Author's note:

So, this A/N is kind of long so if you don't want to read it then don't. :) I just have something I want to say... Thanks again to all who reviewed, read, followed and favorited – love you guys!

To my dear Guest reviewers – I need them to fight so they could reveal something they don't want to reveal. But don't worry – they will make up after each argument. We are slowly approaching to the second kiss but you still have to wait for it because I put a little obstacle between them in this chapter. But like I said – you will get what you want, trust me. Just give it a time. :)

And for my second Guest reviewer – thank you really much for your kind words. You're happy to have all of your grandparents. Cherish the time you can spend with them. About that weekly updates – I'm not happy with that either - I'd love to post two chapters in a week (I have pre-written chapters) but it would be enough for few weeks. Then you would have to wait until I'll write another chapter and that can take even a month with my school duties. So I rather do weekly updates to prolonged it so I can have enough time to write other chapters. And actually, no – I don't have Twitter account so I'm not member of #NCIS fandom on Twitter. I'm not a huge fan of those massive social networks. I'm rather a member of the small ones that are thematic – like fanfiction. :)

To others – if you want to ask something or if you have any objections – just write them to me. I will answer you. :)

And now to the second episode about Ziva's goodbye. So – at first I was disappointed with the lack of scenes between Tony and Ziva but as time passes, I'm actually glad with how it went. I completely understand her reasons why she decided to forget about her past and try to change herself – and all alone. Unlike Tony, she was forced to be an agent, she didn't choose it willingly. I admire her for her strength to leave her past behind and try to make a better person from herself. She had two choices – the one she chose – leave her current life and forget about it which also included cutting off Tony and the other ones she loves. On the other hand she will gain something new, something she wanted to find. Her second option was to come back to DC with Tony and live by his side maybe forever – the happy ending for both of them – but she would still live with the burden of her past.

It makes it all more believable comparing to the normal life of normal people. Life itself isn't easy – you always have to sacrifice or give up something to gain something else. We can't have everything – and that was their case. They know that they love each other. Even though they didn't say it aloud, they know that. Besides, there is still a possibility of her to come back to him. They can reunite after she will find herself and her place to be. So, maybe in a year or two she might come back.

It kind of reminded me the finale of Gilmore Girls when Rory chose her career over marriage with Logan. That showed perfectly that the love isn't always enough, that we have to stand against hard decision in our lives and we just have to believe that we decided right. Which, of course, isn't ruling out the possibility of return.

I want to thank Cote for those amazing years, I want to thank Michael for having such a good chemistry with her. I also want to thank Gary Glasberg for this episode – it wasn't your best Gary, we TIVA shippers wished for something more. But you had a lack of time to think the episode over and to write something to satisfy everybody. Thanks at least for the kiss and the way how they interacted with each other. Anyway, this episode made me think a lot about life and what we have to do to make it better. And that's how it is supposed to be – you're just entertaining us and we should take the best from it. So – thank you really much. And also for those funny moments in the episode – even though I was crying from the beginning, knowing that Ziva was saying her goodbye – I couldn't stop laughing at Fornell's ass. :)

So, thank to everyone who make the show. You're amazing guys and I can't wait for another episode. LOVE NCIS! TIVA fandom will still live! And the fanfiction is one of the best ways – if they can't have happy ending in the show, they can have happy ending in countless stories... ;)

And now back to this story. As today's chapter says – someone is going to show up and will stir up another fight between our couple. Luckily – and that's a little spoiler for the next chapter – they have friends who are sometimes more reasonable than them. But before that – a little morning fluff. Enjoy, read and let me know what you think... :)

Kissing Deal

Chapter 6 – Guess, Who's Staying in the Hotel?

When Ziva woke up in the morning, she realized that she was again sprawled across Tony – embracing his middle and using his stomach as a pillow. No wonder that she had wonderful sleep and wonderful dreams as well. She sighed contentedly as she enjoyed the heave of his stomach while he was breathing steadily. She blinked few times as she opened her eyes into the morning.

She looked up at him and propped her hands against his chest so she could see him properly. She studied his face with affection and thought about the fight they had yesterday. She wanted to apologize to him about it – she overreacted a lot that evening. Besides, he shared with her something very important yesterday and she was feeling ungrateful now. He opened to her while she couldn't do the same.

