Disclaimer: Nope. Not Mine.
Three months. It had been three whole blissful months of his life with Ziva and now he couldn't believe he might not get more. Was he destined to always lose what he loved even if he did his damnedest to hold on? What had he done to deserve to lose the one thing he cared about the most the moment they were finally starting to gather some ground?
All because of who he was.
1 day ago
"Ziva, might I remind you that you were willing to have pizza every night." he yelled across his living room. "So, why is it so necessary to make our own food now?"
He felt her appear behind him and seductively slip her hands across his chest. "Because, my dear Tony, some of us are starting to wear more padding than usual." And patted his stomach.
Tony feigned horror. "Are you saying I'm fat?"
"No. I am saying you will be fat if you do not start eating a bit healthier" and kissed his cheek.
"Hey, I'm pretty confident that the two of us work off the extra calories just fine with our…extracurricular activities" he grinned.
She laughed and took the remote off his hand to shut the TV off. "Be that as it may, it is time to start looking after ourselves."
"But what about Joe? Maybe now he will think that something has happened to us. I mean, we order from him every weekend." he sulked and continued, "He lives on my weekly movie recommendations. Can't leave the man hanging, can I? Not everyone is as averse to movies as you are, my sexy bookworm." He smiled.
Ziva chuckled. "Tony I have nothing against movies. I am just not as obsessed as you are. I am sure Joe can live without you one weekend."
She stood up. "Besides, I am certain that my homemade chicken pasta will excite the taste buds a lot more than that pizza." And walked to the kitchen.
"You know what excites my taste buds?" Tony got off the couch, walking to Ziva, who was cutting the chicken and slipped his hands around her waist, breathing in her citrusy scent. "Kissing you."
He felt Ziva smile and tried to turn Ziva around to face him. "Tony. I have a knife." She giggled.
"I am well aware, you knife nut." And leaned in to whisper into her ear. "But you wouldn't stab me now that I'm about to rock your world, would you?"
Ziva put the knife down and slowly turned to him, placing her hands behind her on the counter. "Oh are you now? Quite confident of yourself, would you not say?"
"With reason." And leaned in to capture her lips in a not-so-gentle kiss. He pulled her closer and his tongue traced her lips, her mouth opening automatically. He lifted her on the counter, never once breaking contact. She pulled him closer by wrapping her legs behind him, hooking her arms behind his neck. She moved against him, making him moan. Electricity ran through him as she slipped her hands under his shirt, leaving scratch marks on his back. Tony smiled against her lips. Ziva had a particular…habit in bed and the one time he and McGee went to the gym together 2 weeks ago, the probie saw the marks on his back and Tony had to lie that he had gotten a cat.
Gibbs knew about them but they hadn't quite gotten around to telling McGee and Abby yet. Ziva had wanted to keep it private for the time being and he didn't particularly mind. Abby could get quite gossipy if she wanted to and they needed time to figure out exactly where they stood and whether this would actually work. But lately, he had been feeling like bringing up the subject of publicly telling everyone about them again with her. She seemed happier than she had had for months, years even, and she had spent almost every night at his place, making him feel all warm and fuzzy with her shuffling around his apartment so domestically.
Tony leaned his head against hers and nuzzled her nose. "Mm, vanilla and lemon."
"That sounds like dessert." She grinned and extracted herself from his limbs.
"Zeeevah, where are you going?" Tony complained.
Ziva went back to cutting the chicken and replied, "Tony, I am hungry. For actual food. And I could hear your stomach growl, so how about you go rent us a DVD while I cook dinner?"
Tony huffed. "Fine. Honestly, the things I do for you woman." And started going towards the door.
"But the dessert better be mind-blowing." He winked at her.
"When is it not" Ziva smirked.
Tony barked a laugh. "Very good point."
Tony got back about an hour ago, a delicious aroma coming from his apartment. "Mm, this smells divine."
Ziva smiled. "What on earth took you so long? The rental place is like 15 minutes away."
Tony went to get the plates out. "Oh" he shrugged. "Didn't realize it took that long. Me and Sam got into an argument over the best thrillers."
