Here's the final chapter, and as with all my TIVA stories, it isn't complete without some M-rated lovin' for our favorite couple! It's about time, huh?!
Chapter 8:
The bullet whisked past Tony, nicking the tender flesh of his inner thigh as it tore cleanly through the fabric of his pants. At the same time, Jeanne dropped to the floor in front of him. Ziva lowered her recently fired weapon.
"No!" Rene Benoit dropped his own gun and rushed to his daughter's side. Her blood pooled beneath her as he tried to lift her to his lap. "No…."
It had been quick. No pain, no suffering. Ziva had had no choice. If she hadn't shot Jeanne, it may well be Tony lying there dead instead.
Tony appeared to be in shock, as he stood, almost comically, clutching his crotch. Ziva approached him, not sure of his mental state. She had just killed his ex-girlfriend, and she wasn't sure how he would react.
"Ziva…." Tony questioned quietly.
"Yes Tony," she replied cautiously.
"Can you look for me please?"
"Look where?"
"You know, my 'boys'. Are they, ah, still intact? I can't look…"
Ziva tried to suppress a grin. She tilted her head and asked him to move his hands. "Mmm, another inch and you'd be a soprano."
Tony looked at her and could see she was amused by his discomfort. He breathed a sigh of relief. Looking down, he poked his finger through the hole the bullet had made in his pants. He was extremely lucky. If Jeanne had been a better shot then… Jeanne. Oh my god!
It finally dawned on him that Jeanne had been shot. Dead. It was as if time had stood still. He took a step closer to her realizing the local LEO's had already arrived on the scene. How long had he been standing there in limbo? The gunfire had alerted hotel security immediately. Gibbs hadn't wasted any time untying the Director and both of them were busy conferring with the police. Ziva watched as Tony tried to compose himself at the sight of Jeanne, dead in her father's arms. This was what it had all come down to, months of undercover work and covert operations to catch one of the world's most wanted arm's dealers, and here he was clutching the lifeless body of his own daughter, the pawn caught in the middle of it all.
"Tony…" Ziva stood behind him, willing him to turn away from the bloodshed.
His voice was quiet, barely above a whisper. "I thought I loved her you know."
"I know," Ziva replied softly, her voice cracking slightly. She put a hand on his shoulder and he finally turned to face her. She didn't know what to expect and decided on keeping her emotions contained. She swallowed in an attempt at composing herself for his benefit.
"Thank you," he said, closing his eyes momentarily. "You saved my life…" His voice trailed off.
Raw emotion filled Ziva's otherwise strong voice. "You're welcome," she replied quietly, relief washing over her. Maybe they would be okay after all.
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"Come on Jen, I'll drive you to the hospital," Gibbs walked the Director to his car as they left the hotel.
"The last place I need to go right now is the hospital, Jethro. I'm fine."
"Office then," he suggested as they got into the car.
"No, home. I have to feed my cat." Jen sighed as she closed her eyes and leant her head back against the headrest as Gibbs started the car.
Gibbs turned to stare at her. "You have a cat?"
"Yes."
"Since when?"
"Since last month. You don't know everything about me Jethro. Now drive." The Director of NCIS smiled as she closed her eyes again. She enjoyed keeping the ever-confident Leroy Jethro Gibbs on his toes.
Gibbs was quiet for some time before he finally spoke. "We thought the whole 'send someone to feed my cat' thing was a code." He looked across at the Director when he didn't get a response. She was fast asleep. Gibbs shook his head and smiled his trademark crooked smile as he continued driving.
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"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be at your place?" Ziva asked Tony as they opened the front door to her apartment.
"No, I don't feel like going home just yet."
"Too many memories…?" Ziva asked as she pretended to unpack her hospital bag to avoid making eye contact with him.
"No memories of Jeanne there if that's what you mean. She never saw my apartment actually."
Ziva turned to look at him quizzically. "You never invited her there and she never asked why?"
Tony smiled a half smile as he walked towards the sofa. He flopped down onto it and sighed deeply before answering. "Oh she asked, I just always had an excuse."
