A.N: So here is your next chapter! I really do hope it's OK... Sorry if there are a few mistakes but I can't keep my tired eyes open any longer to proof read again so it will have to do for now... Thanks again for the lovely reviews and I hope to see more this chapter! :)

Disclaimer :I do not NCIS... you know the drill...

She ran, ran as far away as she possibly could get. Not only from the images that were burnt into her mind but from him, from her partner. It was all too much, in one night, and for someone who is not conditioned to change she couldn't bring herself to the unfamiliar territory that was a romance. She felt as if she could burst in tears, she felt regret almost instantly after she shut the door of Tony's apartment. She hoped she hadn't just slammed the door on the one good thing that was happening in her life. Because it was good, after all these years their unresolved tension was finally starting to be released. He had taken the step she had never imagined him ever taking and it made her feel almost giddy inside. But at the same time it was too different, there was too much change, and after everything that had just happened in the past 24 hours she couldn't bring herself to stay. She had to leave, she needed someone to talk to, and she almost felt like she needed permission about Tony, something she knew would be hard to get from one person in particular. As she stepped into the rain again for the second time that night she looked up towards his apartment, and to her dismay she saw a silhouette in the window, watching her. She couldn't tear her gaze away, even with the rain pelting at her side and when her phone shrilled in her pocket she pulled it out subliminally and without checking the caller I.D held it to her ear. There was no speech from the other end but instead heavy breathing which sent a chill down her spine.

"Ziva…" her name was whispered from the other end and she knew who it was, her heart leaped in her chest. "Ziva come back." She didn't say anything, couldn't, her mind was racing to come up with something even the slightest bit intelligible; but instead she stood there, in the rain, dumbfounded. "I'm sorry if I crossed a line but please…"

"I cannot…"

"I just thought that when you kissed me back… I thought we were on the same page…"

"Please Tony… Not now, I cannot have this conversation now…"

"Why not…"

"Because…" Barely Audible but he could hear the tremor in her voice as she fought tears. There was silence for a while as they both battled with their emotions, unsure of what to say. She knew she was hurting him, the silence felt like someone had kicked her in the chest but she couldn't speak about it now. She felt the need to say something, to assure him she wasn't just running away from him, that she wasn't just rejecting him. Because from the feelings stirring up inside her she knew that even if she wanted to it would be almost impossible to walk away from him now, after what had happened, after the step he had the initiative to take.

"Please just, at least get out of the rain." She nodded even tho he couldn't see and stood a mere moment longer before retreating to her car, listening to the heavy breathing on the other end. She could hear him rub his face and almost groan which caused a pang inside her. When she was safely in her car she leant forward on the steering wheel, trying to come up with something reassuring, and fast.

"Tony…" She could hear him stir on the other end of the phone and give a mere murmur in reply before she went on. "Please understand that I cannot talk about this now, I just… Cannot; but I promise you I will call tomorrow." The words fell out of her mouth before she could reel them back in and when there was no reply she became agitated. She quickly went over what she said in her head, wondering if she went wrong but before she spoke again he replied.

"Just know… I don't regret it." She could feel the blood rush to the capillaries in her cheeks and she was again at a loss for words. "Goodnight Ziva."

"I don't regret it either" She said to dead air.

Gibbs sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to reach for the alarm clock as it beeped uncontrollably. After the clock ended up on the floor her rubbed his face with his rough callused hands and shuffled towards the bathroom. After roughly shaving (his morning ritual as a marine) and washing his face he walked towards the small kitchen and turned on the coffee percolator. Still half asleep he moved towards the front door to grab the paper when something caught his eye. At first his instincts kicked in as he scooted back towards the wall and slowly took a look, but he soon recognised her soft, exotic features and relaxed. As he moved towards the couch he could see that her clothes and hair were partially wet and she curled into a tiny ball in attempt to gain heat. Walking briskly to his room he came back with a blanket and draped it over her before kissing her on the temple and walking back to the kitchen.

It was another couple of hours before Ziva finally stumbled towards the kitchen rubbing weary eyes and trying to tame wild hair; she knew she was in for it. She had no idea whether Tony had shared any information with him since last night but she almost cringed when she saw the look on his face.

"Coffee?"

