Healing and Coping

Jen had one thing right, I was still hell bent on getting payback. Some times it was frightening how similar Jen and I were. On some subconscious level I was hoping against hope that today was going to be a calm day for Jen and me as well as for the rest of the team. Abby couldn’t see why Jen and I weren’t bawling our eyes out over our loss, why were we burying our emotions like Jethro. I knew for me, it was the only way I was able to keep myself stable enough for my girls and myself. The last thing I wanted was my girls to see me any less than wonder woman like they always had.
That day was; for the most part like any other day, the only thing that was different was that I was a mother to a sixteen year old and twin twelve years olds. As usual Ziva had gone for morning run; sans Tony. Tony; like the rest of us had been exhausted from work, so Ziva had decided to let him sleep in this particular Sunday morning like she let Hannah and Leah.
As Ziva started her run down her normal route she felt as if something was amiss. She felt as if she was being followed and even considered taking a different route just to be on the safe side. Before she knew what had happened; Ziva was attacked. Just as her instincts took over Ziva landed a kick square in Jeanne’s stomach causing Jeanne to double over in agony. At that moment; knowing that she was too far away from her house to have Tony come assist her, Ziva did the next thing that came to mind; she called Jethro. As usual within a matter of seconds Jethro had joined Ziva and escorted Jeanne to the car. Like he had nearly fifteen years ago when Ziva almost died while being undercover on the case with the serial killer killing unfaithful military wives; Jethro checked to see if Ziva was okay.
“You okay, Ziva?” Jethro asked.
“I’m fine, Gibbs.”
Jethro had that look of disbelief on his face as Ziva said she was fine, Ziva had all but noticed the look.
“What is it?” Ziva asked.
“The last time you said that you were fine, you were pretty shaken up to the point where you were beyond pissed at Tony.”
“Gibbs, you know what happened that day. Besides you’re pissed at Tony most of the time anyway.”
“Let’s get Ms. Benoit to Interrogation.” Jethro said as they headed to the car.
“I want to talk to her; Gibbs, after you finish questioning her.”
“We’ll see; Ziva.” Jethro said as they got into the car and drove back to NCIS.
By the time Jethro and Ziva had arrived at NCIS, Tony had already heard what had happened to Ziva. Kate met Gibbs and Ziva in the evidence garage to escort Jeanne to Interrogation. Jethro went to tell Jenny what had happened with Ziva as Kate brought Jeanne into interrogation.
Meanwhile things between Kelly and I started off on the wrong foot.
“Looks like my dad traded down since the last time I saw him.” Kelly said.
“Back off Kelly; my sister is the best thing that has happened to your father since your mother.”
As I defended my sister in the squad room like all sisters do for each other; Jethro and Jen were talking up in her office.
“I assume you are going to interrogate her, Jethro.” Jen said after Jethro had briefed her.
“Who else would interrogate her?”
“You have a whole team of agents that are more then capable of interrogating Jeanne Benoit.” Jen said as she resumed working on the arrangements for our father’s impending memorial service.
“I know that; Jen, but thanks to your condition from before and other circumstances, I am the only one who can.”
“You’re telling that within the two years that Kate was apart of your team that you never once had her interrogate a suspect.” Jen said in complete disbelief.
“Go back to planning Jasper’s memorial, Jen.” Jethro said.
Jen knew she struck a nerve by bringing up the fact that he had done things differently when Kate had first joined the team compared to when Ziva and I first joined up.
“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to criticize you like that. I am just over tired and stressed with everything that is going on right now.”
“Then take a nap.”
“Before you go Jethro, I have one minor request.”
“Jay and I want to talk to Jeanne after everything is said and done.”
“We’ll see.” Jethro said as he left.
“You can’t play that card with me; Jethro, I’m your boss.” Jen called after him.
Jethro then went to question Jeanne. Before stepping into Interrogation; Jethro had gone into Observation to see who from the team would be watching the interrogation. He had somewhat of an idea of who he would find. When Jethro had finally opened the door to Observation; he had found exactly who he expected to find, plus the one person he thought would have stayed where he had left her. As Jenny, Ziva, and I looked to Jethro; we knew he understood why we were there. Without saying anything Jethro left and went on the other side of the glass window. Kate had remained with Jeanne in interrogation and stayed as Jethro questioned Jeanne.
We all smiled as we watch Jethro sit across from Jeanne, not saying a word to her. The sight of seeing Jeanne Benoit slowly coming unhinged made this interrogation quite entertaining.
“So why did you murder a retired Marine Colonel?”
“I never killed Colonel Shepard.” Jeanne answered.
“Bullshit.” I said in Observation.
“Jay.” Jen said.
“Oh come on, we all know that she murdered dad.”
Meanwhile back in Interrogation it seemed that both Jethro and Kate were thinking the exact same way I was.
“So that means that you didn’t attack Agent David this morning.” Kate said.
Jeanne kept silence. With that Jethro decided that he was going to allow Ziva, Jen and I talk to Jeanne.
“Let’s go, Agent Todd. She’s all yours, Agent David.” Jethro said as he and Kate left Jeanne.
“This should be interesting.” I said to my sister, Jethro and Kate as Ziva took Jethro chair in front of us.
“Why did she do that?” Kate asked while Ziva set the chair against the wall just as she had eighteen years earlier.
“She doesn’t want to tempt herself.” Jethro answered.
Kate was still a bit puzzled.
“If she sits directly in across from Jeanne, she will be tempted to physically harm her.” Jen explained.
“She would physically harm Jeanne?” Kate questioned.
“Jeanne tried to kill her and get revenge on Tony. What do you think?” Jenny answered.
“Give Ziva some credit. She's gained a lot of self control since she’s been here.” Jethro said.
On the other side of the glass things got under way.
“What the hell is wrong with you? What would cause you to attack a Federal agent?”
“It was payback.” Jeanne answered.
“Payback for what?”
“For taking Tony away from me.”
“I never took him away from you. He chose me.”
“No you took him from me just like that Director of yours took my father from me fifteen years ago.”
“Did you kill Colonel Shepard?” Ziva asked.
“Yes.”
“Let me guess that was payback too.”
Jeanne nodded yes as Jethro leaned into whisper something to Jen.
“Everything will be fine. Go straighten things out and take Jay.”
Jenny and I went into Interrogation as Ziva took her place with the others.
“You killed my father, bitch.” Jeanne said to Jen.
“Jeanne, what proof do you have?”
“You killed my father fifteen years ago. I saw you pull the trigger.”
“How dare you accuse her of murder. Do you even realize that you are accusing the NCIS Director of murder? I said as I slammed the table.
“I never murdered your father, Jeanne. Rene was murdered by Trent Kort.”
“So you have committed a crime and are going to jail.” I said.
“I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“I want to talk to Tony before I leave.”
“Well he doesn’t want to talk to you let alone have anything to do with you.” Jenny said.
Jenny and I left Jeanne. Within minutes she was escorted out of the building. Jethro had told Tony, McGee, Ziva and Kate to wrap up the case since he was attending my father’s memorial with Jen, Nick, the girls and myself.
Both Jen and I wore black dresses, the guys were in their suits and the girls were in black dress as well. Dad was given a proper military funeral, gun salute and all. Jen and I had finally lost it as we were given a folded American flag that all family members of fallen soldiers received. Jethro and Nick comforted us as best as they could.
I was the last to say goodbye to my father. Jethro, Nick, Jen and the girls waited for me.
“At least I have one suitable dress to wear , dad.” I said.