Ok, first of all I want to clarify some things (sorry for the confusion). This story is definitely set before Somalia but does not depend on a specific time.
About the story in general: Don't worry, it's meant to be a little "secretive" and you will find out about everything soon enough. There will be some more movement in the next chapters!
And now enjoy reading & maybe you could take some time to review as well!
"For in every adult there dwells the child that was, and in every child there lies the adult that will be." ― John Connolly
The sun was long gone when Ziva woke up again, finding herself still laying in Tony's arms who hadn't moved once since she fell asleep.
Guilt immediately washed over her as she realized that his back would be killing him once he was awake as well.
As if on cue Tony started to stir and looked straight into her sleepy eyes.
"Hey." He quietly spoke up. "Did you rest a little?" His hair was slightly ruffled and he shot her a small smile.
"Yeah. Listen, I'm sorry that you had to lay on the couch. I didn't mean to" She started but was soon interrupted by Tony.
"It's ok Zi, really. I'm just glad you relaxed a little." And that he was.
He didn't know how much sleep they would get throughout the next days and weeks that's why he appreciated every calm minute before the next storm would come up.
Once he was fully awake he sauntered towards the kitchen to finally make the tea he had promised her earlier.
A few minutes later he came back with a steaming cup of tea for her and a coffee for himself and sat down next to her again.
Ziva brought out a small 'thank you' and was soon lost in her thoughts again while absentmindedly sipping on her tea.
"Listen Zi, I want you to know that I'm not going to pressure you into anything, but please know that I'm here to listen and help you. And so are the others. You don't have to go through this on your own." Tony tried to reassure her, not quite knowing if she was really listening to him.
"You don't understand it." She now looked at Tony, her voice giving away some sort of seriousness and he could feel that something was off. He was afraid that she shut down on him again, or worse that something he had said or done had triggered her.
"But I want to Ziva, please talk to me." His reply came out pleading and desperate.
By now her eyes were staring into the depths of the room and he could almost feel that he was losing her once more.
"You don't understand, Tony." She emphasized every single word and was now yelling at Tony.
"You don't understand anything." She was yelling at him, trying hard to hold back the upcoming tears. She couldn't allow herself to show any weakness now. He wouldn't like it.
Why didn't he understand her? Why did he never listen to her?
"I don't care Ziva. Next time you make a mistake you better prepare yourself for the consequences." And with that she felt his hand grazing her cheek, leaving her behind with a quickly reddening and swelling face.
It wasn't the first time he had laid a hand on her and she was sure it wasn't the last time.
Next time she would do better. Next time she wouldn't disappoint him.
Fear crossed Tony's features as he realized that Ziva was caught in a memory.
Her body was trembling and her eyes were squeezed shut in pain as she repeatedly whispered apologies to someone in her memory.
"It's not your fault Ziva, do you hear me? None of this was or is your fault." He had to try a shot in the dark hoping it would help her hearing his voice.
All of a sudden she snapped out of her flashback and immediately tried to regain her composure much to his dismay.
Now that her façade was back up she looked at Tony before sternly speaking up.
"I think I will go to bed now. It was a long day." Ziva took a deep breath. "Thank you for the tea." She quietly added her features finally softening again and with that she was gone, walking down the hall to her bedroom.
Tony sighed deeply, running his hands through his hair, wondering where this would take them.
This side of Ziva definitely scared him, and there was no way he could deny it.