"We talked about this before Neshama. It is a reasonable way for us to draw attention to ourselves. Perhaps draw out whoever is taking these couples. We do not know for sure that Lara and Simon were members of Haven; we can assume but have found no proof yet. But so far we are just another face in the pond." She heard him grumble and clench the steering wheel.

"It's face in the crowd or fish in the pond Zi." Gibbs didn't apologize for his rough tone this time. Ziva wanted them to be noticed, it was necessary to move faster than ever now. He glanced at her bracelet, thought of that part of their relationship being public and had to swallow hard.

"Jethro are you worried people will think less of you because of the man you are?" They had pulled into the gates of Haven and found a parking spot. For a moment she thought he would not answer her, even more he stepped out of the car without saying a word.

Gibbs opened her door, helping her out he tried not to notice the way the deep blue of her dress hugged every curve and twirled around her knees. Pressing her against the door of the car he rested a hand on her hip and grasped her wrist with the other. "I don't give a damn what other people think Ziva. I care what you think." He had to look away, indulged the urge to kiss her neck. "I worry that it will make you uncomfortable…."

Ziva laughed softly biting her lip as there in the darkened garage he trailed gentle biting kisses along her shoulder. "Being yours makes me proud Jethro." He looked back to her a shower of desire falling in his eyes before it was quickly hidden. "I think Jethro that it turns you on, the idea of being able to claim me as yours regardless of who is watching. I don't think you like hiding this part of you. This dominate, powerful man is begging to be recognized, to be let out, that perhaps it is not enough to just share him with me in private." Her words fueled that flame of desire to light again in his eyes. It was like watching something untamed and wild. She wet her lips trying to breathe as her body responded.

Gibbs would always wonder how she could read him so well, how she could know exactly what he wanted at any given moment. "I wanted to control this need Ziva, to keep this thing between us special."

Ziva felt his body straining urgently against her had to bite her lip to keep from begging him to take her right then and there. "What we have is special nothing can change that. If we did not have the jobs we do I would not be bothered by the whole world knowing. And for the record I like you uncontrolled."

Gibbs felt her honesty the depth of her understanding lodge deep in his soul. He couldn't hold back any longer his hand slid beneath her dress finding her slick with need. He growled out a curse yet gently let his fingers thrust and glide inside her. He wanted her need walking the razors edge just as his was. Only when she was nearly crying out did he slide his fingers away.

Ziva almost died when he ended his gentle thrusting leaving her wanting and short of breath. It almost undid her when he took those same fingers and brushed them still damp against her lower lip. Following his fingers with her eyes as they made their way in his mouth just before he kissed her.

Tasting Ziva was far more intoxicating than any liquor he'd had. Tasting her this way was almost enough to make him throw caution to the wind and take her right there against the car. "Beautiful Ziva, how I love you."

"Yours Jethro, always."

They entered the third Haven in the area. It was larger than the other two, and decadence dripped everywhere. At their morning breakfast they'd read about a formal dinner to be held. Hoping it would draw out more people they'd decided the visit was another opportunity to see what they could stir up.

Gibbs led her into the ballroom holding her hand tightly in his. She'd helped him dress sliding his formal clothing on in a way that had almost not let them leave. With each button she'd slipped into place she'd placed a kiss to the skin underneath. It was a breathtaking way to get dressed. His hand wrapped in Ziva's clenched hard when he saw the large number of people in the room. He wasn't a fan of crowds; he liked open space, easily visible exits and the ability to move easily. He saw the crowd unsettle Ziva as well.

"Tonight you stay where I can see you Ziva, no further." His voice loud enough to be heard by anyone listening caught the attention of a few of the men around them. His tone was clear demanding testing the waters, testing Ziva.

Ziva felt the balm of Gibbs' request touch every part of her. He had not been loud but neither had he been quiet more than a few people had heard. It had drawn attention just as they had suspected. She smiled "Yes, Jethro." Around her wrist his hand tightened stroked gently.

Gibbs led them to a free table waited till she had sat to do the same. Just as they'd finished getting comfortable a waiter arrived.

"Sir, Ma'am May I bring you anything."

Gibbs gave the waiter only the briefest acknowledgment "Scotch and sparkling water." The waiter nodded and moved away.

"Jethro?" Ziva felt the tension coming off of him in waves.

"We are getting a lot of attention already. Makes me nervous." Gibbs watched her lips twitch.

