Chapter Five
Though not the emotionless warrior Abby once named her, Ziva had better control over herself than most people. She could keep herself in check until a time came where she would deal with them more appropriately. Timmy on the other hand…
“Come on,” Tony said a little roughly to her. “We’re getting the hell outta here. What did Franks drill into us from the first days we started working with him? Never let a suspect in. You keep opening the door up wide, Abbs. You can’t do that. I can’t let you.”
She lowered her head as he chastised her, knowing what he said was true. “I know, Tony. I know. I don’t know what happened, but I can’t change who I am. I wouldn’t be me if I did. Caf-Pow, loud music, heart on sleeve, all equals Abby Sciuto.”
“Which is why you need to start listening to the trained agents on this job!” Tony stood in front of the doors of the van and pointed to the car. “Get over there. Now! Not a suggestion, Abbs. An order.” Tony could rattle off a dozen movies where the woman got screwed by getting too close to a suspect but he knew Abby wouldn’t appreciate them right now. Maybe not ever. Tony hadn’t missed the connection"whatever it was"between them. And it pissed him off.
She looked up at him, hurt that he would treat her like a child, especially so close to the team and the suspect. A cruel retort on the tip of her tongue, she turned, grabbed the discarded Caf-Pow cup and walked to his car. Leaning against the hood, she stared down at her painted toes and waited for him to unlock the doors.
It’s not like Tony’s never made a mistake before, she thought, a pout coloring her lips. Andt I never told him “I told you so” or made him feel like he was two inches tall. Never yelled at him, except for that one time about matching the bullets. But Kate’d just died and I was upset. And it hadn’t been about him. And now, he’s yelling at me ‘cause I kissed a suspect " while undercover " and I kinda liked it. Ha! Just watch, DiNozzo, I’ll print Jet myself, without you. You’ll see. She kept her eyes trained on the ground so that he wouldn’t be able to see the plans already at work.
Tony walked to the car and unlocked the doors with keyless entry, lingering at the front of the car. He glanced up, seeing Abby’s sad expression. This went beyond her feelings for the guy. Tony pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head, wanting to protect her even though he knew she’d never accept it.
“Didn’t mean to yell, Abbs. Just didn’t want him getting a rise out of you. Don’t like him having power or control over you.” The need to protect her, especially since Kate’s death, was so strong. It was as if his instincts were screaming that this guy was trouble with a capital T. And that Abby would gladly jump right into his web.
“He’s a dirtbag, Abbs. Remember that. He’s trying to get a rise out of you. There isn’t real meaning behind it.”
Abby struggled for a second, not wanting him to comfort her. But because it was Tony, she gave in, letting him pull her into his arms. But she wasn’t going to go quietly. She was still hurt and a little pissed.
“He may be a suspect, Tony " I’m not likely forget that, am I? " but he didn’t treat me like a child just now. He didn’t yell at me or give me orders he expected to be obeyed that instant,” Okay, so yes he did, but that’s beside the point, and Tony really doesn’t need to know that, or he’ll really be pissed. “I’m not as naïve or innocent as you guys might like to pretend I am. Besides, he’s getting more of a rise out of you and Tim than anything I’ve done so far. So, maybe I’m not the one he’s trying to get off their game.”
“And you’ve known him for all of two minutes. Not fair, Abbs. I’m just watching out for you.” He didn’t with Kate and look at what had happened there. “I know you’re not naïve or innocent but you’re letting the dirtbag get to you. And you need to stop, Abbs. Not a healthy situation for you. I know you like bad boys but this guy was armed with multiple weapons. Not a dirtbag you need to be playing with. Abby, he could have stabbed you with one of his fancy ceramic knives that he got through the metal detector. This isn’t a good guy.”
Tony sighed, tightening his arms around her, snuggling her in close, almost holding her too tightly now. “He’ll use you, Abbs. And then he’ll throw you away like that Caf-Pow cup.” And we’ll have to pick up the pieces, Tony added silently.
