Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Hey guys I'm rather new to the NCIS fandom as my passion started when my Mom bought season three and I walked by while she was watching an episode, next thing I knew I had watched three episodes and was on the floor laughing. Within two weeks I bought the other two seasons and was watching reruns of season four. This is my first NCIS fanfic so I hope you guys like it.
The Ties that Bind
Chapter 1: Mossad Officers on the Scene
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo glared at the couple to his right, this is just ridiculous he thought, there has to be some rules against PDA in the workplace. Actually that was a little harsh, he had long since supported their relationship, he just didn't like that they looked so happy and he…well he wasn't exactly having any luck in that department. Well at least he could make fun of McGee that always cheered him up.
"You know I'm pretty sure that's sexual harassment," Tony called out, "I should report you to the director."
"It's only sexual harassment if it is unwanted," McGee pointed out annoyed.
"Hey it's unwanted by me," Tony pointed out.
Abby rolled her eyes, "Ignore him Timmy; he's just trying to ruin this day."
"Yes and what is this day?" Tony couldn't help but ask.
"It's our anniversary," She announced proudly.
Now Tony was confused, "I thought you guys met in November?"
"We did but that is our first anniversary," Abby explained, "two years ago today we got back together which makes this our second anniversary."
"You celebrate two anniversaries?" Tony asked, "Am I the only one that finds that weird."
"That's because you're the Tin Man," McGee jabbed in smugly.
"What were you saying Cowardly Lion?"
"Hey Glenda, Dorothy," Gibbs called out as he made his way from the elevator to his team, "put a lid on it and get ready."
"What do you got boss?" Tony asked as he holstered his side arm.
"Dead Marine shot in the head, his neighbor called it in."
"Any leads?"
"I don't know DiNozzo, why don't you tell me when we get there."
Instinctually Tony ducked expecting a head slap that never came, he hurried to the elevator; "Right behind you boss."
An hour an a half later the NCIS team surveyed the scene in front of them. First Lieutenant John Manderson, was in his mid thirties badly in need of a shave, wearing a dirty white t-shirt and probably equally dirty jeans was slumped over on the couch, a neat round hole in the middle of his head. There was some high velocity spray on the wall behind the couch; Tony snapped a picture of it.
He looked down at the coffee table, "Hey guys," he called out, "One dead guy and three glasses of water." Gibbs came over and took a look. "I don't see any signs of a struggle," Tony pointed out, "looks like he didn't see it coming."
"He knew the people who drank from these glasses," Gibbs agreed, "bag them for Abby."
The door to the house opened and in walked a grumbling Ducky and a sheepish Palmer, "I don't know how you do it Mr. Palmer, but you always find a way to make us late."
Gibbs just smiled at his friend, "Time of death Ducky?"
"Relax Jethro," Ducky told his friend, "I barely walked through the door."
The doctor pulled out his liver probe and knelt next to the body and expertly inserted the probe with a sickening squish. It took a few moments but after reading the temperature he looked back up to his friend, "Based on the temperature I'd say this poor fellow died about 6 hours ago, are you satisfied Jethro?"
"Absolutely."
"Hey I think I got something," McGee called from the kitchenette. Both Gibbs and Tony took a look at the discovery.
"Well that's a band-aid Probie," Tony said teasingly.
"I know that Tony," McGee scoffed.
Gibbs turned it over, "McGee's right because I don't think that guy," he gestured to the body, "wears Disney Princess band-aids."
"He could have a kid," Tony pointed out.
Gibbs didn't say anything; he just walked down the hall to the bathroom. The medicine cabinet was above the sink, when he opened it he didn't see any Princess band-aids. Looking around the rest of the house there was no apparent signs of a child.
"I don't see any signs of children," Gibbs pointed out.
"Yeah same here," Tony agreed, "but one could have come over."
"Maybe," Gibbs said but not convincingly. His gut told him that something wasn't right. The dead marine didn't look like the kind of person you would leave your child with.
Gibbs was looking out the window analyzing his gut instinct when he saw the subtle signs of movement creeping towards the front door. "DiNozzo, McGee!" He called out and gestured towards the front door with his already drawn gun.
Ducky and Palmer made the wise decision to move down the hall, out of sight from the front door.
The rest of the team was in position, guns ready, as they waited for the suspects to make their move.
They didn't have to wait long; the front door was kicked down as four heavily armored people burst in with their guns drawn.
"NCIS!" Gibbs barked out, "State your purpose!" Gibbs was expecting the FBI, CIA or some other annoying agency.
"Mossad!" One of the guys in the front shouted back, "What's yours?"
But Gibbs didn't get the chance to reply, one of the other officers in the back was lowering their gun with a stunned look on their face. "Gibbs?" the officer asked.
Now it was Gibbs' turn to be surprised, "Ziva? What the hell are you doing here?"
