Gibbs descended the stairs only footsteps behind Ziva. He watched her reach for the bottle of bourbon he kept on a workbench shelf. "No"

Ziva froze as her hands touched the peeling label. Her anger, her pain and her fear screamed at her to take the bottle anyways, to put it to her lips and somehow find oblivion. Instead she focused on Gibbs' words and pulled her hand back. She turned trying to hide all she was feeling and knew she was failing when Gibbs stood only steps from her nearly shaking frame. "I have put you all in danger."

"And more than a few times I've put us all in danger, Tony has, McGee as well. I can keep going if necessary. Part of the job, part of who we become to do this job puts us in this danger. You can only blame yourself if you blame all of us as well." She was pacing, her movements fluid yet agitated.

"But this threat is because of me. If I were smart I would leave and draw Harith away from here and all of you." She felt his hands stop her abruptly. On her wrists they locked her in place facing him.

"Do you think there is any circumstances in which I would allow that to happen?"

Ziva met his gaze pushing all her fury toward him. "Do you think you could stop me?"

"I warned you Ziva, you're mine now, I will never willingly let you go. I said once I could if it was what you truly wanted but I realize I lied even then. I could never lose you" The trembling under his touch was pushing at his own nerves. He watched her jaw tighten, only an instant before the flicker of shame rushed through her eyes. He knew what she needed, and it surged within him. "You will stand as I prefer Ziva."

She felt too much, and not enough. He wasn't touching her. His hands mere inches from hers stood rock steady at his side. Everything about him was calm and in control while she felt anything but. "Jethro now is not the time…."

"You will obey Ziva. You will do as I ask."

Ziva felt the censure in his words. They overrode if only for a moment her fear, and distress. With an effort she tried not to show, she clasped her hands behind her and let her eyes hit the floor. As if a switch had been flipped she felt her emotions settle, the noise that had been rushing in her ears quieted. And the pain ripping through her became bearable. Gibbs said nothing and still she remained staring at the floor allowing the calm he forced to wash over her.

Gibbs waited until the shaking in her delicately strong frame receded before moving just one step closer. "I'm going upstairs to ask Tony and McGee to leave. Whatever further planning and discussion is needed will wait until tomorrow. You will remain just like this for me until I open the door and call for you." He waited for her protest, for her too look up or question him in some way. Instead he caught the soft even pulse of her breathing, calmer and far steadier than it had been.

It was easier than she would have believed to stay standing as he'd commanded. Even as he walked away, up the stairs and shut the door behind him she remained. His voice had snapped across her skin, just as her emotions had threatened words from her mouth she didn't really mean. That voice had pushed into her pores. She needed it more every time she heard it. So, she could easily stand and wait as long as he expected. She had done far more for less pleasant reasons.

Gibbs stepped into the living room recognizing it was decidedly quieter than when he'd left. He turned to Nico who was gathering cups in his hands. "They left?"

"Tony wanted to reach out to some contacts. McGee wanted to touch base with Abby make sure she was aware to be more vigilant." Nico's words were tense and Gibbs could see the other man had something to say.

"What?"

"They know I'm somehow involved with the two of you. They made mention of it when you were both downstairs." He caught the surprise on Gibbs' face and shook his head. "I didn't…"

"I didn't think you had I'm just surprised, though, I shouldn't be. They're both very smart and damn good at their job. When it comes to Ziva, very cautious." He bit back a frown for the most part. "Should I be worried?"

Nico laughed softly. "They simply wanted to warn me should I cause problems for you or Ziva they would take issue with it. Otherwise they stated it wasn't their business. I have to say I've never had friends react quite that way before. Not that it matters in the long run. But I'm glad it won't be a problem for you or her. Is she ok."

"She needed time to settle." Gibbs rolled his shoulder, giving a quick glance at his watch.

"She enjoys being pushed Gibbs, she needs her limits tested and to be challenged. The submission she gives you is necessary for her as much as the control is for you. If I doubted it for a moment I would put a stop to it you know that."

Gibbs nodded he knew it was true yet sometimes for all the control he craved he was reminded this was new to him at least when it came to Ziva. "I know. I see it, I feel it, I'm amazed by it, but it's a fine line to make sure I don't hurt her."

