A/N I'm sorry it's taken so long to update. Another nasty migraine kept me away from writing for a few days. To make up for the delay, this chapter is longer than usual. Thank you to everyone who continues to read. And, a big hug to everyone who has reviewed.
DisclaimerI still don't own them and I'm still a poor state employee.
Ziva looked at the bright yellow Charger in the drive and jogged up Jethro's front steps. As usual, she opened the front door without knocking. As she turned left into the living room, the young agent stopped suddenly. Jethro was sitting on the sofa with a woman. They both looked at her.
"Gibbs, I am sorry. I did not know you had company. I will talk to you later," Ziva turned and started back to the front door.
Jethro stopped her, "Ziva come on in. I would like to introduce you to someone."
When Ziva turned back to the living room, she found that Jethro and his lady friend had risen from the sofa. Ziva wiped her suddenly sweaty palms on her shorts as she walked to stand in front of the coffee table.
"Liz, I want you to meet Special Agent Ziva David. Ziva this is Elizabeth Dixon." Jethro looked from one to the other.
As Ziva shook hands with Elizabeth, she sized up the older woman. Elizabeth appeared to be in her mid-forties. She was dressed very stylishly if somewhat conservatively. What surprised Ziva most was that Elizabeth's shoulder length hair was light brown. She was not a redhead.
"Hello. It is nice to meet you," Ziva told her.
Elizabeth smiled at the younger woman. "It is nice to finally meet you, too. Jethro has told me a lot about you."
Ziva sat in the arm chair next to the fireplace and leveled a look at Jethro as she replied, "That is a surprise. He has not told me much about you."
Before Jethro could respond, Elizabeth sat on the end of the sofa nearest to Ziva. She looked at Jethro and smiled. "We have time before our reservations. Feel free to make yourself scarce while Ziva and I get to know one another."
Jethro sat next to her on the sofa. "Not a chance."
"Does he look nervous to you, Ziva?" Elizabeth asked Ziva.
Ziva looked at Gibbs before responding, "Yes, he does. He is afraid of what I will ask."
Elizabeth laughed. "Please, feel free to ask whatever you want. And, please call me Liz."
Ziva looked first at Gibbs who was trying to appear relaxed and unconcerned and then back to Liz. "Gibbs told me you are a school principal."
"Yes, I'm the principal at Regan Elementary school. I've worked there for ten years now," she told Ziva. "I taught third grade for 10 years before I became a principal."
"How did you two meet?" Ziva asked next.
"We go to the same coffee shop every morning. Several weeks ago, we struck up a conversation." Liz smiled. "I thought he was very cute."
Ziva looked at her thoughtfully, "It is his eyes, yes?"
Liz giggled, "Yes. And, his smile."
Jethro stood up, "That's it. I'll be in the basement when you two finish talking about me."
Both women watched as he left the room. It was Liz who spoke first. She was suddenly very serious.
"Ziva, Jethro has told me how close the two of you are. He's told me that he considers you his daughter." Liz paused and looked closely at Ziva. "I can tell from the way he speaks of you that he loves you very much. I would very much like to get to know you."
Ziva considered her response before she spoke, "I feel the same way about Gibbs. I only want him to be happy."
Liz sat back on the sofa, "I have nothing to hide. I was born and raised in Richmond. My parents still live there. I have been married once. My husband, Scott, died of cancer. He worked for the IRS. That's how we ended up living in Washington. I love to read and I enjoy going to the theatre. In my spare time I volunteer with the Humane Society and the Literary Council. I lead a fairly quiet, uneventful life."
"He has told you about the three ex-wives?" Ziva asked.
"Yes, he has. He's also told me about Shannon and Kelly," Liz replied quietly. "Ziva, I like Jethro. We have fun when we're together. I understand he's been hurt in the past. I only want to get to know him better and see where this can lead."
"I should let you get on with your evening," Ziva rose. "I am glad we met, Liz."
The two women shook hands and Ziva let herself out. Ziva returned to her house in time to see Tony pulling into the drive. She waited until Tony exited the car and walked with him to the porch. When she sat on the porch swing, Tony leaned against the railing.
"Zi, not that I don't like sitting out here, but I thought we were going to order dinner," Tony told her.
"We are Tony. But, first, I thought you might like to see Gibbs' date," she never took her eyes off of Jethro's house.
Tony sat beside her. "Gibbs is going on a date?"
"Yes and she is at his house now," Ziva answered.
Tony looked in the direction of Gibbs' front door. "You met her?"
"Yes," Ziva said.
"What did you think of her?" Tony questioned as the front door opened and Jethro ushered Liz to the antique Charger. He noticed that Ziva did not answer his question.
The two younger agents waved. Liz returned their wave with a smile. Ziva set the swing in motion and watched as Jethro backed out of the drive and headed down the street.
"Zi? Are you alright?" Tony asked.
"Yes, Tony." Ziva stood. "We should order dinner." She unlocked her front door and let Tony enter ahead of her.
