Saturday July 24 continued

With the threat of Paloma looming over him and by extension all of them, Gibbs decided to make some changes. On Saturday evening with things still getting wrapped up from the week, he took the elevator down to Autopsy and strode in the doors. "Palmer, you're going to be staying at Ducky's place until I say different."

Jimmy looked like a deer caught in the headlights. "What?"

Ducky rose from his chair. "Jethro?"

Gibbs shook his head. "No questions Duck. Gonna be two agents on the premise at all times and a guard posted outside here starting Monday."

"I, uh...Agent Gibbs?" Jimmy tried. "As much as I...respect Dr. Mallard, I don't think-"

Gibbs cut him off. "This is not the time for thinking Palmer. Finish up. Go home with an agent and pack. Stay at Ducky's. This is not a suggestion." He left again with the same purpose as when he'd come in and Ducky moved to stand beside his young assistant.

"Perhaps it would be wise Mr. Palmer, not to argue these arrangements for the moment." He patted Jimmy's shoulder. "Now come. I have a couple of lovely guest bedrooms, one of which I'm sure you will be comfortable in. And if you and Breena have plans, she's welcome to come over and I shall make myself scarce."

"Uh, thank you Doctor," Jimmy managed, still entirely bewildered about this unexpected turn of events.

Back in the squadroom Gibbs stood facing the rest of his team, who were gathered around him in a semi-circle. Technically they were only on call this weekend and didn't need to be in the building except for a case, but the phone calls they'd all gotten less than an hour ago had not left any room for misinterpretation. He met each pair of eyes and pointed at them as he spoke. "Abby, you'll have a guard in your lab at all times until Paloma is dealt with." This felt like Ari all over again and he would not lose another team member. "I want you to stay with McGee until further notice." Abby opened her mouth but Gibbs shook his head, glaring at McGee. "You don't let her out of your sight from the time you go home until you deliver her to that secure lab. Got it?"

McGee nodded, feeling the urge to slip a protective arm around his best friend's waist. "Yes Boss."

Gibbs turned to Ziva. "Ziver, need you to stay with DiNozzo again. You didn't kill each other in four months the first time, I expect the result to be the same now."

Ziva stifled a smile. "Yes Gibbs."

His attention turned to Tony. "You shadow her 24/7 DiNozzo. Don't want to hear about her pulling some ninja trick and going AWOL. She wants to work out, you're her sparring partner. She's going for a run, you tag along. She goes out with friends, you're the designated driver. No excuses for losing her."

Tony's fingers itched to wrap around Ziva's, but now was not the time. "On it Boss."

Gibbs stared seriously at McGee and Tony. He'd thought briefly about splitting up both couples to avoid any Rule 12 infractions, but knew the fallout wouldn't be worth it and they'd all be paying more attention if they weren't wasting energy griping about who was with the girls. "You two watch your backs. Don't ever let your guards down. Wear your vests even when you don't think you need them." He cleared his throat. "Keep each other safe. Abby - no graveyard parties. Ziva - no driving. Now go home."

Feeling dismissed, they all began gathering their things. Abby started to go to her lab, but McGee caught her wrist. "Wait for me, please? I'll walk you down."

Glancing between his serious expression and Gibbs', Abby nodded and stood by his desk while he finished packing. Gibbs stopped them before they left and spoke in a lowered voice. "Need you to get me a burn phone Tim. Something that can't be traced by anyone no matter their resources."

McGee looked like he wanted to ask but didn't. "Twenty minutes."

Tony and Ziva were rather subdued as they walked out. Ziva left Tony by the elevator and ran back to give Gibbs a tight hug. She kissed his cheek. "We will be okay Abba."

Tony held the door for her and enveloped his wife in an embrace as soon as they were alone. She could feel the fear in his touch and lifted her face, pressing her mouth gently to his. "Don't Tony. We are safe with each other, we always have been. There is no reason to be apart. I trust our training and our love. We will be okay."

