Tony did a tall proud jaunt out of elevator, past the squadroom towards the area underneath the stairs. Once he knew he was alone he let out a deep breath of anxiety. What had he just done? He just kissed Ziva . . . Ziva! His friend, his co-worker, his partner, the woman who had starred in his fantasies for the last seven years and he had just kissed her. As confident as he pretended to be in front of her, his head was spinning. He ran his hand through his hair. Ok what to do now? Pretend to be fine. Yeah that was good. I mean, it wasn't a big deal right? He had just kissed her. His mind began to wander and a shudder ran through him as he thought back to her up against the elevator wall, her hands on him, her mouth as she had gently bitten his bottom lip . . . this might be harder than he had anticipated. He rubbed his face bringing him to his senses. He had to preoccupy his mind. He looked up to realize he was standing outside Director Vance's office.

He heard Gibbs' and Vance talking as he neared the door. The director seemed calmer but just as distressed.

"Gibbs' it's not that simple. I don't know how to survive without her. Everything here reminds me of her."

"Do you know why I joined NIS, Leon?" There was a beat of silence then Tony heard Gibbs say, "Shannon . . . and Kelly."

"I can't do this without her Gibbs'"

"Don't. Take her to work with you every day. Rule number 17: 'Get your heart straight and your head will follow'."

Tony was surprised by this side of Gibbs. Gibbs had always been the 'figure it out' kind. Hearing him open up a little was different.

He heard Vance take a deep breath. "I need to apologize to David. I was a jerk."

Yeah your were Tony thought as his defensive mode took over. Tony heard Vance's phone ring.

"I gotta take this Gibbs. Sec-Nav."

"Excuse me . . . Director."

As Gibbs' walked out, Tony backed up and tried not to look too guilty of eavesdropping. They stared at eachother for a moment before Tony asked, "How is he?"

"He'll make it. Ziver?"

Well boss, we just made out in the elevator so right now I think she is deciding which gun to shoot me with.

"She'll be ok," Tony answered, not quite meeting Gibbs' eyes. If Gibbs suspected there was something going on between him and Ziva. . . Tony didn't like to think about that.

Gibbs started past Tony heading towards the stairs. "Boss can i ask you something? . . . About Jenny?"

This was enough to stop Gibbs in his tracks. He slowly turned and Tony was sure he was about to be head slapped. Gibbs just stared and Tony took that as a yes.

"Did you two ever . . . what I mean is, did she ever . . ." Tony didn't even know how to start this conversation.

"Spit it out DiNozzo."

"Do you regret having a relationship with her?" He had suspected for years that something had happened between Gibbs and Jenny, and while nothing was ever confirmed by either party Tony felt confident enough to ask.

"She was my partner."

"Yeah, but you know what I mean . . . Do you regret having a relationship with her."

"Something you want to tell me DiNozzo?"

"It's just . . . it's easy to blur the lines sometimes," He had all but admitted to Gibbs that the situation with his own partner was changing.
Gibbs smiled as he turned around, leaving Tony as confused as ever.

"Rule number 17."

A/N: While Rule 17 is pretty genius it is NOT canon. Not yet anyway. Also we apologize for the length of this chapter but the next one is extra long to make up for it. Be ready readers.