Over the next week, the two women talked on the phone often, sent more texts than either had ever sent in their lives and saw each other a couple of times when Jenny swung by the shop. That next Sunday they went to a movie and window-shopped, followed by dinner and another hot make-out session on Ziva's couch. They made plans for the following weekend, but Jenny got called to Los Angeles that Friday to deal with a sensitive situation in the NCIS office out there. She flew back on the red-eye a week later. She had spoken to Ziva the night before to let her know she was getting on a plane at last. She had an unexpected layover in Denver due to weather conditions, and by the time her driver was nearing her house, she figured Ziva would be getting ready to open the store. Impulsively, she had Sam stop by there, rather than simply making a phone call when she got home.
The door was still locked, but she could see Ziva moving around and she tapped gently on the door. Surprised by the unexpected knock, Ziva came to the door. Her surprise changed to pure pleasure at seeing the red-haired woman on the other side of the glass and the smile on Ziva's face more than made up for putting off bed a little longer.
Ziva relocked the door and left the closed sign up, quickly pulling Jenny to her office for a proper welcome home kiss.
Coming up for air, Ziva snuggled into Jenny's neck, breathing her in. "Hi," she said in a low voice. "I'm glad you're home."
Jenny smiled and rested her cheek on Ziva's hair. "It's good to be home," she said, amazingly content to have this woman in her arms. She pulled back to caress Ziva's cheek. Looking into those whiskey brown eyes she'd swear she could drown in, Jenny told her, "I missed you."
"Missed you more," Ziva bantered.
"Impossible," Jenny smiled, leaning in to kiss her again.
Just then, Jenny's phone buzzed and Ziva pulled back. "It's work," Jenny dismissed, recognizing the ringtone. She tried pulling Ziva back in, but the dark-haired woman held back, looking at her quizzically. "I'll call them back in a minute. They've had my undivided attention for the last week. Right now I want to kiss my girlfriend."
At that, Ziva pressed her body closer, wrapping an arm around the back of Jenny's neck. "Your girlfriend?" she asked, nuzzling her nose against Jenny's cheek. "Like the sound of that."
Jenny grinned. "Me too." Then there was no more talking for a while.
After a few minutes, Jenny rested her forehead against Ziva's. "I should go. I've held up your opening long enough."
"You can hold me up for this reason any day," Ziva returned with a saucy wink. "But you should go home and get some rest." She moved a step back and started to turn toward the door.
"Wait - I wanted to ask you something," Jenny said quietly, grabbing Ziva's hand and tugging her back.
Ziva raised her brows in question.
"You're off tomorrow?"
Ziva nodded.
"What would you say to a late dinner at my place tonight…" she brought Ziva's hand up and pressed a kiss to it, "…followed by you sleeping over?"
Ziva's eyes showed pleasant surprise, which quickly turned to heat. Sliding her arms around Jenny's waist, she looked into those green eyes she'd missed so much these past few days. "You're sure?"
Jenny nodded. "I'm sure. Somewhere during the last week, going slowly began to feel highly overrated."
Ziva grinned in agreement. "Then I think that sounds perfect. It may be late, though."
"I don't mind," Jenny assured her.
Unable to resist, Ziva brought her lips back to Jenny's for a deep, passionate kiss that had both their hearts galloping. Slowly they took the heat down, lips coming together for several more kisses, withdrawing from each other a little at a time.
They finally pulled apart and headed into the bookstore so Jenny could leave and Ziva could open the shop. As Jenny stepped onto the porch, Ziva murmured from the doorway, "I hope you get some rest today, Director Shepherd; I do not envision much sleep for you tonight."
Jenny laughed and threw a look back over her shoulder at her girlfriend. "I certainly hope you're right."
That day passed in a blur for Ziva. Except when she was with customers, all she could think about was Jenny. "God, I've got it bad," she muttered to herself at one point. Then she grinned. There were worse things.
