A bit nervous about how this chapter will be received, but honestly this story is writing itself. Please review if you feel the push to do so.
Ziva woke slowly. Every one of her senses on alert. When she was reminded she was in Gibbs' bed she was surprised, until she remembered the previous night's activities. The decadence of that desire had cooled somewhat, much, like the morning air filtering in through Gibbs' bedroom window. In her mind she had cause to keep her eyes closed, her mind ready for any regrets on his part.
Two men lay in the bed with her, one on either of side of her, each holding her in their own way. The gentleness of those arms wrapped around her caused her more than a little confusion. It was both comforting, loving and startling. Not something she could have fathomed a few short weeks ago. Her heart tripped out of its steady beat for just a moment and her wasn't quite steady.
"Breathe Ziva." Nico had felt the instant her breathing had shifted. It was only faintly discernable and still he'd noticed. She was scared even if she labeled it otherwise in her own mind. Her hands had clenched the sheet and she'd paced her breathing but she'd barely moved. At his words she drew in a sharp breath before turning carefully to face him. Her eyes hit him dark and full of questions. Full of emotions he wasn't certain either of them wanted to recognize.
"You do not regret last night?" Ziva felt the steady even breathing that spoke of Gibbs still sleeping behind her and was able to breathe just a bit easier. The smile he gave her almost made her feel foolish for asking. The soft brush of his hand in her hair had her steeling her senses.
"No, do you?" Nico watched a blush wash over her before she smiled softly.
"No. But I will admit I am surprised you are still in this bed this morning." She watched a flicker of emotions cross his face but held back the comments biting at her tongue. She read people well and the emotions he tried to hide were more than she was willing to acknowledge.
"Gibbs. He said if I left as I felt was appropriate that you would not understand." He was almost proud, even though he had no reason to be, when she didn't look away.
Ziva swallowed roughly, twisting her fingers into the sheet covering her before managing an equally rough smile. "He knows me far better than I could ever say. But you did not have to stay if you did not want to."
"The problem is I wanted to. I will admit that is not something I'm used to." He saw the tilt of her head the way she watched him cautiously before nodding.
"I understand that. Just as Jethro understood that you leaving would have made me feel something I cannot put into words." She reached out gently touching his jaw. "I was honest when I said I do not have regrets. And in case you are wondering I would never do something that goes against my true nature just to please Jethro. I enjoy pleasing him, I enjoying doing as he commands. But, if there was something that made me feel debased or used in any negative way I would refuse him."
"I know that Ziva which is why I was comfortable being with you both last night, and the same goes for Jethro." He saw her smile, the simple mention of his friends name and her face lit up. "I promise I have no intention of coming between you two. I will not be overstaying my welcome."
"You sound as though you are leaving?" She tamped down the urge to tell him he couldn't and instead remained calm.
"Only for the weekend, Gibbs mentioned you had plans and there is a friend I'd like to visit." Ziva nodded, her eyes slid away almost allowing him to miss the shocking hint of jealousy that raced through them. He chose not to comment as he watched Gibbs' hand on Ziva's hip move slowly towards her waist.
Gibbs had been awake since the first hint of movement in Ziva's body. He'd chosen to remain still and silent allowing the two in the bed to come to terms with what had happened the night before.
"Good morning love." He traced kisses along Ziva's neck showing her with both his mouth and his hands that he too held no regret.
Ziva shifted facing Gibbs as his hands pulled her hips close to his. He chuckled softly. "As much as I know you'd be willing Ziva. I think it be best if we give us all a chance to rest." She began to object when he fixed her eyes with his own. "Soreness is not to be ignored…at least not at this point."
Ziva blushed again before giving into his kiss. "I would not refuse you Jethro."
"And that is why it is no trial to wait Ziva. Your body needs time to adjust and rest. First, a bath for you and, then some food. We can go from there." He saw her glance to his bathroom. "Just you Ziva, time to yourself is equally important."
Ziva nodded just before Nico turned her towards him kissing her quickly before slipping from the bed and sliding on his discarded pants. "I will see you downstairs Ziva." That quickly he was gone.
Ziva watched him leaving taking in a quick breath before turning her attention back to Gibbs. "I do not know what I am supposed to say Jethro."
