NOTE: I highly recommend listening to the Bob Segar song Shakedown before you read. It helped me in writing this one, so I hope you enjoy.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Breakdown, Takedown, You're Busted
Gibbs insisted that Fornell stop to get coffee before returning to FBI headquarters. Tobias argued against it – time was an issue, and it was too late for coffee – but in the end, he relented. While Gibbs went inside to get his caffeine fix, Fornell called his superiors, alerting them of the issue and bringing them up-to-date on all the sordid details. By the time they reached the office, Tina would've had time to transfer everything to the FBI brass.
All that was left was to wait for the order to take Ziva into custody.
Gibbs knew she was back at the FBI office. She'd called him so often that he'd finally turned the ringer off. He needed to control his temper so he wouldn't alert her before they were ready. The fact she was in some way involved in Kate's death hit him hard, and he was still reeling. There wasn't room for contemplation, however. He needed to be on his game. It was payback time.
He wanted to keep her off-kilter. He suspected she was aware the hit on Tony should've taken place by now, if not that it failed. She would assume that Gibbs was called to the hospital, and she'd be agitated because she hadn't heard anything from him. He was sure she'd want to hear him admit that Tony was dead. He'd put money on it.
"You're going to be awake until dawn," Fornell said as they walked into the office, still berating Gibbs over his coffee intake.
"Why are you so bothered if I sleep or not?" Gibbs asked, exasperated.
"Gibbs! What is going on? Why have you been unreachable? Is it not a rule?" Ziva demanded, sitting at a desk nearby as if she'd been watching the door.
Gibbs glanced at her as if she was an idiot, tilting the coffee cup in his hand.
"You could not have been getting coffee this entire time. We have been here for nearly an hour," she said crossly.
"Did I miss an announcement?" he asked.
"Should I get Barrows into interrogation?" Fornell asked, amused by Ziva's persistence.
Gibbs shook his head. "Let him stew."
Gibbs intended to distract Ziva while Fornell got an FBI task force in place. Once she was in custody, the Patriot Act would give them nearly unlimited access to complete a full investigation. Fornell nodded and left them in the empty squad room.
"Gibbs! Where have you been?" Ziva asked again.
"Last time I checked, you report to me, not the other way around," he said, temper flaring.
"Yes, but when Agent Sacks and I returned from processing the scene, no one was here," she said, waving her arm to indicate the empty squad room. "I know it is after hours, but there are usually people still here."
Gibbs ignored her and sat behind one of the desks, securing his weapon in the bottom drawer and ensuring she saw him do it.
"Where is everyone?" she demanded.
He could read her suspicion, and he didn't want to do anything to escalate it.
"How would I know?" he asked.
"So… you just went for coffee after sending Barrows to booking?" she asked, frowning uncertainly.
"We're done with this conversation. What did you find?" he asked.
Ziva huffed. "Nothing useful. The woman who was harboring him is apparently an old girlfriend. She did not know anything other than that he owns a bar. She was very unpleasant and annoyed we were ransacking her home."
"Any weapons?" Gibbs asked.
"No."
"It's late, Ziva. Go get some sleep," he said, hoping to keep her off-balance.
"Are you leaving?" she asked.
"I will shortly."
"Then I will wait," she said, mirroring his actions by opening the bottom drawer of her desk and stowing her own weapon.
Once finished, she looked directly at him, a challenge in her eyes. She wasn't planning on going anywhere without him. She didn't realize that it had been his plan all along. He knew she'd never voluntarily separate, and now she was without one of her weapons. He opened his computer and began pecking at an incident report. Might as well get some work done while he was waiting for the FBI team. Hell, knowing Fornell and how pissed off he was, National Security might already be involved in the takedown.
From the corner of his eye, he watched as Ziva began typing on her laptop. Perhaps she was doing the same as him, or perhaps she was deleting some of the incriminating conversations she'd had while here in Philadelphia. Since they were about to return to DC, she most likely thought she'd receive new orders on the next batch of intel Mossad wanted.
She didn't know that Kehoe copied the guts of her computer. Apparently, it was all still in there somewhere, no matter what she deleted. Her hardened drive, or whatever McGee said, kept it all. Gibbs didn't know what would happen to her, but he knew it was out of his control. She'd made her own choices, and she'd have to live with them. It was too bad, really. She could've been a good agent if she'd been willing to take instruction and learn rather than automatically insisting she was the best at everything. He wondered if that superiority was an inherent trait, or if it had been taught by Mossad. Perhaps a little of both.
