Over a month had passed since He and Ziva had returned from Stillwater and the case that had seemed to be gaining momentum was at a standstill. Despite the information provided by Haven they'd been unable to locate the still missing couple, their ID or anything that would leave them to find their whereabouts. If their killer followed the timeline they thought he did, it was likely the couple was long dead. They wouldn'
As a result life had gone on much the same as before, Gibbs glanced at Ziva, saw her frown at her hair and smiled. They had both been surprised when after the revelation of their relationship everyone had managed to play along. The previous weeks had been divided between finding whatever time they could together and working cases that weren't stale, not to mention keeping appearances up at Haven. He almost laughed aloud at what normal passed for these days.
Tony had finally managed a meeting with Senator White only to find out what they had already suspected. The Senator had created the cover story of her having cancer and receiving treatment to cover the fact she was missing. What had been surprising was when he'd turned over all the surveillance materials he had and allowed them to speak with the investigator he'd used. He'd only asked to keep things discreet to keep from hurting their children.
Following up on what the Senator had given them had again only led to a whole lot of nothing. He hadn't wanted it publicly announced that she was in fact missing rather than at a cancer retreat. And since as a team they had decided not to share any information regarding Haven they had been left with little in the way of options. The Senator's investigator had found that, Pamela had indeed been cheating on her husband. He'd been able to find out that they were meeting at various estates not open to the public. But his leads had gone dry as to just what happened in those estates. The boyfriend, one Miles Wright, a decade younger than Pamela was a petty officer. There was nothing spectacular about him. Raised in foster homes he'd joined the navy the day he'd turned eighteen. A look into this life revealed nothing of concern. He appeared for all intents and purposes to be a man alone in the world with nothing to hide, except an affair with the wife of a Senator. Abby had commented perhaps Pamela and Miles were together simple because they truly cared about each other. In the end it didn't matter they were still left with nothing to go on, which is why on a Thursday he and Ziva were planning another trip to Haven.
He watched Ziva as she dressed, she was smiling at her figure that had changed less over the past month than he would have expected. But according to Ducky everything was as fine as could be. He smiled when he thought of the way the workers at NCIS had reacted to her pregnancy. No one seemed to question her need for privacy when it came to the man in her life. But the rumor mill worked all the same. He'd heard enough to know that many believed it was the result of a liaison during a trip out of town and that there was indeed no man in her life, another said she'd gone to a clinic but the one that had surprised him the most was many thought it was either his or Tony's with the majority of the bets in his favor. It still made him shake his head. He could have been angry at the rumors instead he just shook them off. On the whole everyone had congratulated her and every now and then someone would drop something off for the baby.
He was frustrated that he couldn't share in the moments with her, the secrets they kept gnawed at him but he persevered. Instead he played along, making sure field work was safe, or she remained at NCIS where she was safe. He knew she didn't like it but she never complained.
Ziva adjusted the strap of her dress and decided she looked pretty good for a pregnant woman. In fact unless you knew for sure it wasn't entirely obvious she was indeed expecting. The baby doll style of the dress covered quite well. Haven would find out soon enough that she carried a child, possibly knew already considering the rumor mill worked quickly. But for now they were keeping it to themselves. Spending so much time looking in the mirror made her feel a little silly that she cared, so she turned to slip into likely the last pair of heels she would wear for a while. She didn't notice Gibbs until she looked up and he stood mere inches from her. "I am not sure I will ever get used to the idea that you can sneak up on me."
Gibbs grinned. "The feeling's mutual. I think we're just getting used to each other. Not such a bad thing."
Ziva smiled back. "Not such a bad thing at all." She fussed with her hair for a minute. She wasn't entirely happy with the way she'd pulled it up. Readjusting a hairpin she poked herself and tried not to swear.
Gibbs reached up and pulled out the pin. She opened her mouth to say something but silenced when he rested his finger against her lips. "We'll be late. Maybe, very late."
Ziva nodded and set the small purse she'd grabbed on the dresser beside them. She felt him step behind her and pull loose the rest of the pins letting the braids fall into his hands. A gentle tug and her head was falling back to lean against his shoulder. It should have been uncomfortable but as she leaned against him, heard his sigh of pleasure she only felt the same.
Slowly with an infinite amount of patience Gibbs untangled each braid till every strand of hair was free, raining down her back to brush at the swell of her buttocks. "I'm going to take off your dress Ziva."