Tony slid his hand under her shirt, flattening his palm on her back, the heat from her skin a comfort. "I love you babe. I can't lose you again."

Ziva framed his face with her hands, looking deep into his eyes. "You will not, I promise." She joined their lips again and he drank in the reassurance desperately. Finally she smiled slightly and flicked the switch. "I can think of a much better way to convince you my love, and it needs no words."

His wicked grin matched the seductive hint in her gaze. "Well then, lead on Mrs. DiNozzo. I submit myself to your methods."

Ziva's arched eyebrow continued the game, but with fingers intertwined they both clung to each other a little tighter and made their way to the car as if danger lurked behind every shadow. They would have a hard time resting easy after the revelation of this night.

NCIS

Before Tim and Abby left, they returned to the squadroom and McGee handed Gibbs a small silver cellphone. "It's clean. The CIA couldn't find this thing Boss. Goodnight."

"Thanks," Gibbs said gruffly, causing the pair to exchanged startled glances. He waited until he was alone, then headed for the dark, quiet sanctuary of MTAC and dialed a number he'd been forced to re-memorize every few years for almost two decades.

When she picked up Gibbs was glad California was three hours behind DC and it wasn't as obscenely late there as it was here. "Hello?"

"Hi Les."

He could hear the surprise in her tone. "Jethro. Since when are you a blocked number? I almost didn't answer."

"Precaution," he said shortly.

Her brow furrowed. "What's wrong? Are you in trouble?" Celeste always feared a day would come when the hazards of the job caught up to her ex-husband.

Gibbs tried to chuckle. "Got on the bad side of someone with a long reach and a lot of hate."

Celeste excused herself from the puzzle she and her roommate Rosie were working on and patted her thigh for her dog Lexie to follow her. Once behind the closed door of her room, she wrapped an arm around her waist and began to pace. "You promised I wouldn't have to go to your funeral Jethro, please don't break it."

Best friends long after the year they'd barely survived as husband and wife, Gibbs had a comfort level with Celeste that didn't exist with anyone else. And right now he could really use one of her hugs. "I made an enemy a long time ago Les, but I didn't know until this week. Everyone I care about has been threatened. I can keep my team safe, but you..."

Celeste sighed. "It's been a long time since you worried about me Jethro." Sometimes she wondered if he ever had.

He deserved her censure. The mistakes he made during their relationship were huge and glaring. "Call me, please? Every day at the same time. The second I don't hear from you I'm on a plane."

"It would be too late by then," she pointed out, flopping on her bed. Lexie nudged her knee with her nose. "My dog says hi."

"Don't change the subject," Gibbs grumbled, knowing she was right. "I'm calling in a favour. Got a connection out there in a private security firm, I'll get you a shadow. Let me do that."

Celeste knew he wouldn't ask unless the threat was serious. The Gibbs she knew rarely worried. "How bad?" she asked softly.

Gibbs rubbed his face. "I've got Tim and Abby and Tony and Ziva rooming together, agents on Ducky and Jimmy, and my dad is being escorted to my house."

"Jackson?" Her eyebrows rose into her hair. "I thought..."

He shrugged. "We're working on it."

"Good for you. I wish I'd met him."

"He'd love you," Gibbs predicted. "About the shadow..."

Celeste nodded. "Alright Jethro, we'll do it your way. And I'll call, but my days are pretty boring next to chasing bad guys."

"Thanks." The word got stuck in his throat. "Expect a call in the morning from a Josh Reiger. He'll use my name. Test him with a question. What's something only you would know?"

She smiled. "That you're a closet tea drinker because your mother loved it, and peppermint is your favourite."

Gibbs scowled. "You're sworn to secrecy on that."

"You asked."

"Fine." He sighed. "Take care Les. Be careful."

"You too. Goodnight Jethro."

The next call was to Josh. "It's Gibbs."

"Gibbs, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"How good is that favour you promised?"

"Solid gold," Josh replied immediately. "What do you need?"

