Author's Note: Evidently, I write NCIS (Tiva) fanfic now. Who knows, this may be the only story I ever write, but I'm re-watching the show starting from season three because of the season 13 finale. Like much of the fandom, I believe that Ziva is alive and somehow she, Tony, and Tali will be reunited and have the happy ending that Tony and Ziva deserve. (If anyone has a good fic rec about that, if you'd PM and let me know, I'd be forever thankful.)

After watching season 3 episode 8, ("Under Covers") I was basically hit with a missing scene between Tony and Ziva, and thought, what's the harm? So I wrote it. It takes place after the episode ends; after Ziva drives Tony home. This is my first NCIS fic (and maybe my only NCIS fic), so please don't judge too harshly! And thank you for reading!


"Turn right up here."Silently, I put on my blinker and turn down the street Tony pointed to.

"Ziva," he says now. Not a question, just a statement.

Still, I could tell there was something more he wasn't saying, and in the darkness I could practically hear him contemplating whether or not he should speak.

"Tony?" When I say his name it's a question, an attempt at prompting him to continue. I glance over at him. His face is mostly shadows in the darkness, but when we pass under a street lamp I can see his tense features clearly.

"I'm just trying to figure out why you wanted to drive me home?" he asks. There's his signature aloof quality in the way he speaks, but I can still hear his deep-seated need to know, to understand, the truth. "McGee knows where I live. Abby knows where I live. You don't. And who knows where my addled brain might lead us."

"I don't think you're that confused," I evade the question.

"Ziva, why?" he asks, point blank this time. No underlying joking.

"I wanted to ask you a question," I saw vaguely, because I wasn't sure I really wanted to ask him yet.

"Slow down, my apartment is right around the corner," Tony points his index finger at the tall building looming in the dark.

We don't say anything until I've pulled into his parking spot and hurried around the side of the car to help him out. McGee and Abby were no longer here with me and if he collapsed like he did in the Squad Room, I'd have a hard time getting him up.

Again, Tony wraps his arm around my shoulder and I ease the door shut behind him before wrapping my arm around his torso to help support his weight. However, after a few steps I am able to acutely realize that Tony is no longer dizzy and is for the most part walking on his own. But he doesn't remove his arm from my shoulder. And for some reason I don't remove my arm from around him either.

The enigmatic quality to this scenario prompts me to speak again.

"Abby, who loves everybody, hates me," I pause, but Tony says nothing. "Sometimes I think Gibbs accepts me as part of the team, but most the time I feel like he's shutting me out. You purposefully drive me crazy – "

"Well, actually, that comes naturally," Tony remarks.

I ignore him. "And McGee only likes me because I've taken his place as the new guy."

I'm essentially just thinking out loud, and I'm thankful to Tony for saying nothing as we wordlessly ride up the elevator. He's letting me figure this out for myself.

"And yet," I continue once the elevator doors open. Tony points to the left and we start heading in that direction. "I've never felt that my contributions, abilities…efforts…my life have been more valued. I don't quite understand that."

I glance up at Tony and he tilts his head and smiles, and I just know a snarky retort is about to come out of his mouth. But then the smile dies. "You don't have to get it."

"Just take it with a grain of sand, I guess," I sigh.

"A grain of salt, Ziva," Tony corrects me. He stops in front of a door and reaches into his pocket to reveal a set of keys.

I watch, still mulling over everything, as he works to unlock his door without removing his arm from around my shoulder. It almost makes me smile, and I even if I didn't get to ask him my question, I think I'd still know the answer.

But then as if reading my mind, Tony glances back at me, narrowing his eyes as he opens the door. "You never asked me your question," he says.

"Why did you do that today?" I blurt. "Why would you risk your life for me?"

Immediately, Tony opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. After a moment he shrugs. "I don't know," he smiles.

"Another grain of salt, I suppose," I resign. "Either way, thank you, Tony."

We are already in an embrace, but I turn to face him, wrapping my other arm around him, and pulling him into a hug. I feel him reach his other arm behind me and then rest his chin on my head.

"You're welcome, Ziva," he says, and I feel the words vibrate through his chest.

After a moment, I pull away first. I nod at him, suddenly feeling this connection. We understood each other somehow, with knowing very little about each other.

"I'll pick you up at six tomorrow?" I turn around and start walking away.

"Six? AM? Wait, you're taking my car?" Tony asks frantically.

I'm halfway down the hall before I turn to face him. "Yes," I say slowly. "Good night, Tony."


Author's Note: Throughout the show, Tony takes risks to save Ziva (and vice versa), but this is really the first time that we get to see it. Coming from Mossad, I feel that Ziva might be somewhat perplexed by this behavior, especially from Tony. The episode never really talks about this stepping stone in their relationship, so I took the liberty to do it myself (lol). I wanted to see Ziva working this out, and I hope you enjoyed my version of that.