01x03 - Cover Story

[bunniefuu]

I don't want to believe that
you two are involved in this,

but I have to follow the facts,

which means I'm issuing a Red Notice.

Uh, guys. Friends of yours?

It's complicated.

Hey, that couch downstairs

- is a back k*ller.
- We can share.

Nothing I haven't seen before.

His work on 9.4

was malware for a drone guidance system.

Company called Reigning
Fire Peacekeeping Solutions.

- That's Aaron Graves.
- It's a lead.

Dearly beloved,

we are gathered here

to witness and celebrate the marriage

of Boris Peskov and Fruzsi Gortva

in holy matrimony.

A special thanks to all of you
who traveled so far and wide

to witness the promise

of these two are about to make.

She's gonna figure it out.

Those whom God has joined together,

let no one put asunder.

Focus.

This marriage unites

not just Boris and Fruzsi,

but all of the families
sitting here today

in so much as Boris and
Fruzsi have consented together

in holy wedlock and have written...

Hello. I'm Aaron Graves,

CEO of Reigning Fire
Peacekeeping Solutions.

Welcome to our
state-of-the-art facility, where

- the brightest minds in the industry
- Here you go.

- are shaping technology breakthroughs
- Thank you.

across multiple sectors.

From our humble beginnings
in private military services,

- we've expanded into various
- You think Graves

- high-tech fields
- will give us the time of day?

- where we push the boundaries...
- Well, two federal agents

with a security threat
should make anyone

sit up and listen.

... to empower our clients.

We understand that the
responsibility we bear...

If we could get a word in edgewise,

I feel like he'd be
grateful for the heads-up.

We're proud knowing that our innovations

help make the world a safer place.

Reigning Fire: blazing a trail

in defense technology.

We still don't even know
the nature of the threat.

We do know 9.4

has taken down a bank, a hospital,

and created a fleet of k*ller cars.

People have died.

Including Boris' friend,
the Lecco programmer,

and according to him,

Reigning Fire drones
are the next target.

This is strange. I feel
like we're back at the job.

Like we should be calling McGee
and saying, "Hey, handle this."

Yeah, how's that gonna go?

"Hey, probie,

How you been? Sorry
to, uh, do this to you,

but, um, you know that Red Notice?

Ignore it. It-It's...

- just a big misunderstanding."
- Mm-hmm.

Coffee.

- You're sure? Nothing for you?
- No. Thank you.

Besides, what can he do from D.C.?

Time is a'ticking.

We have to make sure
that we stop this thing

before it kills more people.

Agent Moen. Agent Parreno.

I'm Riley from Community Relations.

I understand you're interested
in meeting with Mr. Graves.

Unfortunately, he's not available.

We have time-critical
information to share.

I understand, but we're
in the middle of prep

for our annual expo,

and our CEO's schedule
is fully booked out.

Our intel suggests this facility

may be the target of a
coordinated cyberattack.

We've seen the havoc
this device can wreak.

It's a major threat.

A few moments of his
time is all we need.

Let me assure you, this facility
is sufficiently fortified.

In addition to our state-of-the-art
surveillance system,

our buildings are equipped with
one-inch thick bulletproof glass,

and we have dedicated
teams of specialists

continuously monitoring and updating

the facility's network defenses.

What-what division of NCIS are you with?

Uh, we're from the D.C. office.

I'd say you should call them,
but it is 3:00 a.m. there...

- Oh!
- God, I'm so sorry.

Can you hold this for me?

Thank you.

Ah. Do you have a... Uh, that's hot.

- Yes, I know. Can we get some water?
- Is there a bathroom?

Yes, let's get you some water.

- Let's go. I'm so sorry.
- We'll be right back.

- I love this shirt, too.
- I know you do.

Well, the expl*si*n is
getting wide coverage,

but we haven't seen anything
yet linking it to you,

which is good because, by all accounts,

Aaron Graves is a merciless warlord

who would raze the Earth to find you.

This day just keeps getting

- better and better.
- Mm.

