Ziva stopped laughing abruptly feeling her stomach churn as her father stepped from the Director's office. Later she would wonder why Vance hadn't warned her. Perhaps he hadn't realized they had come in on their day off whatever the reason, in the moment though all she could see was the inevitable conflict. Glancing around the bullpen she saw her team was the one only still remaining. One small thing she could be thankful for. It took all her will power not to look at Gibbs, she wanted to warn him about the storm that was coming but warning him would draw too much attention. Instead she stood ready to greet her father and all the anger he would have for her.
Tony watched Ziva go from laughing to stock still in a matter of a second. He'd never seen Ziva show fear but for just a moment he was pretty sure that's what had crossed her face. He almost thought he'd imagined it until he saw McGee look at him cocking his head while doing so. It was Gibbs' curse that sent him on alert. He watched as Gibbs moved to stand then forcibly sat back down, clenching and unclenching his fists. Turning in the direction that both Ziva and Gibbs were looking he began to understand why Ziva was so upset.
Ziva stood trying to ignore the tension in the air and greeted her father with a nod. They had managed a passible truce, at least through email but that would disappear as soon as he caught sight of her bracelet. At the moment her hands rested behind her back but the moments ticked away before that wouldn't be an option either. "Father, it is good to see you. I was not aware that you would be visiting." Ziva gave a nod to Liat who was standing behind him but would offer no further greeting.
Eli saw the careful way Ziva's teammates were watching him but made no comment. "I prefer not to announce my visits. There is less risk this way. You look lovely Ziva." She was hiding something from him, he could easily see that. She was almost successful but he'd watched her grow, seen her become the woman she was now and knew something had her unsettled. He couldn't say what but the fact her team seemed on alert told him she had shared far more with them than he would have liked.
"Thank you, I am well. How long do you plan to stay?" Ziva kept her question casual but knew from the way he was watching her he saw it for what it was.
Tony might have enjoyed playing the fool but he was far from being one. He was glad that the rest of the floor had finally cleared out for the day. There was trouble coming, he couldn't say how he knew maybe it was Ziva's edgy posture, possibly the way Eli leaned in just a little too close to her. The air practically dripped with anticipation, but what everyone was anticipating he couldn't say. He dared a glance at Gibbs and was sincerely glad in that moment he wasn't Eli David. Gibbs was staring at the man as though he wished it were through a spotting scope. The real question was why? What was he missing?
Eli smirked and saw his daughter fight to stop herself from ducking her head. Whatever she had done, it was something not easily undone, he set his coat on her desk and stepped just a bit closer. "I had not yet decided. Perhaps you could start with greeting me with a hug like a proper daughter."
Gibbs watched Eli toying with Ziva and wanted to come across his desk. It went against everything he was as a man to leave her standing there alone to face Eli, but he could do more harm if he interfered. So he pretended to work. The pretending was starting to get to him. He felt someone watching him at the same time he heard Eli's request for a hug and closed his eyes trying to find the will to let her handle this her way.
Tony felt like someone had stuck his head in a snow globe, Ziva looked scared, Eli was intimidating his daughter and he watched as Gibbs looked like he was going to be ill. What the hell was going on? McGee looked to him for answers and all he could do was shrug lightly.
Ziva let her hands fall from behind her back and moved toward her father only to see him freeze look her up and down and then none to gently grab her arm. It took all her willpower not to pull her hand from his grasp knowing it would only draw Gibbs' attention even more. His fingers bit into the skin of her wrist, the pressure enough to keep her from moving unless she wanted to fight him. In that moment she could easily see that he saw only the bracelet not the ring.
Gibbs wrapped his hand around the handles of his office chair. This time when Tony looked at him he didn't bother to hide his emotions, he damned well couldn't hide his anger from everyone. Grabbing his coffee cup he managed a sip of the now cold brew just to keep his hands from grabbing his service weapon.