He found it ironic that both she and her brother drew such conflicting yet equally powerful emotions from him. He'd been consumed with his desire to see Ari dead – not brought in, as Tony once reminded – but dead. He'd known it would end that way – for one or the other. With Ziva, it was compelling protectiveness overriding all else. He'd been too focused on the idea of protecting her from a cruel father after witnessing her vulnerability.
Each time, he'd ignored anything that interfered with either of those objectives – ignored people he should've been listening to – Tony, in particular, suffered during each of his obsessions.
He'd nearly lost DiNozzo once on an undercover mission with an escaped prisoner because he didn't put enough time and planning into the op. He'd been too busy analyzing the series of flashing snapshots that ran nonstop on his computer, searching for Ari. This time, DiNozzo had been pointing out the inconsistencies with Ziva all along, and instead of listening, examining what his second told him, Gibbs was irritated by him. He'd blamed Tony for all the tension on the team, looked the other way on Ziva's insubordination. Hell, he'd nearly allowed her to push away an agent who always, always had Gibbs back.
Even when he didn't deserve that loyalty.
DiNozzo managed to escape death twice here in Philadelphia alone, both times at Ziva's hand. It was time she paid for that betrayal. He needed to protect the one that actually deserved it.
"Is McGee still at the hospital with Tony?" she asked, keeping her eyes fixed on her screen.
Gibbs mimicked her by not looking up. "Better be."
"So, you have not heard from them, then?" she asked.
"No," he replied, noting the brief flicker of frustration in her eyes.
So, she wasn't certain if her assassin hit the mark. Good. The anticipation had to be driving her to distraction.
The only sound in the quiet of the squad room was the clicking of keys as both he and Ziva continued to work on their reports. He was reminded of his sniper days, exercising patience until it was time to pull his trigger. Despite what people might think, he could be patient when it was necessary.
The ringing of his desk phone began it all.
"Gibbs," he said, picking up.
"We're ready. The FBI's High Risk Threat team will escort her back to DC. Everything's in place. Are you ready to proceed?" Fornell asked.
"Be right there," Gibbs replied, hanging up the phone.
Ziva stared at him. "Was that the hospital?" she asked, nonchalantly.
He gave her credit for appearing casual, but he knew her well enough by now to notice that she was leaning forward slightly, a hint of eagerness in her eyes.
"No, lock up. Barrows wants to talk. You're with me," he said, standing and moving toward the hallway off the squad room.
She immediately followed, leaving her Sig Sauer in the drawer, same as he'd done. Once they turned the corner into the hallway, they were greeted by a team of FBI agents, including Fornell, Kehoe, and Sacks, guns raised.
"Don't make any sudden moves, Officer David," Fornell said.
Ziva reared back, stunned. She turned puzzled eyes to Gibbs. There was no panic, only confusion… until Gibbs spoke.
"She has a back up weapon on her ankle, and a knife concealed at her waist."
Initially, her eyes widened in surprise before narrowing, a dangerous glint gleaming. "What is the meaning of this?"
While the others all kept their weapons trained, Gibbs put his handcuffs around her slack wrists, tightening them when she tried to pull away. One of the FBI team relieved her of the gun at her ankle while another seized the knife behind her belt. She still seemed too stunned to try and stop them.
"Officer David, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of a federal agent and conspiracy to commit espionage," Kehoe said.
"Gibbs, what is this? What is happening? Why are you allowing it" Ziva asked, speaking only to him. "This is ridiculous."
"You're about to face some consequences, probably for the first time in your life," he said bluntly.
"I do not understand. What espionage? What murder? What has Tony said about me, and why are you listening without even talking to me directly… again?" she asked, outraged. "You will look ridiculous if this continues."
"This has been a team effort, Officer David – something you have continually failed to grasp. Our evidence will be presented when you have representation," Kehoe said.
"The Joint Chiefs will insist Homeland and NSA be in on that team. They get rattled when they learn their secrets have been leaked," Fornell said.
Ziva began to speak in rapid Hebrew. Even if they didn't speak the language, it wasn't hard to know she was swearing.
"Your embassy will be contacted once we're back in DC, and the FBI's counterintelligence unit will explain the charges," Fornell said, ignoring her.
Ziva kept her eyes fixed on Gibbs alone. "The Director will not tolerate this, Gibbs. She cannot know what you are doing, because she would never allow it. I thought you would never allow it," she said, beseechingly. "After all we have been through, I cannot believe you consented."
"I have no use for a team member who betrays her team," Gibbs said coldly.
