NCIS ~ I Will Love You Thru Everything

chap 17

Ziva drove back to work with her mind in a distracted fog. "What if Tony doesn't like it?" she thought to herself. She parked and slowly made her way to the bullpen.

Gibbs saw her exit the elevator. "David," he barked. "Where have you been?!?" Puzzled, Ziva checked her watch. It was 4:00, she wasn't late. "I had to run some errands, Gibbs..today was my break day, was it not?" she answered. Gibbs looked at her sternly. "Yes," he begrudgingly said. "But you normally don't leave." Ziva looked at him, unsure what she was supposed to say. She wasn't going ti apologize for taking her break; Gibbs hated apologies anyway.

Gibbs face softened. "I'm sorry, Ziver. I'm not tryin to give you a hard time. I was just a little worried about you lately. You've been distracted."

Ziva's face paled. Immediately Gibbs noticed. His eyes narrowed and he gestured for her to follow him into the elevator. Once inside, he flipped a switch and the lights went out. He looked into Ziva's eyes. "Ziva, is there something I need to know?"

Ziva panicked. "Gibbs, I am not hiding anything," she lied. She realized this needed to be convincing so she calmed down. She met his gaze evenly and her breathing slowed to normal even breaths.

Gibbs exhaled and his head turned slightly sideways. "Ziva, I know theres something I'm missing." he told her softly. "I'll figure it out eventually, so you should just trust me."

Ziva shook her head slightly. "Gibbs...let it go." Gibbs became upset. His face grew stormy but he didn't say anything. "Allright then Ziva. If this is the way you want it.."

He flipped the switch and the lights came back on. The doors opened and they began to step out. Ziva's head was down still from arguing with Gibbs and she didn't see Tony - he was waiting outside the elevator. She walked directly into him! Tony gently caught her and helped her catch her balance. As Gibbs glared at both of them, he immediately removed his hands from Ziva. "Sorry, Zi.." he whispered as he acted natural and continued into the elevator. Ziva sat back at her desk and tried not to look at Gibbs. She didn't know how much of Tony' helping her regain her balance gibbs had seen, but none of it was going to make him any happier.

tense scene! next chapter will be up by tonight! Fancy dinner *buzzz*