I really need to sort out my time management issues and stop going so long between updates. But I do have a good reason.

I've been sooo busy recently: exam results, uni applications and school. And then the social life on top of it. I miss summer.

But on with the story. :]

Disclaimer: If I owned NCIS I wouldn't be going to university next year. I'd be living it up in Hollywood with the likes of Michael Weatherly. We can all dream…

Just as they were about to succumb to their natural desires there was a sharp knock at the door.

"You better get that." Ziva sighed.

"Nah, they'll give up." Tony said and started moving closer to her again. As their lips were about to touch the knocking got louder.

"Open up DiNozzo, I know your in there!" It could only be one person.

"Gibbs" Ziva muttered in frustration. "Just answer it. Hang on, I'll go wait in your room."

"Ok." Tony replied and waited until he heard the door click. "Ah, evening Boss!"

"You drunk DiNozzo?"

"No boss. Just had a few drinks." he replied. After an uncomfortable period of time Tony broke the silence. "So ehh, any particular reason you're here boss? You know at well 12pm on a Friday night? Not that I don't appreciate you being here its just-"

"Well Abby appeared at my place upset and I wanted to know what happened tonight. I've tried McGee and he was in a drunken stupor so I was getting no sense out of him. And then I went to Ziva's and she wasn't there. Any idea what happened?"

"Well I have absolutely no clue where Ziva is. Last I saw her was outside the club. And all I heard from Abby was that her and McGee had some 'issues' and she was leaving."

"Hmm. Any idea where Ziva is?"

"Nope. Not a clue."

"Ok. So do you mind if I used your bathroom before I went away?"

"No. Just, uhh, use the en-suite off my room - last door on the left. The sinks blocked in the main one." he replied totally forgetting who was in his room.

NCIS+NCIS+NCIS+NCIS+NCIS

After a few minutes Gibbs came out and shouted a distant farewell. Only then did Tony realise what had happened. Once he was sure Gibbs was away and the door was shut he went straight to his room where Ziva was standing at the window glaring at him. Tony found he had no words.

"So you want to explain what you were up to? By sending Gibbs in here?"

"I totally forgot." was all he could reply with.

"Did you want him to jump to conclusions?" she asked. "Luckily for you there's a good gap between your bed and the floor where I could hide."

"Yeah, see I knew that bed would come in handy some day regarding you." he joked. That didn't go down well.

"And in what sense did you see me being related to your bed?"

"Ehh well…" he stuttered.

"Please do elaborate Tony!" she was starting to get seriously pissed and Tony could sense this. Ziva was met with silence. They stood looking at one another for a few minutes before anyone said anything.

"I'm sorry. If that's what you want then I'm sorry. It was a genuine mistake - you think I wanted Gibbs to know I was hiding you in my room?" Now Tony had lost the plot. "Cause we all know Gibbs would have jumped to the wrong conclusions. He would have thought I was trying to get you into bed but really it was nothing like that. But it may have well as been cause one day he's going to have to realise that his rules aren't set by god. That we are flesh and blood human beings. We act on our gut instinct and if that causes his precious rules to be broken then so be it!"

Ziva was speechless.

"So what do you mean?"

"what?" this time Tony was the one that was exasperated.

"I mean, what rules have been broken?"

"Well Rule 6 and then Rule 12."

"You haven't broken rule 12 Tony."

"Not yet." The darkness had set in around them yet they could clearly see each other. After a few moments Ziva was the first one to speak.

"You look good Tony."

"What?"

"I never complimented you earlier. You look very handsome."

"You did."

"Well, maybe in the passing but now I'm fully putting it in there."

"Out there, Zee. Out there."

"This is not the time to be correcting my English. And stop trying to avoid this conversation."

Damn he thought. Tony was sure he was making a good effort of avoiding what was about to come. The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence once again.

"I think I'm just, err, going to go." Ziva stuttered. It was evident that she was uncomfortable. As she tried to exit the bedroom Tony blocked her path.

"Don't go."

"Tony. Move. Now. Please."

"No. We are not ending this night as McGee and Abby seem to have. I am not ruining this… this…" he suspended as he thought of the correct term. Partnership was too formal. Relationship was too committal. Friendship was just not the right word. "this bond we have" was what he finished.

"A bond?" Ziva questioned, sceptical.

"Yeah. Do you have a better adjective to describe what we have?"

"A relationship. Or at least that's what I'd like to have." This rendered Tony speechless.

"Come again?" he squeaked.

"We've been dancing around each other for nearly 6 years now. And I knew from day one that we would instantly get on like a house on flames…"

"Fire." Tony butted in, but Ziva seemed to ignore this.

"And I am ready to take us one step further. I told you before that I have come to America to make a home for myself. That is what I intend to do. With you, if you will have me." There was a silence that filled the room as they both tried to come to terms with what was just said. From where Ziva was standing, she only just realised that Tony had removed his suit jacket and how well the green shirt complemented his eye colour of the same shade.

After a few minutes all that could be heard was three simple words:

"I love you."

Ooooooh. A cliff hanger.

As you may be aware I'm not exactly the best at English - how I got a B was a miracle - more than likely a mistake.

So all mistakes are my own! (hehehe)

And review if you want more! ;] and more ideas for outfits if you've got any. It will be much appreciated.