"Do you have regrets about last night Ziva?" He already knew the answer but seeing her give it would hurt nothing.
"No."
"Then you have nothing to worry about. Go take a bath relax, when you're ready come downstairs." He almost thought she'd say more; instead she gave him a kiss and made her way toward the bathroom.
Once she shut the door he pushed himself from bed, slipping into comfortable pants he made his way downstairs, ready to talk to Nico. He was certain the man had more than a little to say.
Nico stared out Gibbs' back door; pushing away all the emotions he had no business feeling. He wasn't ready to leave for good just yet. But taking a few days away certainly wouldn't hurt. He'd shared enough women with friends to know he was in dangerous territory at least in his own mind. Never with someone as close as Jethro, and never with a woman like Ziva. Still, He would never voice those thoughts aloud. Nor would he allow them to taint what was happening but he couldn't deny the creep of them either, that would be madness. The coffee he'd taken time to brew beeped and as he turned to pour himself some he caught the all too knowing gaze of Gibbs. "How is she?"
"She seems fine. Which, is not as surprising as you might believe. Ziva is a strong woman." Gibbs had his own coffee in hand before speaking again. "Ziva is a good woman. Nico, she's survived more than I've shared. The team we're all the family she has. Her father is lost to her and as much as I would change that, it is for her safety. She doesn't connect with people easily. Had I known she'd had feelings for me so long ago, nothing on earth could have kept me away."
Nico met Gibbs' gaze boldly "That much is easy for someone like me to see. Is it a warning?"
Gibbs bit back as much of his smile as he could. "No Nico, I am simply wanting you to understand that Ziva forms connections very rarely. When she does it isn't an accident or easily given up."
Nico might have commented but Gibbs' phone rang. A few brief words and the conversation was over. "Everything all right?"
Gibbs nodded. "Yes, I have some people keeping an eye out for any sign of Harith. So far everything seems quiet. We have a meeting this morning with Vance."
"We?" Nico stared at his coffee for a moment before looking at Gibbs again. "Am I to assume that means you expect me to attend? How exactly will Vance react to that?"
"Are you saying you would stay away?" Gibbs watched Nico carefully recognizing the look he was given.
"I would prefer not to. But, I would not assume anything. I know my place Gibbs." He refilled his cup wishing Gibbs didn't know him quite as well as he did. How much did he see when he looked at him?
"Your place Nico is in my life as you have always been in one way or another. What happened last night has changed things but not in any way you have to be concerned about. I already informed Vance I had someone that I wanted to consult with on this. He had no objections, and I don't either."
"And how will Ziva react to my further involvement. I reassured her that I was simply a partner. I do not want her to feel…." Nico let his words trail off unsure what to say next.
"Feel what? Cared for, protected, or wanted. She may in fact have objections but she will understand and do as I ask." He heard her footsteps on his stairs and felt slightly dumbstruck when she entered the room. Her beauty never failed to catch him off guard, this morning was no different.
Nico almost laughed at the way Gibbs stopped speaking abruptly until he felt words lost to him as well. Ziva was dressed very much like the warrior she was. Black jeans matching shirt and boots she held the seductive edge both he and Gibbs had always been attracted to. The beautiful hair that been tight in his hands only hours before was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, the gun at her hip and likely at her ankle were hardly a turn-off. And if Gibbs' stories were true somewhere tucked away were more than a few knives he felt his fingers itch to discover.
"Has something happened? You both look very serious."
Gibbs offered her a cup of coffee before answering. "No. I have some contacts that I have watching for anything on Harith. So far no news, though that isn't surprising. I would ask that Nico stay with you anytime the team or I cannot." He waited for her objection, her anger or frustration. Instead he watched the bite of tears quickly grab her before she was straightening her shoulders.
Nico watched her gaze shift from Gibbs to him. Flashes of pain and hurt danced in her eyes before those emotions were locked away and in their place was a steady calm. "You understand there is great risk in doing this?"
Ziva felt the sharp slice of hurt that Gibbs doubted her ability to protect herself. Perhaps it was a foolish thought but it was there all the same. She shoved the feeling away, choosing instead to focus on the man that had suddenly become such a part of her life.