According to the blueprints I liberated,

the building that went boom

was where military drones
were being assembled.

All that tracks with the intel we got

- from the Lecco programmer.
- Aaron Graves

is beholden to no government.

He's not someone you
want with an eye on you.

I'd rather have a cat
watching me sleep, yes?

Copy. Pissing off

- an arms dealer is bad.
- Uh,

CCTV coverage is pretty
extensive, even in rural places.

Try to find an indoor
spot without cameras.

It's only a matter of time
before Graves' security team

finds you in the surveillance footage.

They never got around to
patching the exploits I found

on the Ashakira Tech job.

I can use that to
access their CCTV system

and prevent it from linking
your face to your name.

Find a place to lay low,

and we'll give you the all-clear
once we get things sorted.

Thanks, Claudette.

So, we need a place to
disappear for a while.

Any thoughts?

Yeah. Uh...

I know we agreed not to talk about

our romantic endeavors.

It's okay, Tony. Sophie told
me you were seeing someone.

- Oh.
- Is it serious?

Well, we're not... not serious.

I like her.

She hired Salus Mondiale
to handle security

for her boutique.

We kind of clicked.

Hey.

I'm happy for you.

I was afraid you might react
negatively or something.

Come on.

Give me some credit.

It's been four years.

Ah.

Well, the reason I bring it up is...

Um...

The woman I'm dating...

her name is Nicole...

she has a ski lodge

that is not far from here.

And since it's the offseason,

she is in Paris.

A remote cabin in the woods might not...

be a bad place to hide.

Say less.

Let's find a place to, um, hide the car

and, um...

let's lie low at your...

girlfriend's house.

Really?

So mature.

You were right.

There are no surveillance
cameras on the property.

Hey, there's a stain remover
pen over by the laundry.

Can you grab that for me?

This coffee stain's not coming out.

Sure.

- Oh, God.
- What?

This bedroom is designed to support

alternative interests.

That's just a yoga swing.

If you say so.

Oh, my God. Tony.

Nicole.

Uh...

Hello.

Tony, this is my husband.

Max.

Chérie, this is Tony DiNozzo.

He handled the cybersecurity
for my boutique.

Ah.

And... this must be your lovely wife.

Ziva.

Uh...

Lovely to meet you both.

I gave Tony an open invitation
to use the chalet, but, uh,

somehow, I seem to
have confused the dates.

Well, that is entirely
my husband's mistake.

He is a nightmare with scheduling.

- Aren't you?
- Total disaster. Yeah,

like a tornado in a calendar shop.

These things happen.

Good thing we brought

- plenty of wine.
- Yes,

that's a very good thing. Thank you.

- You might want to, um...
- I got it.

... focus on exploiting
the new vulnerabilities

of the firewall's SSH.

I know that.

Trying to salvage data?

It doesn't concern you.

Looks like you tried to catch
a hammer with your phone.

Just saying, I know a few tricks
to get your data back quickly.

Why are you suddenly so eager to help?

Where's Fruzsi?

She's stuck in the
armpit of the Internet.

Yeah, there are way too many armpits

for me to know what that means.

The black hole of bridal hair videos.

Hair mountain on top, twisty pins,

- bottom b...
- Are you joking?

You still haven't told
her the wedding is off?

Why would I do that?

I love her.

Even with ridiculous hair.

People are still trying to k*ll you.

Boris is porous.

Your bosses are the ones in crosshairs.

- Seriously... married?
- Tony...

We started so casual, I never
expected things to get serious.

- But they did.
- Yeah, I know.

And I wanted to tell you,

but the time just never
seemed right, and I...

Please believe me. I'm so sorry.

So am I.

I do not understand what
you're doing in my house.

Yeah, sorry about that. I...

I thought you'd be in the city.

Ziva is Tali's mother, right?

Your co-parent.

Are you two together now?

No.

No. We just needed to get off the road

for a few hours.

It's a long story and, in
hindsight, a very bad idea.

- We will just go.
- No.

Max is a cop.

