A/N: Thanks so much for all the follows, favorites and comments. I appreciate each one. Here's our next chapter. This story is finished so I will post at least one chapter a day.

Bad Luck Turns to Good

Chapter 2

So here they were in an old hotel in a small town in North Carolina, separated by only a wall. Two people who loved one another but had never said so, not even to themselves. Kept apart by their relative positions; he the boss and she the subordinate. By the difference in their ages, their pasts, their individual sense of what was acceptable and right. Both comfortable alone but longing for someone to hold onto when the darkness overwhelmed them. Both accustomed to loss and both afraid to say out loud what they wanted. Maybe these two days away from everyone they knew would offer them a chance to reach out and take hold of what they wanted; what was just on the other side of the wall.

Jethro fell asleep and when he woke up and looked at his watch he was surprised to see it was six thirty. He gathered some clean underwear and a shirt from his bag and took a quick shower, brushed his teeth and got dressed. He was happy to realize he felt better than he had all day. By the time he was ready it was almost seven. In the time it took him to leave his room and step to the next room and knock on Ziva's door he made a decision that would eventually prove to be life changing. He decided to forget about who he was and who Ziva was, forget about their jobs and their many issues and just enjoy the company of a beautiful young woman. If that meant he put his arm around her or held her hand or even kissed her goodnight then so be it. He was just so damned tired of pretending. He decided couldn't do it even one more night.

Jethro knocked on Ziva's door and took a step back. A plan had popped into his head and he couldn't help but smile at the idea. He knew Ziva well enough to know she would catch on to what he was doing and, he hoped, go along for the evening. He heard her say she was coming and then she opened the door to him.

Ziva found Jethro standing in the hallway with a silly grin on his face. She wondered what he was up to.

"Good evening, ma'am. My name is Jethro and I'm in the room next door. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to have dinner with me tonight."

Ziva couldn't help but match his grin with one of her own. She had only rarely seen Gibbs in a joking or playful mood. This was a treat she was not inclined to deny herself.

"Why yes, you know I believe I would like to have dinner with you. My name is Ziva. Very nice to meet you Jethro."

Then neither one of them could stand it any longer and they both burst out laughing. Jethro held out his hand and Ziva happily took it in her own.

"Come on, let's go eat."

As they walked down the hall toward the exit, Jethro put his hand on the small of her back and she was reminded of how he used to do that with Jenny. Ziva decided to carry on the charade a while longer.

"Tell me Jethro what has brought you to this lovely little town."

Without hesitating Jethro replied, "I'm just passing through. How about yourself?"

"The same. I enjoy the mountains this time of year and drove down to see the foliage."

They were quiet then as they walked the short distance to the café next door. They were greeted by an older woman with the same black hair and green eyes as Chief Pennington.

"You must be the agents from NCIS. I'm Karen. Barbara said you might be coming in. Come sit back here and I'll get you some menus."

Jethro and Ziva followed her to a table next to the window that looked out onto the town square. Karen brought them some water and silverware.

"I recommend the vegetable soup and homemade rolls. Just made the soup this morning and the rolls will be out in five minutes."

Jethro looked at Ziva and she nodded her head.

"Sounds good. We'll both have that. Don't suppose you have any pie back there?"

"Peach and coconut crème."

"I'll let you know. Thanks."

"You are feeling better I presume."

"What do you mean? We just met?"

Ziva smiled that enigmatic smile she sometimes favored him with and said, "I forgot. But seriously, Jethro, are you feeling better?"

"I feel much better. Fine in fact."

"Good. Now, why are we playing at being strangers?"

Jethro looked out the window for a moment then he reached out and stroked the back of her hand with his index finger. She was immediately taken back to the day he did that to her in the interrogation room after she had returned from Somalia. She looked up searching his face for some clue as to what was going on. Her heart was thumping and she wondered if Jethro could feel her pulse racing.

"I just wanted to pretend we're two people who enjoy each other without all the baggage. You know what I mean?"

Now Ziva looked out the window and tried to gather her thoughts. Jethro was still running his finger over her hand and that small distraction was making it very hard for her to think clearly.

"Yes, I know exactly what you mean. But, Jethro, we do not have to pretend to enjoy each other. We already do. Right?"

"Yes."

