Chapter Twelve

Once Gibbs and McGee arrived at the estate Tony commandeered the library of the main house and he, Ziva, Gibbs and McGee sat in there discussing business.

"Ray is a rogue agent," Ziva said trying to contain her anger. "Is my taste in men that bad?"

"Hey, I resemble that remark," chuckled Tony.

Ziva was in no mood to joke, glared at him. She was seated on a black leather loveseat, while Gibbs sat in a brown armchair, Tony sat behind the library's impressive desk, and McGee walked around the book covered walls of the room in awe.

"This belongs to you?" McGee asked.

"Yes, McGee, it belongs to me. It belonged to my mother and an uncle and now just me," smiled Tony.

"McGee, shut up and listen if you can't be helpful," barked Gibbs.

"Sorry, boss," he mumbled.

"What are we going to do?" asked Ziva.

"The CIA has been informed. They've started a search for him," said Gibbs.

"I'll let MI-5 and MI-6 know, so they can start their own," said Tony.

"That does not answer my question: what are we going to do?" asked Ziva.

"Why? Do you miss Ray?" smirked Tony.

Again Ziva glared at him in a way that told him his amusement over this was not only not appreciated but healthy for him.

"Vance wants us to bring him in. He says it will secure our standing in the CICT community which is growing," said Gibbs.

"Must we bring him in alive, Gibbs?" asked Ziva.

Tony took out his smart phone and dialed Boadicea.

"Hello, boss," she answered.

"I need to talk to SAC…," he started to say.

"Boss, Vance wants to talk to you. He said call whenever you check in," she told him. "It is urgent."

"I'll call him now. Thanks, Bo," he said and hung up.

"What's wrong?" asked Gibbs reading his expression.

"Vance wants to talk to me. It's urgent," he said.

"Call him, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.

"I really don't wants to," he said.

"Ahuvi, call him. We need to know what his parameters are involving Ray. I need to know if I can kill him," said Ziva.

Tony dialed NCIS, Vance's direct line. Instead of Cynthia answering, Vance did.

"DiNozzo, I'm glad you finally called," he said.

"Yes, Director. I was dealing with another matter and just found out you wanted to speak to me," he said.

"You know I've found your work in London outstanding, as has the SecNav," he stated.

"Thank you, sir."

"It seems the position of executive director of counterintelligence and counterterrorism has suddenly opened up. The position is yours," he said.

"But…," Tony started to speak.

"Tony, let me put this to you in unmistakable terms. You either take the position, which has been freed up for you, or you take Blake up on his offer to go work for MI-5. Do you understand what I am saying?" asked Vance.

"Yes, sir. I do as you say or I find a new job."

"Clean up the mess in England, especially the Cruz situation then I want you back in DC to take over your new position here. SecNav has discussed an increase in your budget and an increase of ops," Vance said.

"I'll report back when I send Gibbs' team report back," he said.

"Sounds good, Executive Director DiNozzo. I'll send you the paperwork to sign and then send out an e-mail announcing your promotion," said Vance, who then he hung up.

Tony put his smart phone down on his desk and stared at Gibbs then Ziva.

"What is wrong?" asked Ziva.

"I'm now in charge of CI and CT for NCIS. He made me executive director."

"You don't look happy," said an amused Gibbs.

"You are in charge!" stated a shocked McGee. "What alternate universe did I stumble into?"

"Yes, McFuture Director, I'm in charge," smiled Tony.

"I'm confused," said McGee.

"Get used to it, McGee," smiled Gibbs.

"What are your orders about Ray?" asked Ziva without a sense of humor but only laser beam focus.

"I never thought I'd ever get to say this but we need to bring him in dead or alive," said Tony.

"I know I have my preference," said Ziva.

NCIS

Gibbs, Ziva and McGee left Tony alone in the library as he made his calls. First up was to MI-6 which seemed amused that a CIA officer had gone rogue and had setup shop in London. They enjoyed whenever the CIA screwed up. His next call was to Blake.

"Congratulations, dear boy, on the promotion," Blake started to the conversation. "We shall see less of each other, yet have more interaction."

"How do you know about that, Blakie?" asked Tony.

"I have ears and eyes everywhere. It's part of the nature of the business, Tony. You have to learn that now," he said.