In the second he saw Ziva's bracelet and the way her father looked at it Tony realized there was something she hadn't told them. Eli looked at that piece of gold with such loathing Tony wasn't sure whether or not she was safe. One look at Gibbs, the way he physically held himself back and suddenly he knew. If he hadn't been so well trained he wouldn't have been able to hide his shock. The revelation of his newfound knowledge might have knocked him clean over if it hadn't been for the harsh tone Eli rasped out.
Eli held Ziva's wrist tightly refusing to believe what he was seeing, even closed his eyes once hoping when he opened them it would be gone. "How dare you. " he could barely get the words out so heavy they were with rage. He ignored the way the three men in the room snapped to attention. "You would follow her legacy, her way of marriage. She betrayed me and you honor her with this?" he pushed her away roughly shoving her arms away from him. He stepped back, took in a rough breath and then stepped toward her again.
Ziva knew he had to have forgotten there were others in the room or Eli would never have said so much. "I honor myself and him." She held her head high, even as he faced her with the rage she knew so well.
"Does your husband understand what that means, did he knowingly accept it because I know of no man that would. It is a fable told by women with dreams in their eyes and hearts. A farce passed down from old woman to young, not reality Ziva. Does he know who you are what you've done? How could he and still accept that." He laughed and then laughed some more at the dark flush on her face. "You forget I know just what you are and what you've done. You think any man would want what you are?"
She could have pointed out the fact she was duly married in the eyes of the law but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction instead , She whispered forcing her father to hear her knowing it was her only weapon "Just because she never found you worthy enough to offer it to, does not mean that all men are unworthy." It was a mistake she knew that, knew it when she saw the rage swallow him, but it was certain when she felt the hard sting of his hand against her cheek. She was forced to grab her desk to keep from stumbling so forceful was the blow. But she refused to fall.
Eli heard the satisfying slap of his hand against Ziva's cheek but his satisfaction was short lived as he felt himself being thrown flat against the ground, a very sharp knife pointed at his throat.
Gibbs hadn't moved quite fast enough and for that he'd had to watch the force of Eli's hit shake Ziva's small frame. Knocking Eli to the ground had been far too easy; catching him off guard he hadn't seen any fear until now as he held the man to the ground with a blade to his throat. "Rule nine always carry a knife, Ziva prefers them and now I see why. You can get a lot more personal see the fear in a person's eyes, really make them think about how they're going to die. I know all about Ziva just like she said." Gibbs watched understanding dawn in Eli's eyes and with it true fear. The kind that made a man's blood run cold. The very second he would have pressed the blade just a bit deeper he heard her voice breaking through his haze of anger.
"Jethro, no."
Tony couldn't believe the things he was hearing Eli say to Ziva. He restrained himself figuring if Gibbs could find a way he better. Then Eli hit her and it was as if Gibbs himself had been struck. Gibbs was fast he'd always known that but he hadn't known how fast or lethal until this moment. He'd barely made it out of his desk and Gibbs had Eli on the floor the promise of retribution in his eyes. A quick glance told him the only one's watching were him, McGee and Liat. He gave her a warning glance that he quickly realized wasn't necessary. She was looking at Eli as though he'd crawled form the gutter and that surprised him. What shocked him was what Gibbs said to Eli. For a hair-raising moment he thought for sure Gibbs was going to lose his famed control, and then Ziva said his name.
Like a switch, Gibbs became the calm in control agent he always was. He stepped off Eli adjusted his clothing and turned his attention to Ziva. He didn't touch her, just looked her over, glanced back at Eli who had picked himself up and was moving toward the elevators
Gibbs grabbed his handkerchief and wiped down his knife, folded it and stuck it back in his pocket. Watching Ziva's cheek swell and the cut Eli's ring had left slowly bleed he found her hand to steady himself. "Oh and Eli."
Eli knew he'd been bested knew leaving was his only option and he wasn't about to hesitate. He could take this up further with Ziva later. But Gibbs' voice stopped him before he could step on the elevator.
