Ziva held Gibbs' free hand while he drove them toward home. They hadn't stayed at the Inn the night before instead opting for a small motel closer to home. When he'd woken up this morning she'd suggested heading back early.
"We still have the better part of the day Ziva." Gibbs couldn't see any anger on her face. After he'd hung up the phone with Dinozzo the night before, he'd expected Ziva to question him. She had every right, he'd felt the air heavy with her indecision. Yet, to his surprise she had only pulled him into her arms and held him for a long moment. Somehow she'd known in that moment that was exactly what he'd needed. For now it seemed she too wanted to push away all the things that could wait and enjoy this time.
"And we can take our time getting home but there are some things I really should take care of today. I tend to let things slide just to be with you." She hadn't intended to slide back into the bed with him, but knowing he was naked beneath the sheets had been too much.
Gibbs watched Ziva cat-crawl across the bed towards him and swallowed hard. Ziva was damn beautiful, and the tiny blue sundress she was wearing rode dangerously high on her thigh as she made her way toward him. "You're not the only one Ziva." She pushed the sheet aside her hand tugging gently on the key he wore.
"I love that I am the only who sees this. Belonging to you makes me feel complete, as though the part of me that I did not know was missing is finally there." Ziva felt him hard against her thigh though the fabric of her dress.
Gibbs ran his finger along the gold wrapped around her wrist. "And seeing this every day makes me proud. Yes the missing is definitely gone." Her hands slid between them her mouth working magic on his neck. As good as it felt something in her manner made him hold her slightly away. "What's wrong Ziva?"
She should have known he would sense her unease he could read her far too well. "Just a bad dream Jethro." She bit her lip looking away for a second then back into his blue eyes. "I do not want to lose you."
Gibbs didn't get to see this side of Ziva very often. When she shared her vulnerability it never failed to make his heart clench. "Zi, we're okay. I can't promise nothing bad will ever happen. But I can't imagine losing you either so I'm not going to be doing anything stupid. You sure as hell aren't going to lose me to Hollis Mann and I don't want to be with anyone but you." He saw her flush, and knew he'd hit the mark.
Ziva nodded against his hand in her hair. "Thank you for not laughing at me."
"Zi, if something worries you never hesitate to tell me." He shifted till she was beneath him, "You think I don't have my own fears Ziva. At least once a day I wonder what the hell you're doing with me. Sometimes I wonder if you might change your mind, find some younger guy." He saw a tear slide down her cheek. Pressing a kiss there he felt the very slightest sob shake her.
Ziva held him close savoring the intimacy of the moment that was about more than sex. "I do not want anyone but you Jethro. I am yours as long as you'll have me."
Gibbs knew she meant it, had said as much before but hearing it again soothed his wounded heart yet again. "And I'm yours just as long Zi. I wish I could offer you more a better commitment, I can't even offer to let you live with me."
Ziva smiled up at him seeing the genuine frustration in him. "Neshama it is enough to know you love me. What we have is enough. I have always known who you were Jethro. I have no regrets. Just some bad dreams now and then."
Jethro felt the truth in her words but still dammed the situation, the things in his past that made him the man he was. He wondered if she knew if it weren't for the damn case he'd say screw the job and never spend another night without her.
/
Ziva stared into the rearview mirror of her car, not fully recognizing the woman in front of her. It made her smile despite what she was about to do. The snug black shirt and jeans were like a second skin. Her hair pulled tightly back from her face. She looked every bit the warrior she was. Only the bracelet on her wrist was at odds with the lethal image she projected. Weapons carefully hidden she made her way through the parking garage quietly. She made her way unseen to her destination slipping through the door without making a sound. In the dark of the room she waited.
Gibbs pulled a beer out and handed it over to Tony. The younger man was watching him but not saying anything. Gibbs might have smiled if it weren't for the nature of their conversation.
"Hollis was not pleased when I told her I wasn't interested in picking things up where we left off." Gibbs was not the kind of man that shared much about his personal life but Tony had been dragged into it and deserved an explanation. Or, at least as much of an explanation as he could give him.
"She made that very clear. I'm surprised she thought I would by her act. She was definitely fishing for information on who you are seeing. She was more than a little disappointed when she realized I had no clue what she was talking about." Tony watched Gibbs give him a half-grin it caught him off guard.
Gibbs saw the questions Tony had but wasn't sure how to answer them. "Been seeing someone for a while now, not something I usually talk about."
Tony laughed "No surprise there. Gibbs I don't need to know your business but she's not happy. She told me you said it was "serious" and dammed if that word didn't piss her off."