He asked her simple question but they both knew that when he said 'coworker' it concerned only him and nobody else. That was the reason why she didn't want to answer it – she would admit that she was thinking about him as the father of her kids and her husband – and she decided to kill her feelings for Tony. But then again – they were speaking only hypothetically, so...

Tony blinked confusedly as he woke up and realized that Ziva was again sprawled across him. But there was something more – her fingers were doing small circles across his chest. He opened his eyes fully and saw her as she was propped up on her hands against his chest while she was staring into the distance, obviously thinking deeply about something.

"Ziva?" He pulled her out of her thoughts with an amused tone of his voice as he was glad that she considered him as her favorite pillow.

She looked up into his eyes surprised as he shot her questioning look. She immediately shot up as she realized what she was doing and began to stammer.

"I... I... was just... That does not matter." She blurted out and wanted to get up but his hand on her arm stopped her.

"Wait. I want to apologize for yesterday." He said hoping that she will accept his apologize because he wanted to set things right between them.

She shot him an incredulous look. For what he wanted to apologize? He did nothing, it was me who did something wrong... She put her legs under her facing him as she wanted to apologize first. The fight was her fault after all.

"No Tony, I..." She began but he lifted his hand up to make her stop so she trailed off. He obviously wanted to say something and she decided to let him.

"Please, let me talk." He said as she nodded and moved a little bit nervously.

"I'm sorry for pushing you yesterday. If you don't want me to care about your future, if you don't want to talk about it, then I have to respect your wish and leave you be." He began as her gaze softened and she pursed her lips because she didn't want him to think like that.

"So, I'm sorry if I did or said something..." He continued but she quickly cut him off because she couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't blame himself, it was her fault.

She hurried over to him as she raised her hand to caress his face, not really knowing what she was doing. "No, no, no, no, no, Tony. I do want you to care about my future. You have always cared." She assured him, fearing that he really might stop to care about her and she wouldn't be able to forget herself if he did.

He blinked surprised – not only with the fact that she wanted him to care but also that she was so affectionate with him. The way her hand on his face caressed his cheek and his ear was amazingly comforting.

"I should be the one who apologizes. I shouldn't snap at you like that. It was not right and I am sorry about it." She said searching his eyes for forgiveness but he stared at her as he sensed that she wasn't done, that she still had something to say.

"You... you just have to understand that there are things about which I am scared or I am not ready to talk. But that does not mean I do not want to talk about them in the future." She said slowly, sensing that he wanted some explanation for her usual behavior of shutting him down, pushing him away and purposely avoiding some conversation topics.

He nodded in understanding, reaching for her other hand to squeeze it encouragingly. "Just give me some time, OK? I want to share these things with you, like you shared with me yesterday but..." She trailed off as she didn't want to repeat herself and he understood.

He took the hand that caressed his face and kissed her palm. "You just need time." He finished for her, giving her a small smile.

"I get it and I promise you that I won't push you again. When you'll be ready just let me know." He said his eyes boring into hers as she smiled at him gratefully, happy that he finally understood it.

They stared at each other for a while, practicing their own personal eye-sex they have developed over the course of years but when he leaned a little bit forward, his eyes travelling from her eyes to her lips, she backed off again.

"I think that we should go to the breakfast." She said quickly, pulling her hand out of his and stood up from the bed to take her clothes on.

He smiled as he was getting used to it. She will always back away and he knew that. So if he wants to kiss her, he will have to corner her again. And because they had all day for themselves because the couple they were supposed to observe was on some trip, he planned to take those kisses she owed him – one for yesterday (the first kiss was her debt from the day before) and one for today.

They went down to the dining hall hand in hand and headed immediately to the 'their' table. "Sit down and wait. I will bring something to you." She ordered him as she turned on her wife mode.

"Sure sweetcheeks." He replied winking at her, liking the whole married thing and how she treated him like a true husband.

But then he remembered what she brought him yesterday so before she could have any chance to leave, he caught her by her arm. "But please, no healthy food. I'm really hungry." He said with a huge smile on his lips as she returned him the smile and pulled her hand out of his grip.

When she got back, he had to smile. "Oh, croissant." He tried to say in French accent as she smiled at him with amusement. She felt fine, uncharacteristically fine – and maybe even playful so she decided to tease him a little.