He sighed. "Round the clock protection for a friend - Celeste Casey. Got a pen for her address? She has a roommate, but Rosie's not part of the deal."

Josh took the information. "I know the guy who owns that building. If the apartment beside is empty, we'll rent it and get cameras up. How long?"

Gibbs shook his head. "Don't know yet, but I need your best men on this."

"You got it."

"She's going to ask you a security question - what's something only she would know about me. I drink tea, peppermint."

Josh almost laughed. "Seriously? The guy who mainlines caffeine is a-"

Gibbs cut him off. "Don't make me dig out rookies stories about you Reiger."

He cleared his throat. "Fair enough. We'll get on this first thing. How serious is it?"

"I called, didn't I?"

Josh nodded. "Yeah. I guess when you cash in on a thirty year old favour, it's pretty important."

"Keep her safe," Gibbs ordered, muttering a thanks before he hung up. It would be a long time before he slept soundly again. Drug runners made ugly enemies.

NCIS

McGee shuffled impatiently from foot to foot in Abby's entry. "Abby, how much more do you need? We've got to go."

She stuck her head out of the bedroom. "Until further notice could be a long time Timmy, I'm just making sure I'm prepared."

He rolled his eyes. "You've already packed everything but the kitchen sink."

"I heard that!" Abby reappeared with one last bag and McGee started gathering the ones that had been piling around him since they arrived forty-five minutes ago. "There, I think that's good."

Tim nodded to the hippo sitting on her counter. "Don't forget him and your purse."

"Bert!" Abby squealed as if he'd suddenly run off. "You naughty hippo. You know I can't sleep without you." She tucked him under her arm, slid her purse up to her elbow, and picked up the final bag. "Lead on Timmy."

They made it back to McGee's apartment without incident and he made her wait at the door while he thoroughly checked the place for anyone that didn't belong. "I'll do a bug sweep tomorrow, just in case." He started towards the bedroom, then looked back at her. "Make yourself at home." It was a dangerous offer, but if she was going to be here awhile he didn't want her feeling like a guest. He was setting up a pillow and blanket on the couch with Abby came out of the bathroom, thankfully wearing more for pyjamas than she had the last time she stayed.

"What are you doing?" McGee looked between the couch and her and felt like the answer was obvious. She propped a hand on one hip. "You shared a bed with me in Mexico and now you want to sleep on the couch?"

He sighed. "I'm your protection Abby. It's easier for me to watch the door if I'm out here." And there's a whole lot less temptation on the couch than in my bed.

Abby started unraveling her braids and sighed. "I don't really want to be alone tonight Timmy."

As if he could say no to that. Leaving the bedding where it was, Tim nodded and went to change, then grabbed his own toothbrush out of the holder while Abby and Bert got comfortable in his bed. He stopped outside the door wondering if he would have to pray for self-control, and climbed in beside her, offering his arms as her safe place. She gladly accepted and McGee held her close, needing the comfort as much as she seemed to. He skimmed his lips over her cheek, whispered goodnight, and closed his eyes. Their friendship was either going to be cemented or fractured by the next few weeks and right now he was scared to speculate which one. But as long as she was safe, Tim figured he could live with the consequences.

NCIS

When they finished cleaning their guns, having been distracted from their original intent upon arriving home and feeling the need to sweep the house and yard for intruders, Ziva got up and walked to the window. Her silent contemplation captured Tony's attention, so he went to her, running his fingers down her back. There was a tension in her posture as she stared out into the night and he wondered if more than the Reynosa cartel weighed on her mind. At last Ziva sighed and turned to face him. "I need you to promise me that you would keep on living if something happened to me."

He grabbed her shoulders, barely restraining the urge to shake her. "How can you ask me that?!" he demanded. "I already know what it looks like without you and I won't go through that again, I won't."

"It would not be the same!" she protested. "You would have your fraternity brothers, and the team. Our life together would not have to be a secret any more, it would no longer matter if I was gone."

