A/N Thanks to everyone who is still reading and reviewing. Now back to our regularly scheduled fluff.
Disclaimer Gibbs and the team are not mine and I'm not making any money off of them.
Ziva dug her feet into the dirt. She raised the bat to her shoulder and then took a couple of practice swings. She leaned forward, took her stance and then turned her attention to the FBI agent on the pitcher's mound.
The screams and yells of encouragement from the NCIS fans were nearly deafening. Everyone was ecstatic at the almost certain outcome. Ziva tried to block them out.
She still heard the voice from second base yell, "Come on, David! Knock the snot out of it.!"
She heard the deeper voice from third call, "You can do this, Ziver! Bring me home!"
Ziva focused on the pitcher. She had studied him throughout the entire game. She had watched every pitch with the eye of a trained interrogator. And, as he stepped up to the plate and took his stance, she saw the tell she anticipated. The subtle flick of the wrist signaled a fast ball.
Ziva swung with the control and power honed from years as a highly trained warrior. The connection of the bat with the leather sounded as loud as a gunshot. She took a few, brief seconds to watch the ball as it sailed over the heads of the other players and then arched over the outfield fence.
As she dropped the bat and trotted to first base, the screams from the crowd had reached a fever pitch. She touched each base and headed to home plate at an easy gate. The first hug was from Tony. If he held on a little longer than necessary, no one thought anything of it. Next was the hug from Jethro. If Ziva held on a little longer than necessary, everyone chalked it up to the emotions from the game.
The crowd had cleared the stands and was now gathered around the players. Congratulatory hugs and handshakes were shared with everyone. The game was, for all intents and purposes, over. In the bottom of the ninth inning, NCIS team had defeated the FBI seven to three. Ziva accepted the MVP trophy from Jethro and he had never seen her smile quite so big.
As the crowd began to scatter, Jethro walked over to Fornell. "Told you she's good," he said as he held out a hand.
Fornell shook Jethro's hand and pretended to scowl. "I can't believe we were beat by a girl."
Jethro laughed, "I dare you to tell her that."
"No, Jethro, I think I want to live." Tobias studied Jethro for a few seconds. His friend looked happier than he had ever seen. "Go celebrate with your team, Jethro. We'll get you next time."
"In your dreams, Tobias." Jethro walked back to the remaining cluster of players and fans.
Jethro slung one arm around Ziva's shoulders and wrapped the other around Liz's waist. The crowd turned at his ear-splitting whistle. "Cookout. Ziva's house," he yelled.
As everyone started to the parking lot, Ziva looked up at Jethro. "My house, Gibbs? Why my house?"
"What? You think I want all these people hanging out at my house?" Jethro steered the ladies to the parking lot
Cars filled both driveways and lined the street. As it turned out, both back yards were put to use. Jethro grilled the burgers on his grill. Food was spread out on Ziva's new picnic table. The older people in the crowd gravitated to Jethro's yard. The younger people and the children were in Ziva's yard. The noise from both yards was loud and rowdy. Jethro smiled as he heard Ziva's laughter ring out over the din.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
Tony closed the dish washer and snagged Ziva as she moved past him. He drew her into a hug and kissed her. The last of the partiers had finally departed and they were now alone.
"You were amazing today." He pushed an unruly lock of hair behind her ear.
"I know." Ziva gave Tony a cheeky grin.
"I was talking about the way you look in that uniform, Sweet Cheeks." Tony grinned back.
"You do not look so bad in yours, my Hairy Butt." Ziva would always give as good as she got.
One kiss lead to another and then another. Tony had his hands buried in those beautiful curls he loved so much. Ziva was holding on to that amazing butt she of which she was so fond. Lack of oxygen finally caused them to break apart.
"Ziva…" Tony gasped.
"Shut up, Tony." She tightened her hold. "If you stop now, I will shot you." Ziva growled.
"I was going to say that unless you want this to happen on the kitchen table, we should probably move to your bedroom." Tony's breathing was still ragged.
Ziva smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. I will lock the doors. You turn off the lights."
"Walking would be easier if you turned loose of my ass, Ziva." Tony tried to sound serious but the sparkle in his moss green eyes gave him away.
They rushed through the house locking up and turning off lights. They giggled as they raced one another up the stairs. Tony stopped inside her bedroom door. Ziva turned to face him. He wanted this. He had no intention of stopping. But, Tony was suddenly nervous.
Ziva walked back to where he stood. "Tony, do not over think this. If I was not ready, you would not be here."
Tony placed gentle kisses on her cheek and then that irresistible spot just below her ear. "Just remember. You're in control, Ziva," he whispered.
"Then shut up and let me have my way with you," she whispered back just before she kissed him.
More kisses lead to touches and moans of appreciation. Clothing was discarded as each new bit of uncharted territory was explored. The first time was about discovery and building trust. The second, just after midnight, was an explosion of raw, unbridled passion. The third, just before dawn, was slow and achingly sweet and more intimate than either had ever experienced.
Sunlight streaming though the open blinds fell across Tony's still closed eyelids. He felt the dip of the mattress as Ziva slid back into bed. She snuggled next to him and draped a leg across his. He smiled as she ran her fingers though the hair on his chest.
He played with one of the curls that spilled like a waterfall across his arm. "Morning, Ziva."
She placed a kiss on his shoulder. "Good morning, Tony."
"Yes, it certainly is," he replied. Ziva could hear the laughter in Tony's voice. She had known there would be no awkwardness between them this morning. They had indulged in five years of foreplay. They had both been ready for this next step.
Tony suddenly groaned. "Gibbs is going to kill me."
"No, he is not, Tony." She continued to stroke his chest idly.
"Yes, he is. My car spent the night in his driveway." Tony explained.
"Yes," Ziva agreed. "And, Liz's car is still in my drive." Ziva peeked at Tony who had a goofy smile on his face. "I do not think they spent the night playing checkers, Tony."
Tony laughed and rolled so that he had Ziva pinned beneath him. "I wouldn't mind playing another game of checkers with you, Agent David."
She ran a foot up the back of his leg. "If you think someone of your advanced age is up for it, Agent DiNozzo."
This time his grin was positively wicked. "Oh, I'm definitely up for it, ZeeVah." She giggled as he proceeded to demonstrated just how resilient a man of his age could be. Her last coherent thought was that, that definitely was not his knee.