A/N: Once again thank you for the follows, favorites and comments.

Bad Luck Turns to Good

Chapter 4

Ziva decided to take some control of the situation and walked up the sidewalk and across the porch while Jethro was still talking with Dale. She went in the front door and was greeted with homey, comfortable entryway that led to a small reception area off to one side. A middle-aged woman came from a back room and said hello.

"I understand you may have a room available. Or two."

"Yes, I have one room available. Not two, I'm sorry."

I am not. "One will be fine."

"It's a fairly large room with a sitting area where there is a pullout bed if you need it."

Ziva smiled, "That will be perfect."

"Are you alone, my dear?"

"No, my friend is coming. He is talking to Dale about our car which broke down and had to be towed."

"Oh my. Well, I'm happy to be able to accommodate you. As you saw outside, this is a busy weekend."

"Yes, it looks that way."

Ziva filled out the registration card listing both their names and the address at the Navy Yard.

"My name is Nora Walker. Here are two keys. It's the second door on your left upstairs. We will have breakfast available from seven until about nine in the morning."

"That will be perfect. Thank you."

Jethro walked in as Ziva got the keys.

"We are upstairs."

"One or two?", Jethro asked as they started up the broad staircase.

"Only one but there is a sitting room with a pullout bed."

Jethro groaned. He hated pullouts. They reminded him of an unhappy time in a marriage. Then he let himself think very briefly that he wouldn't need it. He almost gave himself a headslap at that thought even though it was a reasonable idea considering what had been going on the last twenty-four hours between Ziva and himself.

They arrived at their room and Ziva unlocked the door and stepped in. The room was nicely furnished and spacious. The door opened into a sitting area with comfortable chairs, a couch, table and a television on the facing wall. To the right was the remodeled, modern bathroom and to the left of the sitting area in cozy alcove was a queen bed, dresser and nightstand. The room was light and airy with blinds in the windows and a vase full of fresh flowers on the dresser.

Jethro dropped his bag on the couch indicating Ziva would have the bed. She had expected as much.

"This is nice."

"Yeah, it is. I think we're lucky to get it."

"I agree."

They were standing on opposite sides of the room and neither of them appeared quite sure what to do next. The air in the room fairly crackled with the tension between them. Ziva slipped off her jacket and pulled her hair back. Jethro watched her and knew he wasn't going to survive sharing a room with her.

Deciding to take matters into her own hands, Ziva stepped toward him and Jethro didn't hesitate any longer. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly at first but when he felt Ziva responding to him he deepened the kiss and stole her breath away. The kiss went on and on until finally they broke away to take a breath.

Jethro let her breathe but he couldn't make himself stop kissing her. His mouth trailed down her throat and up again until he recaptured her mouth and tasted her all over again. Ziva somehow managed to get her hands under his shirt and the sensation of her soft hands on his skin sent Jethro into overdrive. He pulled her closer and just as he was about to move her toward the bed his phone rang.

They didn't stop right away because neither of them could really formulate an understanding that the noise they were hearing was the phone. Finally Jethro came to his senses and pulled away.

"Dammit!"

He answered with his usual tone, "Yeah, Gibbs."

"Agent Gibbs, I don't have the belt as I suspected. I called my supplier and they don't have one either so I'm looking for one. I just wanted you to know it might not be here in the morning like I hoped."

At that moment, Jethro didn't care if he ever got the damn car fixed. He was happy to stay in this room, with this woman for weeks if necessary.

"No problem, Dale. Just let me know when you have it."

"Okay. I'll call you later today or tomorrow morning."

"Thanks."

Ziva was still standing against him with her hands roaming around under his shirt. He was amazed he had been able to hold even that short conversation with Dale. He related the news to Ziva who simply smiled at him and pulled him down to kiss her again. He happily obliged but it seemed the phone call had broken the spell. The kiss was still delicious but the uncontrollable heat that had been building was cooled. At least for the moment.

Ziva took a small step back and placed her hands on Jethro's chest. She looked up and noted his eyes were dark and the look on his face said he wanted her back where she'd just been.

"I think I would like to go look around and maybe get something to eat. How does that sound?"

"Not as good as what I was thinking but probably just what we should do."

"There is no hurry Jethro. We have waited this long perhaps we can take our time with each other."

