Tony walked in one morning to find Ziva leaning over McGee's shoulder looking at his computer. He dropped his bag and made a face. "Please tell me you're looking for a man for Ziva."

She glanced at him. "Not me."

Tony joined them to see pictures of several different dogs and made a comment about McGee needing a girlfriend. "Which might even be easier with a puppy." He looked at his friend. "Maybe you should think about it Tony."

His voice was no-nonsense. "I'm not ready to start taking tips from you on this yet Probie."

McGee just smiled. "Tony, I think it's time you get back on that horse."

Their phrasing confused Ziva, Tony nettled her, and she left. He waited the appropriate amount of time, then followed and made sure she was alone in the bathroom before locking them in. Ziva turned to face him with crossed arms. "Do you think I need a new man Tony?"

He pulled her close. "Not unless there's something wrong with the old one."

A smile teased the corner of her lips. "I have no complaints."

Tony kissed her. "Good. That's what I like to hear."

Ziva smoothed his tie. "What are we going to do to throw off the team's curiosity? It has been months. If you do not start dating again they will get suspicious."

He twirled a piece of her hair. "Well it just so happens that my nights are often taking up by this gorgeous exotic beauty and I've been waiting ages to brag about the things we've been doing together."

Her eyes danced. "You may have to change your description if we are not giving things away yet."

Tony trailed his lips across her cheek and down her neck, blowing on the skin to make her squirm. "I would love to give everything away if I didn't think I would run the risk of losing what we have."

Ziva's arms came around his neck and she played with the short hairs there. "It is a good thing the restrooms and elevators are without cameras or it would be too late for that."

He took over her mouth for a deep kiss, pulling back to murmur, "Only if someone told Gibbs."

Ziva's lips parted under the pressure of his but she broke away moments later. "Do you really think he would separate us?"

Tony sighed and caressed her lower back slowly. "I don't know Zi, no one's had the nerve to break his rules before. But we can't risk it, not when I've only had you for a year."

She smiled and kissed him a final time. "I thought maybe you had forgotten. Happy Anniversary ahuvi."

He shook his head and his eyebrows rose comically. "Forget the day you promised to be mine? Never. I'm insulted Ms. David. Never mistake silence for forgetfulness." Tony brushed his fingers over her cheek. "I have plans for you later."

Ziva chuckled. "Do those plans include being naked?"

Tony wagged his finger at her. "I don't kiss and tell. It's a secret. I am not so easily bribed." She advanced on him and he backed away. "Do not test that theory when we have to go back to work!"

Ziva winked at him and tickled the back of his neck. "I make no promises."

Tony swallowed hard and let her leave, wondering exactly what he'd just started. It was going to be a very long day.

NCIS

Ziva took an instant dislike to FBI Agent Courtney Krieger. It was particularly noticeable in her catty attitude when Tony was being nice to the young woman. Throughout the day he tried to send her little signals so she knew he had no ulterior motives towards Courtney, such as their dinner order. Tony went through the bag. "Philly Cheesesteak, extra steak, extra cheese." He tossed it to her and Ziva smiled. It was nice that he knew what she liked.

When Fornell was chewing out Courtney about procedure and protocol vs. common sense later, Ziva acted smug. "That was long overdue."

Though he was pretty sure he knew what her issue was, Tony went for innocent. "What have you got against her?"

Ziva glanced back at the other agent. "I do not like cleaning up after other people." She continued down the stairs. "I have seen you looking at her, thinking about getting back on that horse Tony?"

He pulled her into the alcove and raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't aware I ever fell off of it."

Ziva's eyes dropped and she crossed her arms. "I hate this."

Tony pushed some hair over her shoulder. "I won't do it if you ask me not to."

She sighed. "I know, but we talked about this already. If you are not the same old Tony there will be too many questions."

He glanced around and above them for any listening eyes or ears and lowered his voice. "I love you Ziva, you know that."

Ziva nodded once. "And I you." Her hand flattened on his chest. "Do not make me share Tony."

Tony stole a quick kiss on the cheek and held up three fingers. "Scout's honour. You're the only woman I want."

His wife's smile slowly grew. "Is that so Agent DiNozzo? Well perhaps we will confirm that theory tonight, yes?"

He grinned. "It's a date." Tony picked up her hand and kissed the back, growing serious again. "Please stop looking at me like I'm betraying what we have." He's seen enough of those expressions in the past year to last for a lifetime.

Ziva swallowed. "I cannot always help it. But I will try to remember this is all an act."

