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Bad Luck Turns to Good

Chapter 5

While Jethro was showering his pain returned but not nearly as bad as it had been outside. He promised himself he would call Ducky as soon as they got home tomorrow afternoon. He had no idea what was wrong but he was getting tired of it. Ziva was right; the shower was really good. Whoever had done the updating in the bathroom had done a good job and Jethro was reminded that he needed to do some of the same things at his house. But, he stopped admiring the tile work and finished his shower so he could get back to the woman in the other room. There was some admiring he wanted to do there that was more important than bathroom tile.

When he came out of the bathroom wearing some old, lightweight sweatpants and a Marine tee shirt, Jethro found Ziva sitting cross-legged in the middle of the bed watching Jeopardy. Again, he just watched her for a moment until she caught him and turned off the television.

"Come here and let me see if you smell as good as you said I do."

"I promise you I don't."

Jethro went over and picked up the package and returned to sit on the side of the bed. Ziva leaned into him and made an elaborate show of sniffing him. She nuzzled his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"Yes, you smell very good, Agent Gibbs. Very good indeed."

"Thank you. Here, this is for you."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to."

Ziva took the package and held it for a moment without making a move to unwrap it.

"Open it."

"Be patient. I want to savor the moment. I do not think anyone has ever given me a gift just because they wanted to."

This made Jethro sad and it must have shown on his face because Ziva reached up and smoothed her fingers down his face.

"I did not mean to put a damper on the occasion. Do not be sad for me Jethro."

"Sometimes I forget you didn't have the life I would wish for you. Okay, enough of that, open it. Please."

Ziva did and when she unwrapped the last of the tissue paper her face lit up and Jethro was at least as happy as she was. Ziva carefully ran her finger tips over the lid and then opened it. When the music began to play she couldn't help the tears that sprang to her eyes. She looked up at Jethro and gifted him with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

"Oh my, Jethro it is so beautiful. And the music. . .it is a piece I danced to as a child. This is the most wonderful gift I have ever received. Thank you so very much."

Jethro had no idea she would be so moved and it made him especially glad he had decided to buy the box.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it."

Ziva set the box carefully on the bedside table and moved over beside Jethro and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Jethro shifted and leaned into her and Ziva fell back on the bed pulling him down with her. He braced himself above her and searched her eyes for any hesitation or unease about what they were about to do. He saw only her desire and her love for him although he might not have known that was what he was seeing. Ziva saw the same thing in his eyes and she tugged at him with her arms around his neck.

"Kiss me Jethro. You promised."

He did. He kissed her softly and then more forcefully and then in all the ways she had ever imagined he might. When he tugged her shirt up and off over her head she returned the favor and pulled his tee shirt off and tossed it on the floor. The feel of his warm, firm chest pressing against her breasts caused Ziva to lose what little control she still had and she rolled them over to have her turn at directing the action.

Ziva pulled her hair back and fastened it with a band she kept around her wrist.

"No, I like it down", Jethro complained.

"Later you may take it down. Right now it is in the way."

Ziva kissed him and he forgot about her hair. She kissed along his jaw and then found a spot just where his shoulder and neck met that seemed to be particularly sensitive. She spent some time there tasting and soothing and driving him crazy. Jethro's hands were skimming up and down her sides and finally came to rest on her breasts. His thumbs were rubbing her nipples and Ziva was losing her ability to think. She returned to his mouth and Jethro rolled them over never losing contact with her luscious lips. As he was about to move down and turn his attention to her breasts his phone began chirping at them from the table.

"Shit!"

"Ignore it. It is not as important as the two of us."

Jethro looked at her and smiled. She was right. He lowered his head and licked a trail from the valley between her breasts back to her mouth. The phone finally shut off and Ziva ran her fingers through his hair as his mouth descended to her left breast. He kissed and licked there until her nipple was a hard peak and as he began to suck that lovely nipple into his mouth Ziva's phone rang.

Now it was her turn to be annoyed.

"Oh for god's sake!"

Jethro could barely contain his unhappiness. He looked up at her and took a breath.