"Come near her again and Liat will wake up one morning to find you with a bullet between the eyes." Gibbs heard Ziva gasp watched her head snap up to meet his gaze. He almost laughed at the way Tony coughed behind him and McGee did the same. His warning was received though and Eli stepped on the elevator, leaving his team alone.
Ziva watched the elevator, heard the doors close and only then did his eyes find hers again. There in the blue she so loved was a storm of fury, turmoil raged. She knew without having to be told that he wanted to find the stairs, find her father and finish this the way men did. "You made your point Jethro. He will not return."
Gibbs lifted a shaky hand to her face, clenched his fist before he could touch her. He waited for her to flinch, waited for the fear but saw nothing but those dark eyes trying to comfort him. His stomach boiled with anger, with the need to defend her even though the threat was gone. "Are you ok?"
Ziva knew what he was trying to say, he was asking about more than her face. Logically he understood that the baby was perfectly safe but she knew he needed to hear it all the same. "I am fine."
Gibbs let out a sigh of relief when he saw her understand what he was asking. When McGee came up next to him he nearly struck the younger man, so close to the edge was his anger. Only Ziva's hands wrapped around his held him back.
McGee held perfectly still as he offered the icepack he'd retrieved. Gibbs was always in control, but tonight in a moment that control had been lost. He'd approached cautiously, expecting just such a reaction. He prided himself on the fact he only flinched a little.
Gibbs cursed when he saw what McGee offered. Before he could reach for it Ziva took it, gave McGee a smile and pressed it to her cheek. Still looking at her he seized ahold of his temper and finally turned to McGee. "Thank you."
Tony glanced over Gibbs shoulder to Ziva, saw her warn him silently to wait just a few moments longer before he spoke.
Gibbs felt the weight of Tony and McGee watching him, watching them and wanted to crawl out of his skin. He couldn't do this here, couldn't be in the room that still held the faint scent of Eli's cologne. "My place." He heard Tony say something in agreement but he couldn't have said what. He'd had to let go of Ziva to step to his desk grab his things and then step to hers and do the same. McGee spoke quietly to her and she nodded with another smile. Tony looked at him still silent and nodded. Then her hand was in his again and his sanity retuned.
Gibbs was in the car Ziva beside him, again trying to temper his anger. Tony followed in his own car behind them. McGee had remained behind, he wasn't sure why but he suspected it had something to do with his encounter with Eli.
"McGee stayed behind to see what the surveillance video caught Gibbs." Ziva saw Gibbs glance at her and raise an eyebrow.
"Reading minds again Ziva?" Gibbs had to turn his attention back to the road not because of the traffic but because he still wanted to kill the man who'd marked her face.
"No, you muttered his name. As we were leaving he pulled me aside and told me why he was staying behind. He did not want me to think he was not coming back to your house because he did not care for my well fare." Ziva smiled. "I thought it was very kind of him."
"If it weren't for the case I wouldn't let him touch the video Zi," Gibbs saw her look out her window and couldn't get a read on what she was thinking.
"We are going to have to give Tony answers Jethro; we cannot lie to him about this." She saw him nod. Her head hurt and needing something to do she began pulling the pins from her hair and undoing the long intricate braids.
Gibbs saw what she was doing, and felt his heart trip. "Zi, I wouldn't ask. You don't have to..with Tony coming over." He saw anger flare in her eyes, just briefly and then she smiled again and sighed.
"Jethro, do you think I am ashamed of how I love you, of what we have together?"
Gibbs took a deep breath focusing on the traffic as they grew nearer to his home. "No, but after what you just went through. I'm gonna say this wrong but I don't want you to feel less than in front of Tony." He was startled when she laughed.
"What if I want to go home and let you care for me Gibbs. What if knowing I can go home and just be yours is what will make me feel better. Who I am with you at home is the opposite of who Eli wanted me to be, he cannot touch that woman, and he cannot understand it. Who I am with you is not less; it is far more than I have ever been." Grasping his free hand "But for the record my head hurt so taking my hair down simply felt better." She laughed again when he blushed a deep shade of red and was still laughing when they pulled into his driveway. Tony was pulling in behind him but she stopped him at the front door anyways "And you have never made me feel less than anything in anyway Jethro, ever."