"A far smaller risk than I have taken before and for people I cared far less for." He pushed whatever misgivings he had aside and stepped to within inches for her. "It is no hardship to protect you Ziva. If I am to be completely honest I would have done it without the asking. I would have had to be far more subtle but still I would have been there." She digested the information looking from him to Gibbs and back again. He recognized what she was feeling. Uncertainty laced with caution, a heady mix after what they had all shared.
Ziva found she could only nod. Afraid to trust her voice knowing if it was anywhere near as shaky as the rest of her she would give away far too much. She finished her coffee before stepping into the living room to grab her bag, A hand at her shoulder stopped her from reaching down for it.
Gibbs lifted her chin with his fingers. "I have never for a moment doubted your ability Ziva. I see in your eyes you think I doubt you, or your ability to protect yourself. That couldn't be further from the truth." He closed his eyes for a moment before he was able to continue. "If I lost you, I don't believe it's something I could come back from. I walked the very edge after losing Shannon and Kelly. Rage, revenge and the driving need to atone for my sins pushed me past the urge to die along with them. Now that I know what it's like for you to love me back I'm not certain I could come back from that again. I trust Nico with your life as I do Tony and McGee more so even. There is no one else I truly feel the same about."
Ziva slid her hands in his resting her face in the hollow of his neck. "I feel the same Jethro. As I mentioned the idea that I am putting you in danger is painful. I have loved you for far longer than I was willing to admit even to myself. The last thing I wish is to put you in harm's way." She pressed the softest kiss against his pulse. "But neither do I wish for anyone else to risk their life for mine. Tony and McGee are willing because of the bond of teammates. But Nico, he has no allegiance to me, he owes me nothing. There is no reason for him to risk such a thing for me, I am just a shared woman to him."
Gibbs grasped her chin just a bit harsher than he intended, forcing her shocked gaze to his. "Stop, now." Her chin raised but even then he ignored her discomfort only because he knew the root of it lay in herself not him. "You are no one's whore Ziva. You matter to me and to Nico. You can lie to yourself but out loud the words are more than I can take."
Ziva felt damming tears burn her eyes again. "He has known me for days Jethro. And I am yours, yet you ask me to accept he would be willing to die for me. And, for more reason than just because he is a soldier. Do you not see how that turns me inside out? I do not understand all that is happening. I feel.."
Gibbs pulled her into his arms holding her as tightly as possible, knowing in this moment he might have pushed her too far. Whatever the reality at hand, she might not be ready to face it. "I can't promise nothing will happen with Harith. But I can promise you here and now as I have before you will not lose me Ziva. I'm as much yours as you are mine. Don't forget that, no matter what other worries you have" He took her mouth none to gently forcing his passion to push past her worries. Only when she was gasping for air did he pull away. I'm going to pull the car into the garage I'd like you to wait until I do to get in." He waited until she nodded before heading outside.
Ziva watched him leave knowing Nico stood behind her, had in fact been watching for at least a few minutes. "I do not have words to give you right now Nico. My head is to full of things I am not ready to speak of"
He smiled at the forcefulness of her words. With a boldness he knew she wouldn't expect he grasped her hips and pulled her close. "I love the way you speak Ziva, the cadence of your words, the sound, almost like a melody. To risk my life for you is easy, simply being with you means risking far more." Because he could he let his hand slip beneath her snug fitting pants, searching until his fingers found the tight knot of her clit. A whimper of need slipped out her mouth. "That's it just let me touch you Ziva. You're so much more than just a shared woman." As his finger nudged and slid around her clit and inside her she clung to his shoulders her mouth meeting his. "Given the time I'd have you on this floor my mouth between your thighs and I'd show you just what I mean. Instead for now I'll just watch you fly."
Driven past the point of resistance Ziva felt the demanding brush of his fingers as the ignited just the right nerve endings and her body was lost to her control. She shuddered in his arms, holding tight until the trembling had receded enough to allow her to stand on her own again. Still shaky she straightened her clothing watching with a shiver as his fingers slipped in his mouth before he was again kissing her. "You will not lose Jethro Ziva, he is yours just as he says. The commitment I see in him, the man he is with you. That is the man he was meant to be."
Ziva knew she needed to say something but the words wouldn't come instead she grabbed her bag and accepting the way he helped her shrug into her coat. As they walked to the garage she heard the faint whisper of words they both pretended hadn't been said.
You will always be more than someone to share.