"Six months is a long time to make excuses Tony." Ziva sat next to him on the sofa.
"Which is why we were on borrowed time. I knew it would come to a head at some point, I just never figured it would end with her being killed."
Ziva closed her eyes and turned away from Tony. Here it comes, she thought.
"Ziva I'm not blaming you," Tony could sense her shutting him out. "I just never imagined she would pull my own gun on me… She would have shot me Ziva. You did what you had to do…"
The headache threatening to take hold of Ziva since she left the hospital was now hitting her full force. She pressed a hand lightly to her forehead to touch the cut above her eye.
"Here." Tony moved closer to Ziva and started to lightly massage her shoulders. Does this hurt?
"No – its good," she managed. The man surely knew how to touch her. Even an innocent shoulder massage seemed to awaken her senses, no matter how dulled they'd become due to the day's chain of events. She leaned in to him, letting him take her weight and he moved his hands to hold her to him, her back pressed gently into his chest. He lightly caressed her stomach, careful not to hurt any bruising from the accident. She had been through enough in the past few days, as had he. They both deserved a break. He rested his head gently on hers, noting the sweet smell of her hair. He breathed in her scent and relaxed for the first time in months. He had had no idea how stressful the whole undercover mission had been until this very moment. He thought he'd had it under control, but right now, he realized how very happy he was that it was all over with, once and for all. Closing his eyes, he relished being able to hold Ziva for the first time with no guilt, no remorse and no reason to have to get up and leave.
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Ziva slowly became aware of a light snoring next to her. She and Tony had fallen asleep while sitting curled up on the sofa together. Turning in his arms, she nudged him. "Tony, wake up…"
"Huh?" He sleepily opened his eyes.
Ziva smiled at him. "I think we should go to bed."
"Oh?" Tony raised his eyebrows.
"To sleep, Tony," Ziva replied playfully. "We both need to sleep."
Ziva stood up and all the aches and pains from her accident made themselves known instantly. She grimaced as she made a move to stretch.
Tony helped her into the bedroom, where she insisted on taking a shower before getting into bed. "I really want a shower," she persisted, especially after being in hospital and the course of the events that had followed. Tony made a move to follow her into the bathroom. "By myself, Tony," she said as she closed the door, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before doing so.
Tony was incredibly exhausted himself. He took off his shoes and decided to lie down on her bed for a minute and close his eyes until she came out of the bathroom.
Ziva relished the feel of the warm water on her body, despite the dull aches of her injuries. Now was not the time for her and Tony to be intimate. She was certain she could perform, injuries aside, but it would be in poor taste in her mind for them to be together that way at the end of such a day. Timing was important. And she had no doubt that she and Tony would find the right time soon enough. Emerging from the bathroom she smiled as she saw Tony, fast asleep sprawled out on her bed fully clothed. She tried to remove his shirt and pants, but was too sore to be of much use. She did however, manage to move him enough to get the comforter out from under him. She pulled it over them both as she curled up by his side. They fell asleep together for the second time that day.
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Both Tony and Ziva had been given the rest of the week off work; Tony for emotional reasons and Ziva for her injuries from the car accident. They managed two full days of R&R before returning to the office. Ziva had insisted Tony go back to his own place because she needed some space. What she really meant was that Tony needed some space to come to terms with what had happened to Jeanne. If they were to take their relationship to the next level then time apart due to recent circumstances was important for both of them.
Jeanne had taught Tony that it's okay to fall in love, and it's also okay to admit how you feel. Ziva had learnt that if she didn't open up and let Tony know how she really felt that she might well lose him forever. She was lucky, fate had given her a second chance and she was determined that this time, the odds would be in her favor.
Arriving at the office, Gibbs wasn't at all surprised to see them both behind their desks. Rather than bring up the past, he greeted them good morning, and headed straight upstairs to see the Director. Without knocking, he let himself into her office.
"Good to see you Gibbs," Jen Sheppard stood up to greet him. "I see you are still respecting my privacy by not knocking." She raised her eyebrows in mock amusement.
"Well, why change now?" Gibbs responded wryly.
