Ziva was restless in her office chair Gibbs had brought her close to orgasm three times last night before she'd crept out of his house, but had refused to give her a final release. He'd simply smirked and told her he wanted to know she was wet for him all day. Glaring at him across the room he again smirked in satisfaction.

It was still early and Tony and McGee had just arrived. The team was finishing up a case of a gambling ring that had led to the death of a Navy Lieutenant. All that was left was to get their forensics together.

"So Ziva, another wild night at The Roxbury?" Tony grinned Ziva was tired that much was obvious she still looked amazing just tired.

"Are you asking me to discuss the details of my sex life Tony for the thrill or because you have none of your own?" Ziva caught Gibbs' grin out of the corner of her eye.

"Wait...what. Hey" Tony held up his hands in mock defense. "I have a very active, um social life. Just not used to seeing you look so." Tony stopped at the glare he was getting from the other three closest to him. "Energized, I was going to say energized."

Ziva laughed. "Nice save Tony. But I am still not answering your question. So mind your own business." She stuck out her tongue and grinned.

Tony shook his head truly happy for Ziva. "Fine, fine but he could at least let you get a little sleep." When even McGee laughed at that Tony waggled his eyebrows, and then finally moved past the subject.

A few hours later Ziva was working through a video feed with the Tony and McGee, documenting exact time's events had occurred for the case they were finishing up when a messenger stopped by her desk and handed her a pot with blue flowers in it. The flowers were beautiful and not something she'd seen before. Delicately spiky blooms in a shade of blue that she knew all too well spilled out of a simple ceramic holder. The color of Gibbs eyes, it was all she could do not to look at him. Instead she touched the gentle petals reverently and pulled the sealed envelope from the center. Tearing it open she felt her breath catch when she saw the single word.

Mine

Her body almost shuddered at that word and the memories it brought forth. She hid her reaction as best she could but knew she hadn't succeeded all that well when Tony spoke.

"You okay Ziva?" Tony almost laughed out loud when Ziva blushed deep enough that a blind man could see. Whoever the man in her life was he was certainly doing something right.

"Yeah, just surprised I did not expect them. They're beautiful even though I don't recognize them. I like the color." Out of the corner of her eye she saw Gibbs flick a quick glance at her and that brief look spoke volumes.

McGee was watching Ziva and felt happy for her that she had found someone to make her so happy. After all the hell she'd been through she deserved it. "They're bachelor buttons which mean anticipation; whoever he is he's looking forward to something."

Ziva sat and none to delicately her knees refused to hold her any longer and she knew the flushing of her skin would be well noticed by all three of the men surrounding her. She knew what "he" was anticipating. The dinner out tonight, he was picking her up around seven. She'd been thinking about it ever since he'd told her last night. "Just dinner"

Gibbs knew it was expected of him to say something Tony and McGee were looking at him like they were going to burst with laughter, not at her but at the utter ridiculousness of what she'd said. If he didn't say something it would seem odd.

"I would imagine Ziva that with you it's never "just" dinner. Are you forgetting that time you nearly stabbed Tony with a fork, and that was just surf n turf." They all laughed then and the moment passed.

/

Ziva was still smiling over his comment as she finished getting ready. They had to push dinner back and wouldn't leave till closer to eight but work had taken precedence. Standing in front of the mirror she fiddled a bit more with her hair and then let it be. She'd chosen a white dress that had the smallest straps holding it up, nearly backless and with a short skirt that swirled when she walked. She'd pulled her hair up letting soft curls slip loose here and there. Nude colored heels and tiny pearl earrings completed the outfit. The bracelet was her only other jewelry. She heard him come in and felt him stand behind her.

"Beautiful."

She took in his dark suit and crisp white shirt and had to agree, "Handsome. I love the way you look in a suit." Reaching up she brushed a wayward strand of silver hair back into place. It took all her effort to bite back the words she really wanted to say. They were there and honest but she didn't want to pressure him. "Ready?"

Gibbs pulled her close watching them in the mirror. "Yes, and if we don't leave right now we won't leave at all."

Ziva laughed and moved away grabbing the shawl she'd set out in case it got cold.

No sooner had they stepped into the restaurant, slash club that also boasted a hotel above it Gibb's phone rang. He almost refused to answer but Ziva assured him she wasn't going anywhere. Seated in a booth with her drink Ziva watched the couples both on the dance floor and in the other tables. In her line of work it was easy to see the couples that were new together, who were fighting, and who were not supposed to be together. Smiling she wondered what she and Gibbs looked like to other people.

"Any clue if we're being watched? I'm pretty sure we were followed but can't figure out who might be watching. I was distracted by your dress." Gibbs whispered in her ear as he slipped back into the booth.

"I'm not sure. I was trying to pay attention but the few people I thought it might be joined other couples. And that was the whole point of the dress." She let her hand grasp his and there was an instant thrill of the overtly public gesture.