Your husband is a policeman?

Well, I guess I have a type.

If you leave now, he'll suspect
you have something to hide.

Which we do.

Stay. Have some wine.

Try to relax.

What part of Germany were you from?

Oh... west-west.

- Oh, west-west. - Highly
industrialized area.

Fresh raspberries from our
neighbors down the road.

Honey bunny, you're never
gonna believe this, but...

... Nicole just mentioned that

her husband is in the gendarmerie.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

Uh... Did you know that,
uh, Tony was on the force

back in the States? Uh...

ages ago.

Uh, are you with the...

- local branch?
- No.

I work with la PAF.

- Ah...
- Ah...

- Border enforcement?
- If you have seen

any news lately, you know
I haven't had a break.

I feel terrible leaving
poor Nicky alone so much,

- but she's been so understanding.
- Aw...

Whenever I can get away, we like
to come out here and spend time

in nature and soak in the
thermal springs out back.

You work so hard.

You deserve a break.

The water here is full of magnesium.

It's good for muscle tension,

your circulation, and...
even for your heart.

It's a game-changer

if you want to unlock
your body's true potential.

Did you know

that most Roman baths shut down

at the end of the 15th century

because of syphilis?

Mm.

If you're not here for the
properties of the water,

what's your purpose?

Mm.

It's our anniversary.

Oh. Of all the romantic
places in France,

you chose our little hut for your...

celebration?

How sweet.

How long have you been married?

- Nine years.
- Ten years.

I like to round up.

Ten years? But no rings?

- No, we don't believe in rings.
- No, that's too constricting.

That's, um...

- unconventional.
- Yes, well, we...

... like to make up our own rules.

Oh, we certainly can relate to that.

Can't we, my dear?

Mm.

I'm curious... after a decade in,

what's your secret to keep the...

the passion alive?

We've never had any
problems with chemistry.

Merci.

- To good times.
- Past, present and future.

And here's to you finding

a home for your language
school. Mazel tov.

Thank you.

So...

Here we are.

Two ordinary people with...

normal jobs.

I like to think I'm...

sailing the seas of mediocrity

with a certain style.

And I don't think there's

anything ordinary about Ziva David.

What if I just can't be normal?

I think that's...

where I come in.

Because, as the
Michelangelo of the mundane,

I have a certain set of skills.

Now, you see, normal people...
from the ordinary world...

they enjoy eating fruit.

What about Tali?

Listen to me. Sophie is an angel

and has gotten her
to bed, I promise you.

We shouldn't.

I mean, this part has
always been very easy for us.

But Tali... you know,
she's gone through a lot

and I just don't want to
send her any mixed messages.

No mixed messages.

Maybe us being together is
the stability Tali needs.

It's all a subgenre of family films.

Kids play matchmaker

to reunite their parents.

Everyone lives happily ever after.

Huh...

Well, "happily ever after"

is a fairy-tale notion.

But you know what I mean.

Wait, I just don't want to...

ruin things by rushing.

I'm new to therapy

and to balancing sorting
out my baggage and...

trying to be a good
mom and a good partner.

It's just a lot to manage right now,

- and...
- Yeah.

Look...

I'm not saying never, I'm just saying...

... not yet.

Okay?

- All right.
- Okay.

So, the tried-and-true,
you take the bedroom

and I'll cozy up with the couch.

- Okay...
- f*ck it. Let's go.

Merlot always got me
in a lot of trouble.

Shh.

How many dresses are you wearing?

Just two.

Take your time.

Ah, who's up for another glass, huh?

- Me.
- Oh, yeah.

I'll uncork another. And
we should have some of

the Comté we brought.

Are you okay?

Yes. I... I-I'm okay.

I need an update. What'd you find

at Jonah's apartment?

Not even an eyelash.

Sounds like someone who knows
how to work a crime scene.

As head of this agency,
my neck is on the line.

So I'm asking: do you need to recuse?

If it is Tony... and right now, there is

no one else it points
to... the optics for you...

No, it's the opposite.

