A/N: Feeling generous so here's the second chapter of the night. Enjoy. Thanks for the follows and reviews and favorites.
Jethro and Ziva
Chapter 4
While Gibbs was being interrogated at the police station, Ziva was alone in the ICU. Gibbs' team thought he was with her and the nurses didn't know where he'd gone when he left for coffee. After two hours, Lisa, the nurse who had cared for Gibbs, called DiNozzo and told him what the situation was at the hospital. Normally she would not have done this but she had nursed Jethro through a very difficult time two years ago and had been impressed by his actions with Ziva. Plus, someone had been with Ziva ever since she came to the unit so she knew they would want to know she was alone. Tony knew the Director had turned the case over to Metro PD but he hadn't expected Detective Morgan to haul Gibbs down to the station after he had talked to him and explained what Gibbs had told him. Tony realized now that the detective was just humoring him and had planned all along to take Gibbs in for the shooting. Now Tony was furious and frustrated as well.
He and McGee had made very little progress in finding Maureen Reilly. They called everyone the hospital suggested might know something but so far no one actually knew the boyfriend's last name. They were on their way back to NCIS when Maureen's cousin finally returned their call from two hours ago.
"Agent DiNozzo, this is Paul Reilly returning your call."
"Mr. Reilly, I'm trying to locate your cousin Maureen in connection with a shooting of a friend of hers. Have you spoken to her in the last couple of days?"
"Not since Friday. She told me she was going to spend the weekend with a friend. What is this all about?"
"Her friend was shot early Saturday morning and we are concerned about your cousin. Do you know her ex-boyfriend's name?"
"Yeah, it's Bob Talbot. Is he involved in this?"
"We don't know for sure. We're looking for them both. Do you happen to know his address or where he works?"
"No but I know he had an apartment in Alexandria. He was working at a car dealership there. A Ford dealer I think. He's a bad dude. Got caught up in some drug problems after a bad wreck about six months ago."
"Can you describe him?"
"Never seen him. I know he's thirty-four but that's about it. I can ask around the family and see if anyone has anything more on him."
"You do that. We should be able to track him down but anything else you learn give me a call. Thanks for your help."
Tony and McGee arrived at the Navy Yard as the phone call ended. Tony wrote down what the cousin had told him and handed it to McGee.
"See if you can track down this dirt bag. I'm going to talk to Vance."
"You sure you should do that?"
"No but I'm going to anyway."
"Tony, he didn't have a choice. Let it go for now. Gibbs can fight his own battles. Why don't you go tell Ducky what's going on and maybe he can go sit with Ziva while we find this guy and settle it once and for all."
Tony considered what Tim was saying and had to agree he was right.
"Okay. But don't let this go to your head."
"Never."
By the time Tony got back from talking to Ducky, McGee had found an address for Bob Talbot.
"I've got it. An apartment in DC. Come on."
"Good work, McQuickly. Ducky is on his way to the hospital."
Ziva had been inching toward being awake while Jethro was talking to her and when he left to get coffee she was on the verge of consciousness. Of course she didn't know that but his voice and touch had been serving its purpose and the cobwebs had been clearing from her mind. When he didn't return she slipped back to where she'd been before he got there that morning.
Where did you go Jethro? Coffee I bet but why haven't you come back? Don't give up on us. I know we can make it baby, just please come back.
But he didn't come back that hour or the next or the next several after that. Ziva's vital signs remained stable but the nurses sensed she had regressed since Agent Gibbs left. They couldn't imagine what was keeping him away.
When Gibbs didn't return the nurses began talking to Ziva in hopes that any friendly voice would encourage her to fight her way back. Ziva heard them talking to her, telling her she was getting better and pleading with her to wake up but she was so confused about where Jethro was that she wasn't making the effort needed. She began to dream about them; her mind taking her back to the beginning of them being together.
About two or three months after their encounter in the basement, Ziva stopped Jethro in the parking lot as they were leaving work.
"Would you like to come for dinner, Gibbs?"
Jethro was surprised at the invitation because they had not shared a private word between them since that night in his basement. He had relegated that night to the part of his brain that didn't examine things very closely for fear of what he might see. He thought about it only rarely and when he did he chastised himself for allowing his emotions to get the better of him.
When he didn't answer for a long few moments Ziva let the little spark of anger she carried toward him ignite.
"Can you not even give me the courtesy of a simple yes or no?"
With his patented smirk in place he replied, "there is no such thing as simple where you and I are concerned, Ziva."
