Author's Note: Hey guys, I know it's been a whole year after I left off with a cliffhanger and by that I'm truly sorry for leaving you guys hanging. So much has happened, college really took me a way from writing and a whole lot of other personal reasons which led to why I have fully abandoned this story. I made a promise to myself that once I'm fully done with my studies, I will entirely put a lot of dedication to this work, which is now what I'm trying to do. And so I recovered my old laptop together with all the files I've never gotten to post and put them all together, for me to post in the next few weeks until this story's fully finished. (So this chapter you're about to read is unedited ever since last year)

The last time I checked, this story had 300 reviews and I'm just so surprised to see how 70+ reviews have been coming along the way for the past year so thank you much for that! I'm really overwhelmed that a lot have been asking for Changes Made the whole time I was away. Now let me repay you back with a new set of chapters, if you're okay with that.

P.S I really intended to update this story on July 10 to mark the two years that Cote de Pablo left the series *wails*

-x-

Arctic

That was the first thing that came to his mind as his eyelids fluttered open. The room temperature was indeed very low but something else was keeping him warm.

Heavy

Just as he was about to move, he felt his legs turn numb and he groaned from the sudden pain, a sudden wave of electric shock prickled to his feet up. He also realized that something or someone was preventing him from getting up; a brunette's head was visible as he looked down, her scent was familiar and inviting as it were last night. Then his heart thumped fast, fully recognized who was sleeping peacefully on his chest for the whole night.

Ziva

Her hands trembled from the sudden temperature of the atmosphere, Tony's eyes widened at the sight of her being lost underneath her curls splayed all over his shirt. But softened as soon as her hands reached out on something that can keep them warm. She enclosed her arms around his waist, tightening its grasp as she moaned softly back to sleep. Tony smiled, running her fingers across her hair and placing them in side, for him to indulge a view of her face. He draped his arms on the small of her back, adjusting the sheets beneath them and went back to sleep.

-x-

"I bet they yelled at each other for the whole night." He mumbled, as they stopped right in front of the guest room's door.

"Could be worse... maybe even tried killing each other." Abby tensed, her eyes never leaving his.

"Don't think they'll kill each other though, because they have to kill us first." McGee swallowed hard, his fingers trembling as he inserted the key to its hole. Just one turn and they would have to bid themselves goodbye because they were pretty damn sure Tony and Ziva will be getting their revenge as soon as they hear the door clicked to open.

"Well before you open it, I just want to say... McGee, this is all your fault." She rocked her hips uneasily, biting her nail. This might be the last time they could even be together.

"My fault? How can it be my fault?! You're the one who locked them in a room!" He hissed. Before Abby could even defend herself, he accidentally twisted the key - the door pried open.

Abby felt shivers run through her spine as the door flew open from the corner of her eyes. McGee's knees turned jelly as they took a deep breath, with Abby muttering the word "idiot" in her head.

They turned their heads, ready to face their well deserved consequences for locking up their friends. But what they saw right through their very own eyes stunned them. Both of their jaws dropped at the sight of Ziva laid on top of Tony, with her head cradled softly on his chest and his arms resting securely on the small of her back. Both of their mouths partly open but still maintained to sleeping peacefully on each other's warm embrace.

Before Abby could even yelp for the wonderful surprise from the two of her friends, McGee placed a hand on her mouth and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her back. He closed the door and heaved a sigh of relief. Abby removed his hand on her mouth with annoyance. She narrowed her eyes as her hands rested on her hips.

"McGee! Why did you do that?" She said. She lowered her voice to avoid Tony and Ziva from waking up, sure she still would love to see the sight of them sleeping together, and she will never get tired of simply staring at them if they were to stay like this peaceful as ever.

"Because you would wake them up, clearly you don't want that to happen." McGee explained . He tried to remove his cheeks from flushing. It was all so unusual for him to see Tony a few seconds ago, and he hasn't fully recovered from that.

"Right..." Abby nodded, still grinning like an idiot. "But we have work - I think we should wake them up now. Or at least Tony..." She groaned, even if she disagrees on the sudden thought. It was a rare thing to see them like this; obviously they've fixed themselves now.

"I know, but let's just tell the boss that he's going to be late for a few... minutes. Sooner or later, these two are going to wake up and he'll realize there's work -"

"Right." She nodded once again. "I like how you think McGee. And therefore, breakfast is on me." She grinned, hooking her arm with his.

"Very well then, let's go." He smiled with anticipation.

They took one last look on the guest room's door and made their way outside his place. Just as he was locking the door to his apartment, Abby spoke.

"Do you think they... slept together?" She asked, her eyes glowing with curiosity.

McGee smiled, putting the key back to his pocket. His arm finding hers once again, "Well they still had their clothes on so I think -" Abby cut him off, punching on his right arm.

McGee yelped in pain, "What was that for?" He asked, dismayed.

"That's for not installing surveillance cameras in the room!"