"Did you talk to Leon?"

"I left a message. He was not there."

"You might as well answer."

Jethro refused to relinquish his position so he reached for the phone and handed it to Ziva. While she answered he turned his attention back to exploring her chest. Needless to say she was not much interested in talking to Director Vance at that moment.

"Hello, Director. Did you get my message?"

Jethro kissed his way from left breast to right and back again. Ziva tried to maintain her breathing as normally as possible.

Jethro heard her say something about him and looked up at her shaking his head.

"Yes, he is right here. We did not hear his phone. Perhaps it is turned down. Here he is."

Jethro glared at her but his glare hadn't scared her since about the second time he'd directed it at her so she just smiled at him. Still, he refused to move too far from where he was enjoying himself. He did roll off onto his side keeping one leg between Ziva's and leaning into her.

"Yeah Leon."

Silence from him while Ziva pushed him onto his back and began playing with his chest hair and dropping quick, soft kisses all over his chest.

"No, you're not interrupting anything. We were just talking about finding some dinner."

Ziva was torturing him by scraping her nails up and down his chest and when she leaned down and sucked on his left nipple he almost choked trying not to groan.

"Leon, we'll be back in the office on Monday. The car will be ready in the morning by ten."

Jethro tried the glare again but Ziva just smiled and moved over to straddle his hips. Now he really did have to get off the damn phone.

"Leon, the phone's about to die. See ya Monday."

Back at the Navy Yard, Director Vance looked at the phone receiver in his hand and shook his head. Something was going on in North Carolina and he was damn sure he didn't want to know what it was.

Jethro shut the phone, dropped it on the floor and pulled Ziva down for a kiss that suggested they were just getting started. About halfway through the kiss Jethro felt Ziva smiling against his lips and before he knew what was happening she was actually laughing. Needless to say Jethro was at a loss as to what was going on. Ziva eventually pulled back and then buried her face against his shoulder.

"What the hell Ziver! What's so damn funny?"

"I am sorry but the look on your face when I handed you the phone and while you were talking to the Director. It was priceless. I have never seen you so flustered, Jethro."

"Well you've never seen me in this particular position while on the phone with my boss before!"

Then Jethro couldn't help but see the humor in the moment and soon they were both laughing. Ziva stayed collapsed on his chest and Jethro pulled the band from her hair and contented himself with stroking his fingers through her thick curls. Their passion may have cooled off a bit but the wonderful feeling of intimacy they were still sharing was enough for them for right now.

After a few minutes Ziva moved onto her side and propped her head on one hand while the other traced random circles on Jethro's chest. He looked down at her and waited but after a long few moments when she didn't speak he couldn't stand it any longer.

"What's on your mind Ziver?"

"Is there anything you wish to ask me Jethro? About my past I mean."

"You mean like about men in your past or what?"

"Yes. I know about the women in your life; or at least some of them. Do you want or need to know about my past lovers?"

"Only if you want or need to tell me about them. We're not kids; me especially, and we both have a past life. I'm really more interested in what the future will be."

"Alright. I feel the same way."

"But?"

Ziva stilled her hand and in a moment she sat up sitting crossed legged beside his hip. Jethro sensed some seriousness coming so he too sat up leaning against the headboard.

"Talk to me Ziver. You said earlier that you trust me. You know you can ask or tell me anything."

Ziva had given this conversation a lot of thought and as much as she dreaded having it she needed to get it over with. She wanted no lingering questions between herself and Jethro as they went forward. Or wherever they were going.

She looked up at her boss, her friend, the man she was in love with, and searched his eyes for a clue as to how he was feeling. She saw a calmness there that was not all that common. On his face was only acceptance and affection. She took courage from that and began.

"Jethro, I have watched over the years that I have known you, women come and go from your life. Jenny of course but also Colonel Mann and others. Ms. Hart and Holly Snow and finally Dr. Ryan last year."

Ziva was watching his face for any hint of anger or upset and when she saw him about to speak she gently pressed a finger to his lips.

"Please let me finish."