She couldn't help but smile at that. She found it impossible to stay angry with him for any length of time. That, she knew was dangerous but she couldn't seem to help herself where Jethro Gibbs was concerned.
"Still, can you answer me please?"
"Yes, I would like to come for dinner. Tonight?"
"Yes. Just come along whenever you are ready. But do not be too long; I am hungry."
"See you in an hour then?"
"That will be fine."
When Gibbs showed up at the apartment he had a bouquet of yellow daisies in his hand and a nervous knot in his stomach. He wondered what Ziva had in mind when she asked him to dinner. Part of him hoped she wanted to pick up where they had left off that night in his basement. The other part of him wanted her to tell him it had been a mistake and she just wanted to be sure he understood that. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Ziva was not at all nervous about Jethro coming for dinner. She knew what she wanted and made up her mind she was going to do her best to get it; or him to be more precise. If, as she suspected, Jethro was going to be reluctant to admit he wanted her too, well she'd just have to be persuasive. She had heard the old saying that the way to a man's heart was through his stomach and if that was true this dinner would be her first, or technically second, attempt to get to Jethro's heart.
She was surprised by the flowers and even more surprised by his greeting; a quick kiss to her cheek. He had stopped at home obviously as he was now wearing what she recognized as a favorite pair of old jeans and a Marines tee shirt. He had traded the boots he normally wore to work for sneakers. Ziva was delighted because she really liked the way he looked in those jeans.
"Thank you for the flowers. You did not have to do that."
"I know but I seem to remember that when a woman invites you to dinner you should not show up empty handed."
"Is that one of your rules?"
"No, something my mom told me a very long time ago."
Ziva didn't fail to notice the wistful look in his eyes when he mentioned his mother. She knew Mrs. Gibbs had died when Jethro was a teenager so she was a bit surprised she had given him that advice.
Jethro must have, as usual, read her thoughts because he said, "She gave a few pointers along those lines. We spent a long time talking some days. I guess she knew my dad wouldn't be much help when it came to dating and how to treat a woman."
"Your father is very much a gentleman. I am sure he knows how to treat a lady."
"Yes he does. But he didn't pass that along to me."
"And yet. . . "
"Let's change the subject."
They both laughed and the knot in Jethro's stomach seemed to loosen a bit. Ziva led him into the kitchen and offered him something to drink.
"Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Would you like a beer or wine or something else."
"What are you having?"
"Wine."
"I'll join you then."
They shared a bottle of wine and a very delicious meal. The conversation was easy, the way it can be with friends who are at ease with each other and trust each other. Both Ziva and Jethro knew the evening was not just about dinner but they were not in a hurry to "get down to business" so to speak. Ziva wanted to enjoy the meal and used her time to gauge Jethro's level of comfort. He seemed very relaxed to her and she began to feel good about her decision to move forward this evening.
Jethro was relaxed and even though he suspected what Ziva had on her mind he too was perfectly content to let the evening play out slowly. He was prepared to say "no" to Ziva and although he was not eager to get to that moment he knew it was inevitable and he knew what his response had to be. They took their tea to the living room and Ziva settled on the couch while Jethro took a seat in the armchair across from her.
"You surprise me Gibbs. I would not have thought of you as a tea drinker."
"I have to have some secrets, Ziva, even from you."
The conversation seemed to come to an end and Ziva looked at him sitting there so relaxed and quiet. He was one of the most handsome men she had ever known. Of course his eyes were her favorite but she was very fond his whole face and especially liked his hands. They were big hands, long fingers and strong. She clearly remembered the feel of them in her hair when they kissed in his basement. She wanted to feel that again and soon.
When Ziva didn't say anything for a long time, Jethro decided to get the show on the road.
"Why am I here Ziver?"
It was a question she had been expecting but she hadn't expected it to be asked in such a soft, quiet voice. Jethro had set his tea down on the coffee table and was leaning forward, forearms on his knees looking at her intently. His face was unreadable and his eyes did not betray the desire lurking in his soul. It had taken a lot of willpower for him to sit in the chair instead of on the couch with Ziva and it was taking almost as much for him to stay there.
"For dinner."
"I don't think so. You want to talk. Am I right?"
"Yes."
Again, Ziva could not take the next step in the conversation. This was a lot harder than she had expected it to be. Regardless of what she had been telling herself, letting Gibbs know how she felt was not going to be easy.
"Ziver, just say it. What is it you want?"
