This chapter took a totally different direction than I originally intended. I thought it was important to know the thoughts Tony and Ziva were having after their admission of love. In the next few chapters, I will be throwing them back into their daily routines to see how they adjust! Thanks for the reviews, follows and favorites! Enjoy!
Ziva woke with a start in the middle of the night. Something had startled her, and she felt as though she didn't know where she was. The weight of Tonys arm around her brought her back to reality. She was now lying with her back to him, his face nestled close to the back of her neck. She glanced at the clock. 3:30 am. She would need to wake up in less than 3 hours. It dawned on her that this was the best sleep she had gotten since her fathers death. She knew Tony was responsible for that. Altough she is not the fearful kind, she has been constantly looking over her shoulder, feeling like someone was watching her for months. Sleeping beside Tony, she was able to breath easy, and sleep deeply. She carefully removed Tony's arm from around her and turned to face him. He looked so youthful in his sleep and Ziva's was happy to have this moment to watch him without being caught doing so.
She stared at his perfect face and started thinking about the relationship they had shared over the years. She thought about Paris, how they had shared a bed,each telling the team that they took the couch. She smiled when she remembered the photo he said was his favorite. The undercover mission that allowed them to play house for a few days and gave them an excuse to touch each other in ways otherwise forbidden. Tony, rescuing her from Somalia. He said he couldn't live without her. The situation with Ari. The way he had her back, even when she was in the wrong. The nights spent watching movies together at her apartment, so long ago. She wondered why they allowed the job and circumstances to drive them apart. They could've been happy together long ago if either of them had been less stubborn. Somehow, though, Ziva knew the timing wouldn't have been right, and their friendship would probably be ruined now if they had tried before. Now, they knew each other so well. They were comfortable and confident in their friendship. This made her think of something else her father had told her a few years after he and her mother had split up. That the deepest, purest love is rooted in friendship. Staring at Tony and watching his chest rise and fall with each breath, she knew exactly what her father meant. She had truly fallen in love with her best friend.
Ziva smiled brightly to herself at the realization, and let out a small giggle. This was so unlike her. She kissed Tony's forehead and decided to go back to sleep. Tony roused slightly at the touch and opened his eyes. He gave a brief smile, kissed her lips quickly, and pulled her close. Within minutes, Ziva was again sleep restfully.
Tony had purposely set the alarm for half an hour before they actually needed to get up. He wanted to spend some time with Ziva without thoughts of their assignment and what was to come next. Even if it was just a few minutes, he wanted to relish in each one. It had been years since he had an impending event that made him excited to get up. Like a child who knew he was going to Disney world when he woke. Like a kid on Christmas morning, he thought. That's what Ziva was to him. Christmas morning. A better gift than he would've ever thought to ask all along, placed in his life with great purpose. He was excited, nervous and scared that this new, enlightened Ziva would wake up and come to her senses and tell him this was a mistake. That they were crazy. That Gibbs would never allow it. But he didn't want to think of Gibbs and his reaction just now. He wanted to think of Ziva. Tony broke out of his thoughts to silence the alarm once he was sure it had awakened her.
She stirred, waking up easily and opened her eyes to see her partner looking fully alert, eyes trained on her decidedly. Like he had just had an epiphany. "Good morning, Z." Tony said with a grin. "Good morning, VERY special agent DiNozzo." Ziva winked. The feeling was so strange in the room. No longer tension, of the unknown status of their relationship. Not awkward, they were well past that with as long as they'd known each other. It was something neither could put their finger on. Contentment. They hadn't felt it in so long. Tony sat up and patted the space beside him, asking her to do the same. She did so, and pulled Tony into a tight embrace. He kissed her neck and hugged her back. Ziva pulled back first, hungry for his kiss. She wondered idly of she would ever get used to it, or if she would always have the desire, now that she had a taste of the real thing.
The events of the previous night should've prepared them both for what was about to take place, but sparks are unpredictable, flames so often out of control. So when their lips met, neither was ready for the intensity they felt. Tony lifted Ziva onto his lap and continued to kiss her with fervour. Ziva broke away from his lips and began her assault on Tony's neck. Once she tasted the salty flesh, she couldn't stop. She kissed his shoulders, leaned down to trail kisses along his chest. She felt his hand moving down her back, in her hair, the other moving up and down her thigh. She could feel him beneath her, and it was almost more than she could take. She stopped suddenly, remembering their decision to keep this under control until they got home and sorted it all out. "Oops!" Ziva laughed. Tony was grateful for her newfound lightness and that she had stopped when she did. Although he wanted her to continue forever, now was not the time nor the place. Ziva did not move, but remained on his lap, and nuzzled her head onto his shoulder. She felt his arms go around her. They both planned to stay in this position until they absolutely had to move.
They both knew that soon there would have to be a discussion about all of this. About the effect it may have on their jobs. On their boss specifically. But right now it was just the two of them. And for this moment, it was all that mattered.