"Would you like Chinese or pizza?" Ziva pulled out her cell phone and retrieved take out menus from the kitchen.
"Chinese sounds good," Tony told her. He could tell she was troubled. "Ziva, talk to me. You aren't happy about Gibbs dating, are you?"
Ziva ignored him again and called in a delivery order for their usual choices. When she closed her phone, she looked up to find Tony still watching her.
"What?" she demanded.
"You're jealous," he stated.
"Of course I am not jealous," Ziva sounded indignant.
"Sure you are. If he gets serious about this woman, you'll have to share him with her. You're afraid he won't have as much time for you. You're afraid you won't be as close." His observation was based on his years of investigative work and on watching how strong the bond between Ziva and Gibbs had become.
Ziva wanted to deny what Tony said. She sat on the sofa and though about how she really felt about the situation. As much as she hated to admit it, Tony was correct.
"I am happy for him. She seems very nice. And, he deserves to have someone in his life who can make him happy," Ziva told Tony. She sighed, "But, you are right. I do not want things to change."
Tony sat next to Ziva and put an arm around her shoulders. "I know how you feel. You know, I was jealous of you at first."
Ziva's eyes were huge with shock. "Why were you jealous of me?"
Tony smiled faintly, "Because, from the minute you joined the team, everyone could tell you were special to Gibbs. He treated you differently. I was afraid you were going to take my place. You aren't the only one who needs a dad, Ziva," he quietly admitted.
"Tony…" Ziva was speechless.
He ran his fingers through her long curls, "I know. Pretty juvenile and insecure of me, huh? Like that's a huge shock. Gibbs loves you Zi. He won't turn his back on you…ever."
She tried to smile at Tony. "In my head, I know you are right. It is my heart that is concerned."
"I know, Ziva. Just try to give this lady a chance. You might really like her. You could gain a stepmom out of this," Tony tried to cheer her up.
"I have read the fairy tales, Tony. Is it not the stepmother who feeds the young princess poisoned apples?" As usual, Ziva was not about to make this easy.
Tony smirked at her, "So, you think you're a princess do you?"
Ziva punched him on the arm and tried not to laugh. "You know what I mean."
"Oh, no, Special Agent David. I want to know how long you've considered yourself Gibb's little princess," Tony captured her hands before she could hit him again.
The resulting struggle left them both breathless from laughter. Ziva was draped across Tony's lap. He was still holding her hands. Tony found himself staring into those huge brown eyes. Before he could think better of the idea, he leaned forward and kissed her.
When he released her hands, Ziva wrapped her arms around Tony's neck and returned the kiss. He pulled her closer and tangled his fingers in her long hair. He had the faint thought that Gibbs would not consider this taking things slowly. Then her kisses short circuited his ability to think. The sound of the door bell had them jumping apart like guilty teenagers caught making out.
Ziva rose and straightened her clothing and hair. Tony also had to make a quick adjustment before he could answer the door. He paid the delivery person and accepted their dinner order. He followed Ziva into the kitchen and fixed drinks as she served their meal onto plates.
Once they were seated and eating, Tony had to ask, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, Tony. Why would I not be?" Ziva questioned.
He toyed with the food on his plate. "I want you be comfortable with whatever we do. I don't want you to feel like I'm rushing you."
Tony watched as Ziva reached over and covered his hand with hers. "Tony, I am not fragile."
She had never seen such a serious look in her partner's green eyes. He turned his hand over and clasped hers. Tony wasn't sure how to say what he felt he needed to say. But, he knew he had to try. They had avoided the subject for long enough.
"You are one of the strongest women I know, Ziva. I just don't want to hurt you. I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for," Tony admitted quietly.
Ziva squeezed his hand. She understood what he had left unspoken. She had been worried that after her experiences in Somalia he might think less of her. She had never considered that he would be afraid of hurting her. "Tony, you must know that I could never be afraid of you. I promise I am fine."
Tony leaned over and kissed her softly. He sat back and tried not to blush as his stomach loudly growled. As usual the MCRT had skipped lunch.
Ziva giggled, "Food first then kisses, Tony."
That gained her one of his trade mark lecherous grins, "Promise?"
They took their time with dinner and talked as they ate. They discussed their latest case and the lack of evidence that had them grasping at straws. Tony told Ziva about the upcoming charity baseball game between NCIS and the FBI. He and Gibbs would be on the team. Ziva described her shopping trip with Gibbs to buy lumber for her picnic table.
Tony helped Ziva clean up and put away the left-over food. They returned to the living room and sat together on the sofa. Ziva reached over and took Tony's hand in her own.
"I think I remember someone promising me a kiss," he told her.
"You only want one, Tony?" she asked with a smile.
He pretended to think. "That might not be enough."
She used his hand to pull him closer, "Why do we not start there and see what happens?"
As they had both known it would, that one kiss had led to another and then another. At some point, tongues had become involved and soon Ziva was sitting across Tony's lap. Her arms were around his neck. His arms were around her back and his hands were tangled in those beautiful curls.
