Yet again thank you all for the fantastic reviews. Here's the next chapter.

She had only stepped back slightly and he dropped his hands when the door had opened. They had expected a female to come in but Tony was pretty sure Evans was not a female. He sort of wished he was. Unless he decided to be a female attracted to other females, then he would still have his problem with Evans and Ziva. Maybe not so much actually, a female coming onto his partner was definitely much better than another male.

And for some reason Evans found it fitting to stand there and watch as Ziva finished her work on Tony. Tony had caught Evans take a good look at his partner's ass when she was focused on stitching him up. And god, Tony could actually see something he would rather not right then. This guy Evans, he knew what else it was that bugged him about the guy. It was that he reminded him so much of himself when he was a young detective.

And hell, Tony knew just what he was like back in those days. He would charm the pants off any beautiful woman within half a mile of him. Evans wanted Ziva, he could see it clear as day in the kid. He just didn't know if Ziva would go there. She had told him it was nothing but what would happen if Evans turned up the charm and a few alcoholic beverages were thrown in the mix? He just wasn't sure. He was sure that's not what Ziva wants anymore. He knew she was looking for something more permanent. Why? Because she never went out with guys anymore and he just knew.

The last guy in her life was Ray. He was long gone now. Ziva had kicked his secret-keeping-dorky-haired-stupid-skiing-trip-big-eared-ass to the curb. Ok, so maybe Tony was over doing it a little with the dislike for CI-Ray, but really there was something hinky about the guy that twisted his gut. And he was not having his gut all twisty feeling about someone who spends so much time with Ziva. It was… no. It was just a no.

And ever since Ray had gone from the picture she hadn't been out looking for anyone to fill that gap, not once. Not even when Abby had asked her to go out to the local night scene, meaning one thing, picking up hot guys. Ziva had sometime in her American lifetime given up that sport. Now that he thinks about it, Ziva had been at his a lot more lately. And like, a lot.

Anyways, the only reason he was suddenly worried about the threat Evans placed was simple, because right now the guy was out with his partner for dinner. Tony got his night last night, being fair. He didn't really fell like playing fair however. And this Evans guy did not live in Washington with Ziva and see her everyday like he did so the guy deserved to have her for at least a few hours right? Tony guessed the guy deserved the chance. As long as he didn't try getting into a pair of Israeli cargo pants tonight Tony would be alright about it.

Evans had approached Ziva when Tony wasn't around earlier, and Tony thought it was actually a cunning plan. He knew last time Evans asked, Ziva had turned Evans down for him instead. He was sure Evans had picked up on that. And if Tony wasn't in the room when he asked, Ziva may forget about Tony. Well, she hadn't. Considering she said she would have to 'talk to Tony first'. But hey, it wasn't that weird, Tony had been injured today and he knew Ziva wouldn't go out with Evans tonight if Tony wanted her to stay by his side to watch over his injured self.

He wasn't going to do that to her though, she deserved to go out. She didn't need to be stuck looking after him when she could be out having a nice dinner with Evans. Ok, he was stopping all this thinking before thinking her going out with Evans tonight was a good thing when he kept ending up with the thought that it wasn't so great in his eyes. He needed to refill his scotch glass.

It was different but it was still nice. She hadn't been out on a date since Ray was around. Well, she had been out with Tony many times to dinner lately, but that was different. He was… well, he was Tony. James had taken her out to a nice little restaurant, she had actually seen it the other day when they had driven past and it had caught her eye. And it was just as nice on the inside as it was the outside.

They had a small table for two by a big glass fireplace that sat in the middle of the restaurant. She wasn't cold right now like she had been earlier today, not with the warmth in the restaurant from the fire. She hadn't dressed up and worn a dress out to this 'date' she was on with James. He was lovely, but her intentions were nothing more than a nice dinner. Even if it was pretty much being classed as a 'date'.

She also knew that Tony wasn't in the best of thinking about this date with James. He didn't say it aloud and he didn't stop her from going (he could of if he had asked her to stay with him), but she could see it. She was always very good at reading him. He was jealous, that much was obvious. But he wasn't being a real ass about it. He hadn't even said anything about her going, he didn't once say anything rude or nasty about James. Which was good.

She had expected him to at least say something, but he didn't. She knew why. Over the years his jealousy had changed. In the beginning he would get nasty or snappy at her about who she was with. Now, now he was calm and seemingly interested in being civil about it even though he was jealous. He was much more respectful of what she chose to do even if he hated the idea. She had seen it with Ray, with Ray it was clear to her that Tony didn't like it but he was respectful of Ray. He had even encouraged her with Ray, saying he was a good man, telling her to take him back even.

She didn't know if he was just being nice after all the little jokes he had said about Ray before he had met him. She did know that he and Ray had had a little discussion, what about she doesn't know, without her present. Maybe Tony just wanted to see her happy. She had been happy for a long time when all things Ray were considered. But Ray just wasn't who she really thought he was in the end. He wasn't the type of man she was really looking for. He wasn't permanent enough for her.

