Gibbs watched Ziva wind her way through the dining room of Haven. She managed to make the careful journey from table to bathroom look entirely casual. She stopped now and then to say a brief hello to the "friends" they had made over their past visits. In reality she was observing everyone as carefully as she always had. She was adamant that something in the surveillance tapes was connected to Haven. She hadn't slept well the past two nights trying to decipher just what that was. The evidence had produced no further leads, so they were back where they had started from trying to make Haven give them answers. He should have been watching the room with her. Instead he was far more focused on her. She looked especially beautiful tonight. It was only a casual lunch, yet the soft lavender dress that swayed loosely around her made her look as though she'd just stepped from the pages of a magazine. In her absence he watched the room as he should have been, but still couldn't see anything that made him worry, yet he was worried. Sighing he took a sip of coffee and waited for her return. In moments she was on her way back and he was again watching her.

Talking to a blond woman whose name he couldn't remember she looked up at him and smiled. Just the gentlest curve of her mouth and yet he felt it run deep in his soul. Against the table his hand actually trembled with the force of what that simple look could do to him. Just one day ago the ID's for Ryan and Amy had been found in a trash can a mile from where their bodies had been found. It had been no surprise to either him or Ziva that alongside their military ID was the signature Haven cards. What he'd held back from her but suspected she knew anyways was the shiver of fear that had run down his spine. His gut was churning, in his mind he could almost picture the sand in an hourglass falling faster and faster with every passing day. Their baby was going to make its presence known sooner rather than later and if Cal was correct they still had another couple to find. The urgency to solve the case was keeping him from sleeping well, something he wasn't used to anymore. The scent of cinnamon wafted past him snapping his attention up to her. She stood over him grinning and he knew why.

"Did not think I could catch you off guard" She ran her fingers across his but paused before sitting. "You okay?"

Gibbs swallowed past the fear, his churning gut and the nagging feeling he wasn't good enough for her and nodded. "Yep." She gave him a long look but nodded and grabbed her seat.

"Jethro, what is bothering you?" Ziva knew he was distracted but couldn't be sure exactly why. At Haven he was normally far more observant.

Gibbs managed a smile of his own. "Just thinking. Nothing to worry about." He saw the questions still lingering in her eyes but she didn't push the issue. "I love you Ziva."

Gibbs wasn't one for public proclamations so the softly whispered words caught her off guard and made the butterflies in her stomach flutter. "And I love you Jethro, always."

Gibbs saw the worry in her eyes, followed by a quick survey of the room. His beautiful warrior always watching, always willing to defend. The thought that had been drifting in and out of his mind for the a past few days took root in his mind and this time his smile was for real. "I need to make a quick phone call, do you mind."

"Of course not. I will wait here for you." She squeezed his hand lightly, "I will be careful do not worry."

Gibbs gave her a quick glance and then went to call in a favor. Just yesterday he'd finally upgraded to one of the new smartphones McGee had been going on about. He was surprised by how much easier to use it was then he'd thought. The apps on it would make what he wanted to do next would also make things easier.

Ziva sipped at her water and wished she could set Gibbs' mind at ease. She knew he was worried about the confirmation that the second couple was linked to Haven. They had both already known but to have it there in concrete proof was hard to swallow. And they both knew another couple was waiting to be found. In a moment she felt the neck tickling sensation of being watched. Without having to search she let her gaze find the man watching her. As she'd suspected Alec Gruber was heading her direction. She sat back in her chair letting her hand rest on her thigh, just above where her knives were strapped. It wasn't likely to be necessary but knowing they were within easy reach was comforting.

"Ziva you're looking especially beautiful this afternoon. I would have thought you would be working on a Friday." Without asking he grabbed the seat he'd just watched Gibbs vacate. He watched a few people look his way in surprise. He'd heard the rumors of Gibbs' reputation and even more of his possessive nature when it came to Ziva. Just the barest of whisper full of awe and traces of fear, but he ignored them. He was younger, better looking and stronger then Gibbs. He wasn't the slightest bit worried.

Ziva caught a whiff of his cologne and the scent was nauseating, at just over 14 weeks pregnant she wasn't suffering from the morning sickness anymore but certain scents often set her off. Pushing away the feeling she focused on the man in front of her. "We take Fridays off now and then as we work weekends often." She didn't offer any more hoping he would take the hint.

"I see, good to know." Alec wasn't enjoying the way she seemed to be ignoring him. She was beautiful and would look good with her dark hair and eyes. Yet those eyes rarely focused on him. He worked hard not to let his annoyance show. "Anything new at work?"

Ziva gave him a careful look. "As I mentioned before I do not discuss work. However the simple answer would be there is always something new at work. The team and I stay very busy."

"The team, Tony DiNozzo, Tim McGee and of course Gibbs right?" he grinned as his mind whirled at the possibilities.

Ziva swallowed hard trying to ignore the slimy smile and the next wave of cologne that hit her. Reaching for her water glass in the hopes it would settle her stomach she watched his gaze catch sight of her bracelet. Her heart tripped when she watched his hand reach forward.