Saturday was very busy. Just another week until Christmas and the first day of Hanukkah had been the day before. As afternoon turned into evening, Ziva kept looking at the clock every five minutes, trying to hurry it along. Josh and Holly couldn't help but notice.
"Hot date tonight, Boss?" Josh finally inquired.
Ziva started, having drifted off into Jenny-land again in her head. "What?" Josh repeated his question. Ziva laughed wryly. "That obvious, hmmm?"
"Only to those of us who love you," he quipped. "Things have slowed down here; there's only another couple of hours and we can handle it. Go ahead and go."
Ziva started to protest automatically. "Go," Josh interrupted her. "Besides, you're not much help if you just stand around mooning over that gorgeous red-head." His grin let her know he was teasing – well, kind of.
Ziva's look was indignant. "I am not mooning anyone!"
Josh chuckled. "Not that kind of mooning. You know, being absolutely gaga over someone," he tried to explain, with a flourish of his hands.
Ziva only looked more confused at that. Holly stepped in. "He means you won't get much work done if you keep gazing dreamily off into space thinking about Jenny."
"Oh." Then Ziva laughed and agreed. "Well, that is accurate. If you are sure, I would in fact like very much to get started on my hot date."
Josh shooed her toward the kitchen and went to assist a customer. Grinning, Ziva ran up her back stairs and headed straight to the shower. She'd taken advantage of a slow point in the morning to lay out soft black pants and a cranberry sweater to wear tonight, and she'd packed a few things in a bag she might need for an overnight stay. In record time she called Jenny to say she was on her way.
"Wow – you're earlier than I thought," Jenny said. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you."
"Josh said if I was merely going to stand around 'mooning' over you, I should just go." Jenny's sexy laugh drew out her own grin. "See you soon," she said and hung up.
She found Jenny's house in a section of large, old brownstone homes. It wasn't quite what she expected, but it was beautiful. There was a fresh wreath with a large red velvet bow trimmed in gold hanging on the front door adding a festive splash of color.
She rang the doorbell and the redhead opened it with a welcoming smile. She stepped back and gestured for Ziva to come in. Ziva put her bag down and reached for Jenny's hands. Their lips met in a soft kiss. Pulling back to look into the other woman's eyes, Ziva admitted, "I've been thinking of you all day."
Jenny's slow, sexy smile quickened Ziva's pulse. "What a coincidence. I've been thinking about you, too." Moving her hands to the buttons on Ziva's coat, she helped Ziva unfasten them even as she nuzzled the dark-haired woman's cheek, which was still chilled from the air outside. As soon as the garment was opened, she placed her hands on Ziva's hips and brought their bodies flush. They shared another kiss that was deep and long and filled with promise of what was to come.
When Ziva's stomach growled, they moved apart with a laugh.
"Sorry – we were busy at lunch, so I didn't eat much," Ziva explained.
Jenny spoke as she hung Ziva's coat in the closet. "Well, then, let's feed you," she said, holding out a hand to lead Ziva into the kitchen. "Dinner is ready."
"Your home is beautiful," Ziva commented, admiring all she could see.
"Thank you. You can have the full tour later if you like, but let's have dinner first," Jenny suggested.
The women walked into the kitchen. Jenny released Ziva's hand with a squeeze and moved to the stove. The kitchen was modern, yet managed to be homey and inviting at the same time. There was a large butcher-block island, stainless steel appliances, five-burner stove with built-in grill, and a hanging rack for pots and pans.
There was an eating area in this room, and the table had been set with a cloth and china, and even a low candle. Ziva caught sight of a large dining room through a doorway to the right, but this seemed much cozier.
"I thought we'd eat in here, if you don't mind. The dining room table is just so big for two people," Jenny explained.
"This is perfect," Ziva commented. "And something smells wonderful."
Jenny smiled her thanks. "Nothing fancy; my own version of ratatouille, and I made brown rice to go with it."
"Is there anything I can do?" Ziva asked.
