I unfortunately do not own NCIS cause if I did, there would be no seasons, just yearlong AWESOMENESS! LOL, well enjoy and make sure you review!

He didn't know what he would say or how to say it; he could see that she was hurting. All day in the office, after the touching goodbye with her father, she was blank, deep in thought. He knew she was not all right, no matter how much she persisted that she was. His mind flashed back to that cell in Somalia. He meant it when he said he could not live without her, he really couldn't. The whole time her desk was empty, there was this aching in his chest that would get stronger and rip him apart every time he even looked over. But she was back now and the numbness was gone, it was replaced today with concern for his partner, in more ways than one. He cared for her, cared about a woman like he had never before. They had a connection, like they could communicate without words; it was that connection that was calling him to her door tonight.

These past couple of days had taken their toll on the entire team, but Ziva was affected deeply. She now knew that she was replaceable in Mossad, but on the other hand she also knew she was irreplaceable in her father's heart, even if sometimes it seemed like he didn't have one. Even with this new revelation though, she did not know if she had forgiven her father completely. When she left NCIS that evening, Ziva went directly home. She was restless and didn't know what to do so she grabbed her running shorts, a tight t-shirt, threw on some sneakers and bolted out the door. The cold air against her face and the familiar ache in her lungs was comforting to the Israeli as she pushed forward through the streets of DC. Finally after about an hour of running, she collapsed on a nearby bench and took deep breaths. She closed her eyes and thought about her day. After her father left, she started on the pile of paperwork on her desk that was building up. All throughout the day, she could feel Tony's eyes on hers as she pretended to be oblivious. Truth was that she was actually touched by his concern for her these past few days and she felt that he understood what she was going through because his situation with his own father was similar to what she was going through.

Suddenly, a warm hand on her shoulder brought Ziva back to reality. She tensed up; Who would be out here during this hour? She thought to herself as she prepped her body to attack. That was before the stranger placed both hands firmly on her shoulder and she could smell the familiar scent of her aforementioned partner.

"Ziva, what are you doing out here, its freezing!" Tony asked as he circled around to face her.

Ziva opened her eyes to look around and saw the darkness of the DC streets around her and felt the chilling breeze raise goose bumps on her bare skin. She must have been out here longer than she thought. Finally as she looked back directly in front of her, she was met with a pair of deep, concerned, green eyes.

"Tony, what are you doing here?" Ziva asked as she pushed herself up off the bench.

"Well, hello to you to," Tony said as he shrugged off his jacket and held it out to Ziva. "I went over to your apartment and saw that you weren't there so I started driving back home and saw you sitting on the bench with your head down so I came over. Now that you have got your explanation, will you please take the jacket, as great as you look in those shorts, you are probably freezing." Tony explained with a slightly annoyed tone as he saw Ziva eyeing the jacket warily.

She scoffed at him but eventually took the jacket; the warmth encompassed her as she slid her small arms into the big sleeves. She was surrounded by the unique scent that could only come off of Tony.

"Thank you" she said

Tony just smirked in victory. "Come on, let's go." He motioned over to his car.

"Tony, I am capable of walking home by myself, I ran here didn't I?" Ziva rebutted

"Ziva, no offense to your "Can do" attitude, but come on, its dark outside already and my car is right there."

"Thank you for the concern Tony, but I can take care of myself." Ziva said back, now annoyed.

Tony sighed and stepped in front of her, "I wasn't implying that you couldn't Ziva, but really, let's not argue about this too. Fine then don't come for yourself, come for me." He finished softly.

Ziva stopped in her tracks and looked back at Tony; she could see genuine feelings in his eyes so without another word she just turned to the pathway leading over to the parking lots and toward his car. Tony followed close behind her without uttering a word. When they got to his car, Tony put a hand on her shoulder and unlocked the car, lettingZiva slip into the passenger seat.

The car ride was silent and when they got to her apartment, Ziva spoke for the first time since the park.

"Did you have dinner?" She asked.

"Nope" was all that he said.

"I have not as well; you are welcome to join me." With that she got out of the car and walked up the path. Tony sat contemplating for a couple seconds but soon joined Ziva up the path. She unlocked her apartment and left the door open for Tony who was close behind.

"You can pick what to order Tony, there is beer in the fridge, make yourself at home. I will take a quick shower and come back." Ziva spoke in tired voice. She would feel much better after a shower in hot water.

"OK, Zi. Hey by the way, where are all the movies?" Tony asked.

Ziva laughed to herself as she stepped into the shower, typical Tony. "Under the T.V. Tony, pick whatever you like, most of them are ones you recommended."

Tony walked over to the living room, which for an apartment, was very large. When in the front room, where the front door is, you can't see the entire living room, which was Tony was dumbstruck when he saw the 70" plasma T.V that was hanging on the wall in front of the couch.

"Oh" he whimpered out. "It's beautiful" He even let out a little squeal when he saw the collection of DVD's under the T.V.

"Well I see you found the television" Ziva said with a smirk as she watched Tony kneel down and pick up a DVD case. "I will leave you to have your moment with my movies." Ziva said as she walked into the kitchen. Tony suddenly realized that he forgot to order the food so he whipped out his cell phone and hit the number which he had memorized, his favorite Chinese restaurant in D.C and placed the order. He put in and old Sean Connery James Bond and followed Ziva into the kitchen as the beginning credits rolled. She had her back to him and was drinking a glass of water, staring off.

"Ziva, are you alright" his voice came off a little husky and caused Ziva to jump a little.