Tony shook his head and got closer. "It's not an act when I'm with you."

Her guard, always so vigilant, dropped for a brief moment as she stepped into his arms. Just as quickly she moved away and headed for her desk, leaving Tony hoping tonight would come swiftly and without additional issues. Ziva's insecurity always left him feeling sick to his stomach. He caught up with her and their pretend argument continued by the copy machine where Ziva spun to face him.

"I thought the new Tony wanted something more, a real relationship."

Tony posed nonchalantly with one hand in his pocket. "I never said that."

Ziva glanced up the stairs at Courtney. "Sure it would be nice, but it would be meaningless. She is a pretty girl, but she is just a girl. The man you were becoming needs a woman. At least, I thought he did." Her eyes apologized for the way it sounded before she walked away, leaving him staring after her like she'd hit a nerve.

NCIS

After her pep talk to Courtney, Ziva found herself in Observation with Tony. She leaned her back against the window and looked at him. "When I was young my uncle bred Arabian horses. I mentioned it to Agent Krieger earlier." She stared wistfully into the empty room. "I miss that."

Tony broke his focus on the interview to pay attention to his wife. "What?"

"Riding," Ziva clarified. "I spent every summer with my aunt and uncle until my mother died and Eli began my formal training at thirteen. That is also when he made me quit dancing. But those days were filled with a peace and joy I will never forget."

He rested his hand on her hip. "Why didn't you ever say something? I'm not real good with horses, but I would love to take you riding sometime Zi."

She smiled a little. "I did not think it mattered."

Tony tipped her chin up. "If it matters to you, it matters to me. We'll go sometime, okay? Just the two of us. And you can save me when one of those huge animals dumps me on the trail."

Ziva's laughter was light and free before she sobered, trying not to make fun of him too much. "Yes Tony, I will rescue you. Scout's honour."

His eyes narrowed. "You've never been a scout."

She raised one eyebrow. "Neither have you."

Tony sighed. "Fine, we'll just call it even then."

Ziva returned her concentration to the interrogation and leaned back into him. "Okay. I love you."

He could never hear that too much. "I love you too," Tony breathed into her hair. This was the definition of a perfect moment.

NCIS

Late afternoon found Ziva and McGee in a communications van, watching Tony and Courtney undercover as a couple in the Indian restaurant. McGee listened to the somewhat awkward exchange. "She looks a little tense. Think maybe it should be you in there?"

Ziva had to pretend she didn't agree with him. She and Tony had talked about it and decided not to argue with Courtney playing his date. Too many eyes watching the secretly married couple made them fear giving something away accidentally, since being together was so natural for them. Even so, the knowledge that this was just for an op didn't stop Ziva from feeling quite territorial when Courtney put her hand over Tony's. She purposely interrupted the moment, but didn't expect Courtney's ice water to end up in her husband's lap. The laughter that escaped was impossible to stop, and Ziva made a mental note to apologize to him later.

Once they'd been freed for the night, the partners escaped to the basement where Tony handed Ziva a bag with a change of clothes and sent her to the locker room, requesting that her hair be left down. When she met him outside Tony was wearing a dark suit with the tie she'd picked out. Ziva liked the sundress Tony had chosen for her, white with large blurry flowers scattered across the material.

Checking for people, Tony took her hand and led her to the car, opening the passenger door with a flourish. "M'lady."

Ziva got in and smoothed her dress, waiting for him to join her. He drove them to a restaurant where they did dinner theater and the comedy on stage kept them both in stitches throughout their entire meal. After lingering over white chocolate cheesecake they took turns feeding each other, the couple left and ended up at a park bathed in moonlight. Tony reached for Ziva's hand again and they took a walk across the grass in the mild night air, pointing out every constellation they could find.

Under the glow of the stars at the top of a small hill, Tony took Ziva's face in his hands and kissed her deeply. Her fingers came up and curled around his collar, dragging him closer as their lips melded together, passion evident in every touch. After a period of time neither bothered to measure, Tony finally forced himself to break the kiss. "Hey," he managed between breaths, "is it time for those other plans now?"

Ziva smiled against his skin. "The ones where we are much less clothed?"

"Yeah, those ones," Tony agreed.

Her fingers brushed along his neck. "Yes."

"Good," he whispered, looking into her eyes. "Happy Anniversary Zi."

Ziva threw her arms around his neck. "I love you Tony, thank you for this life. Let us go home."

Tony grinned and steered her towards the car. "Babe, you know all my favourite words."

