It had been eight weeks since the tragic event that shook the entire team to its core - the death of Michael Rivkin at the hands of Tony DiNozzo. The memory of that fateful day still lingered, and the wounds were still fresh. Six weeks had also passed since Tim McGee's daring rescue of Ziva David from the clutches of her captors in Somalia. The experience had left its mark on Ziva, and it was evident that she was still grappling with the aftermath.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the seasoned supervisory agent, sat at his desk, sipping his second cup of coffee for the day. He was already deep in thought, preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead. Today marked a significant milestone - the Major Crime Response Team (MCRT) was being removed from administrative leave and would be returning to the field, ready to take on new cases. Their first order of business was a meeting with the Director at 0800 hours sharp, to discuss their involvement in a long-term counter-intelligence mission. Gibbs was relieved that, this time around, the entire team would be in the know and working together. In the past, they had been blindsided by undercover cases and special assignments, which had put a strain on their relationships and trust. He was determined to ensure that this time, they would be a cohesive unit, working together seamlessly.
As he glanced toward the elevator, he caught sight of his senior field agent, Anthony DiNozzo, walking in with his usual swagger. However, Gibbs knew that beneath the surface, Tony was still struggling to come to terms with the consequences of his actions. The last two months had been a challenge for the former Baltimore Homicide Detective, who had suffered from a broken arm. The experience of surviving a modified strain of the plague, had left him with a deep-seated aversion to any sickness or debilitating injuries that could restrain his involvement in cases. Moreover, Tony's injury was overshadowed by the breakdown of his relationship with Ziva. Gibbs had paired them off often, recognizing that they made a formidable team with complementary skills. Tony's expertise in law enforcement, investigation, and undercover work was the perfect counterbalance to Ziva's lack of knowledge in these areas. On the other hand, Ziva brought a multitude of skills to the table, including language, agency cooperation, and intelligence gathering, which Tony lacked.
Despite the risks involved, Gibbs had continued to pair them together, even after Tony had used the Rainier case to break Rule #12. However, one mistake, one wrong call, one lapse of judgment had threatened to undo all of their teamwork. Gibbs knew that Ziva could remain professional and work with Tony, even undercover, given her experience working with short-term partners in Mossad. But he was worried about Tony, who hadn't pursued Kate with the same fervor as he had pursued Ziva. Gibbs was afraid that Tony would try to pretend that the whole Rivkin affair never happened and resume his relationship with Ziva. He had seen it in the way Tony attempted to approach her over the past month, resuming his jokes and hoping she would reengage in their familiar battle of wits. However, things had changed, and the relationship between Tony and Ziva would be a new one, different from the last.
As another ding echoed through the bullpen, Gibbs glanced toward the elevator, this time seeing his remaining agents enter the room at the same time. His eyes still widened in surprise as he took in Ziva's new appearance. Gone was the IDF-inspired outfit of long cargo pants, skin-tight shirts, functional jacket, and hard-soled boots. Instead, she had adopted a more office-appropriate attire, complete with slacks, a matching jacket, a white blouse, and low-heeled leather shoes. Her straightened auburn hair, with mahogany and wine highlights, flowed around her shoulders, while her bangs hid her forehead and changed the composition of her face entirely. Gibbs was still taken aback by the transformation, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. The Ziva he knew was gone, replaced by a person who looked almost unrecognizable. He was thankful that she was intolerant to contact lenses, which meant that her eyes, at least, remained the same. As he glanced at Tony, he saw the now familiar disgruntled expression on his face, a clear indication that he was struggling to come to terms with Ziva's new look.
Even McGee seemed slow in adjusting to her new appearance, occasionally staring at Ziva as if trying to transpose her previous and current looks together. Gibbs noticed that Ziva had developed a fondness for McGee, which he suspected stemmed from his rescue of her from Saleem Ulman. She still mirrored McGee's acts of kindness with one of her own and expressed appreciation when he showed concern. However, Gibbs had noticed an ease and closeness between his younger agents, with Ziva being more likely to initiate touch or smile in McGee's direction. As he observed the dynamics between his team members, Gibbs realized that Tony felt slighted by their deepening friendship. He knew that Tony had the observation skills to recognize the change in Ziva's behavior, and he could see the emotions flickering in his eyes - anger, jealousy, and longing. Gibbs made a mental note to keep a close eye on the situation, knowing that it had the potential to impact the team's dynamics and their ability to work together effectively.
