The Journey

Disclaimer - I Own Nothing

A/N - Sorry it has been so long since I updated, life has been busy. But here is the new chapter, a kind of fill-in one, but I hope you like it. Please read and review - it is most appreciated :)

Chapter Seven - Need To Move

Tony woke up the next morning and was pleased to see Ziva lying next to him, looking peaceful. He rolled over onto his side and just watched her sleep. He jerked back in surprise when Ziva sat up suddenly and held her sig towards his face.

"Woah my ninja, it's only me" Tony said softly, as he watched Ziva sigh and lower her weapon.

"I am sorry Tony, I could feel eyes on me, and after everything that happened yesterday, I think I am a little jumped"

"I think you mean jumpy Sweetcheeks. How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I am hungry though. I wonder if Gibbs has anything other than coffee in his house"

"I know he'll have bourbon too, but how about we go out for breakfast? Gibbs gave us the day off today, so we can do whatever we please"

"Breakfast sounds lovely. You will be joining me in the shower though, yes?"

"Of course I will" Tony grinned and followed his wife into the bathroom.

Tony and Ziva sat in a local diner having breakfast. It was normally Tony who was the greedy one, but this morning Ziva was extra hungry. She was almost dribbling when the waitress delivered her large plate of pancakes.

"Wow Sweetcheeks, you certainly are hungry today!" Tony laughed.

"Yes, well you were not the one who was drugged yesterday, and missed two meals of the day because you couldn't stop being sick!" Ziva shouted.

"Keep your voice down Ziva. I wasn't meaning to be insensitive, I'm sorry"

"Never apologize, it is a sign of weakness Tony" Ziva leant over and kissed him on the cheek. Tony smiled as he knew he was forgiven. He knew they had been lucky yesterday.

After breakfast, Ziva insisted that they went into work to see how the investigation was going. Ziva was keen to move back into their apartment. The elevator dinged to annouce their arrival, and both Gibbs and McGee looked up with confused expressions on their faces.

"DiNozzo's, I thought I told you not to come in today" Gibbs said, with a gruff voice.

"It was Ziva's idea Boss. I was quite happy to watch movies all day, but she can't stay away" Gibbs walked towards them and slapped Tony on the back of the head.

"How are you Ziver?" Gibbs asked, his voice softer this time. Nothing normally scared Gibbs. but the scene in the apartment yesterday had shaken him. He, like Tony, had had trouble getting the image of an unconscious Ziva out of his mind. His job was to protect his team, not to place them in danger, and Gibbs felt he had failed his team yesterday.

"I am fine Gibbs. The drugs have left my system and I have been able to eat this morning. When can we move back home?" Ziva asked. She didn't want to come across as ungrateful to Gibbs for putting them up, but she was desperate to get back to normality.

"Ducky has finished processing the scene. Your place is just getting cleaned up and then you can return. It should be ready by this evening"

"Thanks Boss"

"Now take Ziva and get out of here before I make you write some of those reports that have been sitting on your desk for months!" Gibbs retorted.

"Yes Boss" Tony replied, laughing. He stopped laughing when he got another famous Gibbs slap. Then it was Ziva's turn to laugh.

Later that evening, the DiNozzos were allowed back into the apartment. Ziva had been for a run in the afternoon, and was now sleeping on the sofa. Tony was in the kitchen making his famous italian pasta for dinner. He was humming to himself, when he heard a thump come from the living room. He grabbed his gun and walked slowly towards the room. His heart was thumping with adrenaline, but he kept telling himself that everything was ok. As he entered the living room, Tony lowered his gun and let out a chuckle. Ziva had clearly relaxed too much and had fallen off the couch. Tony stopped laughing when he realised that Ziva was mumbling to herself and he could see little beads of sweat on her forehead. He walked over to her and shook her.

"Ziva! Wake up! Everything is ok, you're home now" Tony shook her a little harder, and then helped to support her as she sat up quickly. Her breathing came out in short, sharp bursts, and Tony could see that whatever she had been dreaming about, it had rattled her. And nothing rattled Ziva.

"Hey, you alright Sweetcheeks?"

"I had a nightmare. I was re-living yesterday, but it did not have such a good outcome. I lost you Tony" Ziva replied quietly.

"Hey, you won't lose me, I'm not going anywhere. Come out to the kitchen, my famous pasta is waiting for you!" Tony helped Ziva stand up and gave her a hug.

"I promise you Ziva, no matter what, I will be here for you forever. I said that in my vows, and I mean it"

"Thank-you Tony"

A few days later and Ziva was still having daily nightmares. Tony was starting to get concerned about her. He tried to talk to her about it, but Ziva refused to admit that anything was wrong. After that latest one, Tony was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Ziva, this can't go on. You're not sleeping, I'm not sleeping. Soon we're not going to be able to function and Gibbs is gonna get wind of it. My head can't take too many more head slaps" Tony tried injecting some humour into the situation.

"I am sorry Tony. I think I know what the problem is, but it is silly"

"Hey, if it's bothering you, then it is not silly. What's the matter?"

"I think it is the apartment. I do not think I will ever be able to sleep here again. I am frightened Tony. I have never really felt like this before, and I do not understand it"

"That's not silly, that's completely understandable Ziva. Something awful happened here to both of us, it's no wonder that you feel like this. Let's give it a couple of weeks, and if you still feel this way, then we'll look for somewhere else to live"

"No, I want to move anyway. Once my mind is set, there is nothing you can do to change it. When our little DiNozzos come along, we are going to need a proper house"

"Ok Ziva, I suppose you are right. We will start looking for a proper house, and then we can start filling it up with cute little DiNozzos!"

"Do you think they will be cute?"

"Most definately. With my italian good looks and hair, why wouldn't they be?" Tony joked.

"Hmmm, and arrogant, yes?"

"Don't forget they are going to have big attitude problems. My God, they will be pint sized ninjas!" Tony said in mock horror.

"It is going to be fun" Ziva said.

"It's gonna be hard work" Tony said.

"It's going to be perfect!" They both said in unison.

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