"Dance with me Zi." He escorted her from the table to the dance floor watching as the lights caught the gold of her bracelet, unable to stop he caressed the gold as he drew her arm around him. "I like knowing you're mine Zi."

Ziva nestled in close swaying to the slow beat of the music. "I like being yours." She let her hands play with the strands of hair at the back of his neck and stole a kiss. "I would not have thought you a dancer Jethro but you do it well."

Gibbs grinned into her hair. "I don't like the fast modern stuff but I can hold my own, my dad insisted I know how. Besides there isn't much better than holding a woman in your arms, anyway you can get one there works."

Ziva laughed, "Ah so you are much like Tony in this?"

Gibbs shook his head as he chuckled. "You caught me."

Ziva smiled and then grew serious. "I sure hope so."

Gibbs knew what she was getting at "Sweet Zi I'm as much yours as you are mine." Grasping her face he kissed her long and slow, leaving it to no one's imagination just what they were to each other. The song ended as they exited the floor Gibbs felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand up. "Someone's watching."

Ziva knew before he'd told her "Yes Jethro but it's not who you might think." Ziva saw the mildly surprised but beautiful face of Holly Snow watching them from the table behind theirs. It would have been hilarious if it hadn't been such a damn shock. Ziva's hand tightened around his and it wasn't until she felt his fingers gently rubbing the gold at her wrist that she was able to breathe again.

"Easy Zi. It's not her I want and this might work to our advantage." His eyes met Holly's and he saw her collect herself as they approached her table.

"Gibbs, surprised to see you here but I imagine that's obvious." Turning her attention to the woman at Gibb's side she was shocked at how beautiful she looked. She'd only ever seen her in work mode tonight was something altogether different. "Ziva."

"Ms. Snow." Ziva held her gaze for a moment and then offered a smile.

"Would you two join me for a drink, I was dining with a friend but he left early." Holly watched Gibbs look to Ziva before joining her at the table.

Holly leaned into the pair and whispered softly. "I hope I didn't blow your cover using your names."

Gibbs understood now why Holly hadn't seemed more surprised to see them together. For a moment he couldn't find a way to respond to her question.

Ziva flushed at Holly's natural assumption and saw the other woman cock her head. "Ms. Snow…"

"Holly, please." Holly watched the two of them look to each other and then it dawned on her they were not undercover. They weren't watching the room around them, when they'd been dancing it hadn't been about creating a way to watch the room. She sat back against the booth and smiled. "So not undercover, then?"

Gibbs answered first "No Holly we're not undercover, but we're not exactly out in the open if you get my drift."

A waiter arrived and they placed their orders, all three grateful for the interruption.

"I gather we surprised you." Ziva was thankful when the drinks arrived and took a quick sip.

Holly smiled, "Not as much as you might think. I read people for a living and I know desire when I see it. You might have most people fooled but I was hardly blind to the fact there was something between you two."

Gibbs took a swallow of beer and smiled. "We weren't anything when you were around Holly." Gibbs let his fingers find the comfort of the gold on Ziva's wrist, gently rubbing in a gesture he knew would easily become a habit.

Gibbs saw a look pass between Ziva and Holly and next to him Ziva shifted in her seat. "What am I missing Ziva?"

Holly watched his face and answered carefully, "Gibbs women know who another woman wants. It's not unlike men marking their territory." She saw a strange look pass over Gibb's face.

Gibbs looked at Ziva and raised an eyebrow at her. "Didn't you say pretty much the same thing to me?"

Ziva nodded and let her fingers intertwine with his, "Yes, I thought I was more subtle apparently I was not."

Holly laughed. "If you two are going to try to keep things quiet you better work harder. The rumors at NCIS were already circulating about when I was there. Watching you two stand in the same room was enough to tell me a whole lot. Now, well let's just say I'd love to be a fly on the wall at NCIS while you two are working. "

Ziva wanted to dislike Holly had wanted to dislike her all along, but had never found it in her to be able to. "Is that why you never asked Gibbs to come home with you?" It was a bold question almost a gauntlet thrown down between the two women. Next to her she felt Gibbs freeze.

Holly laughed again and looked from Gibbs to Ziva. "I always knew I liked you Ziva, regardless if it appeared otherwise. And yes despite the desire of friendship from Gibbs I wasn't fool enough to step into that danger zone."

Gibbs thought perhaps he'd stepped into the twilight zone. "You two do realize I'm sitting right here?"

Ziva looked to Gibbs. "I did not say anything I should not have Jethro."

"Gibbs it isn't anything she said or you said it just was there hanging in the air. I told you it's what I know. And Ziva is right it's the only reason I never asked you to come home with me, as tempted as I might have been." Holly watched as Gibbs ever so carefully placed his hand firmly over Ziva's at the table. She knew what that gesture was about but she wasn't worried Ziva was the kind of woman who appreciated honesty.

Gibbs felt his body flush at Holly's blatant words, he reacted before he could stop himself and knew Ziva had to have felt it as well. Looking to her he saw a calm smile on her face. She was watching him watching her and he could see no anger in her eyes.

