A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed and to those who alerted this story. There were quite a few, I love that. Thanks!

This chapter is kind of... I don't know, it's just a transisting one, but I needed it here. so... Hope you like it anyways and review :)


Chapter Two: Leave a light on for me

He blinks. The room is lit in a bright light. Now he realizes it's the sun. Another blink. Now he remembers why he's in the living room. He stirs. Ziva isn't there anymore. Gone. A weird sensation spreads in his stomach. Did she just go without waking him? But then he can hear water running. She's in the shower. He sighs relieved. He doesn't know why he worries so much about her, seemingly unable to let her out of his sight. Tony yawns and stretches. A few more moments are passing then Ziva appears again. Her hair is still wet but she has changed clothes.

"Morning," she says.
"Good morning, Ziva." Tony smiles at her.
"I hope, it's okay that I showered here, I just figured I wouldn't have time to go home before work."
"Mi casa es su casa."
"And," she hesitates, apparently searching for the right words, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stay over tonight."
"No Problem, no problem at all. You can stay here anytime you want. You know whenever you're bored or… whatever. I'm here, Ziva."
He looks into her eyes that still don't give anything away.
Ziva gives him a small smile.
"You should hurry. I think we're running late for work. You know, the early bird catches the worm."
Tony laughs, earning him a withering stare from Ziva.
"Don't tell me that wasn't right."
"It was right. That's why I'm laughing. Never thought I'd see the day that Ziva David gets an American idiom right."

Ziva gives him a head slap but Tony doesn't complain. He's glad that Ziva shows signs of violence again. He has missed it. All he has to do now is to be careful that there are no paperclips available for her to kill him…


Later that day at work, Tony is cranking his neck. It gives him hell and Tony can see now that it was a really bad idea sleeping on the couch. He can feel McGee's eyes on him.

"What's up, McGoggle?"
"Nothing. Just wondering what you've done to your neck. That's all."
"Ah… I just fell asleep at the couch watching a movie. Wasn't quite as comfortable as I thought."
He casts a glance at Ziva who gives him a small apologetic smile and shrugs.
"Too bad," McGee says, "But since when do you fall asleep during a movie? Isn't that one of your rules?"
"Rule number four to be exact. Don't ever fall asleep watching a movie, no matter how bad it is. Well, I don't know. It was a long day yesterday and I was just really comfy there."
"Don't get too comfy here, DiNozzo," Gibbs' voice comes from the stairs. "Dead sailor in Quantico. Grab your gear."

While Tony is taking pictures at the scene, he can feel that Ziva seems to watch him. He looks at her and as he's sure that no one is within earshot, he asks.
"What's up?"
"I was just wondering why you haven't told Tim that I was there with you tonight."
"I don't know," Tony weighs his words. "I wasn't sure whether you wanted him to know."
"Know what, Tony? We watched a movie, we fell asleep. What's wrong with that?"
"Nothing, Zee-vah. I was just thinking that you…"

"Don't think too hard, it brings lines on your forehead, DiNozzo. You're done here?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Okay, then. Let's go."


The rest of the day goes by smoothly in the usual work routine. At ten o'clock Gibbs tells them to call it a night and Tony is relieved that he would finally get some healthy sleep tonight. As he arrives at his apartment, he strips off his clothes, takes a shower, then goes to the kitchen in order to get a beer, only wearing his boxer shorts.
"Are you always walking around naked at home?"
Tony almost lets out a scream but can hold it back just in time. As his heart rate goes back to normal, he answers.
"Whenever I'm alone, yes, Ziva. And in case you didn't notice, I'm not completely naked," he pauses for a second then continues. "How did you get in here? I mean, you were breaking the lock, I guess but… why are you here?"
"I brought pizza," Ziva points to the table. "Thought you'd like one. Well, you always do. I just wanted to say thanks for yesterday night."
"You didn't have to do that. Like I said this morning, anytime. It's not like you're disturbing anything."
He gives her a smile.
"But as long as you're here… Fancy another movie?"
Ziva just nods.
"Okay then. Let me… uh… get dressed and you can pick a movie then?"
"Okay."

Half an hour later, Tony was sitting on his couch watching Snatch. He hadn't taken Ziva for a Brad Pitt kind of girl but then again, Ziva's always unpredictable. He feels sleepy already. It has indeed been a long day and the pizza has done the rest. He can feel Ziva's eyes on him.
"Rule number four," she says.
"If you have a secret, the best thing is to keep it to yourself. The second-best is to tell one other person if you must. There is no third best," Tony cites. "But I don't get it. What has it got to do with Brad Pitt?" He asks confused.
Ziva lets out a laugh.
"Not Gibbs' rules. Yours. Remember? Don't ever fall asleep watching a movie, no matter how bad it is."
Tony smiles.
"Oh," he just says, stifling a yawn. "I'm sorry. I'm just tired. But I'll try to stay awake."
"You don't have to. You know, I can go, if you want me to."
Tony looks up. Though her face is composed and she's even smiling a little, her eyes give her away. Their eyes meet for a short moment and Tony can see the same pleading expression in them, he has seen before.
"No, I'm not that tired," he lies, "Let's watch Mr. Eye-Candy there."
"Okay."


"Tony, wake up."
He can feel someone nudging him. He opens his eyes and Ziva comes into view, looking at him.
"Go to bed, Tony. I don't want to hear you complain about your neck tomorrow."
"Hmm," Tony says, stretching. As he is about to get up, he asks.
"You want to stay here? I mean, it's late and your apartment is pretty far away."
"If you don't mind," her smile flashes once again.
"No, not at all. But you take the bed, I'll sleep here on the couch."
"You sure?"
"Yes, positive."
Ziva gets up, hesitates a moment then bends down to kiss him on the cheek.
"Thanks, Tony for letting me stay," she simply says but Tony is sure that she's implying something. I don't want to be alone. Maybe only subconsciously, but it is there.
"Night, Ziva."
"Good night, Tony."