The low rumble of his voice, the edge that laced it had her trembling as his hand pulled the zipper of her dress down. With a swipe of calloused fingers the straps were gone and the dress was falling to the floor. She heard his sharp intake of breath when it registered she was wearing nothing but a scrap of lace that passed for panties. He pulled her closer letting his mouth caress the skin of her neck, nipping gently though not quite enough to mark her.
Ziva felt him kneeling behind her but remained still, without having to be told she knew he wanted her just this way. She slipped out of her heels as he undid the straps and moved again as he peeled the lace from her hips.
"Turn around Ziva." He waited fully clothed kneeling as she turned toward him. "Beautiful….."
Ziva sighed as his hands cradled her hips and his mouth traced a leisurely path through her inner thigh. He laughed softly when she trembled. "You have such power over me Jethro."
Gibbs placed a kiss just above the tiny line of curls and smiled. "Only as much as you have over me." He heard her gasp as his mouth tasted her, sliding slowly against her skin savoring the unique taste of her. A slide of tongue here, an ever so gentle nibble there and in moments he could feel the strength to stand leaving her.
Ziva realized she was softly chanting his name her hands had locked onto his shoulders and even so the pleasure was so intense she hardly knew they were moving until her back was against the wall and he was sliding inside her. The gentle tug on her hair as he thrust fully against her had her crying out as sensation crashed around her. Wrapping her legs around him she heard him curse, it barely broke the haze of rapture but had her pulling him closer. Looping her arms around his neck she brought his mouth to hers, gasping as he mimicked with his mouth the way his body moved inside hers.
He should have found them a bed, something soft to lay her against, that had been his original intent but as her fingers had dug into his shoulders, as she'd chanted his name he hadn't had the willpower to wait. In this moment he had even less, as she took his mouth trading breath for breath with him. He felt the rush of electricity shoot through, the familiar shot of fire under his skin. He was lost barely able to hold them both up as he thrust deep and let the rapture take him.
GZGZGZGZGZ
Haven was busier than she'd expected. Ziva felt the brush of worry in her mind. Her instincts were on alert but she couldn't say why. As she held Gibbs' hand a few couples nodded at them. Casual smiles of welcome from people they were trying to get to know. She couldn't fail to notice the not so likeable redhead they had met more than once.
It was clear that Jennifer had her eye clearly fixed on Jethro. She generally did whenever they ran into her at one of the Haven's. Gibbs hadn't showed an interest despite the very obvious way the other woman had made her intent clear. She was beautiful, long legged, with a body to die for and the lack of subtlety some men enjoyed. Far too often she managed to be wherever Gibbs and Ziva were.
She felt Gibbs at her ear. "If you're trying to break my hand for some reason could I at least know why first?"
Ziva looked down at their linked hands, saw his knuckles turning white and instantly let go. Blushing she looked up at him. "Sorry…"
Gibbs chuckled; he knew exactly why Ziva had been clutching his hand with such force. It was likely every woman in the room knew as well. Except perhaps the redhead whose name he couldn't remember. She'd made it very clear on their previous visits that she was interested in Gibbs regardless who he was with. She was showy, all flash and no substance. The woman by his side knew his secrets, knew his fears, knew the man he was, flash couldn't compare to that. Grasping Ziva's hand gently he stopped right there in the middle of the room, pulling her close he whispered forcefully into her ear. "Mine." Then with a gentle kiss to the ring on her finger he finally led her to a table toward the back of the dining area.
Ziva was hard pressed not to stumble as she followed next to Gibbs. Only when she was finally seated next to him was she able to breathe normally. "I cannot remember if I have told you in words before but I love when you do that. When you are unafraid to publicly claim me as yours, it is…"
Gibbs felt his pulse kick into gear as she spoke. "Glad to hear it, your body tells me every time just how much you enjoy. But, it's nice hearing the words."
"I love you Jethro more than you can know, I am glad that we finally found our way to each other." She glanced at the dance floor and smiled at someone they knew. She stiffened when she felt the presence of someone else at their table.
"Agent Gibbs it's so good to see you again?" Jennifer didn't bother to greet Ziva, she was only interested in the man in front of her. Rumors said he played games she very much wanted to play with him. Rumor also had it the woman across from his was dangerous but as she glanced at her briefly all she was someone to soft for Gibbs' liking.
