A/N: Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter! Also, it is somewhat of a filler, but I needed an intro to what will be happening within the next few chapters. Thank you for reviewing, favoriting, or simply reading it means the world to me. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS (…yet)

Chapter Six

Ziva strode towards all of her old friends. She had her head up high, shoulders back, and she looked confident. Her stance radiated calm and powerful, though her face had a smirk playing on her lips. She was also armed, a backup gun strapped to one ankle, and a set of knives on the other. It felt good to be back…for now at least. She heard a mix of , 'Ziva!', 'Glad you made it!', 'We haven't spoken in forever!', and even a few 'heys'. She gave a curt nod to them and took a seat at the bar ordering herself a glass of red wine to kick off the night. She listened to her friend's banter, and soon enough questions began spiraling her way. She put up her hand signaling for everyone to stop talking. She took a breath and answered questions one by one,

"Israel was nice. The DC summer is the equivalent to a cold winter in Israel."

She took a sip of red wine and answered the next,

"I was in the Israeli Army and later joined Mossad."

She said plainly as if it were nothing. When she was asked what she did in Mossad, she had to choose her words very carefully. She was part of the kindon unit, but to everyone who was not in the unit its existence was questioned.

"My missions are 'need to know'. Though, I did not get the nickname 'ghost' without the correct exhibitation of skills."

She smiled in remembrance, she never left a trace. Cameras never caught her, bullet casings were never found. She was a ghost killer. She turned to the bar tender and asked for a glass of bourbon, taking sips of it as she listened in on her friends they returned to a playful banter. Their words sent her back to a time where recklessness was encouraged, high school. She remembered the old fake wood finished table they use to eat at every day for lunch, and the mindless conversations that occurred. Oh, how she wished to be back in high school. It truly was one of the best times of her lives. A flash of olive skin, and a peak of familiar dark brown hair brought her back to the reality that was before here, and the man who just entered the bar, no. It could not be, Malachi? He began to venture towards the familiar face, and gave a wave to her as if saying 'I come in peace'. She gave him a pointed look before turning back to the group.

"I'll be right back."

She stood up and walked out of the bar signaling for Malachi to follow. She stood with ridged posture, her stance was battle ready. His shadow drew closer and soon the assassins were eye to eye. She could feel his hot breath upon her neck, and he could see the fire in her eyes. It was as if they were mentally facing off, neither side to any prevail. She broke the tense silence,

"Shalom Malachi."

"Shalom Zivaleh."

The term of endearment threw her stomach through a loop. Zivaleh he had not called her that since their failed relationship a number of years before. She managed to say finally, in a whisper,

"Why are you here."

"You look well. I see you have recovered well from Saleem."

Ziva's voice became ice cold at the mention of Saleem's name,

"Why are you here?"

Malachi stepped closer, leaned his head down and brushed his lips against hers. He let his hand move to her hair and kissed her. At Malachi's touch her entire body tensed, and when she felt his lips upon hers she was in shock. She was confused, she did not know what to do. He stepped back and said whispered,

"For that."

He took a card with his number and gently placed it into his ex-girlfriend's palm. She stood still for a moment before he turned to walk away,

"Shalom motek."

"Shalom."

As he walked away, a mix of emotions engulfed her. She gave herself a split second to compose herself, and soon enough her usual emotionless façade was displayed. Confidently, the ex-assassin walked back into the bar and bid her friends goodbye,

"I must go."

"Ziva you still have a curfew?"

"I just came home for the first time in five years, they just want me home and safe."

Ziva thought to herself, the first time in five years they knew I was in the country. Ziva gave a wave goodbye and one of them yelled,

"Let me drive you, it is only fair."

"My destination is not far from here. Goodnight."

A mix of "good night", "see you soon", and "nice seeing you" were thrown at her. All she did in recognition was politely smile, and subtly waved

Words were never her forte, and she walked away relaxing to the steady click-clack of her heels. Block by block the world began to whizz by in whirl wind until she finally arrived at her destination. Ziva walked into the building flashing her badge and got herself an elevator. While she was waiting the ages security guard at the front desk questioned,

"Ziva Gibbs? What has it been three, five years?"

"Five."

The elevator dinged upon reaching the floor and she stepped in,

"We shall speak at another time. Yes?"

"That would be great."

With that said, she let the doors of the elevator close and sighed.

Ziva was stirred awake by a night mare at 2:30 am. She knew going back to sleep was helpless so, she decided to go down to the gym. She would just work out her arms she told herself. Though, three hours and a few miles ran later, she knew she had down a full body work out. Ziva took a quick shower, washing off the swet and quickly changed back into the clothes she had been wearing the previous night. She dropped the pair of workout clothes she had borrowed back were they belonged and checked her watch, 5:30a.m., perfect time to go grab some well dissevered coffee. Ziva walked to the little coffee cart that was set up just outside building, and paid drinking it black. She brought the bitter liquid to her lips and slowly sipped it while walking around the park like area scouting for a bench. Upon completing her little mission she sat down and became lost in her own thoughts. The kiss with Malachi had rehashed some memories that were buried deep, and almost forgotten. She slipped the card out of her pocket and twirled it in between her fingers. She brought it her face to read, and the card still had his aroma. Cologne, swet, and cigars, the same scent that filled the tiny home they shared in Israel.