She sat at the table and picked up the croissant as she broke it in two. "Witch chocolate filling." She said a little bit more seductively than she intended but she didn't care.

She put the croissant in front of his mouth and he took a bite as she pulled it back. "Hmm." He hummed in satisfaction that he finally had some good breakfast.

She took a bite from her half and handed him the cup of hot chocolate. "Hot chocolate." She said and winked at him with a smile.

He took a sip and his face held expression of complete contentment. They resolved their fight and now she was playing with him and he couldn't wish for more. When she got his promise that he won't push her, she was suddenly far more open than before.

She was smiling at him as she chewed her croissant and sipped her hot chocolate, pondering what to do to tease him a little bit more. She took his half of the pastry and scooped up the chocolate filling onto her forefinger. She held it in front of his mouth and waited if he dared to do it. He didn't hesitate as he took her finger between his lips, without breaking an eye contact, and sucked on it until all the chocolate was gone.

Her eyes widened as they filled with uncontrollable desire when she felt the flick of his tongue alongside her finger. She gulped and moistened her lips, wondering if she didn't go too much far with it. He, on the other hand, felt a chance to get something more from her. Sure, he promised he won't push her but he could play these little games with her because he was sure that she will always back away. He just wanted to show her that she wanted him so she could admit it to herself finally. He didn't think that they could actually go beyond teasing.

He licked his lips to wipe off the remaining chocolate as she watched him expectantly. "I was thinking..." He began as he took another bite from the croissant. "We are here all day alone. I think we should make a good use of the free time we have..." He offered seductively, the rest of the sentence left unspoken because he knew that she knew what he was thinking.

She slowed down her chewing as she stared at him, her breath quickening. Did he mean what she thought he meant? She was sure when he leaned over closer to her and began to trace his fingertips alongside her arm. She swallowed the rest of the croissant she had in her mouth hardly and continued staring as he slowly approached to her with only goal in his mind – he wanted to kiss her.

Her breath hitched as she waited for him to do it. They made a deal after all so she couldn't bring herself to stop him. She licked her own lips unconsciously, her eyes travelling up and down between his eyes and his mouth. He was surprised that she didn't try to stop him but it gave him even more courage. She parted her lips as he finally reached her face so close that she could feel the light touch of his lips. But if they couldn't stop themselves, there was always something else that stopped them.

"Tony?" A familiar voice asked behind them. Ziva gave a disappointed sigh as she closed her eyes, cursing herself for what she wanted to do.

Tony turned his head back unbelievingly as he saw the person who recognized him. "Wendy?" He asked, not comprehending what she was doing here.

Wendy smiled at him widely as she nodded in Ziva in greeting and Ziva returned the nod. Tony turned back to Ziva as he opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. She kicked him under the table to make him to do something. He shook himself off mentally and stood up.

"Uhm... I will..." He said pointing with his finger on Wendy, trying to say that he will explain to her what they were doing here.

Ziva nodded understandingly and watched Wendy carefully. "Yes. Go!" She hissed at him before Wendy would do something to blow their cover.

Tony took Wendy by her arm and led her aside to explain to her what they were doing here. Ziva sat back watching them, especially Wendy's behavior towards Tony, as she felt the first pang of jealousy inside her heart. She took the other croissant and began to tear it up to the small pieces as she tried to calm herself down and convince herself that between Tony and Wendy was all over.

Tony ushered Wendy aside from other guests so nobody could overhear them but still in reasonable distance to be near Ziva if he needed her assistance.

"Wendy, what are you doing here?" He whispered urgently, trying to end this conversation as soon as possible.

Wendy, who obviously was happy that she met him, was staring at him with unfeigned affection. "I'm staying here overnight. My house is under reconstruction and I don't have any place to stay." She explained as she pressed her body against his and was satisfied when Tony didn't take a step back.

"Besides, this hotel is just two blocks from my work. What are you doing here?" She finished her explanation and nodded slightly at Ziva and him, more than curious what they were doing here together.

"We're here on an assignment posing as a married couple." He quickly said just to let her know that it wasn't appropriate that she was so friendly with him.

