Hey! So I will try to update quite frequently, I'm using this story as something to work on when I'm not writing my dissertation… This is a bit of a filler chapter, but things will start to get a bit crazy and emotional in chapter three! Also a reminder that this story is M rated and those difficult subjects I've been chatting about will start to appear in the next chapter, you have been warned my friends! Enjoy!

After the incident in interrogation room that morning Ziva hadn't had much time to think about Achim and his unannounced arrival. When she'd returned to the bullpen it had been chaos. The first thing she saw when getting out of the lift was Gibbs sweeping down the staircase from the Directors office bellowing his usual instruction of "Grab your gear!"

Everyone sprang into action immediately as Gibbs rattled off the other details, grabbing her bag from underneath her desk Ziva stood waiting for the boss's next instructions, and Gibbs being as efficient as ever, she didn't need to wait long.

"DiNozzo, David. Marine found early this morning beaten to a pulp at the south dockyard. Dead as of…" Gibbs rolled up his sleeve and glanced at his watch "47 minutes ago, which makes it our business now. I want you both at the scene, gas the truck up and go I'll send you the location on the way. Bag and tag, photos, the lot. McGee with me, we have a hospital visit to make."

A resounding chorus of "Yes boss" came in cannon from around the bullpen, Tony and Ziva headed straight to the crime scene and worked with diligence. They finished at the scene in record time, there's nothing like a few days of paperwork to light a fire under a field agent.

When Tony and Ziva returned to NCIS it was early evening, they distributed the evidence to the relevant people and were finishing uploading the crime scene photos when Gibbs came in for de-briefing. After everyone had shared their findings, it was finally time to head home. As everyone was buzzing about getting ready to leave Gibbs spoke again.

"Before you all leave, I would like to introduce you to Mossad Officer Achim Efraim." Achim gave a charming smile, predictably in Ziva's direction. "He has come to work with us on intel of a possible terrorist cell in DC, I have sent you all the case notes and I want all of you to review them in the next few days…Vance's orders." With that he strode out of the bullpen leaving Achim behind. Ziva grabbed her stuff and headed to the elevator double time, however she was not quick enough and Efraim caught up with her. And in a sickly sweet voice he said;

"Come little Ziva, I am taking you for dinner" his arm was proffered in Ziva's direction, she immediately stepped away from him and very aware that Tony and McGee were both watching with interest she replied bluntly,

"Not tonight Achim, I am busy." With that she turned swiftly and headed down the staircase, not liking the idea that he might follow her into the elevator. By the time she had pounded her frustrations out on the many flights of stairs down to the parking garage Ziva was just about ready to get to bed. Walking to her car she heard the elevator doors open and fast footsteps coming up behind her, although her hand twitched towards her knife it didn't take her long to recognise that it was the familiar sound of Tony's expensive Italian shoes hitting the tarmac, the thought calming her instantly.

"Fancy seeing you here Ziiiiva" he elongated her name which was equally endearing as it was annoying, but it usually meant that he wanted something.

"What is it that you want Tony?"

"I was just wondering what the deal is with you and Officer tall dark and handsome? I sense you have history" He had been wondering who the mysterious visitor was and after watching their little exchange by the elevator he was more than intrigued. Tony was not one to waste an opportunity to wind Ziva up a little.

The smile dropped from Ziva's face as she shoved her back pack into the back seat and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Because, I thought you went for the older man Zi" Tony continued in a teasing tone "He was right up your street and he offered to wine and dine you, what more could you want in a man?" Tony smiled mischievously at Ziva, expecting to see a sarcastic look and perhaps some slight embarrassment. Instead he found a very serious and tired looking scowl upon her face.

"As funny as you think you're being Tony, I am really not in the mood right now" Slamming the car door shut, leaving Tony staring at her through the window feeling like he had clearly missed something. Ziva had not started the engine yet, she was sat looking out with her hands painfully clasped to the steering wheel, after a moment she dropped her head letting out a breath and rolled down her window.

"Look Tony, I'm sorry I snapped at you, I just really need to go home, it's been a long day."

"Sure Ziva" Tony tried not to sound concerned "But if you need anything, you know, just give me a text" After a small smile Tony disappeared to find his car. Ziva turned on the ignition and sped away in her usual brake neck style.

Ziva steeled herself for the night ahead, she was not so ignorant to believe that she would be able to go home and get to bed like she so desperately wanted. When Achim said they'd be seeing each other again soon she had no doubt that he meant it. Always be prepared for an ambush, she hadn't forgotten everything from her Mossad days. He would come, she was sure of it. And she'd be ready.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to leave feedback as I'm always looking to improve!