Hauteur

Ziva marched into the prearranged meeting area in Rivkin’s message. She’d swiped the few passports she had with Rivkin’s photo on them and brought them with her. She couldn’t believe his audacity to demand a meeting with her. Wrapped in a cloak of hauteur, she stopped in front of his table and stared down at him. “Why are you here?”

“What kind of greeting is that? Didn’t you miss me?” Rivkin playfully sulked.

“What are you doing here? We agreed to meet in Britain.” Ziva demanded.

“Your father changed my orders. I’m here, now.” Rivkin attempted to explain.

“And just what do you intend to do, here?” Ziva questioned, suspicious as to the timing of his arrival.

“Why keep you safe, of course.” Rivkin smiled condescendingly.

“Keep me safe?” Ziva pulled back affronted. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you here trying to protect me. Just go if that’s why you’re here.”

“Darling, don’t be that way. You know I care about you.” Rivkin capitulated.

“Yes, you do.” Ziva knew she had had Rivkin wrapped around her finger for a while. He had never realized that she was the one who seduced him and the one with all the power.

Dropping a kiss on his cheek, she turned and left. “I must get back before they notice I’m gone. You know the combination to my apartment. Don’t get into trouble while I’m gone.”

Ziva arrived back at NCIS headquarters at the same time Tony and Gibbs did. Cursing her luck, she greeted them with a nod as she joined them on the elevator.

Gibbs raises his eyebrow silently demanding to know where she'd been.

Tony questioned out loud. “Where have you been?”

“None of your business.” Ziva sneered.

Gibbs increased his glare on Ziva and slapped the stop elevator button.

“Fine. If you must know, a friend came into town.” Ziva sniffed haughtily, thrusting her nose into the air.

Tony started the elevator back up. He was suspicious of Ziva’s friend, but would let it go for now.