Tony entered Gibbs' kitchen to find him filling a new towel with ice, once he had it just the way he wanted he set it aside and grabbed two beers. Tony accepted the one he was offered and would have spoken except Ziva entered the kitchen. She'd changed which told him she kept things here. He saw Gibbs fix him with a look but made no comment.
Gibbs watched Ziva enter the kitchen and was as always caught off guard by the femininity she displayed for him at home. A soft white skirt and pale blue blouse made her look far too fragile. As she drew close he lifted her up and set her on the counter, gently he pressed the ice pack to her cheek. It wasn't gentle enough to stop the hiss of pain that escaped her. "Sorry."
"I have suffered far worse, Jethro you know that. Worse even by his hand." She wished she could take the words back the minute she said them. His hand beside her pounded into the countertop and he swore loudly.
"Neshama, stop. You cannot change what has been. I should not have pushed him. I knew what I was doing and I did it anyways." Ziva touched his hair, pausing when she remembered Tony stood only steps away. Catching his eye she warned him the best she could, to say nothing yet. Gibbs was unpredictable in this moment; being reminded they were being watched might not be the best thing.
"Ziva I will only say this once do not try to excuse what he did today or in the past or I can't promise to leave him alone." His words were a demand an order so clear and direct a man would have to be blind not to recognize them.
Ziva knew this was about his control over himself not her so she nodded "I promise." She saw in Gibbs' eyes the moment he remembered Tony was behind him. His reaction surprised her; he didn't become angry or defensive.
"I suppose we owe you some answers Tony." Gibbs helped her down from the counter and after grabbing a first aid kit led them all into the living room.
Tony couldn't put words to the intimacy he'd seen pass between Ziva and Gibbs. It had been shocking in its intensity even more when he took into account he'd never picked up on it at work. Ziva had walked in Gibbs' door and morphed into a different woman altogether, not a bad thing from what he could see just different. The same could be said for Gibbs, from the confrontation with Eli to the mere mention of the man in the kitchen Gibbs seemed less in control with Ziva almost as if he too were a different man. Briefly Tony wondered if he'd stepped through the looking glass.
"You don't owe me anything Gibbs. An explanation would be appreciated yes but if you asked me to walk out of here without one I'd respect that." Tony wasn't sure how he'd manage it but he knew he meant it.
Gibbs heard the truth in the younger man's words and for the first time in hours was able to relax. He finished putting antiseptic cream on Ziva's wound. Settling into the couch Ziva curled into him resting her head against his shoulder. Gibbs saw Tony swallow just a bit harder than usual in the chair across from him and bit back a smile. "Go ahead and ask Tony."
"How long?" Tony saw with precise timing as Ziva and Gibbs turned to look at each other and smiled. Somehow he wasn't surprised when Ziva was the one to answer.
"That is a hard question to answer Tony. If you are wanting to know when our relationship formally began. Then I would answer the night before I started wearing this." She indicated the bracelet Gibbs was tenderly stroking. "But the feelings the desire for it to be more was there long ago."
Tony nodded that he had picked up on. Sexual tension was something you couldn't miss in a tightly knit unit like theirs but he brushed it off as something that happened now and then. Never had he truly believed they were attracted to each other.
"I heard what Eli said about that." He pointed to the bracelet in question and flushed when Gibbs laughed at him "But I'm having trouble understanding it."
Gibbs took a sip of beer. "You're a smart guy Tony I think you understood I just don't think you believe it."
"He said something about marriage; after today it's not as surprising as say yesterday but still….." Tony took another long swallow of beer and peeled at the label.
