Author's Note: WOW! I am rather surprised by the response to this chapter, I really figured people would HATE it but I'm glad you didn't. Thank you all so much for reviewing. I am a couple of chapters into this 'arc' so I thought I would go ahead and post this. There is a bit of 'angst' in this, nothing bad and the 'angst' in this story is NOT going to be AWFUL, this is a fluffy fic after all. Let me know what you think, thanks!!!

NCIS7BEXX: I don't think a lot of people saw that coming, and honestly it took me by surprise when I first thought about doing anything that involved Jeanne. I originally thought of just having her body found and Damon being a suspect…I know, I am bad hehehe!

Betherzz: I hope, even though I totally understand how you feel about that awful woman and the equally awful Damon, that you will continue to read this. BTW, I love how you referred to both of them in your review ;)

Chelsea1234: Thank you for the review, glad you liked the chapter!

YellinYee: There will be 'angst' but like I said above, this is a fluff piece and I hate angsty angst (If that makes any sense LOL).

Alidiabin: I don't know what you were thinking but it could be in an upcoming chapter, you (nor I) never know ;)

NCIS Lover: Glad you liked, thank you for the review!!

Tiva GSR Freek: Tali might make an appearance…one can never be sure, especially with the feisty little Tivalet.

LunaZola: Glad you like, and thank you for being a patient person, I really do appreciate that.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING (& sorry for the terribly long A/N!).

Tony has always known that there will be a day when he runs into Jeanne somewhere. When Ziva and he had traveled to Paris a few years earlier to pick up Nora and escort her back to the states, he had entertained the notion that as Ziva and he were walking around the town they might see her out, probably with a new man. He has often times wondered if she would turn her head as though he was just another face in the crowd or if, just maybe, having finally recovered from the lies that he told her, she would walk up to them. If she was to do something as bold as this Tony has also thought about two possible outcomes to this: one, she would walk up to him and slap him and maybe even spit in his face. The second outcome, she would walk up to him and they would be civil to one another and she would tell him that she has moved on and has met the man of her dreams. Depending on which outcome Tony chose at the moment to think about he has never been fully prepared for this day because this is not on the streets of Paris and this is not years earlier when Ziva and he were nothing more than partners with an unavoidable, inevitable relationship brewing between them, both too stubborn and frightened to take a leap of faith. No, this is not how Tony has imagined this meeting to be and as he stands in the middle of the bullpen, his wife by his side, he realizes that no matter how he had envisioned it that there was no possible way for a meeting between Jeanne and him to be tied up with a simple, neat bow.

Ziva watches her husband as she stands beside him in the middle of the bullpen, chewing on her finger nervously. She is still shocked by seeing her husband's ex-lover exiting the bullpen and as Gibbs and McGee talk off in the corner where neither Tony nor she can hear, she is growing more unsettled by the moment. She knows that Tony loved Jeanne at one point in his life, even if the romance was doomed to fail from the beginning. She also knows that Jeanne is the first woman that gave Tony the motivation to finally leave his frat boy days behind and look ahead to the future and to the life he could have if he abandoned his party boy ways. For helping Tony mature Ziva is thankful for Jeanne, but as she remembers all of the things that had happened between Tony and Jeanne, their last encounter being after she had accused him of murdering her father, Ziva cannot help but worry about how all of this is effecting her husband.

"Before I explain anything you two need to get this straight: you are in no way to be involved with this case, do you understand me?" Gibbs' voice startles both of them, speaking as he walks to them, his finger pointed accusingly at both of them. Tony and Ziva share a quick glance then Tony reluctantly nods. Gibbs, unhappy with only agreement from one of his agents, turns to Ziva. "Well Ziva, are you going to listen or do I send you home for the duration of this case?" Gibbs' eyes flash with impatience but Ziva meets his glare with one of equal frustration.

"I do not see why I cannot help in this investigation Gibbs, unless she is a suspect there is no conflict of interest." Ziva's response makes McGee and Tony share a quick look of horror and for a moment Tony fears for his wife's future employment at NCIS.

"You are his," Gibbs points to Tony as he speaks, "Wife and he was her undercover boyfriend that she later accused of murdering her father when she found out the truth. You were his partner at the time; do you think any of this will support that we have ran a fair and unbiased investigation?" Gibbs is raising his voice slightly and several people from the surrounding area are turning to see what is going on within Team Gibbs. Ziva narrows her eyes and Tony groans, knowing full well she is not about to back down.

"I am also an investigator and she is just a witness, yes?" Ziva does not bother looking at Gibbs for an answer, instead turns to McGee who slowly nods, gulping as Gibbs momentarily turns his angry gaze upon him. "Then I do not see the problem; she is not a victim or a suspect so I should be allowed t…"

"It doesn't matter if you see a problem with it or not, you are not to work on this case. A defense attorney would spin this into a case of conflict and everything, including a signed confession, could be thrown out. Or if that route didn't work the attorney could always say that we were 'swayed' by the witness because she has ties to this team. So once again, do the two of you understand that in no way you are to be involved? If a file regarding this case needs to be taken to the Director, McGee or I will deliver it. If evidence needs to be taken down to Abby, one of us will do it. Now, have I explained this situation to where both of you fully understand me?" Gibbs' gaze is hard and cold as he looks at the two. Tony quickly nods, thankful for not having to be on this case but Ziva is slow to respond, a quick, curt nod of the head.