"You could pull the salad from the fridge, if you like," Jenny directed, as she dished up the main entrée. She then pulled some bread she'd been warming from the oven that smelled fresh and appetizing and put it on the table, as well.
Jenny directed Ziva to take a seat.
"Shall I pour?" Ziva asked, gesturing to the bottle of French red wine on the table.
"Please," Jennifer agreed, taking her own seat at last.
After Ziva had poured their wine, Jenny took her glass in hand and raised it in a toast. "To unexpected surprises."
Ziva echoed her words with a smile, clinking her glass gently against her date's. They shared a look that made it clear they were both thinking back to a Friday night three weeks ago.
After sampling the meal and complimenting Jenny on her cooking, Ziva commented, "I thought perhaps I would meet Louisa."
"Every Saturday night she stays at her sister's for her night off," Jenny explained. "We might see her tomorrow." Her eyes darkened as she stared at Ziva with an intimate smile, thinking about the fact that Ziva would still be here in the morning.
"I'd like that," Ziva said, returning the smile.
They chatted easily through the meal about business at the shop over the past few days, Ziva's family dinner celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah the night before, and a little about Jenny's week in California. When Ziva asked if they decorated the house for Christmas, Jenny explained that they didn't usually bother now that her parents were gone, though Louisa liked to put fresh pine garland here and there and always made sure there was a wreath on the door.
After they were through, Jenny offered chocolate raspberry cheesecake for dessert. Ziva's eyes said she was much more interested in having Jenny for dessert, and she suggested they hold off for a while. Jenny readily agreed. After showing Ziva around the downstairs area, they ended up in the library. There was an inviting fire crackling, with a throw and several pillows in front of it. Some of Louisa's pine garland stretched along the mantle, decorated with small red bows and clear white lights.
"I thought we'd sit in here after dinner," Jenny explained. "It's my favorite room in the house, and I thought you'd feel at home having the books around," she added with a grin.
Ziva laughed. "Good choice," she approved, unable to resist wandering around the room a bit, scanning various titles as she went.
They'd carried their wine with them, and placed the glasses on the low table that sat between the couch and the fireplace. Ziva settled herself on the throw on the floor, tugging Jennifer down beside her. Staring into the flames, Ziva remarked that she loved sitting in front of a fire.
"Something else we have in common," Jenny observed.
Ziva turned toward the red-haired woman. Trailing a hand up Jenny's sleeve, she admired the cream silky blouse Jenny wore over crushed velvet forest green pants that hung attractively on her.
Jenny returned the hot gaze, her eyes slowly wandering over Ziva's face and lower, coming to rest at the deep V of her cranberry sweater.
Ziva's hand continued up Jenny's arm until it rested on the back of her neck, fingers sliding into the short red hair.
"Let's see what else we have in common," Ziva whispered. Slowly, she pulled Jenny's mouth to hers, and their lips met in a long soft kiss that slowly built into an inferno. Their breath came faster as lips and hands were unable to resist further exploration.
Without breaking contact, Ziva laid back and pulled Jenny with her. Jenny made a sound of approval low in her throat that fired Ziva's blood even more. Pulling back just far enough to look deeply into Jenny's eyes, Ziva brought her fingers to the buttons of the other woman's blouse, opening them slowly one by one. Tenderly, but with a raging heat that thrilled even as it consumed them, they made love for the first time right there in Jenny's library in front of the crackling flames.
Afterward, they curled up together with another blanket tossed over them, snuggling close. They talked and kissed and touched, reveling in the feelings of pleasure and connection. Sharing a piece of chocolate raspberry cheesecake while cuddling in the blankets felt positively decadent. When they started to get sleepy, Jenny suggested they move up to her bed, which they did. They each wrapped in a blanket and walked upstairs holding hands, grabbing Ziva's bag but leaving their clothes until morning.