“And you’ve known me for seven years, and you yell at me. Tell me how fair that is? And I know you’re just being protective of me, but can’t you imagine how hard this is for me? I don’t pick on you and your women choices. Just because he happens to be a suspect - who is innocent until proven guilty, remember? " doesn’t mean you have to be so insulting. I haven’t done anything,” yet. “He could have hurt me, Tony. He could have but he didn’t. He had time, plenty of it. But he didn’t.”
Sighing, she said, “I’ll be careful, Tony. I promise. I’ve been better since Mikhel, not taking as many risks, not taking home guys that are too…odd.”
“I know how hard it is for you. You were staring at him with longing and he was looking back like he was the hunter and you were the prey and you didn’t notice. Abby, he had two ceramic knives on him. Not a pocket knife, not a multi-tool, but killing knives. And he shook you up. I’d feel exactly the same way if it was Ziva, or McGee, or even Mike in this position, Abby. You’re all the family I have and I worry about you.”
Tony was still furious at McGee. “Tim lost you and trust me, he’ll hear about it from Mike and me. On other teams, he could have been demoted for what he did. He was supposed to watch your six, Abby, while I worked the perimeter of the room. What if the guy had more time? What if he was just warming up?”
Tony was shaken up. He knew it could have been"should have been"much worse. They caught a very lucky break and he wished Abby realized that. They could have just as easily been waiting for Ducky to remove Abby’s body, her throat slit. She could have easily been raped or killed. Tony shivered a little and held her tighter, his imagination carrying him away.
“I was ‘staring at him with longing?’ Tony, you’ve been reading too many romance novels.” She’d been staring at Jet with lust, unadulterated, complete and total lust. Longing was something left for a dimestore novel, as her dad used to call him.
“Tony, you’re worrying too much. Really. He didn’t hurt me. He could have but he didn’t.” Stepping back from him, she held out her hands and turned around. “See? No marks. Totally the same as before I went. But don’t blame McGee. It wasn’t his fault that the crowd separated us.”
“You were shaken up!” he shot back a little hotly. “You looked dazed. I spent a second looking for blood on you. You looked like he knocked you senseless. And it was McGee’s job to keep you in his sights every minute. He’s a trained federal agent. I blame him even if you don’t. And Mike’ll blame him too.”
Walking back up to him, she put her arms around his waist again, hugging him to her. “I promise I’m okay. Please don’t worry so much. I can take care of myself. I did with Chip. I did with that hired gunman. I’m pretty tough.”
Sighing, she went on, “I know it was risky, but how many ops have you guys gone out on? How many of those did one of you get hurt? How many times have I had to wait to hear if you were even alive? I’m okay, Tony. No injuries, still in one piece.
He held her tight, almost crushing her now. “Do you have any idea how close those two times came. You’re Abby, you gave up being a field agent and for a good reason. And yet trouble finds you everywhere you go. How many other forensic techs fight death every year? It isn’t just your taste in men.”
“And I love you too, you big jerk. Now can we can the lecture and go back to NCIS? It’s cold out here.”
Tony sighed and nodded. “Fine. We can go back to NCIS, Abbs. As long as you’re ready to face him. And Mike.” He didn’t know who he was more worried about her dealing with.
“So your initial impression of my reaction was wrong, right? Yes, I was shaken up. Yes, I felt senseless. But he didn’t hurt me. He didn’t harm me in anyway.” She almost said ‘he didn’t touch me,’ but she would have known that was a lie. Because he had touched her, only for a moment, definitely not long enough, but enough to have left her shaking, and shaking still.
“He kissed you. That was assault. He had no rights to have his mouth on yours, Abbs. And look at him. Not a tat or piercing in sight. And he’s old enough to be your grandfather. You can’t tell me you find him attractive. Come on, Abby. Mikhel was your type. For some crazy reason, McGee was your type. But that guy? Not your type.”
