The Journey

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A/N - Thanks again for the alerts and reviews, please keep them coming. I am really enjoying writing at the moment, and the reviews really help to encourage me :)

Chapter Four - Family Discussions

Tony and Ziva had stayed huddled on the couch for the entire night. Tony had tried to move Ziva to the bed, but every time he had attempted to lift her, she had mumbled something in hebrew - something which sounded like a warning. So Tony had snuggled next to her, not in the most comfortable of postions, but he wanted to hold her close and make sure she was alright. When he woke up, he was alone on the couch. Worried, he immediately sat up, but was comforted by the sight of Ziva in the kitchen making coffee. He stood up and yawned loudly, causing Ziva to laugh.

"Hey sweetcheeks, have you been awake for long?" Tony asked, as he walked towards his wife, rubbing his eyes.

"Yes, I have been for my morning run already, and have been waiting for at least another hour for you to wake up" Ziva replied.

"Run? In the snow? Are you mad?" Tony exclaimed. After the accident yesterday, and Ziva not feeling herself, he was actually angry with her.

"Calm down, of course a run was out of the question. Shame though, I am feeling back on top form today"

"I'm pleased, boy do you heal quickly. You really must have special ninja powers!"

"Maybe. Perhaps I could use those 'powers' on you in the shower, yes?" Ziva raised her eyebrows at Tony.

"I'm there!" Tony ran to the bathroom, followed by a laughing Ziva.

After their shower, and a light breakfast, Tony and Ziva decided to go for a walk to explore. The Cabin had been fully stocked of food and drink, which was lucky as their appeared to be no buildings nearby. They really were in the middle of nowhere. Ziva pulled on her winter coat, and her orange beanie.
The beanie had belonged to a close friend of Ziva's whom she had got very close to during a case. After his death, she had found comfort in his running hat, and often wore it out of respect for him. It also happened to be a very warm hat. Ziva had to laugh at Tony as he walked into the living room. He was wearing a large winter coat, two scarves, gloves and the biggest, furriest hat she had ever seen.

"Are you going to be warm enough Tony, it is very cold outside!" Ziva asked, with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"You may laugh Ziva, but you'll be the one crying when you want one of my scarves"

"I am ex-Mossad Tony, I do not feel the cold" Ziva stalked out of the door, and the coldness almost took her breath away. She was too proud to admit it though, and instead chastised Tony for walking too slow. At this, Tony began to chase Ziva through the trees, until eventually she slid to a halt and leant against a tree, breathing heavily.

"What's the matter Ziva, getting tired?" Tony joked, secretly pleased that Ziva had chosen to stop, as his lungs felt like they were burning. Tony didn't have many symptoms left behind after contracting the plague, but running always tired him out.

"Of course not Tony, I could just hear your loud breathing down my neck"

"Heavy breathing Ziva, will you ever learn this language properly?"

"Will you ever be able to speak ten languages Tony? Thought not" Ziva smirked and poked her tongue out at him. This of course did not go down well with Tony, and he tackled her to the floor. Ziva screamed as Tony landed on top of her, and then began to kiss her. Ziva returned the kiss and began to take off Tony's coat.

"Hey ninja, the clothes stay on, it's far too cold" Tony grabbed hold of Ziva's hands and stopped them from undressing him.

"I thought you could warm me up Tony" Ziva said, hinting at him.

"Oh Ziva, if only you weren't so good at persuasion. Are we really going to do this out here?"

"It will be exciting" Ziva replied, and kissed Tony once again.

Half an hour later, the couple were still lying in the snow, both tired from previous activites. Tony sighed, and looked over at Ziva, who had her eyes closed, but looked so peaceful. Every now and then her body would tremble from the cold and Tony knew they should go back inside.

"Hey, Sweetcheeks, I think we should get back to the Cabin. Round two would be much nicer in the bed"

"Round two sounds good, hot chocolate in front of the fire sounds even better!"

"Ooh do we have mini marshmallows?" Tony asked, in the voice of a child.

"I doubt it, but we have cream"

"I was thinking of using that in other ways"

"Tony! Is your mind ever anything other than dirty?" Ziva slapped him on the arm and then stood up.

"Do you want to have children Ziva?"

"Where did that question come from?" Ziva replied, sitting down again.

"I was just lying here, thinking about us, and how much fun we have. And how much more fun we could have with a kid"

"To be honest Tony, I never believed I would be alive long enough to have a family of my own. Tali was like my daughter, she looked up to me, and she always came to me when she needed help. When I lost her, I vowed that I would never put another child through that lifestyle" Ziva said, tears in her eyes.

"But you live in America now Ziva, a lot has changed, and I think you would be a wonderful mother" Tony kissed Ziva on the head. He knew how hard this conversation was for Ziva to have, but it was a necessary one.

"Thank-you Tony. I just do not know if I am ready for children yet, it is not an easy decision for me to make"

"I understand Ziva, let's get back now" Tony couldn't help but admit he felt a bit disappointed by Ziva's answer. He had always wanted children, and Ziva was reacting like she wasn't sure she would ever be ready for them.

Later that night, whilst they were laying in bed, Tony noticed that Ziva seemed troubled.

"Hey, you alright? You're not feeling unwell again are you?"

"No, I am fine. I just cannot stop thinking about what we talked about earlier. You must think that I am a bad person Tony. I married you, and you never knew how I felt about children. It makes me feel so bad"

"Hey, I understand Ziva. The things that you have gone through are unimaginable. One day, when you are ready, we can talk about it a bit more seriously, and maybe you will feel ready. But until that day comes, I will be here waiting Ziva. You are the one I want to be with forever, and that is all that matters"

"You will make a great father Tony"

"That sounds like a promise"

"It is Tony. I have been thinking about it a lot, and the more I think about it, the more I want it. I do want to have a baby with you!" Ziva looked up at Tony with excited eyes. He could tell that this declaration had lifted a weight off her shoulders.

"Please don't make promises Ziva, don't just say it because it's what I want to hear"

"I would not do that to you Tony. I think I have always known what I want, but have been to afraid to admit it until now. I can do this, we can do this"

"Oh, I love you so much Ziva"

"Can we make one right now?"

"A log cabin baby? It sure would be fun to try!"

Both Tony and Ziva went to sleep happy that night, and maybe, just maybe, they would have a special little person to share their wonderful life with soon.