Heh. I am so, so sorry this is so late. I was going to upload it ages ago, but then I went to Scotland. I was told I'd have internet connection there. I didn't. And this past week I've had really important exams and I've been juggling so much work at the moment, I had no time to put this up. I had it all written, time just slipped away. So if anyone's still here, I'm sorry. The final chapter- next chapter- will be uploaded much quicker. I promise.
Anyways, here's the next chapter. Again I've cleared stuff up, and included more Tiva, which we all like. Or at least we all should like, if we're reading this. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: You know you're obsessed with NCIS when you go to your Aunt's apartment and spend six hours watching NCIS on a fifty-inch HD TV. (let me tell you, Michael Weatherly looked stunning in high-definition)

Listening to: Vienna by Ultravox

It starts with an order. "Hold!" is the command, and she willingly obliges as she outstretches her hand. Fingers curl round steel; stop metal-on-metal with an easy weight. The doors drag open once more, and she flexes her hand, greeting the demanding person on the other side with a polite little smile.
Tony.

He stands next to her, shooting her an inquisitive smirk that makes her skin bristle pleasantly. She greets him with a quite 'Good morning', even though she already said that to him earlier, and he just grins, brushing fingers over the top of her hand with a raised eyebrow.
They don' speak, for there really is no reason to; merely exchange shy little smiles, and she allows him to continue touching her hand.

The elevator inevitably reaches its intended destination, and he takes a subtle step away from her. She idly wonders if this- this thing between the two of them- will forever remain as it currently is; secret, involving stolen glances and little touches in private. Whilst it's okay for now, she knows she cannot just keep pretending like this.

They exit, still in close proximity to each other, and as she walks in front of him she's glad to feel him right behind her, a comforting presence in the rather dreary seeming day that will be ahead of her. Sitting at her desk, she greets McGee warmly, and notes Gibbs' expected absence. She starts on paperwork from their ongoing case, pretending not to notice the frequent looks that Tony sends her.

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When she gets a call, around lunchtime, she sends gracious thanks to the receptionist and heads to the stairs. Anything to distract her from today, will be a good thing.
Gibbs has disappeared yet again, gulping down another coffee, Ziva expects, and despite his being somewhere else for a good hour now, she has been reliably informed- Tony, of course- that her boss does this often. McGee has headed down to Abby's lab at least twice in the past fifteen minutes- at least Ziva thinks that's where he's going. And Tony, well Tony has continued with paperwork. Yet he has also thrown many note-littered paper balls in her direction, and bought three candy bars from the vending machine over the past few hours.
Their case really isn't going anywhere.

So, she thinks as she ascends up to the Director's office, any distraction will be a welcome one. Even if the outcome might not be the most pleasant; Tony is certainly shooting her a worried look as if there is something to fret over.

The door is already open, so she walks right in, sending Jenny a pleasant smile as she sits in a chair. The Director is leaning against her desk, looking rather comfortable as she perches on many files and papers, talking to her assistant. Leaning back in her chair, Ziva relaxes somewhat and waits for whatever is coming.

"I guess you heard about Agent Finch, then?" the woman asks once her receptionist has left, closing the door behind her.

Ziva shakes her head and shrugs slightly, confused as to why Jenny would be talking to her about this, of all things. "I have not heard anything, actually, apart from the fact that she quit."

The Director's brow furrows somewhat, but she raises her shoulders in admittance anyway and continues. "Huh. Well, she did. Mentioned a lot about you in her notice, too."

"Me?"

"Yeah, apparently she didn't feel comfortable in the midst of you and DiNozzo's... relationship."

The scrutinizing gaze her boss is suddenly sending her lets Ziva know she has to give nothing away. Jenny's looking for evidence of something between her and Tony- if her glare isn't obvious enough the pause in her speech was. The younger woman responds with cool, smooth words. "I cannot think of any reason why I would make her uncomfortable."

"Never mind that, she advised that when she left, you should become DiNozzo's partner. I decided to make good on her wish, of sorts." she pauses, allowing Ziva to absorb the situation. For some reason, her throat has dried up and her head is spinning slightly. "I've noticed how well you've worked with Gibbs' team, and he has mentioned that he thinks you are a very capable agent."
That bit surprises Ziva. Gibbs has never expressed particular like or dislike toward her ever since she temporarily joined his team. "What I'm saying, Ziva, is that I've decided to assign you to one team, and one team only. There's paperwork to fill out and everything, but essentially, you're part of Team Gibbs. And you're DiNozzo's partner."

"Thank you, Director." Ziva says, beaming brightly with eyes she doesn't know are glowing with happiness. After shaking hands with her boss, she stands to leave and tell the team, or whatever members of the team happen to be in the Squad Room at the time.

"Oh, and Ziva?" Jenny says, just as the younger woman is about to walk out the room. Ziva turns, her eyebrow raised questioningly. "Gibbs might have a rule about dating co-workers, but I thought I should let you know- there's nothing in the agency guidelines about it."

The Director turns to her desk and picks up a file, deliberately meaning Ziva can't see the look on her face. Instead, she leaves her boss' office and takes the stairs two at a time, noting how it's still just Tony sitting at his desk. Her heart is racing slightly and her palms have gone a little clammy.
"I am now officially on Team Gibbs. And I am your partner." she tells him.

He just pulls her close and whispers his congratulations in her ear after kissing her on the temple, his breath tickling her skin.

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Abby is very pleased. She hugs Ziva until neither of them can breathe, and offers her a skull-shaped lollipop that she's produced from nowhere.
McGee shakes her hand politely and grins, probably because he won't be the new one anymore.
Gibbs- who has suddenly reappeared from somewhere- sends her a smile that crinkles the sides of his eyes, and hits her on the back of the head. Everyone laughs, for some reason.

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When she gets home that evening, she's only been sat on her couch for five minutes before Tony turns up, pizza and DVD in hand, claiming it to be her celebratory meal-and-movie. She doesn't care what he calls it, he's here and that's all that matters.

He laces his fingers through hers as they watch the film- it's weird, involving puppets and David Bowie, and she has no idea what it has to do with her joining the team, but she enjoys it all the same- and kisses her tenderly on more than one occasion. When they talk as the credits roll, her hands still greasy from pizza and her pants now stained from a rogue piece of Tony's chicken, his eyes are shining with slight wonderment and a permanent- genuine- smile is painted on his lips. So much so, that when she kisses him again, her hand going to his neck and pulling him even closer, she can genuinely feel the grin on his lips. Then, as they pull apart and he tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze is so full of blissfulness, and hope, and maybe even love that she shudders slightly.
And something inside her flips thrillingly, because she's never felt so at home.

How is it? Final chapter next! Also, kudos to anyone who knew the film they were watching. I love it. :D