Bound by Blood, Forged in Fire

Thunder

The teams made it to the FOB without any further trouble, the Jace handed Adnan to McGee and DiNozzo. He was on his way to his quarters when Ziva approached him.

"Keeping your promise?" inquired Jace.

"Yes," answered Ziva. "I will be attached to your waist."

"You mean hip," corrected Jace.

"Same thing," said Ziva, laughing, before getting serious. "I'm really glad you are okay."

"I'm glad you decided to come back."

They shared a hug before separating. As Jace headed back to his quarters he noticed Reese and Holloway sitting outside his door. Both men had smiles that blatantly showed a form of smug satisfaction.

"When people smile like that I get the urge to throw a homewrecker at the problem," said Jace, wanting to get to the point.

"You haven't extended your social life in so long we haven't noticed your soft spot for brunettes," said Reese.

Jace cocked his head at this implication.

"How is it that you make the most impossible shots as a sniper," said Xavier. "Yet be so blind when it comes to what's in front of you."

"You two still aren't making any sense," responded Julian.

"You and Ziva," replied David.

"We're friends."

"So are we and have no intention of getting cuddly with you."

The sniper could only sputter and scoff at this retort. Ziva was special to him but he liked how things were between them as it was. He simply moved past them and shut the door to his barrack.

. . .

Ziva was on her way to her and Amato's barracks when she ran into Tony. He had been quiet ever since they arrived in Afghanistan, this freaked her out in ways that she wasn't aware of, and with Tony that was saying something.

"So what is it with you and Gibbs Junior?" said the Senior Field Agent.

"What are you talking about?"

"You two have always been chummy," continued Tony. "But ever since you came back things have been different."

"Of course they have, I have started a new chapter in my life," responded Ziva. "Jace knows what that is like so he's been a good friend and has been helping me go forward."

"Some 'friendship' you two got going."

"Whatever it is that you are implying, I suggest you get it out of your head," said Ziva, looking Tony dead in the eyes. "Jace is a good man and a good friend, also you have no right sticking your nose in my business or his!"

She barreled past him and entered her quarters. Tony could watch her as she left him, knowing that if it had been more direct sooner he wouldn't be in such a position.

. . .

Jace had an HK417 rifle with the standard DMR set up prep for the op, they were going to conduct a nighttime strike on a small GTNE compound where they were going to meet with other Islamic Cell leaders. They had confirmed that six HVTs were attending, the entire team was hitting the target while the Marine Raiders and Team Four Platoon would ensure vector security. Jace was one of four designated marksmen for the operation, the rest of the team was going to focus on the assault. They had to be quick, sunrise came in seven hours.

Once they reached their target the team disbursed into four-man fire teams, surrounding the target. Jace and Dave made their way to their overwatch position. The others met at the objective and regrouped.

"Echo-Three to One, overwatch is set. How copy? Over."

Everything was ready to go. The assaulters lined up against the wall and prepared to breach. Once, everyone was ready Hall gave the order to engage. Jace eliminated the guards in his line of fire as the others barreled through. Nearly fifteen minutes later, the team exited, carrying three hooded detainees. Jace and the others dismounted from overwatch. They were pressed for time, the sun was rising.

On their way back the team noticed an aircraft burst into flames. It wasn't one of theirs and it was coming from the vector limit. Wesson radioed in, alerting them that they took down an enemy helicopter.

They had forgotten that the GTNE had sent their assault team in on the compromised hit via helicopter. Their extraction helicopters came in as soon as they reached the point. The team boarded two different aircraft.

They radioed the other teams to leave as soon as possible, the sun was clear and their cover of darkness was long gone. Once all elements were in the air the helicopters made their way to the FOB. Jace took a mental headcount, all the sailors were accounted for and the two detainees were secured.  The quietude didn't last long, the helicopter fired its countermeasures and utilized evasive maneuvers in the blink of an eye. Everyone braced themselves, Jace watched as the rockets shot past them until one hit the tail rotor. The aircraft rapidly descended, spiraling out of control, everyone held on for their lives; two SEALs held on to the detainees. Once they hit the ground everyone was thrown around like rag dolls. Jace could faintly hear the voices of his teammates before blacking out.

. . .

Back at the FOB, the NCIS team had just gotten word about the crash. The TOC was gathering intel on the assailants, but until they knew what they were dealing with the other Blackhawks were to carry on with their current route back.

"This isn't right," said Ziva, firmly. "Why are they not ordering immediate search and rescue?"

"The helos are low on fuel and they don't know what they're up against," said Gibbs, doing his best to keep his cool. "They're no good if they get shot down too."

Everyone looked to the monitors, the techs were working on obtaining ISR. Others were looking for the aircraft's beacon. They had no idea what was left or how many casualties there were. All they knew was that the Blackhawk had been gunned down nearly forty minutes away from the attack site and were in broad daylight, making them easy targets.

So much for Ziva's promise.