"I've seen no hint of uncertainty in her. However strong and capable she is outside this world when it comes to you it's different. With you she needs this. Now stop stalling and call her up here." He watched a flush of color cross Gibbs' cheeks before he was calling her to living room with them.

Ziva moved to the center of the living room, taking the position she'd maintained downstairs. Gibbs took a slow walk around her letting the moment settle on him.

"Do I stay or go upstairs Gibbs." Nico was watching Ziva when he asked. The faintest shift in her breathing had him curious. When he looked to Gibbs he saw he'd noticed as well.

"Ziva look at me." Her chin raised and for the first time he saw the true hint of fear in her gaze. It shocked him but he hid that shock, moving closer. "Does Nico join us this evening or does he go upstairs?"

Ziva couldn't meet his gaze. Her eyes flicked back to the floor. "I am happy with whatever you choose for us." When her blood pressure picked up speed she was grateful it wasn't audible.

Gibbs felt the love he had for her pulse in his chest. He knew why she couldn't look at him, but he wasn't having it. Nico was right she needed to be pushed. "Ziva you will look at me while we speak."

Ziva gave the briefest glance toward Nico before she was again nearly drowning in the blue she loved so much. "Yes Sir." Satisfaction slid down her spine when desire peaked in his eyes.

"Does Nico stay or go upstairs."

Ziva straightened her shoulders lifting her chin slightly. "However you choose us to be is fine with me Jethro." She had to fight the urge to look away, hide what she wanted.

Gibbs didn't fight the smile at her stubborn nature. "Perhaps I wasn't specific enough Ziva. Do you want Nico to stay or go upstairs?"

All sense of calm fled her. Ziva felt the sting of tears in her eyes and had to work to swallow them back so Gibbs wouldn't see. His eyes wouldn't let her look away and the weight of his question held her pinned in place. "Jethro…please…."

Gibbs moved until he was only inches from her. "You're aroused Ziva, I know you need more tonight. Yet you cannot answer a simple question for me."

Nico stayed in the shadows feeling his own shock. At Gibbs' question he'd expected Ziva to request he leave them alone. The fact she hadn't was more than a little intriguing. He felt the intense need to move towards them both, to reassure her or even ask Gibbs to leave it be. Instead he kept his influence from the moment through his iron will.

Gibbs knew something between the two of them was shifting in the moment. That beautiful tilt of her chin was a proclamation she felt uncertain. "Do you plan to lie to me tonight Ziva?"

Ziva couldn't' stop her lashes from fluttering down. "No Jethro I do not plan to lie to you tonight. I never wish to lie to you" Fear, need, shame and desire flickered through her veins forcing her eyes open again. "I am afraid Jethro." The statement was loud in the quiet of the moment waiting for a response.

"In this type of relationship Ziva there are moments of fear. Are you afraid of being harmed?" Her eyes locked with his showed something closer to the desire he was used to.

Ziva knew her breathing was no longer smooth but erratic and choppy. "No"

"Afraid of the things we might do."

Ziva felt lust roll through her, her body clenching and weeping at his words. Her voice was barely a whisper. "No. I am afraid of hurting you." Admitting she wanted Nico in this moment as well as Gibbs would cost her. Yet she saw not the slightest bit of condemnation in his eyes.

Gibbs looked down at her so proud, so protective and so much in love with her he wanted to shout it to anyone who would listen. "Does Nico leave or does he stay Ziva."

Ziva sucked in a harsh breath before finding the honesty she didn't understand but he forced from her. "I would like Nico to stay."

He smiled down at her finally giving in to the need to touch her. "You're so brave Ziva. I've always known it, never for a moment doubted your courage in the line of duty. But this kind of bravery is even sweeter."

Ziva leaned into his hand pressed against her cheek. "I did not want you to think…."

"Did you think I would introduce you to the things I have and expect you to never want them yourself. Do you think the things I ask of you are simply to please me."

"No." but even as she said it she realize she had lied a bit. "I was not sure. I love you…I just find." She shuddered her body shaking as his hands touched her shoulders.