"I am fine Tony, just a little, how you say, rattled." She turned to her fridge and grabbed two beers out of it and tried walking past him but he was leaning against the door sideways and the only way to get out was to turn herself sideways. As she did just that, her chest brushed up against hers and he took a hold of her elbow.

"Ziva," he met her eyes and held her gaze. "Talk to me."

She opened her mouth but nothing came out. She was literally lost in his gaze as those powerful green orbs met the chocolate ones. And then something between them just snapped and it seemed like some invisible attraction was pulling their faces slowly closer. But then, just as Ziva was about to close her eyes and sink into bliss, the doorbell rang. And whatever was between then was now gone and they stepped away from each other. Ziva walked over to the living room and Tony walked toward the front door.

"Thanks, keep the change" Tony muttered out to the delivery man as he took the food and brought it out to the living room. He placed it next to the beer and stood there.

Ziva cleared her throat and said "Tony, you may stand there if you like or you may sit down." She gestured to the spot next to her. Tony cleared his throat and sat down.

Ziva dug through the take-out bag and handed Tony his order while she took hers. They ate silently while watching the movies; the only sound was Tony quoting the lines in the movie.

"Hey, Zi, can you pass me my beer please?" Ziva, now staring quite intently at the movie absentmindedly picked up the bottle and gave it to Tony who was also watching the movie with great interest. As she handed the bottle to Tony, her hand brushed his and they both felt what was like a shock. They both pulled back their hands and the beer fell all over Tony and soaked his pants and shirt.

"Crap, I don't even have my overnight bag in my car."

"Actually Tony, there might be an alternative." Ziva said.

"Uhh, Ziva?"

"Tony, just follow me."

Ziva got up off the couch and walked toward her bedroom with Tony trailing behind her, grumbling. When she got to dresser, she opened up her top drawer and dug to the bottom.

"Ah-ha, here they are" she said in victory as she pulled out a pair of men's sweatpants and an old OSU t-shirt. "I have had these since you lent them to me the night we returned from Africa."

"Oh yeah, because Abby's were all 'too revealing'. I was wondering where these were." He replied as he took the replacement cloths. He started unbuttoning his shirt and Ziva walked back to the living room and sat on the couch.

Tony changed into his replacement cloths and took his beer soaked ones outside with him.

"He Ziva, where is your washing machine, I should wash this stuff before something happens." When he got no response he crossed over to the living room. "Ziva?" She was curled up on the couch; her knees were hugged tightly to her chest.

"Tony, how did you do it?"

"Do what Ziva?"

"Patch things up with your father; I mean, the way you always talked about him seemed liked you hated him. But now, you two have an actual relationship." She looked up at Tony who looked conflicted about what to do. She sighed, "Never mind, just forget I said anything." She got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. At that moment she looked so….broken. So broken that Tony snapped out of his confusion and grabbed her elbow to pull her back to him. He pulled her against him and those big brown eyes met his.

"Ziva, sit down. Now." His voice was so commanding that she listened right away. "Now, please, start talking to me. What happened with you and your father?"

She took a breath, "A couple of days ago, when we were in the garage and were about to leave to go to that Directors meeting, things got a little strong between us and I told him how he did not have any feelings and how he was not listening to me. He said he was not going to listen right now because I was 'making the same face I made when my uncle didn't get me a pony.'" She turned to face Tony, who was sitting closer to her than she thought he was. "Am I spoiled Tony?" She didn't give him a chance to answer the question.

"But even though he said that, he said that there was a reason to what he did. Still, I am not sure I can forgive him Tony, in way he did apologize this morning and I am thankful for that, but what he did cannot be forgiven with a simple apology. Does that make me spoiled?"

"Ziva, your father left in the desert, alone. And maybe he did have a secret agenda to do so, maybe it was important, but he should not have used his daughter as bait. You were hurt Ziva, expressing your feeling does not make you spoiled. But you two do have to find some middle ground. Hell, it's not going to be easy but you can do it. Just look at me and my dad, it's not perfect, what we have, but it's a start. Having an ok relationship with your father is better than having no father."

"But what am I going to do Tony; I do not know what to say. I just do not know what to do right now."

At that moment, Tony did not see Ziva the fighting machine, he saw Ziva the girl who wanted her father

He moved closer to her and slowly, gauging her reaction, he put his arms around her and pulled her close. At first Ziva was completely stiff, but as she felt Tony's heart beating in his chest, her muscles relaxed and she gripped his shirt. They both knew that a line was being crossed, but right now, none of that mattered. Tony stroked her hair, still a little damp from the shower. He was in heaven, the world could have ended right then but he would not have noticed. Ziva was in his arms. He could feel as she turned her head to the side and rested it on his chest. Ziva on the other hand could not help but notice how well her body fit against his, how well her head fit against his chest.

"I will always be there for you Ziva, whatever you need I will be there. Even if things don't work out between you and your father, you will have me. Don't forget that." The last part came out as a whisper. But Ziva heard him loud and clear. It was right then that the true meaning of his words hit her. He did care about her. At that moment, even if they did not want to admit it to themselves, they both realized that they meant more to each other than just friends.

Somewhere in the night, they fell asleep in each other's arms. It was the best night of sleep either of them got in a while.

So this started out as a one-shot but if you want me to continue the story or a write a different one, REVIEW! Right now, I know you kinda feel like "nahh its ok" or feel a little lazy, cause you know, that's what I do :P, but then I realized how good reviews make authors feel. So PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEE review :D