Jealousy (Part 1)
It was the three-month mark to their relationship and they were late to work. They had a valid excuse. There was traffic, which there was, and McGee was late too because of this traffic. This turned out to be a benefit to them today. Tony and Ziva sat working on finding information on the case when the elevator dinged.
None of them turned their heads, but they were both aware of the unfamiliar footsteps coming their way. Whoever it was stopped near Ziva's desk and waited for a few minutes and cleared his throat when no one looked up. Everyone was immersed in their work, including Ziva and Tony.
Gibbs looked up. He was the one to see this man standing there. He cocked his head as he noticed that Tony and Ziva were working harder today than normal. Then, he looked back at this man.
"Can I help you?" Gibbs asked.
"I am here to see Ziva David," the man said.
Tony looked up now and he looked over the man. Ziva glanced at him and looked furious instantly. Tony saw her fury and wondered who this man was. He glanced between the two and wondered silently for a moment who he was.
"Who are you and why are you trying to take my agent away from her work?"
"I am Ray Cruz and I just wanted to talk to her for a moment," he said quietly.
"Go, Ziva," Gibbs said.
Ziva's eyes met Gibbs, nearly pleading with him to not make her go and jealousy ripped through Tony as he saw the pleading look in her eyes. Whoever this man was, he was someone that Ziva didn't want to deal with and Tony could see that. Gibbs nodded to Tony and he followed them to the break room, staying behind the man, but in Ziva's view so that she would know that he was there in case he needed her.
"How did you find me?" Ziva asked quietly.
"I have my ways," he said with a smirk on his face. "I was wondering if I could offer you dinner, again?"
"I told you in Florida, I'm not interested," Ziva said as she started to walk away.
The man caught her arm and she visibly flinched at the contact. Her eyes met his in fear and danger and Tony wondered why this man was not getting the message. Perhaps he didn't know he was dealing with a former Mossad Assassin.
"I suggest you take your hands off," she whispered dangerously.
"I am interested in you, Ziva David," the man said again.
"I am not interested in you and I am spoken for," she said quietly.
Ray's eyes grew jealous and angered at those words. He looked hurt. He faced Ziva.
"I wanted you before you were spoken for," he said quietly.
"I was spoken for then, too," Ziva said quietly. "It was just unofficially that I was spoken for."
"Then, you weren't spoken for and I could have had you," he argued.
"No, because I did not want you. Do they teach the CIA to be like Mossad or something?" she asked angrily.
"How did you know I was CIA?"
"Just the way you act. You remind me much of Trent Kort," Ziva said. "Now, let go, or I will be forced to remove your hand from my arm and I cannot promise you that I will not harm you."
"What can a woman do?" Ray asked suavely.
"Do you know what Mossad is?" Ziva asked.
"Who doesn't?" he asked in return.
"Good. I was a Mossad Assassin for many years before I became an NCIS Agent. I was the best. I suggest you let go," Ziva said again, moving herself so that she was ready to remove his hand, but without him knowing that's what she was doing.
Tony was jealous that another man's hand was on his girl, but he was proud that she knew how to take care of herself. "I still want to take you to dinner, Ziva. This relationship must be new if you are only now telling me that you are spoken for," Ray said.
Jealousy ripped through Tony and anger ripped through Ziva.
"This relationship has been going on for some time, Ray," she said quietly. "And it's not like you tried to make contact. Do not lie or pretend." She ripped his hand from her arm, nearly throwing him on the ground. "I warned you. Do not mess with a former Mossad Assassin."
She huffed and walked to Tony, who's eyes were filled with jealous. She narrowed her own eyes in slight anger that he was thinking of being jealous of this man.
"Nothing happened," she said quietly and dangerously.
"I know," he replied. "I just don't like him very much. That's all. Are you alright?"
"I am fine, Tony. Just angry. I thought I made my message clear to him earlier, but apparently I was wrong," Ziva said. "Maybe he got it this time."
"This man is your boyfriend?" Ray asked, picking himself off the ground.
"No," they both replied at the same time, knowing that they were at NCIS and couldn't divulge that information. "I'm her partner," Tony said. "It's my job to make sure I've got her back."
"Sure," Ray said, pushing past the two, jealousy flaring in his eyes now.
"You were jealous," Ziva stated with a slight chuckle.
"I'm sure your turn will come, my ninja," Tony said quietly, laughing along with her.
A/N – I think Ray was more jealous than Tony was and I don't think Ray was convinced by their lie. But, we might not ever know. Good to know that Ziva can still protect herself and she wasn't entirely softened up by her feelings. Review, please!