A/N: Okay guys, I am SO sorry. I know it's been weeks since I've updated, but I've been suffering from some severe writer's block, and I really didn't want to screw up this chapter. I hope you guys like it!


"Shalom, Ziva."

The voice haunted her. She had never once thought that she would hear it again. It shook her slightly, the thought of him being here. She briefly debated whether or not to answer the man. She did respond, but without turning to look at him.

"Officer Segel. It has been a long time."

She could hear the smallest, empty chuckle before he said anything else. Of course he knew Ziva wouldn't spare him a glance if she could help it. Officer Segel knew her well enough to understand that.

After all, the older Israeli had trained her for the greater part of her youth. He was willing to play the game, and so he remained silent, waiting for her to make the next move.

Realizing what he was doing, Ziva rolled her eyes and finally spun on her heel to face him.

"Why are you here? Director David couldn't bear to send one of his normal lackeys to check on my well-being?" she spat her kin's title out at the officer in front of her.

"This instance was deemed too important for a more... inexperienced officer."

Ziva scoffed. "Clearly it was not too important, he could not even be bothered to come see me himself."

Officer Segel kept a straight face. "Your father is a busy man. You know that."

"A little too well," she muttered.

For a few seconds, they simply stared at each other, neither speaking. Ziva rolled her eyes once more.

"Well, I'm in one piece, aren't I? You can go home and report that now. Or is there more I can do for you?" Ziva didn't try to hide her sarcasm.

They launched into a small debate about authority and respect, neither Israeli noticing Tony, who was leaned up against a pillar in the parking lot, arms crossed, eyes narrowed as he listened to the conversation unfold. Granted, he was on the side facing away from the pair, but they had not heard him creep up. Originally, Tony had found another way out to the garage to try and catch Ziva off guard, but instead he found himself listening to a verbal battle of the Mossads.

"I wish to speak with your superiors further about this matter," Tony heard Segel state bluntly.

"Further?" Ziva repeated in disbelief. After earning a curious glance her way from Segel, she continued, getting a little more upset as the conversation went on.

"Further? You have barely talked to me about what happened. How come you are not telling me why there were two Mossad officers shooting at me and Tony?"

She stopped, breathing a little faster than before. The Israeli man cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Tony?" He stressed.

"He is my partner."

"Not Agent DiNozzo? Tony?"

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

Officer Segel sniffed. "Hm."

He began to walk off into the darkness. Ziva called after him.

"I will be back to talk with whoever you answer to these days. Shalom," was his only reply, and then he was gone.

Ziva was so frustrated. Here she had been, trying to forget DiNozzo, but everywhere she went, his name seemed to pop up somehow. She rubbed her temples momentarily, then headed for the rental car.

Tony, who had heard the entire exchange, slipped around a car and crouched down as Ziva passed. He sat there for a second after he watched the black Nissan zoom off into the Paris night. Standing up, he walked back into the hotel, making a beeline for the bar.

-----

McGee found him sitting there, alone, staring at his drink. Tony sat there, brooding quietly. He didn't look up as the younger agent took the seat beside him.

Tim noted that there was only one glass in front of his friend, and it had barely been touched.

"I'll have whatever he's having," McGee told the bartender.

As the man moved away to get his drink, McGee turned so that he was looking at Tony. He gave Tim an innocent sideways glance. "Yes, McGoo?"

"One ginger ale."

McGee turned back to the drink that appeared in front of him, raising his eyebrows at his partner after hearing the name of the drink.

Tony leaned back from over his own drink. "I figured Gibbs would've killed me if ended up having too much alcohol."

McGee nodded in understanding. They sat for a few minutes, neither speaking. Neither one really knew where to begin, and the silence was hovering in between companionable and awkward.

"You know, nothing's ever going to change if you don't tell her," McGee said, choosing to break the hush first.

"Her?"

"Don't play dumb, DiNozzo."

Tony sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "What if... if I'm wrong? If I make the wrong move?" He couldn't believe he was having this conversation with McGee, of all people.

"You'll never know if you don't try. Sometimes you just have to take the plunge."

"Thank you, Probie-Wan Kenobi."

But behind the sarcasm, Tony realized the meaning in his younger friend's words, and stood up from his stool. He clapped a hand on McGee's back and pointed out to the bartender, "Put his drink on my tab." He left bills on the counter.

