A/N: Some of you asked us to continue so we did. Thank you to all off you who have reviewed as a member or as guest!

Tony tried to keep his eyes open as well as blocking out the song, if you could call it that? that was coming from the figure on stage. He figured that it was not really appropriate to either stick his fingers in his ear or put some earplugs in. Beside he wanted to share this with Ziva, he just had no idea that it would be so boring. He figured it would be like a musical but with different type of songs. The fact that he did not like musicals should have been his first clue that going to the opera was not a smart idea.

To try and clear his head of the the screeching high pitch sound that was coming out of the mouth of the singer on the podium, his eyes started to wander to his immediate surroundings. Even though he had dressed up specifically, he was still one of the most underdressed people there. Most of the men were wearing tuxedo's or at least three piece suits. He was wearing an average suit and did not feel like wearing a tie. All the woman were wearing their finest dresses. The older lady next to him had so many sparkles that he was almost positive that she could be considered a light source.

Then his eyes landed on Ziva and he took in her appearance, she was stunning. She was wearing a sea blue dress, it wasn't anything special but it looked like it was made for her. It hugged her curves perfectly and made her face look radiant. She had opened the door for him when he came to pick her up and he was speechless. She always looked beautiful to him but he had not expected her to transform from kick ass special agent ninja to the absolutely breathtaking beautiful creature that was now sitting next to him.

Her eyes were wide with joy and awe at what was happening before her on stage. They had great seats they were sitting on the first row of the balcony and if you were paying attention (which Tony had given up on after seven minutes) you could follow everything that happened on stage without any problem. Ziva's facial expression changed as the tone of the song shifted from sad to even sadder and Tony found his view much more alluring than anything happening on stage.

"Stop staring and pay attention." Ziva spoke softly.

For a moment he considered replying but that would draw her attention away from the opera and he did not want that. It was after all her that he was here for her and not himself so he let go of a sigh and turned his head back towards the stage. The music changed again, urgency became more apparent in the music and suddenly Ziva grabbed his hand.

He looked from his hand back to Ziva and saw unshed tears in her eyes as she looked at the stage. When Tony looked back at the stage he saw no difference than when he looked 10 minutes ago before his attention started wandering to his partner. The only difference was that the man singing was currently on his knees instead of standing upright. He couldn't care less about what happened on the stage as he turned his hand so that he could interlace his fingers with Ziva's.

She still hadn't let go of his hand after 10 minutes and he decided that maybe going to the opera wasn't so bad after all. The feeling of her hand in his was enough to get through the time left. It couldn't take that long anymore right? He'd been sitting here for an hour already.

Tony could not have been more wrong with that thought. It took another hour before the curtains closed. He was about to get up and gather up all his belongings as he heard the elderly woman next to him speak.

"I can't wait for the second half, it was so beautiful." The elderly woman said to what Tony guessed was her husband.

Tony groaned inwardly having not expected a second half. "You want to get something to drink?" Tony asked Ziva who nodded gratefully. They stood up and let go of each others hand simultaneously. His hand felt cold the minute it left Ziva's and Tony realized he missed the feeling already.

Tony listened to Ziva as she spoke about everything that happened in the first half. He was quite surprised about how much had happened. The only things he got was that the guy who sang while on his knees was dead. What else had happened he had no clue.

The lights in the theater flickered and Tony looked around in confusion and with a flicker of hope. Maybe if the lights went out the rest of the performance would be cancelled. "It means the second half will start in 10 minutes." Ziva explained to him and Tony could not help but smile at the excitement that was evident in her eyes.

"I'm just gong to go to the ladies room." Ziva said softly as she took her last sip of champagne. "I'll meet you back in our seats?"

"Sure." Tony responded drinking the rest of his champagne, before making his way towards his seat. He smiled at the elderly woman as he sat down and checked his phone. Secretly hoping that Gibbs would have called with a new case. No such luck.

"I find it very sweet of you to bring your girlfriend to the opera even though you clearly don't enjoy it." The elderly woman commented as she prodded him in the side with her elbow.

Tony smiled softly at the woman realizing they must have really looked like a couple. "Anything for her. Just don't tell her I'm not enjoying it. I think I've managed to play it well so far"

"Awh young love." The woman responded and then quickly winked at him as she saw Ziva approach. "Your secret is safe with me."

"What secret?" Ziva asked as she sat down.

"Nothing." Tony answered quickly as he tried to charm his way out of this, with his best smile.

"Has he been bothering you ma'am?" Ziva asked to the elderly woman.

"No he only asked me to keep it a secret that he thought you look absolutely radiant tonight and that he felt like the luckiest man on the planet by being here with you." The woman said and Tony's eyes went wide. Not that what the woman said wasn't the truth, but he and Ziva weren't in a place he could say that kind of things to her. Maybe he should have told the woman Ziva wasn't his girlfriend but he had not seen the harm in it at the time.

Ziva looked from the woman to Tony and back. Tony could either do two things play along with the elderly woman or tell Ziva the truth that he was bored out of his mind. The first one might scare her off a little, the second one though would probably result in her saying they could leave and he would never have the possibility to take her to the opera again, as well as hurting her feelings.

"I figured you deserved to know." The elderly woman said as all the lights dimmed.

Tony looked back from the smiling elderly woman to Ziva. She was smiling softly at him and ducked her head slightly. "You should have told me yourself Tony." She said before turning her head back towards the stage where the curtains opened.