Jethro grasped her wrist lightly, pressed a kiss to her palm and gestured for her to continue.

"I assumed at the time those women were around that you were involved with them outside of the office. I didn't like that of course but it was absolutely none of my business so I tried to ignore it and them and eventually they were gone. At least as far as I knew. What I am saying so poorly Jethro, is I do not want to be another woman you spend a few months with and then are through with. While I know I would enjoy those few months, that is not enough for me and I do not want to take the risks we will be taking for something so short-lived."

All that had come out in a bit of a rush and Ziva stopped to take a breath. Jethro did not indicate he was about to speak and they sat looking at each other for what seemed to Ziva to be a very long time.

"That is all. I just needed to say that and let you know that I want to be with you but not in a casual way or for only a little while."

The relief Jethro felt when he heard what Ziva said was beyond description. His secret fear was that Ziva wanted the opposite of what she had just described. He was afraid she was just looking for a relationship that while it might be serious, it would not be for the long run. He knew she had never been in a long term relationship and he had concluded in his own mind that that was a conscious choice on her part. To hear her say she wanted to be with him for the long term was music to his ears.

Jethro held his arms out and Ziva went back to her previous position of sitting on him, her knees on either side of his waist. Jethro smoothed her hair back and kissed her softly on the mouth. He held her hands and looked her right in the face.

"I want you to listen to me, Ziver and believe what I'm about to say. What I feel for you is way beyond what I felt for any of those women you watched come and go. I loved Shannon and I loved Jenny. I don't think I really loved my ex-wives and I surely did not love any of the other women you mentioned. As I told you yesterday, you are more important to me than anyone has been in a very long time.

You mentioned risk. I don't worry about what I might be risking to be with you but if there was some risk involved I promise you I would find you worth the risk. There is no way I would ever let us get into even the relationship we are in now if I didn't intend to be in it for the long run. I want to give you whatever you want, Ziver. I want to be with you in every way possible for as long as you'll have me."

Ziva fought to keep the tears that were filling her eyes from spilling down her cheeks because she knew how much it upset Jethro to see a woman cry. But, she couldn't help it; they fell. Jethro kissed them away and held her close against his chest.

"I have never heard you say so much at one time."

"There is one more thing I want to say."

Ziva pushed herself up and wiped her face.

"What is it?"

"I love you."

The silence in the room was deafening. Jethro just looked at her with a smile on his face and a gleam in his eyes. Ziva was stunned and had to take a moment to catch her breath and formulate her response.

"What a happy coincidence. I happen to love you."

"Whew, glad we got that settled. You think we could go back to where we were before we were so rudely interrupted by our boss?"

"Very definitely."

And that is exactly what they did. They explored and tasted and enjoyed each other and finally when they couldn't wait any longer, they made sweet love to each other. Their coming together was perfect and unhurried and took their collective breath away. Afterward they lay together, sweat cooling on their bodies and they held each other and fell asleep.

Some time later, she had no idea what time it was, Ziva awoke to find Jethro sitting on the side of the bed holding his side in obvious pain. She moved to sit beside him putting her hand on his back.

"Jethro what is wrong?"

"That pain I've been having is back. Just give me a minute and it will go away."

"Jethro, you need to find out what is wrong. Obviously it is not a bad taco."

He looked at her and smirked.

"Kinda figured that out already. I'll go see Ducky when we get back."

"How about we go find a doctor now."

"No, it's better now. It comes and goes and as long as it goes away I'd rather wait and see Ducky."

Ziva knew him well enough to know not to argue so she sat with him and rubbed his back and kissed his shoulder and waited for him to be okay. After about five minutes Jethro put his arm around her and kissed her on the top of the head.

"Why don't we go find some dinner? You hungry?"

"As a matter of fact I am. I had some rather strenuous exercise earlier and I seem to have developed an appetite."

"Really? Well, let's share a quick shower and go find some food."

The showering wasn't exactly quick and there was very little washing that went into the experience but they both enjoyed it. A lot.

While they were getting dressed, Ziva said, "I saw a little café in the next block while we were out. Should we try that?"