Tony's jaw clenched. "And how would you propose that I keep living without you?"

Her expression was determined. "I would have you sell this house, put away everything that reminds you of me, perhaps even stay with Gibbs for awhile until...until the worst was over." She swallowed at the intensity of his stare. "Keep busy at work and with your friends, go to the gym, stay away from our horses, and do not spend all day sitting in front of my gravestone wishing two names were written there instead of only one."

"Just like that, huh?" His tone was far beyond unimpressed.

"Tony," her fingers grasped at his shirt, "you have so much more to give and do and be. Please."

"Can you make the same promise?" Tony questioned, aching at the remembrance of the pain of losing her once.

Ziva stared into his eyes. "I cannot promise I would love again, but I would not give up."

"Is it that easy?" he asked bitterly.

She shook her head. "It is not easy at all! I have faced half a day where I thought you were dead beloved, I know how empty life felt if only for those few hours. But my death would not bring you back any more than it could've brought back my mother or Tali or Ari."

Tony swallowed and leaned his forehead on hers. "How do you just move on from losing..." he didn't know quite how to label himself.

"The other half of my soul?" Ziva supplied. "I don't know if I would. But to keep on living...that lesson I have already learned."

"How?" he whispered.

She stroked his cheek softly. "I would go back to Israel, spend time with Aunt Nettie. Let Cassie and Abby and Gibbs smother me, because by then I would not care who knew the truth." She closed her eyes, hating to imagine a reality without him. "I would live like Mossad, barely more than I could carry on my back. Being one is very lonely, but the memory of our love and life together would be what kept me moving forward."

"Where would you go?" Tony whispered, holding her closer.

Ziva shook her head. "I am not sure. I could not stay here, with your ghost in every corner. A house for only one or a very small apartment that would be mostly for sleeping. I think I would spend as much time at Ops as Duke would allow and would ride because that is my childhood as well as part of our history. Maybe," she felt out the idea, "maybe I would move into Gibbs' house until I was safe alone with myself. I know I would need my father, even one that did not use many words."

He shuddered. "I hate thinking about this Zi. I don't want to spend every second worrying about you or wondering if today is going to be our last, that's no way to live. Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Promise me first ahava," Ziva whispered.

Tony blew out a hard breath and kissed her. "I promise," he choked.

"Ani mavti'kha," she said softly, the words breathed onto his lips.

He met her gaze. "Can we have sex now? I want this stuff out of my head."

Ziva's palms rested on his chest. "I don't know about that." His shoulders sagged and she smiled slightly. "But I will be happy to make love to you."

His lips quirked up. "Well in that case..." but the sentence was never finished.

Her arms encircled his neck and she pressed her mouth to his. Tony slid his fingers into her hair and kissed her back, determined to focus only on his wife instead of thinking about what could happen. With the threat hovering over their heads like a dark cloud, the only thing to do was live for this moment.

NCIS

Sunday July 25

There was something special about waking up in Timothy McGee's bed, his arm around her back while she lay curled up against his chest. Abby opened her eyes and despite the situation, smiled because this was nice. He was her best friend, they had years of history, and there was nothing awkward or weird about a morning like this. Because he was still sleeping she left a very light kiss on his cheek and reached for Bert, cuddling the stuffed hippo and trying not to focus on the stark reality of the danger they now faced.

Tim was slower to come out of sleep, but then he startled himself awake and reached for the gun on his bedside table to point it at the door before Abby placed her hand on his chest where she could feel his erratic heartbeat. "It's okay Timmy, we're safe."

He let go of her like he'd been burned and sat up, rubbing his face. "Yeah, I know."

The mood was somber as they got up and fixed breakfast and once dishes were done McGee turned to her. "I'll sleep on the couch tonight." Her brow furrowed but he wasn't planning to explain it. Abby didn't need to know that the best way to protect his heart was to keep as much space between them as possible. It would be too easy to fall in love with her again, especially in the close quarters they were going to be keeping. As much as he wanted to share the bed with her, this was the safer road. "You take my room as long as you're here. I know it's not a coffin, but the bed is pretty comfortable."

