"You had sex last night."

Ziva groaned as she slowly lifted her head from her desk, Abby's bright and bubbly face smiling in front of her. "You are mistaken."

Abby shook her head. "And I know who it was too."

This time, Ziva sat up straight. "And who do you think it was?"

"Tony."

"Did he tell you?" Ziva asked as all the blood rushed to her cheeks.

"No, but your reaction just now tells me you did."

Ziva smiled, happy to see Abby again. "I cannot get anything by you, Abby."

Abby leaned her palms onto Ziva's desk and asked, "Do I get any details?"

Ziva opened her mouth to answer when Tony and McGee walked by. "I will meet you after work for drinks." Abby smiled and silently bounced off to the elevators.

"What was that about?"

Ziva glanced up at Tony, who had taken the spot where Abby had been standing just moments before. "Abby and I are going out tonight."

Tony's reaction softened as he replied, "Oh."

"Why?"

Tony shook his head. "It's nothing," he said as he walked away and Ziva looked up at McGee, completely confused. "What just happened?"

McGee sighed. "Tony told me he was planning on cooking dinner for you tonight. He thought you would stay in and watch movies together."

Ziva's throat felt dry. "I need to go and talk to Abby." Then she stood up and walked to the elevator, leaving McGee alone. Ziva slowly entered Abby's lab, a wave of guilt washing over her. "Abby, we need to talk."

Abby turned around, a large smile on her face. "You have to cancel."

Ziva smiled. "Am I that easy to read?"

"Ziva, what happened with Tony? And don't say nothing because you both have that look," Abby said.

Ziva leaned against Abby's desk before beginning. "He came over two nights ago. He was upset so we talked, and he told me everything I wanted to hear, even though I already knew. I did the same for him. And then we kissed."

"He was scared yesterday," Abby said. "McGee told me. He knew as soon as he saw that look on Tony's face when you were lying on the ground. He knew this wasn't just a fling."

Ziva smiled again. "It is definitely not a fling."

"Do you love him?"

Ziva nodded.

"Then by all means, cancel on me. I'm sure McGee will agree to do something with me. But you have to promise to keep me in the loop. I mean, I don't need to know what goes on in the bedroom, although I'd love to finally know what keeps women attracted to Tony, but you know what I mean," Abby said and Ziva hugged her, surprising Abby.

"Thank you, Abby."

"DiNozzo, what the hell are you doing?"

Tony sat, staring at the blank MTAC screen as he felt Gibbs take a seat next to him. "Hey boss."

"Tony, what's going on?"

Again, Tony sat silently, but this time he stared at his boss, hoping he had answers for his silent questions. Gibbs took a sip of his coffee and said, "It's Ziva, isn't it? You need to talk about Ziva."

"I love her, boss. And I have for a while. But I don't want it to end badly. I can't lose her. Yesterday, when she was there on the ground, motionless, I panicked. I thought she was gone. And I was pissed. I was pissed because I wasn't there with her. I was pissed because you had left her alone. But when I heard her say my name, I realized we were given a second chance. And I'm not letting it slide by this time. Boss, I'm breaking Rule 12."

Gibbs stared at the blank screen this time, not saying a word. "Boss, some advice would be nice."

"I felt the same way about Jen," he started. "I didn't want to lose her after Paris. But I did. And I didn't see her again until she showed up here at NCIS. I pushed her away, and I will regret that choice for the rest of my life because I don't get another chance. Tony, don't sit back and let her go. Because that is the biggest mistake I have ever made."

Both men sat silent for a while before Gibbs reached up and smacked the back of Tony's head. "That's for violating Rule 12."

"Well deserved, boss," Tony said as he stood up from his seat and headed for the door. He stepped out and almost fell over as he ran into Ziva, who winced in pain. "I'm sorry, are you okay?"

"I am fine," she said with a smile. "I was just bringing these to Gibbs."

"So what time are you meeting Abby?"

"Oh, I cancelled." Tony smiled and Ziva continued. "I told her that I had a date tonight."

"She must have been crushed."

Ziva shook her head. "She understands."

They just stood, staring into each other's eyes, when the door to MTAC opened and Gibbs stepped out. He walked by, but stopped just before the stairs. "Hey DiNozzo, take care of her."

"On it boss," he said, his eyes never breaking from Ziva's.

Gibbs smiled as he went down the stairs and whispered, "Miss you, Jen," as he approached the squad room, a slight smile on his face."