A/N: This is a Part 1 chapter, the second part (Jetlag) will show up in episode order in a couple chapters. Thanks for reading guys!

A knock on the door jerked Ziva's head up and she eyed the portal warily, her hand freezing mid-motion. The firm rapping came again and she stalked across the room, yanking a small back-up pistol out of her ankle holster. Taking a moment to peek through the hole, Ziva relaxed marginally and opened the door. "Tony."

He gave her a half-grin and invited himself in. "Need something to calm yourself down?" Tony asked, gesturing to her gun in pieces on a clean cloth on the bed.

She returned the backup to her ankle and crossed her arms, then remembered they were not enemies any longer after this morning's bathroom conversation, and sighed. "Why are you here?"

The echo of her words from Somalia gave Tony chills and he swallowed, glancing around the room slowly before meeting his partner's eyes. "I shouldn't've run out on you today Ziva, I'm sorry."

She shrugged. "You had a job to do."

Tony's next words slipped out before he could run them through his we're-never-completely-honest-about-things filter. "No job is more important than you."

The room fell silent and for a heartbeat neither moved or breathed. Then Ziva shook her head. "What?"

He sighed. "You're my partner Ziva. I wouldn't've gone all the way to Africa for just anyone."

She fiddled nervously with her ponytail and finally met his eyes. "When did we start sharing?"

Tony shrugged. "Since I was pumped full of truth serum and said some stuff." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I wish you'd asked me Zi."

Her forehead creased. "Asked you what?"

"Those questions you didn't want the answers to."

Ziva rubbed her forehead. "Tony..."

"I know, I know, don't make it personal." Tony shoved his fingers into his hair and looked up at her, glaring fiercely. "I'm tired of pretending I don't care about you Ziva."

Shock and remembrance flashed through her eyes and she whispered the words before she could stop herself. "Do you ever think about soulmates?"

He stepped closer and lifted his hand to her cheek. "Yes. And I get it now Zi, I do." The look Ziva was giving him said she could not believe this was real, so Tony leaned down and pressed his lips gently to hers. The kiss was brief and her eyes were still closed when he pulled back. "Ziva," he whispered, and she met his gaze, a sheen of tears swimming in hers. Unable to help it, Tony wrapped her in his arms, but that was too much contact and she stiffened, pushing away with more force than necessary. He frowned as she crossed her arms, trying to still the trembling. "What was that for?"

Ziva refused to look in his direction and spoke through clenched teeth. "You cannot spend three months in a terror camp and come out completely unscathed."

His breath caught in his throat and Tony thought about how she looked in that room. "What did they do to you Ziva?"

She shook her head. "Nothing you need to know about. But my ribs are still sore and my back..." Ziva glanced at him briefly. "I am not used to being so close to someone who...cares."

"Okay," Tony said slowly, afraid to make the wrong move now. "But I can't just walk away tonight and act like this never happened."

She chose her words carefully. "I...we have been through a lot this summer Tony. We need some time."

He held out a hand and Ziva stared for a long time before offering hers. Her skin was cool in comparison to his warm, reassuring grip. "Take all the time you need Ziva. All I know is I don't want to lose you again." Tony barely smiled, his expression so much more serious than she was used to. "I'm really glad you're back."

Ziva didn't know what to do with his sincerity, so unexpected. But from the last few days it was already obvious that the man she remembered had changed a lot since their last meeting. "Thank you," she whispered, and it was gratefulness that extended far beyond his statement. She owed them her life. A debt Ziva had no idea how to start repaying when she still wasn't sure if being alive was worth the price.

Tony cleared his throat. "So, this is your new place, huh?"

Ziva went back to the bed and started reassembling her gun. "It is only temporary."

He stared down at his shoes. "You...uh...want help looking for an apartment?"

She sank onto the bed. "That may have to wait for a few weeks. NCIS is putting me up here, but I will need to have my position clarified before I make any...commitments."

Tony understood that she meant more than just signing a lease. "Do you need anything?"

Ziva smiled. "No. Gibbs held power of attorney for me. When I left he sold my car and managed to get some sort of compensation for my apartment." He frowned and she explained. "The explosion was deliberate, but I did not take part in it, I did not think Mossad..." She cleared her throat. "There is money in an account for me. I have been drawing from that to begin replacing my clothes and certain other belongings." Ziva gestured to the black backpack and army green duffle in the corner. "McGee saved my NCIS backpack. That is all I own at the moment."

Tony sighed. "I'm sorry Ziva..."

She was in front of him in an instant. "No. We have done this already Tony, it is over. We must move forward now, without looking back." Ziva met his gaze, her eyes steadily boring into his. "I know that you have my back. This time I will trust you."

He nodded. "Thank you." Tony glanced back towards the door. "I guess I better be going now."

Ziva walked him to the exit. "I will see you tomorrow."

Tony cleared his eyes and swallowed. "Never thought I'd hear those words again." Not quite ready to leave, he stalled. "Hey, want to do a movie night sometime?"

Her smile was small, but genuine. "Yes, that sounds like fun."

He hesitated. "And you'll...let me know about the timing, right?"

"Yes," Ziva replied softly. "Goodnight Tony."

"Night."

The door finally shut behind him and Ziva stood in the center of the small, plain room. The pieces of her life were falling back into place too rapidly, but nothing was sure yet. For the woman who had once thrived off spontaneity, it was disconcerting to realize that she now just wanted predictability. And for once in her life, Ziva David was ready to belong in one place, at one job, and possibly to one person, one day. For now that was more than enough.

Replies:

Sarah (G6) - Mmm...gotcha, changing the story, not the outcome. It does suck. I read a book series with a similar premise and nothing makes it better, there is no happy ending possible. I would rather seen him still single and in hiding and then her finding him and a joyful reunion with nothing to get in the way. Happiness seems rather out of reach on NCIS, but I'm trying to stay hopeful. I'm glad you liked my take on Recoil. I'm glad the explanation helped understand Z. She's always been the best, I would not be surprised to find that was the first time a suspect has gotten the drop on her. Glad you liked Tony, he can be a good man when he wants to be. You're not the only one who liked that line, it's always nice to hear favourites. Thanks for reviewing! :)