Gibbs took a long sip of beer, "It is serious. Which is why Hollis needs to be dealt with. I'm just not quite sure how to do that." He almost laughed at the shock on Tony's face.
Hollis walked into her hotel room still feeling frustrated. She driven by Gibbs' house enough times this weekend to know he must have gone out of town. Now he was finally home and Tony's car sat parked outside. It shot her plans to hell. She'd worn a too-die for dress intent on seducing Gibbs. Just one more night with him and she knew he'd remember how good things had been. She stepped out of her shoes and stood in front of the mirror removing her earrings. She felt her heart slam in her chest when suddenly someone was standing behind her. The slamming came faster when she recognized Ziva.
"Ziva, you scared the hell out of me." Hollis turned to face her but was even more unsteady when Ziva only smiled.
"That was my intention." Ziva stood there calm, steady hands behind her back, legs at ready stance. "It is not pleasant to find out you are being watched I imagine."
Hollis felt a cold sweat break out on her body. Gibbs must have mentioned that she had been watching his house, but why would he do that?
Tony took a risk sticking his nose where it didn't belong. "Never thought I'd hear you talk about being serious with anyone Boss."
Gibbs could have ignored Tony gone back to talking about how to deal with Hollis but he had few friends and he considered Tony one of them. "Me either, but she's undeniable. Has been since I met her."
Something nagged at Tony, he was missing something and he couldn't catch what it was. "She's a lucky woman than." He caught Gibbs surprised look and laughed.
"I'm the lucky one DiNozzo, damn lucky." Gibbs took another sip of beer sighed and looked back to Tony. "Hollis on the other hand not so lucky there. I'm open to suggestions." Gibbs grabbed two more beers and glanced out the window. No one appeared to be watching him but his gut was churning suddenly, telling him something wasn't right.
Tony accepted the beer, thought for a minute then laughed. "You could always leave her in a room alone with Ziva.".
Somehow Gibbs managed to laugh along with Tony, hiding the realization that hit him as Tony spoke. He knew now what his gut had been trying to tell him.
"Look Ziva what's going on between Gibbs and I is personal." She stopped speaking when Ziva only smiled again. When she stepped a hair closer Hollis had to work hard not to step back.
"There is nothing going on between you and Gibbs this I know. You would do well to let that sink in." Ziva felt anger rush through her, working hard not to let it show.
Hollis knew in that moment why Ziva was there. The real fear hit her then, it was followed by disbelief and anger but the fear overrode everything. Stepping back she bumped the dresser and was forced to stop moving. "It can't be."
"Deny what you will Hollis, but know this he is mine. I will not allow you to continue with the delusion that he wants you back. When Jethro wants something nothing on this earth can stop him from having it." Ziva pulled the knife from her hip and for drama's sake cleaned her nails. "When something is mine I let no one take it from me."
Hollis took a deep shuddering breath, transfixed by the blade in Ziva's hand. She knew full well what this woman was capable of. All thoughts of trying to win Gibbs back fled from her mind, replaced by the desire to walk out of this room alive. "Are you going to kill me?"
Ziva watched Hollis impassively, hiking an eyebrow as though thinking about it. "I have killed for less reason than how I feel about him." She watched Hollis swallow hard and smiled stepping closer. "I don't intend to kill you Hollis, just make it very clear to you that you are no longer welcome here." Reaching into one of her pockets she pulled out a piece of paper and held it out to Hollis. She almost laughed when the other woman flinched before taking it.
Hollis looked at the paper in disbelief. Reading over the facts of her daily life in Hawaii she had to lean hard against the dresser "How…"
Ziva done cleaning her nails, twirled the knife lazily in one hand. "I have my sources; you have a very predictable routine. I hear that little restaurant you visit on Fridays has great fish."
Hollis kept staring at the paper, trying not to look at the woman in front of her. That damn cool demeanor terrified her. "I'll leave him alone." And she knew she would.
"See that you do. There is a flight back to Hawaii in four hours, see that you are on it." Ziva stepped even closer till she could see the tears threatening in Hollis' eyes. "Do not come back, I have only so much restraint."
Hollis closed her eyes just for a moment trying to get those angry dark eyes out of her head. When she opened them again Ziva was gone and she sank to the floor in relief.
Tony shrugged "I have no doubt you'll figure it out boss. I should go I actually have a date." It was a lie but he wasn't going to tell Gibbs that he was going to go home and play video games.
Gibbs wasn't fooled he could see the frustration on Tony's face. He remembered that face from before Ziva. "Have fun." He watched Tony drive off gut still churning waiting for Ziva to call him.