Ziva woke first the next morning, just as light was breaking. She was accustomed to waking early, and didn't always sleep well away from home. But she had slept well last night, she reflected, turning her head to look at the woman lying next to her, their heads sharing a pillow. Jenny's arm and leg were thrown over Ziva, while Ziva's hand was curled around the arm resting across her middle. She couldn't help the smile that curved her lips as she relived last night in her mind.
"Please tell me it's too early to get up," a sleepy voice rumbled beside Ziva's ear, making her grin.
"Perhaps it is too early to get up, but it is not too early to be awake," Ziva said suggestively, turning more into Jenny, bringing their bodies into even closer contact. Ziva buried her face in Jenny's neck, having already developed an affinity for that very spot.
"Ummm…" Jenny murmured, opening her eyes just enough to get a look at her lover snuggling in to her, "maybe you're right." She tried to tug Ziva's mouth up for a kiss, but the dark-haired woman was having none of that.
"I distinctly remember the two of us kissing last night…am I missing something here?"
"Last night I did not have morning breath," Ziva mumbled into Jenny's neck making her grin.
"So…you're not going to kiss me?" Jenny asked, amused.
"Not until I brush my teeth," Ziva asserted, "which I will do right now." She started to get up, even as Jenny chuckled.
"Are you always going to brush your teeth before kissing me good morning?"
"At least until you have gotten used to having me around," Ziva retorted from the side of the bed. "Then perhaps I will risk it."
"And if I already have?" an incredibly soft voice inquired from the bed. Slowly, Ziva turned to look at Jenny, dark eyes searching green ones. There was naked truth there in Jenny's eyes that was impossible to miss...deep affection and just a hint of worry that she was out on a limb here with no net beneath her.
"Well, then," Ziva whispered. "Perhaps I will risk it now." Lowering her head, she brushed gently over Jenny's lips with her own, once, twice…then captured those lips in a deep kiss that quickly pulled them both under the tide of their mutual desire.
A while later, Ziva flopped back on her pillow, her heart still pounding in her ears. Trying to catch her breath, she reflected, "Well, it seems the morning breath was not an issue, after all." Jenny just laughed and snuggled close.
Jenny gave Ziva the shower first, going down to start the coffee. Once it had brewed, she carried their first cups upstairs. She looked appreciatively at the sight of Ziva in a towel coming out of the bathroom. She dropped a brief kiss to Ziva's lips as she handed her a steaming mug, then moved to take her own shower.
Ziva started to reach for her clothes, then remembered they were downstairs. Since she'd changed just prior to coming over last night, she'd been planning to wear the same outfit with the addition of a tank she'd tucked into her bag layered under the sweater. Slipping on the robe that Jenny had just abandoned, Ziva went down to the library, finger-combing and scrunching her hair as she went.
She folded up the blankets and laid them on the couch, making a mental note to take the wine glasses to the kitchen when they came back down. Then she scooped up all their clothes, trying hard not to miss anything. Moving through the doorway, she intended to head directly for the stairs – only to stop dead as she bumped into a short, handsome woman with dark, graying hair pulled into a severe bun and deep brown eyes that clearly missed nothing.
Flustered, Ziva murmured, "Oh! Excuse me…"
"Good morning," the other woman offered in a lightly accented voice, clearly sizing Ziva up. "You must be Ziva, yes?"
"Yes," Ziva confirmed, making a grab for self-assuredness despite the fact that she was standing awkwardly in front of the person who'd helped raise the woman she'd had her hands all over last night. And this morning. "Hello. And you must be Louisa," Ziva stated, attempting a brave smile.
The other woman nodded almost regally, and continued giving her the eye for another moment. Whatever she saw, she must have decided that Ziva passed her initial inspection, as suddenly her lips curved in a welcoming smile. "I would offer my hand, but yours seem to be a little full," she said, eyes twinkling.
"They are," Ziva agreed with a chuckle that was more than a little embarrassed.
"Later then," Louisa suggested. "Tell Miss Jennifer that breakfast will be ready for you both very soon." And with a smile she headed back to kitchen.
