Author's Note: My biggest apologies for the huge wait, we moved house and I've been without internet for ages. Still am actually, but worked out how to get my phone internet to connect to my laptop so I can post again thank goodness!
Again, so many reviews it's overwhelming, I'm really glad to see so many new faces as you guys read and enjoy the story as it unfolds :) Loving the feedback and having so many new alerts in my inbox almost every time I check!
Also, for the anonymous reviewer "Someone" on Chapter Two, "curb" is the US English spelling, while "kerb" is Australian/UK English. I am Australian, and you will notice I use favour rather than favor, realise rather than realize, and of course kerb rather than curb. I do my best to make sure I use American words to keep the dialogue in character (comforter rather than doona, pavement or sidewalk instead of footpath etc) but I will continue to use Australian spelling. I do make an exception for mum/mom though, the pronunciation on that one is different and I (and my kids) distinctly say "Mum."
Anyhow, please keep the reviews coming, I am absolutely loving them, onto the story!
Chapter Eleven - A Very Happy Ending
Tony got his wish that night, they talked till the sun rose, both he and Ziva curled at opposite ends of the sofa, a patchwork quilt in warm earthy tones spread between them and tucked around their feet. A movie played low in the background as they chatted, laughed at themselves, made plans for the rapidly approaching summer, and lapsed into simultaneous silence to smile at each other.
As the sky lightened, filtering in through the closed blinds, the conversation grew serious. They were treading gently this time, careful not to assume anything about each others' feelings, and there was no defeat, hurt or misunderstandings.
"We do need to clear some things up Tony." Ziva began, "What about Rule 12?"
"Gibbs knows." Tony answered, "Cornered me in the gym after we got back and did his voodoo thing... or whatever it is. I just talked."
"Well, I will never make you my partner in crime then!" Ziva laughed softly. "You would confess much too easily."
"Pity, I'd rather like being your partner in some crimes." Tony responded with a suggestive wink.
"Later." She nudged him with her toe. "What did Gibbs say?"
"Told me if I acted like that again he'd ask for my badge. Also told me to make things right with you, got me out of my funk. Rule 12 still applies at work." Tony summed up the awkward interaction with their Boss briefly.
"That seems fair does it not?" Ziva nodded. "I must agree, I will not change my behaviour at work. Although it is most un-Gibbs to tell us to break his rules, no?"
"I dunno Zi, I didn't say much, he just put two and two together and asked the right questions. Guess he knows this is bigger than what happens at NCIS. Must have worked out we do have some kind of life outside the job." They both smirked at that. "He doesn't want to know anything though. Just as long as we're back to normal on Monday. Apparently you're dangerous and I'm useless otherwise." They chuckled again.
"You should know however Tony, that although my priority is my work, you do not ever need to doubt my loyalty to you." Ziva's tone lost some of its lightness. "If I were to be partnered with Gibbs again, you cannot act like you did. For one, I have said I am yours, and I keep my word, and second, Gibbs is... Gibbs. He would never do anything that was inappropriate. You should know that Tony."
"Yeah," Tony looked a little guilty. "Gibbs had something to say about that too, let's just say I'd probably need rehab after the head slap he promised if I did that again. It just killed me you know? I just worked out I was crazy about you, and then you're off dancing with another guy. I know you were acting but not my favourite thing to see."
"Well, I cannot promise I will not be given another undercover mission Tony. But the fact that you feel that way is flattering."
"Didn't ask you not to take on anymore undercover missions, I just hope I'm with you when you do." Ziva smiled, her hand reaching to capture his.
"Thank you," She replied softly. "There has always been some friction about my dedication to my job. I did not want it to become a point of contention between us as well." Ziva's voice was low, her eyes not quite meeting Tony's as she admitted her concerns.
"Zi," Tony spoke gently, almost sounding amused, "We met at work, it's where I got to know you best. You've saved my butt and I've saved yours, we've been to hell and back together cos of NCIS. As far as I'm concerned, I owe it to work for bringing you into my life. Besides, you at work, Agent David, this beautiful, focused, talented, deadly, kickass ninja, it's one of the things I lo... I find most attractive about you." He covered quickly.
