Author's Note :
Thank you for all the reviews, favourites, followers and PM's.
We are nearing the end… maybe 2 more chapters after this one…
Enjoy… Let me know your thoughts.
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Gibbs was irritable most of the day. Ducky has been over to see Ziva and confirmed that physically she was healing as well as could be expected. He did introduce a vitamin into her regime to help boost her energy levels and mood.
As Gibbs entered Bianca's office, he was annoyed to find it empty.
Where are you?
He helped himself to one cup and then a second cup of coffee and then he called Tony.
"Hey Boss."
"How's Ziva?"
"She's okay."
"DiNozzo…"Gibbs warned.
"She's quiet and has been crying."
"Shit!"
"She's upstairs now claiming to need some rest. But I suspect she is crying some more. I asked Abby to come over and I hope that will get her out of this mood." Tony sighed.
"Good."
"I worried Gibbs. I've never seen her like this and I don't know what to do."
"I know. You just take it easy and be there for her." Gibbs said as Bianca walked into the room. "Call if you need anything."
That said Gibbs cut the call.
"Hi Jethro," Bianca said walking towards him with a soft smile on her lips and her hand lifted as if expecting an embrace. Gibbs just turned away from her and looked out of the window.
"You're late."
Bianca was taken aback by his behaviour, dropped her hand and went to sit on the couch.
"I was busy with another patient. I apologies for keeping you waiting." She said all business like.
Ah hell Gibbs swore under his breath. He knew he was being a bastard, all hot with her at night and cold a cucumber now.
"I saw Ziva this morning at 11am. She was withdrawn and upset. It took a while for her to start speaking about what she was feeling. I will not share what we discussed with you…"
"Why not?" Gibbs turned to her, his posture demanding.
"Because she asked me not to." Bianca replied coolly.
"Then what can you tell me? How can I help her?" Gibbs demanded.
"You need to give her space and time. She needs to process the myriad of emotions she is feeling and come out the other side with a semblance of who she is now. Her identity was always tied up with being a tough woman, who could take care of herself and who didn't need anyone."
"Yeah, she's still that person from where I'm standing."
"Yes, but now she realizes just how much she needs and wants a sense of family, a sense of belonging and a life partner to share her life with."
"And that terrifies… her." Gibbs said as he sat down next to Bianca and ran a hand across his face. He didn't miss how she moved deliberately away from him.
"Yes. As you know, everyone she has ever loved, really loved, has died." Bianca said. "Her mother when she was young, and her sister, brother and father died in terribly violent ways."
Yes, her brother, at her own hand and all because she wanted to save me… Gibbs remembered the events in his basement all those years ago. The ache at the back of his eyes started pounding in earnest now.
"I think she's lusted after Tony for a long time and it's only know surfaced just how much she loves him. She sees him as someone who has the power to give her all that she desires while at the same time he has the power to utterly destroy her. And she is struggling with whether she can live with this conundrum."
"What should DiNozzo do to reassure her?"
"Nothing he says will have an effect."
"Why not?"
"Ziva is a visceral, physical person. Actions speak louder than words for her. He needs to show her what she means to him. He needs to commit physically to her. That will reassure her and calm her fears. But he needs to be very sure that this is what he wants. If he hurts her it will have a devastating effect on her."
"He is fully committed to her." Gibbs said. "He won't hurt her."
"That's good to know." Bianca said as she stood up. "I will see Ziva again on Friday. I do not want to crowd her. I suggest that she not be left alone for extended periods of time and I assume that Tony is sleeping with her and that they have been intimate."
"Yes, they are sleeping together, but I warned him against going all the way…"
"Why would you do that?" Bianca demanded. "Going all the way might be the quickest way to reassure and calm Ziva."
"Did you see the state they're both in? I didn't want them injuring each other or taking advantage of each other."
"Maybe you should give them room to handle this in the way that they want to. I cannot believe you warned, no probably threatened Tony to stay away."
"Bianca…" Gibbs warned.
"Oh my goodness…"
"What?"
"This is probably why Ziva is so confused and distraught right now." Bianca said as she started pacing. "I know you're their boss and that you love them like they're your kids, but for God's sake, you do not have a right to hold them back."
"The hell I don't. They're mine and I take care of my own."
"I know that you believe that and are trying your best. But this is hurting them, especially Ziva. You need to let go…"
"Fine. Damnit, I'll talk to Tony…" Gibbs started saying.
"Good, do that and give them the privacy they need. I'm sure that knowing you're prowling around the house is a sure deterrent to them going all out…"
"Hey."
"Oh." Bianca stopped pacing. "Sorry. I should not have said that."
"Damn right, you shouldn't. And I don't prowl."
"Could have fooled me…" Bianca mumbled under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Bianca turned to look at him but Gibbs wasn't fooled. She was mad at him and he deserved it.
"Well Gibbs, if there is nothing else,"
"But there is." He said stepping closer to her.
"What?" Bianca asked, taking a step back.
"This…"He replied as he wrapped his arms swiftly around her waist and pulled her flush against him.
"Oh… But I need to…" Bianca tried to say.
"I'm sorry but I need you right now." He said instead and lowered his head, locking his lips feverishly with hers.
All Bianca could do was moan in pleasure.
Are Jethro…
I was supposed to resist you…
Resist this…
Ah… who am I kidding…
And she gave into his ministrations and thoroughly enjoyed every single moment of it…