This is a short drabble I wrote today. My first NCIS fanfic. I wrote this for Steph (dinutzzo) on tumblr. Hopefully everyone enjoys this! Sorry it's kinda short :p
Both of them had nightmares. With their careers, it was to be expected. Especially for Ziva, her past fueling them even more. Tony still remembered the first time Ziva had called him for comfort. They had just started dating, so they had been taking it slowly. That night they were spending the night at their separate apartments. Around 2 am was when Tonys phone had rung and had answered it with a groan.
"DiNozzo" Tony mumbled into the phone
"Tony?" Zivas voice sounded shaken.
"Zi?" Tony said now more awake and worried "What's wrong?"
"I... Maybe I shouldn't have called... I should probably let you sleep" She whispered
"Sweetcheeks it's fine." He reassured her "What is it?"
"I... I had a nightmare Tony" Zivas voice was hushed but he could hear her trying not to cry.
His heart broke for her. She had been though so much in her life, something no one should ever have to go through. "I'll be right over okay?" He told her, getting out of bed.
"Tony you don't have to-"
"I want to kay? See you soon"
"Thank you Tony" she whispered "I'll see you soon" and Tony hung up the phone. He was in sweat pants and t-shirt already, so he grabbed his old college hoodie. Pondering wether or not to grab clothes for tomorrow he decided he better since he'd probably end up spending the night. When he arrived at her apartment he only had to knock once before she opened the door. His heart broke when he saw her face. She looked so scared.
"Hey" he said softly
"Hi" she said back, "Come on in" Tony followed her into her apartment. Placing his bag on a chair and he kicked off his shoes at the front door.
Opening his arms wide he said "Come here" and she immediately fell into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair.
"Shhh" he said kissing her hair "I've got you. You're safe now". They stood there for a while in each others arms before Tony said they better get to bed. Ziva fell asleep in his arms. After that, they began to spend almost every night together. One thing that Tony had always wondered was why she had decided to let him take care of her. Even though they were dating, Ziva was still very independent. She almost never let people see her when was she was hurt. He knew that she didn't like people to see her as weak. Not that he thought of her as weak, she was the strongest person he knew.
"Hey Zi?" He asked looking down at her. They were currently cuddling on the couch watching 'The Sound Of Music'
"Yes Tony?" She answered him looking up at him.
"What made you let me take care of you when you have nightmares? Not that I'm complaining, I love taking care of you. I'm just curious" he asked her
"I think.." Ziva said thinking "I think it's because you know I can take care of myself. You've seen me take care of myself. So when you want to protect me, it's not because you think I'm weak. It's because you love me. And I love you for that" Ziva explained and then froze, realizing what she just said.
"Ziva David, did you just say you love me?" Tony asked in mock shock
"I.. Er.. I" Ziva stuttered
"It's okay Ziva, I love you too" Tony told her. Ziva smiled at him and then turned her attention back to the movie. If Tony could, he would go back in time and stop all the terrible things that had happened to her. But he couldn't and he knew that they had all made her who she was today, the women he was so madly in love with. He focused his attention back on the movie, holding her close his chest. He knew they would be facing more demons but this time they'd be facing them together.