Her coat was tossed around her shoulders as they walked outside. The night air was biting, and a slight wind ruffled Ziva's hair as she was escorted into the empty parking lot. She spit out a stream of curses as she tried to twist away from the man holding her, but he kept his grip as he tugged her along. The only car visible in the lot was the one he and Fornell used to get there.
From the other end of the lot, a set of headlights flicked on, illuminating their faces with an eerie glow. Suddenly, a screech of tires and the enlarging lights were the only warning as the car sped up, barreling toward the small group. Fornell grabbed Ziva by the bicep and pulled her back, while the others tried to spread out and back away, creating a shield around her. Gibbs and one of the task force both stood their ground in the middle of the lot, weapons raised. The car turned slightly, still aiming for the group surrounding Ziva.
Unmoving, Gibbs and the FBI sniper each fired a shot, the reverberation piercing the stillness of the night.
The car veered out of control, swerving haphazardly before hitting the curb and teetering precariously before smashing into the building. At that same moment, Ziva pulled free of Fornell's grasp, which had slackened in his surprise at the rogue automobile. She kicked one of the guards in the chest, pushing him away and when another raised his weapon, she used her knee to knock it from his hand. It skidded along the parking lot, metal scraping against the asphalt. Another agent grabbed her from behind, but she reared her head back, connecting with his forehead and dropping him to the ground.
Her hands were still bound, yet she twisted her wrists, trying to dislodge the handcuffs. She took two steps before there was a sizzling, zapping sound, and she cried out. She dropped to the ground, her body convulsing in repeated spasms. Gibbs looked up to see Agent Sacks, his taser still pointed at Ziva where she lay.
Apparently, Mossad Officers weren't immune to a taser.
"She has lock picks sewn into the laces of her boots," Gibbs said, hoping to prevent the chance of escape before they got her back to DC.
Kehoe walked over to the car, checking the driver's pulse. "He's dead."
She eased him away from the steering wheel, so his head lolled back. Despite the fact part of it was missing, his face was recognizable.
"Malachi Ben Gidon," Fornell said.
They'd pulled photos of both of Ziva's contacts off Interpol after they'd discovered the names. This one was Ziva's handler. Gibbs wondered how long he'd been in Philadelphia. It couldn't have been the entire time NCIS was here, or DiNozzo never would've been able to escape his captors with a Mossad assassin on his tail.
"Check and see if the ballistics on his weapon match those of the hospital sniper. If he's here, you can bet Mossad and her embassy already know we've detained her," Gibbs said.
"He wouldn't have had time to make that call," Sacks said.
Gibbs glared at him. "You think he's the only one working with her?" he asked.
"There were probably other eyes here watching us. They would've moved once their extraction failed," Fornell replied, his eyes scanning the surrounding parking lot.
"Any vehicle transporting her is going to be hijacked on the way back to DC," Gibbs said.
"That's why she's not being driven back," Fornell said as the sound of a helicopter filled the air.
A large, bulky, black silhouette lowered itself into the empty parking lot, its propellers causing a high wind to blow the frigid night air. They all instinctively ducked their heads.
"That would be the High Risk Threat team. They'll escort her to DC," Fornell said.
Ziva's muscle seizures gradually stopped. The team securely immobilized her with rigid cuffs, so she wouldn't be able to remove them. Despite her slight disorientation, she glared at them all beneath hooded eyes.
"I still wouldn't put an escape past her. She'll have to be watched vigilantly the entire time," Gibbs said.
Ziva's eyes flickered toward him, hurt and betrayed. "You will regret this once Mossad learns what you have done," she snarled.
"That's why she's going to take a little nap on her journey. There's an EMT on board, so she'll be in no danger," Fornell said, clearly enjoying himself.
He loved it when the FBI was in charge. They all watched as Ziva was loaded onto the helo by the HRT. As the doors closed, the last thing Gibbs saw was Ziva's dark eyes, still glaring at him with a vengeance.
His shoulders sank. She was in custody; the next step would be handling Jenny. The last time he checked in was before they'd found the Warrens. There hadn't been time since, and he wouldn't have shared the plans of Ziva's takedown, anyway. She'd be aware of it all by the time Ziva was back in DC, however. Things like this never stayed quiet for long, and she'd be furious that Gibbs didn't inform her before proceeding.
That was a tomorrow problem.
"What's the endgame?" Gibbs asked as he and Fornell returned to the office.
