Hei hei!

Finally, a new chapter! I hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or the characters.

It took the couple a little more than two months to find the perfect place they both fell completely in love with. Today they would go sign the papers of their house, a perfect bungalow. There were three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one on the smaller side but perfect for guests or their children at one point in the future, a lovely garden, a basement and an attic. The house had been fully renovated, including the luxury of a lot of electronics. It was a modern place, but with some lovely touches. Both parties could not wait to move and make the place their home, a hopefully for ever and ever place. Their family had already offered to help them move, wishing them all the best.
That night Ziva was laying on her side in bed, looking at Tony, a content smile on her face.

"We just bought a house." Ziva spoke, smiling.

"I know." Tony responded tenderly, making his way toward the bed, having just finished his nighttime routine.

Ziva immediately nestled herself against Tony's side, once he was laying in bed, her arms tightly around his waist.

"I love you." The young woman expressed, her breath tickling Tony's neck.

"I love you too sweet cheeks. I can't wait to move and have the house completely like we want to." Tony responded quietly, stroking the back of Ziva's head.

"Me too."

The woman was very content, a feeling that was still something relatively new. The past few weeks Ziva had made a lot of progress in therapy, something that she was feeling proud of. The psychologist had suggested to ask Tony to join some sessions, feeling that Ziva was ready to share the story of her time spend in captivity and everything leading up to that moment. At first Ziva had deflected her therapist's suggestion, feeling like she was far from ready to tell Tony the whole story. Not only because it would be difficult to tell, even so when she had worked through a lot of trauma regarding that event. But because she knew, or more guessed, that Tony still felt guilty about leaving her behind. It wasn't his fault in any way, but that didn't stop him from experiencing these feelings. But at this moment she was ready to open up toward Tony about that part of her past. The only thing she needed to do was ask him to join her, something she thought Tony may be apprehended about, at first. Knowing he may be just as bad at expressing his feelings as well as Ziva herself. But what did she have to lose? Their relationship was solid, and she knew she could trust Tony!

"Tony?" Ziva spoke in a small voice, feeling a little nervous, despite making up her mind about asking him. The agent moved around a little in bed, so she was sitting up and facing Tony directly, who did the same.

"Hmmm, yes?"

"Can I ask you something? But please do not say no immediately, just think about it." The young woman voiced.

"This sounds serious honey, but I promise I will listen first." Tony declared, bringing one hand on Ziva's cheek, stroking the skin lightly.

"My therapist suggested something and at first I did not agree with her, but now I do. I want to ask you if you want to come with me? Join me a couple of times." Ziva put into words carefully, hesitating a few times, because she was feeling more nervous than she envisioned.

"Can I ask why, Zi?" Tony asked tentatively, having a feeling in what direction this conversation was going.

"I want to tell you what happened in Somalia, all of it. I need to Tony."

"Your therapist is not pushing you to do this, right? I mean… Sorry… Let me start over." Tony rambled, feeling like he was already screwing up, feeling his pulse rising. Was he ready to hear everything? To hear in what hell the woman he loves had lived for so many months? Tony knew this wasn't about him, but at the same time he still feels that he is partly to blame for what happened to Ziva and all that made him feel angsty. Like a lot…

"Tony, look at me." Ziva spoke, seeing that Tony was lost in his own thoughts, a torn look visible on his face. "This, pointing toward his face, is why I want to talk about it together with my therapist. It was not your fault, honey! Whatever happened to me was never your fault! I just want us to be able to talk about it openly, because it is something I am ready to share with you. But only if you want me to? If you are not ready, then we can wait." The younger woman continued, placing both hands on Tony's cheeks, making him look at her.

"I think I will never be truly ready to hear what happened to you Zi… But it's important, no? For you and for us, to be able to talk about that?" Tony spoke quietly, resting his head on Ziva's shoulder, bringing their bodies close together.

"It is important Tony, but it will not change anything between us?" Ziva expressed in an uncertain voice. Although she knew she could trust Tony with her heart, some part of her was still afraid he would turn his back against her after hearing everything. She had done many awful things to other people, but to be honest she had never thought to survive her time in Somalia. It had left her with some serious scares, in every sense of the word. Tony had obviously seen the physical scars on her body, having kissed them multiple times, always telling her how beautiful she is. And now, Ziva was ready to share the scars that marked her mind as well. But only if Tony was ready as well.

"No honey, it will not! I love you and nothing will ever change that, nothing." Tony voiced with absolutely certainty. What he would hear, during the conversation with her therapist, will definitely hurt him, but it had hurt, still hurts, Ziva so much more. Some part of him needed to know what had happened when she was in Somalia. He wanted to know the truth, but most of all he wants to protect her for something like that ever happening again.
Tony tenderly kissed Ziva's lips, breathing out deeply. He could see how nervous and uncertain the whole conversation was making her. Ziva was this badass agent, not shying away from anything. But at the same time, she held so many secrets close to her heart. And these secrets made her feel like she was not worth of Tony's love. Which of course was not true. Tony hoped that talking about the past would help them, would make them even stronger as a couple. And as individuals! Tony wanted nothing more than for Ziva to be completely happy!

"Love you too." Ziva whispered against Tony's lips, hugging him closely afterward.

After a while the couple made themselves comfortable in bed, keeping no space between their bodies, whispering sweet nothings. It also gave Tony some time to think about what Ziva had asked him.

"When do you want me to come Ziva?" Tony asked, looking into her eyes. "And what about Gibbs? I mean it would be during your normal session-time or not?"