Just as Gibbs was lost in thought, a third ding echoed through the bullpen, and he glanced toward the elevator, only to be greeted by the unexpected sight of Phillip Davenport, Secretary of the Navy. Quickly glancing at the Mezzanine, Gibbs saw Leon Vance, ready to receive his guest, briefly nodding his way. It looked like the meeting in the Director's office would be starting soon, and Gibbs steeled himself for what was to come, knowing that the next few hours would be crucial in determining the team's future.
Eli David's eyes widened in utter disbelief as he gazed at the letter in his hand, the words dancing before his eyes like a cruel joke. He had received it earlier that day, and yet, he had already read it twice, hoping that the message would change, that it would reveal itself to be some sort of mistake. But the words remained the same, a stark and unforgiving reality that his daughter, Ziva, was resigning from Mossad. The reason, she claimed, was that she had failed her Aliyah and had tarnished the agency's name and reputation. The notion was preposterous, Eli thought, his mind reeling in protest. Kidon agents didn't resign from Mossad; they served the agency and their country with unwavering loyalty until they could no longer be of use. It was a code that Eli had instilled in his children, a code that he had lived by himself. He had made sure that all of his children joined Kidon, the elite special forces unit of Mossad, precisely to ensure that their involvement in the agency would only end in one way: death. Anything less would be a betrayal of the oath they had sworn to uphold.
Eli's gaze drifted to the envelope that the letter had come in, his eyes narrowing as he took in the details. It was postmarked from Rabat, Morocco, with no return address, a deliberate attempt to obscure Ziva's trail. A frown creased his forehead as he pondered the implications. How had Ziva managed to escape Somalia, a country that had been torn apart by conflict and chaos, and make her way to the other coast of Africa? The journey would have been treacherous, fraught with danger at every turn. And yet, Eli knew that his daughter was resourceful, capable of surviving against all odds.
Before receiving this letter, Eli's search for Ziva had been focused on Northeastern Africa, the Arabic Peninsula, and the Eastern Mediterranean. His agents had been scouring the region, following every lead, every rumor, every hint that might bring them closer to finding his daughter. But now, with the revelation that Ziva was in Morocco, the search had become exponentially more complicated. She could be staying in Morocco, hiding in plain sight, or she could be using the country as a springboard to cross into Europe. Her proficiency in languages, not to mention her physical traits, meant that she could blend in seamlessly with the local population, disappearing into the crowd like a ghost.
The possibilities swirled in Eli's mind, each scenario equally probable, and equally frustrating. Was Ziva staying in Morocco, or was she moving into Europe? Was Morocco a misdirection, a clever ploy to throw her pursuers off her trail, or was it a genuine attempt to start anew? The questions swirled in his mind, taunting him with their uncertainty. Eli David rubbed his face in frustration, the tension building inside him like a storm about to break. Clearly, Ziva didn't want to be found, but she didn't have a say in this. She belonged at her father's side, in Mossad, where she could be protected, guided, and controlled. Eli was willing to offer her a way out of Kidon, to take on leadership roles within the organization, if that's what she wanted. But under no circumstances was Ziva allowed to leave her father's side, not again. She had been distancing herself during her stay with NCIS, and Eli David would not allow a similar situation to happen.
With a sense of determination, Eli David read the letter one last time, the words burning into his mind like a branding iron. He knew what he had to do. He would deny Ziva's resignation, refuse to accept it as anything more than a desperate attempt to escape her duties. Instead, he would mark her as Missing In Action (MIA), and make her recovery a priority "Bet" long-term mission to all intelligence officers in Europe, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. The hunt for Ziva would begin in earnest, a relentless pursuit that would leave no stone unturned, no lead unexplored. Eli David would find his daughter, and he would bring her back to Mossad, no matter what it took. The game was on, and Eli was ready to play.