As she said this her arms wrapped around his neck and she gave him another sweet, slow kiss. Taking their time was probably a good idea but at the moment, with her lips on his he was having trouble thinking why it was a good idea. Ziva slowly pulled away from him and he missed her even though she was still right there in front of him.

"I know we should take our time. Maybe we shouldn't even be doing this at all but damn, Ziver."

"I know. Please do not say we should not do what we want, Jethro. We are adults. We have very strong feelings for one another and we have the right to explore those feelings. Yes?"

"Yes. Definitely, yes."

"Okay. But first let us go explore this little town and find some nourishment. Perhaps we will need our strength later."

Jethro saw the spark in her eyes and couldn't help but laugh.

"Yes, perhaps we will."

Hand-in-hand they left the bed and breakfast and walked down the block to the town square. There were several booths set up on each side of the square so they began their exploration, moving in the direction of the food vendors on the far side. For anyone who noticed them, Ziva and Jethro appeared as a happy couple out for an enjoyable afternoon in a small town. They stood close together to peruse tables of homemade goods, laughed together and never lost physical contact with each other.

Jethro was of course, most interested in the wood crafts and handmade wooden toy and other items. Ziva paid the most attention to the colorful weavings and stained glass. When they came to a booth manned by an elderly fellow they were both taken with his craftsmanship with wood. He had a display of several small and medium sized wooden boxes many with inlaid tops. Jethro examined them closely and was obviously impressed with the man's expertise.

"These are really nice. You do all these yourself?", he asked the gentleman behind the table.

"You bet. Been at it for a pretty long time, maybe forty years now."

"My father used to do some inlaid work. I know it's tedious. You do beautiful work."

"Thanks. You ever try it?"

"I have but nothing like this."

Ziva spoke up, "He builds boats."

"Really? Big boats, I mean for real use on the water, not toys."

"Not toys. Small sail boats."

"Sounds interesting."

"Keeps me busy when I want it to."

Ziva was admiring one box in particular while Jethro and the man talked about different kinds of wood and which was easier or more difficult to work with. Jethro noted which one she liked and he and the man shared a look when she finally, reluctantly put it back on the table.

"It was nice to meet you, Mr. Combs. Your work is very impressive."

"Thank you. You two have a nice afternoon."

He winked at Jethro as Ziva turned to go and Jethro gave him a thumbs up. As the two of them walked away, Mr. Combs took the box Ziva had been admiring off the display table and put it away. Unless he was mistaken he was sure Jethro would be back for it later.

"I am starving. Could we please find something to eat?"

"Sure. What do you think you want?"

Ziva pointed to a young boy who was carrying a paper plate covered with something she didn't recognize.

"That looks good. What is it?"

Jethro laughed. "That's called a funnel cake. It's fried bread with powered sugar on top. They're delicious."

"I would like to try that. And something to drink."

"Your wish is my command."

Jethro wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close into his side. Then, just because he felt like it and he could, he kissed her softly on the mouth.

"It is nice to be able to be like this with you, Jethro. I like feeling you close to me, holding me."

"That's good because I intend to keep on doing it. You're right it does feel good."

They made their way to the food booths and located the one selling funnel cakes. While Jethro waited on a fresh one, Ziva got them each a bottle of water and Jethro a cup of coffee. Jethro watched her as she interacted with the young woman selling the drinks. Sometimes he forgot how young Ziva was because the life she had led made her so mature and wise beyond her years. And, he was reminded that her childhood was not exactly an easy one. Between her father's strict manner, her mother's early death and her sister's death, Ziva didn't have much of what Jethro would consider a real childhood. He wanted her to find joy in life and he wanted to be the one to share it with her. He wondered if that was being selfish.

Jethro accepted the hot, fresh funnel cake from the woman behind the counter and he and Ziva found a small table in sunny spot away from the crowd.

Jethro held the plate out to Ziva and said, "Just pull a piece off and eat it with your fingers. Careful, it's hot."

Ziva took a piece and yes, it was hot. She carefully put it in her mouth and her eyes lit up.

"Oh, that is delicious! Why have I not had this before?"

"It's mostly a fair type food. You usually don't find them anywhere except someplace like this."

