McGee held Ziva's face in his hands, ready to pour his entire being into this marriage act. "I know I don't say it enough, but . . . I love you."
Ziva almost forgot they were on a mission when she heard those words. She simply remained staring back at him, not sure how to react. McGee caressed her cheek, bringing her back to reality. "I – I love you, too."
McGee attempted to hide a smile. This was supposed to be natural for them, if the killer were to believe they were married and not undercover cops, and he had to keep his emotions in check. His heart was already beating at about a thousand beats a minute, both from the killer being mere feet away and from the thrill of kissing Ziva and admitting love to her. He didn't want to let on that his statement might be more truth than fiction.
The back door suddenly slammed shut, causing both agents to jump slightly. They had been caught offguard, and that was very bad. They needed to collect themselves if they wanted to capture this guy.
"Hello?" McGee called out, feigning ignorance. "Who's there?"
The killer appeared in the doorway, brandishing a huge wrench. "Plumber. Ready to have your pipes cleaned?" He gave the two of them a devious grin.
McGee looked to Ziva, a worried expression on his face. Only one thought ran through his mind: Please let Gibbs know.
Abby continued to pan the scene, as Gibbs studied the house with an eagle eye. Suddenly, he caught a flash of silver, and ordered, "Go back, Abbs."
She did as told, and as Gibbs caught sight of the killer, he shot out of his chair, rushing for the door.
Abby sat and stared at the screen, tapping her fingers together nervously. Hopefully Gibbs could get there in time, and hopefully McGee and Ziva remembered their training and took this guy down. Otherwise . . . she didn't even want to think about the otherwise.
She closed her eyes and tried to block the thought from her mind, then opened them and flicked the camera back to where McGee and Ziva were standing, now holding hands, looking terrified.
The killer walked menancingly towards the duo. "I have been waiting to get in here, and when no one answered, I just let myself in. I hope that's not too much of an inconvenience." He thwacked the wrench against his hand, an entirely cliche serial killer move in and of itself, and Ziva rolled her eyes.
He saw this and his jaw tightened. "Am I boring you, lady? Because I can make things a lot more interesting right now."
Ziva smirked. "So can I." She deftly reached into her ankle holster and withdrew her backup weapon, pointing it at the killer, all while still squeezing McGee's hand.
The killer suddenly dropped his wrench, holding up his hands. "No, no, don't shoot me, no, I-uh, I never meant it!"
Ziva laughed, releasing McGee's hand and stepping towards the killer. "Do you believe that, Tommy? He's not so tough after all."
McGee wanted to stare in shock at Ziva's approach, but remembered his training and stepped up to join her. "We do see this a lot in our line of work, don't we, Lisa?"
Ziva nodded. "Surely."
The killer suddenly snarled his upper lip and lunged for the pair, but was unsuccessful in his attempt, as Ziva smashed him on the back of the head with the butt of her gun. He collapsed to the ground in a heap, and Ziva turned back to McGee.
"That was fun, wasn't it?" she asked, brushing off her hands and kneeling at the man's unconscious body, gathering his hands behind his back and handcuffing him.
McGee grinned, joining her beside the body. "You're amazing, Ziva."
Ziva smiled back at him, sensing things were taking a turn for the better.
Abby quickly picked up the phone and pressed a number.
"Gibbs."
"Gibbs Gibbs Gibbs! They got him!"
"Well, good. I was hoping they hadn't stopped to play grab ass."
Abby was silent for a moment, her attention turned back to the screen, where McGee had just praised Ziva as being amazing, and where they were now ogling each other openly.
"Abbs, I asked if they were hurt at all."
"No, no, they look fine," she said softly.
"Good. Get Ducky and get down here just in case."
"Right," Abby responded, and hung up the phone, her thoughts still on the scene unfolding in front of her. McGee was always hers – Ziva had already gotten Tony's attention, and Gibbs and Ducky didn't count. She couldn't let Ziva take another man from her. If she lost McGee, then who would she have?