A Man and A Women - U2

And you're the one, there's no-one else
You make me want to lose myself
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

It was the morning Gibbs had spent five years attempting to prevent. The morning Tony and Ziva stepped out of the elevator together; late, looking like neither of them had slept sufficiently. He had noticed her car unmoved from the previous day; the fact Ziva's attire was the same as yesterday with the exception of the shirt – casual, white and obviously belonging to a man. Couldn't fail to notice nail marks on the back of Tony's neck as he administered the first head slap of the day. And that the usual dynamic between them had altered somehow – though it was no more tranquil. Gibbs didn't say a word.

McGee was convincing in his oblivious manner as he greeted them. Despite already mentally creating an excuse to visit Abby - she was going to love this. "Ziva, some guy's been calling you, a Herr Brandt from Interpol? Ziva frowned, collecting the bag on her desk, which contained a change of clothes. "You were supposed to…." One look at Ziva's face made McGee re-think his words, "… he was expecting a call at 07.00 this morning? He's called back three times." She headed for the bathroom, snatching the piece of paper from McGee's hand.

Tony concentrated on avoiding eye contact with Gibbs who seemed extremely pissed. Maybe you should've got laid last night – being bawled out for an assumption sucks. Ziva returned and picked up her 'phone.

"DiNozzo?" it was a one word growl which combined inquiry with reprimand.

Tony glanced up to see Gibbs standing in front of his desk – on his way to MTAC. "It's been a rough couple of days, Boss." Gibbs raised an eyebrow, pinning Tony with a piercing look. Tony did his best to appear innocent and withstand the famous stare; "enemies within." Something in his senior agent's expression made Gibbs change his mind about the lecture.

Ziva's voice floated from behind – increasingly impatient. "….Sei nicht dumm, Richart. Er war in Miami vor vier Tagen…."

Gibbs nodded, understanding Tony's comment, "she OK?"

Tony shrugged, "she's Zee-vah, Boss."

As if to prove his point, Ziva slammed her 'phone down after one last furious phrase; "….Verpiss dich."

Tony put two and two together and came up with the identity of 'the guy from Miami'. That wasn't, I love you or I miss you; or even, have a nice day. A delighted grin spread across his face – today had suddenly improved. He looked across the bull-pen at Ziva and their eyes locked. For a few seconds, they were connected in a private world.

As he went up the stairs, Gibbs observed the intensity of the look exchanged; noted Tony's grin and that Ziva had changed her clothes – except for Tony's shirt. He shook his head with a half smile, briefly wondering if he and Jenny had been so unsubtle. Trying to keep Tony and Ziva apart had been a losing battle from day one. Gibbs decided to stop trying – he just wouldn't let them know that.