And for the remainder of the evening Tony and Ziva knew nothing but each other and the love they shared.

NCIS

Tony heard the call of shots fired from Gibbs the next day when Courtney and Ziva were ordered to keep the delivery boy in custody and started freaking out inside. It took an incredible amount of control not to grab his keys and head to where she was, but he couldn't because of their secret. It seemed like hours but was only a couple minutes before the phone rang and Ziva reported no harm and one unconscious bad guy, letting the bullpen breathe a sigh of relief and all three guys return to their seats.

After the girls returned and the FBI took over the conclusion of the case, the team gathered in MTAC to watch the sting go down. In earshot of the others, Ziva glanced at Tony. "Did you get her number?"

"Who, Courtney?" Tony shook his head. "No."

Ziva laughed and held up a small folded piece of paper. "I did. She wants to learn how to fight." He tossed a piece of popcorn into the air and Ziva grabbed it, popping it in her own mouth. "Why did you not?"

Tony shrugged without making eye contact. "I think there's something better for me closer to home."

At that Gibbs leaned forward and gave his agents a penetrating look. Ziva saw it in her peripheral vision and wondered if he'd noticed that she and Tony had their pinky fingers linked. Had they given something away? The thought made her tense but Ziva forced herself to seem relaxed and act as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Once they were dismissed for the day Tony caught up with her at the elevator.

"Hey, what was that all about?"

She waited until they were safely inside before answering. "What?"

He frowned. "You know what. You were wound so tight in MTAC I thought you were going to break something."

Ziva flicked the switch and faced him. "I think Gibbs saw us."

Tony stilled. "The whole sorta-but-not-really-holding-hands thing?"

She nodded. "Yes. He gave us a strange look, like something was different."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Think we're getting too comfortable? There's nothing to really cause tension now, have we gotten complacent?"

Ziva lifted one shoulder and let it drop. "I am not sure. But I do not think I'm ready to stop being comfortable with you."

Tony kissed her temple. "I like to hear you say things like that. It's weird to be married a whole year now and only have spent five months of it truly alone together."

She rested her chin on his shoulder. "When they find out about us, can we go away somewhere for a little while?"

He wrapped her in his arms. "The honeymoon we never got?"

"Something like that," Ziva agreed. She sagged against him. "It has been a long day."

Tony chuckled. "Sounds like I need to get you into bed." Ziva pinched his side and he yelped. "Ow! No really, I meant that innocently even if it didn't sound that way."

Ziva turned the elevator back on and they headed home. By mutual decision they opted to forego showers in favour of falling into bed. It wasn't until Tony caught Ziva's wince when she pulled her shirt off that he realized he might've missed something. He couldn't help the gasp that escaped at the sight of the large dark bruise blossoming on her shoulder. "Geez Zi, what did you do?" Tony asked, brushing his thumb over the area lightly.

She shrugged off his concern. "It probably had something to do with diving out of the car to avoid getting shot."

Tony's mouth fell open. "When were you going to mention that?"

Ziva frowned. "It is not a big deal Tony, I have had much worse."

He propped his hands on his hips. "Uh, you almost got shot and you're hurt, it is too a big deal!" The unimpressed look he got suggested strongly that dropping the subject would be the wisest course of action, but Tony had never been very good at listening. He sighed. "Can I at least kiss it better?"

Tony saw the smile she tried to hide as she nodded. "Yes, you may."

Leaning over he pressed his lips gently to the purpled skin, then moved across her shoulder and up her neck, brushing her hair aside while he undid her bra and took it off, then held up the t-shirt of his that she often wore to bed. Ziva turned and molded her mouth to his, closing her eyes as their lips fell into the familiar give and take of kissing that was a way to do everything from expressing passion to healing grief.

She slid her arms around him and tucked her head into his neck, allowing him simply to hold her. Finally Ziva let go and after discarding his jeans, Tony joined her under the covers, sifting his fingers through her hair, then letting his hand encompass hers as they fell asleep. For all the important things that needed to be said, Tony and Ziva had never found it necessary to use words.

Sarah - I agree. Now that the shadows of the assignment are fading away, it's easier for them to be happy about only having each other worry about. I'm glad you liked the elevator/bathroom scene, T's cute that way. I figure that by the time we get to S9 and T&Z have been married five years, a lot of the secrets we're finding out on the show will already have been shared. T's juvenile behaviour is just a front to hide his insecurity, at least Z can see through that. I'm glad you liked Z's promise, thanks for reviewing! :)