Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry. I give you permission to hit me, as long as you aren't Ziva and you won't kill me with just one. :(

Anyway, thank you for being so patient - even if you weren't so patient ahahaha. I don't know how well I did at this chapter, I'm still undecided.

Anyway, I won't leave you hanging any longer...

The moment the words rolled off her tongue Ziva's mind kicked into overdrive. Without thinking, a string of incoherent words fell past her lips as she attempted to redeem herself.

Tony sat beside her as though he was carved out of stone, he didn't move and he didn't breathe.

"I meant... I did not mean that, I just, I... No I..." Ziva fumbled with her words, her eyes were wide with uncertainty and shock.

Tony's silence was unnerving Ziva.

"Say something!" She exclaimed suddenly sitting up straight, her mouth hanging open slightly as she stared at him.

His eyes snapped up to meet hers, and he opened his mouth to speak. But he could form no words; he didn't know if he even remembered how to speak. He could see her becoming increasingly anxious with each passing second, but still he sat frozen.

"Please?" she murmured, her eyes were luminous and pleading in the dim light.

"You..." Tony began, finally finding his voice, "I think I should probably go now."

"You promised to stay," Ziva reminded him quietly, placing her hand on his, her thumb tracing lazy circles on his skin.

"I don't... sorry," he pulled his hand out from beneath hers and got to his feet, "I just... I have work tomorrow – and I'm sure you'll be fine for one night by yourself." He smiled; it was only a ghost of his usual smile though.

"So that is what you plan to do, yes?" She looked up at him, outrage and pain was clearly evident in the way she watched him, "Just smile and leave?"

Tony bit his lip and turned towards the door. He just prayed that he could make it out of there alive, and hopefully with all of his body parts intact... hopefully. He could feel her stare burn into the back of his head as he walked.

Ziva laughed darkly, "Of course," She silently watched him walk toward the door before she called after him, a biting edge to her tone, "This is just like Jeanne, yes?"

He paused in the middle of the room. His shoulders were hunched, and his fists were clenched by his side.

"This is nothing like Jeanne," he spoke through clenched teeth, not turning to face her.

"Well then what is this like Tony?" she asked, "Tell me."

"This is like nothing, we are nothing," he said harshly, before he continued toward the door.

"So I was right," her voice cracked, "I am just another one of your stupid conquests, just an easy fuck for you?" she laughed sarcastically, anguish shining through her words, "Even though – how beautifully you put it, it has not been so easy."

"No!" Tony roared, turning to face her, "You're not..." He lowered his tone, "You're not, Ziva."

"Well then, what, Tony?" She spat, flinging the scratchy hospital blankets to the side viciously, Tony didn't fail to notice her wince.

She launched herself to her feet, and glared at him. Her stance reminded Tony of an unmerciful, voracious lioness – about to pounce on its prey... Tony.

"Ziva," his voice wavered.

"What Tony?!" she spat, taking slow deliberate steps toward him.

"You shouldn't be standing up," he watched her closely.

"Oh and you really care," she smiled tightly.

"I do," he swallowed, "I care about you, Ziva."

"You just do not care, enough."

"I don't care enough?" he asked incredulously.

"No!" she exclaimed, steadily getting closer to him, "You never have, when you were with Jeanne you never gave a shit about anyone else, do you know how much I worried about you? I thought you had a relapse! You gave a shit about nobody but yourself and your precious girlfriend, you didn't give a shit about me!" she yelled painfully, her gaze dropped to the floor, "...Me... me and how I... I thought you had a relapse," she concluded weakly.

"Ziva, what are you trying to say?!" he questioned hotly, "Stop going through all this bullshit again, stop bringing up Jeanne, it wasn't my fault, like you said – we get orders, we may not like them – but we follow them."

"Oh please," she said dubiously, her eyes met his again.

"You said you loved me," he said, attempting to change the subject – anger was still apparent in his voice.

Ziva's eyes dropped to the floor again, and her stance slackened momentarily before she stood rigid again, "I did not mean that, you – I just..." she sighed deeply, "I did not mean it."

"How can you say something like that and not mean it?"

"I just did okay!" she exclaimed.

"How long are we going to dance around this?"Tony asked her, stepping closer to her.

