Chapter 28

Roy stepped into the control center. He was interested to see just how this would go. He hadn't had much of a chance to evaluate the new NSA director and this would certainly be an opportunity to feel out just how much leeway Director Liu would give. If any. Gellman had been fairly rigid, but he also knew how to bend when necessary. It was just that he was quiet about it.

As the NSA usually was.

What would Director Liu's reaction be to this request?

"Director Liu is ready to meet."

Roy nodded. "Put him through."

The colored bars were replaced with Director Liu. He showed nothing.

"Director Liu, thank you for meeting with me."

Director Liu nodded briefly. "It was unexpected, Director Morgan," he said.

"I know that. I'll be quick. First, I have a question. How much use are you making of Agent Timothy McGee?"

A long pause.

"Why?"

"Because of what my second question will be."

Director Liu appeared to be looking for any possible deceitful angle before answering. Then, he shrugged.

"Some."

"He and his family are currently on the run."

"He was visiting family in Egypt."

"Yes. That's where everything fell apart."

"What's your question?"

"We did not have any satellites in the area when he and his family ran. We have indications that they are probably in Saudi Arabia by now, possibly in the Empty Quarter."

Another long pause.

"You're asking me to admit to surveillance on Saudi Arabia."

"No. I'm asking if you could assist in tracking down the location of Timothy McGee and his family so that they can be returned safely to the U.S. How you are able to do that is immaterial. I already have men on the ground working, but a location will make their jobs infinitely easier."

Yet another long pause. Then, Director Liu looked to the side for a moment and then looked back.

"I can't promise anything."

"I understand that."

"Then, I'll be in touch. Soon."

Without another word, the screen went back to the colored bars. Much more cautious than Gellman, but still silently acknowledging the importance of getting Tim back. And still using his services as well. Director Norton had intimated more than once that they shouldn't be so dependent on Tim's skills, but the plain fact of the matter was that they already were and to ignore that was foolish. They would simply have to deal with the mess they'd created, and Tim was too valuable to kill or to write off. So they had this situation. In addition, Roy knew how much Tim hated his situation. It wasn't like he had asked for this at any stage. Plus, any attempt to set him adrift or deal with him in another way would likely lead to a worse situation for those involved.

No matter what, they had to get Tim and his family back safely in the United States.

"If Director Liu contacts you, let me know. No matter the time," he said.

"Yes, sir."

Roy left and went back to his office to think about what to do next. For a few minutes he sat, just thinking.

Russia.

It was time to call in a few favors. He leaned forward and picked up his phone.

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

Tony and Ziva were up early the next morning. They went down to the dining area to get something for breakfast since it was sure to be a long day. They were silent at first, just eating because they knew they needed to. They didn't pay attention to the taste at all.

Then, suddenly, Tony swore and then sighed.

"What?" Ziva asked.

"Can't Tim catch a break for once? This absolutely sucks!" Tony burst out. "He was actually having a good time out here. Things were going well. Why now?"

"That kind of question doesn't have an answer, Tony," Ziva said in a low voice. "It just doesn't. Asking it won't do anything for anyone."

Tony sighed again and nodded.

"I know. I just hate this. Tim has said before that he didn't think he was going to get any better than he was. I don't want that to be true... but I don't want him to be worse than he was either."

"Maybe he won't," Ziva said. "Maybe... this will become what he needs."

"Yeah, right. I don't believe that for a second and neither do you," Tony said.

"Perhaps, but we need to focus on finding him and finding Ahmed. That is more important than anything else at this moment."

"I know. I know." He took a deep breath and then finished off his coffee. "You ready to see what comes next?"

Ziva nodded. They headed upstairs to Edwards' room and knocked on the door. Hammami opened it and admitted them without hesitation. The other agents were already there. Against his will, Tony was impressed with how efficiently these CIA agents worked together. They knew each other well enough that they played off each other well, and they were all extremely skilled.

Edwards started talking as soon as they sat down.

