Three blocks into their drive an explosion rocked the night air. The concussion rattled the windows like a snare drum and skipped the CD. Their ears rang painfully. Behind them orange flames stretched up into the night sky like giant tongues. Muffled sirens sounded in the distance. Tony was certain he knew the origin of the blast. He looked at her in accusation.

"I didn't do it if that's what you're wondering." Ziva said, holding her hands up defensively.

"What!"

"I SAID IT'S NOT MY FAULT!"

"GOOD. IS HE DEAD?"

'"NAH." She didn't think so. Most likely he had decided to disappear. Most likely.

Tony drove until his head began to pound. He'd swallowed several aspirin dry and was on his third coffee. Nothing was helping. No sleep, a punch to the face and falling for a crazy woman made for a killer headache. Well, Ziva wasn't crazy, but how could he explain to his buddies "Mossad Agent" other than "a woman with a death wish." He gently shook her awake. "Your turn. Try and get us home in one piece, okay?"

She nodded. She wasn't in the mood to talk.

"We're really in trouble here." Tony said, bracing himself against the dash as Ziva narrowly avoided death by MAC truck. Again. Against his better judgment he'd let her drive. If anyone could beat Beltway traffic and get them to work close to on time it was her.

"How's that?"

"We're late and my cell phone's dead."

"Mine too. You get to explain this to Gibbs." She swerved right, forcing the car between the Jersey barrier and a little old lady in a Buick.

"No way. You started this."

"Fine." She punched REPEAT on the CD player.

"Is something wrong?"

"Why do you ask?"

"This is the third time we've listened to Cold Hard Bitch. Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Just gearing up for my talk with daddy dearest. I have Good Bye Earl if you'd rather I played that."

"You're one sick chick David." He paused, "This is not going to be good when we show up together late with no call."

"This just plan isn't good Tony."

Two hours late they came to a violent halt in the NCIS parking lot.

"Run if you know what's good for you." Tony said. They ran. To Ziva's dismay she had to work to keep up with him. It pissed her off. "Guy's probably brewing a migraine too," She thought. Damn him. She'd make time tonight to go for a run. She'd fix him.

In the Bullpen Abby sat on McGee's desk, legs crossed. Seated, her plaid skirt was too short to cover her bottom completely. She watched the elevator intently, concern on her face. Of the three she was the only one who believed that something was actually amiss. McGee watched Abby, happy that Gibbs was oblivious to them for the moment. Gibbs was preoccupied trying to locate two agents who were either dead or somewhere misbehaving. After his umpteenth failed call he roughly slammed his phone into the receiver.

In the elevator Tony gave Ziva's hand a small squeeze "It'll be okay." She kissed him on the lips lightly, no tongue. "Still good," he thought. The elevator doors slid open with a ping.

The bullpen was oddly silent. Not even the phones rang. Tony could swear they'd shut the whole place down and called everyone to watch the two of them. He hadn't had this feeling in his stomach since his mom found out he'd looked up Julia Gaffnee's skirt on the playground in the second grade. "Ziva can explain boss," he said.

"This had better not be what it looks like." Gibbs shouted.

"We didn't sleep together if that's what you're after." Ziva said. Not yet anyway she thought. Her candor momentarily stunned the team.

Tony saw his opening. He couldn't help himself. "Have a good weekend McGee?"

"Better than yours I'm guessing."

"If only it were. Just kidding." He didn't get the chance to laugh.

"Start Explaining." Gibbs roared, inches from his face.

Ziva leaned in close to Gibbs' ear and whispered, "He knows about Ari. We've had a very long weekend."

Gibbs stopped, no longer angry. "Abby's lab now everyone," He barked. "Call Ducky. Tell him to come too."

Okay, so I have a couple more chaps to do. Don't worry. I have to redo the ending for those who wanted resolution with daddy a little more panky hanky ;-) Jeanne