"Dance around what?"

"This, us... "He raised his hands in a show of frustration, "You know what I'm talking about – you know, you knew when you came to my apartment tonight."

"I am still stuck on the dancing," Ziva looked bewildered.

"Ugh, Ziva," he rolled his eyes, "Figure of speech."

They were close now, only a few feet between them.

"I am proud of you," Ziva raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Tony asked, confusion clearly written across his features, "Why?"

"At the mention of anything personal you usually run for the mountains," she folded her arms across her chest.

"Hills."

"Whatever."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do."

"Look, are we really going to do this?" Tony asked exasperatedly.

"Until you realise how much of an ass you are, yes," Ziva said stubbornly.

"I'm an ass, yet you love me," Tony laughed, "Sounds like pretty screwed up logic to me sweet cheeks."

Ziva couldn't remember the last time he had called her that.

"I do not," she hissed venomously.

"Could have fooled me," he grinned.

Tony knew he was playing with fire. He could tell Ziva was getting pissed but he was sick of them dancing around this, it had been going on for far too long – and he wanted it to end. He knew she was right; he had a phobia of commitment. Tony thought when he was with Jeanne that she was the one, but circumstances wouldn't allow them to be together so he began to wallow in self pity, and he shut everybody else out. Although – somewhere in his fog clouded mind, he always did know that Jeanne was never right for him. She was too unlike him in so many ways. Too... prudish, he nearly laughed aloud.

"Tony," Ziva warned.

"Look, I'm sorry about the whole Jeanne thing, but you have to understand that it wasn't my fault..." Tony adapted a softer tone.

"Oh cow," Ziva hissed.

"Bull, not cow."

Ziva ignored his correction, "You are not sorry at all, you never cared about the team!"

"You have to be kidding!" Tony exclaimed.

"I am not kidding, Tony. You are an ass!" she yelled vehemently.

"The team is my life, I – how can you?"

"You. Do. Not. Care. You just do not, everything I – the team has done for you, you just do not give a damn!" her tone was slowly rising.

"Stop yelling," Tony put a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off.

"No!" she exclaimed, "I am sick of you Tony! You just..."

She was cut short suddenly when in one sweeping movement, Tony's lips were against hers and she was mumbling into his lips. Her angry ranting quickly turned into heady moans as his lips worked against hers with practiced skill. Tony pushed Ziva's small body closer to his lightly, afraid of hurting her.

Ziva felt her whole body quivering as his comforting scent wrapped her up, filling her nostrils and dimming her senses. It was as though his personal aroma was a heavy fog; it swirled around in her mind making it impossible for her to form a coherent thought. His lips were soft and careful against hers. She found herself wanting to press him against her tighter, but she couldn't bring herself to stop the feelings his slow, sensual pace was creating.

Tony's hand hesitantly slid its way up her side, before he hooked it around her waist loosely; letting his other caress the side of her face softly.

Ziva relaxed into his comforting body, wrapping her arms around him. All of the anger, confusion and frustration she had felt only moments before had faded into nothing as he held her in his arms.

Tony pulled away from her slowly, pressing his lips to hers once more before he rested his forehead against hers.

They both took a moment to allow their breathing to, somewhat, return to normal. They leant into each other, savouring the warmness their bodies shared.

Their eyes remained shut tightly as the moments flew by.

Tony cleared his throat, his breathing not quite even as he murmured softly, "You're beautiful, Zee-vah."

Ziva's whole body froze as she stood in his arms. She unfurled her arms from around him, and pressed them firmly to his chest. She took a quick, sure-footed step backwards before shoving against his chest firmly; her deceivingly small frame pushed against him with surprising strength, forcing him to stumble backwards.

"What the hell?" Tony exclaimed, his body slamming into the wall forcefully.

He looked up, and his eyes met Ziva's for a moment, he saw everything she felt – anger, hurt, confusion, frustration. The list goes on. Her eyes were like a window into the emotions and feelings she tried to hide. It was the only flaw in her demeanour, the only thing that could give her away.

You'll say you don't want to talk about it, but your eyes won't shut up. He remembered that day as though it was only yesterday. It was the truth.