-x-

The sun shone brightly from outside with its rays peeking through their window, forcing Tony to open his eyes. His hands left the small of her back to scratch his eyes. He wished the sun wouldn't be too damn bright to put him back to sleep with her. But he figured that might take a long time before that happens. He stretched his arms slowly, preventing to wake Ziva from her slumber. His hands suddenly grazed his lips and felt chills running through his spine once again. He touched his lips, tracing it carefully as his mind flashed back to the night before. He smiled just by thinking of how his lips were a perfect match with hers, and how her hand fit oh so perfectly on the back of his neck. He imagined it was a dream, and froze completely lost in his track, realizing it was reality. And it happened, believe it or not, he was happy to be sober enough to finally kiss her.

His heart saddened as his expression dropped. He just also realized he lost the opportunity to finally discuss his 'feelings' for her, and by that - he was also referring to the night that they almost made love while he was drunk.

There were so many things to talk about, and it keeps on piling and piling right at his very eyes that he didn't know now where to start. Sooner or later, what happened last night will be brought up as well.

He decided that maybe it's not too late, and so he placed a hand on her back. He caressed her back slowly, pressing a kiss on her hair. "Ziva, are you awake?" He asked in a soft tone.

He waited for her to answer back, but he was guessing she's currently lost in her own dream because she hasn't move, not even a bit. She was still softly snoring, and he was thankful enough that she was able to let go of that snore she had when they went undercover years ago. God knows how happy he is for that.

"Okay - it's cool, if you're not awake now but -" He spoke, looking down. He noticed her eyes were still closed, her arms around his waist were still tightly secured.

"But someday, when I finally have the guts to tell you - face to face, that no matter how many times I try to push you away... I will always end up fighting my way back to you all over again." He whispered, lowering his voice even more. "Cliche, huh? But that's the truth. And I just - I don't know, it naturally happens... and uh - don't ask me why, because clearly you know why -" He stuttered, his hands now lost under her curls.

He swallowed hard as he managed to find the right words to put it, but there was only one. "And if you think I'm jealous of Adam, - well hell yes I am." He trailed off, his lips pressed with one another. "And I bet you know the reason why either."

He stifled a laugh. It felt good to finally release the heavy load in his heart. He exhaled deeply as he continued playing with her hair. Somehow, it made him feel comfortable just by doing it; loosens the tension all the way.

"And lastly, well because I think you're about to wake up in a few... God, you look so beautiful when you sleep." He grinned, pressing one last lingering kiss in her hair. He watched her shifting her position, rolling carefully with the help of Tony. She laid her back on the bed, with her eyes still closed. Just by seeing her now, made him think if she even took sleeping pills before going back to bed because she looks very much drunk in her sleep.

The beers. It must have been from too much alcohol consumption last night, he thought. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ears. "Those are just the few of the things I want to tell you now... just you wait and hear the rest of them when the time is right, sweet cheeks."

He took a deep breath as he freely moved to the other side of the bed. He picked his phone on the night stand and peered through his messages, there was only one.

He clicked the most recent one and saw Erin's name flashed through the screen.

"Good morning, just checking up on you since you haven't called me last night. As soon as you read the message, please call me."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. He looked through the time the message was sent. Turns out, it was delivered two hours ago. Tony fought the urge to call her since a new message popped right up. It was McGee.

He gritted his teeth and opened his message. They are in big trouble as soon as the door opens.

"Hey Tony. As much as Abby doesn't want to disturb you and Ziva from last night, I'm sorry but I have to... well Gibbs actually. You have to go to work now, sorry."

"P.S. The door's opened."

"P.P.S Oh and we're really sorry. But then again, I could tell you two enjoyed last night so all is well between you and me... right?"

Tony almost dropped the phone realizing that he was extremely late for work. He's sure by now that Gibbs wouldn't be satisfied to give him a head slap. Could be worse. He stumbled right up, so were the covers of the bed. Ziva shuddered by the abrupt movement and jolt right up. She grabbed his arm without even realizing it was Tony's and dragged him down on the floor, sitting on top of him. Tony agonized in pain, as he fought his way to keep his arm from her tight grasp.

"Tony - I'm sorry." Her eyes widened. She removed her grip from his arm and helped him stand up.

"I see you haven't forgetten your skills, my ninja." He wailed. His hand fixed on his back, massaging it.

"Of course not." She bragged. She helped him get the covers back to the bed, fixed the sheets and pillows as Tony ran straight through the door.

As soon as Ziva was done cleaning their trash from last night, she went out of the room and found Tony rummaging through his own duffel bag.

"Do not tell me that door's open the whole time." She hissed. She scanned the whole room, looking for Abby and McGee. This might be the chance to deal with them, if only Tony would listen to her. He was too busy grabbing his pants and OSU shirt walking a few steps to the bathroom on the far end of the room.

"It wasn't. They opened it before they went to work." He yelled, stumbling through his own clothes. It was tempting for him to jump right through the shower but he knows the boss wouldn't hold much longer. He can almost imagine Gibbs yelling right at his ear to get his ass on the navy yard. There was no time to go back to his apartment and wear his formal attire, so he might as well have to settle with his one.

He opened the door and found Ziva preparing a cup of tea in McGee's kitchen.

