A/N: So yes, they're finally talking! And they're on the same continent! A step, yes?

I know today's chapter is short, but tomorrow's chapter is juuuuuuciy. I can't spoil you guys—I love you too much! So gimme just a 'lil' patience. I promise the wait will be worth it.

I went to Walmart the other day and saw the TV Guide Magazine with Tony and Ziva on the cover and nearly died. Since it was from a couple weeks ago, it was the last copy in the store. Yes, I left the store with it in my hands. It was well worth the $2.99. I need a subscription to this magazine someday…

Okay, enjoy. And don't forget to review! I write because I love to write—I don't write to make y'all happy (But I do like you to be happy, hence the reason I write… Yeah.), but I do post to make you happy. So if you want me to post, you're gonna have to let me know about that. Otherwise, I might just let this drag on and on and on… Or I'll kill Tony for real this time. So, you can choose. ;)

I'll leave you with those happy thoughts.

Much lovin',

AutumnTony walked out of Ziva's room. He had seen the doctor in, and she was now looking Ziva over.

"I don't wanna leave her alone in there," Tony said, glancing back to the door as he walked over to Gibbs across the hall.

"Ziva's fine,"

"I should be there,"

"The woman needs to focus on getting better. You can talk to her in a few minutes,"

Tony sighed and took a breath. "You're right,"

"Yeah," Gibbs agreed with a half smile. He promptly gave Tony a headslap.

"Ow!" Tony cried, rubbing his head. "Dang, it's a good thing we're in a hospital. I forgot how much these hurt,"

Gibbs smirked. "Don't let it happen again,"

"Well actually, that's something I wanted to talk to you about," Tony said, recovering himself.

Gibbs eyed him. "You want to come back,"

Tony nodded. "My partner needs me,"

"And you need your partner,"

Tony swallowed. "I miss my job,"

"Oh don't give me that crap," Jethro laughed. "Don't think for a minute that I don't see right through that,"

"It is true though," Tony insisted. "I need to be back at NCIS,"

"You come back and you're not leaving until you're dead,"

"Fine. That's what I want," Tony agreed, his eyes serious.

Gibbs stared at him for a moment, his eyes searching. "Alright,"

At that moment, the doctor opened the door. "You can come in now," She announced in her thick Spanish accent. McGee came up behind them, coffee in hand. Tony went in first and went to stand beside Ziva, where she was lying in bed, but sitting up and looking brightened and awake.

"Hey," He said with a smile. She gave a smile in return. "How's she doin'?" He asked the doctor who stood at the end of the bed, clipboard in hand.

"Miss David shows good signs. The surgery did its job. She will be soon done with transfusions. She'll be released in a day or two. A nurse will be in to change the dressing every four hours, and she will be on antibiotics and likely pain medication for the next five weeks as she recovers. After that she will need some physical therapy to regain the best use of her shoulder,"

"So I can go back out on the field?" Ziva asked.

"Yes, with the proper care,"

"How long?"

"A month, if you follow all of my directions. And I suggest you find a good doctor in the States,"

"Understood," Ziva smiled. The doctor walked out of the room.

"That's great news, Ziva!" McGee said.

"Yes, it is. I cannot wait to get out of here," She said enthusiastically.

"You're looking a lot better than when you first got here though," McGee commented.

Ziva laughed. "Thank you, I think so too,"

"How you actually feelin', David?" Gibbs asked from the back of the room.

"Much better, despite the hole in my shoulder," She said.

"Good to know you still have your sense of humor," Tony said, grinning.

"I did learn from the best," She said, looking up at him with a smile.

"McGee, come on. I need some food," Gibbs said, seeing that they needed a moment. He gave Tony a warning look as he walked out the door, and Tony replied with his own silent stare.

"So," Ziva said.

"So," He said in turn. He took a breath. "I'm coming back to NCIS,"

"You are joining OSP?"

"No. I'll be back with Gibbs and McGee and you by the time you get back to work,"

Ziva was silent. Inside she was leaping with joy, but she wasn't sure what to say. "Why?"

"I miss my old job," Her heart fell and she looked away, to the window on the other side of her bed. "I miss my team and it'd take too long to train another partner to put up with my movie trivia,"

"I have never put up with it," She said, laughing a little. "And besides, a new partner would be like starting with a clean blackboard,"

"I like the old one just fine," He said, ignoring her mistake. "That is, if you'll have me,"

"I suppose. It'd take too long to train a new partner not to mess with me," She grinned.

"Good," He said with a smile as she smiled right back up at him.