Tony wasn't sure if anybody else could read her like he could. He liked to think it was his highly trained investigative skills, but somehow – he knew there was another reason, a deeper reason - a connection.

In those brief few moments when their eyes stayed locked, Tony didn't breathe – and he didn't think Ziva did either.

Ziva pressed her lips into a thin line, before forcing herself to look away. She launched herself over to her bed and grabbed Tony's coat from the table beside it. She slipped it on with ease, covering the thin hospital gown that she wore.

Her eyes locked with his once more before she sprinted from the room.

Tony leant against the wall awkwardly, unable to move. He saw her push against the door with two hands and take off down the hallway.

He wasted no time in rushing after her, a million thoughts rushed through his mind as he sprinted down the hallway behind her.

What was wrong with her? This was what she wanted wasn't it? She had wanted him to return her feelings, to love her. She had said she loved him, she loved him. Did she love him? Did she really, or was she telling him the truth when she had said that she hadn't meant it at all.

Idiot.

He didn't slow down; he was running as fast as he possibly could, probably faster than he possibly could. His breathing was laboured and his legs burned, he wasn't focussed. He just pushed on, trying his best to keep the agile MOSSAD officer in his sight.

These were not running shoes.

"Ziva!" he called out, gasping, pushing himself to keep up with her.

Ziva responded by speeding up.

Tony groaned agitatedly, pushing himself – yet again – faster.

Damn, she had just fallen down a flight of stairs – and yet she could still run faster than him. He really needed to ease off the pizzas.

Ziva abruptly turned to the left, and slipped out through a glass door.

Tony was only a few seconds behind her; he pushed himself through the door, finding himself in an outside courtyard.

His eyes swept over the small outside refuge. The moon peaked out from behind a blanket of grey clouds, shedding a soft light that illuminated the area. Shrubs, trees and plants of various shapes, colours and sizes bordered the perimeter. A manmade fish pond covered the majority of the space, it was surrounded by park benches and small, smooth pebbles.

He finally saw Ziva. She was sitting on one of the benches, her gaze fixed on the cool, deep, dark water of the fish pond.

The moonlight shone down upon them, reflecting off the pristine water of the pond it gave Ziva a strange, slightly ethereal glow.

"Ziva," Tony said softly, warily. He took a few careful steps toward her – attempting to keep as much distance between them as he could.

Ziva refused to lift her head, she sat silently. The water had a calming effect on her.

Tony sat down beside her, not too close.

Ziva wanted nothing more than to slide over, those few feet, and push herself against him. But she couldn't, she wouldn't. He had hurt her for the last time.

"Tony," Ziva acknowledged him, still not lifting her head.

The water was nice, dark and flat. It looked like glass, unperturbed, beautiful, and perfect. She appreciated it.

Tony leant over and picked up one of the smooth, flat rocks, flipping it between his fingers. He was afraid to make any sudden movements, encase she decided to take off again.

He swallowed hard, his eyes flicking between her and the rock he now spun in the palm of his hand.

With a flick of his wrist, Tony sent the rock skipping across the pond; ripples disturbed the pristine and perfect water.

Ziva sighed agitatedly, "Tony, you have to stop doing that," she spoke softly.

Tony was slightly shocked by her words, "Stop doing what?"

"Kissing me," she said, standing up abruptly.

"I meant it," Tony looked up; her back was toward him, "When I said that you're beautiful. I meant it."

"I do not doubt that you did," Ziva sighed, frustrated, "Looks are all you are worried about, always."

"Not true!" Tony exclaimed, jumping to his feet behind her.

"Can you just cut it out?" Ziva raised her voice, turning to face him. She found him closer than she first thought. Too stubborn to take a step back, she looked into his eyes, her bottom jaw jutting out.

Tony's eyes were shining in the darkness, "You want the truth?" he breathed heavily, "Do you?!"

Ziva didn't flinch.

"You're always on my mind, okay?" his fists clenched by his side as he leant forwards, "Always! Every second that I'm awake, and even when I'm not, you're there! I've always wanted you, I've always wanted this!"

There was a cold silence, as Ziva's gaze dropped to the floor. A thousand thoughts ran through her head, making it impossible to focus on a single one.

When her eyes met his again, they were burning with... fury.

Oh no.

