Rifiuto: Non Miriena

A/N: Sorry this is late. Ev and I watched The Dovekeepers and then spent the rest of the night discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the series as opposed to the book. My brother's convinced the only good thing about the whole series was Cote. I agree to an extent. Just don't tell Ev that, he'll never let me live it down.- Licia

He wasn't sure why, but he checked the men's room first.

Maybe it was because he was used to finding her in the boys' room as opposed to the girls'. Maybe it was because he and Ziva had been attached at the hip for years, so things like the boys' room didn't bother her, unlike how it bothered Tali. Even when they were children, Ziva was always sneaking into the boys' room- unlike most of the girls, being around boys didn't gross her out. If anything, it intrigued her, and Tim was usually in there, so she had a reason to go in. Just like the guys' locker room. While most of the guys had freaked out when she walked in, Tim had gotten so used to seeing her in the locker room in high school that he even greeted her with a proper kiss because she expected on. That's not to say she didn't occasionally get caught- but the catchings were few and far between and often ended with a warning, mainly because everyone knew who her father was, and who she was involved with- and who Tim's father was. So she was often left alone to do as she pleased.

And Ziva took advantage of her freedom to roam the boys' bathroom. She had grown up with him and Ari, after all. She was used to getting her way- at least when it was deemed important.

He pushed the door open, stepping inside to find her leaning against the counter, taking deep breaths, struggling to calm her temper, although a quick glance at the paper towel dispenser told him that her temper had gotten the better of her... again.

Now that was familiar.

"Oh, Ziva-" He made his way towards her, wrapping her in his arms from behind. She leaned into his embrace and then turned, burying her face in his chest. "It'll be okay."

"No... Tim... you... you heard Jenny... no... no married agents..." She choked on a sob. "What... what will we tell Abba? And... and your father?"

He sighed, resting his chin against her head. "We'll figure something out, baby, I promise." She closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around him, listening to the beat of his heart. "Although on the bright side, we won't have to go through with that wedding." A moment passed before she lifted her head, raising an eyebrow. "What? We won't." A soft laugh escaped her throat, and he grinned, happy to have made her smile, even if only for a little while.

When they left the bathroom, Tim slipped a hand into hers, pulling her close. As they rounded the corner towards the bullpen, they found Gibbs watching them with that blue stare. The team leader was silent as he made his way towards the couple, reaching up to gently smack the younger agent. Tim jumped lightly, his eyes snapping shut quickly before opening again. He met the older agent's gaze. He moved closer, his lips brushing Tim's ear. "She's Mossad, McGee."

Tim furrowed a brow, confused as to why his boss was pointing out the obvious. "I know that." Gibbs raised an eyebrow, smacking his agent lightly one last time, before leaning towards them both.

"It's called a loophole."

The pair shared a glance, before turning back to Jenny, who leaned against Gibbs's desk as the older agent joined her. He glanced back at the couple. "Gibbs."

"She's not NCIS, Director. She's Mossad."

"She's still attached to your team-"

"But she's not officially a member of my team. She's Mossad." Jenny glanced from Ziva and Tim to Gibbs and back, and sighed, knowing full well that she was cornered and had no other option but to consent.

"Very well, Ziva can stay. But if their relationship compromises the team in any way-"

"Yeah, yeah, I will personally remove them both." Gibbs replied; Jenny glared at Gibbs as she returned to her office. Once she was gone, Tim and Ziva returned to the bullpen. Ziva glanced at Kate's desk and then at Gibbs. Silently, she walked to the desk on the other side of the partition and grabbed her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder. She squeezed Tim's hand as she passed, slipping behind Kate's desk and depositing her things before taking a seat at the desk.

Abby narrowed her eyes, but Tony grabbed her arm, holding her back.

Ziva sighed, folding her hands on the desktop as she looked up at Gibbs. "She is gone, Gibbs. I do not think Kate will mind." They all watched then as Ziva pulled open the bottom drawer, taking something out and getting up. She held it out to him, an offering being placed at the feet of Jesus to bless it. Her gaze moved to his, locking. "I found this yesterday, before Tim and I left. I have a feeling," She sighed. "That she would have wanted you to have it."

Slowly, he took it, studying the sketchbook. Kate had carried it everywhere with her-

"Go home." Ziva furrowed a brow, confused, before glancing back at Tim. "All of you. Go home. You have the rest of the day off."

It took a moment, but eventually, they did as told, Abby returning to her lab, and Tony grabbing his things before fleeing. As Ziva grabbed her gear and waited for Tim to join her, hand out to lace with his, Gibbs glanced towards Jenny, who leaned against the rail of the catwalk. Ziva and Tim glanced back as they walked to the elevator, catching Jenny's gaze.