“And Mike won’t do anything to me, Tony. He loves me and nothing I’ve done will warrant him getting angry with me. He’ll be cranky; he’ll be gruff. But he’ll forgive me. He always does. And he’ll forgive Timmy soon, just like you will eventually.”
Tony sighed, knowing she was right. Mike would forgive her"and Tim. He was soft hearted when it came to the team. “Mike can be a wimp,” he muttered, shaking his head. “And you work that. But wait ‘til Morrow hears. Probie’ll be in a world of hurt then.” So might Mike, come to think of it. It’d been Mike’s decision to send Abby undercover again.
Director Tom Morrow had a soft spot for Abby, even bringing her Caf-Pow sometimes. And when Abby had been stalked by Mikhel, when Abby had been shot at by Ari Haswari, Morrow had been right there protecting her alongside the team. He was charmed by her and if he hadn’t been very happily married and Abby so well loved, the rumor mill would have churned.
“Tony, I…” she didn’t want to tell him this; she didn’t want to hurt him or make him think less of her. Almost embarrassed, almost ashamed, she whispered, “Tony, I wanted him to kiss me, it wasn’t assault. I was willing. And I’m sorry. But, Tony, when have you known me to have a type? There was Mikhel. There was Tim. There were others and they never fit a mold. A look is never what I’m attracted to. I think you of all people could understand that.”
When he called Mike a wimp, she punched him in the shoulder. “Mike is not a wimp. Don’t give me that. Mike’s the farthest from a wimp as you could possibly get. Only the Director could possibly any tougher.”
Abby loved her guys and her girl. They were always so protective of her; Morrow, Mike, Tony, McGee, and Ziva. All of them watched over her like she was their little sister. Only, sometimes, that caused more problems than it solved.
Mikhel had been a jerk, a complete loser with tattoos, and piercings, a death fetish, and stringy hair. What did he have that Tony didn’t.
“Yeah, Mike is great. Yeah, Morrow is great,” Tony said sourly. He knew he was being a child about it, but he couldn’t help being annoyed and a bit upset, even though there was no basis in fact.
She was never attracted to him. Ever. Tim, yeah. Mike, she made comments about how sexy he was. But Tony? He was just the big brother, always. He didn’t want to date her, but it would have been nice to have been thought of as a guy just once. A guy…worth dating.
Tony knew that dating Abby would be a disaster but even so...
He hated feeling less than Mike or Probie, for God’s sake.
“Tony!” she exclaimed. Pushing on his shoulders, she asked, “Are you jealous? Do you really think that I’ve never been attracted to you? Really?” She wore a bemused expression on her face, completely shocked that Tony was showing his insecurities in this. He’d always been so confident about girls.
“A little,” he muttered, shrugging. “Would be nice to hear I’m the hot one rather than McGee, or Mike, or the pierced kid at the coffee shop.” He gave her a brighter smile now, sighing. “So I’m just irresistible to most of the female sex. Ninety-nine point nine percent. Somehow I’ll survive. But come on, let’s go. Mike’ll skin us alive if we’re late to the party.”
“Of course you’re hot one, Tony. So, who’s the point one percent? Me?” she snorted at that. “You better gun it then, DiNozzo! Mike’ll blame you, not me.” She laughed a bit when he rushed to the driver’s side. Sliding into the passenger seat, Abby just shook her head as his foot hit the gas. He really didn’t like disappointing Mike.
As the street lights flashed by, Abby started to reflect on what had happened that evening. She’d failed at her mission. She’d gotten somehow involved with a suspect. She’d disappointed her colleagues, her friends. But she still couldn’t get Jet out of her mind. As her mind drifted, her body heated in remembered passion. As she played with the channels on the radio, she started tingling again where his hand and lips had touched. Despite her teasing with Tony, she knew, underneath it all, that something had happened between her and Jet. Something had changed, but she didn’t know what to do.
