Ziva took off her gun and badge and laid them on her bed. Then she got a bag from the closet and started packing. She'd meant what she told Tony, she couldn't do this any more. She was tired of the monsters. When her front door clicked open, Ziva didn't even bother looking up. He had the only other key.

Tony walked as far as Ziva's bedroom and stopped. "You can't leave Ziva."

She sighed. "I am done Tony. I have nothing left to give." She felt drained and weak, she couldn't take another hit. Franks' death was the last straw.

He moved closer and stopped inside her space. "Don't go," Tony whispered, "please Ziva. I..."he hesitated, then took a deep breath, "I love you."

Ziva dropped to her bed and wiped at a tear that wasn't there yet. "You are a coward for not saying it before."

Tony's eyes widened. "I have said it Ziva."

Scenes flashed in her mind:

"I was just going to tousle your hair. Sometimes it makes you smile."

"You'll say you don't want to talk about it but your eyes won't shut up."

"Whoa my ninja."

"I'm tired of pretending."

"You jeopardized your entire career, and for what?" "For you."

"Couldn't live without you, I guess."

"I will be right here."

"Be careful. Handle with care. Contents priceless."

"I say it with love."

There was the joy in his eyes seeing her in Cartagena after four months as Agent Afloat. His care when he saw her falling in too deep with Roy. His jealousy over Michael and Ray. The pictures he kept of her from LA. The look on his face when he said she looked comfy in Paris. The gentleness in his touch when he caressed her face in the elevator last night.

"I've said it a thousand times in a hundred different ways," Tony admitted, looking down. "I just could never make my heart say those three words until now."

Ziva shook her head sadly. "We have missed our chance Tony. It was over years ago. I am leaving."

Tony pushed her bag out of the way and sat down beside her, reaching for her hand. "Forget about all that Zi. Do you love me?"

She lifted tired, beaten eyes to his and sighed. "What do you think?"

For a moment all he heard was his heartbeat and the echoes of so many words she'd spoken when she was trying to say so much more.

"You could've called."

"That is because you are a good person."

"Because you are my partner!"

"Do you ever think about soulmates?"

"I heard a gun go off and I saw you..."

"What matters is that you had my back. That you have always had my back."

"No, it is I who am sorry."

"I find certain older men attractive."

"And that is why we love you."

Her worry for him when he was with Jeanne. The way she flirted with him and was constantly invading his space. How she'd acted when they were married undercover. The warmth in her smile. It was in her jealousy and protectiveness, how she always looked out for his heart. In the way she had his back whether he wanted her help or not.

Tony shook his head, blocking out all the voices except the one he wanted to hear. "Tell me," he prompted.

She lifted her hand to his face. "I love you Tony."

Without warning his lips covered hers and Ziva was drawn into the blaze of emotions Tony conveyed in a single kiss. The motion was slow, gentle and comforting, and it felt like coming home. Pulling back, Tony leaned his forehead against Ziva's.

"So, about Rule 12..."

Ziva rolled her eyes and smiled. "Shut up and kiss me Tony."

Tony's grin encompassed his entire face. "Yes ma'am."

Ziva dug her nails into his neck and Tony winced. "Sorry Ninja."

She slid her arms over his shoulders and caressed the spot with gentle fingers while he pulled her closer. Their mouths met and meshed, eyes closed, actions slow, savouring the moment. If this was a preview of what their relationship would look like, Tony couldn't wait for the feature presentation.