Ziva slipped from bed not feeling the dread she'd expected. The concern over Harith was still there, but she chose to have faith in herself and her team. After a quick trip through the bathroom she threw on a white silk bathrobe one of them had unpacked for her and made her way downstairs.
Nico was laughing at something and she couldn't help but smile as she stepped into the living room. She stopped abruptly, when she found him standing inches from Abby reaching for her hair. Anger uncontrolled and pure pulsed through her veins. Only her training kept her from showing any hint of it. She felt the fire of jealousy wash over her, fighting a hiss of angry words she took another step forward. Only as she straightened her shoulders did the pair of them notice her standing in the living room doorway.
Whatever Nico had been about to say was lost to him as he noticed Ziva. Two things struck him she was angry, it was only a flash, just the hint of fury before her face was neutral as she stood there waiting for them to notice her. The second was once again how beautiful she was. Struck by the light she fairly glowed in the satin robe. There was a cliché there and he didn't care. Her eyes looked to him for only a moment before switching to the colorful woman he'd just met. The artfully held in anger was shocking and had him taking a careful step away from Abby.
"Ziva! You should have called me! I'd hug you right now but it appears I have a ladybug in my hair." Abby pointed in the general direction of her bangs while simultaneously trying to frown at Ziva.
Ziva took in a deep breath ignoring the instant hit of shame at the conclusion she'd jumped too. Followed quickly by the further shame of having no right to that anger, she pushed it aside and offered Abby a genuine smile. "Hold still." She grinned again, at the very tiny red bug as she slid it from Abby's hair and placed it in her palm.
"I'll be right back." Abby trotted off in her ridiculously high heels oblivious to the tension behind her.
Ziva felt Nico move closer to her and felt her heart race for some reason she couldn't identify. He looked down at her. "Gibbs needed some things from the store he should be back any time."
"I owe you an apology."
"For what?" Nico traced the fine bones of her wrist lifting her fingers until they rested on his shoulders. He watched the war in her eyes. The fight between taking the out he was offering and the honesty she always seemed to prefer.
"Do not pretend you do not know, it makes me feel even more ridiculous." She was surprised when it was his turn to look away. The glance behind her, that neither of them could pretend was anything other than denial of something he wasn't willing to say.
Nico smiled afraid anything he'd say would only make things more difficult for her. Truth was that flare of anger in her eyes had aroused him beyond words. For a long moment they just watched each other unable to speak. Neither of them seemed able to say the proper words. Finally, he found the words he knew she needed to hear. "No apologies Ziva. Not here, not between us." He pressed a brief kiss to her forehead, not knowing just how much she was willing to reveal to Abby. But even as he lifted his head he knew he'd taken just that much too long.
Ziva heard the fall of footsteps and the faintest indrawn breath and knew before she turned what she'd see. She'd expected Abby, trying already to come up with an explanation but she hadn't expected Gibbs to be standing next to her. For just a second the panic hit and just that quickly with a look in his eyes it was gone.
Instead she was left to contend with what Abby had seen. The rush of shame that only the night before she believed gone. It took longer than she would have expected to allow her eyes to meet Abby's.
Gibbs pulled into his driveway not surprised to see Abby wandering around. Though watching her dig through his bushes was a bit curious. She looked up at him, pulled herself from the bushes and grinned while pointing a finger at him. "You should have called me."
"Tony told me he had it covered, but yeah I should have. I gotta ask Abby why you were in my bushes?" He heard her giggle.
"There was a ladybug in my hair so I set it free." She saw him grin and bit her lip. "Ziva is in your house in a very pretty bathrobe Gibbs and Tony said I should expect changes when I got back. Should I take that to mean you two finally figured things out?"
Gibbs shook his head. "Why am I not surprised? And yeah, you could say that. But Abby it's not simple, not typical. Complicated is all I can say without talking to Ziva first."
Ziva cocked her head. "Always figured you two would get together Gibbs. Not much is going to surprise me, or for that matter shock me." He moved away slightly grabbing groceries from the truck and walking toward the house. He stopped before going in. "I'm just asking you to be careful with any judgements you might have."
Abby didn't know what to say, didn't even understand what Gibbs was getting at. She almost made some flip remark but she was caught off guard again when she stepped into the living room.
The way Nico kissed Ziva was clearly intimate even with as simple as it was. And as they noticed Gibbs there was no worry, no fear, those looks were saved for her. Gibbs handed the bags off to Nico who took them without question and moved to the kitchen.
Ziva tried to fight the burn of shame just as Gibbs had reminded her. But still she felt in that moment, like a woman who'd been caught cheating on her husband.
