A/N I almost didn't post this chapter. This isn't where I had planned to go. But, like the other chapters, it wrote itself. Apparently, the muse is in control and I'm just along for the ride.

Disclaimer I still don't own them and I'm still broke.

Special Agent Ziva David paced her living room and tried to convince herself for the hundredth time that she was not about to make a colossal mistake. She reminded herself that she was a grown woman. She was a trained federal agent. She could take care of herself.

She plopped down on the sofa and put her face in her hands. "Gibbs will be so pissed when he finds out," she muttered to herself. Actually, she knew pissed would be an understatement. She feared she would face anger of apocalyptic proportions when the former Marine ever found out that this evening was really a date.

Ziva straightened as the door bell rang. Taking a deep breath, she rose and crossed to the door. She opened it to find her partner waiting on the other side. She tried not to smile. Tony DiNozzo certainly cleaned up good.

She opened the door wider and as he entered, Ziva could not resist the urge to check Tony out. A dark green Polo shirt complemented his green eyes and dark brown hair. Dark blue denim was tight enough to mold itself to his well formed butt. Ziva shook her head as she closed the door. She had the feeling she was way in over her head this time.

As she turned back to Tony, he presented her with a bouquet of daisies, "For you, my lady."

"Thank you, Tony." She took the flowers from him. "This was not necessary."

And, there was that devastatingly sexy smile that always took her breath away. "I know I didn't, Ziva. But, what kind of guy doesn't bring flowers when he picks up his date?"

"Tony…"

He cut her off. "I know. This isn't officially a date. Rule 12 and the sniper next door. I got it. We're just two friends spending an evening together."

Ziva moved to the kitchen to put the flowers in water. Diner and the movie the previous week had been wonderful. She had been able to relax and enjoy the evening with Tony and the others. That had been due in large part to the comfortable relationship she had with her partner. With Tony she could relax and be herself. She knew she was safe with him.

She placed the flowers on the kitchen table and returned to Tony. "Are you ready to go?"

In answer, he opened the door. "After you, madam."

Ziva locked her front door and allowed Tony to lead her to his car. As she buckled up, she looked next door. She could see her note fluttering on Gibbs' front door. As Tony slid behind the wheel, his gaze followed hers.

"You let him know where you're going?" Tony asked.

"Yes." She paused. "He would worry if I was not home and my car is here."

Tony frowned and Ziva knew she owed him an explanation. "At work he is the boss, Tony. But, here…here it is different."

Tony studied her a moment. "Here he's your father."

Her reply was swift and vehement. "No, Tony. He is not my father. He is nothing like Eli." Ziva looked down at her hands in her lap. "He is my dad. There is a difference." She looked back at the house next door. "He has already lost one daughter. I do not want him to worry about me."

Tony sat back and focused on Gibbs' house. He had to be insane to pursue a relationship with Ziva. Losing his job was the least of his worries. Gibbs would kill him for this. And, Ziva had just upped the stakes. He wasn't just dating his partner. He was in effect dating the boss's daughter. And, he had no illusions that Gibbs would find out about them. He would know.

Ziva's voice broke through his thoughts, "Tony, if you do not want to go out, I will understand."

Tony looked at her and his words were uncharacteristically serious. "I want to take you out, Ziva. I've wanted this for a long time. I won't say I'm not nervous about his reaction. But, I figure you're worth the risk."

"Thank you, Tony." Ziva smiled at him. "That is the nicest thing you have ever said to me."

He shrugged as he started the car. "Just remember when you process my corpse, he won't leave any evidence."

Ziva laughed as he backed out of her drive. As he drove to the restaurant, they joked about the all the possible methods Gibbs would use to murder Tony when he found out about them. In the back of their minds, they both had the thought that it might not be a joke.

NCISNCISNCIS

It was shortly before midnight when Tony walked Ziva to her front door. After dinner, he had taken her to a jazz club downtown. They had listened to the music and talked. Tony had kissed her, one very chaste kiss, in the parking lot of the club. There was no way he would chance such risky behavior on her front porch.

After Tony left, Ziva put her purse away and walked next door. She could see a light on in the basement. She figured she should let Gibbs know she was home. Ziva had also decided it would be better to find out how much Gibbs suspected now rather than later.

The basement door was open and as Ziva started down the stairs, she could hear Gibbs sanding. She reached the bottom and watched him for a moment. He was bent over a piece of wood clamped to a saw horse. She loved to watch him work.

She crossed to the workbench and faced him. "Hi," she greeted him softly.

He looked up from the project and pulled the hated glasses off. "Hey. When did you get back?"

"A few minutes ago. Tony said he has to get up early tomorrow to meet you for batting practice." Tony had also said he hoped Gibbs didn't use the bat on him.

"He could have spent the night here. It would have saved him some time." Gibbs moved to the workbench and put the sandpaper away. "Did you have a good time?"

Ziva knew this was not just a casual question. "Yes, we did. The new jazz club McGee recommended was very good."

Gibbs leaned against the workbench and folded his arms. He looked at the floor and seemed to be weighing what he wanted to say. Finally, he looked back at Ziva.

"Rule 12 exists for a reason, Ziver," he told her quietly. "I learned the hard way that having a relationship with a coworker is not a good idea."

Ziva knew he was speaking of his relationship with Jenny. She also knew he would have figured out that she and Tony had not gone out as just friends. Ziva had vowed to herself that she would never lie to Gibbs. His trust was too important. He was too important.

"I know, Gibbs. But, does that mean it is impossible to make a relationship work?" Ziva prayed he would not tell her it did.

He shook his head, "No, but, it will be damned hard. I know you can't promise to keep it out of work. I see the way the two of you look at each other when you think I'm not watching. Just promise me you will take it slow. I don't want either of you to get hurt. And, don't let Vance find out. I don't want to lose either one of you."

Ziva gave him her solemn vow, "We will try to not let it interfere with our jobs. And, we will take it slowly, Gibbs. I do not think either one of us wants to rush into anything. He is my best friend. I do not want to lose that."

Jethro studied the young woman for a moment. He had seen the signs ever since they brought her back from Somalia. He had hoped it would go away. Apparently, it had only gotten stronger.

"You love him." It was a statement of fact, not a question.

Ziva felt herself blush. Gibbs could read her so well. "Yes," was her quiet reply.

Jethro ran a hand over his face and shook his head. "You know I don't like this. But, I can't tell you what to do."

"Yes, you can. You are our boss. If you say we cannot see each other, we will not." Ziva's chocolate brown eyes were huge as she stared at him.

"No, Ziver, I can't. You would both be miserable. And, the entire team would suffer. You'll figure out how to make this work or you won't. But, as much as I want to, I won't stand in the way." Ziva would never know how hard it was for him to say the words.

He took a deep breath and continued, "Eli never gave you choices. He issued commands and expected you to follow them no matter what. I won't do that."

Ziva crossed to where he stood and hugged him tightly. "Thank you."

Jethro placed a kiss on top of her head. "You're welcome."

He released her and then steered her to the stairs. "You know I'm still going to give him Hell about this, don't you?"

Ziva laughed. "Of course, Gibbs. I would expect nothing less."