*Flashback*

Ziva entered the small home, exhausted from the day's work, and yelled in a sing songy voice,

"Malachi I'm home."

The muscular male came to greet her, and kissed her tenderly upon the lips.

"How was your day my motek."

"The Director and I once again do not see eye to eye, why does he not acknowledge the sensible solution?"

She yelled exasperatedly at him.

He did not speak only ran a loving hand over her cheek and kissed her once again. His soft lips moved tenderly against hers, though she did not give back the affection. She gently pushed him away and whispered fully knowing what it would escalate into, she whispered,

"Not tonight Malachi."

A mix of pain and frustration reflected from his eyes. Ziva could only lean her head upon his shoulder and whisper,

"When I am not so tired."

With a sad smile he simply placed a light kiss upon her lips and whispered,

"Alright motek."

*End of Flashback*

She stuck the card back in her pocket and finished the coffee at a slow pace. An hour later, she had downed three cups of black coffee, and walked back into NCIS headquarters with a rare ear to ear smile dancing upon her lips. She had not known, he still had those types of feelings for her. Ziva decided upon taking the stairs and began to quickly run up them as she did when she was little. She was just like a teenager who had just had their first kiss, but happier. Her eyes were bright, a smile that was not forced, and a mood that would be very hard to bring down. She walked with a spring in her step as she walked into the bull pen to find a very tired looking Kate, and an exhausted looking Gibbs. Ziva went and leaned against the edge of Kate's desk and said,

"Long night?"

Kate stood up and hugged her sister. After hugging her tightly for a moments she raised her voice some at her little sister,

"Where the hell were you yesterday? Why did you not use someone's phone to call Mom, Dad, Me, or Kelly?"

"Kelly knew I was meeting with some old friends. She dropped me off."

"That would explain your clothing, and why are you smiling so much? I haven't seen you smile like that since you were 17 which was wh-"

Ziva looked at her murderously and Kate's voice got excited,

"You went home with a guy last night didn't you?"

"No I did not."

"Then why ar-"

"How about we speak about that over lunch?"

"Alright."

Kate said giving her a knowing look. Gibbs stood closely behind her and put a cell phone in her hand,

"Rule Seven Ziver."

He hugged her and whispered,

"Go see your mother."

Ziva nodded and took off up the stairs. She walked into the office smiling, not bothering to knock. She saw her mother's blood shot eyes and weary expression as she did paperwork.

"Ima."

Jenny pushed back her chair and walked over to examine Ziva before hugging her.

"Where the hell were you last night."

"I was with friends, and slept in your office."

"That does not explain that large grin on your face."

Jenny said with a smirk,

"So what really happened last night?"

"As I said was reacquainting myself with some friends."

"Where?"

"At the bar that is not too far away from here."

"Which friends."

"Anya and the others."

Jenny looked at her daughter and playfully glared,

"I won't tell Jethro I promise."

Ziva laughed for a moment before saying,

"Malachi."

"I do not remember a Malachi from your high school class."

"I met him in Israel."

Jenny looked at her daughter in shock,

"And what was this Malachi doing in the states."

"Business."

Ziva said nonchalantly, she was intentionally trying to admit he was her partner in Mossad.

"What is his full name?"

Ziva handed Jenny the card that also included his contact information. Jenny scribbled the information on a loose leaf sheet of paper. Jenny nodded letting her daughter know she was free to leave. Just as Ziva was about to open the door she looked back at Jenny and said,

"He only kissed me. Kate and you both jumped to the same conclusion."

A still smiling Ziva exited the Directors office and took the stairs to at a time. She caught a glimpse of the two male agents that worked side by side with Kate. She took a turn into the bull pen and leaned against Kate's desk. Being bored out of her mind with the large load of paperwork she looked at her sister,

"How was it?"

"We only kissed."

Ziva said rather matter of factly.

"Name?"

Ziva took out the card and handed it to her sister. Her sister scribbled down his name and teased,

"Mr. Malachi will be getting a background check. Anything you want to tell me?"

"He is great in bed."

Ziva teased purposely attempting to confuse her sister,

"I thought you guys said you didn't?"

"We did not, no."

Ziva shot her a devilish grin.

"There was not a Malachi in your grade, so that only leaves…ISRAEL."

Ziva laughed for a moment and commented,

"Took you long enough. I thought the name would have told you right away."

As she was rounding the corner Kate called,

"Where are you going?"

"Somewhere, I'll be back by lunch."

Please review! Tell me what you liked, what didn't, and what you want to happen (or think is going to happen)! I'm always open to ideas so please to share them if you have any for this story!