Gibbs awoke the next morning with a feeling of incredible warmth along his front…and softness. Felt like it had been a lifetime since he'd woken up to that kind of softness. Before he was even really awake he thought Ziva. He opened his eyes and discovered they'd shifted during the night. She was now on her side facing away from him and he was spooning her from behind. He smiled and enjoyed the feeling of holding her for a little longer until his need for coffee and his urge to make love to her drove him to get up.
He moved carefully, so as not to wake her, knowing she needed as much sleep as she could get after her recent experience. In testimony to how tired she was – and how safe she felt here with him - she didn't move as he got up.
He went downstairs and put on the coffee, filling a mug before the pot was finished brewing. He stood sipping that first cup, staring absently out the window as he thought back over the evening before.
He'd known he had feelings for her for a long time, but he'd been fully prepared to keep those buried. After all, Rule 12 existed for a reason. He had a good team and had no intentions of messing that up.
But…seeing her lying on that cold stone warehouse floor, unsure at first if she was alive or dead, had cracked his reserve. When she brought her feelings for him out into the open, that crack had blown wide open, and he found he wanted her more than he wanted to seal it back up. God help them both. He shook his head. Apparently sometimes you break your own rules – maybe he needed a rule to cover that, too.
For better or worse, it looked like they were about to break Rule 12.
When the coffee was finished brewing, he refilled his mug and poured one for Ziva.
Re-entering his bedroom, he placed both mugs on the nightstand nearest her and sat on the bed by her hip. In a risky move, he invaded her personal space. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, breathing her in. She made an "Ummmm…" sound and pressed against him. Her eyes flew open at the contact, as though she were surprised.
She raised a gentle hand to his face, her senses coming to awareness. "I thought I was dreaming again," she whispered.
"Not a dream," he reassured her. "If it was, we wouldn't be about to get up and go to work."
"Oh? What would we do instead?" she asked flirtatiously.
"Maybe somethin' like this," he murmured, his throaty voice sending tingles down her spine. He lowered his mouth to hers for a thorough good morning kiss.
"Mmmm…you taste like coffee," she breathed when he raised his head, her eyes still closed to better revel in the sensations running through her.
"Brought you some."
Her eyes opened up at that, then she looked at him consideringly. "Unless I can convince you to come back to bed?" she asked with a lilt in her voice that managed to be both hopeful and sexy.
He groaned and rested his head against hers. "As tempting as that is, I want you to be sure." She started to assure him she was, but he stopped her with a finger on her lips. Then moving that finger seductively across her soft lower lip, he continued. "Plus, I want to take my time with you, and today we still have a case that needs to be solved."
She simply looked at him for a moment, silently wondering if a better man could possibly exist. "You are a good, good man, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And you are right about the case."
Pressing a quick kiss to his lips, she sat up and eagerly reached for her mug of coffee. The too-big t-shirt slipped off her shoulder, giving him a tantalizing view that he couldn't resist. He pressed a kiss to her skin there as she took her first sip. She gave a moan of appreciation.
"Was that for me or the coffee?" he teased, blue eyes glinting.
"Both."
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The team solved the case over the next few days, discovering there were actually two killers involved in the deaths of those women. Once all the reports were written, Gibbs sent everyone home. It was Friday and they were off this weekend, lending an air that was almost giddy to their departure.
Tony and McGee suggested everyone go out for drinks. Tony asked Ziva to join them, as McGee called down to Abby & Ducky.
"I think I will pass tonight, Tony," she said with a small smile as she gathered her things. "But thank you."
"Boss?"
"Not tonight. You go ahead. Have fun."
As they all headed to the elevator, Ziva turned back to Gibbs who was still at his desk.
"You are not leaving?"
"Soon." He gave her his half-smile. "You go on."
She gave him a return smile that was rather uncertain and shrugged as if to say "Well…if you are sure…"
As she made her way to the parking garage, she acknowledged to herself that she felt a little awkward. OK, more than a little. They hadn't had any time alone since they'd left his house a few days ago. She'd hoped he would suggest they be together tonight, but maybe he was having second thoughts…which left her with a lonely, hollow feeling inside.
Just as she climbed into her car, her phone rang. The display said "Gibbs." Had she forgotten to sign her report?
"David," she answered.
"You up for grabbing some dinner?"
She smiled, the empty place inside her flooding instantly with warmth. And butterflies.
"I am up for more than that."
"That's good to hear. Pick you up in about an hour?"
"I will be ready," she promised.
"Oh, and Ziva? Pack a bag. I'm not feelin' real noble tonight."
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He had taken her to a little Italian restaurant called Giovanni's that was tucked into a charming block in an area she'd never visited. Gibbs was obviously a regular, and the couple who owned the place fussed over Ziva like a long-lost daughter. They clearly were used to seeing Gibbs on his own, but were thrilled to see him with a companion.
She looked up from her menu to find him staring. "What?" she asked a little self-consciously.
"You're gorgeous," he told her simply, his eyes leaving no doubt that he meant what he said.
Delight bloomed on her face, mixed with a hint of shyness, which he found absolutely endearing.
She tucked her hair behind her left ear, and resting her chin on her hand, she answered, "I am glad you think so."
He smiled, one of those full-blown-rarely-seen Gibbs smiles, that had her glowing in return.
After they ordered, he asked about some comment he'd overheard between Tony and McGee. As she related the story, he reached over and covered her hand with his, thumb rubbing across the back of her hand. She paused in mid-sentence, robbed of her train of thought. It was his turn to be delighted that he had that effect on her.
They both honestly enjoyed themselves, talking with the ease of two people who knew each other well and genuinely liked each other. Those moments of attraction that punctuated the conversation added a sizzle that felt deliciously exciting.
After dinner, they had walked along a nearby waterfront. Paused in the shadows looking out over the water, he pressed up against her from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Resting his cheek on her hair, Jethro spoke. "I know I told you to pack a bag for tonight, but I don't want to push you faster than you want to go."
She tilted her head to look up at him, trying to gauge where he was coming from with his question.
"I am quite certain I have been the only one of us doing any pushing," she pointed out, slightly amused.
She turned in his arms so they were pressed tightly together, front to front. The hunger in his gaze assured her that he hadn't given her an out because he hoped she'd take it. She pulled his mouth to hers and they kissed slowly, deeply.
"Jethro," she whispered, coming up for air and opening her eyes. "Take me home."
She looked at him directly, with no hesitation in her gaze. "With you."
The fervor in his muttered "Thank God" made her laugh as she pulled him toward his truck.
True to his word, they took their time with each other that first night, lingering over touches and kisses, whispered words driving them both over the edge. And while they loved each other slowly that first time, the intensity was more potent than anything either had ever known, sweeping away any last vestige of doubt that this was casual or fleeting.
They spent that weekend holed up in his house, focused on nothing but each other. The sex was beyond incredible – ranging from slow and deep and easy to hot and fast and unable to get enough. During those stolen days, they also talked and laughed and even cooked a little, and just enjoyed having this stretch of time together.
And through it all they discovered a depth of emotion that rocked them both and left them more than a little desperate to protect this fledgling connection.
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A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews and alerts and favorites! *fluffy heart dances with glee* =)