Tina, Sacks, and the other agents dispersed once they were inside, hopefully to celebrate a job well done. Gibbs felt his years, and there was a tension headache building behind his eyes. He still needed to call McGee and alert his agents it was over. He'd also have to determine when it would be safe for McGee to journey back to DC. Once Ziva arrived there, he knew any Mossad operatives still in Philadelphia would soon follow.
Fornell shrugged. "The State department and the Israeli embassy will duke it out once our counterintelligence unit lays out the case. Israel is an ally – a close one – so even though I know your desired outcome is prison time, it's more likely she'll be deported to face prosecution in Israel. They'll stipulate that if she ever returns, she'll have to serve her time here, though."
Gibbs thought that was getting off too easy for what she'd put DiNozzo through, but at least she'd be out of their hair.
"And her father? He's the one that put a spy into an agency of a close ally," he said, disgusted.
"I'm sure they'll have to be some compromising since they're certainly not going to extradite him. I doubt he'll be able to hold onto his position as a Deputy Director at Mossad, though," Fornell replied.
Gibbs shrugged, nauseated by the politics of it all. Hopefully the Israeli government would be just as upset by their machinations.
"You do know your director is going to face some serious scrutiny, right?" Fornell asked. "Her career is probably over."
"I'm aware."
/* /* /* /*
Tony settled into the luxurious, reclining seat on the FBI plane, thrilled he'd got the window seat. Gibbs sat beside him, seemingly unimpressed with the transportation. Of course, Gibbs always said he enjoyed the priority rides. Somehow, Tony believed him. Personally, he preferred the luxury over cargo planes.
His side ached piercingly, and he was breathing slow and steady while trying to keep from panting. His boss would definitely have something to say about that.
After a full day of rest – meaning being kept in bed again – after the shooting, Gibbs broke him out of the hospital so they could go home. The doctor hadn't been happy about it, but she relaxed slightly when Gibbs said he was taking Tony to see his own doctor at Bethesda. Tony really didn't think that was necessary, but Gibbs threatened to leave him behind if he refused. He thought he could cajole Brad into letting him be an outpatient at the very least. If he never saw that Philadelphia hospital and their overly-vigilant nurses again, it would still be too soon.
Even though they'd successfully weaned him off the supplemental oxygen, and he only had to pause for a breath occasionally, they insisted he be transported from the hospital in a wheelchair. Now that he was onboard, he could finally relax. They never needed to know that simply walking down the plane's aisle winded him. The painkillers they gave him when he left weren't nearly as strong as the hospital ones, but he'd stowed them in his bag and hadn't touched them, just in case. It felt good to have a clear head after so long.
Ziva had been taken into custody, and no matter what happened, she wouldn't be returning to NCIS. Gibbs didn't seem to be holding it against him and instead, he actually seemed eager to ensure she faced consequences. It was more than he'd expected.
He'd said a proper goodbye to Sully this time, with a promise to keep in touch on where both their roads would lead them. Gibbs and the joint team finished processing the Vault Tavern case, and the bad guys were in jail awaiting trial. They were all considered flight risks, so none were given bail.
Tony also bid farewell to Tina before he and Gibbs boarded the plane. Fornell and Sacks were sharing a few final words before vacating her satellite office. They'd all have to return to testify, but the charges against Barrows, Warren and Lake could be prosecuted by Tina's office. She cornered Tony before he boarded and passed along her business card in case he ever desired a change of scenery. It was flattering, but Tony liked his job, and he was hoping that without Ziva, the team dynamic would improve. He wouldn't mind if Paula came back,, but she and Gibbs mixed like oil and water, so he didn't see that as viable.
"Boss, we really need to get us one… of these rides. All the other agencies have them," Tony said eagerly.
Gibbs gave him a look. They'd had this discussion before, and apparently NCIS didn't rate the extra toys the FBI got. That was actually a point in Tina's column.
"So, Probie's really driving all the way back… to DC?" he asked.
Tim had stayed with Tony for the rest of the night after the shooting while Ziva was taken into custody. Gibbs wanted both of them tucked safely out of the way while that all went down. Tony wished he could've seen it. The fact Slacks hit her with a taser and there was no video evidence was maddening. He'd have paid real money to see that.
"I didn't want him going back to the hotel, so he left after we wrapped up yesterday," Gibbs replied.
"Just in case Mossad was watching," Tony replied. "Good idea, Boss."
"Ya think?" Gibbs asked, but without any heat. "McGee thought to check the NCIS sedan for a tracker anyway."
"Well done, Probie," Tony said, proud of Tim.
"Yeah, we'll make an agent out of him yet," Gibbs said.
"So, is he back in the office?" Tony asked.
