Author's Note: I cannot tell you all how much I enjoy reading and receiving your reviews! Really it brings a smile to my face every time I see one pop up. So thank you.
This chapter goes to character - take it as you will.
"Why are you nervous, Tony?" Ziva asked as they waited at a red light and Tony tapped the steering wheel incessantly.
It had been a week since Dr. Kenneth had given Ziva the green light to start retraining her back muscles and put weight on her legs and lower back. She had wanted to schedule an appointment with Sarge immediately but Tony had resisted citing the danger with whatever got EJ. Ziva relented and let Tony take the lead on their safety. But, nothing had happened this last week - it was almost as if EJ's murder was an anomaly. Ziva had spoken with Kort and several analysts at the CIA, with Tony by her side during each call, and they'd determined that at present no additional threat from the Cortez camp existed. There was only one of Cortez's men unaccounted for and they all believed him dead.
There was some threat, of that they were all sure. EJ being tossed next to them was no coincidence but they couldn't stop living their lives. Gibbs moved back home a few days ago, albeit uneasy about the situation, and Ziva swore he'd be back if someone blinked sideways at them. Now she looked at Tony who was as jumpy as Abby after thirty Caf-Pows.
"I'm not nervous, Ziva," Tony glanced at her and smiled. "I just think that it is still too soon for you to go back to therapy. Why don't we go to the park? I'll call Sarge and cancel and we can take in this pretty day. I'll even buy you a cheese steak with an ice cream chaser," he said as she shot her his beautiful smile.
"That sounds lovely," Ziva grinned. "We can do it after therapy."
Tony jumped in his seat as the car behind him honked. He moved to the right lane and kept driving. "I don't want you to push the Ziva way."
"I am Ziva," she smirked. "So not pushing my way will be difficult."
"Ok this is not a joke, Ziva," Tony frowned when he found a parking right in front of the building's entrance. He pulled in and put the car in park then turned to her, "If you push yourself too hard you could cause permanent damage. I really think it is too soon to go back to therapy."
"Tony," Ziva sighed. "We saw Dr. Kenneth last week and he ran a lot of tests. He said the swelling is down to manageable levels. You were there, you heard him. It is time; I just have to get the nerves in my lower back to understand stand up. I could be walking in weeks. Isn't that what we both want?"
"See," Tony shook his head. "Weeks? Ziva this kind of injury takes many months to recover from and you keep pushing your body thinking that hard work will get you back to the shape you want. It doesn't work that way. You have to take it easy and let your body heal."
"Tony," Ziva was exasperated. "I have let it heal. I have been resting for weeks now. I feel so much better and stronger-"
"What about your blood pressure?" Tony interrupted. "Ducky said it could elevate with too much stress and your workouts are stressful. Let's just postpone this return to therapy for a few more weeks, ok?"
"Tony, we could sit here and argue this for hours but my appointment is in ten minutes and I want to go," Ziva opened her door. "Please get my chair? I promise you I am not going to overdo it and I am just going to follow exactly what Sarge recommends, OK? He can even give you the list of things I can do and I will follow it to the letter at home too."
Tony stared at her for a moment, "You promise not to overstress yourself?"
"I promise," Ziva nodded.
"I still don't like this," Tony said as he got out of the car and grabbed her chair from the trunk before wheeling it around to her.
Ziva shifted over to her chair and wheeled back so Tony could close the door and beep the alarm on. She looked up at him then took his hand, "I promise," she said.
Tony grabbed her chair and pushed her inside and there was Sarge waiting at the front.
"Hi stranger," Sarge said with a smile. "Glad to hear you finally got the green light to come back.
"Hi, Sarge," Ziva smiled. "Good to see you again. I am ready to get to work."
"Good, to hear it," Sarge went into the training area and Ziva started to push her own chair but Tony took over and followed Sarge.
They stopped in the far back area that seemed to be Sarge's domain.
"Hey, Tony," Sarge said. "You can take a seat over there if you like. We're going to be about two hours today."
"Two hours?" Tony repeated. "I think that is a bit long for her first day back at therapy. Also, I wanted to make sure you have the latest reports from Dr. Kenneth."
"I spoke with Dr. Kenneth last week and again this morning just to be sure and everything looks good. We can get started on some real exercises today," Sarge explained.
"Take it easy on her," Tony said. "I don't know that she is ready for this."
Ziva squeezed his hand, "I am fine, Tony. Enjoy a coffee and muffin?"
"I'm good," Tony said then went to the chairs by the wall.
