BLACK ORCHID (7/13), GIBBS/ZIVA (NC-17)

[zabby]

Title: Black Orchid
Author: Victoria (starshines)
Fandom:NCIS
Genre: Het
Pairing:Gibbs/Ziva
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Last Man Standing, this actually occurs post LMS
Summary: Someone's out for Ziva. Will Gibbs be able to find out who before its too late to save Ziva?
Warnings: Reference to rape and torture, steamy love scene
Disclaimer: NCIS, all characters belong to the big D.B. Though I might wish otherwise...
Feedback: Yes, please! Love constructive criticism, just be nice. It's my first.
Special thanks and love to Bree for the beta!

Chapters: Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 / Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9 / Chapter 10 / Chapter 11 / Epilogue


Chapter 6


Gibbs paced the span of Abby’s lab, each step eaten away by the length and veracity of his strides. Engulfed with guilt and overcome with rage, he could no longer stand still, waiting for the test results. So, instead he paced, driving everyone else in the room a bit crazy.

How could this happen? How could I let the bastard get so close to her? Ever since he had found that blasted flower, ever since Ziva had screamed in terror, he had been racking his brain, trying to find answers. Instead, he found only a depth of warmth for her that he was frantically trying to ignore. He’d either never had these feelings for her before, or he’d so completely pushed them down that even he hadn’t known about them. And because of that, I put her in jeopardy. He could have killed us both, and I wouldn’t have been able to stop it. No more! He would risk her life no more.

“We’re going to have around the clock shifts with her,” he stated, causing the rest of the team to roll their eyes slightly. Not because they didn’t want to protect Ziva, but because he had already gone over this about three times before. They were all deeply affected by Ziva’s ordeal, and all wanted to find the man who was pursuing her.

“Tony!” He barked.

Jumping up in surprise, Tony blurted out, “Yes, Boss?”

“Did you get that security feed from Bethesda?”

“Yeah. McGee’s working on it now, trying to isolate a picture of this guy.”

“McGee. Status.”

Almost afraid to report, McGee kept his eyes on the computer he was working on, though he pulled up the footage on Abby’s largest screen. “There’s nothing, Gibbs. No face shot, no profile shot, no reflection, nothing. This guy knew where all the cameras were avoided them the whole time. And other than the orchid, he never touched anything. Not even in the elevator. He made sure to get someone else to push the button for him. So, there’s no surface to print. I’ve got nothing.”

“Abby! Tell me you’ve got something.”

“Gibbs, barking at all of us isn’t going to make us find anything any sooner. We all want to help Ziva, to make her safe again. But we can’t if you’re screaming at us.”

“Abby…” he warned.

“There were no prints on any of the petals, and right now I’m trying to get any trace evidence from the stem where he was holding it. I may be able to get some sweat or epithieals.”

Grumbling, he continued to pace, on occasion looking over to Ziva, who was curled up on the futon next to Abby. Ever since the scream that froze his blood, she had been in that comatose state. The doctor at the hospital told him she could be released, as long as someone was always with her, as long as she was never alone. Gibbs had quickly agreed, needing to get out there with the investigation, needing to make sure that she was safe.

“What about the orchid? What is the significance of that? It means something to him. He carved it on her back and left it as a reminder on her pillow. How did he know about her last undercover mission?”

When the other team members looked up in confusion, he clarified. “Her code name. On our last mission, her code name was Black Orchid. How did he know that? Did she tell him? HASN’T ANYONE THOUGHT OF THAT?!”

He couldn’t contain his rage anymore. Turning back towards Ziva, he was startled to see her looking at him. Rushing to her side, he knelt down. “Ziva? Ziva are you okay?”

“Gibbs. I remember. He works here.” She whispered faintly.

“What do you mean, Ziva? Where does he work?”

“NCIS.”

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When her scream brought the floor’s entire nursing staff to her room, Ziva knew she would have to leave the hospital soon, if just to leave the nurses with some semblance of sanity. She was ashamed at her fear, at her behavior. Where was the strong Mossad agent everyone was so intimidated by?

The only thing she was grateful for was, because of her fit, several glass bottles and other paraphernalia had fallen to the ground. In an act of contrition, Ziva swooped down to help clean up, palming a solid, jagged piece. The next time he comes for me, I will be ready. I will not be so easy to subdue. As she dressed, she pocketed the glass, making sure she remained undetected. When the doctor gave his final approval, along with strict guidelines as to her physical and mental care, Gibbs loaded her up into his Charger and headed towards the Navy Yard.

