She opens her eyes, and finds herself being stared at. Tony stands next to her bed, holding Zafirah.
"We need to have a discussion," he announces.
"Ok," she sits up in bed.
"This isn't working."
"What isn't working?"
"Having her split into two different homes. It isn't working. It's not good for her."
"What do you suggest that we do?"
"Move in together."
"I don't think that is a good idea."
"Ziva I know that you don't like the idea, but we need to do it, for her."
"Why do you want to move in together, all of a sudden?"
"Because she needs the both of us. She needs stability. She needs you."
"She is always going to need me."
"She needs to know that you are going to tuck her into bed every night, and be there when she wakes up."
"You're right."
"I'm going back in two days."
"I know."
"I think that you should take some time off, and spend with her. You have a zillion days saved up, and she needs you. I know you love your job, but I hope that you love her more."
"Of course I do, but..."
"No buts. Gibbs will understand."
"How is this supposed to work?"
"We start moving forwards, instead of dwelling on the mistakes we made in the past."
"And then what?"
"We figure out how to live together, for her sake."
"I agree that it is probably what is best for her."
"But?"
"But I still think that it's a bad idea."
"Why?"
"You wouldn't understand."
Tony shifts Zafirah, on his hip. He places the sheepish toddler on Ziva's lap. She snuggles up with Ziva.
"Make me understand."
"This isn't a fairytale," she reminds him.
"Your point?"
"There is no such thing as happily ever after."
"I know that. Why are you bringing it up?"
"What do you expect is going to happen, if we move in together?"
"Whatever happens."
"What do you see, for the future?"
"Us, being together as a family, even if we're not together as a couple."
Ziva furrows her brow. Tony takes a seat on the edge of the bed.
"There, I said it. I brought it up. I think that we should be a couple. I know that you are against the idea, but it makes sense. We should try, for her."
"No. Not now."
"Then when? Why not?"
"If it blows up she's in the middle. I cannot live with knowing that..."
"Ziva, why do you always have to think that the worst scenario is going to be the outcome?"
"Because it usually is."
"What is the real reason that you don't want to be with me? You don't trust me?"
"I trusted you before," she reminds him.
"And I betrayed your trust."
"How do I know that isn't going to happen again?"
"Because it won't. I am not going anywhere. I am not going to let you go anywhere. I think that it is an injustice to her, if we don't try to make this work."
"We shouldn't be together, just because of her. If that is our reason then we will both end up miserable."
"That isn't my reason," he reveals.
"What is your reason, then?"
"I love you."
The room falls silent. She stares at him in utter disbelief. Tony smiles, childishly. Zafirah looks up at Ziva.
"Did you hear me?" Tony questions.
"Yes, I heard you."
"Then say something."
"Why?"
"Why do I love you?"
"Why would you say something, that isn't true?"
"It is true."
"No, it's not. You don't love me."
"I have always loved you."
"No," she shakes her head in disagreement.
"And then she came along, and I realized how much I love you. Seeing you with her makes me love you more."
"Tony, we're partners, and..."
"We've already crossed that line. Years ago, we made the decision to try and be something else. We're still partners. We're probably always going to be partners. We can't uncross the line. I love you, and I'm not going to deny it anymore. I have followed the rules, and I'm sick of it. I am entitled to have a life. I am entitled tot be happy. I can't make all of my decisions based around my job."
"Where is this coming from?"
"The heart."
"I..."
"Are you telling me that you don't love me?"
"Does it matter?"
"It matters to me."
"I, need some time to process all of this," she admits.
"Fine, I'll take her, and we'll go get some breakfast."
"It's going to take longer than that."
"If I gave you a thousand years, it would take you a thousand and one. You have until we get back."
"Is that an ultimatum?"
"Just a statement. You're not going to hurt me, by telling me the truth."
"What if I do?"
"We'll figure it out, we always do."
He takes Zafirah, and leaves the room. Ten minutes she hears the apartment door close. She gets out of bed, and wanders into the bathroom, to take a shower. After her shower she dries her hair, and gets dressed. His words float around in her head. She stares at the phone on the bedside stand. She dials a familiar number. It rings three times, before she gets an answer.
"I'm in a hurry Ziva, what do you need?"
"Advice."
"And you called me?"
"I didn't know who else to call."
"You have permission. Is that what you need to hear?"
"I need to know what to do."
"Tell the truth. That is all you can do."
"But..."
"Ziva, just tell him the truth," he hangs up.