Tony waited not-so-patiently for the Director to return to his desk and tell him why he was up there. He actually hoped that Gibbs would receive a call soon and come up there and demand that he go with him.

"To my surprise, Agent DiNozzo, you ware not here because you're in trouble."

Tony couldn't help the look that he knew that was on his face, "What?"

Leon nodded, "Just the opposite, in fact."

"The opposite?" Tony was trying to move things along. He wanted to get downstairs and see Ziva.

"Special Agent Emily Wright is going on maternity leave in a week."

Now Tony was confused again, "Okay." Leon half smiled, "Do you want me to get her a gift? Send a card around the office for everyone to sign?"

"SEC NAV has requested you to take her place." Tony only stared at him as he continued, "Special Agent Wright and her major case response team are located in Tampa, Florida. There is a hotel room set up for you already and all your expenses will be taken care of. You will be making her salary while she is on leave."

It was silent for a while until Tony spoke again, "Do I have a choice, director?"

Leon looked at him sharply, "Do you have a choice?" He pulled on his tie a little, "Yes, Agent DiNozzo, it is optional." Tony smiled and Leon held up a finger before he could speak, "But I strongly suggest that you don't refuse the job. SEC NAV obviously thinks a lot of you to take it, DiNozzo. It wouldn't be a good idea to get on his bad side when you're already on the good."

"I don't want to leave." Tony said plainly. There wasn't any other way to put it. He didn't want to leave. Not now.

Why couldn't this come up a week ago?

Leon was confused. Tony was acting like Kayla when she was 4 and starting her first day of preschool: she didn't want to leave Daddy. "It's only temporary." He said again.

"I understand." Tony said. He looked down at his shoes and sighed. He really didn't want to go to Tampa, but if he refused the job, Leon would tell Gibbs, and Gibbs would come question him. And because he's Gibbs, he would know about Tony and his new girlfriend. He sighed heavily again and looked the Director in the face. "Okay."

Leon smiled as if he just won a game against the special agent. "Good. You fly out tomorrow." He held a folder for him to take. Tony stood, took the folder and shook Leon's hand before leaving the room.

Now, he wasn't so excited to see Ziva.

Because he'd have to tell her he was leaving for a month, and they would have to wait even longer to be together.

That is, if she wanted to be with him. That thought scared Tony.

Damn it, he wanted to be with her. More than anything. And now he had to wait again.

Thirty days suddenly seemed way too long.

Gibbs and his team returned to the squad room with nothing but an already confusing case, that he was sure was going to take a few days. "McGee, I need everything. Phone records, bank records, tax records and work history. Ziver I need you to run down every person he knew. We need some kind of clue."

Ziva looked over at the still empty desk across from hers, "Shall I call Tony?"

"Did I ask you to, David?" Gibbs replied. She sighed and sat down, picking up her phone in the process. As she started her calls to former Marine Sergeant Brian Decatour's workplace, Avery's Garage, her thoughts were solely on Tony.

Later that day, the case was even more confusing than it was when they started. Ziva let out a frustrated sigh and started to put her head on her desk when Gibbs' voice boomed, "Go home. No use in you two sitting here searching for something that isn't there. Abby is working on any kind of prints in the vehicle, so go. Come back tomorrow ready to work."

McGee and Ziva looked at each other and stood, gathering their things. McGee stood in front of Gibbs' desk, "Okay boss. We'll...see you tomorrow." He met up with Ziva at her desk and they walked to the elevator, slowly, just in case Gibbs changed his mind. "That was weird." McGee said as he pressed the lobby button the elevator.

"Yes." Ziva agreed. She looked down at the floor.

"But it's a good thing. I mean it's only 1930h. We've got most of the night." He looked over at the Israeli and she only nodded. "You okay, Ziva?" He asked.

She looked at him and put on a fake smile, "I am fine, Tim."

"Seems as if...something's on your mind." McGee said. The elevator stopped at the lobby and they exited, walking together towards the parking garage. Ziva didn't say anything for several seconds, but then looked up at McGee again.

"No, I am fine, Tim. I will see you in the morning." She hopped in her mini and sped off.

"Yeah, right." McGee muttered.

Ziva stood outside Tony's apartment door and took a deep breath. She didn't know what the reasoning was behind his not being at work today, and frankly, she was afraid. Scenarios ran through her head all day, but none of them made any sense.

Why would Tony run to Gibbs and tell him about the kiss? Did he want to be fired? Did he not want a relationship with her?

Tears flooded her eyes but she held them back and knocked softly. She grew more and more nervous as she heard footsteps getting closer to the door. She scoffed silently to herself. This wasn't a blind date and she needed to stop acting like it was.

Tony swung open the door, "Hey how much do I owe you?" He asked, and then looked up to find Ziva standing there. He chuckled nervously, "Oh, you're not the pizza delivery man."

She smiled in response, "No, I am not, and you do not owe me anything..." She stopped and thought for a second, "...except maybe for an explanation."

Tony took a deep breath.

Here goes nothing.