A/N: Post-ep for Worst Nightmare. Season 8 wasn't giving me much to work with until last night, so I'm rolling with it in a slightly different way…hopefully, all will work out as per spoilers for November sweeps!

Tony jiggled his keys in the lock to announce to the primary resident his intent to enter. "It is open, Tony!" The nonchalant voice carried through the door. Opening the door and squinting around for the source of the voice, he prepared himself for imminent attack. Instead, upon fully entering the apartment, he discovered his would-be attacker sprawled out on the couch, reading a book.

She peeked over the top of her novel at the same time that he leaned over the back of the couch. "How'd you know it was me?"

"I am the only other person who has keys to this apartment. Who else could it have been trying to unlock the already unlocked door?" She smirked, then continued reading.

"Good point. You're up late. Can't sleep?" He yawned at the mention of the coveted

s-word.

"I was waiting for you. I could sleep quite easily," she shrugged casually.

Tony put on his most puzzled expression before opening his mouth, thinking, then shutting it again. After a deep breath and several more chaotic moments of thinking he whispered, "How did you know I'd be here?"

She looked up in all earnestness from her book, making direct eye contact with the confused man before directing her line of sight to the pile of boxes by the front door. "I knew you'd come for the last boxes."

"Oh. Right." He chuckled mirthlessly and masked the hurt with his best grin. "Did you eat, yet? I'm starving. You wanna get something?"

She laughed the deep, throaty laugh that she always saved just for him. "I have already eaten, Tony. There are leftovers in the fridge. Help yourself."

His surprise at the invitation did not go unnoticed by his host. "We are still friends. We can still have dinner and movie nights, if you wish."

But her consolation was lost on the man. Upon receiving no response, she found him staring off into space and frowning.

"Why can't you just tell me something, anything about your trip? I've told you all about mine. I've apologized in as many ways as I know how for missing your ceremony! It wasn't my fault! It was the Director's orders!"

Ziva sighed and rubbed her forehead with her fist. "This is not going to work, Tony. I think it is time we admitted defeat."

"Defeat?" Now, he was well and truly yelling. "Defeated by what? Lack of communication skills?"

"There will always be orders, Tony. There will always be secrets. Are you willing to give up your career? Because I am not." She spoke calmly, and turned her eyes to meet his, awaiting a response.

"No."

He shook his head, pulling himself from his reverie. "Uh, I'm sorry. I guess I'm more tired than I thought. I'll just load these boxes and go. It might take me a few trips. That ok?" He straightened himself up, cracking his spine as he lengthened.

She quickly rose from the couch and put her hand on his back to stop him. "Tony, it is alright. If you are so tired, then stay here and sleep. Come, I am also exhausted. Cases involving children always take a toll on the whole team."

He stiffened at her touch and spoke quietly, without turning to face her. "I don't think that would be a good idea. I'll just take the boxes and go."

"I should not be surprised. You are certainly being very grouchy at work."

"Yeah, and you certainly are putting up a cheery front, except for fidgeting whenever I talk to you."

"First of all, I do not fidget. And secondly, we both agreed this was for the best. This was mutual. Do not treat me like the bad gal," she hissed.

"It's guy. The bad guy. And I know it was mutual. And you were right, just like you always are. But, I refuse to do the friends with benefits thing, Ziva. Not again. Never again."

"I am not a man, I am a woman, and the appropriate feminine of guy is gal. I also never suggested that we become friends with benefits."

He opened the door, then bent down to pick up as many of the small boxes as he could fit in his arms. "No, you just want me here when the nightmares surface only so you can push me away during the daylight. I can't do that, anymore. So, I'll just see you at work on Monday. Do me a favor and bring these last two boxes to work with you, and I'll just get them out of your car instead of having to come back over here." He turned and walked down the hall, leaving her to close the door for him.

As she stared down the way after him, she threw her head back against the door frame. "Anything, Tony…for you." She whispered to no one in particular.