"Thank you for coming to my aid at the hotel, Jethro. I do appreciate it," she spoke seriously.
"You'd have done the same thing," Gibbs was nonplussed.
Jen changed the subject after a few moments of silence. "About what Rene said, that you were his competition..." Jen had wanted to bring this up with Gibbs when the opportunity presented itself. She walked around her desk to stand before him.
"Don't Jen, it was 10 years ago. I understand."
"Do you?" she asked.
"It would never have worked between us, you know that. And it won't work now - I'm damaged goods." They made eye contact and Jen nodded. With that Gibbs turned and left her office, closing the door quietly behind him.
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"So I was thinking, we never did get that dinner, did we?" Tony asked Ziva from across his desk. He had missed her the past few days, and was glad to be back at work for obvious reasons.
"Ah, yes. That little Italian place around the corner, I remember." Ziva played along.
"How about tonight?" he asked her.
"Perhaps. But how will I get there?" Ziva asked playfully. "I no longer have a car." She smiled her cheeky smile at him.
"Oh I think transportation can be arranged, Miss David." Tony was enjoying the banter between them. "Among other things…" he added mischievously. It had seemed like a lifetime since they were this comfortable together.
"DiNozzo! David! Back to work before I send you both home to take the rest of that leave," Gibbs bellowed as he walked back into the bullpen. He had to try hard to keep the stern look on his face, as he realized he had just interrupted a serious round of flirting. Sure, he had his 'rules', but time had changed many of those rules, and he had to admit that most of them had been made up on the fly to begin with. Truth be told, he didn't even remember which rule was which, least of all if rule number 12 really was 'never date a co-worker.' He smiled to himself as he sat down and swiveled his chair closer to his computer.
Yes, things were certainly getting back to normal, and that was a good thing in Tony's book. A very good thing. Raising his eyebrows at Ziva, he gave her a smoldering look that would melt the paint off of any woman's bedroom walls. Ziva didn't know how long she was going to be able to wait…
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As the day wore on, Tony grew more and more restless. His mind constantly drifted back to the one night he had spent with Ziva. All he could see was her naked body writhing beneath him as he thrust into her again and again. His palms were sweaty as he worked the keyboard. He was clumsy and dropped some paperwork and before he could retrieve it Ziva was standing over him, her hands on her hips. "Here, let me," she bent over in front of him and picked up the papers, sending an electric current throughout his entire body. He got a birds eye view down her top and his eagle eye went straight to her breasts.
Ziva was fully aware of the affect she was having on him, and she deliberately chose to torment him, especially since they were at work and he could do nothing about it. She placed the papers on his desk and straightened her top before walking suggestively back to her own desk. Fortunately Gibbs was not in the room at the time, or she would never have risked it.
Tony knew what she was up to and loved every minute of it. Now, he decided, it was his turn to make her sweat. He stood up and walked over to stand behind her chair. Leaning down, he placed his head close to hers and pretended to be very interested in what was on her computer screen. His face brushed against hers, and the stubble from his cheeks aroused her senses. "Hmm, very interesting. What do you call this?" he was trying to be serious as he deliberately brushed his arm against her hers pointing to the screen.
"It's a spreadsheet, Tony," she deadpanned.
"Really?" he breathed in her ear.
"Mhmm," She turned her head slightly and bit him on the earlobe, completely throwing him off balance.
"Ow! What was that for?" He tugged on his ear, feigning pain.
"A taste of what is to come. If you're good that is."
"Oh, I'll be better than good, Ziva." Tony's voice was low and full of promise. Electricity shot through Ziva, causing her to involuntarily squirm in her seat. She was in for it tonight. Perhaps we should take that time off after all, she thought wickedly.
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As the end of the day neared, Tony packed up his desk and asked Ziva if she would like to go straight to the restaurant from work. "They have a bar there, we could have a drink first," he offered.
Ziva was quietly pleased he'd made the suggestion, as she really didn't feel like wasting any time going home first. "Sure, but you're buying," she quipped.