"You are very quiet" James' statement brought her out of her thoughts. She picked up her wine and took a sip.

"I was just thinking about the last time I was out like this" she replied. She didn't normally indulge in this type of honest conversation on a first date with someone, but she had been working with James for the past few days, he wasn't just a stranger.

"You don't go out much? I would have thought of you as the type of woman who would enjoy going out" he replied, drinking some of his beer as they waited for their meals. He wasn't implying to her as an easy woman who got around lots, just the type of woman who liked to go out at night to a nice dinner. And she did.

"No, I do go out a lot. Just not really like this" she replied. She didn't want to say the word 'date' because he may think she was interested in it as more than it was. She guessed it was a date, just one that wouldn't lead to his bed afterwards.

"I'm sure any guy would like to take you out like this" James smiled. She could see that right now he was flirting with her.

"I guess they may" she replied, smiling back.

"So when you're out do guys never approach you or something?" James wondered. Trying to figure out why she was never out on dates.

"No, not normally when I go out" she replied. Engaging in the conversation about her dating life with him. Why not? She had something to do. James' face was confused. How was she never approached by guys when she is clearly a very attractive woman?

"Well who is it you're normally out with? That might be why guys don't come up to you. Do you have really creepy looking friends?" he asked. She could hear that last joke ring in the air, he wasn't actually serious. She chuckled lightly.

"No. I normally go out with Tony" she replied. His smile dropped slightly and he was quiet for a moment. That is why she was never approached by guys. You don't go up to a chick who's already with another guy, well, unless you're drunk out of your mind or completely stupid.

"Do you two go out a lot?" James found himself asking. Ziva could see the jealousy in his face even though he tried to hide it. What is with males and jealousy?

"Yes, quite a bit. It is easy just to go out from work to dinner when it is so late and the hours we get can be bad. It is much nicer than by yourself all the time" she replied. James looked down at his drink.

"Are you sure you two aren't…?" he asked. Making sure he knew he wasn't in between something with taking her out tonight.

"No. Tony and I…well Tony and I are very close partners because we have been through a lot together. That is why many people believe there is more to us then what truly is. But no, Tony and I do not have a romantic relationship, just a very good friendship" she stated. She wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or lying to the man across from her. Sure, she and Tony didn't have a romantic relationship but they did have unspoken feelings, and she did find herself wanting more with Tony in certain moments but they have never taken it that far. James nodded slowly at her answer. Feeling like there was something small she was leaving out, however he decided not to ask about it.

"So he doesn't mind that I took you out tonight?" he asked instead.

"Well, he is mindful of the men I go out with, he has my back. So considering that he didn't confront me about going out with you tonight it must mean you're in his good book" she said. She wasn't going to tell James that Tony was extremely jealous of her going out with him tonight and that if it was up to him he would rather she hadn't. But the fact Tony hadn't said anything out loud to her about it meant he thought James was ok. She wasn't lying in what she told James.

"I wouldn't think so" James smiled "Not with the way he has been looking at me in the last couple days when I approach you" James stated. Yes, Ziva had noticed Tony do so too.

"He is just keeping an eye on you. He is very protective of me, he is always very protective of his partners" Ziva explained. James raised an eyebrow.

"Even when it involves personal matters?" James questioned. He did have a point. But one thing he wasn't very aware of is that Gibbs' team is a very close knit group, like family. And personal and professional was all very much the same to them.

"Yes. Our team is all close, like a family. We are all friends so we are connected in a personal way as well as professional" she explained. He nodded.

"So Tony is like a brother to you?" James asked. She had no idea how to answer that. You cannot feel the way she does about your brother. And thank God for her that's just when their waiter arrived with dinner. She was lucky he hadn't brought the question up again when the waiter had left. She didn't know if she could answer that question. If she told him Tony was like a brother she would be lying. If she told him he wasn't like a brother James may get the fact that there was something deeper there between the partners. She didn't want to ruin this nice date on the count of him being upset by her answer.

Ziva had told Ray that Tony was like a brother to her, and she had been lying. She had only said it to get Ray off her back about Tony, Ray was constantly asking about him. Ray saw Tony as a threat because of how close she and Tony were. The only way she was able to keep the peace between Ray and Tony was to explain to Ray Tony was like a brother to her.

It had worked because Ray hadn't done anything stupid but she did know that Ray had told Tony she saw him as a brother. And she knew that had hurt Tony. But when Ray had gone she had told Tony one night that she had lied to Ray about him being a brother to her because Ray had not liked their friendship, he thought there was something more. Tony had been pleased at her honesty to him but he hadn't asked anymore, he hadn't asked her what he meant to her if he wasn't like a brother. That was a conversation they had avoided. It would have brought up feelings that they always keep hidden.

Her meal had been wonderful and James had been a gentleman for the rest of the evening. She could tell he was really trying to impress her, she liked it. He was very charming and flirty too, it made her smile. But there was something different about the way he did it, something missing. And it wasn't until she checked her phone as they were leaving to see if Tony had text her to realize what it was.