Wendy crossed her arms across her chest as she raised an eyebrow on him. "Ah, that's the reason why you almost kissed her?" She asked him with a mixture of disappointment, jealousy and hope in her voice.

"Yes, it is." He confirmed sternly because he didn't feel obliged to explain to her what he was doing with Ziva. It was only their business. "Look Wendy..." He began, trying to tell her that now really wasn't the time to talk about them.

"Have you finally told her?" She fired another question, reminding him how she advised him to tell Ziva that he loves her two years ago but he refused it. She sensed that if he didn't, she might still have a chance with him.

"No, I haven't." He stated simply, shaking his head avoiding an eye contact with her. "Listen..." He began again but she just simply couldn't let it go.

"Why not? You obviously love her." She continued in her interrogating and went even further when she pressed her body closer to his if it was even possible.

"And still you chose me two years ago." She whispered, raising her hand and caressing his face lightly.

Tony gulped as he closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. Yes, he chose her over Ziva back then. Ziva was after breakup with Ray so she wasn't ready to hear his love confession and suddenly Wendy appeared in front of him and he felt his chance to forget about his Israeli coworker. But it didn't go as they both hoped. What they had, was from the past – they both were absolutely different persons now.

Tony broke it off after almost two months, telling her that this relationship was useless. They didn't love each other anymore, all she wanted was to find a good father for her kid and all he wanted was to forget about Ziva – and that was bad reasons why to be in a relationship. Wendy told him that she understands his reasons but she still wants him and if he changes his mind in the future, she'll be waiting.

"I know and it was a mistake." He finally managed to say, really regretting that he tried to be in a relationship with her again. "And I have good reasons for not telling her." He added, trying to assure her that his love for Ziva was still there. And even stronger than two years ago.

"Oh really? What reasons?" Wendy asked curiously, still hoping that he will return to her again. She needed him but the problem was that he didn't see it.

Tony chuckled amusingly. "Sorry Wendy, but that's none of your business. There were certain complications and I need her to be emotionally stable so she would know that my love for her is real." He said slowly because they didn't have much time without some complications – Dearing, then her father's death – there really wasn't a good time to tell her.

"How much time you have already spent with this 'loving her from distance'?" She asked him sarcastically, finally getting enough.

"Wendy..." He began and immediately trailed off as he shook with his head, knowing that it was useless to explain it to her. She wouldn't understand anyway.

"Fine, I get it." She said, raising her hands in defeat but she still didn't want to give up on her hopes.

"But in the case you won't succeed – I still want you." She said huskily as she leaned forward and gave him chaste kiss on his lips. Tony stood rooted to the floor, not knowing what to do.

She pulled away and ruffled his hair a little. "And the number of my room is 401 if you wanted to stop by in the evening." She whispered into his ear and felt him shudder. He still had some feelings for her – she knew it.

"Now, I have to go to work. And don't worry – I won't interfere in your assignment." She said when she saw the concern on his face that she might do something that could blow his and Ziva's cover.

Tony let her go as she waved at Ziva and disappeared. Then he headed back to the table. Ziva who watched the whole scene was getting angry. The croissant was smashed into smithereens as she was dying of jealousy. The green-eyed monster practically took control of her mind as she was thinking about the best way how to kill Wendy.

The way how she touched him, the way how she pressed her body against his – Ziva wanted to punch her straight into the face because she dared to touch her Tony. Wait – her Tony? Where did this come from? He isn't yours, you can't usurp him! He has every right to let any woman to grope him... But I want to be the one who grope him...

No, no, no, no, Ziva David! You can't behave like that! She berated herself for her jealousy. You can't be jealous! You are not jealous! You decided to kill your feelings for him and this can only help you to do it. If he wants Wendy back, then you'll have to forget about him. She began to calm herself down as the jealousy was easing off.

But then Wendy kissed Tony and she almost fell from her chair. How could she? She and Tony were here to pretend that they are married so how she could kiss him? That was ruining their cover! And why he is doing nothing and just stands there? That took her by surprise. Why did he allow to her to do it? Does he still have feelings for her?

Then a worse idea came into her mind – they were seeing each other. They met her on a case two years ago and then maybe they decided to renew their relationship. But Ziva dismissed that – she would have known if it had been true. But still – there was something personal and intimate on the way how they acted towards each other.

