Here is the new chapter. Sorry it took so long, I had midterms this week. This coming week I'm on spring break so I'll be able to write more. Enjoy!
Tony and Ziva barely talked to each other the rest of the day. Several different leads started to follow through and then dissolve, so they were no closer to solving the case. It was near eleven at night before Gibbs gave them leave to go. Tony, Ziva, and McGee all walked out in silence which was equally as awkward as the elevator ride earlier that day. They went their separate ways without any eye contact. Tony and Ziva got into his car before anything was said. After both took a simultaneous deep breath Ziva spoke,
"I told Abby."
"I told McGee." Tony replied quickly. "They were both planning to confront us, they were going to find out eventually,"
"Yeah, I guess so." She paused. "Will you, um, stay with me again tonight?"
Tony looked at her and put his hand on her cheek. "Of course I will. Can we just stop back at my place so I can get some things?" Ziva nodded.
When they got to Tony's apartment Ziva didn't make any effort to get out of the car until Tony came around and opened her door. "Come on, let's go." He held out his hand. She laughed.
"I can stay in the car, Tony."
"No, you can't. Come on."
Ziva sighed begrudgingly and took his hand. When they got to his door Ziva's heart rate increased, remembering what happened the last time she stood here. They entered and the tension in the room immediately heightened. They both looked at each other, feeling it become tangible. Tony decided to vocalize their thoughts. "I know I feel it, too." Ziva smiled, but before she could respond Tony smashed his lips against hers. She breathed in and put one arm behind his neck and her other hand on his cheek. He led her over to lay on his couch. He climbed on top of her and their kissing became more passionate. Ziva abruptly pushed against his chest forcing them apart. "Uh oh." She pleaded as she bolted off the couch and ran to his bathroom.
Tony could hear Ziva retching from his place in the living room. He waited until he couldn't hear her anymore and made his way to her. He found her brushing her teeth. "Hey, that's my toothbrush." He jokingly exclaimed. After she finished she answered.
"Then burn it." She said begrudgingly.
"Nah, it's okay I don't mind. I thought it didn't happen at night."
She sighed, "This is the first time, but I guess it can. Are you ready to go."
Tony looked around and walked back into his room to look for a bag. "Uh, yeah just give me a few." After throwing a T-shirt, a pair of sweatpants, and a change of clothes for tomorrow, Tony made sure that Ziva was not in the room while he reached under his bed and brought out a small package and discreetly hid it in his bag. She was patiently waiting on the couch when he returned with a smile on his face, "All right, let's go." She took his outstretched hand as they made their way to his car.
They made it back to Ziva's 20 minutes later. She was yawning as soon as they walked through the door. Tony looked at her, "You tired?" Ziva yawned again.
"Yeah I am. I've been getting tired more quickly, too." Tony made a sad face and hugged her.
"I wish that I could take some of that from you."
"It's not so bad, really."
"Yeah, but still. Do you want to just go to bed then?"
She nodded and yawned at the same time. "Yeah. I'm sorry."
Tony smiled. "Don't be. You got to take care of yourself more now, but you can do it." He leaned down and gave her a light peck on the lips. "I'll be in soon." She nodded again and headed for her bedroom.
Tony sat on Ziva's couch and pulled the small box out of his bag. He opened it and looked at what was inside. He traced his finger over the shape and contemplated if this was the right time to give it to her. It has been too long and everything that has happened recently made him realize that life was too short and he would be damned if he waited another day. He closed the box and slipped it back into his bag. He walked into Ziva's room only to find her already snuggled under the covers. He placed his bag on the floor and stripped down to his boxers. He slipped into bed next to her and was about to put his arms around her when she turned over and gently pushed him onto his back. She placed her head on his chest and wrapped her right arm across his abdomen. Tony's hands instinctually wrapped around her, one hand on her waist and the other running idly through her hair. Ziva sighed. "Thank you, Tony." Tony didn't say anything, but kissed the top of her head and tightened his arms around her. They both drifted off into a deep and uninterrupted sleep.