Jethro took a small bite but he was wary of eating too much as his stomach was still bothering him. Every now and then he felt a sharp pain in his side.

"Well, we must go to more fairs or craft shows or whatever because I love this. I am sure it is not good for me but I do not care."

Jethro sipped his coffee and was content to watch Ziva enjoy the sweet treat. By the time the funnel cake was gone Ziva had powered sugar almost everywhere. He leaned in and kissed her on the corner of her mouth and then the other side and then on her chin.

"You have powered sugar all over yourself. I thought I'd help you clean up."

"I see. Well that is much nicer than handing me a napkin. Thank you."

"Welcome. What would you like to do now?"

"Sit here, very close to you and watch the people."

"Sounds good."

Ziva snuggled into his side and Jethro wrapped her in his arms. He kissed the top of her head and they settled in watching the people come and go and children running around the square. It was a warm fall afternoon and neither of them could imagine another place they'd rather be at that moment.

Ziva broke their long silence. "You know Tony was talking about the run of bad luck you have had and I think it did follow us on this trip."

"Whatta ya mean?"

"Well, you got sick. Our suspect died. The car broke down and the repair shop does not have what we need. To me that qualifies as a continuation of your bad luck streak."

Jethro thought about it for a few minutes then he replied, "I don't feel unlucky at the moment. Just the opposite in fact. If our bad guy hadn't died we wouldn't be sitting here right now. We'd be dealing with him. And if the car didn't break down we wouldn't be sitting here right now. So, all in all I'd say our luck, at least from my point of view, has been pretty damn good."

Ziva laughed and leaned up to kiss him. She had never heard Jethro say so much at one time.

"I stand corrected. I do feel very lucky at this moment."

Ziva looked him in the eye and her voice turned serious. "Jethro, I do not know exactly what is happening between us but I want you to know I trust you and I want us to see where this goes together."

Jethro traced her jaw line with is fingers and gently ran his thumb over her lips.

"Ziver. I just want you to be happy. If I can help make that happen that is what I want to do. You are more important to me than anyone has been in a very long time."

It took all Ziva's considerable willpower not to devour him right then and there.

"And you are important to me."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Jethro needed to get up and move. He was beginning to have more pain, more often so he wanted to begin making their way back to the bed and breakfast.

"Let's walk around a little and head back."

"Okay."

They walked around the square taking their time and looking at various handmade crafts along the way. Jethro knew he had a stop to make and was working out how to get Ziva to go back to the room alone for a few minutes. When they came to the corner that led to the bed and breakfast he paused.

"I want to go talk to Dale and see if he found a belt. Why don't you go back to the room and call Vance and let him know what's going on."

"Oh yes, we never told him we are delayed. I will call. Should I say we will be back tomorrow?"

"Don't know. Just tell him we'll be in the office on Monday."

"Alright."

Ziva started to go but turned back and reached for his hand.

"Jethro are you alright?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You look pale all of a sudden. Are you sure you are not feeling ill?"

"No, I'm fine."

Jethro kissed her softly on the mouth. "Go on and I'll be there soon."

Ziva let go of his hand and walked off but she was not convinced he wasn't feeling badly again. She had spent years watching Jethro and reading his eyes and just now she knew she saw pain in those blue eyes she loved so much. But, Jethro was loathe to let anyone see him hurting so she knew it wouldn't be easy getting him to admit if he didn't feel well. She would find out though, of that she was certain.

When Ziva was out of sight, Jethro called Dale and asked about the belt. He was told Dale had located one and would have it there in the morning. He said he'd have the car ready to go by ten o'clock. Jethro thanked him and made his way back to the booth of the man selling the wooden inlaid boxes.

"I knew you'd be back."

Mr. Combs reached under the table and pulled out the keepsake box Ziva had admired. It was about the size of a Kleenex box and the lid was a beautiful inlaid scene of the mountains.

Jethro took it and lifted the lid and was surprised to find it was a music box. The tune was "Beautiful Dreamer" which Jethro thought was just perfect for Ziva.

"I didn't realize it was also a music box. I think she'll love it."

"If not bring it back and she can exchange it for another but she was sure looking hard at it earlier."

"Yes, she was. Thank you for putting it back."