Standing in the elevator, the silence was deafening. Both were conscious of the other's presence, and the air was thick with unresolved tension – the good kind. Arriving at the car park level, they exited the elevator and in and instant Tony had Ziva pressed up against the wall, where he kissed her with full force. Ziva quickly responded and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in even closer. A random noise broke their moment. "What was that?" Tony asked breathlessly.
"Sounds like Palmer and Lee are at it again," Ziva managed to articulate, which wasn't easy when you had one very happy Anthony DiNozzo pressed into your groin.
They composed themselves and walked steadily towards Tony's mustang, parked close by. "When are those two going to get a room instead of skulking around the building like they do?" Tony asked as he started the car.
"It turns them on, Tony." Ziva replied with amusement.
"Huh?"
"You know, the chance they might get caught. It excites them," Ziva continued.
"I like the sound of that," he smirked as he turned onto the street.
"Me too," she raised an eyebrow at him, mischief sparkling in her eyes.
They drove in silence until they reached Tony's condo. Parking downstairs, he had no sooner taken the key out of the ignition before Ziva began stroking his leg and running her tongue along the edge of his earlobe.
"You have a thing for my ears, don't you," he managed to mutter before she maneuvered to sit astride him in his seat. Grabbing both of his hands, she pinned them over his head as her wayward tongue made its way to his mouth. She explored his mouth as his tongue twisted with hers, sucking and pulling at her lips. Tony pressed his hardness into her as she gyrated on him. "If you keep that up I won't make it out of the car," Tony breathed.
Ziva didn't stop. She nipped at his lips and tasted the saltiness of his skin. She didn't want to wait and that was obvious. Tony fumbled with his zipper and Ziva let go of one of his hands to help him. They pushed his pants down his thighs enough to enable her easy access. Her hot eager hand engulfed him and he groaned low in his throat. "Oh, Ziva…" was all he could manage.
She tightened her grip and massaged him until he was rock hard. Fortune would have it she was wearing a skirt. She quickly removed her underwear and rubbed her slick folds with him. She was wet and more than ready. She wasted no time lowering herself onto him. Both of them moaned at the sensation.
It was fast. Very hard and fast. If Ziva didn't have any bruises before she certainly would now. The steering wheel was pressing into her back and the gear-stick was rubbing against her leg. Tony held onto her hips as she rode him. He could see the sweat dripping down between her breasts, still partially hidden by her bra. In their haste neither had fully undressed and neither cared at this point. They both needed release.
"Ziva – I'm – close…" Tony panted.
"Me – too.." Ziva whimpered.
Almost immediately they both came with such intensity, Tony wouldn't be surprised if security showed up to see what all the screaming was about. The aftershocks of Ziva's orgasm continued to clutch at Tony so tightly he was close to passing out from sheer pleasure.
Once they had calmed down, Tony wiped Ziva's forehead, paying special attention to the cut above her eye. "I can't believe we just did that here," he breathed.
"I can," Ziva kissed him slowly as her breathing returned to normal.
Tony smiled. "I'm thinking we should just skip dinner and continue this upstairs."
"Mhmm." Ziva continued to kiss him.
"We could order in," Tony mumbled between kisses.
"Mhmm." Ziva was now kissing his neck, her hand caressing his chest.
"You're insatiable, aren't you?" Tony closed his eyes as her expert tongue traced the outline of his collarbone, her free hand pushing his shirt out of the way so she could run her fingers through his rough chest hair.
Ziva slowly stopped and sat up, pushing the sweat soaked hair from her eyes. "What was that about ordering in?" she cocked her head to the side, an impish grin on her face.
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Opening his eyes, he lazily stretched, feeling all the warmth and passion from the previous night of lovemaking still present in his body. He couldn't remember ever feeling so satisfied, so immensely happy after such a night. Smiling, he looked towards the window and silently watched the rain as the sun struggled to rise. Lying flat on his back, the sheets twisted around his torso, he reached out to the person next to him. This time she was there, warm and fast asleep with her head on his shoulder. He smiled. He was truly happy for the first time in his life. She began to stir and lightly ran a hand over his chest as she nuzzled in closer. Tony wrapped a protective arm around her and held her to him.
Everything was as it should be. Life was good for Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David.
END
