A/N – Okay! Some of these are scenes that are partially in the episode, but slightly changed to fit my story! I hope you like them!

Disclaimer – I don't own NCIS or the characters

Chapter 5 – Lost at Sea

The beach/crime scene

"Okay, if it's that easy, I want you to pick up the next woman you see," Ziva said. She was having a hard time keeping up the appearances at work and Tony really didn't like that suggestion at all, since he wanted to be only with Ziva.

"That's juvenile, and I'm more mature than that now," Tony said nodding his head toward Ziva and looking straight at her, fighting the urge to smile since Ziva was the next woman he saw.

"Well, if either of you manages to get a date, I will do both of your case reports for the entire month," Ziva said with a smile, looking at McGee.

"Game on," Tony said, walking over to Ziva and ignoring Agent Borin as she snuck up behind him.

"This a game to you, DiNozzo?" she asked.

He glanced back at her and whispered in Ziva's ear.

"Will you go on a date with me tonight? Dinner? You don't have to do my case reports and you don't have to tell McGee," he whispered.

Ziva chuckled too lightly for McGee to hear and whispered in his ear. "You bet."

Tony finally turned to Borin and finally answered her.

Ride back to NCIS between Tony and McGee

"What was that with Ziva?" McGee asked curiously.

"Nothing," Tony said. "Just sharing some information with her. Hey, listen McGee, I'm really not into dating Borin, so I'll help you pick her up, but I'm not going to try."

"What? Since when are you not into picking up every woman you meet?" McGee asked, sounding shocked.

"Since now, probie," Tony said, without looking at him. "Listen, as much fun as it was to play your stupid game last night, I really don't want to go out with those girls, nor do I want to flirt with them again. I just want some peace."

"Peace? No dating? Not interested in dating Borin? What's gotten into you?" McGee nearly shouted at Tony, turned in his seat, staring at him now.

"I told you, nothing," Tony said. "Taking a little hiatus from the dating world and focusing on me. I'm… I'm ready to settle down, McGee and, well, I can't do that by living by my old habits. I just want to do this right, you know?"

"Are you seeing someone?" McGee asked.

Tony glanced at McGee. He wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't lie, but he couldn't tell the whole truth either. McGee's look was of disbelief as though he would never hear Tony say what he was saying now.

"Yes," Tony finally admitted.

"What's she like?"

"Best woman I know," Tony said quietly. "Beautiful, smart, funny, dangerous. My kind of woman."

"Sounds like you're really into her, Tony! How long have you been with her?" McGee asked.

"Long enough," Tony replied, knowing that the answer would give away too much information, since Tony and Ziva were definitely acting different around the office and they were blaming it on getting along better. "It's pretty serious, I think."

"That's great," McGee said.

They were silent for a while and McGee really wanted to know who the girl was, but didn't want to ask, because Tony was giving him vague answers. McGee thought it was best to leave his private life in private. It seemed that Ziva didn't know that he was dating someone, considering the dare that she had given them. McGee would help Tony out and go for Borin now.

Job skills

"Speaking of job skills," Ziva said, slapping rubber boots onto Tony's desk.

"What's this?"

"Rubbers for your date with Borin," she said with a seductive look on her face.

"Extra large! You knew my size," Tony said wittingly.

Ziva smirked, but hid it as a grimace. Tony smiled up at her. Ziva was blushing slightly, but McGee didn't catch onto it. Ziva looked curious though, since they hadn't done that yet, and yet they were referencing it.

McGee had to get up and interrupt their silent exchange. McGee asked and Ziva explained that Borin needed some help and Ziva volunteered them. Then, Ziva's phone rang and she stared at Tony as she talked on the phone. He grabbed the boots and watched Ziva talk to whoever was on the phone. They gave each other a very slight nod that McGee missed as Tony and McGee went toward the elevator.

They got in the car and Tony let McGee drive.

"Why don't you just tell her you're seeing someone?" McGee asked. "It would make it easier."

"Are you kidding, McGee?" Tony asked. "You know how we are. You know that I get jealous when she's with someone and she gets jealous when I'm with someone. You know how it is. Do you honestly think I'm just going to throw something like that in her face?"

"She doesn't get that jealous," McGee muttered. "Okay! Maybe she does, but honestly, wouldn't it save us a little, so I didn't have to get a date with Borin?"

"Nope," Tony said. "She'll claim it's cheating somehow."

Dinner with Tony and Ziva

"Why did you suggest that McGee and I ask the first person out?" Tony asked as they sat down in the dining room of a casual restaurant after work.

"Because it seemed fair," Ziva said. "And we do have pretenses."

"Well, McGee now thinks I'm seeing someone," Tony said. "Which I am, but what the hell do I tell him if he asks who she is?"