"Ziva…don't" He glanced at Abby hoping she'd understand. He almost sighed in relief when she nodded.
"I'm going to grab coffee see you guys in the kitchen."
Ziva watched Abby leave the room, felt Gibbs touching her and still she felt slightly lost. "What the hell is happening to me Jethro? I feel like an idiot. She saw, so she knows and I do not know what to say to her."
"I thought you understood that Tony and McGee know or at least somewhat?"
"But they did not catch me….."
"Neither did Abby. You were not caught doing anything wrong Ziva. Nico was kissing you and had this been other circumstances that might be a problem. But it isn't. What you're worried about is Abby judging you. Something I genuinely doubt she would ever do." Gibbs tugged again at the collar around her neck. "And she will notice this eventually as well Ziva. They all will at some point. Would you like me to remove it until you have time…."
"No." Ziva took his hands in hers. "Never. I just reacted badly and I am sorry. I continue to make you think I doubt this, for that I am sorry."
"No apologies Ziva. This is new, you might not expect the ups and downs but I do. Some of it is new for me too. Now we should go rescue Nico from Abby."
Abby stepped into the kitchen her mind reeling. She grabbed a cup of coffee while watching Nico put away the groceries. Apparently they both needed a minute. As she watched it dawned on her that somehow Nico knew exactly where everything went in Gibbs' kitchen.
Nico took his coffee staring into it before starting to speak. "I don't know how to explain what you saw."
Abby smiled as she looked in the general direction of the living room. "Gibbs has never been conventional. Oh he has all those rules, but I knew that he was bound to break at least some of them sooner or later."
Nico gave her a look. "So you saw it coming as well."
"A blind man in the fog could have seen it." She giggled when he laughed. "To be honest I didn't see you coming though, if you get my drift."
Nico sobered. "I'm just a moment in time Abby. No threat, nothing permanent or to worry about."
Abby cocked her head, but was prevented from commenting when Ziva walked in followed closely by Gibbs.
"I'm sorry Ziva I should have called before stopping by. It would have made things less awkward. I was just worried about you."
"I am well protected Abby. But since we are on the subject you should not have driven back without an escort. I am sure Tony warned you of the threat." Abby bit her lip and shrugged.
"When isn't there one. But McGee followed me here and will follow me home as well. He would have come in but he's in "the zone" in his latest book and you know how that goes" Her stomach rumbled loudly causing them both to laugh.
"How about I get dressed then make breakfast." Ziva was thankful for the change of subject and that Abby had taken the threat seriously.
Gibbs pulled her close kissing her soundly before releasing her. "Why don't you get dressed and we'll make breakfast" Gibbs grinned as he watched her head upstairs. Only when she was out of sight did he feel a smart smack on the back of his head. When he turned around he recognized the spatula Abby was wielding as one of his own. "What was that for?"
"That was for thinking I'd judge anything you do." From the corner of her eye she watched Nico take a swift step back.
"How the hell was I to know what you might do." He knew the look she gave him. Then felt the smack of the spatula again. "Hey.."
"That was for not giving me more warning. "complicated" as if that could prepare me for whatever this is."
"Abby…I explained." Nico
Abby looked at both men pointing to Nico with the spatula first. "Keep thinking that." Then she turned to Gibbs. "Nothing you could tell me would make me love you less." She tossed the spatula down gave a loud harrumph and started to leave the kitchen. Abruptly she stopped and turned far more serious to face them both.
"As much as I love you Gibbs, you fuck this up, you hurt her…She's lost too much. Just like you she's riding the edge of death far too often. Don't screw it up or I will put everything I know about forensics to work." Then she grinned and pointed upstairs. "Now I'm going upstairs to do the whole girl talk thing. When Ziva and I come back downstairs everything will be fine."
Nico watched as she skipped out of the room and turned to Gibbs. "That one's a lot of dangerous."
Gibbs managed a sharp laugh. "Abby certainly is unique."
Ziva heard Abby's knock and let her in without hesitation. "Hey I was going to come down in just a minute."
"I thought maybe we could talk for a few minutes just us. If you're okay with that?" Abby watched as Ziva nodded nervously before grabbing a seat on the edge of the bed.
Ziva was glad she'd made the bed as Abby joined her sitting on the end of it. "I love Jethro. I would not hurt him Abby. And before you ask we have not been together very long."
Abby took Ziva's hand. "I was going to say I was happy for you Ziva, not interrogate you."