"That is very sweet Tony." Ziva turned pink beneath her tan. "But about that word..."
"Yeah, about it." Tony rubbed the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "There are things that I well... yeah, I love about you. I want to be able to tell you that."
"And I you, Tony." Ziva responded, "But the feeling as a whole..." She trailed off, biting her lip.
"Me either. I mean, I guess I do, but I don't want to guess, I want to know. I am crazy about you though, that I can tell you for sure."
"I do not want you to guess either. I have heard those words used too often as weapons. If I say, or hear it, I wish for it to be genuine." Ziva met his gaze seriously. Brown eyes locked with green, both trying to find the way in unfamiliar territory.
"And it will be. I know I don't analyze emotions so much as you seem to, so we both know when I say it it will be totally inappropriate timing, and completely unexpected." Ziva chuckled a little. "But I promise when I tell you it will be real." He cupped the side of her face, his touch and gaze emphasising the sincerity of his words.
"Your unexpectedness is something I love about you Tony. It does not have to be a giant romantic gesture, it just has to be real. So... if we do not love each other exactly, what are we? What do we do?" They both looked thoughtful.
"I think Zi, we keep going like we agreed, we date, we have fun," The suggestive wink did not go unnoticed, and Ziva rolled her eyes a little, "and when we're ready we break out that big L word."
"I like the sound of that." Ziva agreed, "Dating. I am dating Tony DiNozzo." She tried the words out on her tongue. Tony grinned.
"I have waited way too long for you to say that Zi." He kissed her jubilantly. He looked at her for a second, evaluating, "Though, I was thinking something more like... I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Ziva." He introduced to no one in particular.
"Your girlfriend..." Ziva mused, Tony hesitated, not sure if an official title was too much for her. "My boyfriend..." her lips curved in a smile around the words. Tony kissed her again, pulling her close, it was long and slow, charged with emotion. When they broke apart for air, Tony was grinning from ear to ear.
"This feels good," Tony kissed her again, scooping her forward into his lap.
"It does," Ziva agreed simply, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him again. It was much longer this time before they paused for breath.
"I like the idea of a girlfriend who I can kiss whenever I want." Tony admitted, somewhat distractedly as Ziva's lips traced the outer curve of his ear.
"Not quite whenever." She murmured, her voice low, her breath tickling his neck.
"Oh yeah... work..." Tony leant back, though his hands didn't leave her waist. "Are we going to tell the others?"
"I was going to say, 'but right now, I am all yours,'" Ziva shifted, and settled back into the curve of his arms. Tony sat, with his legs stretched along the sofa, Ziva snuggled sideways across him, her bandaged feet dangling off the edge. Tony grimaced, he'd taken what was probably an invitation back to bed far too seriously. "As to work, I think perhaps, for now anyway, I would like to have you to myself for a while."
"Not too long," Tony bargained, "I want to be able to tell the world about you."
"Not too long." Ziva echoed with a nod. "But long enough for us to find where we fit. I think after how much we have been through to get here, we owe it to ourselves to make sure we are in the same book before we let anyone else in."
"Seems fair," Tony agreed, "And we're on the same page, not the same book." He chuckled.
"Book, page, it is all the same story, no?" Ziva waved her hand dismissively. Tony laughed, leaning to kiss along her neck.
"As long as we're in the same one." He agreed. His hands moved from her waist to more sensitive curves on her body, and he noticed the goosebumps rise on her neck in response to his kiss. "I think this might be the scene they'll censor in movie version though." He murmured, nuzzling the soft skin.
"Providing they both have happy endings I do not much mind which it is." Ziva replied, somewhat nonsensically, distracted by the sensations Tony provided. He felt her hands roaming too, and inhaled sharply. Their actions were no longer about merely scratching an itch, and their caresses were slower and somehow more intimate, both exploring each other's bodies as though they had not been together before.
"Trust me Ziva," Tony rose carefully, sweeping Ziva into his arms. "There is going to be a very very happy ending about now."
A/N: No, not the end, I have more to come, but it was a nice little wrap up for this scene.