Navy Exchange

By Lyn1410G

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own any characters mentioned in this story and no breach of copyright is intended.

Rated T

Chapter 4.

Gibbs and McGee rode together in the blue sedan with Tony and Ziva following closely behind in another car. Tony had his work cut out to keep up with Gibbs as he wove erratically from lane to lane in the late afternoon traffic.

He cast another furtive glance at Ziva sitting quietly in the seat beside him.

'She looks seriously pissed with me.'

He knew he had to try to say something to ease the tension before this…thing between them got any worse. "Ziva….about earlier…"

"Tony if you do not mind I would rather we did not speak of it. It was a mistake yes?"

"Well, I think we do need to talk about this Zee-vah. We have to work together and.."

Tony remembered the confusion that had flashed across her face when he had pulled away from her earlier. Why had he pulled back? He couldn't really explain it to himself let alone to Ziva. He only knew that for a few moments it had felt so good, so right to be holding her.

It had scared the Hell out of him.

"I need to try to explain why I …"

"Explain Tony? What exactly do you need to explain to me?" Ziva was angry now and her voice rose as she turned in her seat to glare at him. Inwardly she cursed her lack of control and reminded herself to keep her voice neutral. She had exposed herself far too much already.

Carelessly shrugging one shoulder, she turned away from him to stare out of the car window.

"I kissed you and you kissed me back. Then you walked out. End of story"

Tony chewed on his bottom lip and marvelled at the range of emotions that had gripped his partner today. Ziva was usually so controlled, so…… detached almost, allowing very little of her true self to show through. This promotion thing had really thrown her off balance. He didn't allow himself to consider why the decision was proving such a difficult one.

They travelled the rest of the distance in a stony silence, pulling up a short time later behind Gibbs car and joining the other two Agents outside the address that McGee had provided.

"McGee! Check the address again." Gibbs ordered.

"Ah I already did Boss. It's the right one." He replied.

"There's nothing here but a vacant lot McGee!" Gibbs stared in frustration at the high wire fence that stood between them and the empty block of land.

McGee knew better than to apologise and released a sigh of relief when Gibbs responded.

"Aw Hell, let's call it a night, we'll start fresh in the morning."

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Back at NCIS, Tony exchanged the government car for his mustang and drove to his apartment. He quickly changed into running shorts, shoes and his favourite Ohio State sweatshirt and headed off on his usual evening run along Anacostia Park.

As he ran his thoughts turned to Ziva, he couldn't believe what had happened with her earlier. 'What the Hell was I thinking?'

Ziva was his partner, his friend. They put their lives in each others hands every day.

He jogged along the familiar paths, his body soon establishing a comfortable rhythm despite the fact that his mind raced with self reproach.

From the moment they'd met there'd been something…..an overwhelming awareness of each other. They had learned to not let it interfere with their working relationship despite both enjoying the teasing game that they played on a regular basis. Geez, some days it was better than foreplay!

He'd rarely met a woman who could match him at his own game….but Ziva? She was something else.

Tony thought back to the many occasions when Ziva had left him speechless and smiled. The constant sexual innuendo that peppered many of their conversations was a highlight of his working day.

But things had been different since Jeanne. He felt different and Ziva?

She was definitely different.

Lately he'd noticed a change in her attitude toward him. That mischievous light, always present in her eyes when she looked at him, had dimmed.

In fact, there were times when he would look up and catch her looking at him with disappointment in her eyes.

'But that's because of the lies I had to tell to maintain my cover wasn't it?'

'She's still angry with me.'

But there was no mistaking the look he saw on her face just before she kissed him today. He was sure he hadn't imagined it.

'Why did she have to change the rules all of a sudden?'

Tony slowed as he reached the half way mark of his run and negotiated the turn toward home. As he began his return journey he passed a couple of young blondes out for their evening jog, the type of generously endowed young women who would normally have had his full attention. They looked invitingly at Tony as they went by but he didn't notice.

'Let's face it DiNozzo, you're attracted to Ziva in a huge way and maybe she means more than you've been willing to admit.'

His reaction this afternoon to her news was an indication of that…if he'd needed one that is.

He recalled the feeling he experienced when Ziva told him that she had been asked to return to Israel. The sudden tightening in his chest had nothing whatsoever to do with the distance he had run.

Tony slowed to a walk and then came to a stop outside his apartment building, hands on hips regaining his breath. He recalled the pain he had suffered when Jeanne had left and wondered why he would ever consider risking all that again. He'd have to have rocks in his head! Better to continue on as they always had, as friends, partners and nothing more.

Deep down a nagging voice would not be silenced. Is that what you really want Tony?

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Ziva watched Tony drive away in his beloved mustang and wondered for the hundredth time what she had been thinking. Had she been thinking?

After months, years of playing it cool, playing Tony at his own game and thereby maintaining control of their flirtation she had blown it all with one look. She had known he would see the need, how she felt about him and she did nothing to stop it.

'Be honest Ziva you wanted him to see it. You wanted him to face it.'

'Idiot! Now you have made yourself vulnerable.'

She should have been overjoyed when she received the call from her father telling her of the opportunity that awaited her back in Tel Aviv. She had worked hard over the years and suffered more pain and loss than could be considered her fair share.

Instead she had felt an all encompassing sense of panic, of time running out. Well what did she expect?

That she and Tony could just continue as partners in a purely platonic relationship and he would suddenly realise what they had between them?

She had tried that before and he? He had fallen in love with Jeanne.

Somehow the succession of women that he had over the years did not threaten her. Ziva knew that he did not really feel anything for them outside of fulfilling a need.

But Jeanne? He really had cared for her deeply and Ziva did not think she could stand by and watch Tony fall in love with another woman again.

Maybe she should just take the promotion at Mossad and move on with her life.

"Ziva?" The Director's voice penetrated her thoughts and she realised that she was standing in the middle of the agency car park.

"Is everything alright?"

"Director, I..um yes I am fine. That is…no not really. I could really use some advice." Ziva walked with Jenny to her car and they sat together in the back of the vehicle.

"I have been offered a Junior Deputy Directorship at Mossad. It would mean my leaving NCIS and returning to Tel Aviv."

"Ziva congratulations….that's wonderful news. Isn't it?" the director responded uncertainly when the smile she expected to see on Ziva's face did not eventuate.

"Yes I suppose it is very flattering and I should be 'over the stars' yes? My father certainly is. But I am not sure I am ready to….move on Jenny."

"Are you talking about Tony, Ziva?"

Ziva knew that her friend saw more than she let on and was not surprised by her question.

"Yes." She thought a moment and then asked. "Was it worth it Jenny?"

"Was what worth it Ziva?"

"It is very obvious that you and Gibbs, well that you had strong feelings for each other in Europe yes? And I think it is fair to say that you still care very deeply for him."

Jenny hesitated a moment then nodded slightly.

"You chose your career over your heart Jenny. Have you ever regretted this decision?"

Jenny Shepard took a moment to picture a pair of piercing blue eyes and smiled to herself.

"There's not a day goes passed that I don't wonder what might have been Ziva."

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