked back down at them, gesturing for them to hurry up.

"Zahara, you go before me and then we'll send up Salma."

Zahara nodded and quickly climbed the ladder.

"All right, Salma. It's your turn. Climb up the ladder and Mama will help you," Tim said.

Salma looked scared but she nodded. Tim lifted her high enough that she could reach the rungs and then she slowly climbed up and Zahara helped her the last bit.

"Now, Jonathan, you need to hold tight to me and I'll climb the ladder."

"I help, Baba?" Jonathan asked.

Tim smiled. "You can help by holding on tightly so that I can just climb the ladder. You know that I don't like being high up."

Jonathan giggled and put his arms around Tim's neck and his legs around Tim's waist. Then, Tim looked at Omar who had said nothing up to this point.

"I'll come last," he said.

Tim nodded and climbed up the ladder. At the top, Zahara took Jonathan and Tim clumsily made it over the railing. In seconds, Omar was beside them on the deck and the man was rowing his small boat away from the ship. Suhayl was speaking softly to the man on the deck. Other silent men were staring at them and Tim felt extremely uncomfortable with what was happening.

But after a moment, Suhayl came striding back to them.

"They have asked that we stay out of sight for now. The presence of women and children would make them seem suspicious."

Tim looked at Zahara and nodded. Suhayl led them to what looked like an area for storage. This was an old supply ship, but the motor sounded new to Tim's inexpert ear. They set off.

"How far?" Tim asked.

"One thousand kilometers," Suhayl said. "They will be going as fast as possible, but it will take time. We will be about a day on this ship. You will have to eat sometime, Tim."

Tim smiled. "I'm sure you're right. I'll try, but I'm not kidding about being seasick."

They all sat down on some blankets in the corner and Suhayl urged Tim to eat.

Then... they had to wait.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Ziva walked with one of the CIA agents as they headed to Ahmed's apartment. They said nothing to each other. Ziva had nothing to say and the agent seemed disinclined to speak. However, they made good time to the small apartment building where Ahmed lived. Quickly, they went up the stairs and then the CIA agent held up his hand, stopping Ziva.

"What is it?" she asked, noting his tension.

"Look at the door," he said, almost inaudibly.

Ziva looked at the door that must be Ahmed's. It was not quite latched. She tensed as well. The agent pulled his weapon and Ziva did the same. Then, they walked together to the door. The agent paused and then, ever so slightly, tapped the door open. Ready to fire in a moment.

...but there was no need. The small apartment was empty.

At least of the living.

Ziva saw the body on the floor beside the balcony and ran over to it.

It was not Ahmed and she let out a soft sigh of relief, but then she looked at the agent. He was checking all the spaces in the apartment and then came and joined her. He looked at the body and then walked to the balcony. It was small.

"They came through this way," Ziva said softly. "They must have taken him by surprise."

The agent nodded.

"Who are these people? They shouldn't be this organized or have this much manpower. At least, Ahmed Mokrani must be alive."

"Yes. They would have left his body here, otherwise," Ziva said.

The agent nodded again and pulled out his phone.

"Edwards, we have problem. Mokrani is gone and the agent guarding him is dead."

He listened.

"There's been no report of the crime. This was done professionally. Whoever is after Agent McGee this time, they have money, skill and power. I'm worried."

Then, he hung up.

"Do you need to do anything here?" he asked.

"No," Ziva said. "Will you search for Ahmed?"

"We'll have to. The only reason to take him is as a bargaining chip. He's family. Everyone who guards Agent McGee knows his weakness is his family. That's why we guard them, too. We have to get him back. Otherwise, Agent McGee isn't safe. Let's go."

Ziva nodded and looked back at the dead man on the floor. The agent followed her gaze.

"He'll be taken care of. Later."

Then, he strode away.

Ziva looked back at the dead man once more. She didn't know who he was, but he had died trying to protect Tim's brother-in-law. Because that would keep Tim safer.

Tim would be devastated if he knew.

Then, she followed the agent out of the room. Whoever these people were, they wouldn't get away with this and they would not harm anyone in Tim's family.