It had been over five years since Ziva had left NCIS and when she first arrived, she would have said that it hadn't changed a bit. The walls were still a tangerine orange, the cubicles were still bustling with activity, and Gibbs still marched through halls with a purpose and a stare that frightened the bravest special agent away. And just like old times Ziva was dragged along in the wake back up the familiar stairs to the director's office. Out of the corner of her eye, Ziva could see people watching her, a few old timers recognized her and soon whispers were a buzz.
Just like old times Gibbs marched his way to the director's door, but Ziva stopped him when she saw the unfamiliar name Gibbs on the door rather than Sheppard. "They made you director?" She asked incredulously.
Gibbs just smiled and busted through the door, and Ziva was more than a little surprised to see Jenny sitting at the desk. Now it was her turn to smile, "Director Sheppard…or should I say Gibbs?" but then Ziva's eyes found the man sitting in front of the desk, "Father." She said in shock and quickly sobered.
Director David didn't acknowledge his daughter; he was too busy fixing an icy stare on Gibbs.
"Director David, would you mind telling me why the hell Mossad Officers held up my crime scene?"
"Jethro," Jenny told her husband, "let him speak."
"As I was telling your Director, Mossad is here for a mission of utmost importance," David told them, "your Marine officer kidnapped an Israeli child, and my men were going to apprehend him to learn of the child's whereabouts."
"You believe a Marine kidnapped a child and you didn't contact NCIS?!" Gibbs asked incredulously.
"This mission was too personal for us to allow foreign agencies to be involved.
Gibbs turned to Jenny, "Whose child is this?"
Ziva hesitated and then quietly spoke, "My daughter."
Gibbs turned around to look at his former team mate; he could see the fear in her eyes, the desperation. "He took your daughter?"
Ziva nodded, "Three days ago, we found a security video of Lt. Manderson taking her onto a private plane."
"Are you sure it was him?" Gibbs asked.
"He was wearing his uniform, I spoke to his commanding officer and he told me that the Lieutenant was on leave," Ziva explained, "I don't know why he would take Tali."
"Which is why my men went to his home," Director David, "We needed to speak with him as to the whereabouts of my granddaughter." He turned to Jenny, "Director, this is Mossad's investigation; I would appreciate it if NCIS would turn the evidence over to us."
"Unfortunately Director," Jenny began, "a Marine is dead; that falls under our jurisdiction not yours."
"A Marine that kidnapped the child of a Mossad Officer."
"Director, you are not in Israel, you cannot possibly have the means necessary to process and evaluate the evidence, I propose that NCIS take the lead and Mossad can liaison with Agent Gibbs' team." Jenny suggested.
"Father," Ziva began, "I worked with these people for years, and there isn't anyone else I would want to investigate Tali's kidnapping."
"Even your own country?" David asked.
"I didn't mean that," Ziva told him, "but under the circumstances…"
"No, NCIS has already ruined a perfect Mossad Officer, I will not allow them lose the only lead on my grand daughter's disappearance."
"I've told you, NCIS didn't…"
"Enough!"
Gibbs jumped in, "If you want to ensure that your granddaughter does not return home safely, than fine, go your own way, but you are a damn fool if you do not take advantage of this agency. You do not have the means to investigate this properly and you know that, but if you let your pride keep you from making the right decisions than I am certain that you can kiss that little girl good-bye."
Director David glared at Gibbs for a long time before turning to Jenny, "NCIS can have the front, but I want a Mossad officer to work with his team."
"That will be me," Ziva spoke up, her father turned to her about to voice his disapproval but she cut him off, "She is my daughter, mine and I am not going to sit by and wait for answers; I'm going to help."
The Director just turned back to Jenny resigned, "I have no problem with this," Jenny said smiling at Ziva, "In fact under any other circumstances I would consider it a pleasure…welcome back to NCIS Ziva."
Ziva and Gibbs were quiet as they stepped onto the elevator, Ziva knew what was coming. Gibbs only got onto an elevator if he wanted a private conference, and sure enough he pressed the stop button and the emergency lights came on.
"Start talking," was all he said.
Ziva was aghast, assuming he meant Tali she began, "I told you, Tali was kidnapped three days ago…"
"No, start talking about what your father meant about ruining a perfect Mossad Officer."
Ziva was quiet for a moment, "After I returned to Tel Aviv, I was put back on duty…but I…I wasn't the same person I was before. I didn't just take orders and follow them through; I investigated the claims as well as speaking, and sometimes, comforting the victims and families. My father didn't approve, he said 'I was getting too involved,'."
Gibbs looked her in the eyes, "You never apologize for finding your compassion, and never let him tell you that what you are doing is wrong. You are a better person for it and that is something you should not be sorry for."
"Understood," Ziva replied. Gibbs let the elevator run again. She looked at him, "I need you to find her Gibbs…please."
"I will Ziva," he told her, "don't you doubt it."