"I hope I can rely on your advice," said Tony.

"Of course you can," said Blake.

"Good. Do you know where I can find Ray Cruz?" asked Tony.

"He is looking for you, dear boy, so I'd just stand still long enough for him to find you," said Blake. "I think he is jealous that you have his girlfriend in your bed."

"That's just great," sighed Tony.

"I wouldn't worry too much. I believe she can protect you," he chucked.

"How about Milo Shea?" asked Tony.

"First things first, Executive Director," said Blake. "We must celebrate your promotion and discuss your replacement there at NCIS. I have some suggestions for you, that is if you can about my opinion."

"Lunch or dinner?" asked Tony.

"Lunch, dear boy, so we don't have to bring the women. Conversation goes smoother that way," said Blake.

"I'll choose the place," said Tony.

"And I'll pay," said Blake.

NCIS

They returned to London. Gibbs, Ziva and McGee along with his team where tasked with finding Ray Cruz. Another James Paddock body was found in an apartment in Soho. Gibbs insisted on seeing the crime scene, which meant dealing with Scotland Yard and MI-5. Tony was glad to let him argue over jurisdiction and protocol.

After a restless sleep the next day Tony dressed in an Anderson & Sheppard glen check jacket and waistcoat with black pants, a white dress shirt, black tie and white pocket square. When Tony arrived at La Gravroche in Mayfair, Blake was already seated at a table in a more traditional blue pinstriped suit. The maitre d showed Tony to the table.

"I've already ordered for us, dear boy. I'm having Souffle Suissesse and you're having Mousseline de Homard au Champagne Caviar to open the meal with. We are sharing a bottle of Chateau la Croix Toulifaut, 1998. For the entrée I am having the Darne de Turbot Grille et Beurre Blanc a la Ciboulette and you are having the Homard et Pappardelles, Veloute Parfume au Cognac et Parisienne de Legumes. And for dessert we are both having Petite Tarte Tatin et Glace a la Vanille de Madagascar with coffee. A fine farewell meal," smiled Blake. "I'm sending you off in style."

"I'll need to sleep for a week after this meal," said Tony.

"Now down to business," Blake said as the Sommelier brought the wine, opened it, and gave Blake a small taste to sample. Blake twirled it around in his glass to oxygenate it then tried it. "Delightful."

"Can I recommend a dessert wine for you when the time comes?" asked the Sommelier.

"Maybe. I'll call you when dessert is on the way," said Blake.

The Sommelier poured them each a glass of wine then he left.

"Milo Shea has now threatened the director of an American intel agency, well a want to be intel agency," he started. "I have permission to do what must be done to stop him and that means that Mr. Shea will be having an accident soon. I haven't decide if it is going to be a car accident or a swimming accident."

"Are you sure about this, Blake?" asked Tony.

"Dear boy, it will be a pleasure to get rid of him. I've been looking for permission for years to end Shea's reign of terror. It was his use of the Real IRA that finally convinced my so-called superiors to agree with me," said Blake. "Now this Ray Cruz business. I'd love to clean up the CIA's mess but I think it would benefit you to do so for them."

"When can I expect you in DC for a visit?" asked Tony.

"Six months. We will have to lunch as usual," smiled Blake.

"I've never asked you but why have you been so good to me?" asked Tony.

"Ahh, why you and not some other American bloke," he said then drank some wine. "When I was a boy of ten, I had a painful crush on the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was perfect with a creamy complexion, soft brown hair, and these wonderfully expressive green eyes. Her name was Emily Paddington and she was freshly graduated from Oxford and being wooed by an American named DiNozzo. He was all charm and good looks but empty beyond that. I don't think my crush ever went away."

"My mother," Tony said softly.

"Yes. If I was only older I would have fought him for her and, I believe, won. But she left with him and years later I got to work with her son, a man I am proud to call a friend. You might have your father's charm, but everything else is Emily's," he said.

"Thank you, Blake."

"It has been a pleasure, Anthony."

"I'm glad I've met you," Tony said.

"I believe we shall remain friends," he smiled.

NCIS

By six o'clock Tony had called around and checked in with the CIA, MI-6, and MI-5. So far no sign of Ray Cruz. He exited his office and walked into the now crowded squad room.

"So Executive Director DiNozzo any good news?" asked Gibbs with a smirk.