"Then let us just do that; enjoy each other and our evening. Without any worries or complications."

"Best idea yet."

Karen returned with their soup and rolls and for a while conversation ceased. Jethro was grateful for the suggestion of soup for supper because even though he felt fine now he was a little worried about whatever had caused his earlier problem returning. The soup was delicious and the rolls were superb.

"This is the best soup I have had in a long time. Better then mine I have to say."

"I don't know about that but it is delicious."

As they finished eating Karen appeared and cleared away their dishes.

"Any room for dessert?"

Ziva and Jethro looked at each other and Jethro motioned for her to choose.

"I have never had coconut crème so I would like to try that."

"I'll help with hers and have some coffee as well."

"Very good. Coffee for you?" Karen asked looking at Ziva.

"Do you happen to have tea?"

"Sure, I'll bring you a selection with the water and you can steep your own."

"Wonderful. Thank you."

Ziva loved the pie so Jethro didn't get to be much help in eating it. They sat quietly finishing their coffee and tea and wondering to themselves what was next. Jethro paid the bill and they walked out into the pleasant fall evening.

"Would you like to take a walk around town? Check out the stores?"

"Sure."

They started off walking back toward the hotel and then past it to the stores that lined the five block long downtown area. There were several small antique stores and Ziva took her time looking in the windows, seeking treasures. All the stores were closed but the idea was to have time together so they didn't care that they couldn't go in.

Finally they stopped in front of an antique store on the corner and had to decide which way to go; across the street or back to the hotel.

"Shall we cross and see what is on the other side?"

"Sure."

Jethro was in no hurry for the evening to end and neither, apparently was Ziva. When they reached the other side of the street they stopped so Jethro could window shop at the hardware store. The display was of mostly new tools but there were some antique tools in the center. He was studying the display of hand tools when he put his arm around Ziva's shoulders and pulled her against him. He pointed to a small box of tools in the middle of the display.

"See that little square box in the middle? My dad had that same set when I was little. I remember when he bought it brand new."

Ziva reveled in their closeness and leaned into him to peer at the display.

"Did he teach you to work with wood? To build things?"

"Yeah. We actually built a boat together once. Not a real boat but a toy I could pull around the lake."

They were quiet then and started walking again. They stopped in front of a clothing store and Ziva admired a pair of boots. Jethro still had his arm draped around her shoulders. Ziva took a step away from him and turned to face him straight on. She put her hands on his arms and looked him in the eyes.

"What are we doing Jethro?"

He considered his answer for a few moments never taking his eyes off her face. He loved looking at her and tonight he could do so for as long as he wanted and no one would ever know.

"I don't know."

His voice was quiet and had a sort of wonder in it that Ziva had never heard from him before. She had almost never heard him say he didn't know the answer to something. His lack of certainty didn't bother her as she thought it might. In fact, it made her feel a little better. She had no idea what they were doing, or rather what they were going to do next and it was somewhat of a relief to know Jethro didn't either.

"I do not either but I think that is okay. I think there are things we need to figure out but we do not have to do it tonight."

"I just want to enjoy the evening with you Ziva. We don't have to be in a hurry. I don't have a plan. I'm in somewhat uncharted territory right now."

"We will find our way. I have no doubt about that."

They resumed their walk and before too long they were back at the hotel. Neither of them wanted to part ways but it had been a long day and they were both tired.

"I hate to say goodnight to you Ziver."

They were standing outside Ziva's room and Jethro pulled her into a warm hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. Her mind was swirling with thoughts and emotions. She had been in Jethro's embrace before but tonight was different and they both knew it. Ziva had to force herself to slow down her thinking and loosen her grip on her boss.

"We have an early morning coming and a long drive. I enjoyed tonight very much. When we get back I think we should take some time to talk about tonight and what we want to do next. If anything."

"You're right. I very much enjoyed our evening. I'll see you for breakfast. Seven o'clock?"

"Yes. Goodnight Jethro."

Jethro kissed her on the forehead allowing himself to linger there.

"Night Ziver."

