Thank you all for the reviews. Here is the next chapter.


First she thought she was in the middle of a dream when she felt soft warm kisses pressing a trail up her back and over her shoulder, then she realized she wasn't dreaming. The kisses had woken her from her dream, but she hadn't really cared. The reality was much better than her dream right now. She knew who it was that owned the lips that caressed her skin, Tony. She realized that morning that she wouldn't prefer anyone else to kiss her like this more than she loved her partner too.

She was lying on her stomach and she could feel both of his hands gently trailing her waist as he laid kisses across her skin. If she could wake up to this every single morning, she would be a very happy woman. She turned her face to the side and opening her eyes, she could see him lift his head and smile down at her. Before she could mumble out a good morning his warm lips were gently pressing into hers. Yes, this man really knew how to say good morning in all the right ways without words.

And she kissed him right back, even at this weird angle she was in love with this kiss. She was just in love with all the kisses he graced her with. She wondered why she had held back from him so long, she couldn't get enough now she had him. And she knows they haven't really discussed with words what was going on between them. They both never really shared their true feelings for each other. They had spent so many years holding back from sharing them.

But now that things were different between them, what they have shared, things may need to change. Things like feelings will need to be voice rather then kept hidden if they wanted this relationship they have opened to work and last a long time. Something they both want, and only the other knew about, was that they wanted something permanent. They are both in a time in their lives when they wanted to settle down with someone, share love with one person for years to come.

Maybe it was some sort of fate that they both wanted the same thing at the same time in their lives, maybe it was meant to be. But really, Ziva didn't believe much in fate and sorts, she believed that certain moments in life if you know something is good for you, something you want to hold onto is right there in front of you, you take it and don't let go. You work for what you want in life, it doesn't just come to you on a silver platter.

And she and Tony have held onto and been working on their relationship for a very long time. Maybe too long, and maybe at one point a few months back when she had Ray and he had EJ, she thought their moment had disappeared, it had faded away and they had missed their chance at having something between them. But now, she has different thoughts on that.

They had their chance now, they hadn't missed anything, and they had finally taken the first step into that chance. They had shared the physical love and lust they had for each other over the years, and that was only the beginning of what she hoped would come. There would be some point, maybe very soon, that some feelings would be voiced. It would be inevitable with them returning back to DC. Things will need to be justified. When they returned back home they will both want to know 'where do we go from here?'

She couldn't help but follow his lead when he rolled her gently onto her back. Right now she couldn't really remember what happened last night when they got home from the bar but she still had her underwear on and he had his boxers on, from what she could feel when he slipped a leg between hers, so she guessed they hadn't got further then a half naked make out session if they did do anything.

She kissed him a bit stronger, joining her tongue with his, as he pressed into her more. She was a bit smaller than him but she really loved his weight on her like this. She loves Tony's body, he wasn't all hard muscled, he was fit with a slight bit of weight to him, he was soft. She loved that about him, she always had. And she loved his soft chest hair, especially when it touched her naked chest. God, she wanted him now. He was so good at making her go all warm with that want for him.

Even though they had all morning to spend in Alaska, they spent at least half of that free time in the hotel, in bed together. And they wouldn't have spent it any other way if given the choice again. They would have done exactly the same thing with their morning.


Something about the sex with Tony like they had that morning had left her refreshed, happy and brightly awake. She knew it was like that with other guys too but there was just something different about the way it felt with Tony that made her heart flutter in her chest. What they shared wasn't just sex, it was love.

The way he touched his lips to her neck so softly it made her giggle, the way he moved his hands across her naked skin giving her a shiver down her spine. That moment she didn't really care when he gave her a small love bite on the dip of her shoulder and her neck, and then he happily let her return one. The way he whispered her name against her skin, the way he fit so perfectly with her. The way he left her relaxed and satisfied after he gave her what she really wanted.