"Toda…" She reached across the small dining room table to receive the large mug and stared at it a bit before he got the hint and grabbed some sugar and cream (something he only now stocks for Ziva's visits) after stirring a bit of each in she took a sip and stared at the table until she was summoned to speak.

"What happened?"

"Did Tony?" She could barely say his name and keep herself composed and a throbbing began in her head as she put an index finger to her temple.

"I want to hear it from you." She looked up to protest but could see the seriousness in his eyes so the words died on her tongue. After stirring her coffee a bit more and taking a sip she delved into the events of last night.

"I know it was not Addison but I couldn't stay home…"

"So you remember everything?" She nods slowly, not taking her eyes from the brown liquid in front of her. "So you came here after you heard him and then remembered what Addison looks like." She hesitated with her answer but decided it wasn't that far from the truth… well exactly…

"Yes…"

"Don't lie to me Ziva…" Her head shot up and she saw disappointment in his eyes. "I talked to Tony, he told me everything that happened." She heard the emphasis on the word 'everything' and cringed. She felt angry at him all of a sudden, she couldn't believe he would tell Gibbs of all people and before they had even sorted it out themselves! It made her blood boil.

"Everything!" She spat out through gritted teeth.

"Ziva, don't be angry at him. I forced it out of him."

"Everything…" She repeated more softly this time and she looked up into his eyes with sadness. "Gibbs I am sorry, I know you have rules it was a slip up and it will not happen again I swear."

"Ziva…"

"And I left straight away, I was just tired and emotional… and…"

"Ziva" he said it more firmly which grabbed her attention. "Stop rambling and listen wont ya!" She sat there a little shocked and confused as to where the conversation was heading but she stayed quiet and slumped back in the wooden chair. "I told Tony to give it a shot."

"W-what?"

"I know what you're thinking, the rules… But I set those as guidelines Ziva from past experience. But I have noticed that… That you two are different. I realised that whether you guys are 'an item' or just partners you're going to care about each other and you will have each other's backs." She sat astonished at what she was hearing. "I realised that I don't want to be the one to stop you guys from being happy, heck I don't even think I would have a choice in the end."

"But I do not know whether I can…"

"He has always been there for you Ziva, he was almost crazy when you were in that hospital and he has been moping ever since last night."

"Moping… How do you know that he has been moping…" He shook his head and smiled at her.

"He came over this morning after the stunt you pulled last night. He thought you wouldn't speak to him so he came to tell me, to make sure you were okay. He saw you lying on the couch and became agitated. I realised something was wrong and made him tell me." Her eyes flickered across the room and she continued to stir the now cold cup of coffee, she was clearly agitated. But he knew what she had to hear so he grabbed her stirring hand and looked reassuringly at her. She took a deep breath before she hoarsely replied.

"I do not know if I can change Gibbs. I… I am not very good at these things; I have never been in such a situation as this…"

"But change is sometimes good Ziva." She looked unsure and he got up to walk around to her side. "I want you to be happy. Don't regret anything, you kids work it out." He kissed her on the head before leaving the room. A rollercoaster of emotions swept through her and she sat there pondering on everything that had just been said. She knew what she had to do, she needed to talk to Tony and she only hoped it wasn't too late for her. She knew from Gibbs description of him this morning that she had hurt him and she hoped that he was in a forgiving mood, because she knew what a big mistake she had made. He had been totally sweet and caring, he had finally taking the initiative to show her how he feels, something she knew would have taken him so much courage and what did she do? She ran away and didn't even explain herself. She decided that after talking to Gibbs she would speak with Tony, she only hoped that things will turn out okay because the anxiety she is feeling has her sick.

Gibbs walked back into the room with a file in his hand and sat in his chair opposite her. Opening the file he took out a few photographs and lined them up. She studied them and picked out the faces straight away.

"Who do you see?" She pointed to the first one as she spoke.

"Adam Miller, suspect in the undercover operation. He was framed by him." She pointed to the second photograph. "Ryan Addison… He tried to kill me…" He grabbed her hand as she looked away suddenly.

"And the last man?"

"The guy who was at my door last night. Who is he?" He laughed as he put the photos away, humour filled his eyes.

"That Ziva, is your very hungover next door neighbour Rob." She too smiled at this, at least it wasn't Addison.

A.N: And there you have it! Another chapter done! I hope you all liked it, and I wanted to get some Gibbs in there for you so please review and tell me what you think! :D

Keely :o)