Ray Cruz – the man, the myth, the legend – appears to have just walked into our squad room. Ziva hurries over to him while looking a bit flustered that he is here. I wish I had some popcorn; this is going to be good.

I don't like him. I don't really know him but I don't like him. It must be that smile or the suit, nope – it's the ears. And lo and behold, he's CIA. Yup, I knew I had a bad feeling about this one. (I really hope this isn't another Eli David entanglement thing because I know I can't bear it and neither can she.)

It's what I do, not who I am. You are neither Batman nor Bruce Wayne so just stop.

I don't like him.

Oh look, it's CI-Ray, again. Just the two of us, in the bathroom. We have to talk, there's no around it. "She's a tough nut to crack. But you know, once you navigate past that Mossad influenced exterior and her inability to grasp cultural references – she's great."

"I'm in love with her. That's why I'm here."

"To tell her. . . When are you going to do that?"

"I don't know . . . tonight, tomorrow . . . soon. You know, feels good to . . . finally let it out." My internal thoughts keep floating questions as he talks; let it out, really? Are we 12? You can't say it to her or are you afraid of what she might say?

"I want Ziva's friends to become my friends. She's told me how close you two are." Yeah, we won't be friends. That's the way it is.

I flash out a nervous smile. "I wouldn't say that."

"She says you're like a brother to her." Oh really, a brother? A fucking brother? Clearly, she's mistaken. Is she ashamed of our relationship? My mind flashes back to Paris – not siblings.

CI-Ray's phone beeps, again. "Do me a favor. Don't say anything to Ziva."

Oh, don't worry CI-Ray, I won't. I want to see what you can do on your own. You don't need help from me. It surprises me he didn't tell her when they were at that cute little bed and breakfast up north. Wait, even better, the opera – because that's not cliché or expected. I can stay quiet, Ray.

What. . . the. . .fuck? EJ and Ray know each other. CIA Liaison with NCIS on the Port-to-Port Killer. I knew I didn't like him. I guess he didn't mention the whole love thing yet. Ziva looks pissed. I don't blame her. Even I didn't know about Ray and I'm sleeping with the Boss Lady. In all honesty, we never know what information is being passed. We protect what we know – we have to.

My phone rings as I wait for Gibbs and EJ to come out the Director's office. "What did you forget?"

"I did not forget anything, Tony."

"Ok, then." I pause for a second, "Then what can I do for you, Agent Dah-veed?"

"Meet me for a drink."

"Where?" I semi-whisper as Gibbs walks by me and grabs his coat. "Uh, goodnight Boss." I say during the silence. He nods and heads out.

"The usual."

"Be there in five."

Just as I hang up, EJ comes to my desk, "Tony, he knows and he's not happy about it."

"You can't hide anything from Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Yeah, uh huh. . ."

"Still on for dinner?"

"Nope, I need a rain check. Ziva need me."

"Why?"

"She just does." I'm not about to say, 'Oh let's see, you and CI-Ray have been working together this entire time. She's pissed. She wants a drink and she wants me there.' Nah. I'll just leave it.

"Alright, then." EJ says defeated, "Call me later."

I smile. "Sure." I know I won't be calling.

I get to the bar and spot Ziva immediately. I suppose it's not hard since we are pretty much the only two in there. I make a crack about depressing it is to be drinking alone. She retorts saying its club soda and she's not depressed. Nope, she's pissed. I grab her arm as she tries to get up since she's apparently fine. God, I fucking hate that word, fine. She gives me that ninja eye and I let go of her arm. Where are we going to go? Obviously she doesn't want to be alone. I don't understand how she can hold it together all the time. She doesn't have to act so strong all the time. It's not like it would change my opinion about her. I don't think anything could.

"What about you and EJ?" She deflects.

"What about us?"

"What are you going to do when Gibbs finds out?"

"I understand this one, Ziva. I understand her. That's why it's working."

I catch a glimpse of the tears she's trying to hold back. What do I say? Do I ignore it? The reason I started seeing EJ was because Ziva and Ray were together. She was so happy with him, well, at least when they went off on their weekends together. He loves her and I think she may even love him, too. I don't know. Her track record isn't so great. I mean, if she's happy then I'm happy – even if it isn't us together. Plus, EJ is different from Ziva. Great, I'm starting to do that compare and contrast thing again. Maybe, deep down, though I don't understand Ziva all the time, I understand her enough to make it work. But if I did, would we be sitting here right now? And there is that rule number 12 thing.

It's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.