I forgot to mention this earlier: this part is rated M and I will bump the overall story up to that rating, too, but it really is the only part where it is necessary, so if that's not your cup of tea, feel free to skip this.
I had published this on tumblr already, but rewrote it slightly and added the bit at the end.
Exhausted, both emotionally and physically, Ziva stepped off the plane onto the tarmac. Tony was chatting with the two chaplains, but she hadn't contributed anything to their conversation for a while already. She wasn't interested in talking, she just wanted to go home and curl up in bed, maybe call Tim…
She didn't have to think about calling him, though, she came to find when they left the airport. He stood outside, hands in his pockets, waiting. Gibbs was with him, but the second Tim raised his head and their eyes met, he started walking towards her and hugged her tightly, cradling her head protectively. Ziva dropped her luggage and pulled him to her, clutching at his back and hiding her face in his shoulder. He let her go after what felt a much too short time, but when she looked around she realized that the others had already left.
"My car's parked down there." Tim gestured, pressing a soft kiss to her lips and grabbing her luggage before Ziva snaked her arm around his waist and went with him. Tim asked her where she wanted to go, his place or her own, but Ziva just shrugged her shoulders and stared out the passenger seat window, watching the scenery fly past until she started to recognize the buildings and realized that they were almost at her place. When he turned off the ignition, Ziva gave him a thankful smile and leaned over the middle console to give him a gentle kiss before getting out of the car.
Upstairs, she just tossed her bag down the hallway and disappeared into the bathroom to take a shower, stripping out of her clothes on the way down the hallway. She thought that he was going to join her but when she was washing the shampoo from her hair she realized that he wasn't going to, and suddenly, she was thankful for that, because the warm water running down her face made it impossible for her to hold back her tears any longer as the realization that she had most likely seen one of her best friends for the very last time today hit her full force. They had made a lot of enemies in Cartagena and Ziva didn't doubt that they'd go after Monique once they connected the bombing to her. And there was only so much firepower a person could withstand, which was nowhere near the capacity a cartel was able to dish out.
After stepping out of the shower, Ziva put her long and wet hair into a braid and went out in search for something to dress in. When she passed the living room, she caught a glimpse of Tim standing at the window, hand resting on the window-frame as he was staring down at the street. He turned his head when he heard her approach, naked feet hitting the hardwood floor and giving him a short warning before she wrapped her arms around him from behind, cuddling close. She felt him draw a deep breath and squeeze her hands tightly and blinked up at him in confusion when he turned around. Tim took her face in his hands and swallowed thickly, shaking his head as tears started brimming in his eyes and he bent his head to capture her lips. His kiss was desperate and needy and left her gasping when he broke it, resting his forehead against hers.
"God, I missed you." he muttered, gently stroking her cheek. "I was so worried when we heard that they had shot at you. I thought, I thought-" he cut himself off with a sharp shake of his head before claiming her lips again in a hurried kiss that sent a pang of longing through her. Before she knew it, her towel was lying on the floor, her back hit the wall and Tim lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his hips (when had she pulled down his pants?) and her head hitting the wall as she arched her back when he slid into her, silencing her loud moan with another heady kiss. He started moving carefully and Ziva groaned in frustration, trying to move her hips faster and urge him along as she lost the capacity to speak. Tim's lips left her mouth and started nib at her collarbone and she dug her nails into his shoulder when he hit her just right, cursing under her breath. Her orgasm came fast and raced through her, leaving her breathless and completely exhausted. It was only when she was able to move again that she realized Tim had stopped moving and was pressing her against the wall to keep them upright. Ziva reached up and ran her hands through his damp hair, feeling his hot and ragged breath on her skin as his shoulders started to shake. She slowly unwrapped her legs and he caught on, letting her slide down until her feet touched the ground again, pulling out of her in the process.
Tim wrapped an arm around her tightly and pressed a kiss to her temple, muttering an apology.
"It's okay." Ziva muttered, turning her head to catch his lips and starting to unbutton his shirt.
"Ziva…"
"I am going to be fine." she told him, brushing his shirt over his shoulders and running her hands over his chest. "I just want to touch you and feel you and forget, just for a little while. And I know you don't want to talk, either." she said, pulling him down into a kiss before taking his hand and slowly pulling him to the bedroom.
Ziva gave a soft sigh and turned her head into Tim's chest, kissing the skin. He ran his hand down her back and gave a soft sigh, toying with the ends of her hair.
"So, I heard Jimmy chose a Best Man." Ziva muttered, crinkling her nose. "Or is it woman?"
Her boyfriend gave a soft chuckle and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head.
"Yeah, seems like he did. Abby was pretty ecstatic about it." he muttered as Ziva sat up slightly to watch his face.
"And you?" she asked him, stroking his cheek. Tim shrugged.
"I knew he wouldn't pick me." he admitted. "We're not the closest of friends, and Tony's right, Jimmy looks at him as a big brother sort of thing. If anything, I also believed he'd ask Tony."
Ziva searched his face before kissing him gently.
"Well, Jimmy made his choice, and it wasn't Tony." she said. "And for what it's worth, I think Jimmy sees you as a good friend. It is just that he and Abby work together more often and have this sort of connection…" she trailed off when Tim gave a soft laugh.
"You don't have to make me feel better." he shook his head, brushing his nose against hers before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "I'm not disappointed. That way, I won't have to plan the bachelor party or give a speech. I can spend the wedding listening to the service, and watching you."
At that, Ziva gave a soft groan and hid her face in his chest briefly. "I still need to go dress shopping with Breena." she muttered, tearing another chuckle from her boyfriend. She swatted his chest.
"Well, if the tuxes are anything to go by..." Tim laughed, shaking his head. "Aw, don't look at me like that. You'll still be the most beautiful woman in the room to me, even if your dress looks horrible." he teased her and Ziva narrowed her eyes at him.
"If you even think about pitching 'total kitsch' as a motto for when we get married, I will make sure to step on your toes every dance we have." she glared at him, not realizing why Tim suddenly stared at her, wide-eyed and open-mouthed. "What?" she wondered when she realized his shocked and surprised expression. McGee swallowed thickly, tenderly brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"You said 'when we get married', not 'if'." he pointed out to her and Ziva's own eyes widened slightly.
"I guess I did." she nodded, biting her lip. "I did say I was reconsidering slowly." she reminded him and Tim nodded, pulling her up against him and kissing her. "Tim…" Ziva muttered between kisses as he flipped them over and started trailing kisses down her body. He raised his head from her collarbone.
"Huh?"
Ziva ran her hands through his hair and sighed. "Still not completely ready." she told him before capturing his lips in a kiss.
"I know." Tim nodded, pressing his forehead to hers as he shifted his hips and tore a groan from Ziva. "Lots of time for that to happen." he assured her before kissing her again, both deciding they were done with talking for the moment.
