Hello everyone!

Back in town after five amazing days spend in France! I have rereaded the first three chapters and found lots and lots of grammatical and spelling mistakes, my apologies. I will do my very best, but feel free to let me know if there are huge mistakes regarding grammar! Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters!

Chapter 4:

A couple of days had past since Tony went to see Ziva. He hoped to hear something from her but never even received a single text message. Tony decided to be the one to take the first step. After eating his breakfast he picked up his phone and dialed Ziva's number. After the second ring Tony heard her familiar voice on the other end of the line.

"Ziva David."

"Hey Zeevaaah it's me!" Tony singsonged. "I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come over later and watch a movie? I could even make us dinner."

Ziva was surprised when her phone rang and saw it was Tony who was calling her. It's been a while since she last spoke to him. During the past few days Ziva had a lot of time to think about the situation between to two of them, because of the lack of sleep. The nightmares kept her up most nights and she slowly started to feel sleep deprived. When Tony invited her over Ziva was tempted to decline his offer but she knew she needed someone to be there for her. If she eventually wanted a good night sleep. Before resigning and Gibbs leaving Ziva would sometime go over to Gibbs his place and sleep there. Nobody, except Gibbs of course, knew this. The sleepovers started shortly after coming back from Somalia, when the nightmares were very present. The knowledge that there was someone who she trusted while sleeping made the nightmares less severe most of the time. Even when she experienced a bad dream Gibbs was there to wake her up and calm her down. Ziva didn't like the fact that she was being weak in the presence of someone else. But Gibbs always reassured her that it is okay to be afraid and needing a shoulder to cry on from time to time. So after a short period of time she answered Tony:

"I would like that Tony, but you do not have to cook for me. We can just order take-out."

"Oh Zi, that's not a problem. I can make us some pasta, if you like?" Tony answered her.

"Okay that sounds nice, thank you!" Ziva said.

"Super, you can come over at 4pm if you want to. We can maybe watch a movie before dinner." Tony's answered, his enthusiasm clearly audible in his voice.

"I would like that, see you later and thank you Tony!"

"No problem at all Ziva, see you soon! Bye!" Tony responded.

After hanging up the phone Ziva was lost in her own thoughts. She would like to tell Tony about her nightmares, Somalia, losing her father etc... But she was too afraid. It was not easy at all to talk about it. Ziva couldn't even find the words to describe what she experienced in Somalia. Just the thought of what she's been through makes her feel sick to her stomach. But she also knew that if she wanted to build a relationship with Tony she would have to talk to him about all of it someday. She decided to just see how things work out tonight, a good night sleep was her first priority. It's been a long time since Ziva felt so weak physically, the last three days she only slept seven hours. Fatigue was taking a toll on her body, she felt like she could cry at any moment. Ziva decided to take a run, do some grocery shopping, hoping that time would fly by…

Tony was surprised that Ziva had agreed to watching a movie and eating dinner together. But he was also worried, she sounded off. He was determined to find out what was going on with her, even if that meant crossing some boundaries.

- 4pm -

At exactly 4pm Tony heard a knock on his door, on time like always that's my ninja, Tony thought.

"Hey Ziva, come on in!" Tony said his voice filled with joy, he was very happy to see her. But when he saw her standing there, in front of his door, he only saw a shadow of the "normal Ziva". She looked so tired and small. In an instant Tony's happiness was transformed into worry.

"You're okay Zi? Come in." He asked, not sure if he should ask her that question.

Ziva wanted to be honest with Tony, so she went for the first thing that came to her mind.

"I am very tired, I am not able to sleep." She said sounding defeated, her eyes starting to fill with tears.

Tony first instinct was to embrace her in a strong hug, but he knew Ziva would not appreciate his pity. "Can I do something? Do you want to talk about it Zi? He asked, his voice sounding unsure.

"I do not know Tony, I just need some sleep… Can we simply watch a movie?" Ziva asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yea of course! Make yourself at home, I will take us some sodas and make popcorn. Okay?"

"Thank you Tony." Ziva said, while taking a place on his sofa.

"Here you go." Tony said handing her a soda. "What do you want to watch, something light, maybe a comedy?"

"Everything is fine by me, you choose. I trust you!" Ziva answered, a small smile appearing on her face.

"Okay... Ooh I found the perfect one 'Mrs. Doubfire', one comedy movie coming up my lady!" Tony said trying to make her feel comfortable.

"Never heard about it, but sounds good to me!"

After putting the DVD into the player Tony took a seat on the sofa. Only after five minutes Ziva came closer to Tony and put her head on his shoulder, just like she did the last time they watched a movie together. But this time Tony wanted to know what was going on in her head, so he pressed stop and faced her.

"Ziva… what's going on? Why can't you sleep? You look so tired. Are you still mad at me?" Tony rambled.

For the first time that evening Ziva looked Tony in the eyes, all her walls down. All the emotions she felt inside were visible on her face. Tony had never before seen so many different expressions and emotions on her face. There were times, like in Berlin and even in Paris, when he was able to see Ziva with her walls partially down but never like this. He could see pain, regret, desperateness, but also a little bit of hope.

"I just… Do you remember that night when I stayed here after my father died?" She asked, her voice not louder than a whisper.

"Yes, I do. Why?"

"Do you remember when you woke me up from that nightmare?"

"Yes I do Ziva, but I don't understand…"

"I still have nightmares Tony, every time I close my eyes… I am not able to sleep." Ziva said, trying to hold back the tears.

Tony could see how hard she tried to keep the tears at bay and decided it was time to cross some boundaries. But before he even had the change to do or say something Ziva interrupted him.

"You cannot come any closer or do something please, I do not want to cry. I cannot cry, that is just weak. Maybe I should go…" Ziva pleaded.

Ziva can you look at me, please?" Tony asked his voice full of worry.

Ziva was not able to look at him. She knew that if she looked him in his eyes and see the worry in them, she would not be able to hold back the tears any longer. But Tony intervened and put his thumb under her chin, lifting her face up.

"You know it's okay to cry, you are not weak if you cry Zi. Just let it go, I've got your back!"

These words were too much for Ziva to handle and the tears came rolling down her cheeks. She placed her head in her hands, with her elbows on her knees and started sobbing. Ziva had always been a very strong but private person, who would keep her emotions hidden. But seeing her like this, Tony wondered how much Ziva already had endured during her young life. All he wanted to do was provide her with some comfort but he didn't know how. But still having the urge to do something, Tony tentatively placed his hand on her back and started to make comforting circles up and down her back.

After a while Ziva looked up at Tony, her eyes red from crying, and put her head on his shoulder. He put his arm on instinct around her waist, keeping her close to him. They stayed like that for a few moments.

"Thank you Tony." Ziva whispered after some time.

"You're welcome Zi. If you want you can take a nap here while I prepare dinner."

"Tony?" Ziva voiced, her voice sounding very vulnerable. "Do not go please?"

"I am right here Ziva, just lay down. I'm going to bring you a blanket." Tony said, while standing up and going to his bedroom.

After handing Ziva the blanket, reassuring her everything would be okay in time and that he would be right here Ziva closed her eyes and drifted to sleep. Tony let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He had no idea things were this hard for her, it hurts him to see her like this. But he also knew he wanted to be there for her, whatever she needed.

Reviews are still more than welcome!
From now on I will probably write two chapters a week, because I have some retests I have to take unfortunately... :(
Thank you! ;)

Greetz!