This is probably way out of character, but I tried… Reviews make me really happy. Let me know how I'm doing! Give me ideas on what to write. More happy stuff? More hurt/comfort/angsty stuff? Torture Tim more? Torture Tony more? No torture? HELP!

Two days later, Tony was really on the mend. He was a tough guy, and he always healed quickly.

Tim and Jimmy had gone out for a little godfather/godson bonding time. Jimmy wanted to get Tim away from the hospital for a little while.

Gibbs was sitting with Tony. His feet were up on the bed, and he was listening while Tony regaled him with a story from his frat days.

Abby and Ducky had just left, because they had some work to finish up. Abby had kissed Tony's cheek and promised to be back the next day. Ducky had patted Tony's hand and told him to 'be good for the doctors.' Tony was a pretty annoying patient… he asked when he was allowed to leave everytime a doctor or nurse entered the room.

Tony was in the middle of his story when Ziva walked in the room.

Ziva looked at her partner. He was supposedly on the mend, but she thought he looked terrible. He had bags under his eyes, he still had one of those silly oxygen tubes under his nose (she knew this was because doctors were always cautious with Tony's lungs since the Pneumonic Plague), he still had heart monitor electrodes on his chest, and he still had an IV in his arm.

Gibbs turned around to look at Ziva. "Hey Zee," he said. Then he looked pointedly at Tony. "I'm going to get some coffee. You two can talk."

Tony looked like a deer caught in headlights. He hadn't prepared anything to say to Ziva. He really didn't want to mess things up before he even had a chance to date her.

"Uhhh…" he said. "Hey Ziva. What's up?"

"Hello, Tony," Ziva replied. "How are you feeling?"

Tony grimaced. "Just peachy."

Ziva looked confused. "What does a fruit have to do with how you are feeling?"

This, of course, made Tony grin. One of the things he loved about Ziva was her less-than-adequate grasp of American idioms. "Never mind, Zee."

Ziva sighed. Tony looked at her. Really looked at her. Gosh, she was beautiful. She didn't wear much make-up; her face was full of natural, exotic splendor that gave him chills.

"You're really beautiful," Tony said quietly.

Ziva looked surprised. "Thank you." She said. Her cheeks had faint pink tint to them.

"You're blushing!" Tony exclaimed. "I didn't know you ever blushed."

Ziva rolled her eyes. "Oh shush! Of course I blush. It is a natural human reaction."

"But, you're practically not human."

Ziva's eyes flashed a bit. "You are lucky you are in a hospital bed, Dinozzo. Else I would pound your head in."

"Ooh. Zee. I didn't mean it in a bad way!" Tony explained. "You're… you're… the most amazing girl ever."

Ziva eyebrows rose. "If I did not know better, I would think you are flirting with me," Ziva said suspiciously.

Tony hesitated. "I really like you, Ziva."

"Well, Tony. I like you too," Ziva said. "We have been friend for six years. I should hope we like each other."

Tony sighed. "Um, Ziva. I like you in a different sorta way."

Ziva looked surprised again. "What sort of way…?" she asked hesitantly.

"I think I might be in love with you," said Tony slowly. "I've wanted to tell you this for a while, but I was too scared. Well, now I know. Life is too short not to take chances."

Ziva made a sound. Tony could not tell what the sound was. He looked anxiously at the person he considered his soul mate. Her lack of an immediate answer caused him concerns. Tony was not a very patient person. Delays in anything made him restless.

Ziva's heart had leapt. She had felt strong feelings towards Tony for a while. She promised herself never to act upon those feelings, though because Tony could be so immature and he was such a playboy. But, her feelings had grown stronger since Tim had arrived. In just a few short months, Tony had grown up. But, she wondered, could he really ever commit to loving her and only her (not some other bimbo girl) fully?

"… Umm. I am not quite sure what I should say." Ziva admitted. "I have liked you too, but… well. I do not know."

Tony looked mildly disappointed, but he knew it would be harder than just telling her his feelings. "Ziva. I have talked to Gibbs. He knows how I feel, and he gave us his blessing. Reluctantly, but nonetheless, we have his blessing as long as we keep it out of work. Ziva, I have felt this way from pretty much the first time I met you. I have really bad commitment issues, though (as you know). But, I really, really do love you. I don't want just a fling. I really, truly want a commited, passionate relationship with you. I want to know YOU. I want to know what you like, what you dislike. I want to know about Isreal. I just want to know everything. I've never really felt this way about a girl before… the only person who I ever came even close to feeling kind of like this was Alex, Tim's mom."

Ziva nodded, but her eyes filled with tears.

Tony looked at her worriedly. "I'm so sorry, Ziva. Forget I ever said anything. I want to stay friends."

Ziva shook her head. "No, Tony. I really like you. You are right. We can make his work. I would very much like to try."

Tony looked surprised. Then his face split into a huge grin. "Wow! Really?... Well, then. Ziva, my dearest Ziva… will you go out with me? Will you be my girlfriend?"

Ziva smiled back. "Yes, dear Tony. I will."