You're awesome, people! 24 reviews for one chapter! I don't even have words to express what I'm feeling!
Oh, and the dedication for this one goes to xteamgibbsx, for giving me some great suggestions :)
"It'll be a miracle if I don't have long ears and fluffy tail by the end of this," Tony muttered darkly. They were back home now, and busy with the task of loading food from the three bags into the fridge and cupboards.
Ziva chuckled, putting a small bag of potatoes into the fridge.
Tony stuck his hand into one of the bags and pulled out the item nearest to him. His shoulders slumped and he let out a huge sigh when he recognized what it was. Onions.
Ziva turned in the direction of the exasperated sound he'd caused. He was midway to closing the fridge door when she slipped her fingers into the crack forcing him to open it again. He did so, along with look of confusion clouding his eyes.
She pulled the bag out of the fridge. When Tony opened his mouth to protest and raised his hands slightly in a confused manner, she gave him sly smirk. "Onions don't go to the fridge, my little hairy butt."
He shook his head in awe and wonder and backed away. "You'll do better alone here," he noted as he watched her take the onions from the small plastic bag and put them into a large bowl.
"Probably," she agreed, digging into the groceries bag again.
Tony leaned against the doorframe and watched her work her way methodically through all three bags. "Hey," he called, drawing her attention. "You got anything to actually eat there?" His words were illustrated by his stomach growling. Loudly.
She reached into a bag and pulled something out. She threw it at him, not missing an inch, while he caught it expertly. A banana.
"Come on!" he whined, holding up the banana for her to see. "What are you, a vegetarian?"
She smirked. "Maybe I just want to improve your eating habits," she pointed out.
He hmphed and started peeling the skin off of the fruit. He took a bite. It was delicious, tasting just right. He hadn't realized it had been a long time since he'd eaten a banana, or any other fruit for that matter. Maybe Ziva was right after all. But carrots? And what on Earth was she planning to do with cabbage?
His mind couldn't even start processing the thought, because a much more interesting one walked straight up to him. He suddenly found himself staring right down at Ziva, their bodies awkwardly close. At least it should've been awkward; anyone watching them at NCIS would've sworn it would be awkward. But for some unfathomable reason it had never been awkward for them. It felt… natural. Right, even.
She was so beautiful. He long dark curls surrounded her face, cascading down her shoulders. Her face was perfect, without a single imperfection. It should not be possible for someone to look that good. Her eyes sparkled playfully, as If inviting him to make the first move.
Meanwhile she was staring up at him, admiring his features, the perfect shape of his lips, his straight nose… She could go on forever. Did he look that beautiful to everyone, she wondered, or just to her. After all, how did the expression go, the beauty is in the eyes of a beer holder? Something like that. The only fault was that she wasn't holding a beer.
In fact, she found her fingers closing around his where they held the banana. She pulled it towards her, taking a bite. "Mmm," she hummed, licking her lips slowly. He could see it in his eyes that he wanted her. But did he feel anything else?
She didn't want to be just another one of his girls. Someone to have fun with a few nights and then be dumped. She'd never wanted that. What she wanted was a relationship, something that would last. She wanted children. Someday. She'd known from since she was very little that she wanted her own child. Maybe it came from always taking care of Tali; maybe she just was like that.
But could Tony offer those things to her? He had all she was looking for in a man. Great character, compassion, good sense of humor (a bit too good at times), handsome looks, great body. Experience in bed. She hated it when men didn't know what they were supposed to do once they made it to bed.
The question was, would he have it in him to settle down with her?
oOoOo
Tony stomped down the stairs, not bothering to be quiet. He looked around when he made it down, glancing around with a mischievous glint in his green eyes.
He first looked into the kitchen, but found it empty. The same with the living room and bathroom.
Becoming suspicious he exited the house and even did a circle around it. Nothing. Frowning, he reentered the house.
He looked around again. Where the heck was she?
"Ziva?" he called out.
"Yes, Tony?"
He jumped. High, fast and far. If it were possible he would've jumped out of his skin and left it laying there on the carpeted floor at that very moment.
But he couldn't, so he settled with spinning around so quick he almost dislocated his neck. He pressed his hand on his chest for dramatic effect.
"Ziva!" he hissed, rubbing his neck. "I've told you not to do that again!"
She grinned like a Cheshire cat, her right hand playing with a strand of her hair. "Did I startle you?" she asked mockingly.
Tony gritted his teeth. "Yeah, you did! More than that, you almost gave me a stroke! I could have died!"
The Israeli laughed and brushed past him towards the wooden stairs, giving him a slight pat on the cheek as she went.
"Where were you anyway?" he inquired, still sounding a little hurt at the fact that he'd let her sneak up on him. Again.
She turned around at the bottom of the stairs. "In the living room," she said matter-of-factly. When he still had that blank look on his face she elaborated. "Reading."
Tony scowled. "You're planning to read through our undercover op?" he asked incredulously.
She started going up the stairs, not bothering to look if he was following. She knew he was.
How come I didn't see you in there?"
She threw him a teasing smirk. "Maybe you should look harder next time."
Tony hmphed, but said nothing more. She must've been on the couch, where the back of it would hide her. He mentally cursed himself for not thinking of it before.
He turned his eyes upwards and was met with a very pleasant sight caused by Ziva's well-shaped backside swishing from left to right.
"Stop looking at my ass," she ordered, not even so much as glancing in his way. She headed towards their shared bedroom.
Tony chuckled and followed her, shaking his head. "You're good," he noted. A thought then crossed his mind and he decided to test how far she'd allow him to go. "But so is your ass," he said, praying silently that she wouldn't turn all ninja-assassin on him. "And since I'm your husband now…"
He trailed off as she spun around and pushed him against the wall. He was sure she'd hurt him somehow, but she didn't. Instead she gazed up into his eyes and pressed her body against his.
He stared back at her, unable to move even if he'd wanted to. He was trapped between the wall and her body, but he found that he kind of liked it that way. It felt… right.
Are you saying you like my ass?" she questioned. He didn't know what to say.
She stood on her tiptoes to whisper into his ear. Tony could feel her fresh breath on his neck, the warmth of her body against his. His hands found their way to her hips almost by themselves. "Maybe someday I will let you see it," she whispered seductively, her lips brushing against his ear. He felt goose bumps appearing on his neck.
And then it was over. She pulled away, smirking at him. She headed to the bathroom, playfully swatting her bottom as she went.
Tony shook his head in awe. "You're one mean woman, Ziva David," he called after her. He was pretty sure he heard her chuckle before the door closed.
He leaned against the wall and sighed. He'd been so close to kissing her. He had the perfect opportunity and yet he still chickened out. He'd never had trouble with kissing a woman. So why now?
His gaze rested on the bathroom door. What was so different in Ziva that made him want to take things slowly? He remained standing there and it never crossed his mind. The thought that this feeling, the one he couldn't quite place, the one that made him want to reach out to hold her close and never let go, was love.
Reviews, anyone? They make me so happy :)
Oh, and a question for you. Is it okay if I reply to everyone personally. Would you like me not to? Because I was just told that not many people do that, so I started wondering if there's a reason to why they don't.