Gibbs is upset with the whole situation as he grabs his coffee cup and a file off his desk and heads up to Vance's office. As he walks up the stairs he takes a look down at his three agents. McGee is still working on finding out as much as he can from the Marine's accounts and phone records, while Tony stares across the bullpen at Ziva, a mixture of worry and bewilderment on his face. Ziva sits at her desk, staring into the computer screen, her body tense with anger, and as Gibbs disappears from their sight he is positive that it will only take Tony three seconds, Ziva probably one, to be right on top of McGee pressing for answers.

"Explain Probie," Tony says through gritted teeth as Ziva and he stand menacingly in front of McGee, their hands resting on his desk. McGee looks up at the two then takes a quick glance in the direction of the Director's office, his fear of Gibbs catching him being outweighed by his friendship and fear of his co-workers.

"This morning around 03:30 Jeanne was walking to her car, parked in parking deck C of University Hospital's parking garage. As she neared her car she saw her friend, Owen Hall, a Marine, lying on the ground. He was badly beaten, his skull crushed by a blunt object. Standing over his body was Damon Werth." McGee quickly explains the situation and watches as Tony and Ziva share a look of shock.

"Wait, this is crazy…Damon would not murder someone without cause," Ziva begins, her brow furrowing as she thinks about this. Tony scoffs at this and Ziva immediately turns to face him, her eyes brows rising in a questioning manner.

"Ziva, this guy has had more than one run-in with NCIS, and c'mon, third time is the charm." Tony shakes his head at his wife's faith in the ex-steroid user.

"I do not see this situation as being 'charming' Tony, and I must wonder that if you are so quick to point the finger at Damon, if maybe Gibbs wasn't right in assuming that this case could not be worked objectively." Ziva is growing angrier by the moment, shocking Tony as she defends the man that at one point over powered her and could have easily harmed her.

"Well sweet cheeks, I don't think you could be any more objective than I could since you obviously don't believe Werth is capable of killing a Marine. I mean c'mon Ziva, the dude just happens to show up at crime scenes rather frequently don't ya think? And besides, Jeanne can place him at the scene!" Tony can see the anger building in Ziva's eyes but he refuses to back down.

"And Jeanne placed you at the scene of her father's murder but did it mean you did it?" The question is out of Ziva's mouth before she realizes it but as Tony narrows his eyes at her, anger instead of hurt flashing in his eyes, she does not regret it.

"Guys," McGee begins, hoping to diffuse the situation between the two married co-workers.

"Can it McProbie!" Tony snaps and McGee does not continue. "Well Ziva, she did lie about that and ya know, she shouldn't have but I kinda understand her wanting to get back at me for all the lies I told, but Werth doesn't have an excuse for always turning up on the wrong side of the law. You ever consider that just maybe one day we'll finally nail him for something that he has actually done? Or will you still defend him then?" Tony finishes his rant, his voice so loud now that not only is everyone from that floor looking at them, Vance and Gibbs are standing at the top of the stairs, watching as all of this unfolds.

"Tony, I did not believe that you murdered La Grenouille and I do not believe that Damon murdered this Marine; but maybe I am too biased in both cases!" Ziva says this calmly then quickly turns, heading to the elevator.

Everyone watches as Ziva steps onto the elevator and the doors close, and then the people from other teams return to their work. However Vance, Gibbs and McGee all turn their eyes toward Tony. He stands at McGee's desk staring at the elevator doors, completely flabbergasted by what has just happened. He is not sure why he said the things he did to her and he is even less sure of what to do now.

"Tony…" McGee begins but Tony immediately silences him as he shakes his head.

"I don't wanna hear it Probie."

"Well too damn bad because you're gonna hear it from me!" Gibbs' voice is beyond angry as he walks down the stairs and comes to stand in front of Tony. Tony gulps slightly at the look of anger on his Boss' face and before he realizes it he is receiving an all too familiar pop to the back of his head. "Now do ya see why I didn't want you two involved with this case?" Gibbs asks as he gets right in Tony's face.

"Sorry Boss," Tony mumbles and takes a step back from his Boss, momentarily frightened by the thoughts of bodily harm Gibbs could inflict on him.

Instead of harming the Senior Field Agent, Gibbs walks on past Tony, stopping long enough at McGee's desk to deliver a head slap then heads to his own desk. McGee only flinches at the pain, smart enough not to shoot Gibbs a questioning look because anyone can figure out why he has just received his Boss' favorite form of physical reprimand. Gibbs does not bother to look up at the two agents that remain in the bullpen; instead he takes a gulp of coffee and turns his attention to the file from the Director. McGee, fearing just how much punishment he might receive for explaining the case to Tony and Ziva, does not mutter a word as he switches back and forth between searches and traces, trying his hardest to find anything that will help them with the case.

Tony eventually makes his way to his desk, deciding to give Ziva a few minutes to herself before he goes in search of her. As he sits at his desk, forcing himself to check his e-mail so he will at least appear to be doing something, he cannot begin to explain how he is feeling or why he reacted in the way he did to Ziva's simple belief in Werth's innocence. Tony groans inwardly and mentally kicks himself, realizing that before he goes off in search of Ziva he needs to find a way to explain himself.