Chapter Thirteen

A knock on the door made Ziva look at the clock for the first time that Saturday morning. Eight. Who would be there this early in the morning on her weekend?

Ziva stood holding Conner in her arms. She walked over to the door.

The past week had been an adventure. Trying to get back into the groove of things with men surrounding her was hard. She found her comfort in Abby and Gibbs. But she would love to have Jenny around to just so she could go to her old friend once in a while.

Ziva looked through the peep hole and saw Tony standing in the hallway waiting. "Tony?" Ziva whispered to herself confused. She opened the door. "Tony, why are you here?"

Tony grinned the charming DiNozzo smile as he took in the sight of the beautiful Israeli woman standing in front of him. She wore a camisole top and sweat pants. "Morning Zee-Vah."

"What are you doing?" Ziva looked even more confused.

"Movies. With little Conner." Tony held up three movies, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Bambi.

"How do you have kid movies?" Ziva tilted her head now even more confused.

"I bought them." Tony smiled. "It'll be good for you to know kid movies."

Ziva looked at him for a few moments debating whether or not she should let him in. In her mind she debated it. Let him Ziva. You love him don't you? What a great way to spend time with him. No! Don't you can't trust some guys. He's probably one you can't. But-Ziva looked at Tony's smile, I do love him. I just won't admit it. She added stubbornly.

"Come on in." Ziva stepped back and let Tony come in. She walked to the couch and sat down, laying Conner on his back in her lap, his feet against her chest.

Tony followed shutting the door behind him. He walked over and sat by Ziva, "he's really cute."

Ziva nodded. "Thank you." She kissed her son's head.

"So how long were you back after the bombing before you came back to work?" Tony asked curious.

Ziva looked at her son trying to remember. "We came back a week after he was born I believe." She closed her eyes vividly relieving the night she was raped in her mind. She got up holding Conner. She gently laid him in a playpen then went to the kitchen.

Tony got up and glanced at Conner. He was calm chewing on a toy of his. Tony went into the kitchen, "Zi?"

Ziva shook her head, "can I be alone?"

"Ziv what's wrong?" Tony stepped heard him walking towards her.

Ziva heard him walking and turned to face him quickly. "Tony, please." Her voice shook this time.

"Ziva what's wrong?" Tony was getting frustrated. He grabbed Ziva's wrists to get her to look at him. "Talk to me."

Ziva tried pulling away, "no! Let me go please. Don't hurt me please, I'll do anything." Tears began falling down her face as she tried pulling away. She backed up trying to get Tony to let go.

Tony immediately let go once he knew she wouldn't fall back. "Ziva, I'm so sorry." He realized his mistake as he watched the broken, ex-assassin, fall to the ground crying.

Ziva backed up into a cabinet and curled her knees up to her chest. She hugged them as she cried. "Please don't hurt me."

Tony started to walk over. "Zi I'm sorry I didn't think-"

"Stop." Ziva almost screamed as he walked closer. "Please don't hurt me."

Tony got onto his knees so he was level with her. "Ziva I'm safe. I won't hurt you." He whispered softly.

Ziva looked away from his gaze, tears falling, "Tony leave please."

Tony crawled over to her and wrapped his arms around her. He hated the bastard who had broken Ziva so badly. He had never seen her hurt this much. "It's okay Ziva. I can't hurt you. You-" he almost said, "you mean a lot to me," but stopped himself and said instead, "you're my partner. I have to protect you. And I promise I will. If anyone tries to hurt you they have to go through me."

Slowly Ziva became reassured at his words. She began to stop crying. She let Tony hold her and just wanted the comfort.

Tony kissed her head gently. He wanted to kiss away every pain she felt. Every memory of whatever happened to her away. He wanted to take care of her. "Hang on." He got up and got Conner gently. He walked over to Ziva again and sat by her again. "You and Conner can come live with me."

"I-I am not so sure." Ziva whispered looking up at Tony.

"I can protect you more. And you'll feel safer." Tony said trying to get her to agree. He wouldn't force her. Especially considering the state she was in right now. She was scared. Something she probably wasn't used to. Now she was having a man offer her help after she'd been hurt by one. Tony didn't want to hurt her. He only wanted to keep her safe.

Ziva looked at Conner who was falling asleep in Tony's arms. It was a first. Conner falling asleep for anyone but Ziva was rare. "I'll come." Ziva said her voice barely audible.

Tony nodded. "Okay. I'll help you move everything you need in tomorrow."

Ziva nodded quietly. She was scared. She wasn't used to it. She was glad Tony was there though. Her pride may have been bruised but bruises fade. Hopefully staying with Tony the memory and pain would to.