When he came back to the table, she sat back waiting for him to start explain but he apparently didn't want to explain anything because all he did, was that he flashed her small smile and took a sip from his hot chocolate. She couldn't stand it anymore and kicked him under the table angrily.

"Ouch! What was that for?" He immediately caught the place on his leg where she kicked him and grimaced in pain.

"So?!" She asked him unbelievingly, hinting to him that he should begin with explaining.

He understood but honestly – he didn't want to talk about it. "Ah, you mean Wendy." He said and she nodded in agreement, eying him dangerously.

"She's staying for overnight, her house is under reconstruction and she can't be there until tomorrow. She chose this hotel because it's just two blocks from her work." He explained quickly, not wanting to get into deeper conversation but she was still looking at him, waiting for the continuation.

"Don't worry, she won't interfere in our work. I explained to her what we are doing here. She promised it to me." He assured her, hoping that she will let it go. He really didn't want to tell her about what he and Wendy were talking about.

"Ah." She said, absolutely not satisfied with what he told her. It still didn't explain why Wendy kissed him.

"Were you seeing each other?" She blurted out, regretting it immediately as the words came out from her mouth. It was none of her business after all.

"Excuse me?" Tony said blinking surprised. Was that a jealousy he noticed in her voice? Why she would be jealous? Why she's even interested if I was seeing Wendy or not?

"Well, I thought... We met her on a case two years ago and I was thinking..." She stammered slowly as she took a deep breath. "Have you seen her after the case?" She asked, her face revealing how much she feared the answer.

"Yes, I have but..." He began as he saw her expression harden and her face turned into disgusted.

She quickly stood up and threw the napkin she was holding in her hands trying to control her temper on the table angrily. "I see. If you excuse me..." She spitted out and stormed off the dining hall into the garden quickly.

Tony said there stunned, trying to figure out what just happened. "Ziva?" He asked weakly as he saw just her back. "Ziva!" He called after her but it was useless – like always. He sighed and rubbed his face as he stood up too and went to find her.

What the hell was wrong with her? What did I say, what did I do to make her angry? Why she was asking me about Wendy? Is she jealous? – No, that's only your hope that she could be jealous... He thought to himself as he tried to find her in the garden. When he finally found her, she was leaning against the wall, trying to catch her breath. It looked like if she had a panic attack.

Ziva couldn't breathe. How she could be so stupid? How could she fall in love with him? How could she even admit those feelings and hope that there could be more than friendship between them? He was seeing another woman! His ex-fiancé, so probably the love of his life if he wanted to marry her. Well, maybe his still wants to marry her... Ziva swallowed hard as her throat tightened at the thought that he might get married and she could lose her chance forever.

"Ziva?" He asked her softly, not wanting to startle her. She raised her head to look at him but another wave of anger not only with him but primarily with herself flashed through her.

"Leave me alone, Tony!" She yelled at him, taking few steps back, raising her hands in defense.

"Ziva, please. Let me explain..." He began but she cut him off angrily. "NO! Leave me alone, Tony!" She repeated as he tried to take step forward to her but then changed his mind.

"But we have a call from MTAC in few minutes." He tried to persuade by changing tactics.

"I know. I will be there. Just give me some time alone." She calmed a little bit and beseeched him because all she wanted right now was to be alone so she could clear her mind.

He understood it and nodded. "Fine." He said and slowly went away to leave her with her thoughts.

He went back to their room to prepare the call from MTAC but his mind was racing. Why she was so angry? Could it really be jealousy? Does it mean that she could have feelings for him? He wanted so much to explain to her what happened between him and Wendy two years ago but she didn't want to listen.

He sighed and sat down on the bed looking miserably. Just about an hour ago he was lying here with Ziva sprawled across him and he couldn't feel happier. But now – they were fighting again because of some stupidity. If she just listened to him, that was all he wanted. But no – she had to freak out. He looked at the laptop as the arriving call from MTAC appeared.

Great, he thought to himself because Ziva was nowhere to be seen. He sighed and accepted the call as he waved at Gibbs in greeting.

"DiNozzo!" Greeted him Gibbs too with a cup of coffee in his hand and doughnut in the other. He scanned the room with his eyes and didn't see Ziva. "Where's Ziver?" He asked immediately as Tony's shoulders slumped, pondering what to say.