Gibbs shook his head. "I don't want him showing up at NCIS before I get there."
"You don't want the director mugging him," Tony said grinning.
Gibbs glared. "The Director of NCIS doesn't mug anyone, DiNozzo… but I want to talk to her first."
"Think she knows?" Tony asked.
Gibbs simply pulled out his phone and showed him the screen. Sixteen missed calls, all from Director Shepherd.
Tony whistled. "Maybe you ought to call her now. If you wait until we get there, it just gives her that much more time… to build up steam."
"And you think I care?"
Tony shuddered with exaggerated apprehension. "It's always better to head them off at the pass."
"I'm not the only one she'll be gunning for – she wanted you sent back early for a deposition and a psyche eval," Gibbs said with a smirk.
Tony's heart dropped. "Aw, come on, Boss. Is that really necessary?" he asked with a whine.
"SOP after an undercover op. 'Sides, you're going to be on desk duty once you're cleared from sick leave," Gibbs said, sounding entirely too amused by Tony's predicament.
" You never go to the Psyche evals," Tony said, grumbling.
Gibbs just looked at him. He might be able to bully his boss into skipping them, but Tony's boss wasn't budging.
"What do you think she'll do about Ziva?" he asked, knowing that avoiding the shrink was a lost cause.
"Not much she can do, but I'd rather give Tobias more time to solidify the case," Gibbs said.
"But you do think she'll try and interfere. She always seemed pretty tight… with Ziva. Espionage is firmly in FBI jurisdiction, though." Tony said.
"So's attempted murder of a federal agent," Gibbs said.
Tony shrugged, wincing when his sore ribs protested. "I don't think they can get her on treason since Israel is an ally… and not a hostile."
There were only two ways for a crime to be considered treason – either do something to wage war on the US, or give aid or comfort to its enemies. Israel didn't fit into either category.
"No, but espionage is enough. SecNav won't want that stain anywhere near him," Gibbs replied.
"Do you think they brought SecNav in yet?" Tony asked.
"I wouldn't be surprised if the CNO and Joint Chiefs are sitting on the panel," Gibbs said grimly.
Tony nodded, considering. He hadn't given it a lot of thought, but it would make sense for the Chief of Naval Operations to want to put a stop to espionage within anything to do with the Navy. SecNav appointed Director Shepherd, but perhaps there would be fallout reaching even higher up than he'd anticipated.
What a mess.
"None of this is your fault. Ziva made her choices," Gibbs said, apparently reading Tony's mind in that eerie way he had.
"But I started the ball rolling," he said.
"Something I should've done. At least it was stopped before any of our overseas operatives' covers were blown," Gibbs said. "You did good, Tony."
"I'm surprised Kehoe didn't return with us. Surely they'll have questions for her," Tony said, his cheeks coloring.
He never knew how to handle Gibbs' kindness. A whack on the back of the head and snide comments he could deal with, but sincere compliments always flustered him.
"I don't think this is going to be over that quickly," Gibbs said.
"So, she'll probably have to come to DC at some point. She offered me a job, you know," Tony said, watching Gibbs' expression carefully for any signal he might think that was for the best.
"I know. You gonna take it?" he asked, his face neutral.
Tony shook his head. "I wasn't planning on it. I like where I am," he replied, not looking at his boss.
"That's good. I know some changes need to be made, and I will make them. I let you down, Tony, but my head is on straight now," Gibbs said, looking Tony straight on.
Tony swallowed. That was more than he'd expected. Gibbs usually responded with actions over words, but sometimes it was nice to hear the words.
"I know, Boss," he said, feeling sure of it.
Gibbs gave him one of his half-smiles that Tony always counted as a win. He did like his job, and he did like working for Gibbs. He hoped once they filled the empty spot, the team would work more as a unit, and the chain of command would be more visible. He wanted the closeness he and Gibbs used to share when they were a two-man team to return. It was more like a partnership then.
"Good. Because we've got some work to do," Gibbs said as Fornell and Sacks finally joined them on the plane.
"Look at you, getting to ride back with your superior agency. Don't get used to it, DiNozzo," Sacks said, smirking.
"Superior agency? You might be larger, but you always seem to need our help on the big cases, Slacks," Tony replied.
There was no longer any heat behind their quips. Sacks was the one who'd found the evidence that Ziva sold him out, and he owed the other man a debt for that – never mind shooting Ziva with a stun gun. Tony still couldn't believe he missed that. Maybe he and Sacks would one day become the frenemies Gibbs and Fornell were.
Stranger things had happened.