Chapter 11-Trying to make peace.

When Tony woke up, to an empty bed. He rolled over and there was nothing there. From where he laid, her pillow looked damp. She must have been crying. Tony didn't blame her. After all that had happened even he knew they'd have their fair share of nightmares to come. He wished he could do more, but since Ziva had ended it, he had not been the same, he wasn't cracking jokes and above all, he was breaking his own most important rule. 'Don't fall in love'. He felt he was loosing it.

Ziva felt much better, now she was cleaned up and felt fresh, she was ready to make the peace with Tony. Ducky was right. She needed to make an important choice. She had made it. She dressed, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She still had bruises, and she tried to cover up as many as she could. They all held bad memories. Breathing deeply, she mentally prepared herself, for what she was about to do.

When she entered the kitchen there was a note on the island.

Zi,

Gone to the store, won't be long, enjoy your breakfast, we'll talk when I get back.

Love from Tony. xxx

She looked at the kitchen. Tony had laid her out a breakfast, of pancakes, fruit and various other toppings. She reread the note. Tony had signed it with three kisses and 'love from'. That was odd. She then got the message. He was trying to win her back. He had won. Ziva just didn't know how to say it.

When Tony returned, he said a simple 'hi' to Ziva and started putting things away. He didn't react when Ziva started to help. Only reminded her she was meant to be on bed-rest and made her sit on the couch rather than make her go to bed.

"You are also meant to be on bed-rest Tony." Ziva smiled at him. "We need to talk. Still."

"I know." He sat next to her."Let me go first, please?" Ziva nodded. "Ziva, I know you're concerned for my safety, but I can look after myself. Zi, I don't think I can live without you. I don't think I love you, I, know, i'm in love with you, Ziva." There was tears in her eyes as she looked at him. "Ziva, baby, please don't cry."

"Tony, I am not crying because I am sad. I'm crying because, I love you too. I just don't know if I could live with myself, if I lost you. And after what happened, why would you want me back? I am damaged goods." He shuffled up the couch to wrap his arms around her.

"Oh Zi, don't ever say that." He whispered, tears threatening his own eyes. He kissed the top of her head. She winced as he tightend his grip on her. "Ooh sorry." He said letting go, so as not to hurt her.

"It is ok Tony. The worst fracture was that rib, so just be careful I guess." She smiled.

"No problem Ziva."

There was a pause, then Ziva spoke up. "Tony" she wispered, "can, um, can we just slow down, I don't want to rush into anything, please."

"Ofcourse. Ziva, I want you to be comfortable and ready." He gently held her and stroked her hair. They sat like this for some time. When Tony looked at his wrist and saw it was only half one. "Come on. You need to relax. As your boyfriend, I perscribe, a movie." He grinned and she grinned back.

"What movie would that be my little hairy butt?"

"Well, considering we have like all day to kill, I was thinking Avatar, at three hours, then, I was gonna take you out for dinner, as you deserve a treat after what you've been through."

"Oh, Tony, you are too kind. How did I deserve you?"

"Ziva, you deserve so much more, i'm just so glad you've stuck with me. How me?" He asked sarcastically, jumping off the sofa to the movie cabinet.

"I do not know. Maybe it was your DiNozzo charm? Or your dazzling smile, or the fact that you seduced me and I couldn't say no to you?"

"Or, all of the above." He said kissing her and smiling while pressing the button on the remote.