Note: This is just a pretty short ending to the story. Basically Tiva fluff that has nearly no connection at all to the story. But it's been fun. Thanks to all the readers and reviewers. Basically, this is the end of my first major multi chaptered fic. Like I said it's been fun. So....now all that's left is to read the final chapter of 48 hours. There may or may not be a sequel. Enjoy.
Epilogue
Tony kept his arm around her partner's waist as he guided her through the door to her apartment.
"I am fine Tony, really. I was shot in the shoulder, not the leg."
"Of course you are." Tony casually replied, not removing his arm. She rolled her eyes and wrenched away from her overprotective partner. The quick movement caused her to lose her balance and she careened into the wall.
Tony grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. They remained in that position, each body only inches from the other.
"I believe you can let go of me Tony." Ziva finally spoke, her voice annoyingly unsteady.
"You never know David, gravity is tricky. You could fall if I let you go." Tony smirked.
Ziva once again pulled away, more carefully this time. She moved to the center of the room proving her ability to walk straight.
She turned to find her partner was directly behind her. She looked up at him.
"I can walk without you there to catch me if I fall."
Tony shrugged.
"Just because you can doesn't mean you should." He walked past her towards the kitchen without another word. She stared after him.
That couldn't possibly be as deep and philosophical as it sounded...could it?
She hurried after him.
"What are you hiding from me Tony?" She blurted out when she finally found him fiddling with the microwave; all her subtle interrogation tactics forgotten. He turned towards her with a look of genuine confusion on his face.
"What?"
"You are hiding something from me. You had the same look when you were...with...jeanne."
"Ziva, I assure you that I'm not dating a heiress to a multi million dollar gun running operation. In fact, I'm not dating anyone. You interested?"
She scoffed.
"Something is wrong, you are not yourself!"
Ding
Tony turned and grabbed the now cooked hot pocket from the microwave.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He said quickly before taking a large bite from the steaming pastry simultaneously rendering him unable to speak.
"Stop that!" She swiped it from his hand. He stared at it mournfully. "This is serious!"
Tony gulped down his massive mouthful before answering.
"You want to know what's bothering me? You! You almost died because of me! You were shot and it was my fault.
"I told you not to blame yourself Tony." Ziva answered softly. However, Tony continued his impassioned speech.
"You want to know why I kept my arm around you on the way in? To reassure myself you were there, that you were real. To make sure you hadn't died and I wasn't in some sort of hallucination. I've already lost one partner, and I refuse to lose another one. Especially not you Ziva."
Ziva finally silenced him by putting her finger to his lips.
"Shh. You will not lose me Tony. I am hard to kill. Many have tried, none have succeeded."
"Obviously." He mumbled before moving her hand. "But there's more than one way to lose you."
She looked at him quizzically.
"I don't know how to explain this," He continued on, "every time I see you, the world gets a little brighter. You're smile...you're laugh, they're just perfect..." He struggled to find the words he was looking for. "I'm not sure how to explain..."
"Let me try." With those words Ziva reached up and pulled his lips to her own. After a few minutes of the passionate embrace Tony broke off.
"You always did have a way with words." He smiled ruefully.
Ziva laughed.
"What now Mr. DiNozzo?" She asked, her voice laced with more than a hint of seduction.
"I'm thinking something that involves a bed, sheets, and several noise complaints from the neighbors."
"You said my mind."
"It's actually rea-forget it."
Ziva moved towards the bedroom. Tony smiled and started after before rushing back towards the table and grabbing the nearly forgotten hot pocket.
"Tony!"
"What? I'm hungry, and I'm pretty sure I'll be needing the energy the way this night is heading."
Ziva scoffed.
"Just get in here."
"Yes my lady." He gave a mock bow.
His last coherent thoughts were along the lines of wether living together counted as dating or not.
Gotta love hot pockets.