Epilogue:
"Hey boss", Tony greeted his superior.
"DiNozzo, David", Gibbs replied, nodding his head. "You enjoy your little adventure in the elevator?"
Ziva coughed. How could he possibly know?
"Well, you know boss, it was the only way I could get her alone."
Ziva gave Tony a look that would kill under different circumstances. "You both set this up?"
Gibbs smirked, "Works for me all the time. So, I take it you sorted out your differences?
"Definitely boss," was Tony's reply.
"Good. Now get out of here."
As they walked away from the elevator, Tony and Ziva were quiet. It wasn't long before Ziva broke the silence. "So let me get this straight, Gibbs knew you were going to trap me in that elevator?"
"Well ah -, he has suggested the elevator is a private place to talk, and he has been at me to talk to you..."
"Oh, and THAT was your version of talking, was it yes?
"Kind of... but THAT part wasn't planned, I swear. And Gibbs had no idea, really he didn't, I mean doesn't know about THAT part…" Tony was babbling. "Anyway it was just luck that you happened to be in the elevator..." He stopped babbling long enough to stop and look at her, really look at her, a tender vulnerability emanating from his eyes.
"I think we should talk – I mean, really just talk this time", Ziva suggested, warmed by the intensity of his gaze.
"OK", Tony let out the breath he was subconsciously holding. Relief washed over him. "So, your place or mine?"
"How about that pub over there." She smiled a half smile and raised an eyebrow as she pointed to the local bar over the road. He smiled back at her. They walked across the road in silence, quietly enjoying each other's company. It felt good.
Gibbs was watching them from the distance. He shook his head, smiling as he tossed his empty coffee cup into the nearby trash can. "Its time to change rule number 12", he mumbled.
He had to think for a minute… "Or was that 13?"
END