A/N: Another Part 1 of 2. Next chapter will wrap up this immediate storyline and the S8 Glimpses. Then just S9 to go, we're in the home stretch! Thanks for everything guys! :) ~Aliyah

Tony needed to go after his partner and was relieved when Gibbs sent him away with a look and a nod. Of all of them he hadn't expected Ziva to be the first to break. He got into the elevator and just stood there while Ziva struggled not to cry. "There is always another monster," she said finally.

"Yup," Tony agreed, unable to form a more articulate response while he studied the floor numbers that lit up as the car rose.

"I mean, we pursue them, but we just keep making targets of ourselves," Ziva explained.

He faced her and touched her arm gently. Even warriors needed some good old fashioned human contact when they were hurting. "Better us than someone who didn't sign up for it." At least they knew what they were getting into. The victims they tried to get justice for often did not.

Ziva met his eyes for the first time. "I do not think I can take any more."

Tony's heart jumped into his throat and he shook his head minutely. Ziva couldn't leave him, not now, not after all they'd been through. He reached out and flicked the emergency stop switch, then moved his hand to her face. "Hey, we're gonna get him, okay?" Tony ran his knuckles down her cheek and brushed back the strands of hair that had escaped from her bun.

Ziva leaned in for a hug and Tony gladly wrapped his arms around her, running one hand soothingly up and down her back. The moment was over far too soon, but when Ziva pulled back he could see her eyes flicker to his mouth for the briefest of seconds. Without even thinking, Tony kissed her softly, startled into awareness of his actions when her lips moved with his.

Then Ziva stepped away and shook her head. Tony wondered if he should apologize. But she merely looked up at him with the same sad expression and lifted her fingers to trail down his cheek. "Not while you are still seeing her."

Tony was ashamed to realize that EJ hadn't even crossed his mind when he kissed his partner. He swallowed. "CI-Ray?"

"Still over," Ziva answered softly. "He lied to me and he used me. Once this case is finished, I do not want to see him again."

He tucked her back against his chest. "I'm sorry Ziva, I know what he meant to you."

She wiped her eyes, undone by the sincerity in his voice. "Ray was just a dream. They do not often come true."

"You'll get another chance," Tony assure her.

Ziva was glad not to be looking at him. "Will I?"

His grip on her tightened. "Yes," Tony whispered into her hair. He took a breath. "Do you want this?" He'd never asked a more serious question, and Tony was terrified that her answer might not be the one he so desperately wanted.

But his fears were unfounded when she nodded against his shirt. "Yes." After six years of dancing around each other, they deserved the opportunity to create something real.

Tony and Ziva stayed in the elevator sharing the same space for comfort until Ziva stood back and flipped the switch on. They had a job to do. The future could wait for a few more days.

Replies:

Sarah (G11) - according to my research, on the show Tony is 10 years older than her and Z is supposed to be 30. In RL, Cote is 33 and Michael is 44. I guess he qualifies as an 'older man' :P Glad you liked the tag, this is one of the simpler ways Tiva could've happened. I do think Z has worked very hard to change the perception people have of her, so it definitely bothers her when the past rears its ugly head. Glad you liked T's response, it very much reflects what Z says about why they love him in the second part. Thanks for reviewing! :)