A/N: So we all know at the end of S8, Ep 1 'Spider and The Fly' we saw Vance sticking a file in a very safe place, we all assume that the file was the report for the Hernandez case. So, along with this prompt, a question struck me; why did Vance hide the report?

I think I've answered it quite well *smug face* XD

Pairing: Vance / Ziva

Prompt: Promise Me

Rating: K+ / T

Promise Me

Ziva paced the width of the elevator nervously. She took pride in herself for having nerves of steel in hostile and intricate situations. Knives, hostages, bombs, intelligence, if you could name it, Ziva had done it with little to no bother at all. But when it came to matters of the heart, she was as jittery as Abby on a Caf-POW! overdose, and that was saying something. However, despite her nerves, Ziva liked to get things done.

She stopped pacing and stood straight, at attention, calming herself for the conversation she was about to bring herself. It wasn't as if she could just drop it, no, this was too delicate, too important, too personal for Ziva to let it go. And there was no way in hell she was going to let it go.

Ziva flipped the emergency switch and rode the elevator up. She stepped out and walked across the balcony, barely registering the looks she was receiving from the people on the floor below. She rounded the corner and knocked on a door.

'' Hello?''

'' I'd like to see the Director, please.'' said Ziva, looking at Vance's secretary.

'' One moment.''

Ziva waited patiently while Fiona (she thought her name was) rang Vance and repeated Ziva's request. She nodded and gave a gentle 'yes Director' before hanging up to look at Ziva.

'' The Director will see you now.''

Ziva nodded her thanks and went into the room, knocking on the door before entering. Despite the fact that Gibbs' 'barge in' approach was effective, Ziva felt it was a little rude.

'' Agent David, how can I help you?'' asked Vance as Ziva walked into the room. His back was to her and he was looking outside the window. When Ziva didn't answer, he spun to look at her. '' Agent David...?''

'' I was hoping I could speak to you in confidence, sir.'' said Ziva, adding the 'sir' almost subconsciously.

Vance nodded, reached under the table and clicked the button that sent the room into Lockdown. '' What's on your mind, David?''

'' I believe I have made progress... since Somalia, I mean.''

'' I agree, you have made progress, something a lot of people are proud of you for. Not many people could go what you went through and come out smiling.'' said Vance. So much for damaged goods...

'' Thank you Director, but as much as it annoys me to say that I could not have done it without others, I really could not have done it without the people around me.'' said Ziva, looking at the floor, her long hair hiding her face from Vance's gaze. '' The people around me stabilise me, keep me here in the now. I know that as long as I have Gibbs, Tony, McGee, Abby and Ducky... even Palmer, I will never go back to Somalia, to that... place. They will never allow me to be hurt like that again. I know I don't say it, ever, but I need them.''

Vance sat in his chair, listening to Ziva's heartfelt confession. He never had the exMossad Officer down as a heart-to-heart kind of person, her feelings were always kept to herself, something he both admired and pitied. Though, there must be a reason as to why she was sharing, with him of all people.

'' Is there a point to this?'' he asked bluntly, watching Ziva look up at him briefly before looking back down.

Ziva let out an exhale and rubbed her jeans before voicing her thoughts. '' Gibbs killed Hernandez.'' she whispered, almost wincing as the words fell out of her mouth.

Vance took the toothpick out of his mouth. '' Yeah, he did, or at least evidence seems to suggest he did.''

'' The thing is, Director, I do not believe I could have come as far as I have without Gibbs... I doubt any of us could have. I know he has done wrong, even if it was justified, but-''

'' Ziva, Gibbs killed a man-''

'' The man responsible for his first wife and daughter's deaths. Would you let the man who killed your wife and children get away-''

'' All the same, he took another life when it could have been dealt with otherwise. He broke the law. And if you break the law...?''

'' Please don't let Gibbs go to jail.'' said Ziva.

If Vance didn't know better he would have sworn that the plea came from someone other than the ex-assassin sitting in front of him. '' What?''

'' Please don't let Gibbs go to jail.'' repeated Ziva, looking at Vance. '' I need him, Abby needs him, even Tony needs him. I'll do anything.'' said Ziva, her eyes suddenly turned lifeless.

Vance's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. '' Anything? Anything at all?''

'' Whatever you want, just don't take Gibbs away. He doesn't deserve jail.''

Vance leant back in his chair. It was no secret the freshly processed agent in front of him was probably the most attractive female in NCIS. A lot of the females had commented so, never mind the men.

'' Anything...'' said Vance again, processing Ziva's offer in his mind. He sat up straight and looked at her. While he was called a manipulative bastard, he wasn't that kind of manipulative bastard.

'' I'll deal with Gibbs' case, if you call your father.''

Ziva's jaw dropped. She had not been expecting that, she'd anticipated a diplomatic favour or a sexual favour, at least, but calling her father? It was for Gibbs...

'' Deal.'' recovered Ziva.

Vance stood and held out his phone. '' Number three on speed dial. Go on.''

Ziva gingerly took the phone and pressed it to her ear whilst pressing the button that would call her father.

'' Shalom, Director David's Office. How can I help?''

'' I am calling for Eli?''

'' May I ask who is calling?''

'' Ziva.'' Ziva listened as she was sure the woman on the other end of the phone dropped it in shock.

'' Ziva? Ziva David?''

'' Yes, is he available?''

'' I will patch you through.''

'' She is patching me through. What do I discuss with him?'' asked Ziva, watching as Vance pressed the Lockdown button again to unsecure the room.

'' Talk about the weather, your cases, anything.'' said Vance, picking up a folder.

'' This will make Gibbs' case go away? I have your promise?'' asked Ziva, covering the phone with her hand.

'' You have my promise.'' said Vance resting a hand on Ziva's shoulder momentarily before moving to leave the room, leaving Ziva alone to talk on the phone with Eli.

'' Ziva? Are you there?''

'' Yes, I am. How are you?''