a/n: Heh.
This chapter warrants the T rating.
Tony's POV:
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"You want to watch a movie?" I repeat, getting up from my recumbent position on the couch.
"I believe that is what I said."
"Okay… do you want me to bring it? Do you even have a DVD player?"
"Yes, and yes. And I do not care what movie, just pick something out and come over here."
Who am I to deny a request like that?
"On my way." I say before closing my phone.
Good thing I didn't bring Sarah home.
There was something about Ziva's voice… something I can't place. Desperation?
Was she missing the movie night too?
"Clearly, as she just asked me to see one" I mumble aloud to myself, picking out a couple comedies from my collection.
Does she want pizza? She probably has food already… Should I bring wine?
Why am I so nervous?
I grab a bottle of red wine that I don't look at before heading out the door.
It's not a long walk between our apartments, but I'm not usually the one who makes it.
Though I don't know why. I mean, she clearly has the bigger TV. And the nicer, cleaner home. Not to mention she's a great cook.
I mostly just provide pizza.
My inner musings have lasted me as far as the street, and I don't hesitate in jaywalking.
Maybe she chickened out on whatever the doctor wanted her to do. Or maybe the doctor ordered her to watch a movie with me.
I snort as I open the door to her building.
If only.
Seriously though, this is a little late for a movie – and on a work night no less.
What am I, twelve? I pull all-nighters all the time for my job. Suck it up DiNozzo.
The elevator dings, and I step inside, hitting the button for the third floor.
Really though, why am I nervous? We're going to watch a movie, maybe eat something and then be done with it.
Like we always do. Clockwork.
The doors slide open again and I jump out, quickly walking down the hall.
There must have been something in her voice that I subconsciously picked up on, because there is no logical reason for me to be this anxious.
I knock on her door lightly as I hold the wine bottle up to the peephole.
"Zee-Vah." I call after she doesn't answer. "It's me. I brought the entertainment."
I'm in the middle of knocking again as the door opens to reveal a very…
Ziva.
Her hair is down and curly. Her eyes are dark, and…
Jesus.
She's giving me that look.
I slowly step inside, handing her the wine as I put the DVDs on the table in her entryway.
"So, I um… I didn't know what you wanted to watch… so… here are some options." I'm having trouble getting the words out, so I stop there.
Her eyes haven't left my own, and I have absolutely no desire to look away from her.
She takes a step closer to me, and I can smell the vanilla of her body wash as she reaches to close the door.
"Ziva…" I start quietly, as she doesn't move back, but continues to look up at me, her mouth slightly parted.
God, she's beautiful.
I'm tempted to tell her this, but I don't get the opportunity as my lips are suddenly being covered by hers.
Wait. What?
Her hands are in my hair when I decide to start kissing back, and I'm rewarded with her low moan.
I place my hands on her hips as she slowly begins pushing me back against the door.
I'm kissing Ziva. Actually, physically, full on kissing Ziva. And she's actually, physically, full on kissing me back.
Maybe we should skip movie nights more often.
I feel her tongue brush against my lower lip and I let out a groan as I push her away.
"What are you doing?" She asks, her voice husky.
What am I doing? A very good question.
"Ziva, we probably shouldn't be doing this."
What the hell am I doing?
"You were the one who wanted to do this a few weeks ago. Now I want to as well."
"You aren't ready."
"What makes you say that?"
"You just… We haven't…" I have nothing to say, so I stop talking. She gives me another seductive look as she places a hand on my chest.
"We have not what, Tony? We both want this – we both need this…" Her voice is slightly hoarse and her eyes seem read and – Jesus, she's kissing me again.
And her lips are on mine, and her body is against me, and she lets out another moan, and there is no way I can stop now.
"Ziva," I murmur against her lips as I wrap my arms around her waist.
"Tony," She replies, moving her hands from my chest to my head.
"Bedroom."
I feel her nod, and she starts walking backwards, pulling me with her.
Our lips don't leave the other's as we make our way through her apartment, bumping into various objects and walls along the way.
Her hands reaches for my belt buckle as we fumble into her room, and I try to kick off my shoes while maintaining my balance.
I feel my pants loosen and I smile against her before she pulls back. I'm about to protest before I see her shirt being pulled over her head, revealing a skimpy, black-laced bra.
Normally I would stop and enjoy the view, but right now I just want Ziva, and I immediately resume kissing her once the shirt is discarded.
She leaves space between us only to unbutton my top and I let my hands roam her exposed skin.
This cannot be happening.
"Tony…" She moans again, but her voice isn't the same. It's more hoarse. It's filled with anxiety, and distress.
I pull back to see her eyes shinning, though she tries to hid this by drawing me into another kiss.
"Ziva," I start, pushing her lightly away. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She says, and suddenly I realize she's been crying for a while; since before I arrived.
How did I not notice?
Well, I know how I didn't notice, but it doesn't make me feel any better.
I pull her closer to me again, though this time in the form of a hug. I feel her head nuzzle into my chest and I hear the muffled sound of a sob.
Damn it.
I don't know what to say, so I say nothing.
It's been a while since Ziva broke down like this.
I don't like it.
I lower my head to lay a small kiss in her hair and she pulls back.
"I am sorry, Tony, I just…" She stops, and I know it's hard for her.
"Hey, you can tell me later. Just… Let's just…" I don't know whether she wants to go to sleep or watch a movie.
It's late, but maybe she needs a distraction from whatever is bothering her.
"Tony," She starts softly. "Can you… stay with me tonight?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that."
Ziva leaves for the bathroom, I assume to change into more comfortable clothes, and I take a seat on the bed.
Twice I almost had sex tonight and yet I think I'm happier just sleeping with Ziva. I mean, literally sleeping with her, obviously.
Well, I'd rather sleep with her if she were, you know… Okay. But since there's clearly something bothering her…
I run a hand through my hair. I guess I should get comfortable too. And since I'm pretty sure she doesn't have any clothes that might fit me…
I finish unbuttoning my shirt and peel it off as she steps out of the bathroom, clad in a baggy t-shirt and shorts.
She gives me a sheepish smile before quickly hopping on the bed and sliding under her covers.
I don't know if I should take my pants off… why is this so awkward now?
Because I almost had sex with Ziva.
I begin the process of pulling down my slacks as I move to turn of the light.
"I really am sorry, Tony." She says as I begin the dark walk back to bed. "It is just… my father…"
"Shh…" I mumble, sliding into bed next to her, and loosely placing an arm on her side. "Tell me tomorrow. Let's just sleep now."
I can just make out her nod in the dim lighting, and I decide to pull her closer.
"Just sleep…" I mutter as I feel her head rest on my chest and her arm drape around my back.
This feels oddly normal as I place another kiss on the top of her head.
And one day, maybe it will be.
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Hope it lived up to the high expectations I set.
Review please. I'd like to know how I did.