“Mike loves me best. I’m his senior agent,” Tony retorted but he hit the gas hard when she said that. He let her fiddle with the radio, watching her as much as he could on the drive. She was deeply disturbed by all of this and she wasn’t hiding anything from him. He just wished there was a safe way to let her know that without triggering her defenses.
“I love you, Abbs,” he finally said in a quiet voice, not at all surprised when she was too deep in thought to answer.
~*~
Mike banged on the door that separated the driver’s area from the surveillance compartment. “We ready to go, Ziva, Tim? Suspect secured?”
Looking at McGee for confirmation, she hammered on the same partition, calling out, “Suspect is secure. We are ready to go back here.”
Watching Tim move to the other side of the van to take up a rear position on the suspect, she focused on the man on the floor. Reaching down, she shifted him to a sitting position. Not really trying to be nice, Ziva just never saw the point of being overly cruel.
“Don’t Ziva. He deserves to be on the floor, like the dog he is. Not comfortable and sitting up,” Tim growled. “He hurt Abby. I don’t know what he did, but she ran from the room, shaking and pale.”
Jet shook his head, amused. He nodded to the woman as she settled him more firmly against the side of the van, in a sitting rather than leaning position now. “Baby Face doesn’t listen. She kissed me. I kissed her back. She liked it a little too much and panicked. Now I know why.” He smirked at the young guy and gave the woman a cool but still challenging look.
“Just because I have yet to yell, pout, or storm around in regards to your treatment of Abby does not mean that I am not upset by it. She is my friend, my good friend, and if I find out you hurt her, in any way, it is me you will have to answer to. And I am quite a bit deadlier than the others,” Ziva said matter-of-factly. “And while she may have kissed you, I have strong doubts, very strong doubts, that it was she who initiated the kissing.”
“Noticed,” he answered. She had a lethal look about her that he’d recognized as soon as he’d been tossed in the van. She was a worthy opponent and someone he was intrigued by even though he knew crossing her was not an option.
With her exotic looks and accent she could have been Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, or Latina, but the more he observed her, the more he began to think she had to be Middle Eastern. And with the name Ziva being spoken by someone in the front, he was certain of it. There was wariness and a watchfulness that bespoke of a combat-ready soldier. He recognized that even though he’d retired from service when his family had died.
“Good,” she nodded. “Then I will expect you to understand that escape is impossible with your current circumstances, and I would hate to have to shoot you. Which, I will of course if you attempt to overtake either one of us, despite the fact that you may or may not have some connection with Abby. But I will deal with her if the time comes. She is my friend and she will understand. And though I will not shoot to kill, I will shoot you in someplace that will cause great pain and great inconvenience in the next few years.”
Definitely Middle Eastern…and lethal. He nodded, his knee twitching at the thought. He’d been injured there in Desert Storm and didn’t relish having another injury that stuck with him.
“I’m cuffed. Makes running a bad idea. But right now I’m viewing this as a kidnapping since you guys Mirandized me but didn’t tell me any charges. What am I being charged with?” If they didn’t get their acts together, they’d screw everything up even further.
“To someone with experience, handcuffs would be a minor obstacle. I could be out of them in about fifteen seconds. With a bobby pin, five. This is no kidnapping, Mr. Brooks. You have been Mirandized, and your charges will be explained to you when we get to headquarters and you are in interrogation. My orders are to detain, not explain.”
He gave her a look of acknowledgment. His best was about seven seconds. “Maybe you need better cuffs then. Though it brings up interesting images.” Her orders were to detain? She spoke in a very military manner, yet they were obviously civilian plainclothes. “Interesting,” he finally said, drawing out the words. “You don’t identify, you Mirandize, and you don’t read me off charges. My lawyer will love this.”