Alec saw the gold, it was beautiful, suited her perfectly, reaching out he saw her start to pull back.

"No."

Alec frowned and reached farther across the table, "I just want to see if it's as delicate as it looks. Much like the woman in front of me." As his hand reached closer to her he felt his wrist grasped in a nearly bone crushing grip. A sound of pain made its way free of his throat as he looked up into the blazing blue eyes of Gibbs.

Gibbs had returned to the table ready to share his news with Ziva, only to find her on full alert and Alec Gruber attempting to touch her. He knew he was being watched as his hand just stopped Gruber from touching her. It took all he had to reign in his temper, and only just. "She said no."

Alec was forced to his feet by Gibbs' painful demand on his wrist. The pain was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes. "I wasn't going to hurt her, I didn't mean to scare her."

Gibbs gave a rough laugh. "You didn't scare her just pissed me off." Leaning in he whispered in Gruber's ear. "She's mine; you don't touch her, don't talk to her and from now on don't even look at her. Am I clear?"

Gruber heard the barely veiled threat of retribution in Gibbs' words and knew the rumors of just how lethal he could be hadn't been overstated. He nodded unable to find words past the pain.

"Good answer." With that Gibbs still holding his wrist walked him past the other tables, through the main lobby and out the front door. He should have noticed that no one stopped him or commented but instead he was focused on getting back to Ziva. When he made it back to the table he found a fresh cup of coffee waiting for him.

Ziva watched him sitting quietly trying to regain his control. She felt the others around them trying to keep their curiosity to themselves. Gibbs was quiet for a long time before he seemed able to speak.

"Are you okay?" The words came out much calmer then he'd expected.

"Yes, he did not actually touch me and did not say anything overtly offensive." Reaching across the table she linked her hand with his. While she watched he traced the bracelet gently.

"Overtly?" Gibbs heard the slight catch of humor in her voice.

"He called me delicate." She snorted softly.

Gibbs couldn't hold back the laughter that in spite of his moment's earlier anger bubbled up. She just looked so annoyed. Reaching forward he traced the curve of her face. "You might be made of steel Ziva, but it's the most delicate sort of steel." He watched her blush, lashes fluttering down on another smile and he knew the phone call he'd just made had been the right choice. Before he could speak again he felt someone approach their table. Glancing up he watched one of the employees from Haven pause just steps away from him. There was the faintest hint of hesitation that almost made him smile.

"Sir, your presence is requested up stairs, both of you please."

Gibbs noticed the man's attention was entirely focused on him sparing not even a glance at Ziva. Considering what had just occurred he wasn't surprised and might have laughed but in his hand Ziva's fingers tightened briefly. "Of course."

Ziva felt the instant shift in Gibbs' demeanor. Both of them went again on alert, wondering if this was how the other couples had been led to their deaths. It wasn't likely but the thought was there. Still she allowed Gibbs to help her rise from the table. Her belly was small enough to only be noticeable in tight clothing and didn't impede her movement but the help was appreciated. She followed just behind him, he could protect her from the front and she could watch his back should the need arise. Stepping into the elevator she kept her hand in his.

Gibbs stepped off the elevator into a large office. Ziva stayed just a step behind him. To anyone else it would seem a submissive thing to do but it had everything to do with the way they worked a dangerous situation and nothing to do with subservience. She released his hand and though it was necessary it made him sweat a little. He liked the physical contact, the assurance she was safe. The nameless employee had stayed on the elevator so they were left to wait.

Ziva remained silent waiting as Gibbs did for whatever was to happen next. A quick glance told her all possible exits and potential weapons. They didn't have to wait long until Admiral Jack Phelps came in the room.

Ziva chanced a quick glance at Gibbs, both wondering the same thing. Had they let a killer in their home once before?

"Jack?"

"Relax Gibbs. The counsel just wants me to talk to you." He sat down at one of four chairs surrounding a round coffee table.

Gibbs assessed the situation for a quick second and finally nodded. He waited until Ziva had sat and chose the chair closest to her. "If you want my apology for the way I handled Gruber you won't be getting it."

Jack laughed briefly and shook his head. "No, I'm more surprised at your restraint. But we did take advantage of the situation to call you up here. That way no one has reason to question it."

"I'm not following."

"Ryan and Amy Stevens, Laura Fields and Simon Phelps. They are we wanted to speak with you." Jack was more than impressed when neither of the couple in front of him so much as flinched. Nor did they show any recognition of those names. "It's common knowledge that they are dead, and that NCIS is following the cases. What isn't common knowledge is they were members of Haven. But then I'm sure you already knew that."

Gibbs didn't look to Ziva but he could easily sense that she too was wondering what sort of trap they had walked into. With a brief nodded he acknowledged Jack's statement.

"We were wondering at what point you we're going to contact us on the matter" Gibbs suspected Jack had his suspicions regarding His and Ziva's motives when it came to their entrance into Haven.