Madam President, whether he's
our man or not, right now,

Tony a fugitive.

And I know his instincts.

And yours?

What are your instincts telling you?

Sir, President Talabi,

Mr. Graves just arrived.

Mr. Graves, what an unexpected...

Someone on your payroll

just blew up one of my
bloody factories to bits.

No?

Oh, you Interpol Muppets,
you know jack sh*t.

Here. Tony DiNozzo.

Contracted by you.

Ziva David, former Mossad, just torched

several million quid
of my f*cking inventory.

What is your background
check these days, anyway...

a pinky swear?

Henry here is our
acting secretary general

and is spearheading

an investigation into DiNozzo.

Oh, that's nice.

And how's that, Henry? How's it going?

I'm afraid they're in the wind.

I throw you through that window,

you're gonna be in the
f*cking wind, too, mate.

I know Ziva. And I know Tony

better than he knows
himself. I'll find them.

Good. And you bring them straight to me

because I want a formal

public apology,

or I call the directors

and, president or not,

both your asses will be straight
outside on that pavement.

Understand?

Good.

Claudette went through the
footage from the expl*si*n

and found Galimard at the factory.

It's 9.4.

It's infiltrated their system,

same as the hospital.

Well, she's still working
on wiping our digital ID tags

- from CCTV.
- God.

So, we're stuck here a bit longer.

Okay. Now, listen,

can you tone it down a
little when they get back?

I thought you wanted us
to look like a couple.

- I do.
- Okay, well, that's exactly what I'm doing.

You're doing too good a job.

Nicole, I think, is
getting a little jealous.

Oh... Come on, Tony.

Your married girlfriend is now jealous?

You know that some may say
that being drawn to somebody

who's not available is
a form of self-sabotage.

Well, that's not what this is.

I really felt like we had a connection.

And with Tali growing up...

She doesn't... need me around

as much, and I started
thinking about what I want,

how I want to live the rest of my life.

And Nicole felt like...

the beginning of something.

- You were really committed.
- Yes.

- Oh.
- I was

going to introduce her to Tali.

Of course, after I
talked to you about it,

but I didn't know how to bring it up.

Because...

Mm. I'm sorry, Tony.
This must be really tough.

Here we go.

We'll savor a bite of fondue,

and then we can unwind under
the stars in the hot spring.

A perfect way to cap off the evening.

Oh! Feels so good.

I'll try to escalate our privileges

on the compromised server
to gain root access.

Make sure you leave
no traces behind, yes?

I know. I'm using SSH tunneling.

I'll wipe logs, backdate
backups to hide our tracks.

We should stay off their radar.

My tenacious tiger.

Take a quick look and
tell me what you think.

My inspo was trendy high bun

from runways last fall.

Très chic, my c*ck.

Seriously?

You guys are just gonna
act like nothing's changed?

- What's going on?
- She thinks we should push our wedding.

Really? Why?

Because we're staying in
a safe house for a reason.

You like to tell people what
to do, huh? Point fingers.

But you are not the boss of Boris.

Calm down, my lion.

It's not an easy thing for us to change.

For over a year, we have
planned. Made deposits.

You want us to throw that
money away like garbage?

You do not understand the profound ache

of disappointing someone you love.

You don't know a damn thing about me.

You know what I'm doing with this?

Today is my girlfriend's birthday,

but Interpol ransacked my apartment,

they wrecked my phone,
and now I'm stuck here

with no way of reaching
her because I can't hack

the encryption key I designed for SMS.

I admit, your code is
pretty impenetrable.

Yeah, I know. I'm too
damn good at my job

to let my girlfriend know I'm safe.

And I think I just broke her gift.

Oh, you poor thing.

You also have a very sad love story.

And you definitely broke her gift.

Look, um...

I'm sorry for all of this.

I know this isn't the quiet evening

you were hoping for.

We have a saying in France.

This weinbrand is like
fireworks in your mouth.

Smooth, but with a kick
like a wild stallion.

I'm intrigued.

Maybe I left it in my office.

