She stretched out with her hand, feeling for the one next to her. Fingertips touched, and with a smile on both faces, their fingers interlinked. There was a large archway in front of them, fluidly lying out over them as they walked under it to the main door. They were greeted at the entrance and ushered in through the hallway to the reception room where there was a large throng of people bustling about, drinking and talking.

'Are you sure about this? We can leave it until some other day if you want…'

'Nothing I'd rather do Ziver, don't want to hide it anymore. Unless that's what you want.'

'No. I know I am good at being a ninja, but this is not something to hide.'

Gibbs leant down and pressed a light kiss to her lips, squeezing her hand as he did so.

'C'mon then, DiNozzo should be around here somewhere, said their taxi was due twenty minutes ago.'

Together they wandered around the hall, making small talk to the Marines that came up to them until they reached the buffet table. As could have been predicted, the whole team was there, waiting for Tony to stop piling his plate up. Abby was the first to see them together, and it was her lack of chatting that caused the others to look their way. McGee regained the ability to speak long before the other two, smiling and tipping his head in their direction.

'Good to see you boss; Ziva, you look lovely.'

'Thank you Tim, it is one of my favourites despite it being a memento from Mossad.'

'The colour looks lovely, complements your skin.'

'And you wonder why the ladies think you swing the other way Probie! Although I must agree, you scrub up well David. Rather odd really… Ow! Abs! What was that for?!'

'One, don't be so mean to Timmy, not on a night like tonight which is to celebrate and be respectful. And two, Ziva always scrubs up well! She doesn't even have to be in a dress to be scrubbed up, but since she is, and we're on the topic, you do look amazing, like, out of this world type amazing. Not an astronaut amazing, cos that'd be weird and not overly flattering, but the dress is so–'

'Breathe, Abby. Although I must say, surely an astronaut's suit would be flattering – if not to someone's figure then their brain, no?'

'I'd never have thought of it that way Zi… Well, maybe eventually, but I can totally see where you're coming from. And I would concur!'

Almost without thinking Gibbs squeezed Ziva's hand again, pulling it up to his waist and kissing the side of her head. He only really noticed what he had done when DiNozzo coughed and tipped his plate towards McGee, losing a couple of his mini food parcels, much to the latter Agent's disgust.

'Tony! What're you doing? Can't you even keep your plate level?!'

'Probie, did you just miss what happened? I think there're more important things to comment on other than a slight smear on your stupidly polished shoes.'

'And the sauce down my pant legs, and the fact that you're being ridiculously loud and disturbing everyone else?'

'Exactly, now you're getting it. Abs, I think you gotta take it from here, my head won't take the beatings if I speak…'

'See Gibbs? He does learn some things, occasionally! But yes, how long has this – ' Abby made some wild gestures towards the pair in front of her, threatening to knock Tony's plate again until McGee grabbed her wrists and lowered them, ' –been going on, why don't we know about it, how did it start, tell us everything!'

Gibbs smirked and grabbed a plate of canapés, a drink, and then everyone wandered to one of the little tables set out; there was still a good 45 minutes until the event officially started – that would have to be enough time to satisfy Abby's curiosity!

Half an hour later and they had managed to negotiate a large number of 'awwhs' and nods, as well as a few mutterings from Tony's end that ceased with a glare from either Gibbs or Ziva. Abby had taken Ziva down a tangent, discussing dancing and the possibly therapeutic meaning of it, whether personal or general, leaving Gibbs staring at his two other agents.

'What about Rule 12 Gibbs? I mean, I figured that out of all your rules, that was the unbreakable one…'

'Didn't plan on it Tony. It's nothing casual either. Not gonna make excuses for breaking a rule, but dating is casual, this isn't.'

'You really like her don't you boss.'

'Ya think McGee?'

'I think you're right for each other. Balance each other out.'

There was no time for Gibbs to respond as there was a round of applause as a man took to the stage.

'Good evening and thank you very much for attending 2013's Navy-Marine Corps Ball. All the money raised from tonight, as I hope you all know, will be going to the Navy-Marine Relief Society, and through that it will help…'

After the speeches and main meals the band started to play a few jazzy songs and couples took to the floor. There were a couple of minutes of hesitation at the MCRT's table, not quite sure what to make of everything. In the end Tony stood up and gestured to Gibbs and Ziva.

'Go on then, go dance. Probie and Abs will when you go, and I'm going to go find myself a rather lovely looking lady in uniform… just…about… There, she's looking for a partner. Seeya later guys.'

Tony disappeared into the swaying crowd, weaving his way through them, focussed completely on his target. Gibbs fixed McGee with a stare until Ziva nudged his shoulder.

'Leave them Jethro, come, let us dance.'

He stood up with a chuckle, tipping his head towards McGee and Abby, nodding while smiling. He then took Ziva's hand and led her to a space in the crowd.

'McGee… The Bossman just smiled, and…and… you… and… Let's go party!'

They were swaying slowly to the music, Ziva's head resting against Gibbs' chest, his slow and steady heartbeat echoing through her body, fusing with the music, and resulting in an innate sense of calm within her.

'What do you think of what McGee said, Jethro?'

'Mm?'

'You know what I mean, do not play coy with me.'

'I don't know what you want me to say Ziver. Every time I think about anything like this, I can't quite believe I'm the guy who gets to hold you in his arms, wake up to you. There are so many reasons why we shouldn't work; Rule 12 was one I had control over.'

'If you think like that, then at least I am not alone. I do not understand why you are with me when there are plenty of other women out there with far fewer demons than I carry, someone who is less risky and has better morals. There are many reasons why we do work Jethro, and all we can do is remember those when our doubts start to take over.'

'I have such a bad track record with relationships, I don't want to hurt you. Then there's the age gap – you could have anyone you wanted Ziver, yet you settle for an old man like me? Don't make much sense.'

'I would not change a thing about you, not one.'

'Not even…ooh… My caffeine addiction?'

'Nope. Although if we could have been together earlier, then that I would change. Although I think everything we have been through has led to this time, making it possible for us to be together and survive.'

There was a moment of silence as they looked into each others' eyes, bodies still swaying, still impossibly close to each other. Intuitively, they leant into each other, their lips touched lightly, and then they broke apart and continued to dance in silence, holding each other tightly. They may each have had their own demons of varying quantity, context and age, but they merely acted to put them on a level playing field. They meant that Ziva and Gibbs both held immeasurable strength, they were equally vulnerable, and together, they were a completed jigsaw puzzle.

Firstly, so so sorry it's taken me this long to update, I had so many issues trying to wrap this story up - part of me really didn't want to (resulting in my muse running away from me like a shooting star in space), but the other part knew it was time. I have loved being a part of Zibbs-verse, and will definitely be returning.

You guys kinda have to thank ZC for this chapter - she helped me with the setting (N-M C Ball), although I take responsibility for any mistakes/inaccuracies.

It has been a lovely journey, and I hope to hear from you! Woody2792x