Ziva practically ran back up the stairs, entering Jenny's room just as the other woman was coming out of the shower. Closing the door, Ziva leaned back against it, eyes closed in mortification.
"Oh, there's my robe," Jenny realized, adjusting the towel she'd wrapped around herself in the absence of her robe. Then she noticed her girlfriend seemed … rattled. "Ziva? Everything OK?" she asked, walking over to the dark-haired woman, concerned.
"Just peachy," Ziva muttered, borrowing one of Josh's favorite sayings. Opening her eyes, she admitted, "I just ran into Louisa. Literally."
"Um…OK…is there a problem?" Jenny asked, not yet figuring out what was up.
"Jennifer. I just met the woman who was like a second mother to you dressed in nothing but your robe and carrying all of our clothes from last night from your library," Ziva pointed out in a voice that suggested that Jenny should have an immediate grasp of the problem.
Jenny grinned, unable to keep the amusement from her face. Ziva's eyes narrowed. "It is not funny."
"Actually," Jenny contradicted, bumping Ziva's nose lightly with her own, "it is." She stopped Ziva's protests with a distracting kiss.
Pulling back, Jenny said, "I'm sure Louisa took it in stride."
"Well, that is true," Ziva reflected. Then her eyes flicked away. "Perhaps she is accustomed to greeting your overnight guests?"
"No, this is a first," Jenny corrected. Ziva's eyes flew to hers, not sure she believed her.
Jenny smiled and smoothed a hand over Ziva's hair. "I have been more focused on work than relationships for more years than I care to count. And while I have had the occasional overnight guest, they have never met Louisa the next morning. I made sure of it."
Ziva looked at her with some confusion. "You did not say – "
"I know," Jenny smiled and traced her fingers gently along Ziva's jaw. "That's because you're different…special."
Looking into her lover's green eyes, Ziva saw nothing but truth there. Relaxing at last, she smiled back. "Well, Louisa did say she'd have breakfast ready for us both soon, so she was clearly not as traumatized by our meeting as I was," she said dryly.
"See? Told you," Jenny said smartly, pressing a kiss to Ziva's forehead.
Ziva moved to lay the clothes she was holding on the bed, while Jenny turned toward her closet.
"And Jen?" Ziva said softly, making the other woman turn around. "You are special, too." The smile that lit up Jenny's face would stay with Ziva forever.
After getting dressed, they went down for breakfast. Jennifer made proper introductions, and Ziva offered her hand, which Louisa accepted with a grin. She'd been very busy making scrambled eggs and buckwheat pancakes, and the two younger women pressed her into joining them. Curious to know more about this woman who had captured Jenny's interest, Louisa agreed.
While eating their mouthwatering breakfast and chatting with Louisa, the couple decided to take a drive and simply enjoy the day with nothing particular planned. After helping Louisa clear the table, they took off in Jenny's car. They just drove, stopping wherever they chose. Lunch was a light snack after their big breakfast; they had dinner at a riverfront restaurant, sitting at a window table looking out over the water.
It was late evening when they headed back to Jenny's. Taking Ziva's hand as she drove, Jenny softly asked her to spend the night again. Ziva readily agreed.
The next morning they parted company early so Jenny could get to work and Ziva could get home to change and open the store on time. Jenny had a meeting that night that would go late, so they made plans for the weekend again and agreed to catch each other as they could during the week. Friday was Christmas Eve and the last day of Hanukkah, and the shop was closed on Dec. 25th, so they had an extra day to spend together. Holly and Josh would open the store on Sunday as usual.
Ziva hummed along with her music at the store all morning, unable to remember when she'd felt happier. Her smile was never far from her face, and the fact that she had a steady stream of customers all morning was just icing on an already very sweet cake. Impulsively, she purchased one of her books highlighting bed and breakfasts along the Eastern seaboard to give to Jenny for Christmas. The second part of the gift would be to choose one and go away for a weekend. She found herself day-dreaming about forever with this woman who had captured her heart already. Whoa there, Ziva; slow down she told herself to no avail.