Abby had to agree with that, though she still wondered what was going through his head that he'd be so adamant about them staying apart. They kept to themselves most of the day - Abby on her computer playing games while Tim listened jazz and tried to be inspired for his newest typewriter project. When they went to bed that night, Abby stopped at the door to the bedroom. "Goodnight Tim."

He looked up from cleaning his gun and smiled. "Night Abbs."

Use of a nickname usually meant they were okay, but Abby still wished that she didn't have to sleep alone.

NCIS

They'd just spent a nice relaxing half hour in a bath and once Ziva was dressed she came out of the bathroom with a hair tie and brush and sat down on the couch with her husband, handing the tool to him. Tony grinned, more than happy to brush her hair as it gave him another excuse to touch her. When it was silky smooth and tangle free, Ziva looked over her shoulder. "Do you still want to learn to braid?"

His eyebrows rose. It had been awhile since he'd asked, the question had almost been forgotten. "Sure."

"Good. Watch carefully." Behind her head Ziva separated damp hair into three sections and very slowly showed him how to weave them together to form a plait. Tony watched her do it half a dozen times and then was ready to try it on his own. His first attempt was a false start, so she demonstrated again and gave him a second chance. That time was better but still didn't look very much like what Ziva had done. They practiced for quite awhile until she approved his work and leaned back on his chest.

"I like feeling your fingers sliding through my hair."

He kissed her neck. "What a coincidence, I like anything that gives me a reason to play with your hair."

One of Tony's many movies played in the background and Ziva held his arms around her waist, loving how safe it felt. He shifted their position a bit until he was propped in the corner of the couch with her settled between his legs and sighed. Not one of exasperation or frustration, but a sigh of contentment, because this was a moment of peace and after so many months of turmoil it was not to be taken for granted, but something to be cherished.

NCIS

Tuesday July 27

CJ dragged into the apartment and dropped her things beside the door. Brent came out of the kitchen where he was fixing dinner and kissed her. "Welcome home."

She aimed a tired smile at him and fell into her fiance's arms for a hug. "Thanks."

He rubbed her back. "Long day?"

CJ nodded. "I'm starting to feel those extra classes."

Brent's grip tightened. "Honey, if you would just let me..." but she cut him off with a shake of her head.

"We're not married Brent. You're not responsible for us yet. I still...have to do this on my own."

He frowned. "Why?"

She pushed away from him. "I need my son to know that I can take care of him, that he can trust me to provide for us." CJ crossed her arms. "I can't depend on you yet Brent. I'm afraid of what happens when I do."

That hurt. "Do you think I'm suddenly going to change my mind, and disappear because you finally decided to let me in?"

"I didn't mean it like that."

Not good enough. Brent scraped his fingers through his hair. "Well how did you mean it then?"

She dropped onto the arm of the chair and sighed. "I don't know. I'm really used to being on my own Brent. Maybe I'm afraid of what happens when I'm not the one in control."

"Understandable after eight years Kris, but that's a not a very good excuse."

CJ looked up. "I guess I've still got a lot of work to do on myself before we make this official."

Ryan peeked out the door of his room. "Are we fighting?"

She chuckled and motioned for him to come over, wrapping him in a hug. "No monkey. We're having a discussion, that's different." She brushed her fingers through his hair. "I don't ever want to fight with..." CJ couldn't quite adjust to calling Brent his dad, even with the title in use "...Coach," she finished lamely. "Fighting is no good for anyone. But sitting down and talking, and doing a whole lot of listening so both people get a chance to share their feelings, is the whole point of discussions. And we'll probably have a lot of those." Putting on a bright smile for her son, she pushed the exhaustion back and held his chin, slipping into Mom mode. "So, tell me about your day. Did you keep Coach entertained? You know how easily he gets bored."

