Chrysalism - The amniotic tranquillity of being indoors during a thunderstorm.
This was a good thing. A very good thing. It meant things were getting back to normal, maybe even a new normal. God knows, they could all use a new normal.
Tony breathed in the fruity scent of Ziva's shampoo. Like her, it was exotic with notes of citrus and sandalwood and berries. She must have freshly washed it before coming to work today, it was practically emanating from her.
Thunder crashed overhead making her whimper and burry herself deeper into him. She was asleep. Or nearly asleep. It had been a long day, for all of them but particularly her. What with that therapy appointment that she came back from after lunch with red rimmed eyes and head dipped down. Then she had been yanked into the Director's office for something that made her absolutely exhausted if her posture was anything to go by when she slumped back into her chair (she was back in her chair). This was all on top of a very finicky case that involved a Senator because of course it did. All of this in the pouring rain. Yay. At least they had solved it, neatly too much to the Director's satisfaction.
Tony had insisted on driving her home, afraid of what she'd be like behind a wheel in her state. He'd give her lift into work on Monday. That had transformed quickly into an impromptu movie night because Tony didn't really want to leave her alone (ever, ever again but that was another matter) and he knew that she didn't want to be alone either. He knew that she was scared of where her thoughts took her when she was alone. They'd ordered in because hell if any of them were cooking after today and Tony actually scrounged up a decent movie on Netflix. There weren't many on there at the moment in his opinion.
It hadn't taken her long to drift off, body going limp against him about fifteen minutes in. It was a nice feeling, her trusting him enough and feeling safe enough that she could fall asleep. Something positive out of all the recent negativity. Tony winced as there was an explosion on screen that rimed perfectly with another round of thunder and hastily turned the volume down, he did not want to wake her. He held his breath and waited. Ziva made a distressed noise, her face screwing up. Oh, he knew that look. Ziva whimpered. Yep, nightmare.
He ran a hand soothing through her hair and hummed tunelessly. Not the best way to sooth someone but it was all he had that didn't involve shaking her awake. It did work, sometimes. If he caught the nightmare early. Which, he briefly stopped humming so he could listen to her, it looked like he had.
Ziva leaned back into him, breathing gradually evening out. The rain drummed heavier on the windows.
"Ziva?" he checked, trying not move too much.
She made a muttering noise and turned her face into his chest. Instinctively, he wrapped an arm loosely around her body. Didn't want her to feel trapped or restrained, even in her sleep but still wanting to be there for her.
At least she was sleeping, she definitely hadn't been getting enough of that recently no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise. She wasn't exactly fooling him. Or Gibbs, for that matter. But, then again, who could fool Gibbs? So, yes, it was definitely good that she was sleeping. Hopefully nightmare free for the rest of tonight.
Thunder rolled overhead and he frowned as she shifted, a frown marring her features. Well, she'd sleep if the sky decided to keep it down.
Thankfully, she didn't wake up, if anything her breathing got deeper. Good. Now, if she would just stay like that. Tony shifted himself so he was a bit more comfortable, it looked like he was going to be here for the night. He didn't want to risk carrying her to her bed. He could have, she was still terrifyingly light, but he didn't want to risk jostling her. There was a blanket on the floor, Ziva had huddled under it earlier after he had chucked it at her telling her that that was how you watched movies during a storm. That had got him a deadly glare, something he actually rejoiced over for a change. It was a sign she was feeling more herself. But she had allowed him to tuck it around her. It must have fallen off when they shifted so they were practically draped over each other. He spread over her again, its time angling it so his legs were covered as well. Perfect. They were nice and warm at least
Lightening flashed, briefly illuminating the room and casting dancing shadows everywhere. A crack of thunder quickly followed it; the storm was close. Hopefully, not so close that the electricity would go out. It was quite nice and cosy in here, with the rain drumming outside while they were curled up together. That wouldn't exactly work if the heating went off or the room was plunged into darkness. They needed that ambient glow of the lamp on the table.
It was oddly satisfying even with the addition of thunder and lightning. As strange as it sounded, it was almost peaceful. The soft glow of the lamp, the flicker of the still playing movie and the cosy warmth of the blanket. It was all very soothing.
So soothing, in fact, that he could feel himself start to drift off. He blinked hard, not wanting to lose himself to sleep just yet. He wanted to enjoy this, even if it was just briefly. He was safe. Ziva was safe. The storm reminding him that they were thousands of miles away from that hellhole. They didn't exactly get weather like this in Somalia, did they? They were both well fed and relaxed. Really, it was a perfect evening. Tony breathed deeply and just took it all in. Perfect.
It was the rhythmic drumming of the rain on the windows that finally got to him. His eyelids drooped further and further until suddenly they were closed and he was fast asleep.