Chapter Twelve

"So feeling better Zee? Now that he's in jail?" Tony smiled at Ziva as her, McGee, Abby, and himself all enjoyed some Chinese take-out at his desk.

Ziva smiled and nodded chewing the mouthful she had before answering, "yes. It is more-reassuring, knowing that he cannot hurt me anymore."

"Even if he wasn't in jail he wouldn't be able to Ziva." McGee assured his friend. "None of us would let him."

Ziva smiled her thanks to the young McGee as she ate.

"I'm so happy for you Ziva." Abby hugged her friend.

Ziva chuckled softly. "I am too Abby." She glanced at Tony who was smiling at her with a goofy grin.

Ziva chuckled softly and shook her head before turning to look at Abby again. "So how about we hang out tonight after work?"

"I think you're forgetting Zee, our movie night." Tony smiled

Ziva laughed, "of course." She looked at Abby, "tomorrow?"

Abby smiled. "Definitely." She ate with a grin, knowing her friend's hidden feelings for a certain special agent in that room.

"Knock, knock." Tony came into Ziva's apartment carrying food, snacks, and movies.

Ziva looked over as she got everything in the living room ready. She had a beer for Tony, a few bottles of water, and a couple sodas all sitting near the couch, ready for the two agents to have their movie night. "Hi Tony. You know where to set everything." She flashed him a smile before going to her room to change.

Tony smiled and set everything on the coffee table in the middle of Ziva's spotless living room. Her apartment was definitely cleaner and relaxing to be in compared to his. He liked how homey it felt and how homey she kept it feeling. It was nice and relaxing. A great place for their movie night.

Ziva came back wearing her OSU PT pants and shirt. Her hair was braided into a side braid over her shoulder. "Ready Tony?" She smiled as she sat on the couch, curling her legs up to her side almost under her.

"Yes I am, Zee-vah." Tony smiled. He held up the movies. Men In Black, The Patriot, and Radio. "Which one?"

Ziva looked at them each in turn and pondered. "The Patriot. Mel Gibson is good in it."

"Then why not watch something else?" Tony chuckled.

Ziva looked at him, "because it is my choice. I chose The Patriot. Now put it in Tony."

Tony laughed putting it in the DVD player and grabbing the remote before jumping over the table and sitting by Ziva. "Okay, okay." He laughed and put his arm on the back of the couch, his arm reaching behind her. A small smile enchanted Ziva's graceful lips and face.

Tony smiled and hit play on the remote for the movie to start, the smile on Ziva not missing his eyes. It took all of his energy to focus on the movie and not the gorgeous assasin next to him.

"That was a good movie." Ziva stretched yawning after the movie. She leaned closer to Tony, nestling her head in the space between his shoulder and neck. SHe closed her eyes for a moment and heard the faintest beat from Tony's heart. She wasn't close enough to hear how quick it was or feel. All she knew was his heartbeat was nice and strong.

"It was." Tony gently put his arm that was on the back of the couch on her back. Gently he stroked her back relaxingly. He watched the relaxing ninja and held his breath as her gorgeous chocolatey smooth brown eyes met his.

"Thank you Tony." She watched him, her eyes looking directly into his.

"You're welcome Zee." Tony whispered. He reached his lips down to hers, they were about to touch when she sat up quickly.

"I um, am sorry Tony. But I-I cannot." She looked at her hands and Tony realized it was Post Trama Distress.

"It's okay Zee. You're safe. I would never dream of hurting you." Tony whispered soothingly. He put his hand on her back and rubbed it softly as if comforting a small child.

Ziva ducked away from his reach. "Please go." She whispered. "Please."

Tony watched as she tried to hide the few tears from him. They didn't miss his gaze. "I'm sorry Ziva."

"I-I am too Tony." Ziva's light voice shook as she ducked her head away, her face away from his caring stare.

Tony got the movies quietly. "I'll see you tomorrow." Silently he slipped out the door. He sighed softly. He knew that bastard was part of the reason Ziva was so hurt right now. It took all he had not to go to the jail and give Lev a personal visit.

Ziva curled up on the couch and hugged her knees and cried. She didn't want to push Tony away. She wanted him. She wanted that kiss. But all that ran through her mind was what Lev had done to her. How he had hurt her. She wasn't used to being so weak. It wasn't a Ziva thing to do. It never had been. All she wanted to do was get better. Soon.