So...

what's the deal with you two?

There's no deal.

There hasn't been one in a long time.

We share this incredible child and...

that's it.

Tali sounds pretty special.

I was looking forward to meeting her.

I even bought a Stray
Kids poster to give her.

Tony said she likes
the really pretty one,

what's he called? Felix.

Felix.

Is this some sort of game to you?

What's it to you?

Stringing him along like
that was really cruel.

He had feelings for you.

How is this your business?

The moment you involve my daughter,

it becomes my business.

I didn't plan for him
to find out like this.

You broke into my house.

I should have my husband
throw you both in jail.

Seems like you might have some

unresolved feelings.

You know, you...

you really pull that off.

Well, you said you wanted
to sample the weinbrand.

Yeah... yeah.

Well, we've had a change of plans

'cause we ought to head out.

Oh, come on, soak first.
You can leave in the morning.

It is tempting.

Magnesium and all but, uh...

I didn't bring a suit. So, raincheck.

I know you Americans
can be self-conscious,

but there's nothing you
need to be ashamed of.

Well, ashamed?

I'm not ashamed. Really.

What's there to be ashamed of, you know?

Well, great. So you agree.

I pour us a brandy and
then we can have a soak.

We call in the ladies, or...

we keep this between us?

No.

No need to call them.

We can talk.

Just so we're not distracted.

You should know...

... that I know.

- About?
- About you...

... and my wife.

- What did you say?
- I denied it.

And he believed you?

I think so. He still wants

to do the hot springs thing.

He thinks I'm convincing you now.

Well, I had a conversation
with Nicole that was

just as weird.

She was really pushing my buttons.

What'd she say?

Doesn't matter what she said.

The important thing is
that she doesn't know

we're fugitives from Interpol.

I'd like to keep it that way
and get the hell out of here.

Also, I installed a wireless
module inside the fuse box

to remotely trip the breaker
and to cut off their power.

Now all we have to do
is disable their phones

and they're off the grid.

When did you do all this recon?

While you were washing
the stain off your shirt.

Oh, yeah...

You make paranoia poetic.

Damn forest power grid.

Think they're arguing about me.

I understood "flirt" and "humor."

I think they're talking about your hair.

Why is he angry about my hair?

I don't think he's
angry about the cheating,

I just think he's upset
that he wasn't included.

From what I gather,

I think their understanding
is that they share everything.

- Oh.
- Get over yourself.

Nice to be included.

Former NCIS...

Oh, sh*t.

Quick, get their phones.

Let's go.

Whoa!

That's a new way to serve fondue.

I won't let you leave.

Deep breaths. Power through it.

I'll take those.

Tony, let us out.

Let us out! Open this door!

Tony, come on, open this door!

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Tony, let us out.

Hello.

- Welcome back, you guys.
- It smells so good.

- Yeah.
- Can I taste?

Oh, oh! Ooh! Patience.

So, you know, I'm
making DiNozzo lasagna.

And it takes-a the time.

We brought some macarons
for dessert. For desert.

You're either my best
friend or my worst enemy.

I'll decide after I eat them all.

Okay, tell me about your day.

We went to the Square
du Temple-Elie Wiesel.

Oh! I love that place,

with the climbing ropes and the tunnels.

It's like a pirate fort. And
I had glace à la framboise.

Oh, raspberry ice cream.

J'adore.

- Très bien, papa.
- See?

You can teach an old dog new tricks.

The park is close to
Mama's new apartment,

so I can go there lots more.

New apartment?

Uh, yeah.

I didn't want to say anything
until it went through.

And, um, I got the call this morning.

Oh.

Well, you could have told me,

'cause I would have

maybe called, uh...

Well, I know some people...

- Papa, are you okay?
- I'm fine.

I'm fine, I got nine more.

Can I see? Is it bad?

- I just...
- No, I'm fine. I'm fine.

Everything's fine.

- This is bad.
- Very bad.

A little positivity could
go a long way for you both.

Wait...

- So that means...
- Yep.