Tony smiled to himself and just before the woman walking towards the center of the stage could start singing he bent towards Ziva.

"You look absolutely radiant tonight Ziva, I'm the luckiest man on the planet for being able to be here with you." Tony murmured softly in her ear.

Ziva laughed airily at him and took a hold of his hand again as she shook her head. "Thank you." She whispered.

Tony looked at her, not sure if she was smiling because of the compliment or because of his antics. But he figured both were a good thing as he felt the warmth of her hand in his.

-TIVA-

Tony had survived the opera, he wasn't sure he would have if it hadn't been for Ziva sitting next to him. At least that way he could every so often look at her and her reaction to the story unfolding and he wasn't bored for a few minutes. They were now sitting on the steps in front of Ziva's apartment building. Not really talking about anything specify, both not ready for the night to end and so they kept the conversation flowing.

They had moved from the opera, to Abby's latest tattoo, to Ducky, to a movie and back to the opera again. They didn't usually talk like this but they were both a bit afraid that if they would run out of topics to discuss, the night would be over.

"Thank you." Ziva suddenly said out of nowhere.

"For what?" Tony asked his voice still full of happiness.

"For tonight." Ziva answered, Tony wanted to respond but Ziva stopped him placing her hand on his arm. "Let me finish. You made sure I could go to the opera, around thanksgiving. Even though you couldn't get tickets you made sure I could still go. In spirit at least. As I closed my eyes then I truly did believe for one moment that Tali was there with me." Ziva paused there, wanting to gather her thoughts for a moment.

"And now you bought me tickets and sat through the whole thing even though you were so extremely bored." Ziva said and Tony pulled a face somewhere in between confusion and an apology for him being so disinterested in the opera.

"I thought about going to the opera myself. You know after my father died, but I figured it would only bring up memories of him and Tali and not the good kind of memories. But now, with you..." Ziva said not knowing how to continue.

"Don't worry about it Ziva. I understand. It's what any good partner would do." Tony responded shrugging his shoulders. Trying to not make it a big deal, he did not handle big deals well.

"Is it though?" Ziva asked. "McGee would not take me to the opera and he's a good partner too. yes?"

"That's not the same thing." Tony tried to explain as he felt the a drop of water come from the sky and hit his hand.

"Why is it not Tony?" Ziva asked trying to make sense of what was happening between them.

"Because McGee is McGee, just like he's always been and we have the new us." Tony answered hoping it would be enough. He did not know what to tell her, he did not know how to explain what they were, right there in that moment.

"What does that mean the new us? I thought I knew, but I am not so sure anymore." Ziva asked as she looked up at him. Seeing the same confusion in his eyes reflecting back at her.

"I don't know Ziva, I just know that I like where we're going." Tony answered trying to find someway to make it all clear in his head. This time feeling two drops of water hitting his face and seeing one fall down on Ziva's cheek.

"But where are we going, what are we doing?" Ziva queried and once again Tony was at a loss for words. Not sure if he should push or pull back. Put all his cards on the table or just fold. Take a deep plunge into the unknown or crawl back within his own comfort zone. A flash of light filled the air and the sky rolled with thunder, the next thing he knew the rain was pouring down on him and he decided to just go for it.

"What are we doing?" He asked appearing more confident than he felt and stood up offering his hand. "Dance with me."

Ziva smiled at him, he saw the rain falling on her face and her perfectly applied eyeliner began to smudge around her eyes. He didn't care, she took his hand and started dancing. He began by swaying quickly side to side and Ziva soon joined in, Tony twirling and ducking her at every opportunity. Anyone who was looking at the pair right now, must have thought they were crazy. Slowly but steadily the music Tony imagined in his head slowed in speed and were filled with softer tones. Their more upbeat dance moves became small shuffling of the feet as he pulled her close. Her head now resting on his shoulder, her hand in his and her other hand resting above his steadily beating heart while his other arm was around her middle.

The perplexity and anxiety she had felt moments ago was gone. The need for answers of where they were heading were no longer present. She was just enjoying being here with him. No questions about why this felt so right, just seeking pleasure in being in his arms. No thoughts of what would happen if anyone found out. No worries that what they had, would blow up in their faces. They just were.

Ziva shivered slightly and noticed the rain was starting to seep through her thin jacket. She was torn between not wanting to catch a cold but also not wanting to let go. To face the world again. She lifted her head of his shoulder and looked up at him. He felt her move and looked down at her. She was grinning up at him and he couldn't help but grin back at her. He slowly bent down as he felt her shiver.

"Maybe you should go inside, you're shivering." Tony whispered but did not move.

Ziva looked up into his hazel eyes. Searching for what it was that he wanted. His eyes were warm and inviting and she wanted to drown in them. Just as she was about to make a take the first step, she caught the feeling that she had waited a second too long. A small flash of doubt and uncertainty flickered through his eyes and she lost her resolve.

"How about a cup of tea." Ziva asked as she took a step back and Tony's arm fell from around her middle.

Tony slapped himself mentally, why couldn't his mind just stop working. Why did he have to think about the repercussions? Why did he worry that Gibbs might not approve? Why did he not have his old 'rules are meant to be broken' mentality anymore? Why did Gibbs saying Rule 12 pop up in his mind, right at that very moment? "A cup of tea would be nice." Tony answered with a slightly forced smile.

A/N: Okay there is one more chapter and it will be up soon. Let us know what you think!