Mid-afternoon a man came in that Ziva had seen only once before. As with last time, she accepted a package wrapped in plain brown paper and made a mental note that she would apparently see Special Agent Fornell today. She secured the package in her safe and thought nothing more about it.
Around five, there was a lull in the traffic in and out of the store. Ziva was restoring order to the children's books when she heard the door open. Walking to the front, she saw Tobias Fornell walk in.
Coming forward, she greeted him. "Agent Fornell. Welcome."
"Hello there, Ziva. And I thought I told you to call me Tobias."
She smiled. "I presume you are here for the package that came by special delivery."
He inclined his head. "Not much gets by you," he teased.
"True," she said with a saucy wink, and went to get the package from the safe.
While she was gone, the door opened and Jenny Shepard walked in, clearly in a bit of a hurry. She stopped short when she saw Tobias. "Agent Fornell," she stated formally, clearly surprised to see him.
"Director Shepard," he acknowledged. "Fancy meeting you here. Shouldn't you be at the directors' meeting?" Once a month, the directors of all the intelligence and investigative agencies around DC had a dinner meeting to share information and improve inter-agency communication and support.
"I'm on my way, I just –" At that moment the swinging door opened and Ziva walked into the room carrying a package about the size of a book. However, Jenny noticed there were no markings whatsoever on the plain brown wrapper. As soon as Ziva spotted her lover, her brown eyes lit with pleasure.
"Hi," she said softly. Jenny smiled back, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She was beginning to feel like she was missing something here. Tobias shared that feeling, looking back and forth between the two women, trying to gauge the undercurrent.
Ziva handed the package to Fornell. "I believe this is what you wanted."
The man nodded, as he tucked it out of sight in a deep pocket of his coat. "As always, your help is greatly appreciated. Give my regards to your father."
Ziva smiled. "You're welcome – and I will."
With a nod at Jenny, he started to leave. Her gut screaming, she asked Tobias sharply, "Aren't you going to pay for that?"
He grinned. "Special account," he explained, with a wink for Ziva.
Jenny was rigidly silent as he left, trying to connect the dots and coming up with only one picture.
Ziva started toward her with a smile. "This is a pleasant surprise."
"I wish I could say the same," Jenny bit out.
Ziva stopped, surprised - and confused. "Jen?"
"Why didn't you tell me that you also work for the FBI?"
"Because I do not," Ziva asserted, feeling like she'd suddenly stepped into an alternate universe. Hurt was rolling off of Jenny in waves, accompanied by more than a little anger. Ziva stiffened. "You do not believe me."
"I've been an agent, Ziva; I know an information drop when I see one."
"You do not know everything."
"So, tell me," Jenny commanded.
Ziva opened her mouth, then closed it. "The story is not mine to tell. Besides, you seem to have suddenly decided that I am not to be trusted; what could I possibly say to change that?"
Jenny was silent for a moment. She was still hurt and angry, but was starting to feel like she'd really made a wrong step here. However, Jennifer Shepard was a woman who didn't trust easily and part of her had already been waiting for the other shoe to drop on this relationship that had felt almost too good to be true. The shoe had just fallen and it was like a combat boot to the head.
"Why did you come here tonight?" Ziva asked in a voice husky with emotion.
At first she didn't think Jenny would respond, then she pulled a new toothbrush still in its wrapper from her purse. Looking at it in her hand, she said in a low voice, "After you left this morning, I noticed you'd left your toothbrush and I liked seeing it there next to mine. I picked this up for you to have at your place, so that one could stay where it was." She tossed the toothbrush lightly onto the counter beside them. "But I guess now it doesn't matter."
Ziva's eyes glistened with tears. "I see," she whispered. She looked as though she might say more, then her expression hardened. "Goodbye, Jennifer."
And with that she disappeared into her office, leaving Jenny alone. Again.
To be continued...