"Is that not what we want?" She kept her words a whisper in his ear as they watched the crowd for people they knew.

"Yeah, just…unsettling." Gibbs caught sight of the Admiral, shared a nod and knew they would be talking later. The hair on the back of his neck stood up even as he tried to subtly figure out why. Next to him Ziva's gently caress of the skin at his neck changed becoming less fluid and more strained. She'd felt it too.

"Not everyone watching us is thrilled to see us here." Ziva tried to gauge the room, decipher which faces were friendly and which were not.

Their drinks arrived and Gibbs was grateful for the kick of alcohol to help him focus. "My guess is that having NCIS members in their midst is unsettling for them. I don't know if the situation were reversed if I would trust us."

Ziva nodded but could say no more, they'd decided that while in Haven's walls they would closely guard what they said. "We have a right to be here as much as they do."

Gibbs grinned as she steered the conversation into a safer topic. They saw a few other people they recognized. Mostly those they had run into as a result of work. More than he had counted on but none that set off his internal radar. He was nearly ready to ask Ziva to dance when he saw Faith speaking with someone across the room.

"Faith is here Ziva." Underneath his hand he felt her pulse jump, the rapid beat that followed made his own pick-up.

"Gibbs, Ziva never thought I'd see you two here."

Gibbs glanced up failing he knew to hide his annoyance at the interruption. It was even harder when he recognized the man in front of him as someone he truly didn't like. A Chief Petty Officer they had run into during a murder case, he'd commented on how hot one of the dead victims had been. His smile directed at Ziva was as slimy now as it had been then. "Gruber." The man's last name was all he could manage.

Ziva felt those same hairs on the back of her neck again. Alec Gruber was lower than pond scum, good looking yes, but he knew it and he was a pig. When they'd met he'd been referring to a dead woman as stacked, then he'd proceeded to flirt with her. The very memory made her skin crawl. "Hello Alec."

"You've got a few people here wondering, surprised even, never figured you two would be a thing." Alec was having a hard time picturing the couple in front of him intimate, Ziva needed someone far younger.

Gibbs played his part through sheer force of will. It was revolting to have a conversation with the man but they could get a lot of information if they just played along. "We're just full of surprises."

"I have no doubt." Gruber turned his attention to Ziva "I was wondering if you would dance with me."

Ziva felt her palm grow damp and her stomach rebel but she bit back her refusal. A man like him might just have information they could use. Instead of answering him she turned to Gibbs.

Gibbs wanted to scream Ziva's hand in his was tense holding tightly, but she hadn't refused. Opportunities like this were why they had come to Haven in the first place. She turned to him waiting asking permission with a silent flutter of lashes that even Gruber couldn't miss. "You may." Looking over to Gruber even as he stroked the metal of Ziva's bracelet he fixed him with a hard look. "Just one Gruber."

Gruber found his skin uncomfortable with the weight of that look. He hadn't missed the command in the words or the very clear way Ziva had waited for Gibbs' response before moving from the table. She had clearly been waiting for whatever Gibbs had decided. A willing woman, one that should have been looking at him with those brown eyes not Gibbs. Still he reigned in his thoughts as he led her to the dance floor.

Ziva didn't allow the less than respectable distance Gruber tried for and still managed to keep her smile in place.

"How did you two hook up?" Alec liked the way the crowd was watching them, she looked good next to him.

Ziva frowned at his crass words. "We have been together for some time now. As sometimes happens when you work together." it was a far cry from the true depth of who she and Gibbs were to each other but he deserved no more. "Haven has been …important to us."

"There are some who think you're just here to get information. It was a bit of a surprise that the two of you were allowed to be members." He watched her eyes register surprise. "Some even think you're faking."

Ziva didn't hide the way that statement made her angry. "I could never fake what I feel for Jethro. Here is where we can be together without worry that someone will judge us." Ziva let every bit of her that had been trained to find answers seep through her next words "Unless of course we should be worried?"

Gruber had heard the stories of just how lethal Ziva really was, had brushed them aside as tall tales until those carefully bit out words hit him. He faltered slightly in his steps. "No of course not, we all have secrets here."

Faith approached Gibbs' table cautiously, the dark brooding look worked for him. Still, it made more than a few people around them take notice, especially when you took into account the way he was glaring daggers at the man dancing with Ziva.

Alec tried to move just a bit closer to Ziva and failed again. "Rumor mill has it that you caught an interesting case at work. Something about mummies and gold."