Lack of oxygen finally forced them apart. Tony hugged Ziva to him and inhaled the scent of her shampoo and her perfume. She was more intoxicating than any alcohol he had ever sampled. And, he had found that he couldn't keep his hands away from all that hair. When they were together like this, it was difficult to remember why this might be a bad idea.
Ziva returned Tony's hug and laid her head on his shoulder. She placed light kisses along his neck and behind his ear. She also took in that scent that she had secretly come to think of as Essence of DiNozzo. It was a combination of expensive cologne and pure male. She was sure she could pick him out of a line up even if she was blindfolded.
Tony couldn't prevent a laugh from escaping, "You sound like a female panther scenting her prey."
Ziva pulled back from his embrace and leveled a sultry look at him. "Perhaps I should mark my territory, yes?"
"No, you shouldn't," Tony tried to look stern. "I do not want to explain that to Gibbs tomorrow."
He gave her several more gentle, lingering kisses. Tony knew he had to stop now while he still could. Tonight wasn't the night for anything more than this. A lap full of warm, willing female wasn't making his decision to be noble easy.
"Zi?" he whispered.
"Hmmmm?" she answered while placing kisses on his jaw. Tony could have sworn Ziva sounded like she was purring.
He kissed her again and rearranged her on his lap so that there was no doubt what he really wanted. "Ziva, I think we should stop."
She drew back and this time the look she gave him said he had clearly lost his mind. "Why?"
Tony took a deep breath, "Because, if we don't stop now, I'm not sure I'll be able to. And, as much as I want you, I don't think we're ready to take that step yet."
Ziva leaned her forehead against Tony's shoulder. "You are right, Tony. I am sorry."
"Hey! There's nothing to be sorry about, Sweetheart. We just got a little carried away," he grinned. "That's the great thing about dating an old guy like me. I have great self control."
"Someday, I will have to test that self control, Tony," she told him.
"You already have, Ziva. Believe me, you already have," he kissed her again. "Now, let me up. I think I should be gone before the Boss gets home. So far, we haven't pissed him off too much. But, he'll be in foul mood tomorrow because we haven't gotten anywhere on the case. I don't want to give any more reason to yell at us."
Ziva stood and put her hands on her hips. "You are afraid of him," she stated.
"Yes, but not the way you think. I can handle him when he acts like a bastard. I've been doing it for years," Tony told her. "As Senior Field Agent, it's my job to make sure his foul moods don't spill over onto you and McGee."
Ziva narrowed her eyes and studied her partner. It all made sense now. "That is why you act so juvenile. You annoy him on purpose. You make yourself a target."
"Gee, took you long enough to figure it out. And, you call yourself an investigator," Tony teased.
"Tony…"
He cut her off, "Don't worry about it, Ziva. Gibbs knows."
Ziva hugged him. "I never guessed, Tony."
He returned the hug. "Just don't tell McGee. He thinks he's the smart one."
After Tony left, Ziva curled up on the sofa with her book. Instead of reading, she stared into space. Tony never ceased to surprise her. Just when she thought she had her partner figured out he showed her another side to his personality. She would never have imagined that he drew the focus of Gibbs' temper to himself to spare her and McGee. Ziva felt they did not need the protection. But, she was perceptive enough to know the relationship between Gibbs and Tony was more complicated than she had always suspected.
She put her book aside as she heard footsteps in the kitchen. Gibbs took his usual seat in the club chair. He had taken the time to change into faded jeans and a USMC t-shirt.
"You are home early. How did the evening go?" Ziva asked.
"It was good. It's a workday tomorrow for both of us so we called it an night early," Jethro paused then asked, "What did you think?"
"I liked her. Liz seems very nice," she responded. "She is very pretty."
Jethro smiled, "Yeah, she is."
Ziva tried to look serious. "I want to get to know her better. But, for now, you have permission to continue seeing her."
Jethro laughed, "Well, thank you, Ziver. I'm glad I have your permission. So, how was your evening?"
Ziva echoed his words. "It was good. We stayed here. We ordered Chinese in and we talked. We also decided to make it an early evening. Tony felt our boss might be angry if he found out we stayed up late on a work night."
Jethro laughed again. "Yeah, I've heard your boss can be a real bastard."
He headed for the front door where he stopped and turned to Ziva who had followed him. "I'm glad you liked her. She's exactly what she seems to be; a very nice lady. Makes me wonder what she sees in me."
"That is obvious. She thinks you are hot," Ziva gave a sputtering Jethro a cheeky grin. She patted him on the arm. "Once she got past those blue eyes and that charming smile, she realized that you are also very nice."
"Thank you, Ziver," Jethro kissed her on the forehead as he left.
Ziva smiled as she watched Jethro head down the sidewalk. There was definitely a strut to his walk. As Jethro passed under a street light, she caught a flash of that charming smile. As she closed and locked the door, Ziva giggled to herself. Apparently Tony wasn't the only stud on the MCRT.