Gibbs slammed his hand against the monitor of his computer. It wasn't so much the computer that was pissing him off but his frustration at the lack of progress in the case. Both cases if he was going to get specific. The dead body in a burned out shack outside of town had given up next to no forensic evidence, no witnesses and no damn leads. It had been two damn weeks and they were basically where they had started. They'd caught the case the Monday following the weekend Ziva and he had spent at the hotel. As planned they'd spent as much time away from each other as they could manage but it hadn't been easy. There were nights they'd been forced to sneak into each other's houses desperate to see each other.

Gibbs knew they were still being watched and yet they hadn't been approached, hadn't been even close to caught. He had to bite back a laugh and glare at Tony when he noticed. Under other circumstances he'd have been thrilled to know he could get away with being with Ziva without getting caught. These however were not typical circumstances. Adding to his concern was the fact Cal had cancelled on him twice with only a brief voice mail. This time he slammed his fist on the desk and even Ziva jumped. Sighing he looked at the three younger agents, and gave them an apologetic look. He stood with the intention to get coffee, when what he really wanted was to grab Ziva and spend some time in the elevator with her. Before he could step away from his desk Vance rounded the corner and pinned him with a look he couldn't quite read.

Gibbs halted his steps just at the edge of Ziva's desk. She stood when Vance approached and he caught the scent of her perfume, they'd managed a trip out only once more since the hotel and he'd found the perfume then. Just the faintest whiff reminded him of just how she'd thanked him for that particular gift. Mentally shaking himself he watched Vance eye him carefully and then turn his attention to the entire team.

Ziva watched Gibbs carefully, she understood his frustration. The two cases not going anywhere left for too much time on his hands at work. Gibbs didn't do well when things didn't go his way. Not having much time together had been getting to the both of them as well. Something had to give sooner or later. When Vance approached them she caught the almost to swift look he shot her way and suspected that something was about to change.

"Change in job description. There is a Gala tonight Admiral Phelps needs extra security." Vance watched Gibb's eyes narrow and knew what was coming next.

"Director we're in the middle of a case." Gibbs started to yell but then something in Vance look told him this was about more than the Gala itself.

"A case, that has stalled and isn't going to go anywhere while you provide the Admiral with what he's asking." Vance saw Gibbs catch on and was grateful. "The Admiral's regular security team has food poisoning and he personally requested your team to replace them. I'm not telling him no."

Gibbs pretended an anger and frustration he didn't feel. Instead he had a burst of energy he had to temper. There had been rumors for years about Admiral Phelp's personal life. Rumor's he enjoyed playing things a little rough and with more than one woman at a time. As an officer his record was impeccable and he was well liked. Still if the rumors were anything to go by this just might be their opportunity to get noticed.

Vance continued making sure to direct his words at the entire team. "The Admiral has been receiving some threats lately, nothing too overt or specific for that matter but he's not taking any chances. I just got word or I would have given you more notice. It's formal and starts at eight but you're expected to be there at six thirty." He saw everyone glance at their watches and saw Ziva roll her eyes. It was almost two which wouldn't give any of them much time to get ready. "Ziva I can imagine it will be harder for you to find something to wear than the guys if you need to leave now Gibbs can fill you in later."

Ziva caught that it was an order rather than a true question and saw the others catch it as well. "Sometimes it is annoying being the girl." She glared when they all stifled a laugh. Smirking she knew just how she'd make them suffer. "Since I have so much more work to do I think I'll take you up on that offer Director."

Three hours later Ziva had been waxed, plucked, polished and beautified in every way possible. Standing in front of the mirror in her bedroom she smoothed a hand over the figure hugging gold dress and decided she liked what she saw. She'd purchased the dress from a boutique located next door to the salon she'd found. She'd intended to wear something else but had seen it and knew she couldn't resist. A long shimmer of gold that fell to the floor with a sinfully high slit on the side it was meant to draw attention and that was just what she was hoping for. Per Gibb's request she'd worn her hair up, this time in a twisting series of intricate braids. Suddenly Gibbs was there behind her hands resting on her hips. He wore a black as sin tuxedo, even the dress shirt was the same midnight shade, it set off his hair and made her hands ache to touch him. She drew in a deep breath as his hand ran up her thigh to the knives strapped to her thigh.

"Turns me on Zi, probably shouldn't but." Gibbs let his hands travel farther up her thigh tugging gently at the lace of her panties. He saw both surprise and the flush of desire wash over her. "That surprises you?"

"Not all men like a woman who can,…do the things I can. For some it is a turnoff. At first they like it but the reality sinks in later. With you I know you are speaking the truth. So not surprised just surprised you would admit it." Ziva saw him pull his hand away and glanced at the clock on the wall, they were going to be late if they didn't leave soon, but as he turned her to face him she didn't care.

