A/N Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up. I started college last week, and I have been writing when I can. My very first reviewer, left my heart in Paris, gave me inspiration to write in Ziva's POV. Thanks for reading. Your feedback is appreciated.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I did, I do not own NCIS.

Ziva's POV

I have been touched by many men. I have been kissed on the cheek by Eli, my father who left me to die. I have been in playful wrestling matches with Ari, the brother who broke all of his promises. I have been intimately explored by Rivkin, the man who betrayed my trust and broke my heart, and I have been tortured and violated at the hands of Salim, whose face still haunts my dreams. Out of all of those touches, none of them even came close to the way I felt when Tony pulled me into his arms.

Unlike the other men in my life, Tony has never betrayed or violated me. He has always kept his promises, and he saved me when I was so close to death. In the moment I was wrapped in Tony's embrace, I could see happiness shining through the layer of depression that has been surrounding my mind since my return.

I thought about the way I always trusted my father and brother, and how I let Rivkin have my heart so easily. These men never gave me any reason in the world to let them in, yet I trusted them completely.

I could not believe that I did not let Tony in after all these years. He has proven time after time that he is worthy of my trust, yet I kept pushing him away. It could be that Tony is an egocentric, movie-obsessed, overly talkative, player. I realized that the traits I was describing was exactly the way I remember Tony from my early days at NCIS. Ever since my return, I have sensed a different Tony. He was kind, gentle, caring, and sensitive. Instead of quoting movie lines, Tony was beginning to act like the romantic male lead.

I am not sure what caused this sudden change in Tony. I was not about to be one of those women that over-analyze every action a man makes. I knew that just because Tony was at my house on a Friday night, did not mean it was a date, and it certainly did NOT mean that he loved me.

I took a second to glance at Tony after we broke apart. All traces of the usual arrogance and humor in his green eyes were gone. I saw something there that I did not recognize.

I knew that the unfamiliar look in his eyes was not directed at me. Why would the beautiful Tony Dinozzo look at my scarred body with such affection and love? I felt dumb when I realized that Dinozzo obviously had a new girlfriend. That must have been the call he ignored earlier. How could I have been so stupid as to think Tony would actually care for me? I did not deserve the old Tony, much less the person he has become.

He is my partner. That's why he's been taking such good care of me. He just did not want to be stuck with Mcgee forever.

As this realization dawned on me, I stiffened in Tony's arms.

"Are you okay, Ziva?"

"Yes, Tony. I am fine. I think it is time that you leave."

"Are you sure you don't want me to stay, Ziva? I really don't mind."

I knew Tony was just being nice, and what he really wanted was to meet up with his new girlfriend. Instead of making him feel bad I said, "No, Tony. It is getting late, and I really should hit the bay."

Tony laughed as he stood up from the couch. "Hay, Ziva. And if you need anything, I'm only just a phone call away."

"Thank you, Tony. You really are the best partner a girl could ask for."

As Tony headed out the door, I saw his shoulders slump. I hated to make him leave, but I knew he probably had better things to do.

Tony's POV

I thought things were going great with Ziva. I thought I managed to convey all of my love to her through my hug.

When Ziva stiffened, I saw that something had changed in her eyes. I didn't want to overstay my welcome, so I obliged when she asked me to leave. I was content with the night's progress until Ziva spoke her parting words.

When she told me I was a great partner, my heart sank. Of course I was Ziva's partner, but I wanted to be so much more.

Work was slow on Monday. The Boss was in MTAC, Probie was playing World of Warcraft, and Ziva was typing swiftly on her computer. I tried not to stare at the brown-eyed beauty across from me, but not even my GSM magazine could keep me distracted.

"Dinozzo!" I flung my legs off my desk and sat up straight at the sound of the boss's voice.

"Yes Boss!"

"Go home. All of you look like hell, and I need you well rested for tomorrow."

The members of Team Gibbs looked at each other skeptically. The Boss rarely sent us home early, but we quickly recovered from our shock and began gathering our belongings.

Once again, Mcgee was the first one to the elevator. I snorted and turned to Ziva, "Looks like McSwifty has another date tonight."

Ziva smiled and my breath caught in my throat. I decided to take the opportunity to do something I have never really done before: ask a woman on a second date.

Of course, there really wasn't a first date, and this wasn't just any woman. I realized that getting Ziva to return my love was going to take a lot of work. I wasn't used to having to put effort into women because I usually let my charming smile and Little Dinozzo do the talking for me.

I knew that Ziva was worth all of this effort and patience. I swallowed past the lump in my throat and ignored the butterflies in my stomach. I smiled at Ziva and said, "Ziva, would you like to come over to my apartment to watch a movie?"

I closed my eyes waiting to hear her turn me down. I got lucky on Friday night when she conceded to spend time with me, and I wasn't counting on it happening twice. She surprised me when she said, "Yes, Tony, I would like that very much."

Ziva's POV

I had no idea what Tony was doing. My Mossad Assassin side was telling me to guard my heart and be wary. However, somewhere deep down my feminine side was screaming at me to give Tony a chance. Maybe it was due to lack of sleep or too much stress, but I told Tony that I would go to his apartment.

As much as I hated to admit this, I was attracted to this new Tony. I do not know what sparked this sudden change in his behavior, and I certainly was not sure if he was attracted to me. One thing I did know for certain was that Tony was becoming a man.

Thanks for reading! I hope to get in another chapter that was inspired by a reviewer. I can't wait to hear your opinions! Thank you!