Six-Mile Loop

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Summary: Tim's head snapped around to stare at Gibbs. "Wait, Ziva and I are what?" Their silver-haired leader turned back to his two youngest, standing by the plasma, coffee in hand. Gibbs stared at the two, blinking once before heading to the director's office. "You're engaged." For Reader, JonnyP86 and everyone else who's curious about 'Vancouver', because I've mentioned it in a few other of my McGiva fics.

A/N: The title comes from an interview done with Michael Weatherly, about running the six-mile loop that is Stanely Park in Vancouver.

Tony looked up, to see McGee and Ziva enter together, steaming cups of coffee in their hands. Ziva tossed her hair over her shoulder, and dumped her gear at her desk before joining McGee at his. She perched on the edge of his desk, sipping her coffee. "What are you two discussing, McMossad?" He asked, leaning back in his chair.

"Nothing of your concern, DiNozzo." McGee replied, logging onto his computer and pulling an image up. Ziva hopped off his desk and came around the look over his shoulder.

"Oh Tim, it is beautiful! And you went there last year?" He nodded, glancing at her.

"Yep. Last June. Sarah and I spent a few weeks at Lonsdale Quay and Vancouver Island, researching our roots." Ziva's eyebrows rose.

"I did not know you are Canadian, McGee." She said, reaching out and laying a hand on his shoulder. He nodded.

"On my dad's side. My mom's side is Irish."

"Penelope?" She asked, having met McGee's grandmother only once, when Sarah invited the team over for dinner at McGee's as a thank you for proving her innocence during a case. The older woman was an eccentric, regaling the team with wild tales of her days as a college student in the fifties and sixties, childhood mishaps involving both McGee siblings, and their family vacations in Canada.

"Yep. Penelope's half-Canadian, meaning so is my dad, and so are Sarah and I. So, technically, I have dual citizenship. When I was a kid, Sarah and I would spend our summers bouncing back and forth between Canada and America, spending one month in Vancouver, and the other whereever Mom and Dad were stationed. It was nice. I'd love to go up again sometime before June. Vancouver is absolutely gorgeous, especially in winter."

"I would love to see it someday." Ziva said, rubbing his back. "Maybe you could take me and show me around."

"You'll get your wish, Ziva." All three looked up as Gibbs came into the bullpen, coffee in hand. "Gear up." Instantly, all three grabbed their bags, but Gibbs looked up, eyes going from McGee to Ziva to Tony and back. Tony stood just outside the bullpen, and McGee and Ziva near the plasma, coffee still in hand. "What are you standing around for?"

"You told us to gear up, Boss." Tony said, causing Gibbs to turn to him. "So where're we headed?"

"Not you, DiNozzo. McGee and David." Gibbs said, turning back to the two. They shared a glance, confused.

"Why us, Boss?" McGee asked.

"The family of a marine's been kidnapped and taken up to Vancouver; mother killed, two daughters being held hostage. McGee, David, you two are heading up. You're gonna get the girls out." McGee glanced at Ziva, brow furrowed.

"Why me, Boss?" Gibbs turned back to him.

"Because you're part Canadian, right?" He nodded. "So, you're a dual citizen, you'll get into the country easily. Take Ziva with you; she's your fiancee. You're engaged." McGee and Ziva nodded, not fully registering. McGee registered his words first, and choked on his coffee; his head snapping up to stare at Gibbs, wide-eyed.

"Wait, Ziva and I are what?" He cried; the words finally registered with Ziva, and she choked, spewing coffee all over the floor and McGee. Tony snorted, trying to hide his laughter at the 'class spit take'. Their silver-haired leader turned back to his two youngest, standing by the plasma screen, coffee in hand, twn looks of shock on their faces. Gibbs just stared at the two, blinking once before heading up to the director's office. As he started up the stairs, he said,

"You're engaged."

McGee turned to Ziva. "I get the whole 'easier to slip into the country', but do we really have to-" He winced as a wad of paper hit the back of his head, and after a moment, he turned, to see Vance and Gibbs on the landing; the latter beckoning them both to follow. Seeing Vance where Jenny used to be still stung; even though a year and a half had passed, they were all still smarting from her violent death, for only the team knew the truth. A moment passed, before Ziva and McGee followed, the door to the director's office eventually shutting behind them. They stood beside Gibbs, backs straight, heads up, waiting for their orders. Silently, Vance dropped two files in front of them. He nodded towards the sofa at the other side of the room.

"Sit." As they all took seats, McGee picked up one of the folders, looking through it. "I trust Agent Gibbs has briefed you on your assignment." The pair shared a look, before turning back to Gibbs and Vance. The director sighed, and spoke. "Marine William Samuel's wife and two daughters were taken from their home by a Jake Reynolds. The wife was killed, and Rynolds took their two daugthers and fled the country. From what our sources say, they're currently in Vancouver. Samuel's is currently serving in Iraq, but he's been updated on the situation."

"So what do this have to do with Ziva and I pretending to be engaged?" McGee asked, as Ziva picked up her folder and began flipping through it.

"We need eyes and ears on the trio-"

"Then why not use the Vancouver-"

"Because they asked us for help. The man and the girls are American. They are asking us save our own. They will be there if you need them, but ultimately, it is up to you." Vance said, cutting Ziva off. He slid a credit card towards McGee. "NCIS is paying for this, your hotel, everything. You need to make sure you get the girls out safely."

"But why not T-"

"Because Agent DiNozzo is too reckless. He's a good agent, but for something this delicate, we need someone who won't jump at the first signs of fire- as was the consequence of his last undecover case. You and Agent David are both anaylitical. You will think before you act and figure out the safest way to get the girls out alive. Now head home, pack your bags, and meet back here. You leave in two hours. Study your personas, know them well, and do not forget your passports. I'd hate to leave two of my best agents in Canada because one of you forgot your papers." Without a word, they got up, leaving Gibbs and Vance alone. Once the door closed and Vance returned to his desk, Gibbs locked the door, going to the director. Leaning over the desk, he whispered,

"If anything happens to either of them, Leon, I am holding you responsible."