Ziva had left Hollis' hotel room high on the adrenaline of the moment. Once she'd gotten into her car the high had worn off and she'd been left with the knowledge of what she'd done. She'd threatened someone Gibbs had once cared for, what kind of person did that make her? Grabbing her phone she called him, when he picked up on the first ring she knew he'd been waiting. "Jethro has Tony left."
"He's gone. Come over."
Gibbs watched her walk through his door saw the clothing she was wearing and knew he'd been right about where she'd been. She closed the door behind her but didn't come any closer. She only lifted her chin as though waiting for him to reprimand her. "I did not harm her Jethro, I never even touched her."
Gibbs smiled despite the situation. "Do I look worried?"
Ziva had been watching him for any trace of anger, finding none she moved closer. "She will not be a problem any longer."
Gibbs cleared his throat knowing nothing about the situation was funny but somehow was amused anyways. He almost wished he'd been a fly on the wall. "Of that I have no doubt."
Ziva saw him fighting back a laugh and cocked her head. "What do you find so funny?"
"Just remind me not to piss you off ZI, thinking it wouldn't be good for my health." Pulling her up against him, he felt the cold steel of the knife at her hip and felt a familiar rush of desire hit him. Reaching behind her he pulled the tie from her hair freeing it from its braid.
Ziva saw the shift in him, the change in the way he touched her and reveled in it. She had expected questions, perhaps a reprimand not this beautiful acceptance. "Neshama, I love you."
"Love you back, more than I can tell you Zi." He felt his control slip his desire take over and he pushed her against the wall with more force than he intended. Her responding chuckle was heavy with need. "Seems with you I lose control easily."
"No need for control with me Neshama." She felt his hips push against her roughly, forcing her further against the wood. The feel of him hard and ready through their clothing was nearly her undoing. "More…"
Gibbs gave up trying to be gentle, pulling the shirt from her he threw it on the ground. They weren't going to make it to the bed. Her bra landed next, the handy little shelf next to them took her weapons and seconds later she was bare while he remained fully clothed. He pushed her down to the floor, one hand locked in her hair he pulled gently till her head arched back.
Ziva cried out when her bare skin dragged cross the carpet. It was a delicious kind of torture. She felt his mouth on her neck, trailing down to her collar bone. Gibbs was coming undone and she loved it; every untamed part of him called to her making her hotter and wetter than she would have imagined. His fingers pushed inside her stroking till she was arching against him. Just below her shoulder his mouth found a sweet spot, nipping hard marking her as he had their first night together. Combined with the thrusting of his fingers it was too much for her and she flew apart underneath him.
Gibbs loved how warm and wet she was every time he touched her. The feel of her was drugging him dragging him from sanity. He couldn't stop himself from marking her as he had before; something he couldn't explain drove him to it. He didn't expect it to be what threw her over the edge but it did just that, he nearly came right then. Reluctantly he drew his fingers from her, heard her call out in protest. Quickly he shed his clothes, feeling his breath rasping out heavily he grabbed the ottoman from the chair and dragged it over. Lifting Ziva he laid her on her stomach across it, dammed if she wasn't pretty as hell laid out before him.
Ziva knew his intention and she almost came again just from the thought of it. She could feel he was desperately trying to be gentle but the control she'd felt snap earlier hadn't returned and tomorrow there would be marks. She'd wear those marks proudly, his need for her was overpowering his good sense and it was a turn on like no other.
Gibbs kneeled behind her reigning kisses and gentle love-bites down her back. His hand found her hair and pulled just enough that she tightened around him as he slid inside her in one stroke. It was his turn to call out unable to hold back the low groan in his throat. One hand snaked around till he could run his thumb over her nipple, grazing across the tip again and again. Every touch of his thumb had her clenching and unclenching around him.
"Jethro…" Ziva knew she was close only seconds till she came again and still it was too long. He was trying to hold back trying to gentle his thrusts. She shifted her hips and heard him moan again. "I won't break."
Gibbs heard her desperate plea, the honest need and gave up his fight with his body. He thrust hard and fast shaking them both with the force. He came only seconds after she clamped down so hard around him he thought might die from the pleasure of it. The delicious friction tore up his spine and flew through his veins momentarily blinding him to anything but a wash of bright color.
Somehow Gibbs managed to get them both to the couch as exhausted as they were. Ziva curled in his lap dragging the throw around them. "I should apologize Zi, I promised I'd never get rough with you." He heard her laugh still husky from their lovemaking and shuddered beneath her.
"That was not rough Jethro and you know it, despite my encouragement you still held back. One of these days I will convince you to really let go of that control of yours. No that was beautiful." He must have liked what she said since he took her mouth with his, oh so gently loving her mouth.
