Chapter 15: Starting Over

Tony blinked as light hit his eyes. He had been here before. "Hey, beautiful." But that wasn't how he woke up before.

"You're not so bad yourself." Ziva ran her hand over Tony's forehead. "Dr. Pitt informed us the surgery went well. Now all the hard work is in your hands."

Tony smiled groggily. "I can think of ways to exercise."

"I'd smack you in the back of the head, Dinozzo. But you're so high on painkillers right now, it would be a waste of my time." Gibbs teased.

"Right, Boss." Tony slurred out. "No having sex with Ziva when you're around."

"I hope not." Gibbs chuckled.

"He really is high isn't he?" McGee laughed along with the rest of the team. "I can't wait to tease him about this one. Especially when he finds out that he said it to you, Boss."

Gibbs silently smiled. He then watched as he senior agent drifted off to sleep mumbling something very inappropriate about his other agent Ziva David.

Ziva listened to the team's banter with one another pleased more than anything that Tony was once again out of danger. Only time would tell if he could walk again. Time and hard work was what mattered now.

"Look how hot his arms look." Abby interrupted with a random thought.

"You think Tony's arms are hot?" McGee showed obvious jealousy.

Ziva raised her eyebrows in her own jealous protest.

"Well, yeah. He's buff. I mean I felt his thighs and butt before. Nice but his arms were never this…" Abby ranted on.

"You felt his thighs?" Ziva and McGee stated simultaneously. "And butt?"

"Oh. Well, it was kind of in my face." Abby never elaborated. It was as if Ziva and McGee knew how Tony had his butt in her face. "Any way, his arms are really nice. Great biceps."

Ziva took it as Abby being Abby. "He's been using his arms as his ways to get around. I agree nice."

"Well, I think I'll head home for the evening. This talk of biceps and agents seeing one another has done me in for the day." Gibbs smirked. "See you all in the morning. Except you, Ziva. Take care of my boy."

"I will." Ziva proudly announced. "He's my boy too."

0o0o0o0o Two Weeks Later 0o0o0o0o

"Are you hurting, Tony?" Ziva helped Tony on to the elevator.

"No, Sweet cheeks." Tony teased. "I just can't wait to get back to work. Even if it is just desk work."

"Well, my hairy butt, I think Agent Welling was more pleased than you. He was more than eager to leave." Ziva pressed the buttons on the elevator.

"I don't suppose you had anything to do with that." Tony knew his girl well.

"Maybe, I made him feel less than welcome." Ziva admitted. "But in my defense, I am in love with his predecessor."

"Love you too." Tony winked. "I'm excited." He exhaled.

"Because you love me?" Ziva teased.

"Yeah. That too. But it almost feels like I am starting over." Tony shrugged. "Maybe it's the wheelchair."

"You'll be working on walking in less than a month." Ziva touched Tony's shoulder. "I'll help."

"Hmmm." Tony grinned naughtily. "Can I choose how you can help?"

"Maybe. Depends on if you can solve the case or not." Ziva teased. "I'll reward you some how."

"That's what I'm counting on." Tony jutted his eyebrows up and down.

"Were here." Ziva breathed out nervously for Tony.

"Yeah." Tony leaned his head into his hands.

"Are you okay?" Ziva stopped the elevator. "Do you need something?"

"Just self confidence back." Tony looked up at Ziva. He squeezed her hand. "A little nervous. I'm not much of an Ironside."

"You'll do fine." Ziva got to one knee.

"Are you proposing?" Tony teased. "Because I'm not sure I'm ready."

"Funny, Tony." Ziva smacked at his arm. "I was just going to kiss you for good luck."

"I'll take that. I think I can use all the luck I can get." Tony allowed Ziva to kiss him.

She turned the elevator back on as she stood. "You don't need luck. You're Very Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo."

The doors to the elevator opened. Tony wheeled out. A lot of people stared but not for long as Gibbs gave those that did a warning glare.

"What you got?" Gibbs stated.

McGee ranted on about some computer glitch he had found on the latest victim's computer. Ziva hurried to her desk and started searching the victim's latest whereabouts.

Tony glanced over the file quickly trying to catch up with the rest of the team. Gibbs had moved Tony's desk farther out to make allowance for Tony's wheelchair. Therefore, it wasn't awkward at all once Tony was behind his desk. He felt in his element.

"Boss, has anyone followed up on this one." Tony clicked on the plasma.

"What are you thinking?" Gibbs asked.

"She was just a babysitter, Tony." McGee rolled his eyes.

"Really. Someone that looks like that was just a babysitter." Tony questioned.

"She's not that hot." Ziva glanced at the screen. "She's a plain Crane."

"It's a plain Jane." Tony corrected her. "No. I mean….no one looks like that and just be a babysitter."

Gibbs looked closer at that screen. "Good job, Tony. Ziva, McGee, bring her in for questioning."

Gibbs walked off.

McGee got his gear quickly. He stopped at the screen. "I don't get what you see."

"I mean no one LOOKS like that. The babysitter is staring at the wife. And not a normal stare."

"Oh…..I see. That is kind of …." Ziva blushed.

"Like how you look at me, Sweet Cheeks." Tony folded his arms behind his head.

"Yes. My hairy butt." Ziva giggled.

Tony straightened up when he saw Gibbs coming back. He stated sternly. "Hey, aren't you two supposed to be bringing the babysitter in?"

McGee and Ziva saw Gibbs coming. "Yes. Boss…I mean..Tony."

Author's Note: Thanks for reading and reviewing.