Brent smiled for Ryan's benefit but he watched the scene play out with a sinking heart. Becoming a family wasn't supposed to be this hard. And their discussion wasn't over yet.

NCIS

Saturday July 31

Cases and general uneasiness kept them quite occupied for the next week, so all were glad to see a non-on call weekend stretching out before them. Saturday morning as Ziva opened her eyes, she smiled and reached across the bed to where her husband should be, but instead of a warm body, all her fingers encountered was a slip of paper that read Lock. Her brow furrowed and she sat up slowly, sliding her arms into a green silk dressing down draped over the chair before going to her dresser. Underneath the little pink lock they used to keep her grounded during times of intimacy was another small paper square - Meira.

Ziva frowned and snapped her fingers. Her faithful pet came trotting in from the other room and she bent to kiss the dog's muzzle and fondle her silky ears. "Boker tov ha-chavera sheli. Do you know what my husband is up to?" In response Meira sat and looked at her mistress. Tucked into the metal ring that attached the tags to her collar was a rolled up piece of paper - Towel. With one last pat Ziva rose and wandered into the bathroom. Pinned to her bath towel was another scrap - Tea. As she walked out into the kitchen she noted the office door was closed, which was unusual unless one of them was taking some time alone. Everything needed for a hot drink was laid out on the counter, and at the bottom of her favourite tea cup lay a tiny strip reading Sound o _.

Chuckling because it seemed Tony couldn't even bring himself to write the word, she perused their movie shelves and found her most beloved classic. Tucked inside was a piece of paper - where dirty socks are kept. Ziva didn't even bother with the hampers because his dirty socks rarely made it into either of those, and headed to the laundry closet. Sitting on top of a basket of now-folded laundry she hadn't gotten to the night before was a paper bit peeking out of one pair of no longer dirty socks - flowers. That could've meant her garden outside, but first Ziva checked the fresh bouquet on the table. Slid into the place where a card had rested yesterday was a final instruction - backyard.

Gliding through the office on bare feet, Ziva stepped out into a beautiful summer day and joined her husband, who was standing by a breakfast picnic all neatly laid out on a checkered tablecloth. He slid his arms around her. "Good morning beautiful."

She met his mouth with hers. "Why all the clues?"

Tony was far too busy indulging in the pleasure of kissing her as a way of properly starting the day to answer right away. "It's called a scavenger hunt and it was just for fun." They both sat down and he began pointing out the various parts of the meal. "Fresh muffins from the bakery, fruit from that stand on the outskirts of the city, still warm bread, Cassie's homemade jam, and," he held up a small thermos, "a smoothie for the lady."

Ziva leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. "So thoughtful, thank you."

There was no rush, no hurry, nothing to mar their time together. Tony and Ziva enjoyed the fresh baked goods, fed each other pieces of fruit bursting with flavour, and for the price of another kiss she even shared her smooth, cold drink with her husband. When they were finished she dusted off her hands and smiled brightly. "What should we do today?"

"Go to the park," Tony answered immediately, moving closer with a grin to push some hair over her shoulder. "Ziva DiNozzo, have you ever flown a kite?"

A happy memory clouded her gaze. "With Tali, when we were small."

"Oh." He seemed to be doubting his plan.

Ziva touched his arm. "It would be fun to do again."

"Good." Tony jumped to his feet and helped her up, then they dressed for the weather in shorts and summer tops - Tony's being his Hawaiian Magnum shirt and Ziva's a blue figure hugging, spaghetti strap tank top that looked great with her skin tone. Once at the park Tony pulled out a newly purchased kite and they set up in an open area with lots of room to run. The wind was with them and a gust caught it as he tossed the toy into the air. Laughing, Ziva took the string and ran, pulling it behind her. The kite flew into the sky and she stopped, letting more string out as it climbed higher and higher. Tony took his place behind her, closing her into his arms while they each held part of the string. When the kite took a nose dive they tried again and eventually Tony tied the string to a stake in the ground and they lay on the grass, watching the colourful diamond frolic in the wind.

