NCIS ~ I Will Love You Thru Everything

pt 27

The man strode back into the room 4 hours later. Ziva snapped to attention as he neared her. He had something in his hand..

He sat down. "Perhaps I should introduce myself. I am Lenz." he held out his hand and then laughed. "Forgive me. I forgot you couldnt move." He took his hand back and reached into his pocket. Out came several photographs..Abby in her lab, Abby on her way home, Abby sitting at a restaurant with McGee, Abby in the hospital..

Ziva scanned the photos. She honestly didn't have a clue what they would want with Abby.

Lenz put the photos away. "Are you ready to finally hear me?" He stroked her cheek and Ziva flinched away.

"First," he began, "I will offer you a trade. For every question you answer, you will recieve a milligram of antidote for the paralysis. But for every question you refuse to answer, there will be punishment from my employer. I can't speak for him but he is much harsher than me.."

Ziva swallowed nervously. "Ask your questions," she whispered softly.

He got very close to her face. Don't be intimidated, Ziva thought to herself. Still, she shook slightly.

"How long has Abigail SCuito been involved in a case code-named Rodeo?" Ziva couldn't have answered if she wanted to. She'd never heard of it, and she told him that. His eyes narrowed. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head up. Ziva gasped "Please! I do not know!!! Stop!!"

He yanked furiously and Ziva's eyes filled with tears. "I swear I have not heard of Rodeo!" she burst out.

Finally Lenz let go and brashly dropped her back into the chair. "Next question - how long has Abigail Scuito been working with NCIS?" Ziva was fairly certain it was around 8 years..Hesitantly she supplied that answer. Lenz nodded. "Very good.." he picked up the syringe and injected a bit into Ziva's neck. A shudder went thru her body as the antidote started to work. Her knees tingled..she could feel her upper legs!

He wiped his hands on a rag. "Next question - Has Abigail ever been involved in secret experiments, or the makings of the biological weapons?"

Ziva's heart sank. She was fairly certain thaf Abby had been but she wasn't about to say that. "I do not know.."she lied weakly, dreading what came next. Lenz's fist came at her stomach with massive strength. It didn't stop with once, he kept slamming her over and over until she was convulsing and coughing up blood. Ziva's eyes were closed and she could barely breathe.

Lenz stopped for a brief moment. "Care to change your answer?" he checked. Ziva weakly shook her head. "She is my friend.."she whispered. With a regretful look on his face, Lenz pulled a small razor out of his pocket. He knelt in front of her and took her chin in his hands. "I truly am sorry about this.." he murmered. He took the small razor and made little cuts, up and down her neck. Ziva had seen this done before and knew what he was doing. The cuts were not life threatening in any way, just extremely painful.

As Lenz continued cutting the soft skin of her neck, Ziva bit her lip to keep from screaming. A sob escaped her lips and tears ran down her face.

Once he was done, Lenz wiped his hands again. He looked a little bit ashamed, but stood straight. "I will be back in 4 hours again to discuss more questions with you." he informed her.

Ziva sat motionless in so much pain it hurt to breathe. Blood dripped down her shirt front and mixed with the tears running down her face. She still couldn't move at all because of.the paralysis. Her heart ached for Tony.

Tony got up early the next morning to go to work. As he walked out of the elevator, he was greeted by a squeal. "Tony!!" Abby ran up to him. Confused, Tony hugged her. "Um, Abs? Aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?" She nodded and explained that she had to go back every other day for infusions but had permission for work clearance finally. Gibbs came in the midst of the explanation with some files. He slipped them to.Tony and motioned him over to the monitor. There were several vid clips playing. One that was repeating was of 3 large forms fighting with a smaller form in the apartment hall..it was Ziva! Tony ran up to the screen frantically but then remembered Gibbs still didn't know that he and Ziva were in a relationship. He stopped and examined the video frames. The two began to discuss the forms while Abby slipped away to prepare video enhancements.

Tony sat down heavily at his desk. He wanted to catch these bastards so badly and rescue Ziva..

His thoughts drifted to the kiss they had shared by her car the night she was taken. Her face, eyes closed pressed up against his. Her hair down her shoulders..her arms around him tightly. Her lips, on his.
I'm coming for you, Ziva. Hang in there, Tony thought. Filled with resolve her turned back to his evidence files.

Thanks for reading! do you guys like this so far? please comment