"Nothing. He's a ghost," said Tony.

"He is an asshole," added Ziva.

Tony looked at Ziva and wondered how bad of a boyfriend was Ray Cruz to put her in this mood.

"Tony, do you need one of us for protection duty?" asked Kashi.

"No, I think I'll be fine. I have this crazy ninja staying with me at the barge," he answered.

Ziva got up out of her chair then wrapped her arms around the back of his neck and gave him a long passionate kiss. When she was done she looked at Kashi with a look that let her know who he belonged to and the she said: "He's safe."

Tony shook his head and mumbled: "Crazy."

She gave him a gentle shit the ribs: "Be nice or you will be sleeping on the sofa tonight."

"Yes, my lady," he retorted then he added. "let's call it a night everyone. We every intel agency in Europe who an ally looking for Cruz. There is no reason to be here all night."

NCIS

They began kissing while walking onto the boat. It continued as they made their way down into the barge and Tony fumbled with his keys to unlock the door. Letting them into the barge Ziva started unbuttoning his shirt, when they heard a gun cock.

"Hi, honey, miss me?" asked Ray Cruz.

"CI-Ray. Or should I say Ray-gun," smiled Tony.

"I really hate you, DiNozzo," said Ray, as he pulled out handcuffs and tossed them to Ziva. "Put these on, darling."

"Don't call me darling," she hissed.

Ziva put the cuffs on one wrist then put her hand behind her back and cuffed the other wrist.

"Turn around," he said. "DiNozzo, step back."

Cruz walked up to Ziva and tightened the cuffs then he took her, gun, her backup gun, and her knife. Finally, he pushed her hard onto the sofa.

"Stay put darling," he said.

"Next time you call me darling, I'll kill you," she smiled.

"Sure," Ray said.

He turned his attention to Tony slapping him aside his head with his gun. This caused Tony to stumble. Ray moved in and took his gun and a retractable knife from his pocket. Like with Ziva's weapon's he tossed them across the room.

"Why did you set up this rogue operation, Ray-gun?" asked Tony.

"Money. A place in DC, a house in Miami, and living well costs money," he said.

Tony looked at his suit and smiled: "Too bad you didn't spend them on suits."

"You make it easy to hate you," said Ray as he slapped him again with the gun.

This time he stumbled and fell to his knees. Blood ran out of his hair and down his face.

"The only reason I'm not going to let you live for now is to help me get out of this country and to Dubai," he said.

"Once I do that I'm dead," said Tony.

"Yes."

"Again, explain to me why I should help?" he asked.

"Ziva's life," he said. "Help me and she lives."

"How can I believe you?" Tony asked.

"I'll leave her here all tied up when we leave," he said.

"I do it," said Tony.

Cruz smiled then punched him in the face splitting his lip and sending him to the deck. Ziva growled. Her face turned red and there was a grimace of pain on her face.

"That's for fucking my little darling," he said.

Unexpectedly, Ziva was up on her feet with a the handcuffs dangling from her right wrist and her left thumb in and angle from her dislocating it so she could slip off the cuffs. She kicked the gun out of his hand, followed by a kick that she blocked then she followed it up with a straight hand to his throat crushing trachea and causing him to slowly chocking to death.

"I told you that I would kill you if you called me darling again," she said to the dying Ray then moved over to Tony, who was trying to sit up.

"You are a scary girlfriend," he said.

She smiled: "I need you to pop my thumb back into place then I can take care of you."

"A very scary girlfriend," he said then kissed her.

Epilogue

The Gulf stream Jet was headed towards Washington DC. The team traveled first class because they traveled with Executive Director DiNozzo. Tony sat in the back with Ziva and Gibbs while everyone else enjoined the amenities.

"So I really have lost my SFA," said Gibbs.

"But you still have me," said Ziva, who hand was now bandaged.

"Until he either needs you or gets you pregnant," smiled Tony. "I always knew you two would be trouble."

"Thanks, boss," said Tony.

"You're the boss now. Get used to it," Gibbs said.

"He is not the boss everywhere," smiled Ziva.

An expression of concern flashed across Tony's face, as Ziva leaned over and kissed his cheek.

Gibbs shook his head: "You're married, DiNozzo, and you don't even know it."