We need to tell Tony and Ziva.

We reviewed all the
footage from the expl*si*n

looking for anything
out of the ordinary.

And we found something.

Here.

The pixels

were manipulated.

Whatever he was looking at was erased.

The guard is in the ICU

with a traumatic brain injury,

so he's not talking, but we think

he was watching an armed
drone leave the hangar

seconds before the building blew.

So the expl*si*n was a diversion.

The true objective was to steal
a drone under cover of chaos.

So they have a fully-armed
Reigning Fire drone

and we have no idea
who's in their crosshairs.

No one even knows it's missing.

We could report it, anonymously.

We are on surveillance.

They're gonna hang it around our necks.

Okay. We'll find another way.

Good catch, guys. Thanks.

The drone's target could be anywhere.

Well... it's not an isolated cabin

in a remote corner of Germany.

Tali is safe.

We'll call her first
thing in the morning,

make sure she's okay.

Are you familiar with the
term "catastrophic thinking"?

Yes.

It's what's kept me alive
for the past four years.

Okay. It's true that
surviving those years

required a mindset of hypervigilance,

but you should understand

that it may not suit your
current circumstances.

I think my brain is
stuck in survival mode.

Yeah. It's important to try

and recalibrate your thinking,
find a balance between caution

and optimism.

I understand what
you're saying rationally,

but it's very hard for me
to detach from instinct.

That's the very thing
that's kept me safe.

Breaking out of deeply
ingrained habits is...

it's challenging.

Has the box breathing I
taught you been helpful?

- Yes.
- Great.

Well, I have a few other exercises

that will help you counter

any irrational thoughts
and fears as they arise.

Are you saying that getting
my own place was a mistake?

No, no. Not at all.

Having your own space to
process what you've been through

and wanting one-to-one
time with Tali are both

important and valid needs.

I just want to give her as
normal a life as possible.

There's never been anything normal

about my... relationship with Tony.

Yeah, of course.

The concept of "normal" in relationships

is so subjective.

A good relationship meets your needs.

Whether or not it follows
societal norms is secondary

to finding a partner who is compatible

with who you are and what you want.

It's okay to choose happiness, Ziva.

You deserve it.

I modified the plate on Max's wagon.

We should be good to go.

Oof.

- Sorry about that.
- Eh, it doesn't feel that bad.

Throwing that book tweaked
my shoulder, though.

Shame we couldn't
squeeze in a quick soak.

- Well, nothing a little magnesium can't cure.
- Mm.

Seems like my talent

for misjudging relationships
is still going strong.

This was not on you.

Don't blame yourself.

It's okay to want to be happy.

Yeah.

What's that look?

It's nothing.

You can drive.

We're like a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde

with better snacks.

And fewer bank robberies.

- So far.
- Hmm.

Our faces will be in every news app

and TV screen from Mons to Milan.

CCTV won't ID us, but people will.

Copy that.

Stay on the road,

avoid all human interaction.

I wonder...

I wonder if we can turn

our newfound notoriety to our advantage?

- What do you have in mind?
- Hmm.

Leverage our status as fugitives

to set a trap for Martine.

Flip the script.

Lure her to us.

Figure out who she's working with,

find out what they want
to do with that drone.

- I like it. Take the offensive.
- Hmm.

I knew you had a little
Bonnie Parker in you.

Oh.

Yeah, it looks like things stay clear

on the A35 into Switzerland.

If you're randomly
checked at the border,

use the Canadian passports.

Got 'em.

How are you guys holding up?

Living the dream.

Oh, I actually have a bit of good news.

The threat of a rogue drone
convinced Boris and Fruzsi

to press pause on the wedding.
They understand that trying

to pull it off now would be too risky.

Rewind and tell 'em to hit play.

What?

The wedding's back on.

Martine crashes your wedding,

we hack her phone...

And clear our name.

As the bait in this trap,

I must point out

that the purpose of bait is to be eaten.

We'll protect you.

Martine!

Mind the sill.

This might seem like it's
coming out of left field, but...