ch56

"Ow. Ow. Ow, Ziva that hurts!"

"I know, it is going to hurt for a little while, but I am not spending another day with you unless you take a shower. And no, I am not giving you a sponge bath." That earned her a joker smile from him.

"How do you recommend I wash myself then?" he asked as she finished taking off his bandages.

"I am going to help you," she answered simply as she set the sling and reusable bandages down on the counter to be washed later. She pulled out some new gauze pads and tape before throwing the old ones in the garbage.

"Now get in," she ordered, pushing him towards the already running shower.

"Are you going to be joining me?" he asked, pushing the curtain to the side as she pulled the t-shirt she had on over her head.

"You did the same for me," she shrugged and her panties joined the pile of their clothes.

"I just stood outside the shower and made sure you didn't fall," he said as she grabbed the bottle of his shampoo.

"Yes, well, you are not about to fall, you are about to start crying because your arm hurts. Turn around." He did, so now his back was facing her, and bent his head backwards.

"That feels good," he muttered as she worked the soap into his hair. "You're good."

"And I am yours," she whispered in his ear.

"And so are these little guys," he laughed, turning around and resting his left hand on the growing bulge of her stomach. He tried to reach out with his right arm, but he gasped as pain suddenly shot through every nerve in his shoulder.

"Stop," she demanded, resting her hand lightly over the wound before leaning forward and pressing her lips against his wet skin.

"Thank you." She smiled and quickly finished washing him before stepping under the water and cleaning herself. Tony watched her as she tilted her head back, washing her hair.

"Have I ever told you you're beautiful?" he muttered, reaching out and letting his fingers trace the curves of her body, tripping across her skin until he cupped her cheek.

"Mmm, yes," she hummed. "But I will not stop you if you want to say it again."

"You are so beautiful, Ziva David," he mumbled before kissing her gently.

She quickly finished and got out, followed by Tony, and helped him dry off before heading into the bedroom.

"So what do you want to do today?" he asked as she rebandaged his shoulder.

"I am on call, so we cannot go to far. How about a picnic in the park?"

"Sounds nice," he agreed as she retrieved clothes from his closet. She swiftly helped him into his boxers, t-shirt and shorts before heading back to the closet to get something to wear for herself.

"Nice dress," he complimented as she let the flowery fabric fall around her body.

"Thank you," she smiled and did a little spin for him. "Abby bought some for me for when I got to big for regular clothes. And one that fit now." She shrugged and headed out into the kitchen to make them something to eat later.

"Can I help you with anything?" he asked, following her and leaning one arm against the counter as she pulled out some bread and cold cuts.

"Can you fill these with some ice and water?" she grabbed two water bottles from the cabinet and set them on the table in front of him. She saw his doubtful look and immediately took back what she had said. "If it is too much you can just go and find something to carry the food.

"I can do that." He snapped his fingers and headed back down the hallway. He appeared a few minutes later just as she was finishing the sandwiches, a small wicker basket in his hand.

"How's this?" he asked, setting the basket on the counter top.

"Perfect," she smiled at him and placed the food inside. "Ready?"

"Yup." He nodded and grabbed the basket off the counter.

"Are you okay to carry it?" She ran after him to the door, grabbing a blanket out of the closet before opening the door.

"You'll be here to save me if I'm not?"

"Only if you are there for me." She smiled as he leaned over and kissed the side of her head.