Nico finally stepped from the shadows moving until he stood directly behind her. His hands at her waist had her whimpering. "Easy, sweet."

Gibbs heard the shakiness as she tried to breathe. "That right there Ziva, that scary free fall of desire is right where I want you. If I felt the slightest bit threatened, by Nico or any moment you shared with him I would ask him to leave. But while I'm a very jealous man in many ways, this is not one of them. Nico will stay as long as you or I want him to. If you become uncomfortable then he goes. Otherwise, as I told you before I'm not going to judge you for how you react to his touch, his kiss or even if and when he takes your body with his own."

The terrifying seduction in Gibbs words was punctuated by the slide of Nico's hands under her shirt. Gibbs' last words painted a picture in her mind that had her legs feeling weak. "Please…"

"Soon Ziva but not here, you deserve more than my floor. Nico is going to take you upstairs while I lock up." Again the faint flicker of fear in her eyes had him pausing. Even she knew this night would be different. He watched the heavy flutter of her lashes before her choice settled in her mind.

"Yes sir." she almost smiled when he hissed out her name.

"That's my Ziva." Pride beat at Gibbs once again even as he watched them walk up the stairs.

Nico took Ziva's hand and walked with her up the stairs. At the top he waited for her to choose which door to lead him trhough. She didn't hesitate before moving toward Gibbs room. At his glance she smiled.

"You think I will look at this room sometime later and have regrets? However long you stay I could not forget that you have been part of our life nor would I choose to. I never want to hurt Jethro but I will choose also to believe him. He is not wrong that I need reassurance." She frowned. "I do not like it but it seems that I do. However when I look in Jethro's eyes I see the reminder that he needs this as much as I do. It is not conventional but I can accept it I. I will trust that nothing we do here will ruin what Jethro and I have. More than that, I can recognize that it is about more than just the physical need. Though I would hazard a guess Jethro would think I do not know that or am afraid of it. Truth be told I am a little afraid. Of letting you in, of becoming attached but I have trusted Jethro with my life. So I trust where he leads in this as well."

She laughed when he seemed a bit startled at her words "I have been very back and forth, indecisive and moody since you've known me. I promise in the other aspects of my life it is not so."

"Feeling off kilter is expected Ziva." He gently touched the collar around her neck. "With how new this is you can only expect so much of yourself. The reassurance you need is nothing to be ashamed of."

Ziva watched him lower his head, the touch of his mouth against hers still new, shook her with desire with the mix of lust and worry about what Gibbs would think. Still the feel of his tongue swirling with hers forced her hands to his shoulders. The kiss was passion, taboo and adventure all in one. His mouth released hers but not the rest of him, "Understand Ziva you will likely go back and forth on how you feel about my involvement even after whatever happens tonight. It does not make you weak, or moody it's just a testament to what you have lived through and how you feel for Gibbs."

Ziva caught the flicker of movement that told her Gibbs had entered the room. She sensed that Nico hadn't recognized that yet. "Why do you not call him Jethro? You have been a part of each other's lives for a long time, shared intimacies yet you keep a distance between you both. It is a very small one but it is there."

Nico stepped back, it was a micro movement and he shook his head when she still saw it. "We haven't shared those types of intimacies Ziva. We are not of that proclivity."

Ziva smiled as she worked her hair out of its braid. "Would not matter if you were, I would not judge either of you when neither of you judge me. But still it makes me wonder. Perhaps though, that is a discussion for another time." She turned her attention to Gibbs. "May I ask a question?"

Gibbs nodded. "Yes" he let his other thoughts and even the way Nico watched him wait for another time.

"I heard the phone should I be concerned?"

Gibbs shook his head. "Tony called to say he didn't have anything helpful, McGee is going to stay with Abby while she is at the convention. When I hung up with Tony I called Vance to let him know what was going on."

Ziva took in a breath and nodded. "What was his response?"

"He was concerned for your safety, and wants a meeting tomorrow. But that's tomorrow Ziva and right now is for us."

Ziva took his words to heart, trusting him, knowing he would never lie to her. Tomorrow would be a time for facing demons from the past. Tonight would be about the joy they found in these kinds of moments.

She nodded, standing proud waiting for whatever Jethro might ask of her