Then Tony helped her to her feet, touched her shoulder, and ran off yelling, "Tag, you're it!"

Swift as a deer she chased after him and snagged the hem of his shirt, then ran shrieking through the trees as he changed directions and made her his quarry. Several turns and a lot of laughter later, Tony pulled her to the ground where she landed on top of him and looked up into her dancing brown irises. "I love you," he whispered, capturing her lips. Ziva's hands came up to his face and she responded easily, melting into him, her hair falling around their heads and blocking out the rest of the world.

Next Tony suggested hide and seek, and though they probably looked liked lunatics as they counted and tried to evade each other, the pair was having too much fun to care what anyone else thought of them. The exertion left them hot and sweaty, so when they got home Tony handed his wife a bikini and dragged her to the backyard where the sprinkler was set up. Acting like the children they hadn't really gotten the chance to be, Tony and Ziva ran under the arcing shower of water, held hands and jumped through the spraying drops, danced around and around on the soaked grass, laughed so hard their sides ached, and kissed every time they were close enough for their lips to meet.

Afterwards they lay on loungers on the deck to dry off, then went inside, changed, and collapsed on the couch for an hour of Saturday morning cartoons in the middle of the afternoon while they sucked and licked popsicles and tried not to get any drips on the cushions. Finally Ziva looked over at her husband. "Why did you do all this today Tony?"

He shrugged and stretched out, his feet just brushing her thigh. "Didn't you have fun?"

"More than I have had in months, but I know you Anthony. There was a reason behind everything we did."

Tony tucked an arm behind his head. "You said something once, about your father taking you guys out into the woods when you were kids, blindfolding you, and having to find your way out." He shook his head. "That's not the kind of thing kids should have to do. I wanted you, for one day, to know how carefree childhood was supposed to be."

She blinked. "This was...all for me?"

He nodded. "Yeah. I just wanted to give you the opportunity to let loose and be silly for once."

Ziva swallowed and lay down next to him, her hand resting over his heart. "Thank you ahava. It was a wonderful day."

Tony fingered one of her curls. "It's not over yet."

He might've had other things in mind for them to do, but Ziva's sweet kisses were a blissful distraction for a length of time he didn't bother to measure. Tony had wanted to do something to make up for missing her citizenship ceremony, but also to give her a day of freedom. It was beginning to look like maybe things were finally working out.

NCIS

A week after that first call Gibbs sat on his couch at two in the afternoon, staring intently at his cell phone and willing it to ring. When it finally did he snatched it up and growled his response. "You're five minutes late."

He could almost picture the look she was giving him. "Don't get grouchy with me Jethro Gibbs. I got stuck in traffic and before you ask, yes I did forget my phone this morning."

"How can you stay safe if you don't even have a phone with you to call for help?" he demanded darkly, wishing he could shake some caution into his ex-wife.

"I have a new neighbour and a constant shadow if I step out of my apartment for more than two minutes. What more do you want?"

"You shouldn't even get out the door without them noticing."

Celeste sighed and took another deep breath, using the action to calm herself down. "I'm sorry. I appreciate that you care Jethro, really I do, but isn't this a bit much?"

Gibbs fell back against the cushions and set his gun on the end table. "She threatened everyone I care about Les. And in case it's escaped your notice in the past twenty years, I care about you."

"I know," she soothed. "But I'm on the other side of the country Jethro, who would even have that information?"

"No one would have to dig very deep to find a record of our marriage. Her contacts go pretty high up, wouldn't be hard to track your travel and realize you stop over in DC on a fairly regular basis for someone who doesn't actually live here."

"I wouldn't call every couple of years a regular basis," Celeste argued gently. "But I get your point." She leaned down to run her hand over Lexie's fur. "How long is this going to go on?"

Gibbs rubbed his face. "I don't know. Could be a month, could be three, but she's going to make good on her promise."