Ziva tightened her hand around Abby's "You are not shocked? Not, upset or …"
"I'm surprised by Nico but not bothered. Gibbs was expected I was just wondering how long it would take. I'm far more intrigued by what I think I'm seeing around your neck." Abby watched Ziva's chin raise and her hand go unconsciously to her neck. "It's a collar isn't it?"
Ziva smiled "Yes, Jethro put it on me not so long ago."
"Again Ziva I'm happy for you. In fact I've never seen you look so happy or Gibbs for that matter." She saw the question in Ziva's eyes even as the other woman fussed with a piece of lint on the bedspread.
"You are very understanding Abby….that means a lot to me."
"You're my friend Ziva. If something makes you happy why would I judge that? And here's the truth. I recognized the collar because that's my life. I'm not a sub. The ones I wear during the day it's my way of embracing irony. In my private life I choose to be a dominate."
Ziva knew she didn't hide her surprise at all, especially when Abby giggled. "It's one of many reasons I've never been attracted to Gibbs that way. I know you always wondered but didn't ask. I love him to pieces but not that way. And if I didn't view him as something closer to a father, I still wouldn't be interested. He is the walking talking definition of a dominate, alpha male."
"There is certainly no doubt about that."
"I have not ever been nor will I ever be a sub." She fixed Ziva with a careful look, almost frowning before continuing. "But that doesn't mean I judge that you are. In fact I think it's amazing, holding that kind of power is …inspiring."
Ziva blushed, for once taking the initiative she pulled Abby into a hug. "I am very lucky to call you my friend Abby. Thank you."
"Ditto. Now I suppose we should go downstairs and eat the breakfast those men are making."
"You're not going to ask about Nico?"
Abby smiled softly. "Nico is what he is Ziva and I doubt any of you are quite sure exactly what that means. So I'll save my questions for later." She gave Ziva another quick hug and bounced down the stairs.
A few hours later and Abby was driving off happily escorted by McGee who'd visited for a few moments but stated he needed to return to the book he was working on.
As soon as the house was empty Nico turned to Ziva. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you it wasn't my intention."
"You did not. Contrary to how I behaved I am not ashamed. Nor am I angry with you." She turned to Gibbs. "I have some bills to pay and would appreciate some time alone if you do not mind."
Gibbs felt the pride of that simple request wash over him. "Of course. I set up your computer in my office." She nodded and left the room.
Gibbs grabbed another cup of coffee and one for Nico. He slid it across the kitchen table as he stepped in and finally sat to join him. "What happened?"
Nico could have played dumb but that would have been a waste of time. "Ziva walked in on me trying to pull a ladybug from Abby's hair. For a moment she was angry. Once she realized what had actually happened and Abby left the room she was bothered by her reaction."
"She was jealous?" Gibbs almost smiled but somehow fought urge.
"I don't know what it was Gibbs. But it appeared that way." He took in a deep breath. "I think I should leave, not just for this weekend but."
"Do you want to leave and not come back? "
Nico couldn't read Gibbs, it shocked him and caught him off guard. Yet still he couldn't lie. "No. But I also understand boundaries and rules. And I don't want Ziva to be fascinated into thinking things she's shouldn't."
"Do you think Ziva lacks intelligence?"
"No but I think this is all very overwhelming to her right now. You two haven't been together long enough for her to know which end is up and suddenly I'm in play. This ignores so many of the rules we're supposed to play by."
"I've learned rules aren't everything. Ziva is not your typical woman Nico. You might think you've read her file but you've only read what is allowed to be out there. In your room is a copy of the real one. When you leave this weekend take it with you and understand that should you choose not to return I will understand and so will she. But if you think you're saving her from her own naiveté you are mistaken. Ziva may take a step back now and then but that's because she's been taught to doubt everyone she's trusted. Not from lack of confidence in herself."
Gibbs' words were ringing in Nico's head as he drove off only an hour later. He had contacts in the area and it was time to put them too good use.
Gibbs felt Ziva step into the living room and set down the gun he was cleaning. Standing he moved to lock the door turning to see her watching him with far too much caution in her eyes. "You have something to say Ziva?" Her mouth parted, her lashes fluttered and her hands slid along the sides of her pants restless in their movement. "You will look at me Ziva and you will rest your hands on my shoulders as you do so."
He saw the heavy rush of color wash over her, even as she did as he requested. Normally he would have asked her to stand as he preferred but this movement was what Nico preferred and he knew in this moment it was necessary.
Ziva forced her eyes to his, hands as he requested. "I have a confession to make."
Gibbs didn't allow the smile that fought him to force its way through instead he kept his gaze neutral. "You have done something wrong?"
Ziva frowned, shaking her head. "No…I do not..I am not sure."
