Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any of its characters…just my imagination xP
H- Heart
A/N: Kind of cheesy but oh well
Background: Tony and Ziva haven't gotten together yet. Set in Season 8 after Mike Frank's death. Ray and her, here, have already broken up, although they haven't in this time in the show.
Ziva just came home to her lonely apartment after a long, hard, miserable day at work. She couldn't wrap her head around the death. Actually, she could. She was a strong woman who had encountered death of loved ones one too many times. What she just couldn't bring herself to handle was the effects it was having on her. His death shocked her. It brought up the undeniable yet sometimes forgotten fact that life was short and the Latin term "Carpe Diem", seize the day, very much applied in every single part of life. She couldn't stop thinking about where her life was right now. Ray was gone. Michael was gone. Her Dad might as well be gone. Her sister, her brother – both gone. Now her real family was at NCIS.
She stretched herself on her sofa, flipping through channels. She just couldn't focus. She was so confused. She just had to find out what she really wanted. She had to stop wasting her time. A long time ago, she thought she would've been dead by now. She instead has a loving family that loves her so much. But she doesn't have any kids – or a husband, for that matter. Knock, Knock, Knock. As Ziva sighed and rose to look the peephole quickly to make sure there was no need for a weapon, she opened the door. There was Tony – in one hand, he had an overnight go bag, and in the other, a small stack of movies. Is this a sign? Wasn't I just saying…?
Tony interrupted her thoughts. "Sorry, I know it's late and it's been a really long, upsetting day…can I come in?"
Ziva nodded as she stepped aside to let him in and lock the doors behind him. He turned to look at her. "Listen, I…."
Ziva took his hand and looked up at him. "No, I'm…glad you're here. Sit down."
They both made their way to the couch. Tony sat down and turned to look at Ziva, expectantly. She took a deep breath.
"I am sad about Mike dying – I am. It just got me thinking…life is short. And most, if not all, of my immediate family is dead – or at least dead to me." She looked up at Tony. "NCIS is my family now. And I just…"
Tony pushed a stray hair out of her face and looked deeply into her eyes. "I know Zi, that's a little bit of why I came here over tonight. I knew you were upset and, maybe just a little bit scared of losing people that you have gotten close with here, and so did I…I just wanted you to know that you'll always be in my heart. No matter what happens."
Ziva looked up at Tony and smiled, fighting back a few tears. "Thank you Tony. And the same with you." She sniffled a little. "I really needed to hear that."
Tony nodded and pulled her into an enveloping embrace. She started to break down and cry, which was very unlike her. Tony just held her and kissed her forehead consoling her, not saying a word. Finally, she turned and looked at him with red-eyes. "I love you Tony. Somehow you always know exactly what to say."
Tony stroked her hair softly. "That's only because I know you, Zi. I pay attention. I love you too." Ziva smiled and kissed him lovingly, yet softly, on the lips. They just sat on the sofa, with Ziva snuggled up to Tony, and they both fell asleep like that. In each other's arms, with each of them knowing that they had a piece of the other's heart.