And she couldn't keep the smile off her face as she thought about it. No matter how annoying he may have been over the years, he was definitely what she really needed in life. Out of work she knew that other side of him and she was glad she had gotten to know the personal side of Tony and not just the work side. She remembers the first time they began their friendship out of work, when Gibbs had retired. She taught him some cooking skills and refreshed his piano playing memory. He shared his movie knowledge and she really got to see the happy fun side of Tony in everything he showed her and took her to see in DC.

He was funny and liked to play jokes at work but out of work it was sort of different. He was still funny and played jokes on her but when he did it when he was alone with her it was special in a way, it made her heart rate jump at the way he looked at her and the way he smiled. It was so much more personal. She knows that that was where the true bond between them had all begun.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Tony whispered against her neck followed by the press of his lips as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. She could smell the shampoo and shaving cream still on him as he came up behind her after his shower. She hadn't realized she had been standing there staring into space when she was meant to be packing her bag.

"I do not want a penny" she replied. Why would he pay for her thoughts anyways? She brought her hands down atop of his and threaded them together. She could feel him smile against her neck.

"It's a saying Zi, it means I would like to know what you are thinking" he stated, kissing her neck softly again before resting his chin on her shoulder and pulling her closer to his chest.

"Just things, mainly about you" she replied, knowing that would get him interested.

"Yeah?" he asked, very intrigued. She knew him too well. She chuckled lightly and pulled out of the embrace. She turned around and kissed his lips.

"We have to finish packing so we can go for a late breakfast, and if you are lucky I will share my thoughts with you then" she smiled down up at him, she could see that twinkle of interest in his eyes.

"Alright then" he said with a grin. He didn't hesitate in going to pack the rest of his things, he really wanted to share a nice breakfast with her here in Alaska before they went home to DC and they had already spent a good half of the morning in bed. Time was ticking away, they were getting picked up at half eleven and it was already almost ten.


They sat inside a nice little restaurant at a window table. It was softly snowing outside and Ziva was gazing out the window with a smile as she drank her tea. This was the first time she had had free moment to actually just sit and watch the snow. Even though she hated the cold, she loved the snow. She thought it was absolutely beautiful. Tony sat there with his coffee as he let the two lots of pancakes he had for breakfast digest.

The sight he had he thought was the most beautiful. He wasn't looking out the window at the snow, he was sitting there gazing at Ziva as she looked at the snow. She was truly beautiful. The past few days had meant so much to him, not so much the murder case and everything, but he and Ziva's relationship. They had finally done something about the way they felt, maybe not said anything yet, but they had done something.

And the way she kissed him, touched him. It all made his heart lighten in his chest. He loved what they had, the freedom he had to kiss her and hold her close, say her name like she was his and only his. He never wanted that feeling to stop.

"So, what was it you were thinking this morning?" he asked. He watched her smile out the window before turning the smile to him.

"Things about you" her smile deepened. His did too.

"Yeah, I know that part. What about me?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her. She chuckled lightly before smiling softer at him and giving him a certain look in her eyes that meant what she was about to say was on the deeper serious side of things. And right now he welcomed it, he wanted to know what she was feeling, in more than her touch and her looks. He wanted to hear it from her mouth.

"About this morning, yesterday, when Gibbs retired" she replied, holding his gaze. He knew that when Gibbs retired it was a point in their lives when they went from co-workers to friends. It's when their partnership molded and they became a single working unit. They got each other. And it was because of the time they had spent out of work as friends.

"You think about that a lot?" he asked, getting serious. Today, this conversation, it wasn't for funny Tony, he knew Ziva wanted the serious Tony. She shrugged.

"Sometimes, I mean when we used to have those times where it's hard to remember that spark we used to have I did. But now, with what's happened, I like to think back and remember where or friendship had really begun" she admitted, keeping her eyes locked on his the whole time. She wasn't afraid to be admitting these things with him. It was easier to be more personal with each other now, after what they had shared together.

"I used to think that we had lost what we had" he said quietly. The look she was giving him, she agreed. She had thought that too at one point.

"I am glad we didn't" she replied. He found himself reaching across the table and gathering her smaller hand in his grasp.