“You, sir, talk too much. Save your charm for someone who might be interested. I, for one, have no attraction to someone who uses their charm to get themselves out of trouble. Charm, no. Wits and skill, yes. And I have no need for better cuffs, when my weapons and my skill provide enough deterrent for our suspects. And if you wish to inform your lawyer, you will have plenty of opportunity when we reach interrogation to request one.”
“Not trying to charm you, Ziver.” He purposely extended her name, knowing he probably couldn’t get a rise out of her but unable to stop trying anyway.
“Ziver? Did you misunderstand my name? It is Officer David, or Ziva if the occasion calls for it. But Ziver?” She arched an eyebrow at him, wondering at his motives. “You may not be trying to charm me, but you are used to talking your way out of situations worse than this, I believe.”
“Confident woman,” he added, giving her an appraising look. Whatever force had her was lucky. He could recognize a formidable opponent and she was the only one he’d seen thus far. Didn’t mean Baby Face and his partner weren’t, because he, among anyone else, knew that appearances could be deceiving, but he liked to think he could recognize a fellow warrior.
And she was….
Nodding at him, she responded. “Confident man.”
“Not denying that, Ziver,” he agreed mildly. “Not trying to charm you. Takes too much effort, I think.” He returned her nod, feeling a slight thread of kinship with her. They were cut from the same cloth on some level. “Why didn’t they send you undercover instead? Even as her lover, you would have been more convincing than…” He let his eyes flicker over Baby Face. “The boy who wears his heart on his sleeve.”
“Tim,” she began, emphasizing his name, “does very well undercover. As for myself, I did not fit the profile needed.” Though he seemed genuinely interested, Ziva knew better to say too much about the undercover operation, especially considering he was in custody for being the possible suspect they were going after. “And as for effort,” she shrugged, “it does not take too much if the charm comes from the right person.”
“Ziva! Why are you feeding this guy’s conversation? He’s just trying to get on your good side, trying to make you feel bad for him. He assaulted Abby. He forced himself on her, made him kiss her,”
“Too hard to accept she kissed me when you want her, boy?”
“No, creep. I find it too hard to believe that she would have kissed a crinkly, old geezer like you. You are no more her type than any of those other rich snobs in there. And if she did have to kiss you, I have even bigger doubts that she actually enjoyed it. She did it because she was undercover, not because she had any attraction to your carcass,” he growled out, though he really didn’t believe it. Tim had seen Abby afterward, had seen her reaction. That was not the normal reaction of someone who was just doing their job. That was the reaction of someone overcome by desire.
Jet chuckled at that. He might have had ten"more likely fifteen"years on the boy but he was a man in the full prime of his life. The younger man"Tim, he remembered him being called"was so clearly defensive, he harbored feelings for Abby.
“She was attracted. Make no mistake about that, Tim.” Jet deliberately used Tim’s name now, hoping to knock him off kilter even further. If his coworkers were busy babysitting him, their attention wouldn’t be fully on Jet. Escape wasn’t an option but diverting their attention never hurt.
Tim almost gave himself whiplash as he turned his head to glare at the man on the floor. “You think you’re so clever, using my name to rile me up. I have been harassed, stalked, trained, and head slapped by people much greater than you. And I wouldn’t push the ‘she was attracted’ card too much. It’ll just be that much more embarrassing when she proves you wrong.” He knew he probably sounded like a whiny little child, but there was something about the suspect that aggravated him, something more than his connection with Abby.
He was protesting far too much and Jet hid his smile this time. He wouldn’t humiliate the kid and the more he complained, the more petulance in his tone, the more sympathy welled up in Jet. He just watched the kid carefully, memorizing his body language and the way he moved, analyzing it all and filing it away for his advantage.
“Can’t always win,” he remarked quietly.
“Keep that in mind, dirt bag,” Tim growled, using Tony’s favorite word for suspects.
“Yes, sir,” Jet shot back sarcastically and then closed his eyes, determined to ride this out and figure his next move before it was too late.
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