Gibbs let a finger trace her cheek, "I like, doesn't matter what anyone else thought." He ran one hand down her back to cup her ass gently. "Your strength, your abilities they make you who you are Ziva I wouldn't want you any other way." His hand reached for hers rubbing over her bracelet as he did so. "I know we're short on time and I should ask this later but I need to know something."

Ziva felt his heart pick up speed beneath her hand where she'd reached to touch him. She let her eyes meet his mesmerized as always by the depths in those startling blue eyes. "You can ask me anything Jethro."

He touched the gold and placed a kiss to the skin just to the side of it. "This. How is it you can be this for me? I'm not any easy man Zi, and I know what you've lived, what you've been through. How is it you can let me be this man with you?"

Ziva felt a spark of desire at his question, she'd known it was coming but the careful way he asked touched her. Making sure she held his gaze she answered honestly. "My life has been about being forced to do what I was told. My father made the choices in my life for as long as I could remember. For many years when I dated it was who he chose, who he found suitable. It was never about what I wanted. I did the work he wanted, saw who he wanted me to see, and when I fought back I was punished." She saw anger flash starkly in Gibb's eyes but she continued. "He knew how to hurt me, how to force me back into the fold so to speak. As I pulled away from him I sought out men that were the opposite from him in every way. A predictable thing to do, but I was never happy."

Ziva stepped away from him rubbing her hands together, "I dabbled in the "lifestyle" for a short while. It took very little time for me to realize that was in no way what I wanted."

Gibbs knew he didn't hide his surprise well, when she almost looked away but stopped herself. "not judging Zi.." and he wasn't he just hadn't pictured her being attracted to the S&M lifestyle.

Ziva raised her chin slightly. "I know, thank you. It was not long after those experiences, I met you." Reaching out she let a hand trail down his chest, moving slowly over the dark cloth. "You probably do not know this but the part of you that you think you hide so well is easily seen, or at least was by me. It is in the way you move, the way you speak, when you looked at me I could see you wore it like a second skin. It called to me Jethro. I found I stood closer to you, found more reason to talk to you, anything just to hear your voice, to feel you touch me, even if it was just casual. I also knew that for you being a dominate was not about inflicting pain but about so much more. I knew then that I could have the ultimate control over my life by choosing to give that control over to someone else." Ziva felt her eyes mist over and had to blink rapidly to regain control.

Gibbs let one finger brush her cheek where a single tear had escaped her best efforts. He couldn't find the right words to release what she had said meant to him. She saw it though he knew by the way her hand touched his jaw and she smiled.

"It was you Jethro that gave me the strength I now have." She wasn't referring to her physical abilities but the strength to have what she wanted and as he nodded she was relieved to know he understood. "Do not be mistaken though I could not be this woman with someone else. I trust you ….it would not be so with just anyone."

Gibbs pulled her back into his arms and barely held back the need to have her then and there. "Won't be anyone else Zi, not letting you go." He felt her reaction as he kissed her throat. She grew very still for just a second catching the true meaning of his words. It was as much of a commitment as he could give her but as she responded to his kiss he knew for her it was more than she'd expected.

/

Ziva walked into the ballroom where the gala was being held and cursed. Gibbs chuckled and as they walked in she heard DiNozzo whistle and McGee shockingly do the same. She looked over her shoulder at them and smiled. "And you wonder why women take longer to get ready."

Dinozzo had almost forgotten how damn sexy Ziva could be. The casual flirting and banter at work was just for fun but right now he was close to wishing it wasn't. The gold dress was damn near backless, with a slit just as damn near indecent and the heels made a man want to whimper. When she openly laughed at him he couldn't help but smile back. "Man Ziva I gotta say it's worth all the time you spend."

Ziva would have responded but the Admiral stepped into the ball room and the moment was lost. Ziva watched the appreciative glance he gave her but was careful to keep her face neutral.

"This building is not the best for security. There are far too many hidden spaces, and vantage points we will not be able to cover them all." Ziva watched the Admiral quirk an eyebrow and then nod in agreement.

"That is why I asked for you to come. The team that is sick is the one that normally sticks closest to me. Otherwise I have enough other men to watch those areas." He turned his attention to Gibbs. "The threats have been rather vague but with as many people aren't fond of my politics I prefer to err on the side of caution."

Gibbs nodded. "Seems about right."

McGee approached, "I'll be assisting your guys with managing the electronic end of the surveillance for the ball room. But I wasn't given any instructions regarding your suite?" McGee saw the Admiral grow tense and wondered if he should have kept his questions to himself.

