HEY

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HEY! Thankyou all for the wonderful reviews!

I am SO sorry that I haven't updated but I haven't been on the computer since Friday, we open West side story in 16 days and I've just been struck down with Laryngitis – not good for half the cast of a musical to be struck down with 16 days before opening night. I'm so sorry for the inconvenience and everything will be quicker from now on. :P:P I promise!

Xox Mel

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Chapter nine: besting the best.

Ziva sat at her desk on Monday morning, waiting for the rest of the team to arrive. Gibbs was most likely in MTAC or with the director and McGee was due in any minute.

She heard the loud ding from the elevator and snapped her head around to find McGee stepping out, coffee in hand.

"Morning McGee." She greeted in her usual morning voice.

"Good Morning Ziva." He responded, stopping to inspect her face. "Ah. Wha-what happened to you? Shouldn't you go to Ducky?"

"She's not dead, probie." Tony smiled, appearing as if from nowhere and whacking McGee on the back of the head in one swift movement as he walked past.

"Ziva." He acknowledged with a smile. Their eyes exchanged a glance that only the two of them would understand. It lasted for a second and they both broke off, realising at the same time that they couldn't exchange glances that would give them away.

"Tony." She smiled back; her gaze returning to McGee, his face slowly coming back to life.

"How's your leg?" Tony asked after the brief silence. It wasn't risky to ask how her leg was; even Gibbs knew about that one – the blood kind of gave it away.

"Getting better. I doubt I need to see Ducky." They could both see that their conversation was verging on risky.

"See, that's what I was talking about – I didn't think she was dead." McGee piped up, moving back to his desk.

"I'm sure you didn't, elfy." Tony smiled.

McGee just rolled his eyes and sat at his desk, it was going to be a long day for him.

Gibbs marched past at that moment, making an eye contact with Tony that almost convinced him one hundred percent that he knew what had happened. "With me, David." He ordered, walking straight past the bullpen.

Ziva jumped up and ran to catch up with her boss, limping slightly due to the shooting pain in her calf muscle.

She got into the elevator with seconds to spare.

The two stood in silence for a few seconds, Ziva fidgeted slightly, waiting for Gibbs to hit the emergency switch.

Her heart pounded against her chest and she was sure that he knew about her and Tony. Immediately she decided that she would just deny anything he threw at her.

The two stood in silence, Ziva wondering why her boss hadn't hit the emergency switch yet; it was very out of character.

Finally the elevator reached its destination and Ziva was surprised to see they were on the bottom floor.

"What are we doing here, Gibbs?" Ziva asked, her eyes narrow in confusion.

"I want you to get your leg checked out." He said, stepping out of the elevator.

She sighed in relief and stepped forward to catch up to Gibbs. "You could have just told me to go here." She pointed out.

Gibbs turned and smiled. "Just making sure." He explained, leaving Ziva and Ducky alone.

XXX

Tony sat at his desk, worrying about what Gibbs was asking Ziva – usually they were back by now if it was one of his 'use-the-elevator-as-an-office' moments.

Tony snapped his head up as the elevator announced it's arrival and Gibbs stepped out, walking toward the bullpen.

"Hey boss." Tony said, trying to act as non-chalant as possible. "Where's Ziva?"

"With Ducky." He answered, marching past to see the director in MTAC. Lately he had been seeing the director more than usual and the team had begun to suspect something was going on. Of course, they all have been around Gibbs long enough to know that there are just some questions you never get an answer to.

"Oh." He said, incredibly relieved that he didn't have to have THAT conversation with Gibbs… it was too early for that anyway. Tony knew that one day – if all things went well with Ziva – he would have to explain things to his boss. He knew that everyday extra they kept this from Gibbs the more they would cop when they finally came clean with him, but it didn't matter, they were together. And to Tony, that was all that mattered.

"Hey DiNozzo…"McGee called, pulling Tony out of his reverie.

"Can I help you, McElf?"

"What happened yesterday?" he asked, lowering his voice slightly. "With Ziva…"

"We got her back." Tony responded, turning back to his computer. It was clear he wasn't going to give any more information than that. Thinking about it made him angry. First he thought of the fact that she used him, which made him think of Mikael, and Mikael made him think of the fact that Ziva was once in love with the scum.

XXX

The day dragged by with deskwork, not giving Tony or Ziva much of a chance to be alone together. They threw in the occasional tease but nothing out of the ordinary to what they usually did. Finally it hit quitting time and the two stood up, almost a little two quickly.

"Going somewhere?" Gibbs asked, not bothering to look up to his agents who were obviously more than busting to get out of there.

"Um. No, Boss…?" Tony answered, confused as to what Gibbs was leading to. It was time to leave.

"I want the Dundovich case filed and finished before you leave, DiNozzo." He ordered, standing up and walking up the stairs to MTAC.

Tony sighed and slumped in his seat, turning his computer back on. "See ya, Probie." He said sulkily. "Enjoy your night, David." He added bitterly.

McGee laughed smugly as he walked past Tony's desk "Night, guys."

Tony's eyes narrowed and he threw a piece of paper at the back of McGee's head.

He turned and shook his head, his eyes narrowing.

Ziva just shook her head, smiling.

"Aren't you leaving?" Tony asked, typing away at his computer.

"Depends…"

"On what?" He asked, looking up from the screen.

"On how long this is going to take you."

He smiled slightly and let out a small laugh. "A half hour, maybe more," he began "It all depends."

"On what?" she asked in the same tone he used on her.

"On how distracted I get."

She smiled at him seductively and turned away to sit at her own desk, walking with a little more butt then she usually did.

Tony worked hard on not being distracted by Ziva's constant teasing and finished his work within 45 minutes. He stretched his arms up and shut down the computer, smiling hugely.

"Finished and sent to the boss-man." He grinned.

Ziva jumped up with a smile and grabbed her coat "I'll walk you to your car." She said.

Though no one was around, Ziva still played the part, knowing that anyone could be listening even if they were just walking past.

Tony smiled and sped up to catch up with her.

The two got into the elevator side by side. The doors closed and the elevator begun to move down. Ziva leaned forward and hit the emergency switch. It jolted to a stop and Tony began to laugh.

Ziva leaned in and kissed him passionately, her hands running through his hair.

The kiss continued for a few seconds and Tony broke free, looking toward the ground.

"This may be the wrong moment but the whole elevator thing is reminding me of Gibbs…"

Ziva rolled her eyes and punched Tony lightly in the stomach. She hit the elevator switch and smiled, laughing lightly to herself.

XXX

Okay… I know. I know – please don't even point it out… this was supposed to be an awesome chapter but it didn't work out. It's one of those chapters where if you expand it with what you want it's far TOO long but if you leave it it's too short… And I'm sorry but I went with the short option! I'm so sorry but there's some good stuff coming up – I swear… PLEASE bear with me here… PLEASE

Xox Mel