"Do you get into a long conversation about movies with every customer service person?" Ziva laughed, while pouring wine into the glasses.
"Hey, movies are great conversation openers." He defensively replied. "Do you know how awkward it is to just stand there, making small-talk about the weather?"
"No. I just buy my things and leave. Quietly." Ziva smirked.
"Okay well, not everyone is as allergic to social interaction as you are, shinobi." He went to grab her by the waist. "Movies just allow for a more natural conversation to ensue." He kissed her lightly. "Plus it gives me discounts at some places cause I'm known as the 'movie dude.'" He grinned.
"Well, I cannot argue with that." She chuckled.
"You know, you should try it. I've made lots of new friends that way." He suggested.
"No, I think I am good, Tony." And put her arms around his neck. "I already have the one best friend I need the most" kissing his nose.
Tony's heart swelled and he whispered, "Really?"
Ziva smiled. "Really." Pressing a gentle kiss on his lips, she left his arms to turn the stove off. "I mean, Abby is simply terrific. She is the epitome of a great friend." She grinned.
Tony frowned. "Heeey!"
Ziva laughed. "What?"
"I'm not your best friend?" Tony scowled.
"You are my boyfriend, Tony." She casually stated.
Tony's heart skipped a beat. They hadn't called themselves that yet. He knew they both knew that's what they were, but they hadn't actually uttered those words out loud.
Ziva noticed his silence. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Tony quickly went to reassure her. "No-no. I just…I've never actually heard you refer me as that."
"Well that is what we are, are we not? Boyfriend and girlfriend?" Ziva hesitantly asked.
"Yes, of course!" Tony went to grab her hands. "It's just nice to hear, that's all." He smiled.
Ziva took a breath. "You know, I have been thinking."
"Uh oh. That doesn't sound good." He laughed.
Ziva punched his shoulder. "Tony, I am serious. I have been thinking that um maybe we should officially tell everyone about us and you know um, come out as a full-fledged couple." She nervously stammered.
"I couldn't agree more." He simply stated.
"Really? You think so?" her eyes softened.
"Yeah, of course. I mean, I'm pretty sure everyone knows already, but I think it would mean a lot to them if we went and told them in person, instead of just simply assuming their knowledge about us. Even though, I don't think we've been doing as good a job hiding it as we think. According to Gibbs, we can be quite obvious." He said contemplatively.
"Oh. Well. Maybe we should host a dinner next Friday. That way everyone would be together in one place and it could be just like one big announcement." Ziva suggested.
"Yeah okay. Sounds good." He pulled Ziva closer to him and smirked. "Seems like we are getting quite serious."
Ziva snorted and rolled her eyes. "It has been 8 years, Tony. It is about time, I would say."
Tony laughed. "Quite right, sweetcheeks, quite right." He sighed. "Now how about that dinner?"
"Patience, Tony. It will be done in a minute." She walked over to the pot.
"I'm just craving for dessert already." He grinned.
"Tony." She warned but failed to keep her face serious.
"What? It's not my fault you're so damn addictive." He sat down on the chair.
"Well, unfortunately for you, you are going to face some withdrawal symptoms tonight, because I am not staying over."
Tony's head shot up. "What? Why not?"
Ziva huffed. "I told you last week. My landlord decided to do an inspection of the apartments, so I have to go there to be present."
"Oh right." Tony slumped in his chair. "I think my brain just decided to ignore that."
"Well, nevertheless, it is happening. Besides, you will see me first thing in the morning." She said and carried the pasta to the table.
"I know, but it is too long." He moaned.
"Tony. It is like 7 hours away. I am sure you can manage without me until then." She strongly maintained.
"If you say so. But you better make it up to me tomorrow." Tony let out a sigh.
Ziva stuck her tongue out and quirked her eyebrow. "You have no idea what I have in store for you."
Tony let out a strangled noise and started grinning. "Seriously Zi, how much dirtier can it get?"
Ziva's lips curved up in amusement and started shaking her head. "Oh Tony."
Yep. It's official. That woman was going to be the end of him.
So, some fluff for you until things go a bit awry.
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