"I'm really, really late." He groaned. He threw the clothes from the last night back to his bag and fixed his hair the best way he could. "Ziva, I'm sorry I-" She interrupted him, and replied back with a grin on her face.

"I'll be seeing you later." She finished his own sentence and stood in front of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him to a tight hug. "Thanks for being my pillow last night."

"My pleasure, Ms. David." He kissed her knuckles. Tony's cheeks flushed, tthe grip from his duffel bag tightening at this very moment. "I enjoyed it - I mean, I'll see you later." He trailed off, Ziva laughed and waved goodbye.

-x-

He drove as fast as he can, just in time before the red lights came on through the intersection. He keeps his eyes focused as his head travelled back to the night that he slept with Ziva. He couldn't exactly process how everything happened all at once. One thing left him for sure was that he enjoyed it, no matter how his feet turned numb nor how many head slaps he might get as soon as he arrived on the bullpen.

It was all worth it, and he's glad that he's gotten the sign that they're finally okay once again.

He left his duffel bag and grabbed his gear. Luckily, he left it in the back of his car the night before they had their sleepover. He fixed his clothes the best way he can, trying to look appealing as possible. Then locked the car and jogged straight inside the bulding.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand closed the gap in between and the doors pried open, revealing a panting Jimmy with his glasses almost falling through the bridge of his nose.

"Good morning, Tony." He greeted. He took his glasses off, wiping them clean.

"Good morning to you too, Palmer. Late?" Tony asked.

"Nah, just bought breakfast across the street..." He trailed off, wearing his glasses. And finally had a clear view of what Tony was wearing. "I'm guessing you are." Jimmy furrowed his eyebrows and before he could even ask him, Tony cuts him off.

"Don't ask." He warned him. Palmer in return, nodded his head as the elevator doors clicked. Arriving on the floor of the bullpen, he was the first one to hop right off and laughed.

"I was about to ask why you smell like Ziva, Tony." He shook his head and walked past him.

Tony's eyes widened, leaning down to smell his wrist. He did smell just like her. A wave of uneasiness hit him. He can't let anyone know what happened the night before.

Just before he could press the doors to close once again so he can take a shower downstairs, a hand pried it open. He swallowed hard as he saw Gibbs with a masked expression, a cup of coffee with one hand. The older man took one look from him, head to toe and smirked. The doors closed as Tony took a step back, his heart beating wild.

"Uhmm- where to boss?" He asked nervously, his hands sweating.

Gibbs leaned forward and gave him his infamous head slap. "To Ducky."

His blue eyes were indeed very sharp, it almost made him feel like he was already melting with how the way he looks at him. Tony grimaced in pain, with his hand on the back of his head and pressed the button to Ducky's floor.

"You were with Ziva?" He asked him in a soft but a very intense tone, his glare was intimidating as if he was being shot in the gut.

Tony didn't know what to answer; he was puzzled and nervous the most. He didn't have any idea of which was much more difficult to bear, his question or the way his eyes bore at him. The last time he checked, he was a trained investigator and he knew the drill of how to look clean even if deep inside he was indeed guilty. But being in the same closed container as Gibbs made him question who he really is one more time. The guy beside him definitely knows how to blow him off of his feet. He thought of other excuses, but figured that he shouldn't even dare to lie to him of all people. Gibbs played a very big role to both of them, and he wouldn't want to take this relationship they both had with him to a wrong turn just because he only ended up lying. He should do the right thing, as to what he should have done the minute he asked him.

"Uh - yes, boss." He stuttered. Gibbs withdrew a laugh, as he leaned forward and slapped the back of his head for the second time. Tony wailed in pain, but kept it mum as he tightened his lip. He didn't know what exactly was that for but he was thankful enough that a head slap was all he've gotten and didn't pushed him right through the exact details of how he and Ziva spent their night together.

In a matter of a few seconds, the elevator doors finally opened. Gibbs hopped out and gave him one last knowing look.

"DiNozzo."

"Yes, boss."

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Gibbs stared at him with a different look on his face, and for a second he knew that his expression softened, as if it was now a father was talking right in front of him. "Rule number eight." He reminded him.

The doors closed, a smile tugging from the corner of his lips. Tony rested his back against the cold metal wall with his hand still on the back of his head, trying to recover from the slap the older man gave to him. He inhaled a deep breath and smiled to himself knowing that he wasn't in deep trouble after all, he took it instead as an opportunity to do things right.

The doors finally opened, he leaped off the elevator with a smile on his face. Humming to a soft tune, he walked towards his desk.

Just as he was about to take a seat at his desk, a woman greeted him from behind.

"Tony -"

He felt her arms snaked around his chest, before he could even look back to see who was behind him, he noticed McGee giving him a worried look in his eyes, muttering the word - "I'm sorry" in his mouth. Tony tensed as he realized these arms that were actually holding on to him was Erin's

And now he knows this was the real trouble.

-x-

Author's Note:

I've also been collaborating with ma-cherie-cote with a new fanfic (Tiva, ofc) called Dating Games feel free to check it out!