March 18

"Do not forget those who fought the battles for you, and bought your freedom with their genius and their blood." - Emile Zola.

"I promise you, I'm innocent! I didn't do it!" The young man shouted as Anthony DiNozzo slammed him against the side of the car, elbow digging into his back.

"Like we haven't heard that before." He clipped on the handcuffs, turning to check on his partner. "You okay?"

Ziva David wiped an arm across her face, clearing the blood from her nose. She nodded, and Tony wanted to give the guy something to complain about.

Or hand him over to the woman now glaring at the jerk who'd got one lucky punch.

"You are driving." She let him haul the guy into the back seat before throwing the keys at him.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He reached out to touch her cheek, concern in his eyes.

Again, she nodded. "I have had a lot worse."

The truth of her words hit him hard. Tony hated the fact he couldn't protect her. He hated the fact he'd turned into such a mess whenever she was in danger or close to it. He now understood the reason Gibbs had Rule 12.

Sometimes, he hated just how much he loved her.

The honk of the car horn bought him back to reality.

"We're not in any rush, Zee-vah." He watched her in his peripheral vision as she closed her eyes and leant back against the headrest.

"I'm sorry ma'am, I just-"

"Shut up." They both snapped, smiling afterwards.

"You need Ducky to have a look at that?" He nodded at her, wincing at the congealed blood she'd missed.

"No. I just need to throw that man in jail."

"I said I'm sor-"

"Shut up!" Again, the two agents silenced him.

"You're losing your game." Tony teased, not daring to watch her response... until she leant across and squeezed his thigh.

"Am I?"

Tony gulped loudly. "First you get grazed by a bullet, then McGee shoots you at paintball, then some dealer gets a lucky-"

Ziva squeezed a little harder... and higher. "I am not perfect."

"Could have fooled me." He smiled at her, his tone softening.

"Who are you guys?" The guy from the back seat dared to speak – something he regretted as Ziva turned to face him.

"I will kill you." She threatened, her eyes assuring him of that fact.

Tony chuckled to himself as the rest of the journey stayed eerily quiet. One man scared for his life, the other avoiding damage to a certain part of his anatomy.

A normal day at the office, really.