Well, that was easy. Finally a question she could answer with one word. She locked her gaze with his and finally found the courage she had been lacking all night.
"You. I want you, Jethro."
The silence in the room was deafening. Even though he had suspected something along these lines it was still a surprise. A surprise that this beautiful, sensual, dangerous, young woman wanted him. Jethro wanted to believe it and accept it but his experience just didn't allow him to do that.
"Ziver . . ."
"No, let me say it all. What happened between us that night in your basement was not a mistake. I know it and so do you. You and I have a connection that cannot be ignored any longer. At least not by me. I know you will resist this, Jethro, but I am asking you to give us a chance. No one knows the loss and sadness you have suffered better than I do. I do not care about our age difference or your divorces or any other convenient excuse you come up with to tell me no."
"I just have one. You work for me, Ziva. This is not a good idea. It will cause problems and it could be dangerous. I know you know that. Jenny and I are a perfect example of that."
"Then I will leave your team."
"No, you won't. Ziver you know me, I'm not good relationship material. I'm a bastard on a good day. You can do so much better. I want so much more for you."
They sat there, separated by a coffee table and looked at each other for a long few minutes. Finally Ziva closed her eyes and ran her fingers through her hair. When she opened her eyes, Jethro was still watching her.
"Will you answer me honestly if I ask you a tough question?"
"Always tell you the truth Ziver."
Ziva sat forward on the couch and mimicked Gibbs' position.
"Do you want to be with me, Jethro?"
She saw the flicker of desire that sparked in his eyes. She saw the slight twitch of his mouth.
"That's not a tough question."
"Then quit stalling and answer me. Do you want to be with me? Do you want to kiss me and hold me and touch me like you once did?"
Jethro sighed heavily, he was beaten and he knew it. In an effort to put some distance between them he stood up and walked to the window and finally answered her.
"Yes, god help me I do."
The beautiful smile that blossomed across her face was almost enough to make Jethro forget his trepidation about a relationship with her. Almost.
He started to speak again but somehow she had managed to already be at his side. When he opened his mouth to begin his protest she silenced him with two fingers on his lips. And that small bit of contact felt so good.
"Before you begin telling me why this will not work, answer me another question. Will you let me love you, Jethro?"
Her fingers were still there, touching his lips. Caressing, suggesting. He didn't dare move for fear she would take them away.
"I already do you know. Love you. But if you cannot accept my love I will not force it on you. Will you let me comfort you and push you and take care of you? That is what I want. And if you want me to be happy then you must give us a chance."
She saw his eyes darken and the corners of his mouth twitch. Jethro reached up and gently grasped her wrist. He pursed his lips and kissed the fingers that had kept him silent. Then he kissed her palm and the pulse at her wrist. He worked his way slowly up her arm until he reached her shoulder. Then he let go of her wrist and took her face in those big strong hands she liked so much. He touched his thumbs to her lips before he leaned in and kissed her. It was just a quick peck really but then he did it again and again until finally he settled into a kiss that took her breath away.
When he finally let her up for air he pulled her against his chest and just held her there. Neither of them spoke for a long time as they contemplated what they were doing. Ziva had no doubt this would be a challenging relationship but she couldn't have cared less. She was in love and she intended to do whatever necessary to have the man she loved.
Jethro on the other hand was not so sure. He knew he cared for Ziva in a way that was not about being her boss. He did want her to be happy. Was he capable of being the man that she found her happiness with? He didn't think so. But, he trusted her and oh lord, he wanted her! Maybe they could find some measure of happiness together for a while and then, when she came to her senses and realized he was wrong for her, he could let her go. Yes, that could work, he told himself.
Ziva leaned into him and Jethro her welcomed her deeper into his embrace. They didn't talk. They simply held each other. Occasionally Jethro dropped a kiss onto the top of her head and she let her fingers move against him, letting him know she was still awake and aware of his movements. Ziva could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. She knew he was doing too much thinking. She wanted him to just let go and FEEL them together; not think about all that could go wrong or cause problems.
"Jethro?"
"Hmmm."
"Stop thinking."
She felt his laugh rumble up through his chest. His hands started moving; touching her, arousing her. She looked up at his face, so handsome and so guarded most of the time but not at this moment. He was smiling at her, his eyes telling her what his words could not. She touched her fingertips to his lips then stepped back and reached for his hand.
"Come make love with me Jethro."
Without a word he took hand and followed her to the bedroom.
TBC