"It would almost be easier if I just moved there for the summer."

He sat up straight. "Is that an option?"

Celeste rolled her eyes. "No silly man. I'm not uprooting my life because a woman with a grudge against you might try to take it out on me. But I feel bad. I'm sure Josh has more important things to do than babysit me for an indefinite period of time."

"He owes me," Gibbs stated bluntly, then shifted gears. He didn't want to fight with her over something that wasn't going to change. "Tell me about your day Les."

"Tell me about yours first," she countered. "It's bound to be more interesting."

He rested his elbows on his knees and took a long swallow of coffee. "Not today. We're not on call this weekend. First time my boat's seen me all month."

Celeste pulled her knees up and switched the phone to the other ear. "I miss that sometimes, watching you work. Even when you never said a word I enjoyed spending that time with you."

"Drop by when you're in DC next and you can watch as much as you want. I'll even have tea waiting."

She smiled. "That's an enticing offer." A scene flitted through her memory and she chuckled. "Do you remember the time you forgot your glasses at my place?"

Gibbs cracked a smile. "Drove DiNozzo nuts that he couldn't figure out who you were. Bet that still bothers him sometimes."

"You told me he and Kate were a little too interested for your peace of mind."

"A little curiosity never killed any of my agents Les."

"They wouldn't have had anything to be curious about if you didn't ask me to pick you up at work." Celeste shook her head. "I think you like making them wonder Jethro."

"Maybe," he conceded and comfortable silence fell between them for several moments. "Were you with a client on a Saturday?" he asked at last.

"Saturdays are actually quite popular for these kinds of meetings. No one's in a hurry, especially in LA, there's lots of time to talk and go over things, and who doesn't love sitting in the warm sunshine to do business?"

"We have sunshine here," Gibbs pointed out.

"It's not the same thing." Celeste stared out the window. "So, the kids are unsupervised today?"

"Do you have to call them that?"

"Jethro." Her tone was no nonsense. "Tell me when you've ever given me a reason to believe otherwise." He remained silent. "That's what I thought. You rescued Tony from a bad situation and gave him the tough love he's always needed. All Tim wanted was a chance to prove he could be more than just a geek, and you gave him that. You're proud of both of them. And don't tell me Abby isn't like your own, because I know the traditions and history between you. Ziva as much as adopted you as her father. Your door is always open to any of them. What part of this did I get wrong?"

He made a face she couldn't see. "As long as you don't say it in front of them. I'd never hear the end of it, especially from DiNozzo."

"I think it's good for them to be spending this time together. You know right well that both couples have things to work out, this might force them to actually do that."

"They're not couples!" he insisted. The last thing he needed was an interoffice dating thing going on.

"Partners then," Celeste amended, though she was sure at time he was being blind on purpose. "I hope they know you're all bark and not very much bite."

"They know when they're out of line."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, the headslaps. I still can't believe you get away with that. But I think you're proving my point for me." Her watch beeped. "That's my five minute warning. I've got to go."

"Take Josh with you," Gibbs insisted.

"Do I have a choice?" Celeste asked dryly. "Take care Jethro."

"Don't forget your phone!" he put in. "Bye Les."

She hung up and he stared at the small device. It had only been a week but already he was far too used to this arrangement. Gibbs was beginning to wonder why they hadn't started doing this a long time ago.

Reply:

Christie - thank you :) That's good to hear. I'm all about the emotions, so I'm glad you can feel them. I know, healing is finally more consistent instead of so sporadic. AN kinda shows up here and there. We'll see her in S9/P6 and in P7. haha...she and Gibbs may actually get along, you never know. Unless she feels like lecturing him on the damage his rules have done to her family. I'm glad you're still enjoying the story. Thanks. I'm doing okay on the quilt but my deadline is getting closer. lol...not sure about that, but I'm really enjoying quilting. I'm going to attempt something bigger next time. Thanks, I hope so. And as always, I appreciate the review :) ~Aliyah