This takes place after the finale. Meaning McGee, Ziva and DiNozzo have resigned and Gibbs is on assignment. Major Tiva action within this story.

It's 2:30 AM and Dinozzo is tossing and turning, attempting to fall back to sleep for the third time in an hour. In the back of his mind something is bugging him but he cant put his finger on what. So he gets up and goes to the kitchen, forgetting that Ziva and Tony have taken up residence in his spare room and couch respectively. For the past 4 months, the three of them have been digging up information on _ (Colin Hanks character), which would hopefully clear Gibb's name therefore giving themselves their jobs back.

As he is about to take a swig of milk from the carton, he hears rustling coming from the spare bedroom. He closes the fridge and creeps toward the bedroom and peeks through the cracked door. Inside he could see Ziva lying in bed, sniffling and wiping her eyes. As Tony enters the room, she quickly stops, and pretends to be asleep.

"I know you're up, so don't try to fake it." He chuckles and sits down next to her on the edge of the bed. He gently places a hand on hers, giving her a soft squeeze." Ziva sighs and says, "I know…I just." She breathes in and begins, "I'm just tired of everything…my father is dead and I am just sitting here waiting for Gibbs to come back. I feel helpless." Tony nods and gives her a gentle smile, "I know but we are doing all that we can do…without letting them know what we're up to." Ziva sighs and returns the smile, as Tony gets up to leave, she whispers, "Don't go...stay. Please?" Tony stops for a moment and thinks.

Within his inner self, he knows Gibbs says never date a coworker and not to get involve with one. But Ziva needs all the comfort she can get. Plus I have loved her since the day I first met her. He closes the door and walks to the bed, gently sliding under the covers, but keeping his hands to himself. Ziva turns to him and leans her head on his shoulder, falling into a deep sleep.