Chapter 2

Tony looked up from his phone, down into the bullpen just in time to see Ziva running off the elevator. Her heart dropped when her eyes locked with his.

He had done it, she was too late.

Tony ran down the stairs straight to Ziva when Gibbs pulled him aside

"I hear you accepted" Gibbs said almost proudly

"Not now Boss" Tony said looking over Gibbs' shoulder into Ziva's eyes. Gibbs turned around to see what Tony was staring at.

"DiNozzo, please tell me she knows about this."

"Not now" Tony said this time walking past Gibbs straight to Ziva pulling her into a hug.

"I am too late." Ziva said sadly, forcing the disappointment and tears down.

"Zi, I am so sorry."

"No Tony, you have nothing to be sorry for" Ziva said sighing as she pulled away from Tony "It was my idea, we will be fine." Satisfied with her answer she turned to her desk, sitting down she began to work.

"DiNozzo" Gibbs barked from his desk, holding a file out to him. Tony walked over to grab the file as McGee put a picture of a tall, very fit, very attractive blonde woman onto the plasma. Her hair was cut into a short bob that framed her face and accentuated her bright green eyes.

"This is Chloe Morgan, 29, cocktail waitress at the Hideout, a known marine hot spot. She is suspected of killing 5 marines in the last 4 months, they all disappeared from the Hideout. We can't get anything on her and that is why DiNozzo here is going undercover. To try and get something from her." Gibbs said from his desk.

Tony felt his stomach drop as he listened to Gibbs talk, realizing that this was going to be harder than he expected.

"DiNozzo, your first contact with Chloe will be tonight. Your name is Lance Corporal Tony Johnson. McGee and I will both be with you tonight running surveillance from the van."

"I will be doing…" Ziva questioned, speaking up for the first time since Gibbs began explaining the assignment.

"You Officer David will be helping Abby run things here. Ducky and Abs are trying to find anything else from the vics to make this go as smooth and quick as possible."

"Are you kidding? I do not want to stay here, I am much more use in the field than stuck here." Ziva said her anger rising.

"Yes but in this situation you could also be a liability. It is final, you are staying behind."

"Ugh!" Ziva huffed before storming out of the room. Tony started to go after her

"DiNozzo" Gibbs said warningly bringing half of Tony's attention back to the file in his hand. "McGee I want you to get everything ready for tonight. DiNozzo, I want you to make sure you know this case backwards and forwards then you need to go home and get changed, be back at 4 ready for your final briefing. I'm going to go find David." Gibbs said walking out of the bullpen in the same direction Ziva had gone. He spotted her around the corner sitting on the floor twirling her knife.

"So I take it you're not very happy about DiNozzo taking this assignment." Gibbs said sliding down the wall to sit next to Ziva.

"I told him to do it" Ziva said still watching her knife in her hands

"Why'd you do it Ziva?"

"Because it is good for him, yes?" She asked looking at Gibbs for the first time.

"Partly, it will be good for his career, but it definitely will not be good for you two." Gibbs said letting a silence fall over them.

"He did not break up with me."

"I know"

"How?" Ziva asked looking at Gibbs again

"Well for one he isn't dead or injured and secondly I see the fear in his eyes, if you don't support him through this he is going to screw it up."

Ziva took a deep breath before standing up leaving Gibbs on his own. She walked back into the bullpen and sat at her computer trying to find anything she could on Chloe Morgan, anything that would wrap the case up quicker.

By the time she had reached her final dead end she looked up to see Tony walking back into the bullpen wearing a pair of faded jeans and a green striped shirt. He smiled at Ziva, walking straight upstairs when he saw Gibbs waiting outside the conference room.

"You two get up here too" Gibbs barked down to Ziva and McGee. They both jumped up out of their seats running up the stairs following Gibbs to the table in the conference room. Ziva took a seat next to Tony. Reaching down Tony grabbed Ziva's hand giving it a reassuring squeeze followed by a shy smile.

Vance cleared his throat before speaking "DiNozzo, you will be going to The Hangout tonight in attempt to make a first contact with Chloe Morgan. Hopefully tonight you will be able to secure another meet."

Ziva tried to hide a grimace from her face while listening to Vance talk.

"What if I cannot secure another meeting?" Tony asked

"Well DiNozzo, that can't really be an option. Tonight you just have to be yourself, get the girl." Gibbs said watching Ziva intently the entire time he was speaking. Ziva sat in her seat her body and face showing no emotion. Tony noticed Gibbs watching her and turned to look in her eyes, seeing a tidal wave of emotions hiding in there.

"DiNozzo" Vance said bringing Tony back "You are still able to do this correct?"

Tony paused for a second until he felt Ziva squeeze his hand. "Yes sir, I am still doing this."

"Okay then let's get everything ready, McGee, you get Tony wired and then get the surveillance van set up just around the block. David, you are staying here to help Abby" Ziva began to protest but remained silent when Gibbs glared at her. "Tony you need to go with McGee, after you are wired make sure you have everything you need and know everything you can." Vance paused before finishing "Get going"

McGee and Gibbs quickly stood up, walking out of the room followed slowly by Ziva. Tony stood up and walked towards the door, stopping when he hears Vance "DiNozzo, everything will work out fine"

"Yes sir" Tony said softly as he walked out of the room running up to Ziva. "Zi, come with me," Tony said grabbing her hand and pulling her into a dimly lit hallway. "You okay?" he asked softly as he stood in front of her. Ziva had her back pressed against the wall and she was looking down, unable to make eye contact with Tony. He put his hand on her chin, gently lifting her head up to him, still unable to make contact, she closed her eyes. "Zi, look at me please…" Tony pleaded. Ziva opened her eyes hesitantly looking to him. Tony offered a sad smile before leaning down and placing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Ziva…are you okay?"