Tony woke up the next morning to a dip in the bed. He promptly opened his eyes and saw Ziva running out the door to the bathroom. He rose from the bed and followed her. He saw her hovering over the toilet, her hair falling down the sides of her face. He knelt down next to her and gathered her thick curls in his hand, rubbing her back with the other. When she finished she coughed a 'thank you' and sat down breathing heavily. Tony brushed some stray hairs out of her face. "How about you brush your teeth and get dressed and I think I have something that will make you feel better." Ziva smiled. Tony stood and reached his hand out to her and she gladly took it to help her off the floor. He left her to get ready, went back to the bedroom to get dressed, and pulled the small package out of his bag.
Ziva was still in the bathroom when he exited the room. He made his way to her kitchen to fix him and Ziva a quick breakfast of cereal and toast. She came into the kitchen a few minutes later only to find Tony already sitting down at the table. She looked at him surprised and sat across from him. Tony reached across the table and grabbed her hand. "Are you okay?" Ziva smiled and rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Yeah, I'll be okay."
"I have something for you and I hope it makes you feel better." He put the box that he was hiding in his lap on the table and slid it over to Ziva. She looked at it questioningly and took the lid off to reveal a black velvet box. She tilted the top of the box open and her eyes and mouth went wide.
Inside was a medium sized chrome heart pendant on a black twine chain. The heart reflected the light which made it shine all the more. She ran her fingers over it feeling the cool metal under her fingertips. She looked at Tony with tears in her eyes. "It's beautiful, Tony." Then a realization dawned on her. "Wait a second, we have been really busy at work. How did you find the time to get this?" Tony looked at her, his eyes sincere.
"I didn't need to find the time because I bought it about three and a half years ago." Ziva raised an eyebrow.
"After helping each other through Jenny's death I started to think, but then Vance split us up, giving me more time to think. Waking up every morning to planes launching and the constant clatter of boots on a metal floor was terrible. What made those months the most terrible was not getting to see your face everyday. I started thinking about my true feelings for you and thought I may even love you. I hated thinking about what you were doing in Israel and I hated being so far away from you. When I saw you after those four months my heart just soared, but when you told me you left someone behind it sunk. I still thought about my feelings for a while and I was pretty sure I knew then. Then everything with Rivkin happened and I saw how much you hated me even though I did it for you. When you stayed behind in Israel made me realize how much I truly loved you, though I wouldn't see it until months later. When I found out that you were dead, my life just stopped. I couldn't function without you there to help keep me in line. I refused to believe you were dead. That's why I proposed the mission. I needed to take down whoever did that to you and I needed to find you. I didn't care if I died out there just as long as you were alive and safe, though there was no value in hoping at the time. When I saw you sitting across from me I thought I was dead. I couldn't believe you were alive and right in front of me. After we got back I made a promise to myself: I wasn't going to let anything else get in my way of my feelings. That's when I bought this. I was saving it for the right time, but then everything with Mike Franks, and you dad, and Ray happened and it made me question myself again, but I still couldn't deny how I really felt. Our night together after your father died was one of the best nights in my entire life. We have been through so much together, but this one was different, probably because it dealt with a family member. I knew soon after that I was giving this to you one way or another. Then you told me you were pregnant and I knew that the time was now. It took me damn near three years to gain the courage to give this to you, but it's all been worth it. This is the right time, this feels right. I love you, Ziva and I'm not afraid to show it anymore."
Tears flowed from Ziva's eyes and no words came out of her mouth. It was hard to render her speechless, but Tony managed to do it. She stood up from her seat and crossed the table. Tony stood up from his seat just before she got over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tenderly kissed him. Tony's arms went around her waist and he leaned into the kiss. She reluctantly pulled away and pressed her forehead to his. She smiled at him as a silent thank you and he returned it running his hand up and down her back. He gave her one last quick peck."Let's get to work."
A/N: Thanks for reading! I am still having trouble thinking of a future conflict that hasn't been done and if I want to skip any time. Let me know what you think!