"Okay. We can't afford to lose any time in finding Mokrani or in finding the McGees. Since we do have some possibility of tracking the McGees down in Saudi Arabia, I'd like to split into two teams. Agent DiNozzo and David, would you be willing to go to Saudi Arabia with two agents to find the McGees while the rest of us remain here and try to trace Ahmed Mokrani's location?"

It was obvious that he knew that was what Ziva and Tony wanted, but it was equally obvious that he wasn't treating this lightly.

"Yes, we will go," Ziva said.

"Good. Hammami and Drake will go with you. We'll keep you updated on Mokrani and you do the same. However, for the next 24 hours, we maintain radio silence except in an emergency. If we're contending with the Russians, I don't want them to think there's something to hear. Understood?"

Silent nods.

"Good. Then, let's get to it."

Tony and Ziva stood as did the others. Hammami and the agent named Drake walked over to join them.

"I think we ought to fly to Jeddah and work our way down from there," Hammami said. "We're not going to want to risk Agent McGee on a regular flight when there could be official pursuit."

"That's fine," Ziva said. "We'll grab our things and meet you in the lobby?"

Hammami nodded.

They ran up to their room to grab a bag, hoping that they'd somehow make progress.

...and hoping that Tim was still safe.

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

He heard voices, more than one, speaking a language he didn't understand. He was still so tired and he didn't want to move.

"Baba, are you awake?" came a very soft voice.

He recognized that voice.

Salma.

The desert.

People were after them!

Tim came awake with a start, sitting up and looking around wildly for danger.

"Baba! Baba, are you okay?"

Then, there were gentle, strong arms around him, holding him tightly and he tried to calm down.

"It is all right, Tim. I am here. Ana huna. We're safe. We are with your friend."

Tim blinked a few times and finally started to see again. Zahara was hugging him and Salma was on her knees in front of him. She looked a little scared. He reached out and pulled Salma into a hug.

"It's all right, sweetheart. It's okay," he whispered.

"You're afraid, Baba?"

"I just had a bad dream. That's all," Tim said. "I'm okay now."

"Are you sure, Baba?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Tim looked at Zahara and mustered up a smile as he let Salma go. She still hugged him.

"You slept very long, Tim," Zahara said. "I let Salma and Jonathan eat breakfast with 'Imād and his family and Jonathan is playing with 'Imād's children. I said that I would wait and eat with you if you're ready."

"Oh."

How had he missed all that happening? He hadn't thought that he would sleep nearly that much. He hadn't thought that he could sleep nearly that much in this situation.

Zahara smiled and brushed her fingers over the scars around his eye.

"I am glad you slept," she said. "Now, Salma, we need to eat breakfast. Are you hungry?"

Salma let Tim go and clearly thought about it.

"No, Mama."

"All right, then, you may read your books or play."

Salma thought about it again and then walked over to their bag and pulled out one of her books, choosing to sit and read.

There was a sound outside the tent and the flap lifted revealing 'Imād. He walked over and hugged Tim in greeting.

"Tim, it is so good to see you, but I wish it was for a good reason."

Tim smiled weakly. "Yeah. I wish it was, too."

"But you are hungry. I will get you breakfast."

Then, 'Imād got up and walked behind a curtain. A minute or two later, he came back with a tray of food.

"Please, eat. Suhayl says that you have been traveling hard and that you did not eat well on the boat."

"No, I didn't. I felt sick."

"Then, you should eat well now," he said.

"Thank you, 'Imād," Tim said, sincerely.

'Imād just smiled and withdrew to give them privacy. Tim started to eat and was surprised to find that he was actually quite hungry. But then, he'd always found safety among the bedouins. Even his first meeting with them had been a situation where they had protected him. Nowhere was competely safe, but he did feel safe here. It was kind of like NCIS.

Tim and Zahara ate in silence, but it wasn't awkward. Tim knew that they'd have to talk about things, but for now, it was nice to try to have some downtime.

"Baba, is this where Samia is?" Salma asked suddenly.

"What?"

"Samia. Is she here?"

"How do you know about Samia?" Tim asked.

"Suhayl told me at the church."

"Oh. Well... she should be. This is Suhayl's home."

"Can I meet her?" Salma asked. "Her name is like mine!"

