Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. I am not a medical person of any kind. This kind of follows on from the previous chapter.

October 2013

Ziva pushed open the hospital doors, scanning the hall for any sign of Team Gibbs. She had been at work at The Alice Edwards Foundation when she got a call from Tim asking her to come to the hospital.

'Ziva!'

Ziva turned around and saw Tim McGee standing nearby. She went over to him, Tim pulling her into a hug.

'How is he?' she asked, concern in her voice.

'He's OK Ziva. Tony is OK.'

'Are you sure?' she asked.

'Yes. He's in there.' Tim pointed to a door off the corridor. The blinds were down and Ziva couldn't see anything. She knocked tentatively on the door.

'Yeah?' came Tony's voice.

Ziva opened it and walked in. Tony DiNozzo was sitting on the bed, wearing a hospital gown and the entirety of his right leg seemed to be in a cast.

'Hey sweetcheeks' said Tony. Ziva smiled slightly, walked over to Tony, and kissed him passionately. 'I'm OK Zi' said Tony, a little breathless afterward.

'I know' said Ziva, emotion in her voice. 'I was just… when Tim called and said you were in the hospital, my mind…'

Tony pulled Ziva into a tight hug.

'Come sit here' he said, patting the other side of the bed. Tony moved his free leg, allowing Ziva to climb up and sit next to him. Tony wrapped his arm around her tightly.

'What happened?' asked Ziva.

'Does that matter?' said Tony. It was as if he was deliberately trying to avoid what happened.

'Tony, tell me.'

Tony sighed.

'We were chasing a suspect down some stairs in a multi story parking lot. There was a newspaper on one of the steps and I…' Tony made a gesture with his hands.

'You broke your leg by slipping on some newspaper and falling down the stairs whilst chasing a suspect?' asked Ziva. Tony slowly nodded. Ziva tried to stifle a laugh.

'Hey, no laughing' said Tony.

'I am sorry, Tony. It is just so funny' said Ziva, bursting into laughter.

'It could have been a lot worse' said Tony.

Ziva looked at her boyfriend.

'Yes, I suppose so' she agreed. 'You could have been shot or stabbed.' Ziva had become quiet, tears beginning to well up. She had begun to imagine the worse on her way to the hospital.

'I wasn't though, Zi. It's just a broken leg and I am fine.' Tony kissed Ziva passionately. 'I love you, my ninja.'

Ziva smiled.

'I love you too, my wildcard.'

Ziva rested her head on Tony's shoulder at the same time as a knock at the door.

'Yeah?' called Tony.

Gibbs, Abby, Ellie and Tim walked in.

'Ziva? What are you doing here?' asked Abby, a little surprised to see her friend, especially curled up next to Tony.

Ziva sat up, both she and Tony smiling slightly awkwardly. They had worked had to keep their relationship private.

'Are you two together?' asked Gibbs quietly. Tony and Ziva nodded.

'Since June' added Tony.

'But it's October?' pointed out Abby. She was so confused. Tony and Ziva nodded.

'We wanted to keep as private for as long as possible' explained Ziva. 'Keep it just the two of us.'

'Though Tim knows' added Tony. 'He's the one who called Ziva today.'

Gibbs, Abby, and Ellie looked at Tim who looked like a deer caught in headlights. It was true that Tim was the only one who knew about Tony and Ziva's relationship.

It had been a few weeks ago and whilst they were on a stakeout, that Tony asked Tim something.

'If anything happens, anything at all that might send me to the hospital, can you make sure that Ziva knows.'

Tim looked at his friend.

'Let Ziva know? Are you and Ziva together now?' he asked. Tony nodded but Tim couldn't help but see the smile and happiness on Tony's face. 'How long?' he asked.

'Since June. Dad knows but he's not exactly reliable. You are.' Tim smiled a little.

'I'll call her if anything happens.'

'Thanks, Tim' said Tony quietly before both of them got out to talk to a suspect.

Back at the hospital, Gibbs, Abby, Ellie, and Tim left Tony and Ziva alone. A few minutes after they left, the doctor came in to check Tony.

'Perhaps this conversation should be private' he suggested, indicating to Ziva to leave.

'Ziva stays' said Tony, firmly and kissing the back of Ziva's hand.

'Very well. Mr DiNozzo as you are aware, you have broken your femur. The bone has been set and a cast placed on your leg. As long as you stick with letting your body mend itself and not push it too hard too quickly, I do not see any reason for you to return to full duty.'

Tony smiled, happy about that.

'How long will I have the cast on?'

'At least eight weeks. Maybe longer depending on how well the break heals.'

'That takes us to the beginning of December' said Ziva.

'Yes, it does' said the doctor. 'But I don't think you will be back to full duty in December. In all likelihood, it will be after the holidays, Mr DiNozzo. You will have some rehab and physio to do. Nothing major but a broken femur takes time to heal.'

Tony nodded. He looked at Ziva, who was taking in the doctors instructions. Once upon a time the idea of three months essentially off work would have driven Tony mad. He would have eventually hated the idea. Now, though. Four months into his and Ziva's relationship, Tony was looking forward to three months off. He could spend it with Ziva and not worry about either of them getting called in and ruining plans. They could have a proper Christmas and New Year. Maybe even go away. Tony really liked the idea of that.

The doctor finished talking to Tony and Ziva and left.

'So, I was thinking I could get some of my things and take them to yours' said Ziva.

'Why don't I just stay at yours?' suggested Tony. He had essentially moved in once they started dating.

'Because my building doesn't have a lift unless you want to climb five flights of stairs on your bottom.' Tony laughed.

'OK. My place' agreed Tony. 'I do have a better movie collection than you.' Ziva chuckled.

'Are you going to be OK?' asked Ziva. Tony nodded again.

'Yeah. I need to call Dad. Let him know what happened.' Ziva leaned over and kissed him.

'I will see you later wildcard.' Tony grinned

'Bye ninja.'

Just over twenty-four hours later, Tony was sitting in his apartment, his leg propped up on a footstool. Goldfinger was on the TV, Tony's favourite pizza on the coffee table, and Ziva snuggled up next to him. Tony didn't think life could get any better.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

As I said, I'm not a medical person of any kind so the medical stuff might not be correct. I cannot stress this enough. I just thought it was funny that Tony would break his leg by falling down the stairs whilst chasing a suspect.

Stay safe and see you soon :)