The sight of the black orchid had sent her into a spasm of remembered hell. At the vision of a normally beautiful floor, she fell into a catatonic state, reliving some of the horrors of the past two weeks. Ziva was aware of her surroundings; of Gibbs’ rage at having slept through her intruder’s visit, of being unable to help her. But she just couldn’t seem to bring herself to say what he needed to hear.

The black orchid was more than just a symbol, and she knew she would have to tell Gibbs and the rest of the team soon enough. But for now, she couldn’t break out of the shell her torture had created around her.

Under Gibbs’ guidance, she entered the NCIS headquarters, ushered quickly into the elevator and down to Abby’s lab. Though Abby was a normal ball of Caf-Pow caffeine induced excitement, she managed to tamp it down for her friend. Somehow, the girl knew not to be her traditional self. Ziva felt too fragile to have to deal with that much enthusiasm. Instead, Abby came at her slowly, her eyes filled with tears.

The gentle way she handled Ziva showed more than words how much she cared and worried for her friend. Having received a call from Gibbs saying that they were on their way, Abby had prepared an area for her: quiet lights, her comfy futon, candles and warmth. Ziva tried to smile to show her appreciation, her thanks for having such a beautiful friend, but nothing could penetrate the barrier.

As the team worked the case, Tony pouring over suspects (how had they come up with suspects without any evidence), Tim studying the video footage (dear McGee, he would blame himself when he could not find anything) and Abby (her friend), Ziva concentrated on the sounds of Gibbs’ ferocious route and mutterings.

By focusing on Gibbs’ agitation and the normal sounds of the team working, she felt herself slowly begin to rise to the surface. Inch by inch, she dragged herself out of the tortuous hole her predator had made for her. As she finally near the surface of reality, she heard Gibbs yell about her orchid and broke free.

After she dropped the bombshell of her torturer being an NCIS agent, the team broke into chaos as Gibbs stayed close to her face.

“Quiet,” he yelled. “Let her speak.” Turning back to Ziva, he urged, “Go on, Ziva. Tell us what you remember.”

And she did.

She spoke quietly, and mainly just to him. Her peace. Gibbs. “He works here, an NCIS agent. I do not know his name, and I still cannot remember what he looks like. But I do remember more now.“


“He knew my code name because he has been keeping track of my movements, as well as the movements of the team. He calls me Black Orchid, or his treasure, telling me it fits my person; black hair, soft skin.” She shuddered at that, remembering his touch. “He will come for me, Gibbs. When it is time, he will come for me again. He promised.”

“Ziva, listen to me. No matter what, I will not let him take you. I will always come for you.” He moved next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pulling her head into his shoulder.

“Do you promise, Gibbs?”

“Yes, my Ziva. I promise.”

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After a tantrum that left the upstairs in a chaotic mess, he made his way to the chamber below the house. No longer could any person, sane or otherwise, consider what was below ground a basement. No, to him it was simply the Chamber. The floor where his fantasies became reality, where his instruments of torture left those who entered begging; either from pleasure or pain. Sometimes, he liked to consider that both met within the walls. A not-so-silent meeting of opposites.

Walking up to his wall of memories, he reached out a scarred hand and let it drift over the pictures of his Black Orchid. Such wonderful memories, he thought. Such beautiful pictures of his treasure.

As his word for her crossed his mind, he snarled and picked up a nearby knife, slashing at the photos. His pain at her betrayal a nasty, violent thing, beating in his chest.

How could she deceive me, betray me for that…that…Marine! He could think of no other word to describe his utter distaste for the man she chose. But he would get even. His mind already swirling with his performance of revenge.

First, his Black Orchid. He would have her back, back in the place where they had been truly as one. Then he would take the Marine, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He would make the man watch the woman suffer, knowing that he was the ultimate cause of her greatest pain. And then finally, before he ended their wretched lives, he would bring his Black Rose down to his chamber. He knew she would not betray him. Through her acts of love and friendship to his Orchid, he knew that this Rose would never betray him.

Before turning to prepare the chamber, he let his hand settle on one final picture, a single word drifting from his lips.

"Abby."