A/N: Technically, I should be doing homework right now... but I can probably do that tomorrow...

Chapter 3:

Standing in his basement, looking at his beautiful coworker, he almost forgot the woman upstairs – in his bed. When Ziva was around, Ryan didn't seem to matter and somehow that didn't even bother him. Of course Ryan was his girlfriend and she would probably be his girlfriend for a while longer, but Ziva was the woman he wanted around. He cherished every moment he could spend with her and, even though he would never actually admit it, he felt like he needed her more than anyone else.

This thought reminded him of something Ducky had said a while after the night of the incident. He had always known everything about everyone – he was the most observant person Jethro had ever met. The ME had figured out Gibbs' feelings for the young agent and he knew that one way or another his friend was going to have to face them at some point.

'You have already chosen her over Ryan, Jethro. The only thing holding you back is you.'

With that, Ducky had referred to Rule 12 just as much as Gibbs' ever present argument that she would be too young for him anyway and that she would probably never want an old, grumpy man like him. Thinking she would never want him seemed to be easier than realizing that they were meant to be together, therefor he never saw the signs. He never noticed the way she looked at him or the way her breathing became a little heavier when they were alone.

ZibbsZibbsZibbsZibbsZibbs

She couldn't help but stare at the liquid in her glass. Looking into his beautiful blue eyes clearly wasn't an option, mainly because now that her guards were down, she would never be able to hide any of the feelings she had for him. She was sure he would never feel the same way for her – she was screwed up, a trained killer, one of his agents and behind her mask, an emotional wreck. Also, she was not a red head, although – in a moment of weakness – she had considered turning into one, just for him. Knowing she would never be the woman he wanted made her feel worse than ever.

That reminded her of something Ducky had told her once, a few weeks ago. They hadn't even had a real conversation, just case related things, and she had been on her way out when he said:

'Jethro doesn't know what he wants, Ziva. Not consciously. He will probably stay with her until you tell him otherwise.'

Ziva had pretended not to hear him, she was on her way out after all, but somehow this had stuck with her. Why would Gibbs listen to her, of all people? Why should she tell him to walk out on Ryan? How did Ducky know she liked Gibbs?

She was now ready to empty the jar of bourbon in front of her and look up at him without really thinking.

Her guards weren't up and if he looked at her now, he would see how much she really felt for him.

He was staring at his own jar, not able to look at her without touching her hair again. Lost in his own thoughts, he almost didn't notice her looking at him until she got off the workbench and took a step towards him.

Of course she had noticed the way he was looking at his bourbon. He was hiding something – something that had to do with her – and she was determined to find out what.

TBC

A/N: Is it obvious that the whole Ducky thing made me sad? But I heard somewhere that David signed on for two more years, so he can't really be dead right? It's the only thing that keeps me going... well, here you go... another chapter :D