Ziva felt a shiver run down her spine. His question had been phrased to sound casual but his interest was far more than casual. "I do not discuss ongoing cases Gruber, ever." His frustration was not as hidden as he might have liked but she pretended not to notice.

"Sorry just curious," Alec tried to shelve his irritation, tried to ignore the weight of Gibbs' gaze on him. "But you have to admit it's not every day that bodies turn up at the memorial….just makes one wonder."

Ziva offered only a smile and continued dancing. Gruber looked at her with a mixture of lust and frustration when she wouldn't comment further.

Gibbs felt Faith beside him before he saw her, his manners pushed him out of his moment of frustration. Standing he pulled out a chair for her. "Good to see you again Faith."

Faith glanced from Gibbs to the dance floor "He's not a nice guy Gibbs, a real piece of work."

"Yeah I know." Gibbs finally tore his attention away from Gruber and focused on Faith. "Thought we might see you here." It was bold and made her glance away. Gibbs laughed.

Faith looked at him in shock. "He laughs, who would have guessed?"

Gibbs thought for a moment then asked a question that would reveal too much. "Are you here with someone Faith?"

Faith was watching Ziva and Gruber finishing the dance when Gibbs' question made her flush. Ziva saw it glanced from her to Gibbs and smiled.

Ziva was managing with difficulty to keep Gruber's hands in safe places; she was more than grateful when the song trailed off. As she broke away she saw Faith had joined their table. Whatever Gibbs had just said to her had her blushing, Ziva smiled at just what that might be.

"No Gibbs I'm here alone. At present I'm not in a relationship. It's not a requirement of Haven if that's why you were asking." She knew it wasn't but needed time to think.

Gibbs felt a wave relief when Ziva began making her way back to the table. "Not why I asked Faith."

Gruber escorted Ziva back to her table less than pleased by how the dance had gone. Pasting on his best smile he turned to Gibbs. "Back safe and sound as requested. I was hoping perhaps for one more at some point in the evening." Gruber watched as once again Ziva looked to Gibbs waited quietly for his response, command whatever the hell it was she waited ever so silently.

Gibbs had reached his limit and looked from Ziva to Gruber "No." he saw the finality of that sink in with Gruber, the flash of annoyance and reveled in it.

Faith was watching Ziva; her eyes on Gibbs were patient waiting for his answer. Faith was shocked at the understanding of that gesture. Grateful she'd brought her drink to the table with her she took a short sip. Ziva looked at her and smiled again.

Gibbs heard his own sigh of relief when Gruber excused himself. "Jerk" both women laughed at him and he couldn't stop from grinning himself.

"That was less than pleasant. I feel like I need a shower now." Ziva took a long sip of water noticing the look that passed between Gibbs and Faith. "Did I say something wrong again?" her question was directed toward Faith. Gibbs had wrapped his hand around her wrist stroking the bracelet and she saw Faith notice.

Faith answered the only way she could "You in a shower Ziva, nice mental image you gave us there." Faith saw Ziva's eyes flick to Gibbs then back to her desire creeping in.

"Oh." Ziva hadn't expected this tonight, hadn't expected to see Faith. But, she would be lying if she said she hadn't hoped just a little to run into her.

Faith took a sip of her drink, "How are you liking Haven so far."

Gibbs saw the very clear interest in Faith's eyes; saw the way she carefully looked Ziva over. As always Ziva looked beautiful and Faith would have been blind not to notice. "We've only visited a few times. Made use of the arcade, had a few meals trying to get our sealegs."

Ziva grinned "I forced him to play skee-ball until his arm nearly fell off, but he won me the five foot bear I wanted."

Faith laughed. "That's hard to picture, Gibbs doing something so…fun." She shared a smile with Ziva.

Gibbs pushed his glass in a circle. "I can be fun," it was a quietly stubborn protest.

Faith shook her head, grinning "Of that I have no doubt Gibbs, still hard to picture you playing arcade games." Faith was certain Gibbs could be more than fun, as that thought raced through her mind she knew she was going to be in serious trouble if she didn't get some air. "I should let you two enjoy your evening."

As she stood she caught Ziva's look, "Perhaps another time we can have dinner?"

Faith glanced from Gibbs to Ziva and nodded. "I think I'd like that."

Ziva watched Faith walk to the other side of the room, find someone she knew and a conversation that made her smile. After a moment she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise up again. It could be Gruber or any number of people she had noticed looking at her and Gibbs from the moment they walked in. When she sighed his hand found hers.