Jethro handed Mr. Combs a one hundred dollar bill and accepted his change. Mr. Combs wrapped the box in several pieces of tissue paper and put it in a bag for Jethro.

"Thank you, I hope your lady enjoys it."

"I'm sure she will. Thanks again."

Jethro started back to the bed and breakfast but was suddenly overtaken by severe pain in his right side. He had to stop and sit down on a bench that fortunately was right there. He took several deep breaths and finally managed to get himself together. He considered calling Ducky and asking him his opinion but decided against it. Jethro couldn't remember the last time he'd experienced such pain but he was pretty sure a bullet had been involved whenever it was. Finally, after about fifteen minutes he felt steady enough to continue to the room.

When Jethro got back to the room he knocked before using his key to enter. He didn't want to surprise Ziva in case she was showering or changing clothes. As it was she had already done both of those things. He could smell the lingering scent of her body wash and shampoo. Ziva was on the couch in the sitting area combing through her still damp hair. Jethro watched for a moment, admiring the beauty he too often failed to notice in their day-to-day work life. Well, he didn't really fail to notice her beauty, he just refused to let himself appreciate it. Not anymore he silently vowed; not anymore.

Ziva looked up and caught him watching him. She smiled and patted the seat next to her.

"Come join me. I am all fresh and clean."

Jethro dropped his jacket and weapon on the chair and sat down next to her placing the package on the cushion next to him. He leaned over and kissed her on the temple.

"Umm, you smell very good."

"Thank you. The shower is wonderful. I feel much better now that I am all clean and in my comfy clothes."

Jethro took in the yoga pants and loose tee shirt and bare feet. She certainly looked comfortable.

"If I go take a shower will you promise to leave this package alone until I get back?"

Ziva looked across him and eyed the package.

"Only if you do not take too long. My patience is almost at an end."

Jethro smirked at her. "I know just how you feel. Ten minutes tops and I'll be back."

"Then the package will not be touched until you return but on one condition."

"And what is that?"

"You must kiss me before you go."

Jethro didn't respond to that demand; at least not verbally. Instead he stood up and pulled her up with him. He put his hands on her hips and maneuvered her against the nearest wall and proceeded to kiss her with an urgency he had not shown her before. He got his fingers in her hair and devoured her. When he let her breathe he moved his kiss to her neck, down to her shoulder and then when he figured she'd had time to catch her breath, he returned to her mouth. His tongue explored her mouth and his hands moved from her hair to slide up her back and press her closer to his chest. The little sounds she was making told him she was enjoying this as much as he was.

Eventually they pulled apart but only enough to be able to see each other and recognize the need they both felt.

"Ziver. You know how long I've wanted to do that?"

"No but I hope it is almost as long as I have wanted you to. I have wanted to be in your arms since I came back from Africa. I never thought it would happen."

"It probably shouldn't but. . ."

"Please do not say that. Not today anyway. Not when we have this chance to be away and alone. Let us have this short time and later we will deal with reality whatever that may be."

Jethro stroked her face gently. He didn't want to think about later and reality and rules. He didn't want to think at all; he just wanted to feel and enjoy.

"Maybe I don't need a shower after all."

He leaned down to kiss her again but this time Ziva kept it short. She put her hands on his chest and moved him back just barely.

"No, you go shower and let me organize some things I want to say to you. Then we will pick up where we have left off."

"Promise?

"Yes. I promise."

Ziva gave Jethro a gentle shove toward the bathroom and he reluctantly went. On the way he picked up his bag and soon Ziva heard the water running. She sat down on the side of the bed and told herself to calm down. She was having a hard time staying put and letting Jethro have the shower to himself. Ziva knew she was in love with her boss and she knew just as surely that those feelings could very easily be her downfall.

Ziva had watched women come and go from Jethro's life for the past several years and she didn't want to be another one of those women he was with for a few weeks or months and then suddenly they were no longer anywhere to be seen. As difficult as it would be to call a halt to what they were doing now it would much more painful later on. Ziva had always been very careful about her personal life and kept a tight rein on her emotions. That was about to go out the window with Jethro but before it did she had to know he was not looking for a short term fling with her. She was pretty sure he wasn't but until he told her so she was going to continue to keep his at arm's length. Or at least not get into bed with him.

TBC