Admiral Jack Phelps sighed knowing he should have expected to have this conversation but wishing he didn't. "My suite is covered by my personal security so you don't have to be concerned about that. I prefer it that way." Normally he wouldn't have said anything more than to not worry about it, but he was watching two of the people in the room very carefully as he spoke. "I'm very careful about my privacy."

For a few moments there was an awkward silence, till Gibbs spoke up. "Not a problem Admiral. The rest of us will work the room but remain in close proximity." Gibbs took a risk and gave a quick glance to Ziva knowing they needed to test the theory of what if any link The Admiral had to the club all without giving themselves away to the rest of the team. She caught his look almost smiled and went back to surveying the building.

Jack caught the look but noticed that Dinozzo and McGee were both busy with other things. Apparently Gibbs and David had their timing down. If the rumors were true they had to. That look had been in response to his comment about privacy. He caught Gibb's attention "Mind if your girl stays with me tonight?"

Dinozzo coughed and would have laughed except for he was watching Gibbs when the Admiral spoke. He saw fury rapid and real cross the older man's face, just as quickly it was gone but he was damn glad he wasn't the Admiral just then.

Gibbs saw McGee's head snap up at the comment and sensed DiNozzo watching him. He had to work hard to stop from both punching the Admiral and turning to Ziva to see what her reaction was. Instead he faked a calm he wasn't feeling and stared the other man down. "Asking the wrong person, Jack"

The Admiral knew he was in danger of having his ass handed to him, so he turned toward Ziva and gave an apologetic smile. "No offense, Agent David, Sometimes my sense of humor leaves something to be desired."

Ziva looked from Gibbs to the Admiral and then at the rest of her team. McGee and Dinozzo both were watching her carefully for her reaction. Gibbs she knew was doing his best to remember in this situation he was her Boss not her lover. "Then I will not take offense." Glancing again at Gibbs she saw his nearly imperceptible nod "I would be happy to stand with you this evening."

/

Ziva wandered the ball room pretending to enjoying being escorted by the Admiral. He wasn't that bad, he made good conversation was pleasant to the people he mingled with and his hands never went places they weren't supposed to. The earwig she wore let her hear anything the team might need to tell her and her mike was artfully hidden beneath the strap of her dress. Thankfully everything had remained quiet. The Admiral led them to his table and seated her across from him.

"I appreciate you staying with me tonight Agent David. You've made the evening far more pleasant then it could have been." Jack let his eyes flicker over the room saw Gibbs watching them and hid a smile.

Ziva saw his glance and silently wondered if he had already picked up on the two of them. "As far as ops go it is far more pleasant than most I have been on."

Jack smiled, "I can only imagine. This is beautiful." He gestured to her bracelet, almost touching it but when he saw the look on her face he paused and held back.

"Thank you it was a gift." Ziva couldn't stop from pulling back her hand into her lap.

"Is it sexual harassment if I ask if you're seeing someone? I promise it's just a way to make conversation and satisfy a curiosity, I'm not hitting on you." Jack watched out of the corner of his eye as Gibbs subtly moved closer to them, at his words he seemed to relax slightly.

Ziva smiled, "I could pretend to be insulted but I am not. Yes I am with someone and yes he gave it to me." distinctly aware of the fact that all of her team and most of his could hear their every word she didn't elaborate anymore.

"From the tone of your voice I'm guessing you don't want to share the details. I can understand that rumors can be a bitch sometimes." He saw her blink at his harsh words and then grin.

"Yeah they can. I tend to ignore them until I know the facts." Ziva watched something unnamable cross his face.

Jack could see why the rumors that swirled about this woman and Gibbs were so strong. If they were true he couldn't blame Gibbs there was something about. He glanced at his watch, "I need to take a phone call in my suite. Perhaps for appearances sake you should remain here."

Ziva laughed a little then. "My job is to provide your protection Admiral, I'll follow you but remain outside your room." Letting her hand play with her earring for a minute she spoke into the mike. "We're leaving the ball room, heading up to the Admiral's suite should be up there for at least…." She looked to the Admiral saw him mouth the words thirty minutes. "for about a half hour."

In her ear she heard both Tony and McGee send her a "Copy that."

She waited for Gibbs new what he would do. "Expect me to follow you in five."

Ziva continued looking at the Admiral but spoke to Gibbs. "Understood." Returning all her attention to the Admiral she. "Admiral.."

"I told you to call me Jack, I hear my title often enough." Rising from his seat he let one hand rest at the small of her back.

Ziva watched for anyone looking to closely at them or disturbed by their exit. Observing nothing she wouldn't have expected she allowed him to lead her out of the room.

Ziva stood outside the Admiral's room, he hadn't wanted to leave her just milling as he put it but she'd insisted.

