2am and the hair on the back of Tony's neck stood up. His radar was going off and he didn't know exactly why. He had his arm wrapped around Ziva's waist as she slept and she seemed fine. When he first woke; he thought that she might be in pain but she was sleeping contentedly.

He leaned his head atop hers and took in her sweet scent. Ziva had always seemed like the ultimate danger girl to him; from the first he'd had full confidence that she could handle herself. But here in bed; she felt small next to his frame. He still knew that even in this current state of hers she could probably level most men but he had to admit he liked feeling her here tucked into his side - allowing him to hold her, take care of her. He simply didn't want to let go.

But that radar of his was sounding and he could not help but glance around their bedroom. Everything seemed quiet - still outside. He heard no noise in the kitchen or coming from the living room. Yet, something felt off.

As Tony gently started to pull his arm from around her waist, Ziva reflexively tightened her hold of it and he smiled. But before he could whisper to her that he needed to get up - the doorbell rang followed by several strong knocks at the front door.

Ziva's eyes flew open and she turned to Tony, "What time is it?"

"It's 2," Tony pulled away from her already missing her warmth, "If it's McGee I don't know why he didn't call." Tony said as he checked his cell.

As he got out of bed and slipped into his pajama pants and his robe; Ziva pointed to her nightgown and he tossed it to her. "Let's find out what this is about."

Tony started for the door when Ziva called, "wait, Tony." She reached for the gun on the nightstand and extended it to him.

"You think we have burglars knocking?" Tony whispered.

"Just take it, Tony" Ziva insisted before slipping on her short, ivory lace and cotton nightgown.

Tony went to take the gun then said, "hang on to that one," before he opened a drawer and took out a spare. His service gun was in the box in the living room.

He went to the front door as the knocking continued and took one quick glance back at Ziva before stepping up to the door cautiously and looking through the peep hole. What he saw was the last person he expected to see at his door. It took him a moment to decide what he wanted to do.

"Ziva, it's ok. I'll take care of this," he called back to Ziva before he opened the door.

"Why are you here?" Tony demanded as he glowered at the woman.

"I need to talk," she said.

"2am is not the time to talk, EJ," Tony narrowed his eyes at her.

"It's important, Tony, please," she looked over her shoulder then back at Tony.

"Anyone following you?" Tony asked as he stood his ground.

"No, no," she replied. "Just being cautious."

Tony opened the door wider and allowed her to come in. He gestured for her to go to the living room and followed her after closing the door and locking it securely. Tony flipped on the lights then he went to the blinds and closed them both. As he turned back to EJ he noticed her staring at the gun in his hand.

Tony indicated for her to take a seat on the sofa as he took sat in one of the club chairs and placed the gun on the side table next to him, "What is so important that you need to come here in the middle of the night?"

"Is Ziva here?" EJ asked.

Tony stood and resisted, just barely, from taking hold of his gun again. "Why do you ask?"

Ziva wheeled into the living room, she'd managed to pull her hair back into a loose ponytail and he suspected her Sig was tucked under the seat of her wheelchair. "EJ?" she asked curiously. "Why are you here?"

Tony stepped over to his wife, took the handles of her chair and wheeled her over next to the club chair he had vacated.

"Actually, Ziva, I am here to speak with you," EJ started.

As Tony sat next to Ziva he noticed EJ's eyes wander over Ziva's legs and if he hadn't known EJ was straight he'd think she was checking out his wife.

"I am so sorry this happened to you," EJ said softly.

Ziva pulled the hem of her nightie closer to her knees, "I am fine, EJ. I will be walking in a few months." Ziva nodded to her, "What is your visit about?"

"I am not sure I want to hear this," Tony looked at EJ then over to Ziva, "Especially, since you seem to be here to talk to Ziva. You can ask something of me; not of my wife and not now."

"Tony," Ziva touched his knee, "let her ask her question, please."

Tony grunted but EJ pushed forward and said, "I am working with CIA now. I'd like to-"

"Then you can get the hell out of my home, EJ!" Tony stood again and pointed to the door. "CIA is not welcomed here."

"I need to talk to you about the route you took to Cortez," EJ explained.

"What did I just say!" Tony barked. "I don't care what the hell this is about. I want you out of here, now!" Tony grabbed EJ's arm and pulled her towards the door.

EJ attempted to push Tony and stand her ground. Tony grabbed her arms and pushed her against the side of the sofa, "Listen to me, EJ. I will happily throw you out of here bodily. I do not want my wife," Tony narrowed his eyes at EJ, "involved in anything the CIA has their fingers in."

"Your wife is a valuable CIA operative!" EJ spat. "And she has a chance right now to help me stop some really bad guys!"

"For what?!" Tony screamed into EJ's face, "to help glorify EJ Barrett? No thank you. Now get out of my home!"

"Ziva," EJ said quickly, "Mendoza is picking up the pieces Cortez left behind."

Tony hauled EJ up the ramp as EJ tried to pull from his grip.

"Ziva," EJ plead. "I need your help!"

EJ looked to Ziva as she tried to push Tony back. Ziva rolled closer to them.

"You heard my husband," Ziva said as she looked directly into EJ's eyes. "Please leave."

EJ stopped struggling and glared at Ziva, "You could make this easier."

Tony tore the door open and practically tossed EJ out into the hall. He followed her and backed her against the far wall.

"I don't want you coming around here again," Tony warned. "Whatever mess there is down in South America; you and the CIA can take care of it. Leave Ziva out of it!"

"I just need to talk to her for a few moments," EJ said softly, "What she tells me could make all the difference."

"Get out," Tony banged the wall next to her then returned to the apartment and locked the door on her.

When he turned to Ziva; Ziva could see the emotion coming off of Tony as he took a moment to regain control.

"Come here," Ziva whispered.

Tony went to sit on the sofa and pulled Ziva's chair in front of him.

"What the hell was that about?" he asked. "I don't like that CIA; EJ or not, is coming around you for anything."

"I don't know, Tony," Ziva touched his hands, "Mendoza was one of Cortez's men, yes. But CIA knows everything I know - probably more. I am not sure what she would have wanted from me."

"Whatever it was; it was something that would have given EJ an advantaged. I don't trust her," Tony took both her hands in his, "And I sure as hell don't trust her around you."

"I do not think she would maliciously try to hurt us," Ziva stated.

"She might not set out to shoot you," Tony thumbed the back of Ziva's hands, "but she doesn't care if you get shot in her wake."

Ziva nodded. "I do not understand why she came here at this time to ask about Mendoza. I have nothing to say that was not in my reports. And Mendoza does not have Cortez's skill. It is very strange."

"I'll talk to Gibbs and Vance tomorrow. They'll find out what she wanted," Tony kissed her softly then lifted her up into his arms, "Come on, you look sleepy."

"Don't worry, Tony," Ziva whispered. "I am not going anywhere."

Tony nodded and carried her to their bed. Ziva took out her ponytail and snuggled in next to him. She was asleep in minutes and he knew she must have been exhausted.

EJ showing up out of the blue and now with the CIA left him unsettled. One thing he knew about that woman - she'd leave you to die in a ditch.