Jethro just stood looking at Ziva and didn't say a word. He was dressed in a pair of well worn jeans and a Marine Corps sweatshirt. He was waiting on her to finish whatever she was doing with her hair and found he was having a hard time keeping his thoughts straight. Just two days ago he was in his basement thinking about Ziva and believing he would never have the happiness he so desperately wanted. People who didn't know Jethro very well, and that was almost everyone in his world, would never think he craved the security of a family, but he did. He presented himself as very self sufficient and if not happy, at least content with his life. For the most part that might have been true but for the last few years Jethro had thought more and more about the absence of family in his life and he still wanted that. He wanted someone to come home to and someone to be with for the highs and lows and the regular, everyday happenings of life. The idea of having all that with Ziva had been a very distant dream for the last year and he couldn't believe that he was on the threshold of having that dream come true.

"Jethro, are you alright?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking."

Ziva walked up to him and put her hands on his chest. Jethro snaked his arms around her waist and held her tightly.

"About what?"

"Us. What we're doing. How much I want you."

"That sounds like something I would like to hear more about."

"You know this isn't going to be easy right?"

"I know. You and I are both very stubborn and very accustomed to being alone. It will take some work on both our parts. I think you are worth the effort. We are worth the effort."

"Ziver, are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into? I'm not easy and you already know the names of several women who will verify that."

"I am very sure I want to be with you. Very sure I love you. As to what I am getting into, maybe I do not know for sure but I am willing to find out as we go along."

"Okay, let's go eat."

They left the bed and breakfast and walked down the street to the café Ziva had seen earlier. There were still a lot of people on the street and some of the booths were still open. After they had eaten they walked back to the square where there was a band playing. They found a bench off to the side of the busy food court and sat holding hands and enjoying the music. The evening was clear and warm and the festive atmosphere made the small town seem alive. Ziva leaned into Jethro and he put his arm around her shoulders. It felt so good to be able to touch each other without anyone questioning them or raising eyebrows.

As the night wore on Jethro began to realize he didn't feel all that great. He was now getting anxious to get home and see Ducky and find out what was going on. He wasn't in pain so much as he just felt nauseous and almost feverish. He found himself taking deep breaths and before long he knew he needed to get back to their room.

"Ziver I need to go back to the room. Sorry, but I'm not feeling too good."

Ziva looked at him with alarm. "Should we find a doctor?"

"No, I just want to lie down. I'm sure it will pass."

They made their way back to the room and Jethro went into the bathroom feeling like he was going to be sick. He came out a few minutes later looking pale. Ziva wanted to call Ducky and at least talk to him but Jethro said no so she didn't argue. She agreed he couldn't do anything over the phone so even though it would have made her feel better she let Jethro make the decision. He stripped down to his boxers and got into bed feeling feverish and still nauseous.

Ziva sat on the side of the bed and held his hand.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"No, I don't think so. Sorry about this."

"Nothing for you to be sorry about. I am sorry you are feeling bad."

Ziva laid the back of her hand on his forehead and was sure he had a fever. She went to the bathroom and soaked a washcloth in cold water and brought it to him. She laid it on his forehead and Jethro smiled his thanks.

"Feels good."

"Just relax and try to sleep. I'll be right here."

"Why don't you sit in the comfortable chair. I'm okay."

Reluctantly Ziva agreed and after kissing him softly on the cheek she got her book and went to read in the little sitting area just off the bedroom. She could still see Jethro in the bed and looked up to check on him every few minutes. After a while he seemed to relax and he fell asleep. Ziva read for a while but eventually the day caught up with her and she fell asleep in the chair. She must have been very soundly asleep because she didn't hear Jethro get up about two hours later. He was in tremendous pain and had a high fever.

Jethro managed to get out of bed but he was in so much pain he could hardly move. He struggled over to the doorway to the sitting area and was leaning against the door jamb when Ziva suddenly woke up.

"Ziver." Jethro's voice was barely audible and was a dead giveaway as to his condition.

