She lifted her water to her mouth and stared at him over the rim of the glass, hiding from the inevitable conversation that they would have. She had agreed to clear the air, after all, so she was obliged to talk to him about her personal sex life. She giggled. She could never have imagined them having this conversation so seriously when they met all those years ago. Then, the flirting had been harmless and had not jeopardised their job. Now, their partnership had been tossed and flung around the turmoil of their lives that any innocent touch froze them both and caused them to avoid each other until the goose bumps had subsided.
Tony stared into her eyes, studying the wide, brown orbs for indications of her current mood. He hoped that she was going to be honest and sharing, instead of brushing him off. Perhaps he had already put his foot in it when he blurted out his question, and she had clammed up before he got a chance to gently probe. After years of experience, he knew how to prise her open and persuade her to confide in him. And, God, did he want her to share the details of her secret stash of sex toys with him. She was mysterious and he pounced on any opportunity to understand her better. If she opened up about masturbation, they would have reached the pinnacle of their trust and respect for one another.
'Are you ready to order?' the waitress asked, hovering by their table and interrupting the lustful gaze linking her two customers.
Ziva broke the stare first, turning to look at the waitress. 'Yes.' She chanced a furtive glance at Tony. 'I'll have the oysters,' she replied evenly.
Tony choked into his water and stared at her in disbelief. She was eying him amusedly. He hesitated before returning the grin.
'The same as her,' he requested. 'And we'll share an avocado salad.'
Ziva frowned, confused by the last order, but nodded and handed the waitress their menus.
'Avocado salad?' she queried.
'Yeah, it also increases libido,' he explained.
Ziva chuckled. 'Oh, is that why you thought I ordered oysters?' she inquired, her eyes dancing. 'No, Tony, I just really love oysters.'
Tony's smile did not falter. 'Right, Ziva. It had nothing to do with the sexual nature of its benefits,' he agreed sarcastically.
'Why do you automatically assume that I am screwing you, Tony?' Ziva asked innocently.
Tony grinned, rolling his eyes at her slight mistake. 'You are screwing with me, Ziva,' he corrected.
'I am not screwing with you either,' she defended.
'You ordered oysters,' he pointed out. 'Straight after we were discussing your unusual venues for sex.'
'And your pathetic track record of being able to stay stiff,' she countered cruelly.
'Hey,' Tony protested, hurt by her cutting jibe. 'Two hours is a perfectly respectable length of time. I like to please my lady, not injure her.'
'I would not be injured after two hours,' Ziva dismissed. 'It would take a lot longer than that for me to give up.' She cocked her head and smiled secretly. 'I wouldn't even need oysters.'
'That explains the masturbation,' Tony replied, his heart pounding as he waited for her reply.
'I guess it does,' she agreed smoothly. Tony waited for her continue, his mouth remaining firmly shut until she gave him something more. 'I do not use them all the time,' she relented.
'But often,' Tony clarified eagerly.
'It depends,' she shrugged, rolling her eyes at his childish excitement. 'Don't tell me that you don't do it, Tony,' she attacked. 'I would not believe you.'
Tony blushed and ducked his head, mumbling something incoherently. Ziva snorted, satisfied by the answer.
The waitress appeared again, bearing two plates of oysters and a salad. Ziva thanked her and she hurried away, her cheeks flushed scarlet.
'Bon appétit,' Ziva wished, licking her lips seductively.
'I will,' he answered, grinning at her across the table. He lowered his eyes when the gaze became too intense and began to eat his oysters. Ziva followed his example and tucked in, eating hers a little more daintily than he was managing. She sat back in her chair and eyed him as he struggled to finish his plate. Finally, he sat back to, licking his lips. 'Feeling horny yet?' he asked.
'Yes,' Ziva shot back. 'I shall have to excuse myself and slip off to touch myself in the ladies' room.' She smiled and, after a moment's hesitation, rose from her chair and strode towards the bathroom.
Tony stared after her incredulously. He didn't believe that she was really going to get off in a public restroom; she wasn't that shameless. Even as the thought was formed, he knew what he was going to have to do to satisfy his curiosity. He glanced around nervously and stood up, marching confidently towards the two bathroom doors. He did not pause before pushing open the women's bathroom door, trying not to draw attention to himself.
He blinked as he stepped into the white oasis, decorated with a shiny coat of brilliant white gloss paint and accessorised with pretty white seashells dotted about the counters. Three women were touching up their makeup in the mirror, and they all turned to glare at Tony.
'This is the women's bathroom,' one of them told Tony nastily. 'I think you've got yourself lost.'
'No,' he responded cheerfully. 'I have to talk to someone.' He moved towards the closed toilet door and leaned against it, grinning broadly at the stunned women. Muttering to each other, they abandoned their vanity and sidled out, shooting sneering glances at the male intruder. Tony shrugged and began to hum, tapping his fingers on the door.
Ziva gulped, she had heard Tony's voice, and his presence was making it very difficult to pee. She felt very self conscious and finally she gave up and unlocked the door.
'Come in, Tony,' she invited. He accepted the suggestion and squeezed in beside her.
'You can pee if you want to,' he offered.
She punched him lightly in the chest. 'What do you want?'
'Well, after your coy little remark back there, I just had to come and see for myself,' he told her.
'You want me to get off in front of you?' she laughed sceptically.
'If it isn't too much trouble,' he relented.
Ziva bit her lip and sat down on the toilet seat. His body was so close and the exotic aroma of his aftershave was gently tickling her nose. He looked so alluring standing confidently in front of her and she was struggling to control herself.
'The oysters have made me a little excited,' she conceded. 'Perhaps...'
'Perhaps?' Tony prompted expectantly.
'Perhaps I do need some relief,' she continued thoughtfully.
'Allow me,' Tony offered, taking her shoulders and standing her up. His strong arms circled her waist and he pulled her towards him, pressing her body against his. His hand cupped her chin and guided it towards his mouth. Slowly, the gap between their lips closed until they were kissing.