Established Zibbs. Spoilers for "Masquerade" (7x14).

A/N: This started as a one-shot response to that stomach-turning almost-kiss between Gibbs and the lawyer, but has morphed into what (I think) will be a series of basically one-shots along the theme of Unwelcome Visitors. The chapters will likely be tied to actual episodes. A second chapter is already in the works for another visitor. In this little world, Ziva & Gibbs are a couple, though the rest of the team is not in on that. Enjoy!

Gibbs walked into his darkened house after a long day. He started to head straight upstairs to change into something more comfortable and get rid of the damn sling for a while. Suddenly he stopped, sensing someone else in the house.

He put his hand on his holster and turned toward the living room. He stilled as M. Allison Hart got up from his couch and walked slowly toward him in the dark.

"What – am I the only one who needs a warrant?"

She stopped close to him, crowding his space intentionally. If she was looking for him to back down, he didn't.

"You had no right to use my client as bait," she accused.

"He was lying to me – and I had a murder to solve."

"That doesn't give you the right to go around stepping on people's toes and doing whatever the hell you want."

"I'm just doing my job," Gibbs said, the softness of his voice at odds with the hardness in his eyes. "But you keep gettin' in my way."

Hart stared at him for a long moment, the silence speaking loudly. Slowly her gaze focused on his mouth. She started to close the gap between their mouths when the front door opened.

"Sorry I am late," Ziva called out. "I stopped to get coffee as I noticed this morning we are running low." She could see Gibbs' back as her footsteps carried her further into the house.

She stopped dead in the doorway to the living room, belatedly realizing they had company. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the visitor – and noted her close proximity to Gibbs. That – that – lawyer - actually had her hand on Jethro's chest and looked as though she were about to kiss him. And he didn't seem to be exactly fighting her off.

"If you had told me we were having a rat problem, Jethro, I would have purchased poison, as well. Perhaps I should just get one of my guns."

Gibbs gave his trademark smirk. "Don't think we'll need that. The counselor was just leaving."

Hart gave him a look that said "Oh, really?" Gibbs just stared at her steadily, his gaze unreadable.

No one could say that M. Allison Hart wasn't smart enough to figure out when a timely retreat was the best option, so she headed for the door with a slow, sexy walk. With her hand on the knob, she turned back to Gibbs and said, "I'm sure your superiors would love to know that you're shacking up with one of your team members."

"Out," Gibbs instructed, gesturing toward the door with his head. She left, but not before throwing a triumphant look at them both.

Without looking at Jethro, Ziva went to the kitchen to put the coffee away. She hung her backpack on a kitchen chair as she went by and put the coffee in the cupboard. He found her with her arms braced against the kitchen counter, head down, her back to him. Her body language spoke volumes.

He walked up behind her. "Hey." He put a hand on her shoulder, thankful when she didn't pull away.

"She wants you," Ziva said in a flat voice.

"It's not mutual," he stated firmly.

"Maybe it should be." Her words hung in the air.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he asked forcefully.

"It means that she intends to cause trouble for us – for you – now that she knows," Ziva said quietly. After a moment, she continued. "And maybe you would rather replace us with something…easier."

He turned her toward him and raised her gaze to his with a finger under her chin. "First of all, where did you get the idea that you are replaceable?"

She shrugged and looked away.

"Look at me, Ziver."

She did so, reluctantly, knowing that he would be able to read the vulnerability in her eyes.

He waited.

"You did not seem to mind that she was about to kiss you."

It was his turn to shrug. "Wanted to see how far she'd go."

Ziva looked at him in disbelief, her left brow raised nearly to her hairline.

"Not that far," he denied, with a look that bordered on a glare. "I love you, and I don't want anyone but you – even when it's not easy."

It was hard on both of them, keeping their relationship from the team. It had seemed like the right decision; however, now and then the secrecy undermined Ziva's certainty.

She searched his gaze for a long moment and found only truth there. She closed her eyes to hide her relief and finally relaxed against him, releasing a deep sigh. Her left hand slid up to wrap around his neck, while her right arm crept around his waist. Ziva buried her nose in his neck, breathing in that scent that was uniquely Jethro's.

"You are sure?" she asked in a voice so soft he could barely hear her, hating that, in that moment, she needed to ask.

"I'm sure," he said in a voice that left no room for doubt. He wrapped his arm around her and dropped a kiss to her hair. "And, by the way, she knew about us before she walked in the door."

Ziva pulled back far enough to look at him in surprise. "How do you know? And why did you let her in anyway?"

"Didn't – she was sittin' on the couch when I walked in. And I know because she's dropped enough comments to tell me she's had the whole team under surveillance. There's no way she didn't know you live here."

His left hand cupped her jaw, his thumb caressing her bottom lip. "She came here to cause trouble between us. Don't give her the satisfaction."

She thought back over what she'd seen and realized he was right. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them to look him in the eye. "I am s- "

He cut her off with a shake of his head. "Don't apologize." A grin ghosted across his mouth. "Unless it's for being ready to throw me to the rat," he teased, cocking up his right eyebrow.

"I did not mean that," she acknowledged with a rueful smile, shaking her head. "I do not want you going anywhere." She rested her head back against his shoulder.

Suddenly Ziva raised her head and looked at him with a pensive expression. "Jethro, I do not like her having something to hold over us. What if she goes to Vance? Or higher?"

"Then we'll deal with it. She won't anytime soon, though."

She looked at him quizzically.

"What good's a bargaining chip if you use it?" he pointed out.

Realization dawned in her eyes. "You are a smart, smart man," Ziva said, moving to wrap her arms around his neck.

"Smart enough to catch you," he teased, making her chuckle.

They held each other for a long moment, just settling.

"Ready for bed?" she asked. "Or are you hungry?"

"Both," he smirked with a sexy glint in his eye.

She grinned. "Race you." She took off like a shot. He caught her just as she reached the stairs. Jethro bent and put her over his left shoulder, despite the sling he still wore on his right. Ziva's shriek of surprise sounded through the house as he carried her upstairs with his arm across the back of her knees and her head hanging down his back. The impact of her protests was lost in her laughter, making Jethro grin.

They were too wrapped up in each other to notice a certain lawyer who sat outside in the darkness watching their house, plotting.