"We can ask," Tim said.

He stood up for the first time since the night before and his feet hurt but it wasn't too bad. Salma ran over and grabbed his hand.

"Zahara, do you want to come?"

Zahara smiled. "I will stay here for now and help Maryam clean up."

"Okay."

Then, Tim hesitantly stepped outside of the tent and smiled when he saw Jonathan running around with some children... under Omar's watchful eye.

"Where is she, Baba?"

"I don't know. We'll see."

Tim wasn't sure he'd even recognize Samia after all this time. She'd been only Salma's age the last time he'd seen her. She'd be a teenager now. Surely, she would have changed a lot since then.

Unsure of where to go and if it would even be appropriate to look for her in this culture, Tim started toward Omar to ask if he'd seen Suhayl this morning. He could ask Suhayl and knew that Suhayl wouldn't see it as an offense. Still holding Salma's hand, he took a step in that direction, but then, he suddenly heard his name.

"Tim."

He turned toward the young voice and saw a young woman, probably sixteen or so, looking at him in shock. She was no longer five years old. She was much older. And much taller. She wasn't as tall as Tim himself, but she was not much shorter than he was. And yet, her eyes were exactly the same as they had been and she had her father's almost regal bearing. He smiled.

"Samia, you've grown up."

"Tim, it is you!" Samia said and smiled. "Baba said that... a person was here with us but..."

"You speak English."

"I have... I now learn it. I am not..." She paused, clearly searching for the word. "...bitalāqa."

"And I'm still not fluent in Arabic, either."

"Fluent! That is the word," Samia said. "I am not fluent."

"Well, you speak English better than I speak Arabic," Tim said.

"It is so good to see you again. Why are you here in the desert with us?"

"It's a very long story, Samia," Tim said, not wanting to explain it at all at the moment. To change the subject, he knelt down and put an arm around Salma's shoulders. "But this is my daughter. Her name is Salma and she was excited to meet you because your name is like hers."

Samia smiled again and knelt down so that she was at eye level with Salma who was now acting a little shy.

"Hello, Salma," she said. "Do you know Arabic?"

"'Arif al-'arabiya qalīlan," Salma said softly.

"Tatahaddatha jayid jiddan," Samia said.

"Samia!"

Samia stood and turned toward the new voice. Tim looked up and saw Suhayl walking through the camp with his usual stride that said he was in complete control. Tim and Samia both stood at the same time.

"Na'am, Baba?" Samia asked, shifting back to Arabic.

Suhayl raised an eyebrow and began to speak in Arabic as well. Both of them were speaking too quickly for Tim to understand more than a word or two, but he caught his own name a couple of times.

Then, Samia turned back to him with a slightly annoyed expression, but she smiled again.

"Baba says that I must work with Mama. It is good to see you, Tim. And you, Salma."

"Shokran, Samia!" Salma said.

Samia nodded and walked away. Suhayl looked after her and then walked over to Tim, his expression solemn as usual.

"Was it a problem for me to speak to your daughter?" Tim asked. "I wasn't sure."

"It is...fine," Suhayl said. "She spoke to you first, I am sure."

"Yes, but I still recognized her all the same. She looks like you, Suhayl. The way she walks and her eyes."

"Yes, she is growing but still a child in many ways."

Tim smiled. "Yes."

"I must speak to you."

"In private?"

"Yes."

"Okay," Tim said. He looked down at Salma again. "Salma, I have to speak to Suhayl. Could you go back to the tent and tell Mama?"

There was a flash of fear on Salma's face that twisted Tim's heart, but he tried not to show it.

"I'll be with Suhayl just for a bit and then I'll be back, okay?"

"Okay, Baba," Salma said.

Tim walked her back over to the tent and sent her inside. Then, he followed Suhayl through the camp to a different tent and they went inside. The tent was mostly empty. Just a few supplies.

Suhayl pointed to the ground.

"Sit. We must talk," he said.

"Okay."

Tim sat on the ground and then Suhayl sat down across from him, looking at him sternly.

Tim couldn't help but feel he was about to be lectured for something and he fidgeted a little.