"Dance with me Zi." He watched that smile light her face, the one that never failed to make his heart trip out of its normal beat.

"I was waiting for you to ask Jethro." In moments she was wrapped in the familiar scent of Gibbs' arms. The gentle hand at her waist, one holding her hand as he led her across the floor his mouth pressed to her ear she felt cherished. Even here in a place where they both had to be on their guard she felt all that Gibbs was to her, it was moments like this she was reminded how lucky she was.

"Looking pretty serious Zi, you okay?" Her eyes met his and the naked emotion in them almost made him forget where they were.

"I am better than okay Jethro. I was just thinking how lucky I am to love you." Ziva watched his eyes widen, saw the knee-jerk glance around to see who was watching and then his eyes found hers again.

Gibbs felt the stuttering beat of his heart nearly come to a full stop, unable to stop he pressed the softest kiss against her mouth. Before he pulled away he whispered softly. "Thought I was the lucky one." She smiled at him again and he was forced to pull her closer, losing the counted steps of the dance to simply sway with her.

Faith watched Gibbs and Ziva together and wondered how anyone could look at them and believe even for a moment what they shared wasn't real. Out of the corner of her eye she glanced over at Gruber who was barely hiding the animosity he was feeling. He eyed Gibbs with disdain and Ziva with a skin crawling desire. Turning away from him she made her way back toward the bar feeling more than a little envious of the pair on the dance floor.

Gibbs had managed somehow to keep his senses on alert trying to read the feel of the room. It hadn't been easy with Ziva in his arms, but as they danced he felt much of the tension in the room ease. He knew that while it hadn't been their intention the dance had soothed at least a few concerns. As the song ended and he escorted her off the dance floor his phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID he saw it was Abby. Glancing at Ziva he motioned for her to follow and he stepped out of the ballroom to the entryway where it was far quieter. For the sake of anyone watching he put a finger to his lips as he answered.

"Hey Abbs." Gibbs listened almost cursed out loud instead of just in his mind. "Yeah, no I'll head over now."

Gibbs turned to Ziva running a hand through his hair. "Locals found something on the case. Abby said it could wait till morning…"

"But neither of us will sleep if we wait till morning. It is fine Jethro except we cannot show up together and I did not remember to bring a change of clothes." Ziva bit her lip wishing she hadn't forgotten her go bag by the door.

Gibbs tried to hide the frustration all the hiding, secret holding and outright lying they had to do was causing him. "I've got clothes to change into…."

"You should go, I will see if I can get a cab. I can just say I was on a date. That much at least is the truth." She saw Gibbs' hesitation knew what it was about. "Or you could drive me part way and drop me off somewhere and I can grab a cab from there." His look told her exactly what he thought of either of those ideas.

"I'm not leaving you anywhere Ziva until I know how you're getting back to NCIS. You can't drive my car…hell" Glancing at his watch he saw time was fast sliding away. Abby wouldn't wonder if it took him longer than normal to get to her lab but if Tony and McGee showed up before him they would definitely wonder. Turning his attention to the desk at the reception area he ignored his usual reluctance to ask for help and approached the man typing away on the computer. "Excuse me, would it be possible to arrange for a car into town."

"We don't allow cabs into Haven of course, but we have vehicles available at all times. I can have one brought around front immediately." He nodded at Gibbs' thank you.

Ziva felt Gibbs tension as he walked her out the main entrance. "Neshama, do not be upset things happen."

"I don't like just putting you in a car Ziva, doesn't sit well with me." He saw her smile, felt her touch his jaw.

"I will be fine and I will see you in a few minutes, but we cannot change what is." Just then the car pulled up.

Gibbs watched the driver step out assessed him quickly only when he was certain Ziva would have no trouble defending herself should the need arise did he open the door to help her in the car. He caught her grin. "What?"

"Good to know you still have confidence in my abilities, Jethro." She was rewarded when he chuckled. The soft kiss on her cheek eased the loneliness of the door shutting.

Gibbs moved back to the driver. "She needs to get to NCIS headquarters." When the driver didn't blink just offered a quiet "yes sir" and climbed back in the car Gibbs was able to breathe a bit easier.

Promise the story will pick back up shortly after the next chapter I hope to move time along a bit, but the stories takes me where it wants. Not the other way around. Please review, I love hearing from my readers.