"It would be the easiest if it was on Tuesday, like normal. When, I do not know specifically. But I was thinking about taking the afternoon off afterward. I have enough hours and I think I will need it. You also have a say in this. We are both doing this." Ziva put into words, keeping one arm tightly around Tony's waist, the other resting over his heart.

"I don't know… I mean, I will come with you, I want to. But can you tell me when to join you. I'm not good with therapists, you should know that." Tony murmured, knowing he needed to be honest as well.

"You are not alone Tony, we are doing this together. There is no rush, we take all the time we need." Ziva responded.

"Yea…"

"Are you okay?" The woman asked, seeing that look in Tony's eyes, like he was hiding something from her, but she didn't know what.

"I am Zi, I'm just… I don't want you to be in pain." Tony spoke in a quiet voice, bringing a hand over his eyes. He could feel himself getting emotional, thinking about everything and even more than she had been through.

"I am not Tony. When I am with you I feel safe, happy and so loved. All things I never thought I would know. I was raised to be a soldier and I learned how to deal with a lot of things you could come across during a mission. But this past year, I realized that it is okay to express my true feelings. That I am more than just a soldier."

"Off course, you're so much more than a soldier sweetheart. You are this brave, strong, smart and caring woman. I am one lucky man to call you my girlfriend." Tony spoke, a smile forming on his face.

"And you are mine." Ziva smirked, lightly smacking his bum. "And it is okay to feel hesitant about it Tony, okay?"

"Yes madam."

"I am serious."

"So am I." Tony smirked, catching Ziva's lips in a deep kiss, earning a soft moan from her.

"Thank you Tony." Ziva told him earnestly, breathing deeply.

"Thank you too. Night Zi."

"Goodnight." Ziva said, kissing his cheek tenderly, before making herself once again comfortable in bed, snuggling against his side.

A little more than a month passed before the house finally felt like their home, something that would not have been impossible without the help of their family. Ziva and Tony had been living in their house since a full week now, slowly feeling like this was really a good decision, the best. At first it was a bit strange, having so much space and they wanted to create every space into something that was them, which took time. Ziva was so good at all the decoration, saying it had always been something she found interesting. Together they had decided to let the joined conversation with Ziva's therapist rest for a few weeks, giving them the time to settle in and enjoy their new home.

On top of that there was another happy thing to look forward to. In just a few days, it would be Ziva's and Tony's first anniversary. 356 days full of love! The couple had learned to trust each other without second guessing it, their friendship was stronger than ever. And yes, there had been days when the past had overshadowed the good, but they came out of it even stronger. The couple hadn't planned anything special, but secretly both parties had a little surprise in store. Together they had also decided to see Ziva's therapist the coming Tuesday, both having asked the afternoon off. Gibbs, being Gibbs, had not asked any questions, knowing they would come to him when needed.

Ziva, nor Tony couldn't feel happier at the moment, all snuggled up and laying down on the couch, talking about their day, their dreams, simply everything and nothing. A movie was playing on the tv, just serving as some background noise, not paying any attention to it.

"I'm happy." Tony whispered suddenly, laying his head onto Ziva's chest.

Ziva waved his fingers through Tony's hair, knowing it calmed him down and made him feel safe and loved. The younger woman had noticed that, although Tony had been into to move and liked every aspect of it, he had been more to himself. It started shortly after asking him to come to one of her sessions. Ziva knew Tony felt more guilty about all of it than he let on. The woman hoped that once they had the change to talk everything through, even when it would be hard, the past would not hurt that much anymore.

"Me too honey." Ziva responded, her voice smooth and tender. "And this is not going away, okay?"

"I know… I love you Zi." Tony spoke, looking up at Ziva. "I'm so glad you've walked into to bullpen all these years ago, even when we were both too young and stupid to fully respect each other."

"You may have been young and stupid, but I knew exactly what I was doing. I quickly learned that you were and are a good agent and man." Ziva said, a smile on her face. Realizing back then that she had absolutely no idea who she was or what she wanted in life. She had just been following orders, thinking that was what she needed to do.

"Damn right." Tony smirked. "You were so young Zi… God, we're getting old."

"Speak for yourself DiNozzo." Ziva witty response was, bringing both arms around his torso. "You old man."

"Funny David." Tony started, a serious frown appearing on his face. "But you don't really mind? I mean, I am older that you Zi."

"No Tony, I do not mind. Your age does not define you, you define you. And it just so happens that I love you, despite your old age." Ziva put into words, a playful smile visible on her face.

"You're not funny Ziva."

"I am."

"You're not." Tony said, hovering his upper body over Ziva's, kissing the corner of her lips lightly before starting to tickle her sides.

"Stop it Tony." Ziva smiled, secretly loving little moments like these. She knew she could stop the tickling in just a few seconds, switching positions and taken back the overhand. But she trusted Tony and they needed this. Normal moments like this, without the past or their work intervening.

"Only if you take it back, I'm not that old." Tony smirked, continuing with his actions. He loved hearing Ziva's laugh.

"Okay, you are not that old." Ziva expressed, putting some extra acclamation on the word 'that'.

"Thanks sweet cheeks." Tony responded in a mucking voice, seeing the still mischievous look on her face. "Come on time for bed, you missy." The not that old man continued, stopping the tickling. "This old man needs his sleep."

"You little baby." Ziva voice happily, grabbing Tony's outstretched hand and together making their way up the stairs toward their bed.

Like always, reviews are appreciated. I like to hear your opinion and thoughts on the story.

I would also like to wish you all a happy Easter (just two more days), for those who celebrate it!