Gibbs slipped his hands around her waist drawing up beneath her blouse. His fingers slid along the skin of her belly tracing the edge of the pants she wore. "Tell me this indiscretion you think you have committed."
"I was jealous." Fighting the urge to look away Ziva held his gaze and continued even as his fingers pulled the zipper on her jeans down. "I woke up this morning, came downstairs and Nico was standing so close to Abby…touching her hair and suddenly I was jealous, angry all the things I have no right to be." Before another word could leave her lips she felt his fingers inside her. The harshest whimper left her, forcing her fingers to tighten on his shoulders.
Gibbs watched her eyes as his fingers pushed deep. The dark brown dilated, losing focus even as her body tightened around his touch. "Focus Ziva." Her eyes snapped back to his heavy with guilt and desire. "You feel this is something to confess to?"
"I have no right…" A third finger joined the others and her world began to spin. It was difficult to remain standing yet somehow she stayed exactly as he instructed.
"You have every right Ziva. Know this, however much this might not make sense I would never allow another man or woman in our bed. And so long as Nico joins us there will be no other woman for him. If he were here he would reassure you of that himself." As Gibbs stroked the tightness of her body he felt the rush of wet pleasure that statement caused. Her eyes still focused on him held confusion and the lust he craved so much like a drug. "And in case you had any other doubts there will never be another woman for me Ziva. I am yours now and always, there will never be another."
Ziva felt the stunning declaration of his words rush through her even as the world truly spun as he laid her down on the rug in his living room. Somehow he had shed his clothes. The fact she hadn't noticed threw her mind into further disarray. Her shirt was quickly removed, followed by her jeans and remaining clothing. Time slipped by faster and faster quickening her breaths until she was certain she wouldn't be able to breathe properly again.
Suddenly his lips were trailing form one nipple to the next. "Never apologize for what you feel Ziva. Honest emotion is never something to apologize for. Had I caught you doing the same with Tony I would have been very displeased." She felt his mouth move lower toward her belly button and her hands trembled as they locked in his hair.
"Never Jethro…I am yours. I just know that at one time you're intention was to never allow anyone but you.."
Gibbs drew up close his eyes fixed firmly with hers. "Do you feel betrayed? As though I have lied to you?"
Ziva shook her head as his fingers stroked her again and again. "No, what we share is a gift I just never want you to do doubt how I feel for you how much I care for you?"
"There is no doubt in my mind about that Ziva." His mouth placed the softest kisses against the flat plane of her belly. "How long Ziva until you allow me to place my child here?" He was rewarded by tight muscles, the rush of warmth against his fingers and the intoxicating gasp of air as it rushed from her mouth.
Ziva wanted to make sense of his words instead her body responded with a far more primal reaction. A mind washing orgasm overtook her. Every nerve burned with pleasure as his hands worked magic inside her.
Gibbs watched her writhe beneath his touch, his own need pushing at him to take her. He fought the urge savoring the very base way her body responded to words he never would have believed he would have said. But they'd forced their way out as though they'd been waiting for this moment.
Ziva finally felt stable in the real world in the same moment she felt his blue eyes watching her. "Jethro that was." For a moment she thought she saw the hint of a blush on his cheeks and the shaking of his hand as it slipped from her body to trace along her skin. "Was it a real question?"
Gibbs turned them until she was straddling his hips. His cock pushed upward toward her belly nearly begging him to take her. He could have demanded but now was not the moment for his dominance. Too much relied on her willingness to speak the truth. "I do not say things I don't mean to you Ziva." He watched as desire and need slid across her skin, the way her lashes fluttered as she glanced at their bodies so flush against eachother.
"I cannot imagine wanting anything more Jethro." She felt his hips push against hers unable to fight the harsh sound of her need.
"And if I chose now?" He shifted his hips waiting until she slid her body over his. He clenched his hands tightly on her hips as took him far deeper than he'd thought possible.
"Hell, Jethro you are killing me. Every touch, every word anymore and I feel locked in some sort of spell." It took work to push past the haze of desire to meet his gaze. "If you chose now I would be honest and point out that I am not likely fertile until closer to this weekend but I would not refuse the choice even then." She saw him smile and bit her lip as his cock slid back and thrust forward again. "Did I just kill the mood."
Gibbs felt the swivel of her hips and it was his turn to fight the dots of color that danced before his eyes. "Hardly Ziva. For now let's just say we practice." A sharp shift of his hips was all she needed and again she was shattering all around him. The beauty of her lost in the passion of his touch was all he needed to feel the lightning sensation of his own orgasm rush down his spine. The flex of her muscles, the call of his name and he was lost.