Reluctantly they went to their respective rooms for the night. Jethro felt okay about the evening. He had enjoyed being with Ziva in a place where no one knew them or would question their actions. He had thought he would be anxious about suggesting a new way of them being with each other but as usual when he was with Ziva he felt calm and completely safe emotionally. Jethro never pretended to be something he wasn't with any woman and sometimes that had been a problem. There had been women who wanted him to be more or less than he was but with Ziva that was never a consideration. She knew him and accepted what he could give her without expecting more. Now though, he wanted to give her more and he wasn't sure how much longer he could deny himself that opportunity. But, he wasn't going to rush this, whatever it was, because he didn't want to screw it up and they couldn't just start acting like teenagers. They had too much to lose if he messed up this time.

Ziva sat on the bed in her room and contemplated the evening events. She was surprised Jethro had acted on his feelings. The fact that he had feelings for her was not a new idea but she had never expected him to do anything about them. It did surprise her a little that he knew she also had feelings that went beyond their friendship and work relationship. She thought she had been more careful. Then she reminded herself that Gibbs was one of the best at reading people, their thoughts and even sometimes their secrets. She knew she shouldn't be surprised that he had picked up on her attraction to him. What were they going to do she asked herself. Tomorrow was certainly going to be an interesting day.

Jethro channel surfed for a while then gave up and settled with a book he had brought with him. Whenever he traveled he missed being able to do something with his hands. He missed his boat. Tonight he was fighting the additional battle of staying in his own room instead of knocking on Ziva's door and asking to join her. As much as he wanted to do that Jethro knew he wouldn't. There was a part of him that knew being with Ziva was wrong. He could make a lengthy list of reasons why it could never be beginning with the fact that she worked for him and ending with the fact that he was old enough to be her father. Granted he was not as old as her father but the math still was not in his favor.

Ziva couldn't concentrate on her book and let her mind wander where it would. She often told herself not to compare herself to the women she knew Jethro had been with. Her most difficult comparison was of course Jenny. Ziva had listened to Jenny talk about Jethro for months when they were together in Cairo. Of course at the time she didn't know who he was or even his name; Jenny kept that a secret. When she profiled Gibbs for her brother she realized he was Jenny's lover. She had always thought Jenny was still in love with her unnamed lover. Then when she went to NCIS and saw them together it was obvious he still cared for her as well. She watched them circle around each other for so long and then just when she thought they might admit they still loved each other Jenny was killed. It had pained her terribly not to be able to comfort Jethro during those dark days. And then to be separated from him so soon after had been torture. Coming back to NCIS months later she thought Jethro was even more closed off than before. He was not the same man and it took him a long time to reorient himself.

Hollis Mann was never a concern to Ziva mainly because she couldn't begin to compete with Jenny who was still alive at the time Mann and Jethro were together. Although she was well suited to Jethro in many ways her timing couldn't have been worse. Then in the last couple of years there had been a veritable parade of women none of whom Ziva liked much. Naturally. Of course no one liked the lawyer Ms. Hart. Ziva could never understand why Jethro had come to trust her. But then she was gone. Holly Snow was intriguing and certainly it was not hard to see that Jethro liked her. And she him. Dr. Ryan was interesting and her presence during a difficult time seemed to help Jethro but when she didn't trust him and ran away, Ziva knew that was over. Ziva tried to see what she had to offer Jethro that none of those other women had. She knew she understood him better than any of them except Jenny. She figured that would have to be the deciding factor because she certainly didn't consider herself as beautiful as Ms. Snow. Or as sneaky as Ms. Hart and surely not as smart as Dr. Ryan. Maybe she had what Jenny had had once; the capacity to love him just the way he was and not expect to change him.

While Ziva was doing an inventory of his past girlfriends, Jethro was fast asleep. He had read two chapters then turned off the light and fallen asleep almost immediately. Good thing since his sleep, and Ziva's was interrupted at two thirty.

Jethro was so sound asleep he couldn't figure out what the noise was he kept hearing right next to his head. Finally he woke up enough to reach for his phone.

"Yeah, Gibbs."

"Sorry to wake you Agent Gibbs but our prisoner is dead."

That got Jethro's attention and he was now wide awake and sitting on the side of the bed.

"What?"

"Omar is dead. I figured you'd want to know right away. Want to come down here?"

"Yeah, we'll be right there."

Jethro didn't bother to ask the Chief any questions. He'd do that when they got to the station. He considered letting Ziva sleep but knew she'd be upset if he didn't include her and after all she was working the case too. He certainly wouldn't let DiNozzo sleep in when he was working!