Ziva jumped up and went to him. She could see that he was weak and about to fall down. She wrapped her arm around his waist and led him back to the bed. Before either of them could do anything Jethro was violently ill. Ziva managed to get out of the way and held him as he vomited onto the floor. When he was through she guided him to the bed and wiped his face with the washcloth that had been on his forehead earlier.

Ziva picked up her phone and called 911. She didn't care what he said; they needed help.

"Jethro where is your pain?"

"Side mostly. It's bad Ziver."

"I am calling 911. Hold on."

Ziva got a clean, wet washcloth and wiped Jethro's face. He was burning up with fever. Ziva had seen Jethro hurt before but she had never seen him in such obvious pain and distress.

The 911 operator answered and Ziva said, "I have a man in terrible pain and a high fever. We need an ambulance."

She gave their location and the operator ask her if she could meet the EMTs in the lobby. Ziva said she would and hung up.

"Jethro, an ambulance is coming. I will go down and meet them and we will get you to the hospital."

He didn't argue which told Ziva he was definitely in a bad way. She had seen him refuse medical care after being shot and after being beaten and stabbed. For him to not protest going to the hospital much less the arrival of an ambulance spoke volumes. Ziva threw their used bath towels on the floor where Jethro had been sick. She got her pack and put Jethro's wallet, credentials and weapon in it along with hers and their phones. She would definitely be calling Ducky now.

In just a few minutes she heard a siren and was relieved that help was almost there.

"Jethro, they are here. I am going down to get them."

He didn't respond and Ziva was afraid he was going to pass out.

"Are you with me? Can you answer me, Jethro?"

"Hurts."

His breathing was shallow as if it hurt him to take a breath. Ziva knew she couldn't help him so she went out to meet the paramedics. In no time at all they had Jethro on a gurney and in the ambulance. Ziva got in the back and held his hand.

"You have a hospital here?"

"Yes, ma'am. It's small but we can handle most things. Do you know what's going on with your friend?"

"No. He has had pain on and off for a few days but it got really bad tonight. He vomited once. As you can see he has a fever and that is new tonight."

The paramedic leaned over and asked Jethro, "Do you have your appendix, sir?"

"Yeah."

Jethro's response was hardly more than a whisper, his voice laced with pain. His eyes were closed and Ziva was afraid he was going to pass out. Or maybe that would have been easier on him, she didn't know. All she knew for sure was in the future she was not going to listen to him when it came to matters of his health. Things were going to be different in the future in more ways than he knew.

"Okay. Well, sounds like you might not have it for long."

They arrived at the hospital on the edge of town in less than five minutes and Ziva was encouraged at the level of professionalism she saw from the nurses in charge. They took Jethro into a curtained area of the emergency room and a doctor quickly appeared to assess the situation. Ziva gave the man at the desk Jethro's insurance card and information. She kept one eye on Jethro while she answered the nurse's questions.

The doctor stepped out and said to Ziva, "Looks like your friend probably has a ruptured appendix. I'm taking him for a quick ultrasound and them most likely straight to surgery. This is a fairly routine procedure but we will need to see what exactly is going on. You can wait here but I'd suggest you come up to the second floor waiting area. It's more comfortable."

"Can I see him before you go?"

"Sure. We don't want to delay long though, he's in a lot of pain."

"Okay. I just need a quick minute."

Ziva went to Jethro's side and leaned down close to his face. She could see the pain in his eyes when he opened them to look at her.

"They are taking you to surgery. I will be there when you wake up. I love you."

"Love you. Sorry about this."

"You cannot help this. Just try and relax and I will see you soon."

She gave him a quick kiss and followed the doctor and nurses as they wheeled him to the elevator. They took Jethro off for the ultrasound and Ziva found the waiting room and settled in to wait. In about fifteen minutes a nurse came out and told her they were taking Jethro to surgery and that yes, his appendix had ruptured.

Ziva tried not to worry but she couldn't really help it. She thought about calling Ducky but when she looked at her watch she saw it was almost midnight. She decided there was no point in calling until she could give him Jethro's condition. It wasn't as if he could come sit with her after all.

TBC