"Uhm... I don't know. She's..." He began to stammer as Ziva opened the door and went inside.

"I am here, Gibbs." She announced her arrival, waving her hand at him and stood as far as she could from Tony.

Gibbs noticed her effort to not be in Tony's closeness and watched them carefully. "Ah, first marital hassle?" He asked amusingly with raised eyebrow.

Tony dared to look over at Ziva as they both simultaneously answered the question. "No." Was Tony's answer as Ziva determinedly said. "Sort of."

Gibbs chuckled as he looked back and forth between them. "Wow that had to be bad. You can't even agree on if it was a fight or not. What happened?" He asked genuinely curious.

Ziva snorted as she looked over at Tony who found suddenly something interesting on his shoes. "Wendy is here." She announced to Gibbs who furrowed his eyebrows in contemplation.

"Your ex-fiancé, DiNozzo?" He directly asked as Tony nodded in confirmation.

"Yeah. She's staying overnight because her house is under reconstruction and she doesn't have any place to stay. This hostel is just two blocks from her work." Tony said quickly not in the mood for another explaining.

"Did you explain..." Gibbs began as Tony nodded repeatedly, hinting that he wasn't stupid.

"Yes, I did. I told her what we're doing here. She promised not to interfere." He assured him while Ziva grimaced skeptically, tapping with her foot impatiently with crossed arms.

Gibbs sat back thoughtfully as he scratched his head and pulled out another doughnut from the box. "Well, I don't see a problem then. If she tried to interfere, I think you'd be able to handle her, right DiNozzo?" He said with a smirk.

"Right, boss. I'd handle her." Tony confirmed as he looked over at Ziva who rolled her eyes.

"I bet." She muttered under her breath but Gibbs heard that. He nodded in question at Tony, asking silently what was wrong with her. Tony just shrugged with his shoulders, silently answering that he didn't have any idea why she was so hostile.

Gibbs smirked and sighed at them. "McGee and Abby should be already in the hotel." He informed them looking at his watch. "I sent them after you so they could relax a little too." He continued as his main reason wasn't to let relax his agents but he was too afraid what could happen between Tony and Ziva if they would spend all they alone in the hotel with nothing to do.

"Go meet them. See you tomorrow." He bid his goodbye and went back to do his work.

Tony looked over at Ziva, wanting to talk to her but knowing that he will probably have to break his promise about not pushing her. But what other choice he had if he wanted to tell her where the truth with Wendy was?

"Ziva..." He began but she refused to meet his gaze and wanted to go around him while he tried it again. "Ziva, please. Can we talk?" He asked her softly but she didn't listen and headed to the door.

"We should find Abby and McGee." She said almost at the door as he reached out to grab her by her arm but she was faster and blocked him twisting his arm painfully.

"Don't make me hurt you, Tony." She warned him threateningly with hard face.

Tony grimaced in pain but tried to stay calm. "You can if you want. But promise me that you won't hurt her." He pleaded her, sensing that she might hurt Wendy if she was really jealous as he thought.

Her eyes narrowed because she was surprised that he guessed her intentions so well. "Fine." She snapped and released his arm as she stormed off the room.

He tried to catch up with her but she closed the door from the elevator in front of his face. He sighed and went down by staircase, hoping that he will be the first down there. But he saw only her back again as she went to the lobby.

"Ziva!" He called out after her and sped up his tempo.

McGee and Abby already waited for them. At first they saw furious Ziva who greeted McGee and took Abby by her arm trying to drag her away but Abby wanted to give a hug to Tony so she stopped her. Ziva grimaced impatiently as Tony arrived at them eying her but she refused to meet his gaze again.

McGee just watched the whole scene in front of him and waited. After Abby gave hug to Tony, Ziva grabbed her hand, saying that they have to go shopping and drag her away from the hotel. Tony closed his eyes as he sighed and McGee patted his shoulder and led him to the bar so he could tell what the hell happened between them.

The End of Chapter 6

So, things are getting a little complicated, don't you think? :) Don't worry, everything will be fine – I promise that to you. Abby and McGee will take care of this... ;) Let me know what you think in your review and thanks to everyone who will do that. Enjoy tomorrow's episode (first without Ziva – sigh) and have a nice week!