No sooner had he walked two feet, had his boss appeared out of seemingly nowhere, blocking his path.

Gibbs looked questioningly at his agent.

"I'm going to talk to my partner."

Gibbs knew that was coming, he had heard the whole conversation between Tony and McGee. Still, he was upset.

"Damn, DiNozzo, I thought you would have at least been able to count to twelve."

Tony fixed him with a rigid stare that would have made Gibbs proud if it wasn't being used on him.

For once, Tony wasn't ready to follow Gibbs.

"I can count to twelve. I'm just choosing not to."

The tension between mentor and probie was explosive. McGee was still on his stool at the bar, mouth agape at Tony's words. He looked between the duo, wide-eyed.

"I swear this will bite you in the ass later, DiNozzo. Trust me," Gibbs told him, his voice raising ever so slightly.

Tony couldn't hold back anymore. "The only reason it's come back to bite you in the ass is because you never bothered to try and repair things!"

The volume of his own voice surprised him, and had drawn a number of stares from the other hotel guests.

"Don't you all have something else you could be listening to?" Tony shot annoyedly at the on-lookers. They all turned back to their own conversations, whispering hurriedly about the debate between the two men.

Gibbs stood there, not saying anything. He and Tony gave each other icy stares for several seconds, before Tony spoke, much quieter this time. Though he didn't yell, Tony's voice still carried the same determination.

"I'm sorry, boss. But this is something I need to do. And you can't stop me this time."

With those parting words, he turned and jogged out of the hotel.

Gibbs watched him retreat in fury. He stalked over to the bar, taking the seat next to his junior agent. He ordered a bourbon, waiting for an onslaught of questions from McGee. What the younger man said next however, surprised Gibbs.

"As much as you may hate it, you know he's right."

Gibbs glanced at McGee, who looked back boldly. Gibbs downed his bourbon in one gulp, standing up.

"Yeah, I know, McGee."

"You should talk to her."

Gibbs nodded. Before he left, he leaned a little closer to Tim.

"You ever think of taking your own advice?"

Smirking at McGee's shocked expression, Gibbs set off to find his old partner.

-----

She was in the park again, sitting alone on the same bench as last time. Tony strode over confidently, sitting down a little closer to her than necessary. Their thighs brushed as they sat there quietly.

After a minute or so, Tony knew that he couldn't waste anymore time.

"Ziva, I know--"

She cut him off. "You don't need to say anything. I know you don't want to go against Gibbs."

DiNozzo snorted. "Trust me, I've passed that point."

That got a reaction out of his partner. Ziva cast a disbelieving glance his way.

Tony caught it and grinned. "Seriously, I can almost feel the head slap I'm going to get for what I said. You can ask McGee, he witnessed the entire spectacle."

Ziva laughed a little, and when Tony spoke again she didn't interrupt.

"I know what I said in the hospital."

"Oh?"

"Yeah."

"Okay?"

"Just thought you should know."

Ziva sighed. Of course Tony wouldn't come out and say it. Leave it to DiNozzo to come so close and then back off. She rolled her eyes and stood up.

"Well great Tony, I am glad we got somewhere with this."

She didn't look back at him and began walking away.

Thunder cracked overhead, and it began to rain lightly as Ziva made her way to the car. She cursed her partner inwardly, wishing he would stop playing this game with her.

Tony watched her leaving.

Ten more seconds and she would be gone.

He wouldn't be able to live with himself if he let her walk away. Again.

So Tony did the first thing that came to mind.

Ignoring the drizzling rain, he took off at a sprint after her. Ziva had heard the footsteps and turned to him. He didn't say anything, but instead tilted her face up to his and planted a soft kiss on her lips. At first, Ziva was too surprised to do anything, but reacted soon enough and deepened the kiss. He arms found their way around his neck and his found their way around her waist.

They broke apart after several seconds, foreheads touching. Each had their eyes closed.

Tony breathed out the one sentence Ziva needed to hear.

"I mean it Ziva. I love you."


A/N: Ah, fluffy Tiva goodness. I've been missing that. I hope this made up for my lack of updating a little. I'll update sooner for the next chapter. Please review!!