"Gibbs you do not have to worry I am not going to get angry at Holly for stating something I already suspected." Ziva loved catching Gibbs off guard and from the look on her face Holly was enjoying it as well. "She is only being honest."

Gibbs ran a hand through his hair and sighed deciding to ignore the fact that the two women sitting by him were discussing having wanted to sleep with him he moved on., "Holly things are complicated, we know eventually people are going to find out but we'd prefer to have that be later than sooner."

"I have no intention of saying anything if that's what you're worried about Gibbs, if anyone understands discretion it's me." Glancing at her watch she sighed. "As much as I'd love to continue this, I need to get home. It's later than I realized and I have someone waiting."

Gibbs stood as she went to move from the booth. Touching her arm gently he caught her before she could go "You ok Holly?"

Holly's smile was genuine "Yes Gibbs I really am, things have gotten better for me. But I really do need to go and you two need to enjoy your evening."

Gibbs watched Holly leave and in the same instance saw a nondescript blond man intentionally move to avoid being in his line of sight. Gibbs filed away that bit of information for later. He escorted Ziva back to their table and pulled her in close, not for anyone else's benefit but for him. "I took the liberty of packing a bag for both of us. We could stay here tonight."

Ziva heard his question but underneath that she heard an apology. "Jethro, spit it out there is something you're not saying and it has nothing to do with the young blond man watching us. I believe it has everything to do with Holly Snow."

Gibbs sighed and pretended to look at the menu that had been left at the table. He started to speak and then stopped not sure how to make the words come out right.

"Are you upset that she suspected there was an, us before there ever was?" Ziva pulled the menu out of his hands and took his hands with her own. She saw him shake his head and tried to think. "Ahh I see. It's the fact I brought up her wanting you. I did not mean to offend you Jethro."

Gibbs shook his head and managed a half grin. "You didn't offend me Ziva, I just…I feel I should apologize."

"You didn't do anything," She felt his hand clench hers and after a long look she realized what he was referring to. "Jethro, your reaction was normal."

Gibbs shook his head "Feels wrong."

Ziva smiled and held his hand tighter. "Jethro we were talking about her wanting to sleep with you. There would be something wrong with you if that did not cause you to react. I was not upset. I am still not."

Gibbs didn't like feeling so off kilter, but he heard the sincerity in her voice. "You surprise me Ziva; I'm not used to someone who is like you. It wasn't because I truly want her it was just.."

"I think I would like to have dinner upstairs Jethro, but first I think I would like to have you first."

Somehow they managed to pay for their room, grab the bag Gibbs had packed, and get into their room before they were throwing clothes on the ground and trying to make it to the bed.

"Need you Zi. Can't get enough of you." Gibbs tossed off the last of his clothing while she pulled the pins from her hair. Wrapping a hand in the long dark tresses he pulled her to him. "always want you."

Ziva didn't bother with going slow, reaching between them she let her hand wrap around him. Hissing out her pleasure she let her head fall against his chest. "The feeling is mutual and all day I sat in my chair waiting for this, waiting for you to touch me again."

Gibbs pressed her back against the bed, pulling her legs around him he savored the way she gasped for breath even though he'd barely touched her. "That's how I wanted you Zi, needing me as much as I need you. There were at least three times I couldn't get out of my own damn chair or I would have embarrassed myself. You really must stop chewing on pens it can't be good for your teeth and it drives me mad." He watched her smile and found himself doing the same, grasping her hips he steadied himself.

"Neshama… please.'

Gibbs chuckled and slid inside her with no preliminaries; she groaned low in her throat and used her legs to pull him even deeper. Gripping her shoulders he nearly came that very second. It was her turn to laugh and he knew she could tell his control was at its limit. As he felt her come apart and himself follow he knew he better get used to being out of control.

/

Downstairs the sandy haired man made a phone call, he gave his report. The man who had asked him to follow the legendary Jethro Gibbs had been specific. He wanted frequent check-ins. It didn't bother him in the least; Gibbs had a reputation one that was well earned. When he'd glanced his way earlier that evening the man had felt certain he'd been made. Thankfully Gibbs had turned his attention back to the dark-haired beauty he wasn't supposed to be with. A man like Gibbs wouldn't appreciate being followed. He'd likely want answers, demand them if necessary and he was in no position to give any. He'd almost followed them upstairs but decided it was too much of a risk. Instead he'd slipped the receptionist a fifty to find out they were indeed sharing a room, one with just one bed. Still he'd waited and watched the building very carefully looking for any other member of the team. When he saw none or anyone else that worked NCIS he made his call. It had been brief and to the point. Now it seemed he'd be talking to someone else very soon, sighing he wondered how Holly Snow would react to questions about her conversation with the couple. Taking a hard swallow of his drink he decided he was looking forward to this part of his job being over. Glancing once again at the elevator he pushed away his empty glass and made his way to the parking garage wondering just what he would find in Gibb's car.