"Either the truth or a version of the truth," Ziva said. "If you don't wish to give a name, tell him you do not want to sphinx it."

"The term is jinx, Ziva," Tony said.

"Whatever, you know what I meant," Ziva said to him as the waiter came over.

They ordered their drinks and appetizer and read the menus silently. They ordered their meals when the waiter came over with their drinks.

"Ziva, I'm not asking Agent Borin out," Tony said. "I'll only date you, no matter how many dares you give me."

"As long as you're sure this doesn't count as me needing to do paperwork?" Ziva asked nervously.

"I told McGee that you would see it as cheating," Tony said with a smile.

"Well, it is," Ziva said. "I'm your girlfriend, but I gave you the dare and me asking myself to stay away from you while McGee tries to find a date is ridiculous!"

Tony laughed. "That's true. You don't have to do my paperwork or his," Tony said. "But, if he finds a date, I'll help you with his."

"Thank you," Ziva said. "That's thoughtful."

They finished their dinner in silence, then they both went back to Ziva's apartment. They watched a movie and fell asleep on the couch in each other's arms. The night was just about perfect. When they woke up they got read and kissed each other on the lips as they went to separate cars.

Surprisingly they arrived at the office at the same time that morning.

"Did you drive slow today?" Tony asked as they got into the elevator.

"Yes, there was a lot on my mind," Ziva said, looking at Tony. "Well, no, you were on my mind. How much I'm enjoying this relationship, but how much I wish I didn't have to hide half the time."

"I know the feeling. You think we should talk to Gibbs?"

"Not yet," Ziva said. "They're not even suspicious. We'll talk to him soon."

"Yes, we will," Tony agreed as the elevator door opened. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I wouldn't mind dinner again tonight, or just a movie, whatever you're in the mood for."

"How about some take-out," Ziva offered in a whisper, wondering how far away Gibbs was and what he was watching and listening to. "And a movie, of course."

"Perfect," Tony whispered back as they separated and made their way to their own desks.

End Episode

"Since we found the missing Helo and my boat, my review is looking pretty good," Borin said as they arrived back at the office. "So, how about a drink on me as professionals."

They were just entering the squad room. Tony locked eyes with Ziva for a moment before answering Borin.

"Sorry, I'm going to have to take a rain-check," Tony said. "I've got a date tonight."

"Really? With who?" Borin asked, stopping and looking at Tony. Tony's eyes flashed toward Ziva only momentarily.

"Someone special," Tony answered sincerely.

"Sounds serious?" Borin asked.

"I hope so," Tony said quietly.

"She's right," Ziva interrupted. "It does sound pretty serious. I wonder, what is this someone special like?"

"Oh, you know," Tony said quietly, looking at Ziva. "She's a pretty, smart, funny, dangerous brunette. Gorgeous would be more accurate, I think. Great personality once she opens up, but that doesn't come so easy to her. Enjoys movies, cuddling, kissing, talking, going out…."

"I think I know what you mean," Ziva said quietly, looking back at Tony and then her eyes snapping to Borin before anyone could notice that they were getting lost in each other, but Borin was already speaking.

"How about you, McGee, Ziva?"

"I can't," Ziva said. "I have a date as well. After all, it is Friday night."

"I'll go," McGee said quietly. "Boss?"

"Sure, why not?" Gibbs asked. "You better go ask Abby, though. She'll be unhappy if no one invites her."

McGee nodded and headed toward the elevator as Tony and Ziva collected their things to go for the evening.

"You two got a minute?" Borin asked as she stepped into the elevator with them.

They glanced at each other and then back at her, as she hit the emergency stop switch. It was a little too eerily like Gibbs.

"Does he know?" Borin asked.

"Does who know what?" Ziva asked.

"Does Gibbs know that you two are together?" Borin asked. They both shook their heads with a glance at each other again. "Don't worry, not going to say a thing. I know he's got his rules for a reason. But, you two make it work. Even had me fooled for a moment, until you got a little lost in each other's eyes. Ziva, perhaps you shouldn't challenge your boyfriend to find a date with another girl, though, which probably means that you shouldn't challenge McGee to it either, just to keep it fair."

"Thank you, Abigail," Ziva said quietly. "For not telling Gibbs. We will tell him. But, we want some time under us before we do, so he can see that it has already worked."

"I understand," Borin said. "Well, you two have fun tonight. And, I'm holding you both to that rain-check that DiNozzo promised me."

"Sounds fair," Ziva said. "Perhaps after some dinner, we can meet you at the bar. We do not have to work tomorrow morning."

"That sounds fair," Borin said to them with a nod. "Call me if you decide that's what you want to do."

"Will do," Tony said quietly and Borin reached over and turned the elevator back on.

A/N – let me know what you think!