A/N –

This chapter is a little horter than my usual updates but the good news is - I have another update Half completely and will hopefully post tomorrow. In another short note at the end of this chapter I explain why I stopped it where I did.

Quick question/poll - I like to provide a lot of detail to each scene including occasional clips of character's backgrounds, upbringings or past injuries and such just to fill the story and make it more believable – but if you feel I am adding too much of that stuff rather than moving the story along, pls send me a personal msg from my profile page so I can see what the general consensus is. BTW - this is re: all of my stories. Thank you!

~ Enjoy this update! ~ BnBFanatic

~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~

Previously on: "A Matter Of Life And Death" . . .

Gibbs watched as Tony's body became lax and he sank further down against the pillows, he also noticed the barely there smile which caused Gibbs' own lips to turn upwards into a grin of his own over seeing the man he loved like a son happy like that. It was all that he needed to see in order to feel the same way.

Then just as he turned to pull his chair even closer and finally relax for a minute – his attention was again diverted by the sound of a raised voice, but this time it wasn't Tony's – no this time it was coming from outside Tony's room, in the hallway not far from the door. Glancing back to make sure Tony had not been awakened by the yelling, Gibbs then headed towards the door, determined to see what the commotion was and why the Security Guard didn't seem to be doing anything to stop it. His gut clenched tightly as he reached for the handle of the sliding door and started to pull it open. . .

~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~ncis~

A Matter Of Life Or Death

Part XIII

Hallway Outside Tony's Room In ICU . . .

Right before Gibbs slid door open to see what was going on in the hallway, he couldn't help but wonder just what the hell could possibly be so damn important that someone felt they had to disrupt the most harmonious place in the entire hospital – the Intensive Care Unit - and so late in the evening on top of that..

He wasn't sure he would be able to resolve the argument but he knew one thing for sure – this was not going to happen on his watch!

As soon as he entered the hallway he found himself standing face to face with the assigned security guard and a petite woman he didn't recognize. She was fresh faced with a natural exotic type of beauty about her, she had long brown hair pulled loosely back into a pony tail sporting basic cargo pants and a T-shirt type of shirt. And even though the security guard towered over her standing nearly a foot taller than she was, she still managed to appear just as tall on pure attitude alone.

"I said, I have orders to relieve you! Exactly what part of that sentence do you not understand?" the feisty beauty hollered, now standing on her toes yet looking up at the towering man with her face just inches away from his own.

"I heard you the last three times you said that – ma'am- and like I also said, until you produce some orders and identification to back that claim up – no one will be relieving anyone!"

"Stand down both of you – now!" Gibbs demanded while still managing to keep his own voice down so as not to add to their loud intrusion. "Now, you have 10 seconds to tell me what the hell is going on here!"

"She's thinks she can ju-"

"He is being a stubbor-"

"Stop!" Gibbs interrupted the fired up duo after they both started pummeling him with their own version of what happened, He then looked at Ziva while holding his hand up to signal the male guard to stay silent.

"You . . . speak." he said, letting Ziva know he had his permission to tell her side of the story since Gibbs was admittedly still somewhat old fashioned when it came to women, especially when it came to the old 'ladies first' rule. He wasn't completely chauvinistic, he didn't believe that a woman's place was in the home, hell he had worked with some of the strongest and most brave women in both the Marines and at NCIS.

Ziva raised an eyebrow, surprised to see the commanding agent allowing her to speak first. In her Country that would never have been the case since women were taught from a very young age, that men deserve the respect first and foremost. It wasn't so bad that the woman were only allowed to speak when spoken to or anything that severe – but woman were definitely knew there place when in the presence of men. Ziva however had struggled with the archaic way of thinking as she became older, in fact she had run ins with her Father more than once over the subject. She could be very stubborn when she wanted to be which ironically was the one trait she had most in common with the man.

She didn't miss a beat after her initial surprise had passed and immediately began to explain

"I was given very specific instructions from the Director of NCIS to guard this room and the injured agent located inside. Why she did not convey that information to you sir, I do not know." she informed him, arms firmly folded across her chest.

"Uh-huh. Well this guard was also under orders Miss David and he did exactly as he was instructed by not leaving his post for anybody or for any reason. And the injured agent in there? He belongs to me, he's my Senior Field Agent and no one takes over guarding him without running it through me. Not even the Director herself. Do I make myself clear?" Gibbs quietly but forcefully explained, secretly glad no one was yelling anymore and threatening to wake his agent who was badly in need of the rest.

"Yes sir, very clear." she replied stoically. She surprised herself when she found herself agreeing with the man. She had never met him before but had a feeling that this boisterous man was none other than Agent Gibbs, whom the director had spoke of quite often. She had met Jenny while working a case together years ago in Paris, Ziva couldn't help thinking that her firey friend had described the man who now stood in front of her perfectly; handsome - charming when he wants to be - and fiercely protective of his team.

Jenny had also confided to Ziva when they had gone out to unwind and celebrate having wrapped up their case, when after Jenny had imbibed in one too many glasses of wine - she had admitted that she and Gibbs had ended up becoming lovers after one particularly long and harrowing mission in which Gibbs unfortunately ended up being shot before the case was over. She then painfully admitted to her new Israeli friend that Gibbs had been the one man that she had regretfully let 'get away' as they say. Ziva's attention was forced back to the present moment when she realized she hadn't been paying attention to what Gibbs was saying to her.

"Good, but don't call me sir. Now why don't we start with some identification?" he instructed calmly while reaching up with one hand to rub his tired eyes and face.

"All I have on me right now is my passport." she explained as she cautiously reached into the back pocket of her cargo pants and slowly presented the small booklet. After Gibbs looked it over he continued, determined to get to the bottom of this debacle.

"Okaayy so - you are Ziva David."

"It is pronounced Da-veed."

"Okay Miss Da-veeed, tell me, why would the Director see fit to have you guarding my agent over one of our best security officers whom is not only already doing the job - but who was hand picked by me?"

"I . . . I don't know. I only know that Jen- . . .Director Shepard is well aware of my abilities. I am more than capable of guarding your precious elderly agent and I am just - following – orders." she explained, her voice rising a little in volume while remaining very monotone, her expression . . . all business.

Gibbs squinted his bleary eyes at her in confusion. What a minute – what? Did she just say 'elderly' agent?!

"Miss David I don't know what kind of game you're playing or if you just have some strange sense of humor, but trust me – I do not find you amusing. The term 'Senior' agent has nothing to do anyone's age so let's get that straight. Now what do you mean you're following orders? Do you always follow orders from people you don't actually work for?"

Ziva became rather uncomfortable upon hearing his last question, but knowing that she had to answer the man.

"Perhaps it would be best if you contact your Director Shepard Agent Gibbs. As far as I know - I do work for her."

TBC . . .

Don't fret or ask about how come Ziva was separated from the Director since Ziva is the guest whom Jenny had picked up at the airport. That will be explained fully at the start of the next chapter. I stopped this chapter here because it just seemed like a perfect place to stop. BUT I will give you one more update to this fic before I go on to update my Bones story (Mistaken Identity) of which I am way overdue on updating! I will also proof read this one more time later and fix missed errors as usual.

Thank you for all so much of your awesome reviews and please keep them coming – I love hearing what parts you like best and all that fun stuff! Since this one is short if you want to wait and review after the next chapter then that's totally cool. :-)