A/N: WOW! I can't believe the response for the last chapter, and thanks to all of you who voted. The majority wanted a love scene, so here. I did the best I could to comply with both your wishes and the plot. Please tell me how I did. Being fourteen, love scenes are sort of my blind spot. I would say it's PG-rated-ish.
It was also tricky to keep them in character but I did my best. Lastly, a super special thankyou to Ellen100 for such a kind review. Seriously, xox.

Last Time…

Ever so gently, he rolled onto his side, placed a hand on her wet cheek, and kissed her lips tenderly. He remembered the last time he kissed her, but it was different now. They were both different now. She leaned into his touch and responded with passion, reaching her arms around him, one hand in his hair, and the other intertwined with his fingers. They knew it was wrong, but neither could stand to pull away from the other.

…

His hand broke free from hers and found its way to her hip, where it dared to touch the smooth, golden skin underneath her T-shirt. Ziva's free hand did just the same, but made its way upwards, fingering Tony's chest hair. In one sudden movement, he pulled her on top of him. They clung to each other, their bodies being the only heat source within miles. He stroked her cheek lovingly. Her soaking wet hair dangled around him, ticking his cheeks with each touch. Their lips never broke apart, not once. His entire body felt like it would explode with pleasure. Her lips tasted sweet, and yet salty from the icy water surrounding them. Her skin was soft, and he just wanted to touch it. Everything about her only made him want to be closer, closer to her than was physically possible.

Only when oxygen was absolutely necessary did they let go. Tony's green eyes watched her, and ran a hand through her dripping hair.

"You are perfect," he whispered, and went to kiss her again, but when he did, she sat up straight, and put a hand to his chest, eyes shut tight.

"No," she said, so quiet it could barely be heard. But Tony heard it, and instantly he felt like a dagger had just ripped through his insides.

"No?"

"We can't. I…I don't want to hurt Ray…"

"It's a little late for that, isn't it?" Tony replied, sounding a little angry.

"Tony, do not be upset—"

"Well what if I am? If you had just pushed me away I would've just forgotten it. But you didn't. You led me on."

"Look, I know I shouldn't have done that but what did you expect was going to happen?" Ziva asked, standing up. "What were you planning to do, make love to me in the sand as the waves washed over us and the rain poured from the sky?" She held her hands out, begging for an answer.

"Something like that," Tony muttered.

"You did not think this through," she said, a strong tone of accusation in her voice.

"You're right," Tony snapped, getting to his feet. "I didn't. It's called being spontaneous. Taking a risk."

"Don't talk to me about taking risks, DiNozzo," Ziva warned, a finger to his chest. "This was not a risk. This was not spontaneity. It was recklessness."

"I bet the old you would have liked that."

"Well I am sorry you prefer the person I used to be!" she shouted in his face. "I am sorry you prefer to have a heartless, cold-blooded killer as your partner rather than me. Because that girl and I are not the same person." She ran from him then. She sprinted up the beach, faster than her tired body would allow. She didn't know what else to do. She just knew she had to run.

But Tony was faster.

She felt him grab her arm and tried to fight him, but he was strong, and she was exhausted. She had to give in.

"Ziva, just listen to me," he pleaded. He sounded so honest, so genuine, hardly like Tony at all. She stopped fighting him, and looked into his eyes.

"I don't prefer the old you. Sure, she was great but you…you're the one I fell for." He tried to reach for her, just to hold her again but she stepped back.

"I don't want to hurt Ray," she said, repeating her earlier statement.

"He's married to his work. CIA takes first priority. What were you gonna do, move to Chicago with him at the end of the summer?"

Her lips parted, shivering a little in the cold. A strong wind swept against them. But she did not answer him.

"I can't believe you!" Tony accused. "You're giving up everything you've worked so hard for, for him?"

"It is not what you think."

…

The night before…

Ray was not asleep when she had arrived in the bedroom, and she gladly climbed into his arms. She loved falling asleep while he was holding her, listening to the beating of his heart, feeling each breath he took.

"I am going to miss you when you move to Chicago," she said sadly. "Is there any way you could…not go, and stay with me?"

"You know I can't do that," Ray replied apologetically, kissing her forehead.

"I am tired of this, Ray. I don't want to have to catch a plane every time I want to see you," she demanded, sitting up a little to look at him.

"It's my job. I have no choice," he said, trying to settle her.

"I just wish it were different," she sighed.

"You could always come with me."

Ziva froze. "What?"

"Why not? We could be together all the time, get a place. We could settle down, Ziva. You want that, don't you?"

"Yes, but…"

"Look, don't worry about. Just go to sleep. We'll talk about it in the morning," Ray told her soothingly, rubbing her forearm before she drifted into sleep in his arms.

…

"Guess you didn't talk about it," Tony stated needlessly.

"I have a choice to make. Go to Chicago with Ray or…"

"Stay," Tony finished.

"Exactly."

"No, I mean stay. You can't just drop everything for him. Think about all you've been through with NCIS. Would you really give that up for some guy?"

"Ray is not just 'some guy'."

"Yeah, well neither am I."

It stunned her how serious he was. She folded her arms over her chest, and tried to look like she had an idea what to do. Inside, she was frightened. Whatever this decision was, she was going to have to make it soon, and if she made the wrong choice, she would be left with nothing but what ifs for the rest of her life. "OK. Say I do stay. Where does that leave us?"

Tony took one more careful step towards her. He was as close to her now as they could be without touching. He squeezed her hand. "We give this thing a shot?"

"What about Gibbs?"

"What about him?" Tony asked, frankly, a little lost in her eyes at the moment.

"Rule Number 12. You know that."

"Yes, but Rule Number 1 is the most important."

She frowned. "Never let suspects sit together?"

"The other Rule Number 1. Never screw over your partner. And by denying you this—" he pointed to his face, "—among other things, I'm pretty sure I would be breaking that rule."

She laughed a little then, looking up at him. "Something tells me this is a terrible idea, Tony," she said softly.

"Me too," he said, smiling. "But you know what?"

"What?" she asked.

"Only makes me want to do it more."

In that moment, a volcano of passion erupted between them, and Ziva practically leapt into his arms, their lips crashing together like the waves of the sea. He held her tight, tighter than before, in fear that he was imagining this whole thing. But he knew he wasn't. Nothing imaginary could feel this real.

Again, their hands got the better of them, and they began to explore each other.

"Wait," Tony whispered, breaking their kiss. "Not here. It has to be perfect. We have to do it right. In a room, with a bed."

"I agree. As, uh, romantic as this beach setting is, I am freezing."

He smiled and pulled her into a hug. It was the most amazing feeling, knowing he had finally stopped lying to himself, and that here he was, holding Ziva in his arms.

"Tony," she said, her voice muffled by her mouth against his skin. She looked up and lifted one hand to his cheek. "I love you, OK?"

"I love you too, Ziva," he said, grinning wider than she'd ever seen him. He leant forward, and she hoped for a kiss, but instead he whispered into her ear:

"Last one back to the house is on the bottom," and shot off along the beach.

Ziva laughed loudly and sprinted behind him, grinning all the way.

What the hell had she gotten herself into?

…

A/N: That was surprisingly difficult. I will get to more repercussions in the next chapter. Sorry for the very few who didn't want a love chapter, it sort of had to happen. Reviews are the best love you all :) xxxxx