I am redeeming myself I hope.

"So… what do you want to eat?" Tony asked, slinging an arm around Ziva's shoulders. She shivered back her guilt.

"I am not hungry. Do you want to get a coffee instead?"

"Since when do you like coffee?"

"The coffee is for you." She laughed, snuggling deeper into his embrace as they walked along the side walk.

"We'll go to Starbucks. That way I can force a muffin down your throat too." He couldn't help but feel that something was wrong with his invincible ninja and he unconsciously tightened his arm around her.

"Are you sure you're ok Ziva?"

"Yes Tony."

"It isn't like you to just, literally 'spill your guts'. I remember when you waited all day to go home and take an asprin so Gibbs wouldn't send you home."

"I can not control my organs Tony."

"Sometimes you can."

"Like what?" she exclaimed, stopping.

Tony stopped and examined her adorable face, her light smile and dancing eyes, waiting for his response.

"Your heart."

"Tony…" she warned, casting her eyes down.

"Ziva just… shush. Okay? I can't get you out of my head, You don't know what it did to me to go to bed with you and wake up with your side empty. I was afraid to go to sleep, afraid that it would all be a dream… that you would not be there when I woke up. Looks like my instincts were right."

"Tony what are you saying?" Ziva's chocolate eyes flicking around his face.

"That I would like nothing more than to go to bed with you every night and wake up with you there still." He said gripping her shoulders gently.

"Tony…" she warned again.

"Hey, I'm not saying I want to marry you right here and now, I'm not saying I will marry you if you don't want to I just want to… be with you."

"Tony… I… I can't." Ziva whispered, tears springing to her eyes, knowing that she was about to make a huge mistake.

"Why not?" Tony asked, nothing but confusion filling his gorgeous green eyes.

"Ziva?" A voice asked. Tony turned around to see a man that looked very much like himself. "Sweet heart is that you?"

"Lucas." Ziva gushed a fake smile plastered on her face.

The man, Lucas, grabbed her shoulders and gently massaged them before looping his arms around her small, perfect waist.

Ziva was suddenly deeply immersed in the sidewalk.

"Who is this, darling?" Lucas asked.

"This is Anthony DiNozzo, he is my partner at work" she mumbled.

"Ah… the famous Tony." He said, shaking Tony's hand enthusiastically. Tony stuffed his hand back in his jacket pocket and proceded to wipe it on the lining, "I've heard a lot about you, it makes me jealous when she comes home and all I hear is Tony did this and Tony said that. Tony broke his nose, he is so childish… but she always comes through the door with a smile on her face. I hope you take good care of her."

"I wouldn't see a dog jump at her." Tony could only reply.

"Could I steal her for lunch?" Lucas asked, smiling.

"Sure, I should get back anyway." He could see guilt and sadness all over his ninja's face.

"Lucas I am sorry but I really need to get back to the office… I have a lot of paperwork to finish."

Tony only just stopped himself from saying that they had no paperwork.

"Valentines Day and I don't even get to show my beautiful girl off." Lucas smiled.

GIRL? Tony's head screamed, Ziva was a hell of a woman! Not a girl.

"I'll see you tonight my love." Ziva mumbled.

"I look forward to it sweet heart." Lucas grinned and winked at Tony.

Tony held back his shudder, an image of Ziva and her boyfriend doing the horizontal tango came to mind.

Lucas pulled her closer and kissed her soundly. Tony couldn't help but notice how unresponsive she was. Ziva pulled away first.

"I will see you tonight." She repeated and smiled weakly.

"You look pale… are you sick?"

YOU ARE ONLY NOTICING THIS NOW!!! Tony wanted to scream.

"I am fine."

"See you later then. Nice to meet you Tony."

"Yeah, you too."

"Paper work?" Tony asked when Lucas disappeared.

"I do not want to talk about it."

"Sometimes talking helps."

"Not this time."

"Where did you find him? England?"

"He was born in England yes."

"I make you smile?" Tony teased, nudging a smile onto her own face, "Come on Ziva talk to me."

She started to walk away. Tony grabbed her wrist and spun her around. She glared at him for a minute then sobbed and hugged him tightly.

Tony staggered back and stood frozen in confusion before he reclaimed Ziva as his and wrapped his arms around her waist and planted a kiss on her head. He held her gently until her sobs receded.

"What's wrong Ziva?"

"I found…" she sniffed, "a… ring." She cried into his jacket, Tony's jaw and heart dropped.

"An engagement ring?"

Ziva just nodded against his chest.

"Why are you crying sweet cheeks? You should be happy."

"I d-do not w-want to." She sobbed. "I j-just wanted t-to come home t-to someone and h-have them c-care about me."

"So you don't want to marry Lucas?" Tony asked, just wanting to be clear. Ziva shook her head.

"Sweet cheeks I care about you. You know that right?"

"You have a funny way of showing it." She sniffed.

"You scare me what can I say?... do?"

Ziva gave a watery laugh and wiped her nose on the back of her hand.

"All better?"

"He will still ask me." She pointed out glumly.

"You never had to say yes."

"It is Valentines day. It will break his heart."

"You said Valentines day is stupid and it will break your heart to say yes."

"Why do you care so much?"

"The hardest thing to do is watch the one you love, love someone else."

"You love me? Tony DiNozzo? The man of one night stands?"

"The very same."

"Tony come on. We could not do this even if we wanted to."

"You keep saying 'we' when you should be saying 'you'."

"Tony I am not talking about this." Ziva objected.

"Why not?"

"I am not arguing with you!"

"Yes you are."

"No I am not."

"Yes you are."

"No I-." her words were cut off as Tony sealed his lips over hers.

Ziva moaned deep in her throat and kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Tony's heart roared in his chest and his arms went around her. After several minutes they broke apart with a wet pop.

"You didn't kiss Lucas like that." Tony smiled. Ziva shushed him with a finger against his lips.

"Just stop." She smiled and kissed him again.

"Why… do… you… like… him?" Tony asked between kisses.

"He… has… a… big… red… Ferrari."

A red Ferrari cruised past the pair at that very moment, neither noticed the car… or the horror struck owner.

How do ya like them apples?

Tell me what you think. Am I doing a terrible job? Good job? Only you can tell me.

Reveiws are love.