Jethro pulled on his pants and called Ziva.

"Yes."

"Ziva, get dressed. Omar is dead and we're going to the jail."

"Okay."

Ziva hadn't been asleep nearly as long as Jethro had and she was barely awake as she got dressed and went out the door. Jethro was waiting in the hall and they silently went out into the night.

"Wanna walk?"

"Yes, that will help me wake up."

They covered the three blocks to the police station in silence. Jethro resisted the urge to reach for her hand telling himself they were back to work and it wouldn't be right. Along the way Ziva pulled her hair back in a pony tail and managed to wake up most of her brain cells.

Chief Pennington was waiting for them.

"What happened?" Jethro kept his voice neutral but there was a certain edge to it that didn't escape the Chief's notice.

"Believe it or not it looks like he had a heart attack. No signs of him trying to kill himself. No cuts or anything like that and he sure didn't hang himself. My guys checked him at midnight then again at two. When the officer looked in at two o'clock he thought the prisoner looked wrong somehow so he called to him but there was no response. Officer Sullivan opened the cell and found Omar dead."

The three of them went into the cell and Jethro did a quick survey of the area. He examined the body and as the Chief had said, there was no sign of any trauma.

"You have an ME here?"

"One of our local docs handles our autopsies. We'll take the body to the hospital and he can probably do an autopsy tomorrow morning. We're a small place as you've seen but we're pretty well equipped to handle things. Or, we can arrange to have the body shipped back to DC and your ME."

Jethro thought about it for a few minutes. He couldn't think of any reason to go to the expense or trouble of shipping the body to DC. On the other hand he doubted the town of Arden wanted to be responsible for the expense of burying Omar.

"I don't think we need to do an autopsy unless your guy sees something right away he's not comfortable with. But, what about burial?"

"He got any family you know of?"

Ziva spoke up and said, "Our investigation months ago didn't turn up any family. We know his parents are deceased and we found no record of any siblings. As far as we know he has no one. Certainly no one who would claim the body."

"Well in that case he will be cremated. We'll handle it, Gibbs. Don't worry about it."

"Okay, thanks. Wow, this is certainly a surprise. He seems kinda young to die of a heart attack in his sleep but I guess you never know."

"I am just glad you decided to have me talk to him yesterday instead of waiting until we were on the way back. I would hate to not have the information about Corporal Watson."

"Yeah. Well, thanks for calling me Barbara. Should we just go to the hospital in the morning then?"

"Yes, Dr. Cooper is usually at the hospital by seven and I'll tell him you'd like at least a preliminary report as soon as possible."

"Thank you. We'll take our time and have breakfast then head over there."

Chief Pennington walked out with them and the ambulance pulled up to take the body away as Jethro and Ziva headed back to the hotel.

"That was an interesting way to be awakened."

"Sorry. I guess I should have let you sleep."

"No, you should not have. I am glad you called."

Ziva reached out and laced her fingers with his and he didn't protest.

By mutual, unspoken agreement they went back to their respective rooms and agreed to meet in front of the hotel at eight o'clock for breakfast. That was a bit late for them normally but with their night interrupted and no schedule to follow the next day they decided to take it easy. Jethro knew Ziva would be up for a run early and he knew he'd be up for coffee. He would have loved to run with her but his knees couldn't stand it anymore.

"Night Ziver. Again."

"Try to get some sleep, Jethro. I'll see you in a few hours."

Ziva went back to bed but sleep didn't come easily. She was excited about the change in her relationship with Gibbs but she was also cautious. That was partly just her nature and partly her understanding of the man in question. She knew Jethro well enough to know he would have mixed feelings about them being together. She was sure a part of him would think it inappropriate for any number of reasons. Their age difference was one of the things she was sure he was somewhat uncomfortable with. She on the other hand was completely comfortable being with Jethro and didn't give his age a second thought. In her opinion his good qualities outweighed any challenges his age or his past presented. Ziva was not so naïve as to think an ongoing, personal relationship with Jethro would be easy; it would be interesting and fun and probably a bit volatile but certainly never easy and never dull. Ziva finally fell asleep wondering how she could help Jethro accept them as something very different than what they were today.

TBC