The elevator arrived and to know surprised as soon as the two of them walked out of the elevator, Abby, Tony and McGee pounced.
Abby rushed to Ziva, "You're back! I heard you had come back but I didn't believe it!" she hugged Ziva tight.
"Only for a little while Abby," Ziva explained.
"You can catch up later," Gibbs barked at his team, "We have a job to do. A little girl is missing and Lt. Manderson is our only suspect."
"A little girl?" Tony asked, "Who?"
"Tali David," Ziva told them, "my daughter."
Abby, Tony and McGee all turned stunned looks to their friend, "You have a daughter?" they asked at the same time.
"Yes," Gibbs replied for her, "which is why we need to find her…now!"
"Right boss," McGee said as the three of them scrambled for some semblance, "I ran a background check on Lt. Manderson, there are some citations for showing up late for duty but nothing suggesting a kidnapping."
"Abby, don't you have some evidence to process?" Gibbs asked.
"Right," Abby said and rushed off to her lab but not before flashing a warm smile at Ziva.
"Tony," Gibbs said.
"Well boss, I spoke to the Lieutenant's ex, she said that she hasn't spoken to him in months but did mention that he had been working with some and I quote 'creepy guys' but she never got a good look at them."
"Ziva," Gibbs turned to the Israeli, "Do you have any idea why Lt. Manderson would want to kidnap your daughter?"
Ziva shook her head, "I'd never heard of him before this, we never had any contact with him and there wasn't a ransom note."
"What about Tali's father?" Gibbs asked.
"What are you suggesting?"
"You're not wearing a ring, I assume you aren't married," Gibbs said and Ziva shook her head, "Do you believe Tali's father would have kidnapped her?"
"No," Ziva told him, "it isn't possible; her father couldn't have done it."
Gibbs looked at her quizzically and lowered his voice, "This is important to the investigation, is there some reason why you won't tell me who he is, even to eliminate him as a suspect."
"I know you aren't a gossip Gibbs," Ziva told him, "but trust me when I say that he could not and is not capable of kidnapping Tali."
Tony and McGee were waiting anxiously, hoping that their boss would force Ziva to reveal the identity of Tali's father, Gibbs might no care for gossip but they sure did.
Unfortunately for them Gibbs replied, "Alright, I trust you," he gave her a quizzical stare before continuing, "Do you have a picture of her for the BOLO?"
Ziva nodded and pulled out her wallet revealing a picture of a cute little girl with long curly brown hair and soft dark brown eyes, she flashed a big smile for the camera that would melt the heart of the viewer. Gibbs felt a small twinge in his heart as he looked at the picture, remembering his own little girl, silently vowing to not let Ziva feel the pain he'd felt all these years. "McGee," he said handing the picture to his agent, "put this out on the BOLO."
He turned back to Ziva, "We found a Band-Aid at the scene, pink with princesses on it, sound familiar?"
Ziva pursed her lips, the only tell tale sign of her anxiety, "She…she fell down outside the day she disappeared, she loves movies and the Disney Princesses were her favorites. It has to be hers."
"We'll have to prove it," Gibbs told her.
Ziva walked behind her old desk, "When we ran into each other at the crime scene I told my father's men to bring this up here," Ziva carried out a duffel bag, "I had a feeling that I might be here a while." She smiled, "I see you haven't found a replacement."
"Yeah," Tony explained, "Gibbs scares them away."
Ziva pulled out a small child's backpack emblazed with Hollywood logos and spotlights, Tony eyed it with interest, "I told you, she loves movies, Tony and she remembers every single of one of them."
"Sounds familiar," McGee remarked and eyed Tony mockingly.
Ziva didn't reply; she pulled out a hairbrush and a Princess toothbrush, "I can bring these down to Abby."
"What are you waiting for?" Gibbs asked.
Ziva smiled and half expected a head slap before she headed for the elevator.
Tony watched her leave before announcing, "I need to speak to Abby," before any protest Tony rushed onto the elevator with the doors already closing.
Ziva eyed him but didn't say anything, waiting instead for him to initiate the conversation.
"It's been a long time," Tony said, both of them staring at the closed doors.
"Five years," she replied, "Did I miss anything else beside Gibbs and the Director getting married?"
"McGee and Abby got back together."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, a year ago, it's really annoying because they are all happy and googily."
Ziva laughed, "I know what you mean, but you're happy for them." She smiled wistfully, "I wish I could have seen it."
Tony sobered quickly, "You shouldn't have left then."
Ziva turned to look at him, "I had to leave Tony."
"If there is one thing I learned from working with you it is that no one makes you do anything," Tony shot back.
"My father needed me."
"And you always do what daddy says?"
"Why are you angry Tony?" Ziva asked, "Because I left or because you couldn't stop me?"
"It didn't matter what I did," Tony reminded her, "you were gone in the morning."
A/N: How was it? Next chap Abby learns of some interesting secrets and the REAL kidnappers are revealed.