Ziva looked down at the elevator floor with tears in her eyes. She had wanted initially to be alone, but now she found that she was grateful for the company Tony brought her. "There is always another monster."
"Yeah." Tony looked at her and hit the emergency stop button on the elevator. The lights went dim and all motion stopped. It was just them, Tony and Ziva, alone in another world.
"I mean, we pursue them, but we just keep making targets of ourselves."
Tony wanted to comfort her. All he wanted to do was to hold her in his arms and kiss every tear away for her. Right now though, all he could do was speak. He wasn't sure if she'd be open to that kind of comfort. She barely lets anybody see her upset, let alone hold her and wipe her tears away. "Better us than someone who didn't sign up for it."
At this she looked up at him, all teary-eyed. "I don't think I can take anymore."
His heart broke for her. He wanted to kill every single person who has hurt her. But deep down, he knew that was impossible. She had been through so many horrific traumas – and he didn't even know the half of them. When he saw her look up at him, so vulnerable and defeated, he held out his arms to her and pulled her into him, wrapping his strong arms tightly around her, trying desperately to protect her from the world.
"Hey," He said, grabbing her attention. "We're gonna get him, okay?" He ran his hand over her cheek, and he saw her lean into his touch. Does she…Would she…Why not. If she drop-kicks me to the floor, so be it. He took a deep breath and ever so slightly leaned in, testing the boundaries. When she leaned further into him, he decided to go for it. He tilted his head and slowly moved so his lips merely brushed up against hers. He felt her freeze, but nevertheless he gently kissed her, as if she was fragile, made of glass. After a moment he felt her relax against him and slowly kiss him back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. When they finally broke apart she didn't pull away. Ziva snuggled into his chest, seeking comfort she desperately needed. He looked down at her, hugging him as if if she let go he would disappear.
"Do not leave." Ziva mumbled into his chest, not daring to look up at him. Tony ran his hand through her hair.
"Never."
He heard her sigh and gradually he lowered them so he was sitting on the elevator floor with her hugging him tightly in his lap. She started to cry on his shoulder, burying her head as if that would hide it from him. He smiled softly and moved so she couldn't bury herself. She looked at him with tears running down her face for a moment before he leaned in and kissed every last tear away.