"Me too" he smiled. She smiled right back. There was a moment then, where they just stared into each other eyes, not thinking anything, just living in the moment they were having together.

"Where do we go from here Tony?" she asked, breaking the silence. It was on her mind and it was also on his. It was something they both knew needed addressing. He ran his thumb back and forth across her knuckles.

"I would really like to give this a go, us" he began "And I'm not going to do a half assed attempt at this like I have many times with women over the years, I am really going to give my all into this. You're not just anyone Ziva, your special, what we have is special and I want it to work. I want it to last" he stated, bringing out the honesty. He wanted her to know he was going to fight for this as much as he could. He was serious about what they were starting. Tony had only ever been serious with two women in his life, one was a mistake, the other was a hard loss for him. Jeanne, she had been his mistake, he hadn't meant to fall for her like he did, be so committed. Maybe he was blinded by something he wanted so bad that it felt right. Whatever it was, he knew it was a mistake, it damaged his heart and it took him a while to heal.

The other was Wendy, his high school music teacher. Of course she wasn't his teacher at the time, it was well after he had left high school. He had seen her one day, they had talked, met up again, and then again and again. Things grew and then had become serious. She was the first serious relationship he had ever had. It had been a hard loss for him when he came home early to surprise her and found her in bed with her ex-husband. That had crushed him. He had given up on love after that, never being serious about a woman until Jeanne had come around.

But right now, this thing with Ziva, he was so confident with where this could go. They wouldn't risk doing this as partners if it wasn't serious like it was. He'd had small heartbreak from Ziva before, well not really her herself but the thought of her death. He'd grown from that when he found her alive in that cell, he was determined to make things right between them. He knew that everything they had ever been through together had only made their relationship that much stronger.

Ziva moved her hand in his, threading her fingers between his.

"You're not just anyone to me also Tony and I would very much like what we have started to work out. Over the years I have realized that what we have is different than anyone else I have ever been with, we have history, and that history is what makes us so strong together. For a long time now I've know that I have cared for you deeply and I would like to keep doing so, and sharing it with you" she said. How long had she cared deeply for him? How long had he missed out on starting this because he had been too stupid to realize he actually had a chance if he just told her how he felt? He wasn't going to dwell on that now, he had her now. He tightened his hand around hers.

"I've cared for you for a very long time too" he admitted, smiling softly at her. She smiled right back. She felt like saying something right then but couldn't bring herself to do it. He could see it too, the need she had to say something. But he wasn't going to pressure her into anything, he too wanted to say the words from his heart but couldn't bring himself to do it just yet. Their time would come for that moment, he knew it. And he wouldn't lose her if he didn't say it just yet, because deep down she knew he did. She could feel it. And he could feel that she did too.

And walking out of the restaurant that morning he didn't hesitate one bit before slipping his hand into hers, lacing their fingers together as they did a short walk back to the hotel where Edwards would pick them up soon. And she rested her head on his shoulder when he did. This is what he had wanted, he was committed to someone, and that someone was his partner, Ziva. He let the smile grace his face at the thought. He was actually really happy about what he had with her in his life now. He finally had the start of a permanent relationship.


"Thank you both, we had a good time while we've been up here, so thank you" Tony stated as they stood at the departures part of the airport with Evans and Edwards. Edwards held out his hand and Tony gave it a good shake.

"You're welcome, thanks for your guys help on the case" Edwards replied, giving Tony a smile.

"Just doing the thing I do best, well second best, I actually-" Tony began before he was cut off by Ziva's chuckle as he was pushed slightly out of the way so she could give Edwards a friendly hug.

"I'm sure you don't want Tony's detailed explanation of the thing he does best, which I know he will say is women" Ziva stated playfully as she pulled back from the hug with Edwards. He and Evans chuckled at Ziva's statement. Ziva shot Tony a small smile, and yeah, he had actually found her reply funny too, because it is what he was going to say. Even if he was joking. She did really know him too well.

