It was late on a balmy summer Saturday night and Tony and Ziva were walking back to his place after their date. Tony was dressed casually, a dark blue polo and khaki pants. Ziva looked beautiful as always when she smiled at him, dark wavy hair hanging freely down her back, wearing a white and yellow sundress that made her seem younger and gave her a carefree air.
Squeezing her fingers gently, Tony glanced down at their joined hands and had to smile. Things with Ziva had just happened, he'd never planned it, but looking at them now he wouldn't change a thing. They started across the park, taking a shortcut to his building. Above them, stars shone in the midnight sky and the cool grass tickled Ziva's bare feet in her delicate white sandals.
Halfway across the expanse, Tony stopped and Ziva looked at him questioningly. Without a word he pulled her easily into his arms and began leading her in a slow waltz, moving as if he heard the soft strains of music, though Ziva knew there were only the quiet night sounds around them to compose a symphony.
Spinning out away from him and then gently back in, Ziva put her arms around his neck. "Tony," she whispered, eyes shining, "there is no music."
Tony grinned and held her closer. "I don't need music to dance with you Ziva. But if you'd like some..." He took a breath and started humming.
Ziva shook her head but continued following his lead, raising one eyebrow when he went from humming to singing words from his favourite songs softly, right into her ear. She laid her head on his shoulder and let the small circles they were swaying in lull her into believing that this moment could last forever. Finally their movements ceased and Ziva gazed up at him with pure adoration.
Slowly Tony shifted nearer and leaned down to press his lips softly against hers. Ziva's hands traveled to his cheeks and he tilted his head, kissing her again, his hands finding her face, love and joy and a myriad of other things conveyed in their touch.
Resting his forehead on hers when they finally separated to breathe, Tony kissed Ziva's nose and whispered, "I love you Ziva."
Ziva's smile blossomed and she slid her hand down his face. "I love you too," she replied, tracing his mouth with her finger before touching her lips to his for a light, lingering kiss.
They resumed their walk, fingers still tangled together and hearts nearly bursting from the happiness of loving and being loved. At last they'd found a place to belong and Tony and Ziva knew they wouldn't trade it for the world.
THE END