"It would really piss her off." Tony waggled his eyebrows playfully.

"For the last time, Tony, no!" Ziva replied.

"I told you once, I tell you again, it really would give your life a hell of a lot more meaning."

"That's a lie," she snapped. "And what is this? You cared about her, I know you did. Now you are acting like it was nothing."

"Everyone makes mistakes, Ziva. I am trying extremely hard to put it behind me and you're not making it easy."

"Sorry. What can I do?"

He stared at her for what felt like a long time, but in reality was only a few seconds. He beckoned with his finger for her to lean closer, and she did. He went on a nerve, hooked on something he was not supposed to have, and dared to request what he now craved.

"You can kiss me again."

He leaned in, gripping her hair at the back of her head. This kiss was immediately and noticeably different. It was soft and gentle, and Ziva could tell he was holding back. She pulled away, shocked at his sudden impulse. He was lucky not to be injured right now.

"Tony, I thought you understood. I was only trying to keep her away from you. I was looking out for you."

I do know that, but when you kissed me, I...I don't know, I just felt something that I had never felt before. I didn't even know it existed. Even as I'm speaking right now, I can't stop myself. All these emotions are just pouring out. Please, can't we just break Rule 12? Imagine it, the dinners, the walks on the beach, the movies we'd watch together..."

Ziva looked sympathetic. She had not seen Tony like this before, but now the look in his eyes was stealing all her attention. She could no longer feel the hot sun on her skin or the water lapping against her thighs.

"I want to, Tony, but we can't. Gibbs would find out, probably sooner than later, and we'll end up in serious trouble."

"You lost me at 'I want to'. Ziva—"

"Tony, stop, let's leave. This never would have happened if I hadn't worn this stupid bikini." She glanced down at her body.

"That's not true. I probably still would have convinced you to come here and you probably still would have seen Jeanne. And this has nothing to do with the bikini, which you look great in by the way. It's all you, Ziva. I love y—"

Ziva was not paying attention. She spotted Jenny's rental parked in the parking lot of the beach and needed to investigate. She wrapped a towel around her waist and hurried off to a public bathroom to change back into her clothes. Upon Tony's reluctant approach to the car and away from the water, he made a discovery, which they had somehow not spotted before. Police tape and officers surrounded the body of a young, blonde woman. Tony knew exactly what would happen: they would need an ID of the woman and then a frantic Ziva would call the Director, forgetting completely about the afternoon they had shared.

C'est la vie.

A/N: So, I have decided to write one more chapter of this story. Thanks to everyone who has favourited and reviewed this story!