NCIS Director Leon Vance stood at the head of the conference table in Room 1, surveying the members of Team Gibbs, the most productive Major Crime Response Team in the agency. Across from him, Phillip Davenport, the Secretary of the Navy, sat with an air of importance, his eyes scanning the room. To one side of the table, Agents McGee and David sat attentively, while Agents DiNozzo and Gibbs occupied the other side, their faces set with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.
The time had come to brief them on Operation Spears & Shields, a high-stakes, multi-agency counterintelligence operation aimed at countering the Mossad, Israel's national intelligence agency. Director Vance was grateful that Team Gibbs already had experience with the Mossad, particularly with its elite Kidon unit. Ziva David, a former Kidon agent and daughter of the Israeli Intelligence Agency's Director, Eli David, had brought valuable insight to the team. Additionally, Leroy Jethro Gibbs had a history of clashes with notable Mossad agents, including Ari Haswari, Michael Rivkin, and Eli David himself. Few federal agents could boast of such encounters, and even fewer had emerged unscathed. Anthony DiNozzo, with his quick wit and sharp instincts, had not only survived these encounters but had also outmaneuvered his opponents on occasion. His potential as a federal agent was immense, and Director Vance had no doubt that he would one day join the ranks of the legends in the field. Timothy McGee, although not directly involved in these high-stakes confrontations, had achieved a remarkable feat by hacking into the Mossad's systems and retrieving a treasure trove of information without being detected. However, Director Vance knew that McGee's luck would not last forever, and the truth would eventually come to light.
As the agents settled in, Director Vance began the briefing. "Agents, welcome back to field duty. You will be sworn in to a long-term counterintelligence mission. Secretary Davenport is here to provide the details." Phillip Davenport's gaze lingered on Gibbs for a moment before he started speaking.
"A few months ago, we received evidence that our Israeli allies had been conducting clandestine intelligence operations within the United States. It appears that the Mossad used the accords signed with former NCIS Director Jennifer Shepard as a means to gain access to our country. In response, we have launched a long-term counterintelligence mission to protect the interests of the United States, both domestically and abroad. This operation, codenamed Spears and Shields, will be led by Director Vance, with NCIS serving as the point agency against the Mossad."
The Secretary continued, outlining the scope of the operation. "Various agents from MTAC, as well as the Office of Technical Surveillance and Countermeasures, will participate in this operation, focusing on defensive counterintelligence operations. The OSP and the Office of Strategic Support will also be involved, conducting espionage and offensive counterintelligence operations. Your team, MCRT, will play a crucial role in two key areas: providing reinforcements during physical confrontations with Mossad agents and investigating any spillover from our counterintelligence operations. Otherwise, you will continue to perform your regular duties as NCIS agents."
The room fell silent, as the agents digested the weight of the Secretary's words. They were aware of the implications of this counterintelligence operation and the importance of their participation. None of them spoke up, their determination to see the mission through evident in their eyes. The Secretary of the Navy nodded, pleased with the team's resolve.
Director Vance concluded the meeting, "Good. You will receive further information about your missions before heading out to the field. Context and additional details will be provided by myself and/or collaborative agents. I will ensure that your team is not overly strained or overwhelmed, allowing you to operate at full capacity. Expect communication about Spears & Shields soon. Thank you for your time."
With the briefing complete, Director Vance escorted the Secretary of the Navy out of the NCIS headquarters, while Team Gibbs returned to the bullpen, seamlessly resuming their work routine. As Director Vance walked back to his office, he gazed out the window, taking in the beautiful day outside the Navy Yard. However, he was keenly aware that a storm was brewing on the horizon, and things were only just getting started. The sun cast a golden glow over the Navy Yard, a stark contrast to the darkness that was about to unfold. The agents of Team Gibbs, now sworn in to Operation Spears & Shields, were ready to face the challenges that lay ahead, their skills and experience honed to take on the Mossad. The game of cat and mouse was about to begin, with the United States' national security hanging in the balance. Director Vance's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the possibilities, as he wondered what the future held for his team and the agency. Phase 2 had started.