Gibbs had watched them go out one of the ballroom doors. He had to look for her for a moment and found her in a small alcove that was near the doors that led directly to the private suites the Admiral was in. It would be impossible for him to come out those doors and not see them and whatever they were doing. She was leaning casually against the wall but there was nothing casual about the way she was looking at him. It was an opportunity they had discussed on the way here. A chance to get "caught" a risk but one that had the potential for a high payoff if The Admiral had the connections they suspected he did.

Nearing Ziva he was hard just anticipating touching her. She was beautiful; the slinky gold dress suited her coloring and hugged the curves he knew so well. For a moment he just watched her she was watching him through veiled lashes and what she wanted was very clear. In order to touch her, his back would be to the doors not something that came naturally but necessary.

"Going silent for a bit guys, Admiral's request." Gibbs watched her mouth drop open, yanked out his earwig and pulled off his mike, setting them in a windowsill a few steps away from the Alcove he held out his hand for hers.

Ziva removed her own electronics and handed them over. "You lied to them."

"That's going to happen, Zi, us, the case not going to be avoidable. Don't like it but it is what it is." He saw her nod a bit regretfully, and then she was watching him, eyes hungrily moving over him.

Ziva was tired of waiting, grabbing the lapels of his tuxedo jacket she pulled him close taking his mouth with her own. As their hips met she felt him hard and urgent through his trousers and acting be damned pulled his zipper down and slipped her hand inside taking him in her hand.

"Christ Ziva we're gonna get caught..." he meant that, the plan was just to make out a little. But what she was doing to him with her hand was going to lead to a hell of a lot more.

"I do not care, please just touch me." Ziva wasn't acting she'd been needy all damn day and seeing Gibbs in a tuxedo hadn't helped either. She'd always had a weakness for a man in a tuxedo.

Gibbs didn't have to be told twice especially when she pulled at his tie. He grasped one thigh gently and slung it around his hip while his fingers found her hot and wet. Groaning against her neck he knew no amount of good sense was going to stop him from sliding into her. "I can't wait I'm going to fuck you right here against this wall." Even as he spoke his body found hers thrusting deep.

Ziva couldn't stop herself from crying out. Grasping at his shoulders she held on as wave after wave of pleasure slammed into her with every thrust. She couldn't say how long he thrust in and out of her but the speed she'd expected from Gibbs never came. Instead he kept a steady pace teasing her body into a frenzy. She was so lost in him she almost missed the sound of the door behind them closing. Barely able to function from the pleasure haze she was under, she somehow managed to open her eyes and looked over Gibbs shoulder. The admiral stood there, shock, lust and admiration in his gaze. Ziva threw aside the former plan and instead of looking scared she shot him a look of smug satisfaction she didn't have to fake one bit. Then she couldn't think anymore As Gibbs skillful cock and fingers pushed her fully out of her mind.

Gibbs was lost in Ziva and it was his favorite place to be, he should have been focused on the mission instead all he felt was the feel of her hot and pulsing around him. She was in his veins, on his skin and as he thrust inside her all around him. He wasn't being gentle and she took every bit of his violence and told him with every cry that she loved it. She clung to him in an effort to stay upright so he shifted his position which drove him deeper and with one last twist of his hips took them both into oblivion.

It was a full three minutes of ragged breathing before Gibbs could speak again. "You're determined to kill me aren't you Ziva." he slipped out of her gently putting himself back together.

"Not a chance Gibbs I am nowhere near done with you." straightening her dress she took his hand in her own. She kissed him a soft gentle kiss, long and slow. "I don't want you to go anywhere."

Gibbs cradled her face gentleness in every movement a stark contrast to only moments before. "Good because I have no intention of leaving you." he started to ask her another question but she pressed a finger to his lips.

Ziva peeked out of the alcove, saw that the hallway was empty and gestured for Gibbs to continue.

Gibbs swallowed hard "Did he...did he see us?"

Ziva nodded.

Gibbs swore a not nice word and looked at her with reprimand he couldn't hide. "You were supposed to stop me..."

"I looked at his face and decided another tactic was more suitable." Ziva wanted to be annoyed at the censure in his voice but the way he was clenching and un-clenching his hands told her it wasn't her he was angry at. "When I looked at him there was the obvious shock, the turn on of what we were doing but aside from that he looked like he was proud of you. Not in the way a father would look at a son but more of a male..." Ziva couldn't find the words

"I get what you're saying."

"So instead I let him see the satisfaction of having you inside of me, that I was not ashamed of having you as my lover. I went with my gut."

Gibbs knew the look, had seen it on her face and it had nearly driven him to his knees. He wondered how the Admiral would react. It more than pissed him off that their private moment had been seen but he had always been a possibility.

"Gibbs you knew this would be difficult and I know you don't like it, but if I don't get back in there things are going to get more than complicated."

And with that she was gone leaving Gibbs to once again wonder if he would survive Ziva.