Hey there! Just a quick reminder that this story is AU. Tony and Ziva are MUCH more relaxed around each other than they are on the show in season three. Also please remember that they are soulmates and this makes everything for them so much easier, even if Ziva doesn't know yet. The soulmate-bond is VERY strong and you cannot fight it. So what might seem very strange for them on the show is natural for them here.

Disclaimer: I'm bleeding here. NO, IT IS NOT MINE.

It was mid-afternoon when they eventually made their way back to Tony's apartment, arms laden with their supplies and Ziva's bag thrown over Tony's shoulder. He struggled with unlocking the door until the ninja came out again, balancing everything in her right arm while unlocking the door effortlessly with her left. She shot Tony a triumphant look over her shoulder as she entered the apartment. He stood in amazement for a few moments before following her, kicking the door shut with his foot. He found her in the kitchen, unloading the bags onto the counter. They spent some time putting it all away – Ziva unpacking the bags and Tony putting everything where it should be.

"You hungry?" Tony asked after the counter had been cleared.

"Just a little peckish – we had a big breakfast. I am still a little full."

"Me too. Sandwich?"

"Please."

They set about making them – Tony taking out everything they would need. They worked in silence and it struck them both how effortlessly they did it. They didn't clumsily bump into each other, but rather anticipated the other's next move and passed ingredients without having to be asked. As their late lunch was finished, they put everything back into it's place.

"What do you want to drink?"

"Juice is fine, thank you, Tony."

She took both of their plates to the living room, wanting to get off her feet after standing so long in the grocery store. He joined her a moment later, carrying their drinks.

"Here you go," he said, passing her the glass.

"Toda."

"What?" came Tony's obviously confused voice.

"What is wrong?" Ziva replied.

"You said something, but I didn't understand. What did you say?"

"Oh, I am sorry. I said 'toda'. It means 'thank you' in Hebrew," she answered, a little embarrassed.

"That is so cool!" Tony exclaimed. "Toda," he said, testing the word on his tongue. "What else can you say?"

"Tony, Hebrew is my native language. I learned it before I learned English."

"Oh, yes of course. Sorry, I didn't think that far. But still! Hebrew sounds cool. Can you teach me anything else?"

Ziva thought about it for a second, not fully understanding his sudden interest in learning the vernacular of Israel. Taking a bite of her sandwich, she decided to just go with it.

"Okay, Tony. What do you want to know?"

"Uhm… I hadn't thought this far ahead. Just give me a minute." He bit into his own lunch and seemed to really think for something to ask. "Okay, what is 'good night' in Hebrew?"

"Laila tov."

"Laila tov," he repeated after her. "Laila tov," he said again. "That has a nice ring to it. In Italian one would say - "

"Buona notte," Ziva finished his sentence.

"WHAT? You speak Italian?"

"Yes," she answered as she looked at a flabbergasted Tony and tried not to laugh at his facial expression.

"But…" She waited as he seemed to struggle for words. "How?" was the only thing he could think of to say.

"Mossad," Ziva stated again. "You learn things."

"How many languages can you speak?" Tony finally asked, having found his voice again.

"Ten," came the nonchalant answer as she continued eating.

"Whoa."

Tony was so impressed that he didn't even think to ask what the languages were. As they finished eating, he collected their plates and carried them to the kitchen with Ziva following. They still had to do the dishes from that morning and they had better get to it before they didn't have any more clean plates to eat from. They rolled up their sleeves while the water ran into the sink. Without discussing it, Tony took the place of washer and Ziva that of drier. For a while, the only sounds that here heard, were those of porcelain and glass clinking together.

Tony had just washed the last plate when he suddenly had the most marvellous idea. Checking through his peripheral vision, he saw Ziva drying unsuspectingly. He slipped his hand back into the water and waited for her to put the plate down before his hand snapped into the air, throwing a few drops of water in her face. She froze. He waited with baited breath for her reaction. He feared bodily harm and death. Finally, after what felt like an eternity for Tony, she turned to face him. She had an evil smirk on her face and before he could comprehend what was happening, she had put her own hand into the water and had mightily splashed him before beginning to run from the kitchen. It took Tony a moment to realise that she was playing along, before he sprang into action and sprinted after her. They were with laughing by the time he caught her just as she reached the living room. Both of them felt a rush of heat as his arms slipped strongly around her waist and they fell on the couch with her landing on top of him. Tony took the opportunity to test whether or not she was ticklish and attacked her sides with his fingers. He rejoiced as a girlish squeal left her lips and she squirmed to get away from him.

"Tony!" she managed to say through gasping for her breath. "Let me go!" She had not finished talking when another fit of giggles overcame her when he increased his attack by moving his fingers to her stomach.

"Oh, no! It doesn't work like that! You have to work for it! Say: 'Tony is awesome'."

"No!" she tried to argue, but couldn't escape his hands.

"Say it!"

"Fine!" She panted. "Tony is awesome. Now let me go!"

"Nope," he challenged as he continued to make her squeal, letting up on his attack for a second and then coming back with full force. "You have to beg for it."

"Tony, please!" she almost screamed, trying to catch her breath, but to no avail.

"I wasn't finished," he continued, whispering in her ear. "You have to beg for it in Hebrew."

"Bevakasha!"

"Fine – now I am satisfied," he consented as he stopped his attack and allowed her to breathe again.

As her panting became less and her breathing evened, Tony was suddenly reminded of the fact that she was lying on top of him, every inch of their bodies pressed together in the most delectable way. As if reading his thoughts, Ziva suddenly lifted her head from where it had fallen. He felt every fibre of his being light up with fire when her face and those succulent lips were barely an inch from his.