Ziva knew again this was her question to answer. "That it represents marriage is my Father's pale understanding of what it represents Tony. Its true legacy is much stronger. It is given from a woman to her other half, the one she sees as her soul, her mate. She only ever gives it once and the man who puts it on her is the only who can take it from her." Taking a deep breath she watched Tony knowing she could trust him "by giving it to him she is telling him that she belongs to him and only him. I could not take it off myself if I wanted to. My father does not understand such a thing because no one has ever loved him in such a way." Ziva watched the enormity of her words begin to sink in, and allowing Tony a minute to adjust she continued. "One other person than you knows it is not more than just a pretty gift. McGee will understand it as a marriage bracelet, but I do not feel comfortable sharing its deeper meaning with him." Ziva squeezed Gibbs' hand feeling guilty that she could not include McGee in this when he was always willing to do so much for them. "The actual wedding was today as I said earlier. It was spur of the moment. The bracelet is far more."
Tony almost made a smart ass comment about just the looking glass he'd been speculating about, but the looks on their faces stopped him. Ziva's held just a hint of insecurity and Gibbs' held a warning he hadn't seen directed at him before. Working past his surprise he found himself envious, he didn't bother to hide that in his voice knowing it would be his honesty they would appreciate most. "Sounds like something really special."
Gibbs felt Ziva let out the breath she'd been holding in and wondered if he'd done the same. "We didn't, don't like lying to people Tony. It's more than just the rules that kept us from telling you." Gibbs stopped wondering how much he could share, he held back needing a few minutes to think consider how much of a risk he could take. The silence was long but only slightly uncomfortable as he tried to clear his head.
Tony took another sip of beer "Hadn't suspected it was you. Never pegged you for a romantic." This time Tony did laugh when Gibbs ducked his head and tried to hide the ruddy color on his skin. He glanced over to Ziva expecting her to be laughing and found her sound asleep tucked into Gibbs' side. The serenity on her face was shocking considering all that had happened. Even with the swelling and the cut she looked beautiful. His eyes drifted back to Gibbs and he had to swallow hard as he remembered a conversation they'd had not too long ago. He couldn't find his way to the right words, only found himself fixed under that all to knowing gaze.
Gibbs knew exactly what had sparked the faint hint of fear in Tony's eyes and wished he could take it away as quickly as it had appeared. But, Ziva was his first priority, it wasn't a conversation he wanted to have in front of her and sleeping on his couch was not what she needed. He expected her to wake up when he picked her up to take her upstairs, instead she merely muttered against him. The baby was definitely wreaking havoc on her.
Tony watched Gibbs carry Ziva upstairs and rubbed the back of his neck wondering how the hell he was going to talk his way out of this mess. Grabbing two more beers he headed down to the basement.
Gibbs came down the stairs to find Tony sitting on a bar stool looking like he was ready to face a firing squad. Instead of sitting or taking the second beer he grabbed a sanding block and worked on his latest project. His mouth curved when he pictured Ziva's reaction.
"Gibbs, I don't know what to say. I came down here trying to figure out something and I got nothing."
Gibbs grinned. "Tony I know you and you're a good guy. I'm not worried about it. Ziva doesn't know about our conversation." Gibbs frowned not liking how that sounded. "I'm not hiding it from her it just didn't come up. And, I didn't bring it up because I didn't want to make her uncomfortable or you for that matter. But I talked to you that day for exactly the reasons I told you. I didn't want….I knew this would come out sooner or later and I didn't want to …" Gibbs stopped wondering if women knew this is why guys didn't talk, it was so damn awkward.
"I get it, and I'd just assumed you didn't say anything to Ziva." Tony set down his beer and walked over to the table Gibbs was working at. Laid out were various pieces of wood all with gently curved edges. It was like looking at puzzle.
"I don't lie to her Tony ever, however it's not something she's likely to bring up." Gibbs watched that statement sink in with Tony knew he would understand why.
Tony flushed took in a shaky breath while tracing the wood. It wasn't long just about three feet for the longest of the pieces. He cocked his head trying to mentally piece it together even as he spoke. "It was just a kiss Gibbs and nothing more."
Gibbs smiled again thinking to himself kissing Ziva wasn't just anything. Throwing Tony's earlier words back at him he continued his careful sanding. "You don't owe me any explanation Tony, she wasn't mine then."
