DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

Ladies' Man

Ch 5

The following morning Tony awoke, a tug-of-war playing through his mind. After driving Maryann home and regretfully leaving her at the door, his mind ran in overdrive sorting through the physical and mental forces fighting to tell him the right choice to make.

He knew Gibbs had a rule about lawyers. Tony never really trusted reporters. Back in his days as a police officer, he'd been burned more than once and paid dearly from his superiors.

Part of Tony wanted to ask Tim to dig deeper and find all about her past. Was she being honest with him? Another part figured that was the wrong way to start a relationship; if they were going to even have one. Relationships should be based on trust. Right?

Showering and getting dressed for work, Tony was still undecided. No doubt there'd be all kinds of questions being asked today. Tony tried to think of some plausible yet vague answers to respond with.

Exiting the elevator with his usual swagger and beaming smile got him the usual responses.

Ziva was the first to speak to him, as he entered the bullpen, "So Tony you look quite smug, like the cat that swallowed the canary."

"Wow Zee-vah you are getting better. You actually got that one right," Tony smirked at her. "As a matter of fact I had quite an exciting evening."

"Really, Tony," Tim jumped in. "Did she take any notes for her next feature?"

Tony narrowed his eyes at his junior partner. Tim just smiled openly at him, enjoying having something to tease him with for a change. "If you must know, Probie," Tony said pointedly asserting his superiority, "she was too busy to use her hands for writing." Tony smiled enjoying Tim's jaw drop wordlessly and the color rise up his neck to his ears.

"Busy, Tony? I do not understand," Ziva looked confused, though a hint of a smile played at her lips.

Tony thought this was going quite well, 'Yes Ziva. She couldn't keep her hands off of me."

"You took her home early, stud," Gibbs pronounced making his way to his desk.

Tony grimaced and sat at his desk deciding to throw himself into some work and hopefully figure out what he was going to do. He couldn't help the stunned look he gave his boss. How DID he do THAT?

Tim and Ziva realized that joke time was over and got back to their own work. Tim had decided to dig a little deeper into Tony's obsession. So far nothing of any interest had been discovered. Secretly, all kidding aside, he wanted Tony to find someone to make him happy. Neither of them had much success in the women department.

Ziva was even doing her own research. She would find a way to make that woman disappear if she were to hurt Tony in any way. She too found nothing that would indicate the woman had any nefarious plans. Still she would continue to watch Tony's six.

All research was cancelled when Gibbs' phone rang and he shouted out, "Grab your gear. We're going to Anacostia."

Sure enough Maryann was on site. Tony smiled at her, but sensing his boss on his back he quickly made work sketching and shooting. He snapped a couple of shots that caught her in the background. He was really pleased that she showed up. He was afraid that his shortening of the evening may have put her off, but clearly she was still interested.

"DiNozzo?" Gibbs barked.

"Yeah, Boss," Tony ran up to him.

"After you're done with the flirting and picture taking, I want you and Ziva to go to Ensign Thomas' home and find out what you can about him." As Tony turned to finish up and get on his way, Gibbs added, "And Tony, don't bring anyone else along for the ride."

Tony looked a little hurt that he would think he would do such a thing, but knew Gibbs' gut was telling him Tony had some doubts. Nodding Tony took a few last shots, gave the camera to Tim and headed for the car Ziva was already waiting by.

Ziva noticed Tony's discomfort as he drove. "What is the problem?"

Not sure how to put it into words, Tony struggled, "Gibbs."

"Gibbs?" Ziva wasn't expecting that to be his worry.

"Well, not Gibbs personally. It's I can tell his gut is worried and that has me worried," Tony looked to see if she was following what he was saying.

"I am not sure what you mean, Tony. If this is about Maryann, the only thing Gibbs would be worried about is how she treats you. If she is not using her position for any personal gain, I do not see what Gibbs could be concerned about."

"I know that Ziva. How will I know? She told me she's not interested in my sharing any case facts, but what if she's setting me up to turn on me later?"

"Perhaps you need to trust your own gut," Ziva suggested.

"That's the whole problem," Tony muttered. "I have no reason to doubt her, other than my experiences in the past with reporters."

A slight nod and Ziva said, "That is a problem. You will need to start out fresh with a clean slat."

Tony half smiled, "Slate Ziva. It's a clean slate." He agreed and decided that taking things slowly he'd be able to find out how honest Maryann was being.