It was Tony. There was just the way Tony would do all those things to her, charm her when they had their moments, that felt so much different, so much more special. She realized then that even though another man may captivate her, no one could do it as well as Tony could.

They left the restaurant and began walking down the street. It was cold again tonight (was there ever a warm night here?) and she was glad she had her big coat. She could feel how close James was walking to her, then his shoulder brushed hers and she looked up to see him looking at her. He was giving her a very soft smile and when he softly grasped her hand in his they stopped walking and she was suddenly facing him.

Her heart rate sped up when she realized where he was taking this right now, he was going to kiss her, she just knew it. She could see it in his eyes, his smile. And then before she could say no he was leaning down and his lips were against hers. For a fraction of a second she found herself kissing back, only because she hadn't kissed anyone in a while and her natural reaction when kissed was to kiss back. But for some reason this all felt wrong to her.

She placed her hands on his chest and softly pushed him back. She really didn't want to break his heart right now. She could see the confusion on his face when she pulled back.

"I'm sorry James, but I can't do this" she stated. He didn't move, his hands were on her hips right now, she knew that he was upset by this and he wanted to kiss her again.

"Why?" he asked. He was looking into her eyes and she suddenly felt too exposed.

"I just cannot. We work together-" she began but was cut off by him.

"Don't blame it on that, you know that doesn't really matter" he said, leaning closer, preparing to kiss her again. She stepped back out of his reach and his hands dropped to his sides.

"I'm sorry" she stated, looking away from him.

"Tell me why you can't do this Ziva? It can be just for tonight, just some fun. Something good to remember when you were here in this place instead of just work" he tried. He really wanted this. She shook her head.

"No, I can't. I can't do this to him" she said. When he went quiet she realized what she had said. She looked up to see him looking at her.

"I didn't think you had a boyfriend?" he questioned her. All that talk about not going on dates had led him to think she was single, that and the fact she had accepted to come out on this date with him in the first place. And it was true, she was single.

"No, I do not have a boyfriend" she replied. He was again, confused.

"Then who exactly can't you do this to if you don't have a…" he began but didn't finish his sentence. He had realized something "It's him, isn't it?" he asked. He had given up all attempts of kissing her again now. She knew who he was talking about, but playing dumb would be her safest response right now.

"Who?" she asked.

"DiNozzo" he replied. She went to argue the point but thought better of it. He knew she would be lying now if she tried to.

"Yes it is Tony. But, only because I told him I would not do this, and I promised him I wasn't going to sleep with you" she replied. He furrowed his brow then, they had discussed him.

"He will not know and you do not have to tell him" James said, taking a step closer.

"Yes, he will know" she replied.

"How would he know if you don't tell him?" James stated.

"Because, he would just know. And I share everything with him, we do not keep secrets" she stated. He looked down at her like she was obviously lying just then.

"I do not believe that, otherwise he would know you have feelings for him by now" James stated. His voice accusing.

"What?" she questioned. He didn't just say what she thinks he did, did he?

"You heard me" James said. He was clearly upset now by everything that had happened. She wasn't going to fight him on this, it wasn't worth the risk of something coming out of her mouth that she would rather keep a secret. She was just going to walk away from this. So she turned and began walking down the street. After a second she heard his steps coming behind her.

"Ziva stop, please" he called out. His voice had taken a softer more apologetic tone. She stopped and slowly turned around to face him.

"What?" she sighed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you" he said quietly. She could tell that he was truly sorry. She shook her head.

"No, it is ok" she said, softening slightly.

"I shouldn't have questioned you on your relationship with him" he explained "It was none of my business"

"You are right, it was not" she agreed.

"I just thought that you felt that same vibe between us and you are so beautiful and I thought we were really going to have a nice night" he explained. She took a step closer and placed her hand on his chest lightly.

"You are a very nice man James and any girl is lucky to go out with you but I just cannot break that promise to him and I am looking for something more permanent in my life. If this was a few years ago I would have gone home with you tonight, but I am not the same woman I used to be back then" she stated.

"That's ok Ziva. I understand. I did not mean to upset you at all and I hope that after this nothing's going to be bad between us?" he asked.

"No, you are alright James. I actually had a very lovely night, so thank you" she said. He smiled.

"You are welcome" he replied. She dropped her hand from his chest.

"Well I better get you back to your hotel" he announced. She nodded.

"Yes, I think that is a good idea" she said. Not adding the fact that Tony was probably wondering where she is. They got back into a walk and he walked her all the way until they got to her hotel a few blocks over. At the entrance they smiled at each other and she thanked him again before she headed inside.

She knew he would be heading home with a different end to the night then he had hoped. But he seemed as though he was ok with that. He didn't want to interfere with anything that she and Tony had. He knew that there was something there, something that they hadn't acted on yet. And she knew that he would keep it to himself.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will have the next one up soon and I promise to have more Tony and Ziva in that one :)

Hundan