"Tony!" She yelled, "I never loved you! I never even liked you!" She took a step forwards, "You are an insufferable, chauvinistic ass and I could never stand you, let alone love you!"She gritted out between clenched teeth.

Tony was breathing deeply through his nose, struggling to keep his tone even he said calmly, "Well, that's a shame," he paused, stepping forward so his nose bumped with Ziva's, "Because I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you."

Ziva couldn't stifle the gasp, she stood immobilized.

"Ziva, are you..." Tony began, his sentence lost in a cry of surprise as he was shoved backwards, for the second time that night. He reached out blindly, grabbing Ziva's shoulder –she was soon falling with him.

Ziva squeaked in surprise as she found herself falling forward. She attempted to pry his fingers from her shoulder, but it was impossible.

They landed in the dark, cool water of the pond. Tony gasped as he pushed himself to surface.

Ziva's legs were wrapped around his waist and her face was buried in his neck.

After a short moment, she lifted her head to give him a pointed stare, "What did you do that for?" she asked, sounding outraged.

Tony's mouth fell open, "Excuse me?" Ziva gave him a strange look, "Me? You pushed me."

"You pulled me in!" Ziva exclaimed furiously.

"You pushed me in!"

"I had a good reason," Ziva retaliated stubbornly.

"So did I, you pushed me!" Tony raised his hands above his head in a show of frustration.

Ziva tightened her legs around his waist, "You..." she brought her fingers up to gently caress his cheek, "You were telling the truth, yes?"

"Yes, now will you apologise for pushing me into this freezing cold water?!" Tony exclaimed.

Ziva grinned, weaving her fingers through his wet hair, "I will apologise for pushing you in if you apologise for pulling me in."

"Okay, I am sorry for pulling you in, Ziva," he smiled.

"And I am sorry for pushing you," she whispered, "So you meant it, you really did?"

"Really, really did."

Ziva smiled childishly, pushing his hair back out of his eyes.

"Gibbs?" She questioned quietly, her smile turning into a look of worry.

"Don't worry about Gibbs, I'm only worried about kissing you," Tony murmured softly, running a hand through her wet hair.

Tony knew he should have stopped there, he knew that he should have said, 'Yes, you're right Ziva – let's stop this right here, even though we just admitted that we're in love with each other.' Hah, yeah sure. But instead – he forgot about Gibbs and he forgot about rule 12. He breathed in deeply as he registered what had taken place that night. They had admitted to each other, after four long, painful years of teasing and sexual innuendo, that they loved each other. Tony was both interested and afraid to see where their relationship would go now, they had taken a massive leap, one week it's casual sex, and the next they're in love. They were in way over their heads.

He shook off these thoughts and leant forward a few inches so that their lips touched softly, "I love you Zee-vah," he murmured before pulling her small body tight against his.

In an instant, Ziva had forgotten about how cold the water was and how Gibbs would react when he found out about them. She forgot all the possible problems that they could encounter. She forgot everything but how Tony was holding her, and how soft Tony's lips were against hers, and how Tony had said that he loved her.

She was unbelievably happy, happier than she had been since before Tali died.

Tony pulled away momentarily, watching her. Her eyes remained closed, and her lips were spread into a smile.

"Kiss me," she leant forwards, smiling devilishly.

"What are you...? Oh oh oh!" Tony laughed, as she dunked him under water, "Hey!"

Ziva laughed, "I love you," this time – after she had said it, she didn't have to immediately think up some excuse as to why she had said it. She felt care free for the first time in her life, and it was liberating, "I love you," she said it again.

"I love you too," Tony said before pressing her lips to hers again, "This feels so good," he mumbled against her lips.

"Hm?" Ziva mumbled, pressing her lips to his jaw.

"To be able to finally say it, and mean it completely," he clarified.

"Me too," she said against the hollow of his throat.

"Let's get out of this cold water..." Tony breathed.

"Okay," Ziva agreed, her feet hitting the bottom of the pond as she dropped them from Tony's waist, "Will you stay tonight?"

"Of Course," Tony smiled, hugging her to him.

I really hope that was okay, review and tell me what you think... Please :)

I'm really unsure of this chapter, so if you could tell me what you think it will put my mind at rest :) xoxox