Description: Ziva and Tony take advantage of their time off by taking a road trip, discovering adventure and beauty along the way. Told from Ziva's POV. TIVA, Season 10 spoilers and some mature content to be expected; occurs after 'Damned if You Do'. My first fiction based on a scene I couldn't get out of my head. My goal is to update weekly as I need something to do to fill this hiatus. Read, comment, suggest, review if you like.

Disclaimer: NCIS and the wonderful characters of the show are the property of CBS. I do not own these characters, I have simply borrowed them for my own creative purposes.

Chapter 1 – Routine

Washington DC – Early June

The alarm buzzed at 5:00 a.m. I had tried to accept the fact that it was no longer necessary for me to rouse at such an hour, but I know myself too well. Habit is habit. This whole resignation 'plan' was more difficult than I had imagined, and Tony was right, I was anxious for the outcome. I patted my night stand clumsily for my phone and peered out of my right eye at the bright screen. It was a Friday, one missed text message.

Run?

I closed my eyes and exhaled. The message had been sent from Brian, apparently at 4 am. I had always deemed myself an early bird, but compared to him, I was a late riser. We met at the gym a few years ago when he had been paired as my sparing opponent. He was my height and wiry, but he and his right hook were not to be underestimated. He had an inner strength and determination. I think that is why I liked him so much, respected him. I opened my eyes and blinked a couple of times, adjusting once again to the light.

6. Foggy bottom metro

The room shifted as I sat up and swung my legs out from under the covers. I closed my eyes waiting for the head rush to pass… that was definitely too fast. My toes and ankles cracked as I flexed and circled them, and when I stood up to awaken the rest of my body, I was reminded of a very angry muscle on the side of my neck. Thank you, Tony's couch. Thank you, Tony. Rubbing my neck, I couldn't help but smile thinking of the night before.

He had called at roughly 10 pm. I placed down my book and against my better judgment, answered the phone, "Hello Tony".

"Shalom Zee-VAH", he slurred. I could hear muted conversations in the background, he obviously was not at his apartment. "Where are you Tony?".

"Well Ziva, that is a good question. Jack Nicholson marathon at the State Theater, free beer."

I snapped my fingers twice, "Oh, Nicholson, I know Nicholson! You Can't Handle The Lies!"

He audibly sighed, "Truth. It's 'You can't handle the truth… A Few Good Men."

I laughed, "Well what do I know Tony, I read books."

"Well if anything, my darling little Israeli, I need to take you to more movies. Possibly more dinners as well."

I smiled to myself "Have you been drinking?" He was amusing and this situation was somewhat of a first. Rarely, did I ever see Mr. Anthony DiNozzo out of sorts.

Silence. "Maybe just a little. Pick me up?" I could see his crooked smile through the phone and I knew it was useless to resist. I quickly put on jeans and a t-shirt and headed out the door.

When I arrived at the theater he sauntered up to my car and cracked open the passenger side, poking only his head through the door, "Here's Johnny!".

"Tony I did not agree to give Johnny a ride home, only you". His face fell and he dropped his head while muttering sarcastically, "It's okay Ziva, The Shining is only a classic."

He kept me smiling the rest of the car ride to his place as he recounted and quoted highlights from the films. Movies. I understood better than anyone, perhaps even Tony. They were his release, he found comfort in them. When we got to his apartment, I walked him upstairs. Every time I was there, I found myself with conflicting emotions. Months ago, shortly after I lost my father, it was where I had spent a few days wracked with thoughts of grief and revenge. But as of late, slowly, it was becoming a place that held some familiarity to me, some comfort, a reminder of my new family, people whom I love and trust.

As we walked through the door, I stopped and took in my surroundings. He had re-arranged, something was off. He noticed my silence, "So do you like the new set up?".

"It is different… you have moved your couch."

He walked up behind me slowly and gently placed his hands on my shoulders. A shiver ran up my back, every hair on my body electrified, acutely aware of his proximity. I could feel his breath near my ear and I could swear he smelled my hair before whispering, "Very observant. I think the best place to take it in is from its new location". He walked me over to the couch and guided me into a sitting position. I was enjoying this forward, flirtatious Tony, it was refreshing. After spending so many years dancing around each other at a stand still, it was nice to spend time with one another without feeling the emotional burden of the job. As he joined me on the couch, he kept his right arm around my waist. "You know Ziva, I think we need a change of scenery. I think we need to get away from DC, let things settle." Was he sensing my own anxiety at our current situation? I looked into his green eyes and saw he was being serious. "What do you have in mind?" Without blinking, he replied, "Road Trip."

I shook my head, "No – definitely not Tony". He dropped his head back and closed his eyes. "C'mon Ziva, it could be fun..." he trailed off.

I looked away and chuckled, "Tony, the two of us in a confined space for the better part of two weeks, well… I can only imagine the arguments, teasing, annoying movie references…" Who am I kidding, these are also things I love about him. I turned back to find him asleep. He looked so relaxed and content. I was surprised to find myself reaching for him. I brushed a stray couple of hairs from his forehead and trailed down past his cheek and over his light stubble. Tony if you only knew how much I care about you, so much so that it scares me. I laid my head on his shoulder and fell asleep memorizing the feeling of his arm around me, his hand resting lightly on my hip.

I had woken a couple of hours later, and found my way back home to my own bed. As much as I loved laying with Tony, I was not sure it was something I wanted to confront at this moment. Dressed, I glanced once more at my phone. I am sure I will hear from Tony at some point this afternoon, once he is able to process the previous night's events or get over his headache. For now though, I am more than happy to find my own release through a good run.

Familiar routines are not always such a bad thing to rely on when so much is uncertain.