Once again, thanks for the reviews and for reading! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside that people are taking the time to read this, so thanks:)


Five movies later, and Tony and Ziva lazily bring themselves to their feet and start to walk towards Tony's bed, holding onto each other for support as they did. After he was sure Ziva was asleep, curled up wearing a faded shirt of Tony's that he can't ever remember buying, he gets out of bed, walking into the living room and sitting by the window.

What was he doing? Here was a girl, a great girl, who he not only liked, but loved. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her; to sit with her on rainy days like the one they'd just had, sitting outside watching the stars, cuddling for hours, knowing that they'd be together forever. Tony couldn't believe what he was thinking. This was him, Tony DiNozzo, imagining marriage and children with a real actual woman and he wanted nothing more than for it to happen. But the idea terrified him; he'd screwed up relationships before, burning his bridges forever, and he could never do that to Ziva. Their friendship was far too important to be thrown away. Staring out at the rain, realising that whatever happened they'd be living together for a while yet, Tony made the decision to keep his feelings hidden until he could tell if they were reciprocated.

He hoped to god that they were.


The next morning, both of them rose early, and were happy to see that the rain, at least for the moment, had subsided. However, the weatherman, the same one from two nights earlier, told the camera that more rain was expected, and to enjoy the next few hours while they could.

"I really need to buy some clothes today, Tony." Ziva said as they sat down to breakfast, "I cannot spend another day in your boxers and shirts, and i doubt very much that when we go back to work Gibbs will be very impressed with my attire."

"I think you look cute, like a teenager after a one-night stand," Tony smirked, at his partner, who suited his clothes more than he ever could. Ziva punched him lightly on the shoulder. "But you're right, we should go shopping while the rain's stopped."

"Do you have anything I can wear to go there?"

"Well, uh, this is a little awkward, but I have something that will work. I'll be right back." Tony said, exiting the kitchen backwards and walking into the door frame as he did.


Great. How was Tony going to explain that he'd kept the dress that Ziva had worn on their first undercover assignment? It had never seemed stupid to keep it before, he liked the idea of a memento to remind him of those few days. As he took the dress of its hanger, felt the silk between his fingers, he flashed back to that first night in the hotel.

Tony had never been more nervous about anything in his life. He had only just met this woman, and to be frank, she terrified him. Her wild eyes, her even wilder hair, and the sheer amount of weaponry that she kept secreted on her person. How was he going to survive pretending to be married to her?

"There's only one thing I'm interested in right now."

There was no backing out now, Tony though to himself. There could already be bugs set up recording the 'Ranier's', not to mention Gibbs and Jenny wanting to know their every move. Closer and closer, they inched together, both apprehensive of the other's movements. All of a sudden, their lips came crashing together. As soon as they started kissing, Tony forgot completley about the mission, their partnership and Gibbs, and kissed her with more passion as he had anyone else before. As Ziva undid the belt of the dress and let it fall around her legs, Tony tried not to gasp as he took in her beautiful figure, forever hidden beneath layers of combats and shirts.


Tony shivered at the memory; how gorgeous Ziva had been, in the dress and underneath it.

"Is that.. what I think it is?" Ziva interjected, entering Tony's bedroom and crossing over to the dresser.

"Call me sentimental, but I wanted to keep something from the first time.."

"Yes?" Ziva seemed to Tony to look almost hopeful.

"The first time I saw you naked, heh heh." Wow, Tony had blew it now. Ziva slapped him round the back of the head, and took the dress from his hands and exited into the bathroom.


Exiting his apartment building and walking out onto the street was the first time Tony appreciated just how much the rain had fallen. The road was flooded up to his ankles, and his jeans were already soaking wet. As he and Ziva started to walk down the street, he heard a clap of thunder above him.

"Oh crap. RUN!" he said to Ziva, grabbing her hand as he took off speedily down the road as the rain started to fall yet again.

Arriving at the store a few minutes later dripping in water, Tony and Ziva spluttered with childish laughter as they pushed open the door.

"Ah, Mr DiNozzo. A pleasure to see you again. Will you be needing any assistance today?" A tall, blonde, stick thin woman wearing a name badge that read "Carly" greeted Tony as he entered, flashing him a seductive smile. Tony recalled a time in this store when he had asked her out, only to be rebuffed. Clearly, she had changed her mind. So had Tony.

"Uh, hey Carly. I'm actually here to get some clothes for my.. friend, Ziva." Tony signalled to Ziva, who looked irritated next to him. "She's gonna need a whole new wardrobe."

"Well, I know what I want, just some shirts and pants for work until I can get home again." Ziva interjected, and started moving towards the left of the store where the casual clothes were. Tony grabbed her arm.

"Hey, everything's on me, and seeing as it's on me, I want to pick out some clothes for you too. You look great in skirts, so lets get some."

"Well, they are not very practical Tony.." Ziva responded, seeming not to notice the daggers that Carly was staring at her as they walked to the back of the store.


An hour later, Tony was sat on a seat opposite the changing rooms while Ziva tried on shirt after shirt. "Come on, Ziva. Just try on one skirt, for me?" Tony pleaded, hearing a sigh from the other side of the changing room.

"Alright, alright. If it will make you shut up I will try on one. But that is it."

Tony smiled to himself. Today had been a lot of fun for him, considering how much he normally hated shopping with women on his dime.

A few minutes later, Ziva exited the changing room wearing a burgundy button down shirt and a black pencil skirt that finished just above the knee. She looked awkward and nervous as she stood in front of Tony, looking past him at the mirror. "I am not sure if it suits me.."

Tony was speechless. Ziva looked absolutely beautiful and she couldn't even see it. "Flurf.." Tony said out loud, trying to form a sentence. "You look gorgeous, Ziva. I mean, just look at you! You should wear skirts more often! Seriously hot!"

Ziva hit him around the back of the head, but Tony could see her smiling at the compliments. "Thank you. But I really cannot ask you to pay for all of this for me. You have been too generous already."

"Don't be stupid," Tony gazed down at her, "There's no-one I'd rather spend it on."