Gibbs shuddered at the thought of really letting go with her and knew it would only be so long before she got just what she was asking for. "I'm a damn lucky man Zi."
Ziva kissed him, standing up and wrapping the throw around her. "Only as lucky as I am Jethro. Wait for me I will be back and we will see what kind of trouble we can get into." She left him sitting there naked and bound up the stairs.
Gibbs shook his head with a grin wondering once again if he'd survive loving Ziva. He grabbed his pants and tossed them on managing a few of the buttons. Before he could begin to pick up their scattered clothing he heard heavy footsteps on his porch and the door handle turn. He grabbed Ziva's gun and aimed it at the door just as Mike Franks stepped into his living room.
Mike knew two things when he walked in Gibbs house, he was damn glad he hadn't arrived five minutes earlier and he'd better start knocking. Dropping his bag he held up his hands in mock surrender. "Whoa probie it's just me." He kicked the door shut behind him and brought his hands down when Gibbs lowered his weapon.
"Hell, Mike I damn near shot you." Gibbs put the safety on Ziva's gun and set it back on the shelf.
"Didn't know you'd have a woman here probie, I'm guessing you forgot you invited me a couple months back to stay a while. " His mouth quirked when Gibbs let out a frustrated sigh.
Gibbs didn't get to answer Mike's correct assumption before Ziva came hurriedly down the stairs. He wasn't going to have time to warn her. He hoped like hell she wearing more than that damn throw.
"Jethro, You're going to have to feed me if you expect too…." Ziva's voice caught in her throat as she reached the bottom of the stairs. She wasn't sure who was more shocked her or Mike Franks.
Mike recognized Ziva's voice even before she hit the bottom of the stairs. If her words hadn't given them away, the fact she was wearing Gibbs' bathrobe would have. She certainly wasn't there in any official capacity.
Ziva looked from Mike's knowing grin to Gibbs' stern face and almost laughed. "Jethro stop glaring at him. It is hardly his fault you cannot remember to lock the door."
"As I recall you were the last one in." he saw her roll her eyes.
"You distracted me." Forgetting for a moment they were being watched she tugged gently on the key. "How was I supposed to remember about doors." She turned back to Mike who was smirking and smiled. "It's good to see you again Mike."
"You too Ziva." He made a move to grab his bag and head back out but Gibbs shook his head.
"Ziva why don't you get dressed, I'll get dinner started." He gathered up her clothes and handed them to her. She gave him an impish grin, kissed him square on the mouth before heading upstairs once again.
Gibbs grabbed up his shirt and tossed it on, waiting for Mike to say something. "Spit it out Mike" he let him follow him into the kitchen.
Mike leaned against the kitchen counter as Gibbs washed up and dug around in the fridge. "How'd you get so damn lucky probie?"
Gibbs shook his head and shrugged. "No damn clue Mike."
"She living here?" Mike saw a flash of something painful cross Gibbs' face and wished he hadn't asked.
"Would be if it were an option." Gibbs chopped the vegetables for stir fry with more vehemence than he'd meant to.
"So not just an affair then." Mike made it a statement rather than a question. Gibbs nodded but left it at that. "Sorry I interrupted, I can get a room in town."
"You will not Mike." Ziva stepped in the kitchen stole carrot from where Gibbs was chopping, ignoring his warning glance she spoke to Mike. "Jethro tell him he does not have to leave."
Gibbs looked at her "You wouldn't mind?"
Ziva filched another snow pea this time glancing at him briefly. "It is your house Jethro." The instant the knife drove into the word cutting board she knew what she'd done. She flicked a glance to Mike, then back to Gibbs.
"Dammit Ziva don't piss me off, you know why I'm asking." Gibbs ignored Mike, ignored the food sizzling in the pan focused only on making his point to Ziva.
"I do not mind." She stole another carrot, and went to stir the food in the pan.
Gibbs took a deep breath and went back to cutting vegetables.
Mike raised an eyebrow "You're a brave man probie, she could gut you like a fish."
Ziva laughed, "Nah he's far too useful."
Not enough hours later Gibbs was saying goodbye to Ziva. It was as necessary as ever to keep from getting caught, at least by anyone else. He watched her drive away careful to keep an eye out for anyone that was watching then shut and locked the door.
"You must be half loco probie, she's way outta your league. Can't say I blame you though." Mike lounged on the couch while Gibbs took the chair.
"Yeah some days it feels that way."
Mike heard Gibbs' sigh, felt he was holding something back otherwise he wouldn't have greeted him with a gun. "So what aren't you telling me?"