Ziva turned to Sarge, "He is nervous. I think he thinks I will break or something."
"Don't worry," Sarge smiled. "He'll be OK. So let's get you started."
The first twenty minutes consisted of stretches and warm up on the mats. Ziva chuckled when Sarge used his body to stretch her legs and she saw Tony's eyes widen. She threw him a wink. Then she got to use the arm weights for another twenty before they switched to a leg press. Sarge put a cushion over his torso and placed Ziva's feet flat against it and asked her to push. To Ziva's surprise she managed to feel pressure in her back and while weak she did press against the cushion. Sarge was encouraged and had Ziva slip into a harness over her back brace. He helped her back into her wheelchair then moved her over to the balance bars.
Ziva was excited this would be the first time she'd be standing up straight in so long. She reached up and felt the cool metal under her grasp then pulled herself up out of the chair using her arm strength and looked to Sarge as he started to affix the harness to the bars. But before Sarge could more than grab the harness's loops Tony raced up to Ziva and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"No!" He practically yelled, "It is too soon! It is too soon for this! No!" Tony held her close, one arm around her waist and one hand on the back of her head. "I can't let you," he said with a nervous tremor, "not yet."
"OK, Tony OK," Ziva said as her feet dangled in the air. She looked into Tony's eyes and saw the abject fear in them; it startled her. "I will not try this today. Let us go home then, OK?" She said softly as she ran her hand over his face. She could feel the rapid beating of his heart against her chest and knew she had to calm him.
Tony held her tight then took a breath, "Yes, let's go home," He walked her over to her chair and sat her down.
Ziva caught the angry look he shot Sarge and grabbed his hand, "It is OK, Tony," she said as she undid the harness and handed it to Sarge. "We can go home, now."
She mouthed she was sorry to Sarge then felt Tony push her chair. He could not wait to leave the building. Once outside he opened the car and helped her in quickly; they were on their way home in moments.
The drive home was silent and so was their return to their bedroom, if quick and efficient. Tony automatically handled each step capably. Once Ziva was in bed Tony went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Ziva slid back onto her chair after Tony had carried her out of her it and put her on the bed; and wheeled into the closet to change. She managed to strip and slip on an easy cotton sundress she'd been wearing around the house before Gibbs was their houseguest. She then wheeled over to the bathroom door, took a moment then knocked.
It took Tony long minutes to open the door and then he ripped it open and stood there staring at her.
"Want to take a shower?" she asked softly.
The tension seemed to leave his body when she asked that and he nodded slowly. He stepped to the side so she could wheel into the bathroom and turned on the shower. It took a bit of finagling, as it always did, but soon her chair was park by the door, their bathrobes and towels were on the hooks by the shower and they were under the hot spray with Ziva seated in the shower chair.
Tony turned and stood under the spray, letting it hit his face. Ziva reached over and pinched his bum and he turned to look at her.
"Help me up?" she asked tentatively.
Tony took a knee in front of her, the spray hitting his back leg, "It's too soon."
"No, it is not," Ziva assured. "I will not break, Tony, I will be in your arms."
Ziva leaned forward and placed her arms over Tony's shoulders and he rose slowly, wrapping his arms about her waist as he straightened. Ziva's feet dangled over the wet tile underneath as she felt him take a step toward the side wall. Tony buried his face in the crook of her neck and she felt his breathing speed.
His arms tightened about her waist as he took a deep breath.
"Set my feet down, Tony?" Ziva asked softly.
After several moments, Tony did as she instructed and lowered her body down his until her feet were flat on the tile floor. Ziva shook as she tried to put weight on her feet and held onto Tony. She could feel how weak her back was and she was unable to maintain her legs under her but she could feel her muscles awakening.
"I cannot stand yet but I will, I will walk," Ziva gazed up at him, "And I will walk next to you."
"I don't want anyone to come after you. I don't want...I don't want you to walk away again," Tony said honestly.
"The day we married," Ziva took a shaky breath, "I told Abby I loved you and I did not want to leave you." She hugged him tightly as tears edged her eyes, "I had to go...but I did not want to. I do not ever want to leave you again."
"We're a team," Tony stated.
Ziva nodded quickly, "Yes."
"Ok, Ok," he muttered as he held her close.
Note: I had a long speech between them I deleted because this seemed more them...hope it worked. Tony is simply having a hard time dealing with everything that has happened and it all hit him the moment he saw her try the balance bars. Poor guy has been through a lot with her.