She sat up and stretched, arching her back, hearing his footfalls on the path long before she saw him come around the corner.
His shirt stuck to his chest, more likely a result of the humidity, rather than an exhausting run. He wasn't winded, she observed, and he had taken quite a while out on the trail. Too long for one of his quick half-sprints.
"We've got to hit that shore-line tomorrow morning," he said, coming over to the chaise and sitting down in the spot on the chaise behind her. "It's gotta be a killer view during sunrise!"
"Hey!" she protested, realizing her ability to lay back down and sunbathe had been compromised. "Find your own chair!"
"But this one's much nicer," he teased, turning quickly so that he straddled her from behind.
"I agree," she huffed, deciding to lay back, forcing him to lay back as well.
Her head rested under his chin, against his chest and she felt herself relax against him.
"Do I make a nice pillow, Zee-vah?" he asked, his voice tickling her ear. He let his hands come and rest on her sides, just above her hips.
"Mm, lumpy. And softer than I would have thought," she teased, intentionally wiggling as she settled in. She lifted her book and resumed reading.
"Soft?" He squawked, glaring at the top of her head. "I will have you know that I do numerous sit-ups every morning!"
She chuckled. "I am trying to read, Tony."
He moved his left hand away from her side and snatched the book from her grasp. "What is this? Pygmalion, Ziva? You could have just watched the movie."
He felt her tense slightly. "Jenny suggested several books to me earlier this year. I am still making my way through the list," Ziva took a deep breath, willing herself to relax. "She thought I'd like this one, especially. She was right – I am enjoying it."
Tony closed his eyes for a moment, sending a quick and silent prayer towards Jenny. He had many things to thank her for – most of which he doubted he would have realized had she not died.
"Can I read it with you?" His voice was soft, respectful.
"No," she said. "But you may read it to me." He still had a hand resting on her hip and she picked it up as she spoke, lacing their fingers together before gently tugging his arm more firmly around her.
"As you wish," he said, quoting The Princess Bride. It was still one he planned to show her- until then, his meaning behind the simple statement was kept to himself.
She closed her eyes and settled back into his embrace, and sighed as he began to speak. The timbre of his voice was perfect, and relaxed her into a security she couldn't remember ever having felt before.