Chapter Two

After such a well-prepared breakfast, Monique and I mutually decided to check out a café we had gotten wind of a couple of days after we moved in. Alas, we had only been in Los Angeles a mere week and I honestly had not gotten to see much of the town, other than when I was running, and of course I do not focus much on anything but running while doing so. I wanted to savor the place Monique and I would be staying in for a while.

I watched as Monique grabbed her black suit jacket off the coat rack conveniently placed in the living room, no more than a few feet away from the front door. She wore an exquisite pants suit, and she looked perfect in it. I remained casual in dress, wearing a pair of black cargo pants and a dark purple tank top. Licking my lips only slightly, I approached Monique and grinned. I wanted to kiss her much now, so I would "get it out of my system" now. Would I ever be able to truly get it out of my system? No. Would I be able to restrain myself and keep from showing public displays of affection? Yes.

I leaned in and tenderly kissed Monique's exotic lips which were always so passionate. She kissed me back without hesitation, wrapping her arms around my waist. She pulled me so close that I could feel heat radiating off her slender frame. I keep kissing her, deeper as time passed. The need for the oxygen which sustained us became so crucial that I was forced to pull away. Taking deep breaths, I rested my forehead against hers, looking up into her eyes which were the most alluring shade of coffee brown. My mocha orbs were locked on her, as if it were truly impossible to tear them away.

I watched her smile as her hand reached out to stroke the side of my face. I felt chills of ecstasy run throughout my body. It was the sensation I got from every touch, every caress, every kiss. It was the sensation which told me that this was real, what Monique and I had. It was genuine. Something I never got from men and never would.

"My beautiful Ziva," She murmured, her European accent so thick and full of eroticism.

"My gorgeous Monique," I replied, burying my hands in her hair.

"If we are to ever get out of this house, we should leave now before you or I become needier." Monique joked, following it up with a short laugh.

That laugh; it was utterly perfect and I loved hearing it.

"I agree." I said, smiling.

I led the way out of the house and we got into my car, a scarlet red and midnight black mini cooper. Driving to "The Planet", which was the name of the café currently owned by Kit Porter, was a rather short ordeal. It took us no more than fifteen minutes, but then again, as the team pointed out constantly, I drive "much too fast". Honestly? I just think Tony and McGee were too big of pussies to handle it. Now Monique… she loves how I drive. But what else is new? She loves just about everything about me; at least that is what she tells me.

Stepping out of the vehicle after parking it, I take a breath as Monique got out. She looked over at me, studying me for a bit. I could tell she was doing so. I felt her eyes on me, those all too easy to get lost in eyes. We walked into "The Planet", looking around. The atmosphere was wondrous, and the customers seemed to all be enjoying themselves. I smiled approvingly and looked at Monique. She seemed generally pleased with the place as well.

"I will order us something. You go find us some place to sit, if you can." She humorously said, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I nod, grinning. I could not help but watch her hips sway as she walked. I pulled my eyes away and went to a small table for two, taking a seat. I noticed a group of girls eyeing me as if I were a new piece of meat. I did not know who they were, but they seemed to be friends with our neighbors. I tilted my head slightly to the left, curious about them, as they were of me. They began speaking but I could not hear what they were saying over the sound of bustling café employees and chatting customers.

"Who is she?" Alice Pieszecki asked the other girls, sounding intrigued.

"I don't know." Shane McCutcheon's deep voice rang out. "I think she might be one of the chicks that moved in next door to me and Jenny."

"Oh?" Bette Porter chimed in.

"Chicks… as in more than one?" Alice asked, becoming more engrossed in the gossip fest.

"Yes, Alice. That's kinda the definition of "chicks"." Dana Fairbanks pointed out somewhat too sternly.

I watched as one girl rolled her eyes, seeming annoyed by a rather eccentric blonde girl. I was snapped out of my stare when Monique sat down, baring coffee for the both of us.

"I am told the coffee here is amazing." Monique said, having struck up a conversation with a woman in line.

"We shall see, yes?" I ask, my accent thickening for a moment.

"Yes."

We sip from our coffees, looking at each other longingly. Meanwhile, the ladies continue to gossip about me.

"It's just her and this other woman. Hey, yeah, that's her, right there." Shane said, inconspicuously gesturing towards Monique.

We both noticed it, but I did not give it too much consideration.

"I think we are subject of conversation." Monique observed, setting down her coffee.

I nod, knowing this to be true. Bette, Tina Kennard, Shane, Alice, and Dana all had their eyes on us now, not saying anything.

"Oh, they're definitely together." Alice decided, seeming quite adamant.

"You don't know that." Shane argued, sounding somewhat exasperated.

I would soon find out that Alice had this way of thinking everyone is sleeping with everybody else.

"Yeah, Alice. Shane's right. For all you know, they could be sisters." Dana added.

"Pfft, yeah right. They don't seem like sisters to me." Alice said, still remaining persistant.

Alice leaned back in her seat, childishly crossing her arms in a defiant manner. It was as if she refused to believe anything else could be true.

"I have to agree with Alice on this one you guys." Tina spoke up. "I mean, look at how the one in the cargo pants is eyeing the other one."

"Thank you!" Alice exclaimed just loud enough for me to hear.

Just then our other neighbor, Jenny Shecter, entered the establishment, joining the girls. She smiled to Shane and sat beside her.

"What are we talking about?" She asked eagerly.

"Oh, those two new women." Shane said, rolling her eyes. "Alice and Tina think they are together."

"Ooh! The mystery begins." Jenny said, sounding intrigued and excited. "Do you guys know who they are?"

The ladies shook their heads.

"Although they are our new neighbors." Shane pointed out, outstretching her index finger into the air for just a moment.

A somewhat twisted, playfully sinister grin came to Jenny's face.

"Ooh. So those of the new neighbors!"

"Mm-hmm." Shane hummed, fixing her stylish butch haircut just a bit before putting on her shades. "Well, I'm out. Gotta get to work,"

"Bye!" The women said in unison as Shane exited.

Alice kept eyeing us and now so did Jenny. Meanwhile, I leaned on the table with my elbows just a bit, looking into Monique's eyes again.

"God, I just want to kiss you right now." I murmur in a low voice, only audible to Monique.

"I know. As do I. But we must show self-control, Ziva." Monique pointed out, sipping more coffee.

"I understand." I replied, nodding.

I twist my coffee cup around clockwise, sighing as I look down at it.

"I just wish it did not have to be this way… all the secrets and deception. It will be worse once we make friends here."

Monique nodded slowly, comprehensively. She must have known this to be true.

"I understand."

I could only sigh and lean back in my chair a bit. Monique frowned. She felt as bad as I did, probably worse. I took note of how she pursed her lips to the side in thought.

"Shall we go now? Home?" I heard her ask.

I nodded slowly, wanting to leave yet also wanting to stay. Then again, going home seemed to be a bit of the better option given our current predicament. With that, we stood up and left the café, going back to the one and only place we felt safe expressing our love and affection.