Ziva sat in her apartment that evening thinking about their earlier conversation. Friendship. They were friends right? There were times she wanted to strangle him and there were times she wanted to kiss him hard on the mouth. Then there were times she wished she could hold on and never let go. She obviously did not feel about McGee the way she felt about Tony, but it had to be because...because... Oh! Who was she kidding? Certainly not herself! The moment she found out about Jeanne she knew she loved him. He had been more than any other man had been to her. He had been more constant and permanent than all the men in her life put together. He'd saved her in Somalia only making her feel twice as guilty. Now her, Tony, and McGee were out of a job. Why did she have to kill Bodnar? Why did she have to kill Ari? Why was her life so screwed up, and why the hell did he have to care so much!
She grabbed her car keys and her brown leather jacket and took off for his apartment. The entire time only thinking about how he had awkwardly kissed her forehead trying to pretend they felt nothing more.
She knocked frantically at his door. He opened it wearing a tight fitting dark blue t-shirt and boxers.
"Ziva?" His voice was gruff from sleep, yet worry etched in his eyes.
"We should talk."
"About?"
"About everything!" she raised her voice at him. "We are not agents anymore! What are we supposed to do with ourselves?!" He opened the door and she pushed by him clearly distraught. "My entire life Tony I have fought for something. I am not sure what to do here, but things need to be discussed!"
Tony stared at her pensively, "What do you mean things?"
"Honest things! Things that could not be discussed before! Things that..." She paused, "Our team is no longer a team. Our unit is gone. Gibbs is no longer...our boss," tears pricked her eyes and clogged her throat.
"Ziva..."
"No, Tony! Things have been falling apart for me since I was thirteen! Everyone gone or dead..."
"I promise you, Ziva. I wont ever leave you," His gaze hardened and his jaw ticked.
"But...why?" One lone tear made a path down Ziva's cheek. Suddenly she felt both of his hands grab either side of her face. Ziva gasped right before she felt his wonderful lips on hers. Almost immediately she moaned into it. He was taking charge and for once she felt small and cherished. His lips moved slowly and firmly weakening her muscles. His hands were in her hair now gripping her like a life line. She moaned as he slowly pulled away. Never had anyone kissed her life that!
"Because I need you Ziva," He grumbled against her lips.
He needed her? She needed him! "You need me?" Her voice broke as more tears escaped.
He pulled her closer and rumbled against her neck. "I love you. God, I love you Ziva!"
Just as a choking sob escaped her throat she was kissing him again.