No infringement intended to NCIS or the Charactors there of.

Spoiler: Jetlag, yeah ... I know ... enough already

Title: The Conversation

A oneshot

Tony and Ziva

The Conversation ...

Tony paces outside of Ziva's door, he knows what he wants to say … what has to be said, he just doesn't want to screw things up between them. He knew that whatever this was between them, for it to continue and he wants it to, this conversation must take place … he knocks.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Tony."

Tony smiles and replies with a somewhat shy, "Hi Ziva … may I come in?"

She tilts her head with a questioning look and steps aside allowing him access to her apartment.

"Tony, is everything alright?"

"Yes … no ... maybe?"

Ziva places her hands on her hips and snarls at Tony, "Is this one of those, it's not me, it's you, speech?"

"It's not you, it's me, speech … you mean."

Ziva points at her door and screams, "GET OUT."

"No, no … I was just correcting your English … that's not why I'm here … I would never … although … (saying this more to himself) in that case, it would be me and not you, but, no, no, definitely NO!"

"Then what is it? … You look like you regret Paris."

Tony walks up to Ziva and places a sweet kiss on her lips and says, "There are many things in my life I regret, Paris isn't one of them."

"Then what?"

He resumes his pacing. She stands back and watches and waits for him to gather his thoughts. He does and begins …

"Michael … I need you to believe that I had no intention of doing him any harm that day. He glances towards her to see her reaction. She drops her head and raises her eyes to him. He looks away and begins pacing and talking again. I just wanted him to leave. Gibbs isn't the only one that can feel things in his gut, ya know!? I just knew he was one of the bad guys and I wanted him away from you. I went there to tell him to leave … to leave you alone. He was drunk and he attacked me. Before he could see the small grin on her face, she changes her face back to a serious grin when he glances back up at her. I know that he could have kicked my ass … hell Ziva … you can kick my ass, but he was trashed and then he fell back on the glass table … and … and."

"Enough, Tony."

"Ziva please … this is important to me."

Ziva grabs his hands and leads him to the sofa … she makes him sit next to her. He looks directly into her eyes and she can see a man that loves her.

"When I was in Israel with my father, I heard things about Michael … I heard things about my father. That is why I'm here now … home."

"Home? Washington … home?"

"Home is where you are … I had a lot of time to think. When I was there in Israel and then again when I was captured and tortured, Tony cringes at the memory, I thought a lot about you and what happened … your side of the story. Your side made more sense … you never have lied to me. Michael and my father have … many times."

Ziva has pain in her eyes, something she never shows anyone. Tony, not wanting to make a big deal of that, pushes a stray hair behind her ear while gently brushing her cheek with the back of his hand. Ziva took hold of his hand and kisses his palm. They hold hands for a moment and Tony leans in for a kiss. He rises to leave, feeling good about the conversation.

"Tony, aren't you going to stay the night?"

"I would love that, but I promised McGee that I would meet him down at Fat Bill's for a few beers."

"Are you going to tell him about Paris?"

"I already showed him my pictures."

"About us, DiNozzo."

"I don't kiss and tell, David."

"Since when?"

"Since it's you, I've been kissing."

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. ~ Judy