Gibbs refrained from holding out his hand, instead reaching across the table to hold Ziva's "Hello, I'm sorry you'll have to refresh my memory of your name." he saw out of the corner of his eye as Ziva bit her lip to fight back a laugh.
Jennifer tightened her hand on her purse trying to hide her annoyance. "Jennifer Hill, we met a few weeks ago.."
Gibbs shook his head. "Sorry I'm sure I did. Jennifer this is my wife Ziva." He watched the redheads eyes widen and flash with anger before she could recover long enough to fake a smile in Ziva's direction.
"Nice to meet you Ziva." Jennifer bit back her anger before turning her attention back to Gibbs. "I was going to see if you'd like to dance.."
Gibbs smiled and shook his head. "Thank you but no I only dance with my wife. Have a nice evening."
Jennifer managed a nod, but was forced to leave the dining room before she did something she'd regret. She was unable to hide her anger from Ziva and the look she received had her quickening her steps.
Ziva burst out laughing a quick glance at Gibbs and she was laughing harder. "You cannot honestly say you did not remember her. You are awful."
Gibbs shook his head. "I vaguely remember her, but not her name." Ziva finally settled and he saw her look at him. "What?"
"Just remembering how lucky I am. I am very blessed to have you."
"I'd say that's my line." He took her hand pressing a kiss to the palm. "We'll compromise and say we're both blessed." He pointed to the menu. "We should order."
Ziva grabbed her menu opened it and started glancing at the choices when she felt a sudden churning in her stomach. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood up and her hand went automatically to the knives strapped to her thigh. This feeling had nothing to do with another woman, or her intentions. This was far more primal. It lanced deep almost stealing her breath.
He watched her look around the room, smiling now and then but knew she was scanning for something. Her fingers were tense in his hand, gone from brushing against him to tightening around him. He hadn't missed the way her free hand had slipped below the table or what the gesture meant. "What's bothering you?"
Ziva looked at him not trying to attempt to hide the concern in her eyes. "I do not know, and that is what bothers me the most. I usually have a general idea but tonight I just know something is off." Aloud the words were nothing an NCIS agent might not say after a long day. But the tone Gibbs would easily recognize.
Gibbs nodded; he had felt something was off when he'd driven on the grounds of Haven. "I know what you mean. I can't place it either." He rolled his shoulders, watched her pretend to be happy to see someone who walked by. But the smile was false, a glance at her throat and he saw the rapid fire push of her pulse. She swallowed hard and then her eyes were meeting his and for the first time in longer than he could remember he saw fear. That fear nearly had him on his feet it was only through sheer force of will that he remained seated.
Ziva felt the heavy shroud of foreboding settle over her. As her eyes met Gibbs' she saw it mirrored in his. The normal bright blue full of joy she'd grown used to had now become clouded with vigilance and the faint trace of fear.
"We should go." Ziva tried to hide the way her hand trembled, and to the casual observer she succeeded. They moved as slowly as they were able from the room trying not to cause a stir. She tried to keep the rest of the world from seeing the sudden shift in her emotions, she knew as he settled her coat around her shoulders that Gibbs had seen it. She could feel the echo of that fear as he smoothed the fine wool across her shoulders.
Gibbs kept his smile firmly in place, made sure no one could see the terror stabbing deep. That brief look in Ziva's eyes had told him what they both had known was coming. They'd been chosen, the ultimate intent that had driven their journey had arrived. Whoever was killing couples from Haven had decided it was their turn. They offered a few waves as good by as they departed, tipped the valet that brought the car, but to each other they remained silent. When they were finally outside the gates of Haven and a good mile down the road only then did he pull over.
Ziva felt him grasp her hand, then he was pressing the other against her belly and they were both breathing roughly. No desire laced the sighs that were forced from them, fear had found a voice. His whisper was barely audible but she heard like a shout across the bullpen.
"I would die for you Ziva, I will protect you with my last breath." He felt her tremble beneath him and the faintest kick of his child against his hand. A protest he was sure to the adrenaline racing through them.
Ziva choked back a sob, the fear of losing him far outweighing any fear she had for herself until she felt the child inside her stirring. "And I will live for you." She gave him the words, the promise she knew he needed, because she could give him nothing else.