A Ride Home

Chapter 3

Fortunately for everyone reading this, I do not own NCIS or any of its characters. If I did the show would probably have been cancelled before the first season was over as I don't think I could ever possess the patience nor the talent to write out one script, much less a whole season's worth. I am only borrowing the characters for a little bit, but promise to return them to DPB as soon as I have had my fun.

Warning: Spoilers for "Head Case" and "Ravenous"

A/N:Thanks to all who have reviewed, it does my heart good to receiveyour comments. ;) This chapter is a little bit shorter than 1&2, but I'm hoping what's inside will make up for it. Enjoy.

As they pulled out of the NCIS parking garage Tony realized that he was nervous and that the source of his nervousness was the exotic female seated next to him. Inside the confines of his mustang, Ziva's scent filled his nostrils and her nearness sent his senses into overdrive. Tony couldn't believe it, he was acting like a giddy teenager; nervous and excited about having dinner with a girl. Tony DiNozzo didn't get nervous when it came to women, but Ziva David wasn't just any woman. He had a feeling that after tonight, if he took this step with Ziva, his life would never be the same again, for there would be no going back. Tony also realized with surprise that this knowledge was ok with him.

Ziva turned towards Tony. He seemed to be lost in thought as he drove. She took this opportunity to simply look at him. God, he was handsome. With his sandy hair, green eyes, full lips and square jaw, she felt she could stare at his face for hours. But the enigma that was Tony didn't stop there. He was tall and strong, tanned and muscled, and moved with the grace of an athlete. He was the kind of man every woman dreamed of having. The great Tony DiNozzo, who could pretty much have his pick of beautiful women, appeared to have chosen her. Ziva marveled at this thought. When she had first came to NCIS and met Tony she had thought him no more than an overgrown teenager with raging hormones, a womanizer who could turn on the charm at the drop of a hat. But Ziva had quickly learned that there was much more to Tony than meets the eye. He was kind and compassionate and fiercely loyal to his teammates and friends. Anyone would be truly lucky to have Tony DiNozzo on their side; he would give his life in a heartbeat, without a second thought, for those he cared about. This was something Ziva had never experienced.

Tony turned and caught Ziva staring at him. "What? Are you checking me out?" He asked with a challenge in his eyes.

This was it, all or nothing time. Ziva contemplated her response before deciding to turn up the heat a little. "Perhaps," she replied locking eyes with Tony as she reached over and trailed her hand down his thigh. She leaned in close and spoke softly in his ear, her lips barely brushing his lobe, "Maybe we should get that dinner to go and take it back to my place. I believe we would be much more comfortable there, yes?"

Tony felt as though the temperature in the car suddenly shot up to 100 degrees when Ziva ran her hand down his leg, and it only seemed to get hotter when she leaned in to whisper in his ear, her lips lightly touching him and her breath fanning his face. It took him a moment to comprehend what she had said to him, for he was too busy concentrating on the feel of her hands on him and her intoxicating scent.

"Oh yeah, I believe that's a great idea," Tony replied eagerly. He didn't know how much longer he could take riding in his car with Ziva so close without touching her. He decided he would have to make do with placing his hand on her thigh until they got to her apartment or he would definitely wreck the car and kill them both. He reached over and boldly placed his hand on her leg where her thigh met her hip and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Ziva sucked in a breath when Tony squeezed her leg. God, she wanted his hands all over her and she wanted to be able to touch him as well. "You know, I have an even better idea. How about we order in? There is a great little Italian restaurant around the corner from my apartment that delivers," she said eager to get home to the privacy of her apartment.

"Miss David, I believe that is the best idea I have heard all night," Tony said and pressed his foot down on the gas a little harder.

TBC...

A/N: Don't forget to review, I need reviews tomotivate me to quickly finish chapter 4 and get it posted for you.