The honesty in Gibbs words was easily heard as was the depth of emotion as he spoke of Ziva. Damn powerful stuff coming from a man normally known for saying nothing at all. "You're a lucky man Gibbs."
"Don't I know it. Hand me that other paper would you." Gibbs pointed to the shelf behind Tony. Taking the paper he touched up a particularly stubborn spot.
"What you making." Tony knew Gibbs was changing the subject, recognized he did it to ease the last of the tension away.
"A gift for Ziva." Gibbs hadn't meant to reveal even more of their secrets, but the man inside him that craved recognition demanded this stamp of ownership. He watched Tony look hard at the simple pieces, building it in his mind.
Tony looked at the coffee colored wood the pieces were beautifully carved, everything softly rounded and smooth. Even more he noticed the nearly reverent way Gibbs handled the wood. He'd watched him work on toys and even a clock once but this was different somehow. Suddenly it clicked into place. He'd seen similar versions in stores walking with Jean one day, and in a family house in Manchester an antique. This, carefully crafted by Gibbs' hand would mean so much more to Ziva than anything he'd seen. A cradle, the enormity of what that meant hit Tony hard enough to force him to sit. Glancing over at Gibbs who had moved to grab the second beer earlier ignored and he saw for the first time the hint of uncertainty.
"So I'm guessing this means you're going to be retiring soon." Tony didn't bother to hide his disappointment over that idea.
Gibbs chuckled. "Yeah most likely, we need a little more time but yeah that's my plan."
"She know that yet?"
"No…."
"She's going to kick your ass." Tony saw Gibbs grin at him.
"Worth it." Gibbs set down the piece he was working on and faced Tony some of his anger from earlier returning. "We should talk about Eli."
Tony grimaced nodding his head. "McGee stayed behind to look at the surveillance tapes. They shouldn't have been on but…"
"That's not what I'm worried about." Gibbs sighed running a hand through his hair. "Well that's not entirely true. It would be best for a lot of reasons if nobody else knew about us. My bigger concern is Eli, he's not the kind of man to let this go."
Tony cocked his head looking down at the pieces of wood again. "What is it with Eli and Ziva, why is he so…."
"Cruel? Because she walked away from him, just as her mother did. She saw him for what he is." Gibbs sighed "He's her father, I nearly …tonight."
Tony saw Gibbs struggle "You had more restraint than I would have. Not sure how you managed it." Tony could still see the heavy way Eli's hand had landed on Ziva's face and it made his stomach churn.
"Barely. Hiding this from everyone hasn't been easy or pleasant. He was the proverbial straw." Gibbs looked at his hands and wondered how Ziva ever saw past the violence they were capable of.
"Do you think Eli will say anything, about the two of you?"
Gibbs took in a long deep breath. "I think he'll wait until he can use it somehow. He'll want to strike back and he has the perfect weapon because I couldn't keep my mouth shut."
Tony laughed knowing it was wrong but unable to stop himself "If you hadn't done something Gibbs I wouldn't want to know you." The half-smile Gibbs gave was telling.
"Yeah…still now we have a whole lot more of a mess to deal with."
Tony could only nod. "I'll keep an eye out for her Gibbs, watch out for Eli. Not that she needs me to but all the same."
Gibbs nodded. "Thanks, and just for the record I'm not asking you to lie for us. If things were different I would retire tomorrow and to hell with what anyone thinks, but …"
Tony watched Gibbs throw down the sandpaper and stare at the table in frustration. "I'm sure you have your reasons Boss. If and when you feel you can share I'm around."
Gibbs felt the first sense of relief of the whole evening "Yeah."
Tony saw the fatigue around Gibbs eyes, the every now and then glance at the stairs. "I think I'm going to head out. I'll give McGee a call see if he needs anything."
Gibbs watched Tony leave glanced once more at the wood laid out before him. Smiling he made his own way up the stairs, tomorrow would tell just how much they had risked, if there was even a secret still to keep. For now he had her and that was far more than enough.