Tony watched as Ziva gave Evans a hug, he sort of felt a bit jealous in that moment. Sure Ziva was his pretty much now but he knew Evans had tried to get into her, he had kissed her after all. He watched the two of them whisper but couldn't hear what they had said.

Evans saw the way Tony was looking at him when he hugged Ziva. He took the hug as purely friendly but there was something different in the way Tony had looked at him in the jealous way that was different this time. He knew there was something more between them, he had noticed a small shift in their behavior on the ride to the airport. The deeper held stares, like they longed to kiss the other. Evans bent his head and whispered to Ziva.

"I am glad you two did something about it" he stated. She pulled back and looked up at him. She had a feeling she knew what he was getting at, and she was going to deny it, but in the end she didn't.

"Yes, as am I" she admitted. She could see his face falter slightly.

"I would like to thank you though James, that date you took me on was very lovely and you are very lovely, I do wish you luck for the future" she told him. She still felt a bit guilty for that night. He sent her a warm smile.

"You are welcome. I enjoyed it too. I wish you both the best of luck" he stated. She knew he wasn't too upset about what happened on their date. He was a good guy. She gave him another smile and a small nod before Tony stepped over and shook Evans hand.

"Thank you, it was a pleasure" Tony stated. Both men stared at the other. Silently they both knew about the others relationship with Ziva. Tony knew about the date and the kiss. Evans knew about Tony and Ziva's relationship. They gave each other a curt nod. Understanding.

"As it was for me, good to meet you" Evans replied. There was no battle over who got Ziva anymore, Evans had let the little fling go with Ziva and Tony had picked up a relationship with her. They understood each other now and they didn't have a grudge against the other man anymore.

"And take care of that eyebrow" Evans grinned. Tony chuckled softly. Finally Tony stepped back and smiled at the two Anchorage detectives.

"If you're ever in DC don't hesitate in giving us a call, no one knows the city better then yours truly" Tony stated. He heard Ziva laugh softly beside him. He was so full of it sometimes, but she did love that about him. He made her laugh.

"And if you're ever back in this icicle you know where to find us" Edwards smiled back. Tony was glad everything had ended on a good note, he had really enjoyed his time in Anchorage to say the least and Edwards and Evans were both really good guys. He may have been jealous at some point, well a few points in time, with Evans but he was over that. Evans was a good kid, a good detective. And like he said before, he reminded him a lot of himself. Tony had grown up, Evans would one day too.


This time on the plane she felt comfortable, she knew that again her partner was there for her, had her back. And she was grateful that they only got a row with two seats, they didn't have to share with a stranger this time. And instead of keeping that bit of distance like the flight over to Alaska they didn't keep as much room between them. He had gathered her hand in his and when she fell asleep this time she ended up leaning her head on his shoulder.

He didn't sleep though. He could of, but he didn't. He knew that she didn't like plane rides where there were lots of people so he wouldn't mind staying awake if it made her feel a lot more safe and comfortable. He would really do anything for her. He had an in-flight movie so he was alright. He was sure he would get sleep when he got home tonight, and maybe if he was lucky Ziva would even join him there and he would sleep even better.

And when the flight attendant got to their row when she was serving dinner she asked what his girlfriend would like. He didn't correct her, he didn't have to. Ziva was his girlfriend now after all. He didn't know if that was the term he would use, he thought the term 'partner' had suited them well, work wise and relationship wise. He also didn't need to wake Ziva to ask her what she wanted, he knew. He always knew what her favourite food was. What her favourite everything was.

Maybe this relationship thing between them was going to be easy after all. He did know her better than anyone else. He knew what made her laugh, smile, what made her tick or get snappy. He knew what her favourite color was, her favourite music, food, movie, TV show. He knew what she liked to do for fun on the weekends in the winter in the summer. He knew her pet peeves, he knew her fears, her weaknesses. If there was one woman in the world he understood the best it was her.

And it was a grateful feeling to know you understood the woman you loved. More so that you had her back and she had yours. It wasn't hard to fall in love with someone you trusted with your life day in, day out.


Hope you liked this one. I have one more chapter after this one :)

Hundan