"I am fine Tony" Ziva said trying to pull away from him. He held her shoulders, his face begging her to stay. "We need to get back to work" she said as she pulled away and walked back down to her desk. Tony sighed and slowly followed her.

"Hey Tony we're just about ready for you." McGee said waving him over as he saw Tony appear from the stairs.

"Be right there McGee" Tony said walking over to Ziva's desk. "Ziva, come here." He said pulling her up and walking over to the window.

"Tony, not now" Ziva said softly looking into his eyes as he leaned down cupping her cheeks and pulled her into a deep kiss. When they parted, Tony ran his hands up her face and through her hair causing her to smile. It was moments like these moments that reminded her just how sweet he was and how even though it had never been said, she was in love with him. This crazy immature man had absolutely stolen her heart. Even though these are feelings she does not show, or talk about. Even though she is strong and guarded she still feels them every single day.

"Tony, let's go!" McGee said from across the bullpen bringing Tony and Ziva back out of their haze.

"Come on Tony, we just need to get this over with." Ziva said her smile fading as she let out a deep sigh. Tony pulled her into a tight hug before releasing her and walking over to McGee's desk.

Ziva watched sadly from her spot on the wall as McGee fitted Tony with his mic, earwig, and a camera. A few minutes later she walked over to her desk, finishing her paperwork from earlier. Once set Tony walked over to his desk making sure he was ready.

3 hours later everything was ready to go. McGee had the surveillance van set up by The Hideout. He and Gibbs were there in the van setting the final preparations. Ziva had taken her place downstairs in Abby's lab. Vance walked down into the bullpen

"DiNozzo, its 19:00, let's roll"

"Yes sir" Tony said standing up out of his chair smoothing his shirt he walked out to his car he pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Ziva, hey it's me. I was just going to tell you that I'm going. How about my apartment tonight." He left the message before pushing the phone back into his pocket and climbing into his car.

"Boss, this is going to work right?" McGee asked breaking the silence in the van.

"Don't know McGee" Gibbs said shortly, taking a drink from his coffee.

"Tony and Ziva will be fine, right?" McGee asked the silence giving him his answer.

"Ziva!" Abby squealed as Ziva walked into the lab. "How are you?"

"I am fine Abby" Ziva said walking into the lab sitting down at Abby's desk. "What are we supposed to be doing?"

"Well we are going to look over all the video and audio that McGee and Gibbs are looking at, for anything we can find." Abby said turning to her computer and pulling up Tony's video feed.

Tony pulled up to The Hideout. He walked in the door looking around for Chloe. She was working a table in the far corner. She was wearing a short black skirt with a tight low cut black top. Tony walked over to the table next to her and took a seat. He watched her the entire time. When she looked at him he gave her his famous grin. She quickly came over.

"What can I do for you?" she asked sweetly

"How about a beer" Tony replied adding a wink. Chloe smiled as she turned to walk to the bar. She came back a few minutes later with his beer.

"You waiting on someone?"

"Nope, just me tonight." Tony said taking a drink.

"You got a name?" Chloe asked leaning forward onto the table, her green eyes shining in the dim light.

"My name is Tony, what about you?"

"Well Tony, my name is Chloe; let me know if you need anything else, I'll be back soon."

"Good work DiNozzo" Tony hears his boss' voice coming through his earwig.

Abby looked over to Ziva, sitting next to her, fiddling with her fingers. Abby was sure she was just trying not to show her fear.

"Ziva, why don't you just go home? You look tired"

"I am fine" Ziva said pulling her phone out to check the time. She saw she had a new voicemail. She opened her phone and listened to the message. She smiles when she hears Tony's voice. "You know, I am suddenly very tired" Ziva said standing up to leave.

"Okay, bye Ziva." Abby said as Ziva left with a smile on her face as she left to Tony's apartment.

"Hey Tony, how are you doing?" Chloe asked as she was walking over to his table.

"Just fine thanks" Tony said smiling at Chloe.

"So what brings you here tonight alone?"

"Just getting a drink, I'm new to the area. I was just stationed here."

"Let me guess, Marines?" Chloe guessed and Tony nodded. "So you're a marine; that must be exciting."

"Yep" Tony said smiling again at Chloe. "Hey it's getting late, better get going." Tony said laying his money down stopping as Chloe grabs his hand and writes her number on it. She smiles and winks at him before turning to walk away. Tony walks out of the bar to his car, he hears Gibbs in his ear

"Good work DiNozzo, go home, get some sleep, got a long day tomorrow."

"Yes Boss" Tony said taking out his earwig and laying the camera and mic with it in the seat next to him. He pulled out his phone and started to dial, but decided against it, instead he just drove home.

Ziva heard the door open as she was sitting on his couch in the dark

"Ziva?" Tony questioned as he walked into his apartment.

"I am here" She said softly, walking over to him and pulled him into her.

He responds to her instantly, holding her tight to him. Loving these moments of vulnerability. These moments she hid from the world. He leaned down and kissed her, he kissed her hard, hoping to erase the memory of Chloe from his mind. Ziva started walking backwards into his room. Lying down on the bed she motioned from him to join her. He quickly joined her on the bed pulling her tight to him. Wrapping his arms around her as Ziva went to turn off the lamp, her heart dropped when she saw the phone number written on his hand. She turned off the light, trying to erase the number from her mind and hoping that his breaths would lull her to sleep.