Chapter Two; Apologies

It seemed like a long drive home. The snow seemed to be picking up, making Ziva's driving even more dangerous to those on the road. Also coming into factor that Ziva was pissed at her earlier actions. I acted so irrationally! Why the hell do I care if Tony still reads those magazines? Suddenly, she slammed on the brakes and got out of the car. Frankly, she didn't care that she left her car running and unlocked in the middle of the road. Or the fact that cars were beeping their horns at her. She wanted to know why an Anthony DiNozzo was sitting on her doorstep with a bunch of flowers.

"Tony?" He looked up, startled by her arrival. "What are you doing here? I thought you were going out with…Samantha?" Ziva quietly said.

"Yeah, I kinda bailed on that idea," he chuckled, tousling his hair with a sheepish look in his gorgeous face. "Felt that too many things were left unsaid."

"Look before you start I just," she started before pausing.

"I'm sorry." They both said in unison. With another smirk on his face and a puzzled one on hers she had to say something.

"Okay, we know why I'm sorry. You didn't do anything wrong."

"I should have thrown that magazine out in 2003, rather than piss you and Gibbs off."

"Gibbs? Why was he pissed?"

"He doesn't like head-slapping you. I swear that in thirty years time, I'm gonna get amnesia because of him! But you, no no! He hates hitting you." Ziva laughed at his dramatics. He looked up and snickered.

"Oh yeah, these are for you," Tony said, getting up off the ground, picking up the flowers and standing up in front of her without taking his green eyes out of hers. As the flowers changed owners, Tony's hand gently brushed against hers. Ridiculously enough, she struggled to catch her breath as his touch and famous DiNozzo smirk played their cards again.

"They're called paper whites ziva. (i.e. it is an actual flower) Thought it was cute. I mean, um, urgh, I don't know," he adorably mumbled.

"Thanks...Tony. Do... do you want to come in for some coffee?"

"No, I'm fine thanks. I think I gotta switch to decaf. I'm like a hypo dog, twitching like all the time, might be fleas," scratching his ear as he spoke. She looked at him up and down, smiling and chuckling. You gotta love Anthony DiNozzo. Wait! What did I just say?! Oh no.....

Sensing her confusion and uncertainty, he crooked his head (in that cute adorable puppy kind of way) and smirked.

"Anything you wanna say sweet cheeks?" Her eyes glistened as it had been years since he had called her that, in a nice tone that is. With a playful and slightly sultry smile, "Nothing, my little hairy butt." She pinched his cheeks and unlocked her apartment.

Tony, who was shaken and slightly agitated, "We really gotta find a better nickname for me."

She placed her things on the counter and turned around to Tony, who was supporting his smokin' body on the doorframe. He looked very seductive, whether intending to or not, and it made Ziva obliviously lose her breath, also sending goose bumps over her body. He smiled at how he made her so uncomfortable.

In an attempt to break the moment, Ziva turned around, and took off her green coat. Tony, who was disappointed she had turned away, said a quick goodbye and left. Ziva peered out at him through her window, noticing him walking. Did he walk the whole way here? Her eyes watched him walk, and then zeroed in on his gorgeous ass. She smiled as she played with a strand of her hair before shutting the blinds and walking away.

Within five minutes, there was a rather loud knock at the door. Ziva opened it to find a panting Tony, gasping for air. He lifted his hand, before trying to breathe slower. Ziva was rather alarmed.

"Do you wanna go for a walk?" he finally stumbled out. She rolled her eyes and led him inside. She practically skipped over to the sofa where she had left her coat. Tony sneaked up behind her and whispered in her ear, "Allow me."

Again, goosebumps went rocketing around her body. His arms brushed around her tiny waist and stole the coat from her hands. He eased her coat up her arms and around her small body. He tousled her hair, making it all messy, which sent her heart crazy. She slapped his hand away, and poked out her tongue, before trying to calm her hair. He laughed at how she suddenly cared about the way she looked. She always looks beautiful to me. Wait...what?!?

Ziva swung the door behind them and made sure it was locked. Tony slid down the stair-rail on his butt. He lost his balance around halfway down and fell off.

"I think I'm getting a bit old for that," he said, while perfecting his hair.

"I would have to agree," she laughed while pulling him up by his arms, noticing how muscly his biceps had become. Tony was now standing but Ziva hadn't let go of his arms. With a really puzzled look on his face, "You like my guns or something David?"

Realising what she was doing, she instantly dropped her hands and started walking.

Tony laughed as he caught up to her and they started talking, strolling down the street, with not a care in the world.