Author's Note: Small chapter, I know. But the next one will be MUCH better! If you are still reading/reviewing this story-THANK YOU! You're awesome. :D :D :D :D I will post the next chapter soon!
Disclaimer: NCIS is NOT my property.
Summary: Bodnar is finished. Now to tell Ziva of the new plan.
Rating: T (Perfectly safe!)
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Looking at herself in the NCIS women's room mirror, Ziva was thoroughly dis-pleased with her appearance.
Taking down Bodnar had been more difficult that it would have been in previous years. She had gotten older, was technically injured, and hadn't been planning on her surroundings.
But she had killed him.
She had gotten her revenge.
She had avenged two people's death and countless others.
Giving herself a once over, she knew this was going to be as good as it was going to get, given the fact that she had taken more than a few hits to the face.
Opening the door and exiting the women's room, she sees Gibbs waiting for her:
"Gibbs."
They know no-one is here.
They know they are alone.
Still, the professional façade is kept.
Gibbs looks at her from his leaning stance on the wall and he knows she's a little worse for wear, but otherwise fine.
Still, he wants to take her home.
Clean her up, check her injuries.
And hands.
Make sure she knows where she's needed and wanted:
"Ziver."
She looks at him and tries a small smile.
She fails.
This had been more emotionally taxing than Ziva thought it would be.
Gibbs slowly makes his way to stand beside her and when he does, he lets his arm gently rest on the small of her back.
Leading them to the elevator and home Gibbs knew Ziva was sure to injured under her clothes and he would definitely have to be careful.
She was going to push herself too fast to heal.
Just like she had been doing before.
But that wasn't going to be the difficult part.
The difficult part?
Telling her he was going to take the blame and responsibility.
And more than likely-lose his badge.
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After they'd each had a shower Ziva was sitting on his couch with her head in his lap, after having listened carefully to the news Gibbs had given her.
And she didn't like it one bit.
With his fingers softly running through her hair, Ziva had her first response:
"No."
Straight to the point:
"No?"
Gibbs hadn't asked for permission, the deal was done.
He knew Leon would make it happen when push came to shove.
But Ziva was having none of it:
"No. I will not have you paying the price for my choice. I made the decision to go see Bodnar. I will be the one who will pay for it."
"No,"
Not losing his careful touch in her hair, Gibbs continues:
"This head hunter's not gonna play fair. I'll handle this. Need to know you're safe."
Ziva carefully moves off of his lap and sits beside him, looking Gibbs in the eyes:
"And I need to know the same of you. It works both ways Jethro. Why would you give up your career like this?"
The concern in her voice did not go un-noticed.
Nor did the look in her eyes that already told Gibbs she was blaming herself for this:
"Simple. Need you more than my career."
Even though he was a man of few words, he knew how to use them when he needed to.
Though the look in her eyes stayed, her position changed.
Slowly, she puts herself in Jethro's arms, finding the spot on his chest to lay her head:
"There has to be another solution, has to be something else we can do. Surely Vance will help you."
After dropping a kiss to the top of her head:
"He doesn't want me to do this either. But he'll cover my ass when it needs it."
"As will I. What will you tell the team?"
An important question, no doubt:
"Nothing yet."
An honest answer, for sure.
This was going to get complicated.
And messy.
And annoying.
And frustrating.
But Ziva needed a minute to process and Gibbs was fine with holding her.
This would not be an easy road.
And the journey started tomorrow morning.
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Well?