Jack held silent for a moment wondering how much he could say. "How did you confirm they were Haven members?"

Gibbs cocked his head surprised Jack didn't know the answer. "I would have thought you would know the answer to that already. But the short of it is we found their ID's. Have to say it has had us wondering."

"And investigating." Jack glanced at Ziva "Is I'm correct in my guess?"

Ziva offered Jack a smile just the curving of her mouth but with enough mystery to make him blush. "We have been more than careful when it comes to our associations in Haven if that is what you are asking."

Jack wasn't fooled by her misdirection but let it go. "I imagine if I ask what you know you won't be willing to share."

Gibbs bit back his usual sarcasm and instead gave Jack a hard look. "It was stressed when we entered into Haven that discretion was the utmost of important. We see our obligations to NCIS equally as important. However if we had pinpointed any specific danger that we thought you weren't already aware of we would have notified the appropriate individuals."

Jack almost laughed at being called out. Gibbs had made it clear that he was aware that Haven knew of the missing couples. And done it with just enough aplomb so no one could say anything about it. "We wanted to inform you that another couple is missing." Ziva and Gibbs looked to each other surprise evident on their faces and that laid to rest at least some of the questions Jack had about their reasons for entering Haven.

Gibbs knew the look on Ziva's face and his own had everything to do with their surprise that anyone from Haven would share that information. It worked to their advantage since they shouldn't have any prior knowledge that there were indeed three couples missing and not just the two they had already discovered.

The concern he felt didn't have to be feigned either for anyone from Haven to admit to another missing couple had to mean something. "What are you asking of us?"

Jack watched a silent dialogue pass between Ziva and Gibbs and it again made him think of the rumors that floated around about their relationship. "We are only asking you to look into it. We will provide you with a file on everything you might need to know about them. Normally we would never share this information, but under the circumstances we think it's prudent."

Gibbs glanced to Ziva saw the agreement in her eyes before he had to ask. "Of course. However it will be difficult to use NCIS resources if we don't have a legitimate source for the file."

"The file will be delivered to NCIS anonymously tomorrow." Jack took a deep breath. "It's possible that Haven, or at least this area of Haven will not survive this scandal. But the council has decided that the safety of its members is more important than its secrecy."

Gibbs didn't hide his disbelief and neither did Ziva. She spoke before he could "I have to admit this surprises me."

Jack nodded. "It wasn't an easy choice and years ago it's possible the council in place might have chosen to try to cover up the link. However there is no point in having a place for members to "hide" if it isn't safe. Putting aside the risk to the lives of our members, eventually word would get out and no would feel safe enough to….." Jack let his words trail off knowing how shallow they sounded.

Ziva nodded "That makes sense, and yet I am still surprised." She took in a deep breath. "And what happens if we discover that the killer is in fact a member of Haven, or even the council? Are we too to disappear then?"

Jack thrummed his fingers on the table between them. "I can give you only my word and that of course carries little weight under the circumstances. But, I do not believe anyone in the council to be willing to do this sort of thing. If I was forced to say why I would say simply my gut tells me it is someone in Haven but not in the council."

Ziva leaned back in her chair glanced at Gibbs and then turned back to Jack. "Then as Gibbs said we will do all we can to help find them."

Jack stood glancing at his watch briefly. "The file will be delivered early tomorrow, we hope it can help." He shrugged on his jacket and waited as they stood. "I will escort you out if you don't mind, so people understand there hasn't been any trouble."

Gibbs nodded and took Ziva's hand in his. Silently they followed Jack into the elevator and once on the lobby floor through the main exit. Jack smiled the entire time making small talk and shaking hands with Gibbs as he led them to the doors. It wasn't hard to see the multiple people trying to subtly watch them or the curiosity on the any faces. It wasn't until he and Ziva we're in the car and driving out the gates of Haven that he truly felt like he could breathe. Pulling over he ran a quick sweep of the car for bugs and only when he was satisfied that the car was clean did he pull Ziva into his arms across the seats. For a long moment he rested his head in her hair and breathed in the scent of her.

"We are both safe Neshama. And had there been even a moment where we were not I know you could have protected us." His arms wrapped so tightly around her spoke of a fear he couldn't voice but knew all too well.

Finally able to let her go Gibbs sat back in his seat and was able to drive again. "I can't lose you Ziva. I'm not sure I could survive that again."

Ziva wanted to promise him she would always be safe, that the danger couldn't touch her and he would never lose her. But she couldn't lie couldn't promise him what she couldn't forsee. Instead she held his hand tapping her fingers to match the beat of his heart and slow it to a more reasonable rhythm. "Then we will both have to do all we can to make sure that does not happen. For I could not lose you either."

Gibbs managed a bit of a smile and the squeeze of her hand afraid of what was next. The last time he'd lost a woman he'd loved he hadn't even known the danger existed. This time he was knowingly placing her in that danger and he wasn't sure how much longer fate would allow him to skirt danger and not get burned.